A European cruise is different from a Caribbean cruise in many ways, including what you should pack for the trip.
I'm heading to Europe on a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise around Spain and France and wanted to make sure I had everything I needed in the weeks leading up to the cruise.
While there are many similarities between Caribbean and European cruises, there are some things that are different or that seem more important when going to Europe.
After traveling through Europe last year, I learned some lessons I can apply, and I plan on heading to a different destination than last time.
Read more: 7 mistakes I made on a Norwegian fjord cruise and 3 things I got right
Here is a list of items I purchased for our European cruise that I found to be extremely useful. Of course, this is in addition to the regular cruise packing list items that I think you should rely on too.
Electronic SIM
Staying connected is really important to me, so I want to be able to work on the site while being on another continent, as well as being able to communicate easily with friends and family.
Rather than relying on an international mobile phone plan from my home country's carrier, I opted for an eSim that offers pan-European coverage.
I discovered Orange Travel eSims when I went to Europe last year and it worked flawlessly.
Back in the day, you had to get a physical SIM card to unlock your phone, which was a huge hassle, but with modern phones, everything is virtual.
Essentially, you purchase a travel plan that is valid for 7, 14 or 28 days. Once you arrive in Europe, you scan the QR code and the eSim information is downloaded to your phone, giving you instant access to your second cellular connection.
It was very easy, I bought a 30GB plan valid for 14 days from activation, probably more data than I need, but you can always add more if you need more, total cost 39.99 euros.
This works in every country I visit and saves me from having to constantly search for a WiFi signal somewhere.
UK/EU power adapter
One of the best items to bring on any cruise is an absolute must on a European cruise.
USB hubs are very useful because Royal Caribbean cruise ships don't necessarily have a ton of power outlets, so in Europe you'll need a USB hub and a suitable power adapter.
Outlets for mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices you bring with you vary greatly in Europe.
The EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter (this is an affiliate link, meaning I receive a small commission but at no extra cost to you) is handy because it's small and can be used with US, EU, and UK power outlets, plus it has a USB outlet on the side.
It's an all-in-one adapter with four USB-A ports (2.4A), one USB-C port (3A), and one AC socket.
I could take it on a cruise ship and use it all over Europe and think it's a solid investment.
Better walking shoes
At home I wear basic shoes that are far from perfect for walking in, so I needed better shoes for my trip to Europe.
My exploration of London and the planned shore excursions in France and Spain will involve a lot of walking, and I don't want to end up with blisters or sore feet, so I decided to invest in some suitable walking shoes.
There are a lot of sneakers out there, but I ended up choosing Nike's Men's Sport Low Top Shoes. For the ladies, my friend Sheri recommended the Adidas Women's Cloudfoam Sneakers. (This is an affiliate link, which means I receive a small commission but at no extra cost to you.)
If you buy sneakers for your cruise, make sure you break them in before the cruise begins. Don't wear brand new shoes in Europe. Instead, wear them around the house and around town to break them in and be ready to tackle the old streets of Europe.
Anti-theft bag
Rather than stuffing all my personal belongings in my pockets, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a good bag that would also be pickpocket proof.
While many travel experts recommend a crossbody bag to take ashore, I wanted to go a step further and choose a bag with anti-theft features.
Pickpockets are a problem in Europe and I don't know how likely the threat is, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
In the end, I chose the Wander Plus Anti Theft Travel Bag (this is an affiliate link, meaning I receive a small commission but at no extra cost to you) because it can be worn as both a crossbody bag or a sling bag.
I've never used a crossbody bag and am still traumatized by the waist pack craze of the 1990s, so while I probably won't be wearing Zubaz pants anytime soon, I would love to try a crossbody bag.
Apple AirTag
I think we all panic a little bit when we think about what to do if our luggage gets lost, which is why I bought Apple AirTags.
Lost luggage is especially common when traveling by air, so knowing where your luggage is gives you much more peace of mind.
AirTags are small, button-shaped tracking devices that weigh just 11 grams. AirTags can be tracked using Bluetooth with the Find My app on your iPhone.
A single AirTag costs $29, or $99 for a pack of four. (These links contain affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, we earn from qualifying purchases.)
I think this is an easy and affordable addition to my trips and it reduces the anxiety of not getting your luggage.
Read more: I tried AirTags to track my luggage on a Royal Caribbean cruise
What not to bring: Toiletries
Don't worry, I'll be showering regularly during my European cruise, but I'm not going to buy any at home and bring them with me.
Firstly, they take up space in your luggage and add weight. If you have travel-sized items, they won't take up much weight or space, but it all adds up.
But the real reason I don't pack toiletries is because I'm always so worried that they'll open up and explode in my luggage. Sure, I could put them in a Ziploc bag, but that brings me back to the problem I mentioned at the beginning.
Instead, I buy them when I get to London and throw them away when I'm ready to fly home.
If I’m worried I’ll forget or be lazy, like the 3-in-1 mystery liquid that comes with Royal Caribbean showers, I can’t do that, I’ll definitely find the motivation to get it.
