I just got back from a trip to Europe, and I packed a few essentials that made a big difference during my flight.

Despite flying dozens of times each year, I absolutely hate being on a plane. The tiny, uncomfortable seats, inedible economy meals, and long layovers make the experience far from relaxing.

So when I flew to Barcelona last month to board a cruise on Allure of the Seas, I knew I wanted to make my flight more enjoyable. I browsed Amazon for useful items that could enhance my flight while still taking up minimal space in my carry-on and personal item.

Although there’s a limit on how enjoyable an economy flight can really be, these 13 travel essentials were a lifesaver on the long-haul journey.

Passport Organizer Case

It’s easy to lose track of your belongings on chaotic travel days, but my passport organizer keeps everything in one place.

While traveling, it’s important to keep your passport protected. Water damage and ripped pages can deem your passport invalid, and you don’t want to risk being denied entry on a flight or cruise.

I love my passport organizer case from Amazon. Aside from fitting up to four passports, it features slots for credit cards, three zipped pockets, a pen holder, detachable keychain, wrist strap, and RFID protection.

The case makes it easy to stay organized on even the longest of travel days, and I never go on a trip without it.

LINK: RFID Family Passport Wallet Holder Waterproof, Travel Document Organizer Credit Card Clutch Bag for Men Women

PRICE: $9.99

Kindle Paperwhite

A good book is one of the easiest ways to stay entertained on a long-haul flight, so I made sure to pack my Kindle Paperwhite on my flight to Barcelona.

The Kindle takes up far less room in my bag compared to a regular book, and it can also hold thousands of books at one time.

Just remember to download books before your flight takes off, as you’ll need a wifi connection to do so.

LINK: All-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) – Our fastest Kindle ever, with new 7" glare-free display and weeks of battery life – Black

PRICE: $159.99

Travel Dental Kit

The day before my flight to Europe was hectic, to say the least. In between working, packing, and getting my dog’s belongings ready for his sitter, I had little time to prepare.

Therefore, I was happy I purchased this travel-sized dental kit before my trip. Inside the kit was everything I needed for my 1-week trip, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash.

I always brush my teeth before and after long-haul flights, so I loved having this kit handy. I didn’t need to remember to pack each item individually, either, which was a major plus.

LINK: Practicon Adult Dental Care Kit, Travel Size Bundle w/Toothbrush with Cover, Crest Toothpaste, Floss, Tongue Cleaner and Scope Mouthwash, TSA Compliant Oral Care Kit

PRICE: $8.99

Sleep Aid

I always pack a small bottle of sleep aid for long flights, especially when flying to Europe.

Most flights from North America to Europe depart in the evening and arrive the following morning. My flight to Barcelona, for instance, left Dallas at 6PM and arrived the following day at 10AM.

To avoid feeling miserable on my first day, I took a sleep aid pill shortly after boarding the plane. The softgel pills contain diphenhydramine, which helped me get some rest before landing.

As someone who struggles to sleep on planes, I find sleep aid to be the best solution. They're also helpful when trying to adjust to the local time zone.

LINK: HealthA2Z Sleep Aid, Diphenhydramine Softgels, 50mg, Supports Deeper, Restful Sleeping, Non Habit-Forming (100 Counts)

PRICE: $5.95

Travel Neck Pillow

I’ve always avoided travel neck pillows when flying. Despite their promise of comfort, lugging around a bulky pillow for an entire trip seemed cumbersome.

Yet once I found a compact neck pillow on Amazon, I decided to give it a try. The memory foam pillow packs into a portable travel bag, shrinking the size in half for easy storage.

I was impressed with the pillow’s comfort, and the neck support proved useful when trying to sleep. However, the item still took up considerable space in my luggage. I would love to bring it with me on future trips, but only if I had room to spare.

LINK: napfun Neck Pillow for Traveling, Upgraded Travel Neck Pillow for Airplane 100% Pure Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Flight Headrest Sleep, Portable Plane Accessories, Light Grey

PRICE: $13.86

Portable Charger

Packing a portable charger for long flights is a no-brainer.

Even though most long-haul planes offer charging ports at each seat, there’s no guarantee they’ll work. On more than one occasion I’ve had a defunct USB port at my seat. Without a portable charger, I would have been out of luck.

It’s extremely important to keep your phone charged on long travel days. You’ll use it for nearly everything upon landing, whether ordering an Uber or navigating public transportation.

LINK: INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, External Phone Powerbank Compatible with iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Samsung S22 S21 Google iPad etc

PRICE: $15.99

Kleenex On-The-Go

When flying to Japan last year, I suddenly got a bloody noise mid-flight. I was stuck in the window seat with no tissues within reach. Needless to say, it was a disaster!

After that experience, I’ll never fly without Kleenex again.

I love these travel-sized packs of Kleenex. Each pack comes with ten tissues, and they fit perfectly into the side pockets of my backpack. You never know when you’ll need an emergency tissue, so it’s a good idea to be prepared.

LINK: Kleenex On-The-Go Facial Tissues, 8 On-The-Go Packs, 10 Tissues per Box, 3-Ply (80 Total Tissues)

PRICE: $2.48

Noise Cancelling Headphones

If there’s just one item you pack for a long-haul flight, it should be a pair of noise cancelling headphones.

Noise levels on airplanes can range from 85 to 105 decibels, which is far from comfortable for most passengers. It’s hard to relax with the constant background noise, but my noise cancelling headphones make it easier.

I wore my headphones for the entire duration of my flight to Barcelona. My $60 pair is an economical option, but I might invest in a higher-end option for my next flight for even better noise-blocking power.

