Packing for Europe?

Question

I'm leaving in a few weeks for europe w/ my family... should I take my cell phone (Verizon) and is their anything I wish I would have brought (please be specific and explain)

Answer 1

I have done two Mediterranean cruises and also a Baltic cruise and here's what I suggest.

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY.  You did not say which countries your cruise will visit but just about every country on the  Mediterranean cruises that we did used the Euro.  Only England and Gibralter did not.  So its a good idea to get some Euros before you go so that you have the currency to pay the taxi to the port or hotel, and if you need to buy anything before you get on the ship.  The ships' purser  generally have Euros but not many.  I suggest getting them through your bank; I used Bank of America.  The other option is to use your ATM card in the airport as soon as you get to your departure city.  The ATM will give you Euros but you will not get a good rate and it will cost you an ATM fee.

What you need to take in the way of clothes and/or other items is about the same as for any other cruise.  Your ship will likely have all of the same amenities that any other cruise ship has like pools and hot tubs, a gym, a place to walk and/or jog, a covered pool/hot tub area that you can use if its cool or raining, etc. The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take:

-swim wear (at least 2), shorts, and "T's"

-sandals,

-sun glasses and sun screen, -lotions,

-a cap or big hat for the sun,

-a book if you are a reader, and your music player,

-sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym,

-good walking shoes,

-your camera, and

-other personal toiletries including tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels, and a hair dryer. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.  You will need a wrap or some type cover for going to and from the pools and hot tub.   Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice.   Your ship may or may not have a  self service laundry, but all ships have laundry service that is very expensive.

Your cruise will have a formal night or two when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. But most people do dress up. A gown or party dress for women and a suit or tux for men. Some people dress up both formal nights, some don't. We always take the formal stuff off after dinner and a photo or two and go back to casual stuff.

You need to check with your cell phone provider to make sure that you can get service.  My wife always takes her cell phone on all of our cruises and uses it in other countries for calls and text messaging.  You need to be sure that it works but also how much it costs.

If you are going to Spain and/or Italy you need to beware of pickpockets.  They work the tourists areas.  I suggest getting a security pouch (about $20 at Target) and putting a copy of your passport and driver license in it along with just a little cash (Euros) and leave the rest of your cash in the safe in your cabin.  Keep your wallet and camera inside your clothes.  In Italy and Spain do not give any money to the Gypsies that will be around, they will rip you off and if you give to one others will show up.

HERE ARE SOME PACKING TIPS:

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

- Pack using the vacuum clothing bags (about $20 for 3 at Target) so that you can get more in your bag AND so that if the TSA at the airport opens your bag they can see what's inside without rummaging through your things.

-Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand-wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

-If you plan to get into the pools or hot tub as soon as you get on ship (they will be open), bring those clothes in your carry on bag; you other luggage may not get to your cabin until much later in the afternoon.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom. The bathrooms do not have exhaust fans.

- Take a few zip lock bags of various sizes; they always come in handy.

- Take some one dollar bills/Euros (also maybe a few $5's) for tipping the porters in the airport, at the pier (they do not work for the ship), and they will come in handy in port stops for buying small items in the markets and at vendor stands; especially bartering places.

Answer 2

I went on a Mediterranean cruise last year, and there were a couple of things that surprised me.

BRING:

-a sweater.  In the evenings it can get cool, even in the summer.

-nice-looking walking shoes. There will be lots of walking.  Sneakers are comfy, but you'll definitely stand out as an American.  If that bothers you, I recommend Cole Haan shoes which have Nike Air soles but look great

-refillable water bottle.  Europe is insanely expensive right now, and if you're walking around you'll want lots of water.

-moneybelt or small document pouch you can put UNDER your clothes.  My cousin was pick-pocketed in Venice, and it created a huge problem. Thieves target tourists, so be extra-careful.

Here's a general packing list that might be helpful: http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/kn...

In terms of your cell phone, I'd say bring it.  Even if you decide not to turn it on, you'll have it in case of emergency. But first call Verizon and turn on international roaming - you have to ask.  And be aware that it's pretty expensive. There's an article on cell phones on ships here:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/kn...

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Check with Verizon but I don't think your phone will work once you get out of the U.S. because of the cell phone technology that Verizon uses. Definitely check though. If you can't use your cell there and really want one for emergencies you can get an unlocked phone in the States and buy a prepaid SIM card online (they're pretty cheap) or wait until you get to Europe and get one there. You can get a cheap unlocked phone with a prepaid SIM card for around 20-30 Euros through T-Mobile. Just be aware that there's roaming between countries in Europe as well...so if you buy your phone in Italy and use it in France it will charge you a lot to use it! Honestly I don't think you'll need it. Europeans don't use their cell phones quite as much as we do in America :)

Answer 4

You can find cruise packing lists by either doing a search for "cruise packing list" or by going to CruiseCritic.com.  Click on "Boards", then do a search for "packing list".  You'll get lots of info.

Answer 5

Bring along some anti diarrheal tabs.