​​What to Pack for a 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise to Spain, France, and Italy

I’m usually a carry-on-only type of traveler. But packing for my first cruise? I packed more than I ever have and ended up needing an additional checked bag—more even than my six-week stay in Guatemala, more than my trip to British Columbia in -20°F weather.

A group of friends invited my partner and I to join them on a Virgin adults-only cruise in October last year, where we spent a few days in Barcelona before hopping on the Scarlet Lady for a Mediterranean voyage through Barcelona, Toulon, Corsica, Marina di Carrara, Rome, and Ibiza.

I thought packing would be simple—sunglasses, a bathing suit, some clothes, right? Nope. The fun thing about cruises is that there’s so much to do, but that’s also what makes it hard to know exactly what to bring. Virgin Voyages has themed nights (including a Red Night and a pajama party) and stopover excursions ranging from biking and kayaking to full-day walking tours, all free of screaming kids. Even if you skip the excursions, there are multiple stops and plenty of sightseeing opportunities with varying array of climates from balmy Ibiza to rainy days in Toulon. Then there’s the whole “what not to pack” rule for cruises (looking at you, clothes steamer) that adds another layer.

After all that, I’ve put together a list of must-haves that I’d definitely bring next time I’m stuffing my suitcase for another Med Sea tour.

Listen, all of these items are personally paid for, not gifted or incentivized. They’re also the ones I personally recommend and will continue to use. Just so you know, to help us afford rent, Matador may collect a small commission from some (not all) of the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase.

Clothes to pack for a cruise

Linen Long Sleeve Button Down

Photo courtesy Kelsey Wilking

A staple everyone should have in their repertoire, a long-sleeve linen shirt offers breathability, protects against chilly days and sunburns, and is lightweight and easy to pack. It’s a no-brainer, and I found myself wishing I had packed more than one on this trip.

Price: $44.99

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The Harlow Short in Drapey Twill

Photo: Josh Wilking

These shorts exude effortless Italian vacation vibes. They’re long enough for plenty of activities without offending the locals, incredibly comfortable and airy, and versatile enough to style with ease. This is the kind of purchase that makes you want one in every color.

Price: $39.99 – 49 percent off

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OLUKAI Ohana Women’s Beach Sandals

Photo courtesy OLUKAI

These will be my ride-or-die flip-flops until the end. The company uses gum rubber with 30% recycled materials, offers two vegan options, and has a nonprofit dedicated to preserving local Hawaiian history and culture. The arch support provides ample comfort for my flat feet, the footbed grips your feet to prevent slipping, and the soles offer support for all-day walking. And I did—I walked in these all day on some days. No blisters, no break-in time. They’re just right.

Price: $79.99

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ASTR the label Women’s Gaia Dress

Photo courtesy Kelsey Wilking

I’m sure you’ve seen Scarlet Night photos pop up on your social feed—everyone dripping in that signature Virgin color. This all-red night is the perfect excuse to dress up fancier than your usual walk-around-town attire. I bought this red dress—since I didn’t own anything in this shade—that felt glamorous without being over the top. But honestly? You can go all out for this themed night. Everyone was dressed to the nines in fancy outfits, sparkly red-hued suits, and top hats. In October, the temperature was chilly on the top deck during the party, but with dancing and bubbly, you warm up fast.

Price: $79.99

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Travel accessories to pack for a cruise

Beauty of Joseon Daily Relief Sunscreen

Photo courtesy Amazon

South Korean skincare is on a whole other level. Seriously, this sunscreen blends seamlessly, offers all-day protection with its FDA-approved UVA filters, sits nicely under makeup, and keeps my skin barrier moisturized—especially important since traveling tends to dry out my skin. One of my favorite brands, Beauty of Joseon, offers a sunscreen stick too that’s easy to pack for days spent in the Mediterranean sun.

Price: $18

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Lemonhead Spacepaste® Glitter + Flash Temporary Tattoos

Photo: Kelsey Wilking

You really can’t go on a cruise without glitter or some fun temporary tattoos—it’s practically a rule (I’m pretty sure I read that somewhere). With all the planned parties on board and a stop in Ibiza for a night out, you’ll be glad you packed these fun party essentials.

Price: $14

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Torriden Ceramide Lip Balm

Photo courtesy Torriden

The salty sea air, long days spent outdoors, chilly nights, dips in the hot tubs, and time on the boat left my lips feeling raw and chapped. This lip balm—a South Korean brand (are we surprised?)—is a lifesaver. It worked so well that I even ended up using it on my cracked knuckles when Aquaphor couldn’t do the trick. Plus, the ceramides help improve skin elasticity.

Price: $19.99

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Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband for Motion Sickness

Photo courtesy Sea-Band

Not all of us were sailors in a past life. My husband suffers from intense motion sickness, so even though we had never been on a cruise before, we wanted to be extra cautious since he tends to get nauseous in cars and on ferries. We may have overdone it by stocking up on patches and medicine—including acupressure bands—but these bands proved most effective. He didn’t feel nauseous once while on the boat, even during an unplanned day at sea when it was too choppy to dock.

Price: $15.40

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Purple Tree Post-Celebration Wellness Vitamins

Photo courtesy purple tree

I promise I’m not trying to sell you snake oil here, but these vitamins were essential for keeping any hangovers at bay. The first day we stepped on the cruise, we were shoved free champagne to drink to start the party. Needless to say, these vitamins were essential and I can honestly tell you after many days of drinking, I felt amazing every single day. Now a permanent staple in my travel toiletry kit.

Price: $24.95

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Osprey Farpoint 70 Travel Pack

Photo: Kelsey Wilking

Our Osprey Farpoint 70 backpack is from seven years ago so that’s a testament to how well they hold up. I found one that is similar to ours with a detachable day pack which is very much needed for sightseeing off the ship.

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RORRY Portable Charger

Photo courtesy RORRY

This charger includes a charging port for my Apple Watch and features two different built-in cables for different phones (I could use my new iPhone 16 while my husband could use his iPhone 12). The built-in cables eliminate the hassle of bringing extra cables when packing on the go. It easily fits in our daypack, charges quickly, and is far more convenient than packing my Apple Watch cord separately. I love it overall and now use it for every trip.

Price: $32.99

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YETI Yonder Water Bottle

Photo courtesy YETI

I love my Yeti water bottle, which I’ve been using for four years. It keeps my water cold, but it’s heavy and adds extra weight when traveling. For daytime excursions, I found myself wanting a lighter option. This one fit the bill—it’s BPA-free, lightweight, and leakproof. Although it doesn’t keep your beverage cold, its European design means you’ll fit right in.

Price: $25

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