If you’re planning to watch in-flight movies, don’t forget to pack an Aux cable or bluetooth connector, too.

LINK: ZIHNIC Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, 40H Playtime Wireless Bluetooth Headset with Deep Bass Hi-Fi Stereo Sound,Comfortable Earpads for Travel/Home/Office

PRICE: $56.99

Packing Cube With A Change Of Clothes

I always pack an extra pair of clothes for long flights. For my flight to Europe, I kept a spare outfit organized in my Thule packing cube, which I then placed in my personal item.

Having a change of clothes is essential on long-haul journeys; I like the security of an extra outfit. Whether I accidentally spill red wine on my shirt or the plane is warmer than expected, it’s nice having a change of clothes in case I need it.

If you’re traveling with checked luggage, this is even more important. Should your luggage get unexpectedly lost or delayed, it’s crucial to have an extra pair of clothes available in the meantime.

LINK: Thule Compression Packing Cubes

PRICE: $48.49

Collapsible Water Bottle

Reusable water bottles are an eco-friendly item to pack for any vacation, but they take up valuable luggage space.

As an alternative, I tried out this collapsible bottle to save space in my personal item.

I was initially hesitant the bottle would spill, but the leak-proof locking cap worked flawlessly. Once emptied, the bottle rolled up nicely to fit in my backpack.

Sometimes I forgo packing my larger reusable water bottle when luggage space is tight, so this collapsible option is a great alternative.

LINK: Collapsible Water Bottles with Straw 20oz, Leak Proof, BPA-Free, Foldable Silicone Travel Sports Water Bottle for Traveling, Hiking, Outdoors

PRICE: $17.99

Liquid IV

Speaking of my reusable water bottle, I was glad I packed Liquid IV for my flight.

Liquid IV is an electrolyte drink mix that promises enhanced hydration. With electrolytes, vitamins, and nutrients, the drink mix claims to hydrate more efficiently than regular water.

Regardless of the validity of such claims, I found the citrus flavor of Liquid IV refreshing. If anything, I was more likely to drink the flavored beverage as opposed to plain water.

The drink mix kept me hydrated, leaving me more alert and refreshed once I stepped off the plane.

LINK: Liquid I.V.® Hydration Multiplier - Lemon Lime | Electrolyte Powder Drink Mix | 1 Pack (16 Servings)

PRICE: $21.11

Chapstick

One tiny item that makes a huge difference on long-haul flights is a tube of chapstick. The air on a plane can be extremely dry, so it’s important to keep your lips moisturized.

Chapstick not only takes up negligible space in your bag, but most brands are affordable on any budget. I always purchase a pack of three for just $4, which come in fun flavors like cherry, s’mores, and strawberry.

LINK: ChapStick Moisturizer Original Lip Balm Tubes, SPF 15 and Skin Protectant - 0.15 Oz, 3 Count (Pack of 1)

PRICE: $3.88

Compression Socks

The last item I packed for my long-haul flight to Europe was a pair of compression socks.

Compression socks improve circulation when flying, as they keep blood from pooling in your legs, ankles, and feet. This helps reduce swelling and discomfort.

The socks were absolutely hideous—they traveled all the way to my knee. Luckily, they were concealed under my leggings for the flight.

Wearing compression socks was an easy switch from my typical ankle socks, and they didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.

Given the health benefits, I’ll probably wear compression socks on my next long-haul flight, too.

LINK: CHARMKING Compression Socks for Women & Men Circulation (3 Pairs) 15-20 mmHg is Best Support for Athletic Running Cycling

PRICE: $13.99

I knew I wanted to take a cruise to Northern Europe this summer, but I also wanted to avoid the worst months to go there.

Ever since I took my first cruise in Europe a couple of years ago, I've jumped at the chance to try it again.  This year will be my third year in a row heading overseas to go on a cruise.

I'm booked on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas for two cruises in a row, where I'll visit cities in Northern Europe as well as sail the Norwegian fjords.

When I was picking out my cruises, I knew there were better months than others to sail, and I wanted to avoid the hot and crowded times of the year. 

I think I picked the best time to cruise to Northern Europe that balances weather, prices, and crowds.

Worst time to cruise Northern Europe: May, July and August

There are definitely a few months of the summer cruise season that are probably not the ideal time to cruise around Northern Europe.

I live in Florida and don't need to go anywhere that can be just as hot as where I live.  But that doesn't mean I want it frigid either.

Royal Caribbean sails ships between May and September across Europe, but not all months are created equal and I think the weather is a major factor.

While it won't get as hot as the Mediterranean, there can still be plenty warm months.  Considering I want to do a lot of outdoor activities, I'd prefer it to be comfortable.

On the flip side, I didn't want it to be unnecessarily chilly either.  

When I took a Norwegian fjords cruise in May, it was downright chilly most days and you needed a jacket.

I think the sweet spot for a European cruise is right around mid June.  You're out of the danger of a spring chill hitting, but not quite into the depths of summer.

The summer months have the highest pricing

If you want to save money on a Northern European cruise, the best prices tend to be in the shoulder season.

Another reason I was drawn to June was the pricing, as I found much better prices for a June cruise compared to later in July.

This is because of the family cruise component.  Once you're in July, kids are out of school everywhere and that drives up demand considerably.  

High season ends in mid-August, and while going later may see less crowds, it's also the beginning of seasonal closures and the summer tourism industry drawing to a close.

The two cheapest months to cruise in Northern Europe will be May and September. These months are when school is back in session, and it's also at the very start and end of the season.

