Packing for a Mediterranean cruise can be exciting, but you can’t just run to the nearest boutique if you forget something. Here are my top tips for what to wear on a Mediterranean cruise, based on my experience and advice from blogger friends.

For my recent cruise, I needed clothes for sightseeing, dinner outfits, and something dressy for formal nights. I also planned to relax on the sun deck, visit the spa, and maybe hit the gym. I prefer to travel light, so I didn’t want to lug around heavy suitcases.

When packing for a Mediterranean cruise in May, I expected warm sunny days and cooler evenings. Living in England, where the weather is unpredictable, I checked the forecast for our destinations a week before the cruise. My weather app and Weather2Travel.com were helpful, showing temperatures around 22-25°C, cooling down at night. I packed a jumper for the evenings and was glad I brought a rain jacket for the few showers we encountered in Barcelona.

For a 7-day cruise, I needed outfits for different activities. We visited a new destination daily and stayed active, so I packed comfortable city trainers and flip-flops for onboard. My sightseeing wardrobe included t-shirts and cut-off trousers, and I had vest tops for pool time. For evenings, I packed dressy tops and white jeans that could mix and match with my daytime clothes. For formal nights, I skipped the ball gown and opted for a sparkly top and a silky evening cover-up to add glamour.

One packing secret is to stick to one color scheme per trip. For this cruise, I chose beige, cream, and soft pink for sightseeing, and orange tops with white or black trousers for evenings and onboard days. This way, I could mix and match different tops with the same trousers.

When visiting religious sites, it’s respectful to cover your shoulders and knees. I packed a top suitable for conservative dress in Muslim countries, like my orange linen top with elbow-length sleeves. This ensured I was appropriately dressed for places like Tunis.

Different cruise lines have varying dress codes for formal nights. MSC Cruises, for example, has a more relaxed European dress sense. I checked the formal dress guidelines on the cruise company website and discussion boards like Cruise Critic. My partner packed a blazer and smart trousers instead of a dinner jacket, which was a good choice as few tuxedos were worn on board. I chose a sparkly top for gala evenings and an evening cover-up for other nights.

Some cruise ships have laundry rooms, but MSC Splendida did not. I used my top tip for packing crease-free: roll your clothes instead of folding them. This, along with choosing crease-resistant fabrics, kept my clothes looking fresh.

Packing for a Mediterranean cruise involves planning for various activities and weather conditions. By sticking to a color scheme, packing versatile outfits, and being mindful of cultural dress codes, you can enjoy a stylish and comfortable cruise experience.