A cruise in Europe is unlike a Caribbean cruise in many ways, including things you should bring with you on the trip.
I'm headed to Europe for a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise to Spain and France, and in the weeks leading up to the cruise, I wanted to make sure I have everything I need.
There are a lot of similarities between a Caribbean cruise and an European cruise, but there are a few items that I think are different or more important to have when going to Europe.
After trying Europe last year, I came away with a few takeaways to apply. Plus, I'm headed to different destinations than last time.
Read more: 7 mistakes & 3 things I did right on my Norwegian fjords cruise
Here's the list of things I bought for my European cruise that I think will greatly benefit me. This is of course in addition to the usual assortment of cruise packing list items that I think everyone should rely on as well.
eSim
Staying connected is really important to me, and I want to make sure I have a very easy time being able to not only work on this site while on another continent, but be able to easily communicate with friends and family.
Rather than rely on an international cell phone plan from my home carrier, I went with an eSim that covers all of Europe.
When I went to Europe last year, I was turned onto Orange Travel eSims and it worked flawlessly.
In the old days, you had to get a physical sim card and have your phone unlocked and it was all super cumbersome. With modern phones, it's all virtual.
Basically, you buy a travel plan that is good for 7, 14, or even 28 days. When you get to Europe, scan a QR code and it downloads the eSim information to your phone and you have a second cellular connection ready to go!
It's really simple, and I bought the 30GB plan that works for 14 days from the time of activation. I think it's probably more data than I need, but I can always top it off if I need more. Total cost is €39.99.
It works in all the countries I'll be visiting, and I can avoid having to constantly try to find a WiFi signal somewhere.
UK/EU power adaptor
One of the best things to pack for any cruise is downright essential on a European cruise.
Royal Caribbean cruise ships don't always have a lot of power outlets, so a USB hub is very useful. In Europe, you're going to need that and a good power adaptor to go with it.
Between your phone, laptop, and any other electronic you pack, the outlets in Europe are very different.
The EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter (this is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission but there's no extra cost to you) is great because it's small, and it can work with US, EU, or UK power outlets. Plus, it has USB outlets on the side!
It's an all-in-one adapter that has 4 USB-A ports (2.4A), 1 USB-C port (3A), and 1 AC socket.
I've been able to bring this on cruise ships and use it around Europe, and it's a solid investment.
Better walking shoes
When I'm at home, I wear basic shoes that are far from perfect for walking, so I needed a better pair for Europe.
Between exploring London and the shore excursions I have planned in France and Spain, there's going to be plenty of walking involved. Getting a blister or just sore feet sounds is not something I want, so I decided to invest in better shoes for walking.
There are lots of sneakers out there, but I ultimately went with the Nike Men's Sports Low Top Shoes. For the ladies, my friend Sheri recommends the adidas Women's Cloudfoam sneakers. (this is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission but there's no extra cost to you)
If you do buy sneakers for your cruise, be sure to break them in before the cruise begins. Don't wear brand new shoes around Europe. Instead, wear them around your house and town so they are worn-in and ready to tackle the old streets of Europe.
Theft-proof bag
Rather than stuff all my personal belongings in my pockets, investing in a good bag that doubles against pickpockets seemed like a good idea.
A lot of travel experts recommend a crossbody bag as something to take with you on shore, and I wanted to go one step further to ensure it is theft-proof.
Pickpockets are a concern in Europe, and while I won't pretend to know how likely a threat, I figure it's better to be safe than sorry.
Ultimately I went with the Wander Plus Anti Theft Travel Bag (this is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission but there's no extra cost to you) because it can be worn as a crossbody bag or as a sling bag.
I've never worn a crossbody bag, and I'm still traumatized by the fanny pack craze of the 1990s. So while I won't wear Zubaz pants anytime soon, I'm willing to give crossbody bags a try.
Apple AirTags
I think everyone has a small panic attack contemplating what happens if their luggage would get lost, so that's why I bought Apple AirTags.
Air travel is especially notorious for lost bags, and I would have far more peace of mind knowing where my bags are located.
An AirTag is a small, button-shaped tracking device that weighs just 11 grams. AirTags can be tracked using Bluetooth in the Find My app on my iPhone.
A single AirTag will cost $29 and a 4-pack costs $99. (These links contain an affiliate link. I earn from qualifying purchases that costs you nothing extra)
It's an easy and affordable add-on for my trip, and I think I'll have less anxiety about my luggage not making it with me.
Read more: I tried AirTags to track my luggage on a Royal Caribbean cruise
One thing I'm not packing: toiletries
Don't worry, I'm planning to shower regularly during my European cruise. But I won't bother buying them at home and bringing them with me.
First, they take up space in my luggage and add weight. If they're travel size, not that much weight and space, but it all adds up.
But the real reason I'm not packing toiletries is because I'm always paranoid of them opening/exploding in my luggage. Sure, I can put them in a zip lock bag, but then we're back to the first issue I talked about.
Instead, I'll buy them when I get to London and then toss them when I'm ready to come home.
And if you're concerned I'll forget or get lazy, the included 3-in-1 mystery liquid in Royal Caribbean's shower is a non-starter for me, so I'll definitely find the motivation to get it.