Both of my cruises take place in June, and I'll wrap up both cruises at the start of July.

June is the best month for a Northern European cruise

Not only is June a great value, it also offers the most sunlight of the year.

The summer solstice takes place during this time, and that provides more sunlight than any other time of the year.  The more sun you have, the more comfortable the outdoor temperatures can be too. That makes for great viewing late at "night" during the longest days of the year.

Unlike the end of the summer cruise season, in June you don't have to worry about seasonal closures, and the possibility of seeing the midnight sun is a unique advantage.

If you have a clear night, it's well worth staying up until midnight to watch the sun dip and start back up without setting.

One more advantage of June is you can still enjoy beautiful waterfalls with a lot of water coming down from the melting snow still occurring.

Flexibility is so important, regardless of the "best" or "worst" month

You can do all the research in the world and speak to a lot of experts, but ultimately weather and crowds are going to be a variable that you can't control.

I always caution anyone that asks for a recommendation of when to cruise anywhere that just because it was the case in the past, doesn't mean it will occur again.  

More importantly, I'm a firm believer in a cruise is what you make of it.  You can choose to have a great cruise anytime of the year, or allow gripes to "ruin" your vacation.

No temperature or crowd can prevent you from enjoying a stunning view, ancient site, or incredible culinary experience if you don't let it.

Ultimately, I'd choose to cruise any month in Northern Europe over not cruising at all.  You just have to come in with a good plan, prepare for certain possibilities, and be flexible with your plans when the rain, temperature, or crowds don't cooperate.

I'm planning my first family cruise to Europe, but I almost made a mistake that happens there a lot.

Royal Caribbean sails to destinations around the world, and summer cruises in Europe are one of the highlights of the year.  Ships visit cities rich in tradition, history, and culture.

While I've been taken two European cruises so far, this year will be the first with my family. As I started to research my trip, I fell into a trap of doing things exactly like I would in the Caribbean.

The more I researched, the more I realized I had to make a change.

Cruise line excursions are convenient

I'm booked on two different European cruises, each sailing from Southampton, UK.

The first is a 8-night Northern European cruise visiting The Netherlands, Germany, and Norway.  The other sailing heads to Norway to explore the fjords.

As we got closer to our sailing, Royal Caribbean begin offering shore excursions to book.

I started looking through the options and quite quickly there was a frenzy of bookings.  Royal Caribbean has become quite adept at marketing its excursions to customers through its app and website.

It's so easy to book a tour through the cruise line, and I booked a few tours.  I booked them because they looked interesting, but also because I was worried it would sell out.

But as I started doing more research, it became clear this wasn't necessary.

It's easier to explore Europe on foot

One major difference between a European cruise compared to a Caribbean one is that your ship brings you to cities.

Across both of my cruises, our ship would be docked either in the city or nearby the city (with a shuttle service available). This makes getting into the city simple.

Another big difference is that mass transportation is far more prevalent in European cities.

Thanks to metro subway systems, trains, and buses, it's super easy to get around. Their modern infrastructure supports moving quickly and cheaply.

In the Caribbean, points of interest and activities require buses or taxis to reach them and often over rural roads.

In each city, my research pointed out lots to see and explore within the city.

Cruise line excursions in Europe bring you to the same places

When you read through the tours offered by Royal Caribbean in Europe, many are simply bus rides to get you around.

I found many "panoramic" tours offered, which is code for riding in a bus. 

And there are a lot of walking tours of cities too.

My issue with cruise line excursions is they tend to involve big groups, moving at a slow place, and spending too much time at places I don't care about and not enough at ones I do.

In an extreme example, my travel agent requested a quote to take a large group of us on a bar crawl in Hamburg, Germany.

The tour included 3 stops with a beer and snacks included at each stop, with an escort to provide general local information but is not an official guide.  The minimum requirement is 75 guests and the rate is $190 per person. 

While these include a guide and offer a narrated option, I think I can do the same thing on my own for far less money.

How I'm planning my time in each city

I realized I didn't need to book a Royal Caribbean excursion taking me to places I could probably explore on my own.

Like a lot of people, I didn't know what to do in any of these ports.  

I started off with a simple Google search of, "best things to do in ____" to figure out the top highlights.

I augmented that with YouTube searches with similar search phrases to get a better idea of what looks fun and interesting.

I jotted down the names of places, restaurants, neighborhoods, and historical sites that stood out.

I then made a spreadsheet and added the list to each day.  

My plan is to use Google Maps on my phone to guide me how to get to each one.  As we get closer to the cruise, I'll determine the best order to see each one.

Because I'm buying an eSim for my trip, it will be easy to get around with my phone in the same way I get directions when I'm within the United States.

Not only will this plan save me money, it allows us to spend more time in places we want and also deviate should we run across something fun.

My methodology is to have 3-4 spots picked out so we have a framework.  But we can easily adjust plans if something jumps out as intriguing.

I'm not totally against group tours, as some of the ports in Norway have more to do outside the city area and require longer transportation time back and forth.

Emma Le Teace is a cruise expert who frequently cruises in Europe and shared her strategy for spending less on these types of activities, "I am a big fan of just getting off and doing my own thing in cruise port."

"You really don’t need to pay for an excursion to see the main sites, a little bit of research can go a long way. Wandering on your own is, in my opinion, often much more fun and if you do dock further away from the sites you’d like to visit public transport is generally easy to use and fast. "

Most European cruise ports are right in the middle of cities or towns. You can usually walk off the ship to find things like history, food and local attractions within walking distance. 

