Planning a Mediterranean cruise aboard the Sun Princess? After countless hours of research and preparation for my family’s voyage, I’ve put together the ultimate packing guide featuring items that transformed our trip from comfortable to extraordinary. These aren’t your typical “don’t forget your passport” reminders—these are the carefully selected products that elevated our entire cruise experience.
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Before You Sail: The Journey There
Luggage Tags
Start your cruise preparation right with durable luggage tag holders. Print your cruise luggage tags at home, then secure them in reusable protective holders. This simple step kept our tags intact throughout our entire journey. Simply put them on before you head to the port! I kept ours in the front pocket of our suitcase for easy access.
Neck Pillow for the Long Flight
Let’s be honest—reaching the Mediterranean typically means enduring a lengthy flight. Our red-eye from Dallas to Athens required quality sleep to beat jet lag. While I usually struggle to sleep on planes, this memory foam neck pillow made all the difference. The compact design rolls into a small storage bag, making it perfect for travel.
Eye Masks
Combine your neck pillow with a quality eye mask to block out cabin lights and neighboring passengers’ reading lamps. Being able to sleep on demand during a transatlantic flight means arriving refreshed and ready to enjoy your first day onboard instead of battling exhaustion. Pro tip: Pack earplugs too—they were a lifesaver when a child cried several rows behind us for most of the flight.
Activities for Kids
Traveling with children requires thoughtful planning for both flight time and sea days. With kids aged 9 and 11, I brought iPads along with clear expectations and parameters for screen time. After long sightseeing days and extended flights, these devices gave the kids valuable decompression time. I also packed compact entertainment like magnetic travel games, and activity books. Our family favorite? Kanoodle! While sea days offer wonderful relaxation opportunities, children need entertainment options beyond the pool.
Your Cruise Cabin: Organization is Everything
Magnetic Hooks
Here’s a game-changing secret: cruise ship walls and doors are magnetic! This might be the single most valuable packing tip I can share. Cruise cabins offer notoriously limited space, and magnetic hooks transform organization by providing convenient spots for hats, bags, lanyards, and jackets. Since cabin walls are metal, these hooks work perfectly without causing any damage.
Pro tip: Bring decorative magnets for your stateroom door! They’ll help you spot your room quickly and add a festive touch if you’re celebrating something special like a birthday or anniversary.
Hanging Makeup/Toiletry Bag
This ranks among my favorite travel purchases for any trip! It keeps my family’s toiletries organized no matter where we’re traveling. Cruise ship bathroom counter space is minimal at best, so a hanging toiletry bag that hooks over the door keeps everything accessible without cluttering precious surfaces. I chose this one with clear pockets for quick visibility.
Compact Magnifying Mirror
Cabin lighting isn’t always ideal for detailed grooming tasks. A small, battery-operated magnifying mirror with built-in lighting proves invaluable for makeup application and other precision tasks. Bonus: it packs flat and weighs virtually nothing.
Dual Voltage Hair Straightener
This is absolutely crucial: verify that your hair straightener or curling iron is dual voltage (110-240V). European ships and ports operate on different electrical systems than North America. Using a non-dual voltage device risks damaging both your styling tool and the ship’s electrical system. Check your device specifications carefully—it must explicitly state 110-240V compatibility. If your current straightener lacks dual voltage capability, invest in a new one before your trip. This small expense far outweighs the cost of replacing your favorite styling tool or dealing with a tripped circuit breaker in your cabin. I used this affordable dual voltage hair straightener with excellent results!
Pro tip: While the Sun Princess is well-equipped with outlets, don’t forget a voltage adapter if you’re booking hotel stays before or after your cruise—you’ll need it for international travel.
Tech Essentials
Multi-Device Charging Station
Between phones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers, and cameras, my family travels with numerous devices. While the Sun Princess offers many outlets, we still encountered moments when additional charging capacity proved essential. This multi-port USB charging station simplified overnight charging for everyone’s devices from a single outlet—crucial when sharing a cabin. We also found it invaluable at airports during layovers.
iPhone Lanyard/Strap
I’m so grateful we brought these phone straps on our Sun Princess Mediterranean cruise! A phone lanyard might seem unnecessary until you’re juggling your phone and a drink on the pool deck. A secure strap enables hands-free convenience without worrying about dropping your phone overboard or leaving it somewhere. I particularly appreciated how it kept my daughter’s phone secure during excursions. I also clipped my medallion to it, creating an incredibly convenient all-in-one solution.
Medallion Watch Band
Princess Cruises provides each guest with an Ocean Medallion—an innovative wearable device serving as your room key, payment method, and more. While the standard lanyard functions well, a watch band adapter offers superior comfort and convenience, particularly during formal nights or when you prefer a more streamlined appearance. My husband and mother-in-law loved using these to hold their medallions!
Comfort Items for Onboard
Lightweight Shawl or Wrap
Mediterranean destinations offer warm weather, but cruise ship air conditioning can be surprisingly strong, especially in dining rooms and theaters. A stylish wrap or lightweight shawl serves dual purposes: providing comfort in over-air-conditioned spaces while adding elegance to evening attire. It’s also essential for visiting churches or religious sites in port where covered shoulders are required. This lightweight wrap was perfect for my entire trip—I even used it on the plane whenever the cabin got too chilly.
Towel Clips or Straps
Nothing frustrates quite like watching your towel blow off your deck chair the moment you walk away. Large towel clips or elastic straps with clips secure your towel on windy sea days. They’re inexpensive, reusable, and eliminate the constant need to rearrange your pool setup.
Health and Wellness
Anti-Nausea Medicine
Even if seasickness isn’t typically a concern, bring anti-nausea medication as a precaution. While the Mediterranean generally offers calm waters, unexpected rough seas can occur. Having options like ginger candies, motion sickness bands, or medication provides valuable peace of mind. Note that onboard shops stock these items, but they cost considerably more than bringing your own. These products are relatively inexpensive and require minimal luggage space.
Pro tip: Keep them in your carry-on so they’re readily available if you or your children experience motion sickness during the flight.
Items for Excursions
A Stylish Hat
Europeans typically don’t wear baseball caps. As a busy mom who loves this accessory, I purchased a stylish new hat specifically for this trip—and I’m thrilled I did! It protected my face from the intense summer sun while completing numerous outfits beautifully.
An Over-the-Shoulder Bag
This proved extremely useful throughout our journey! It allowed me to keep my family’s passports, phone, and money securely on my person at all times. I selected a crossbody style like this one that worked perfectly for my needs.
Final Thoughts
The secret to successful Mediterranean cruise packing aboard the Sun Princess lies in thinking beyond the basics. These thoughtful additions address the small inconveniences that accumulate over a week or two at sea. They represent the difference between constantly problem-solving and simply savoring your vacation.
Most of these items are compact, affordable, and reusable for future cruises. Trust me—once you’ve experienced the convenience of magnetic hooks in your cabin or the comfort of a proper neck pillow on your transatlantic flight, you’ll never cruise without them again.
Have you discovered any clever packing essentials for cruising? I’d love to hear what items enhanced your cruise experience!
Bon voyage and happy cruising!