Transatlantic cruises are becoming increasingly popular among those wishing to travel to Europe in a less hurried way than taking an 8-hour (or longer!) flight. Several cruise lines offer this mode of transatlantic travel, including Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. Since these cruises are longer than the quick 4- or 5-day jaunts through the Caribbean, you might be perplexed when it comes to what to pack. After all, packing for a two-week cruise is going to be different from packing for a long weekend cruise. Here are some tips on packing for your transatlantic cruise:
- The Airplane Most of us will have to fly to our port, and even if not, you’ll need to fly back home once your European adventure is over. For this reason, it’s important to understand the weight limits and number of bags allowed on your flights, and to stick to them unless you don’t mind paying a large surcharge. Of course you’ll want to be sure that you have a carry-on bag to hold all of the items that absolutely can’t get lost. These include your passport and other cruise documents, any medications that you have to take, jewelry, eyeglasses or contact lens supplies, etc.
- Formal Wear Your packed attire is going to depend on the cruiseline and the exact itinerary. Some cruiselines are known for having formal evenings, at which you are expected to dress up. When you book your cruise, find out what’s expected; you may need to pack a cocktail dress or two, or a suit or tuxedo. Tuxedos can sometimes be rented on the ship, so if this option appeals to you, then inquire accordingly. Other lines have more relaxed standards, and typical “country club” wear is acceptable, even during the more formal evening events.
- Other Clothing Remember that it is likely to be chilly on your trek across the Atlantic Ocean. Make sure that you have a few sweaters packed; depending on the time of year, you may also need a coat. If you are traveling to a more southern destination, such as Rome, this might not be as much of an issue. Focus on comfort and the ability to mix and match your clothing. A few pairs of pants or skirts in neutral colors will go far when you mix them with simple blouses, knit shirts and sweaters. If it’s summertime, it may well be warm enough to swim or wear shorts. Definitely pack a bathing suit or two, just in case!
- Sneakers You’ll likely want to do some walking once you arrive in your European ports of call; cities in Europe are often more walkable than comparable cities in the United States. Pack a good pair of sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes. These will also come in handy if you decide to do some walking for exercise while on the ship.
- Camera This is something you won’t want to forget! You’ll want to take photos of your ship, of the ocean, of the land as you approach and, of course, of the cities that you visit!
Don’t worry too much about the length of the trip as far as laundry goes; most ships have laundry facilities, and many also offer valet laundry service, so you just hand off your dirty laundry and collect it later. Make sure that you leave enough time after your cruise to explore your final destination if possible, so you’re not getting on an airplane a day or two after disembarking the ship for the last time. While you’re in Europe, you might as well try to enjoy as much time there as you can!
Have you traveled on a transatlantic cruise? Do you have any other tips to share?