Read more: 30 Best European Cruise Tips

Two cruise excursion websites worth checking out are Shore Excursions Group and Viator. Both of these are affiliate links, which costs you nothing extra but I make a small commission if you book something.

Because these companies sell to cruise ship passengers, they're well versed in the need to get people back in time for their cruise.

Time management is very important

An undeniable benefit of booking a tour with Royal Caribbean is the promise you'll get back to the ship and not be left behind.

Having taken a couple of cruises to Europe already, I believe the key to ensuring you get back to the ship on time is managing your time properly.

I always build in much more time than I need to get back to the ship. I do this by using Google Maps to figure out the time I need to get back, and then doubling it.

That protects me against an unforeseen delay in returning.  Plus, I always try to wrap up my day as close to the ship as I can get.

For example, if I'm going to have dinner in port before returning to the ship, I might pick a restaurant within walking distance of the ship.

I'd also never go on my own if the travel time back to the ship was more than 30-45 minutes. 

When I visited Paris and Bordeaux last summer, I booked through Royal Caribbean because of the long commute times required. It seemed too risky to me to go on my own for such a long distance.

Group excursions are a good idea for some people

There are still good reasons to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion in Europe, depending on your needs.

Those with mobility issues will want a group that that includes transportation, especially in old cities where accessibility is limited or non-existent.

I admit on my first European cruise there was a certain level of trepidation about going on your own in a country where they speak a different language and have different customs.

Plus, there are some cruise line excursions that take you to special places, include meals, and provide peace of mind.

Ultimately, you have to make choices that you're comfortable with, and group tours might be the right choice for you.

I'd recommend considering all options before choosing any tour.

I'm headed back to Europe this summer for two cruises, and I'll be applying a few lessons learned that I think anyone else trying a European cruise should employ too.

I took my first cruise in Europe in the summer of 2023, and I went back again last year. It's expanded my cruising horizons significantly, and it's probably the highlight of my vacations.  So with a back-to-back cruise planned this summer with friends and family, I want to make sure everyone has a great time.

Prior to ever cruising in Europe, I took a dozens of cruises around North America, but there were some nuances of cruising in Europe that differed greatly from what I was accustomed to.

Royal Caribbean's summer cruise season kicks off in April and May, and it's a busy time when many ships transition from the Caribbean to Mediterranean, North Sea, or English Channel.

Before you head east as well, here are my top pieces of advice for a great time exploring the Old World.

Don't waste time converting currency

One mistake I made even before I left my house for my very first Royal Caribbean cruise in Europe was assuming I needed to get cash.

You really do not need to convert cash to Euros, Pounds, or the local currency of the countries you visit because literally every store, restaurant, and bar you encounter will take a credit card or tap to pay.

What you want to do instead of converting cash is ensure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and bring that instead.

It's easier, faster, and you won't waste time going out of your way to get your money converted.  Plus, you won't come home with foreign currency that will sit in your sock drawer for years.

I was skeptical how many places would take credit cards in Europe, especially street food vendors.  But truly, they all did and I was glad blog readers told me about this so I didn't waste my time.

Booking flights with Royal Caribbean can save you money

I was truly surprised how much money you can save booking a flight with Royal Caribbean.

For my cruise this summer, I booked flights directly with the airline because it was simple.  But I later cancelled it when I saw the price Royal Caribbean wanted.

Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program allows anyone to book a flight with their cruise, but for Alaska and European cruises, there's bonus savings.

Royal Caribbean will discount flights up to $500 off each ticket for air bookings between made through March 31, 2025 on Alaska and European sailings departing between April 11 - October 27, 2025.

It saved me plenty, and I'd recommend anyone booking a flight to Europe first look at what the cruise line is offering before booking a flight directly.

Get an eSim instead of an international package

I don't remember where I read to get an eSim for my phone, but I'm so glad I did.

Instead of getting an international roaming package from your cell phone carrier, an eSim is a much better approach.

An eSim means you essentially "download" a local sim card to use for your phone while in Europe.  These are super cheap, work in many different countries, and you're a primary network subscriber.  That means if the network is busy, your traffic is prioritized compared to people roaming.

My favorite one to use is Orange sim (this is an affiliate link, that costs you nothing extra but I make a small commission). 

Last year I bought the "Holiday Europe 30GB" plan for €39.99 and it more than covered my needs for the almost two weeks I was there.

I'll be buying this again for my family when we travel in June, and it makes staying in contact simple and affordable.

There's an extra step needed to get to the UK this year

Something new if you're going anywhere in the UK this summer is to complete digital paperwork.

Travelers from the US or Canada need to complete the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. If you don't, you could face fines or even be denied to fly.

It will cost you £10 ($13 USD) to apply, and it's all done online.

From what I've heard so far, it's incredibly easy and quick to get approved.

Do anything you can to minimize jetlag

I can't stress enough how important it is to do what you can to avoid getting jetlagged because it will ruin your trip.

Going west to east and skipping ahead 5 or more time zones will wreak havoc with your body's internal sleep clock. If you get jetlagged, you'll be exhausted in the afternoon and wide awake at night.  It could take 3 or 4 days to adjust back, and that's going a good portion of your cruise.

When I went to the UK last year, I committed myself to beating it by not napping on the day I arrived, but it was brutal staying awake because I was unable to sleep on the plane ride over.

Ideally, pick a flight that arrives in the late afternoon or evening local time. That way, you could get to your hotel and go to sleep quickly thereafter.

Moreover, you should give yourself a few days before the cruise begins so if you are jetlagged, you're fighting it off before all your cruise fun begins.  Plus, arriving a few days early means you get extra time to explore the country you're in and guard against a travel delay causing you to miss your cruise.

No matter when you arrive, you really want to acclimate yourself to local time as quickly as you can and unfortunately that means no napping. It's really tempting, but if you can manage to get yourself on local time quickly, you'll enjoy the cruise so much more.

Download a few movies to be able to watch offline

Another hard learned lesson from my past European trips was not having enough things downloaded to watch on my phone.

You never know when the plane's in-flight entertainment might not work, or how boring those long bus rides around Europe can be.

Have a few movies or tv shows downloaded to be able to be watched offline on your phone, just in case.

There's a far greater reliance on public transportation in Europe, and this summer, I've already got a few train and bus rides booked, in addition to my long transatlantic flights.

I regretted not having enough to watch on my first trip over, so I was sure to have a few backup flicks to enjoy.  

My preferred approach is to go through the classic movie section of whichever streaming platform you subscribe to and find Oscar award winning movies you never got a chance to see.  Thanks to boring flights, I've now seen Citizen Kane, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Insterstellar.

I'd have a few movies or shows to watch as a backup, especially if you have kids and find yourself on a long commute.

Download the MBC app

The single best choice I made when I travelled to Europe last summer was downloading the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app.

Everything you've heard about getting through Customs upon return to the United States is true, but this one app made it so much better.

There was a dedicated line for people that pre-file their paperwork with the MPC app, and that line had like 2 people in it when I got there.

It saved me so much time in line compared to everyone else, so I'd recommend everyone use it.

What you want to do is submit your information as soon as you land, while you're waiting to get off the plane because there's a small window of time to get through the line with the app.

You don't need to buy shore excursions in most ports

The reality is a lot of places you visit in Europe don't need a formal shore excursion.

Unlike the Caribbean, many ports have you docking in a sizeable city, where you can easily walk off the ship and start exploring. Even in cities where you dock away from the center, there's almost always a complimentary or extremely inexpensive transportation option to get you there. 

It's so tempting to book a shore excursion to "see the sights", but most are glorified bus tours and they aren't cheap. 

While you might not need a formal tour, you should still do some research to find a handful of places to visit while in port.  Then throw it into Google Maps and figure out the best way to see them all.

I found in most ports it's easy enough to get around on foot, or maybe leveraging the city's public transportation system.  I've even used Uber on a few occasions.

To be clear, there's nothing wrong with booking a shore excursion in Europe, but you shouldn't default to booking one as the primary way to see things there. Rather, don't overlook walking around and exploring on your own as an affordable and smart way to see the best things in each port.

If you find yourself in a port of call that doesn't scream a specific activity or thing to do, don't hesitate to simply walk into town and "go with the flow".

Last year I actually tried a "free" shore excursion in one port where I wasn't sure what to do, and it was way better than I expected because the tour guide was very knowledgeable and our group size was much smaller than cruise line run groups.

Sometimes it's easier to ditch a plan, and see what's around the corner.  You might stumble upon a fun bar, explore various neighborhoods, or enjoy a family-run restaurant.

Shore excursions are going to be very expensive

You might experience sticker shock when you start looking at tours offered to book.

This plays in a bit to the previous tip, but shore excursions simply cost more in Europe than the Caribbean.

Sometimes the cost of the tour simple "is what it is", and if you want to tour the beaches of Normandy or get a ticket to the Vatican, you're going to have to pay it.

In the time leading up to your European cruise, I'd recommend budgeting appropriately to save up for it.  Plus, pre-booking tours to lock in a sale is a good idea.

Another money-saving strategy is to look for similar tours that might be a bit cheaper. I've actually searched Google for the name of the Royal Caribbean tour and found third party tour operators that do the same or similar tour.

Knowing a few words in the local language helps a lot

While you'll likely encounter more people than not that can speak English, you really ought to learn a few basic words in the local language.

Knowing phrases like "Hello, please, thanks, excuse me, sorry," goes a long way when traveling around Europe.

It goes beyond being able to communicate, rather, it's a sign of respect that you're at least trying.  

I can speak French fairly well, but just a smile and a friendly "Salut" makes a difference in the disposition of the person you're speaking with.

Packing for Europe isn't easy

I could spend an entire article talking about packing for Europe, but my credo so far has been pack what I think I need while trying to keep it manageable.

The issue with overpacking in Europe is how to manage luggage costs with the airlines, and then dragging your luggage around once you get there.

My advice is it's better to pay luggage fees than get to Europe and realize you really need something (and need to buy more luggage as a result).

We have a packing guide for a Mediterranean cruise you can use a starting point, but I wanted to highlight a few really important things to bring with you that might be different from a Caribbean cruise:

• Really, really, good walking shoes
• UK/EU power adaptor
• Theft-proof bag
• Apple AirTags

All of these links are affiliate links, which means I get a few bucks if you buy something, but it costs you nothing extra.

There's one extra important step to take before going on a European cruise in 2025 if you're sailing from the United Kingdom.

There's a new requirement for tourists visiting the UK that goes into effect next month and it adds a piece of digital paperwork

As of January 8, 2025, travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia will need to obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. European nationals have until April 2, 2025 to start using it.

It applies to tourists, business travelers, and even flight layovers. If you try to go to the UK without a valid ETA, you may face fines or be denied boarding by their airline.

The point of it is to enhance border security through advanced screening.

Essentially, this is a digital travel permission system. Don't confuse it with a visa, as it's meant to streamline border control processes and allows authorities to screen travelers before they arrive.

Do you need to get an ETA?

If you aren't a resident of Ireland or the UK, you're probably going to need to get an ETA.

However, when you need to start getting one depends on where you live.

Residents of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already been using the system as part of a pilot program.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia: The new requirement begins January 8, 2025.

Citizens of European Union countries, along with other eligible European nations: The requirement doesn't begin until April 2, 2025, but since cruises are in the summer, they'll still need to get one for this season.

The following people are exempt from getting one:

• UK and Irish citizens
• Travelers with valid UK visas

How the ETA works

The application fee is £10 ($13 USD), and it's all done online.

Once you do it, you can use it for for two years or until the your passport expires, whichever comes first. That means you can take multiple trips to the UK without re-applying again.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

1. A valid passport: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity for your travel plans.
2. A recent digital photo: The photo must meet UK passport photo requirements.
3. Travel details: Provide the dates and purpose of your trip.
4. A valid debit or credit card: This will be used to pay the £10 application fee.
5. An email address: This is where you’ll receive confirmation of your ETA approval.

The system claims it can take up to 3 days to process, but some people are reporting it taking just a few minutes.

You can apply for an ETA online or through the iPhone or Android apps. 

You just need to have it before you begin your travel to Europe. The airline may ask to see it before you fly.

You need to know some key information before booking your European cruise.

While Caribbean cruises are quite the popular destination, Royal Caribbean cruises also offer great European destinations.

A Royal Caribbean cruise to Europe could include stops at England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Corsica, Greece, or Croatia.

Whether you're looking forward to tasting French wine, touring classic Italian art museums, or winding down in the Aegean Sea, a European cruise offers unique and exciting sightseeing opportunities. 

But before you book your cruise, you should know some details unique to cruising in Europe.

From learning local phrases to the best time to cruise, we'll go over the most important things to know before taking a European cruise.

1. The best time to cruise is during the shoulder season

The summer season is the peak of cruising Europe. 

You'll find that a cruise to the region between May and September will be packed with fellow tourists.

Not only that, but the summer months can get extremely hot, forcing you to conduct tours and explorations in the scorching sun.

If you'd like to avoid hot weather and crammed crowds, you'll want to sail during the off-season.

The two shoulder seasons fall in the fall and spring: between April and May and between September and October.

Read more: The worst months to cruise to Europe

Booking a cruise during these months gets you a lower price and fewer crowds.

The weather also won't be as hot. 

However, if you're sensitive to the cold, you should know that the nights can get chilly in the fall and winter. Pack lots of layers.

2. Shore excursions will feel long and tiring

An often-shared piece of advice for European cruises is to expect a lot of walking. 

A good pair of walking shoes is essential!

Shore excursions can involve a lot of foot travel, whether you're walking the cobblestone streets of an ancient city, touring a museum, or exploring old architecture.

While on a European cruise, you'll quickly learn that the days feel long and tiring. 

As well as preparing for your health, you'll want to plan by not cramming too many tours into one port day.

Since European cruises often visit one or more vibrant, historical cities on each port day, it's easy to want to try everything: visit this museum, see this landmark, or try this specific restaurant.

Pad your schedule with lots of downtime. Don't force yourself to rush around on a port day.

If possible, I'd even recommend not purchasing shore excursions or tours for every port. 

If you have to, make sure they're not all in the early morning! Your body will need lots of time to rest.

Read more: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

3. Fly in to your cruise port at least two days early

Especially if you're flying in from another continent, I recommend arriving at your cruise port as early as possible.

With international flights, extra transit, and the potential for delays along the way, arriving at least a day early will ensure you don't miss your cruise.

Arriving early also gives you more time to recover from intense jetlag.

The jetlag from switching time zones can be one of the most challenging parts of a European cruise: it makes you exhausted all day long, and if you don't recover quickly, it could limit your cruise experience.

Additionally, arriving in your port city early gives you extra time to explore. Whether it's Athens, London, or Barcelona, you'll get some more days on the ground to discover a new, exciting destination.

4. Research your destinations beforehand

Before you set sail on your cruise, it's important to do research beforehand.

Because so many of the countries in Europe are quite old and have so much history, there are so many things to explore.

Don't assume that your tour guides will (or have the time to) tell you everything. 

Before your cruise, research each country you'll be visiting, as well as the specific destinations you're interested in.

For example, when I took a 7-night Mediterranean cruise that stopped at Naples, I checked out a library book about Italy and read up on Pompeii, since I'd be visiting the famous site on a shore excursion.

Investigating before your cruise gives you something to do on the plane, and provides helpful context. 

You'll better understand the sights you visit, as well as local customs and cultures.

Read more: I’ve been on 3 European cruises, and I see people making the same 12 mistakes: here’s how to avoid them

5. Learn the local language

Don't expect everyone in an European country to speak English. 

It's a common language, and of course, the mother tongue in England. However, Europe is a diverse continent, and other countries speak everything from Spanish to Greek and Italian.

I also recommend reading up on a few phrases in the languages local to the countries you'll be visiting.

Even if you're not good at learning new languages, learning just a few words or phrases can go a long way.

Pull up a short YouTube video, and teach yourself "hello" and "thank you."

Also learning to ask if something speaks English is a great way to extend politeness, instead of assuming.

When I was visiting Rome, Italy, I saw a fellow American cruiser walk up to a local bathroom attendant.

Without any greeting, the American jumped into her question in English, leaving the attendant staring at her blankly.

The bathroom attendant refused to respond, and the American had to walk away with her question unanswered.

I find that politely using the local language shows respect for the culture, even if your pronunciation is bad.

Not only will your attempt endear you to shopkeepers and restaurant owners, but you can also take your cruise as an opportunity to learn more.

Who knows, you might leave your European cruise inspired to learn a new language.

Doing research ahead of a cruise vacation is always a good idea, and it paid off for me in a few ways on my recent cruise to Europe.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas for a 7-night cruise to France and Spain, and I enjoyed the cruise so much more than I anticipated.

The ports my ship visited were far better than I anticipated, especially my stops in Bilbao and La Coruna, Spain.

In looking back at my cruise, I think there are a few "big brain" moves I made that really paid off because it enhanced my trip much more.

If you're thinking about what makes a great vacation, I think it's a cumulative effort of big and small wins that stack up. 

Here are 5 smartest things I did on my European cruise that I will do on every single future cruise I take.

Walked instead of a single tour

While it wasn't my overarching plan to start with, I ended up exploring each port of call I visited on foot rather than take an organized tour or visit a single site and I think that worked out well.

When you're in a port for only a few hours, there's a limited choice of what you can do.  I opted to take in each city by simply walking around and not committing myself to a museum, historical site, or activity.

While I don't think someone who did any of those things made a mistake, I believe taking walking tours of each city gave me a better sense of what each place has to offer, and prepared me to focus on any future visits.

Unlike the Caribbean, European cities have so much to see and do. It can feel overwhelming when you're trying to plot a course, but I'd rather have too many choices than not enough.

I relished the adventure of walking the city streets to see what was around the next corner.  I reveled in stumbling across a Gothic church, incredible food stand, or a scenic vista. 

I think if you're considering what to do in a European city, don't overlook walking around on your own. It's quite manageable, and it adds a sense of adventure to the experience.

Buy eSim card

There's no doubt the best €39.99 I spent on this trip was to get a European eSim card for my phone so I could use my phone like normal.

I purchased the Travel Orange eSim card before my cruise, and then activated as soon as I landed in London. This link contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use.

Once activated, I had a second line on my phone that could place calls, use the internet, and text.  Not only could I stay in contact with family at home, but it made exploring Europe so much easier.

I was able to quickly use Google Maps to find the closest boulangerie, metro station, cultural site, and more. 

Earlier I wrote about how much I loved exploring each city on foot, and it was really only possible with the fact I could easily get walking directions.  Moreover, having an internet connection in London made it super simple to know which train to take.

While some American cell phone carriers have international roaming plans, I found the eSim card plan simple since all I had to do was scan a QR code and it just worked in every country I visited.

Use Mobile Passport Control app on my return

I forgot where I learned this trick, but prior to my cruise I installed the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app on my phone and it saved me so much time returning to the United States.

This is an app by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and basically it's a digital version of that blue form you usually fill out by hand.

I filled the app out while on my flight home, and then once we landed, I filed it.  When you do this, you then have 4 hours to go through customs.

I don't have Global Entry or anything like that because I don't travel internationally by air nearly enough to warrant it.  

When I go to the line for customs, I told the agent I had the MPC app and he directed me to a different line that had perhaps 4 people in it ahead of me.  

I was able to breeze through customs in a matter of minutes rather than wait in line with everyone else. 

Wore my new shoes before my trip

I knew I needed to buy new shoes for my European cruise because what I wear everyday doesn't have enough cushion for a lot of walking. However, I learned a valuable lesson about comfort.

I bought the shoes, and then heard from Sheri from Cruise Tips TV that her that she emphasized greatly, "if there is just ONE piece of advice you take away from this Mediterranean Cruise Packing List – it is to pack worn-in shoes ONLY."

I immediately took my new sneakers out of the box, put them on and wore them in the days leading up to the trip to run errands.  I wore them to the airport and on the airplane too.

As a result, my feet never bothered me during my trip and I easily logged 10,000 steps every day while in port.

Tried out a free shore excursion

When a reader suggested I try a free walking tour in La Coruna, I was leery, but it turned out to be a great choice.

GuroWalk offers free tours where there is no cost, but you are expected to tip at the end what you think is appropriate for the quality of the experience.

Our guide met myself and four other people for a great walking tour of the city, where he took us to the major historical spots around the city. We visited all sorts of sites and our guide provided context every step of the way.

Sometimes when planning a cruise, you run across a port where none of the popular activities jump out at you as the obvious choice and you find yourself at a loss of what to do.  A free tour like this ended up being a wonderful choice given the circumstances.

I had a great time on my 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise to France and Spain, but I can't help but reflect on the 5 mistakes I made.

Despite the highlights of my trip, I regretted a few things I would have done differently (and absolutely will do when I return to Europe next year).

I think there's always room for improvement, and some mistakes stood out immediately while others I realized later on probably could have been differently.

It's easy to overthink any vacation, but I would recommend planning your European cruise with these tips in mind.

Taking public transportation from the airport

I love how easy the U.K. has made it to get around London efficiently, but when you have large luggage with you, it's not ideal.

I did my homework and researched a lot of what to do and not to do in London, and one big tip was how to save a lot of money by taking the Underground between Heathrow airport and your hotel in London.

What the tips don't take into account are your luggage, and how cumbersome it is to take with you.  Neither the London Underground nor the trains between London and Southampton have any dedicated space for large luggage.  Moreover, there are Underground stations with stairs and no elevators, so you're lugging the bags up and down stairs.

I was actually quite surprised how little space there was for luggage on the train to Southampton.

I managed to make do because I was traveling alone and with just one piece of suitcase. It would have been a nightmare with my kids and their luggage.

On the way back to London after the cruise concluded, I made the same mistake until I realized the night before I was about to commit the same mistake.  I ended up taking a taxi to the airport instead of the train again, just to avoid the luggage issue.

My advice is to arrange car service between the airport and London, or find a bus service that you can pre-book.  Royal Caribbean offers transfers as well, which I would reserve for the ride back to the airport.

Not prioritizing outdoor activities when weather is good

While I had good weather most of my trip, rain ruined my plans in both Paris and London and it could have been avoided.

When I arrived in Paris for my few hours of touring, instead of going directly to the Eiffel Tower to see it, I went on a food hunt for a great Parisian lunch.

While the croissant was fantastic, I then wasted time waiting for the rain to subside in order to see the Eiffel Tower later.

I had a similar experience in London when I used perfectly sunny weather to sit in a pub when I could have been visiting Covent Garden.  Subsequently, I had to cut my visit to Covent Garden short when I got rained out.

No matter which city or port you are visiting, always take advantage of sunny weather when it's out and save meals, museums, and bars for the end.

Not having a few Euros

It seems like you can charge everything to a credit card in Europe, but having a few Euros on you helps.

While in Bilbao, Spain, I realized I forgot my credit card back on the ship.  I had tap to pay with my American Express card, but no one in Spain seemed to take that card.  

I had U.S. Dollars on me, so I went to a nearby currency exchange store and having 100 Euros made a big difference at bars or cafes where I could use paper currency.

This is especially true with street vendors, and mostly in case of an emergency when having paper currency is a good backup.

Long bus ride shore excursions

In two ports, I took bus rides over 2 hours each way and while I really liked my time in the port, I think it was a mistake.

I'm conflicted in calling these mistakes because I really enjoyed my time in Bordeaux and Paris, but it severely limited my time I could spend there.

Compared to days I spent in Spain when I didn't have to take a bus, the days in France felt so short and I really didn't get to spend as much time there.

This mistake dovetails into my next mistake, but I'd be quite leery of shore excursions with bus rides over an hour because of how limited your time is in port as a result.

Not having an extra day after the cruise to go to Paris

After I reviewed my Paris shore excursion, a lot of readers recommended just seeing Paris after the cruise and I think they're right.

A city of significance like Paris is not something you can quickly tour, and to do it right, you need a couple of days.

It's so easy to get to Paris from London thanks to the Eurostar train, that I should have tacked on a couple of extra days to properly experience it.

Just like London, plan on a couple of days before and after your cruise to have time to see both.

When I booked a European cruise, I purposefully planned to arrive a few days early so that I could have a better cruise experience.

Cruise experts will always advocate flying in at least one day before a cruise begins, but that tip is primarily about ensuring a travel delay does not prevent you from missing your cruise.  While this is sage advice, there's one other really good reason to arrive early.

When your cruise goes out of an area with significant cultural and historical significance (sorry Port Canaveral), you'll likely want to explore on land as much as ensuring you don't miss the ship.

My 7-night France and Spain cruise on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas was scheduled to depart on a Sunday, but I flew in Thursday night so I could have a few days in London prior to the cruise beginning.

My primary impetus for coming in two days early was so that I would make the cruise, but the opportunity to see London was just as important. In retrospect, I made a few mistakes along the way that I won't repeat on my next visit.

Not starting with jetlag

Probably the single largest concern I had prior to my trip was being jetlagged and it ruining my cruise.

No matter what strategy you have to fight jetlag, the more time you have to acclimate to local time, the better your chances of jetlag not messing up your ship tour plans.

Unfortunately, sleeping on an airplane wasn't in the cards for me on this trip. I read, listened to music, and watched movies. I attempted — and failed — to fall asleep.

Because I booked this cruise as the primary reason for travel, I was more concerned with being optimized for the cruise, than my time in London.  While I would have been disappointed to miss out on time in London, that was always a bonus for my overall trip.

Because I didn't sleep at all on my flight over, I stayed up all day while in England and then finally went to bed after 36 hours being awake.  It wasn't easy, but I felt like I avoided the worst of the jetlag and the morning of my cruise, I was ready to go.

Even if you break every jetlag advice out there, if you have a few days to sleep it off and get yourself set, you'll have a better cruise.

Mistake: Taking the train from the airport

I did a fair amount of research prior to my trip on how to tackle London, and a lot of the YouTube videos I watched implored to use the train between London Heathrow airport and the city.

I found this to be mistake in the sense going on a train with full-size (and heavy) luggage is cumbersome, difficult, and a giant pain.

Not only are there long distances to pull the luggage around, but there are stairs and platforms to traverse that are not easy with a lot of luggage.

The advice is spot on with how to save money, but it's really meant for someone backpacking or traveling with carry-on luggage.

The only saving grace was I was traveling solo, because if I tried to do this with my family, it would have resulted in a lot of tears of frustration.

If you have big pieces of luggage, my advice is spend extra on an Uber ride, car service, or taxi.

Balancing tourist traps & the real deal

If you read enough articles and videos about what to do in London, there's lots of conjecture about what's worth your time or not, and inevitably I found myself weighing the pros and cons of any activity.

Part of my strategy to avoid not falling asleep on my first day in London was to get out and explore.  I knew sitting in my Airbnb rental would just lead to sleep, so I deliberately got out and walked around.

The biggest issue I found is picking things you want to do and how to see the most without succumbing to heavy tourist traps.

Certainly everyone wants to see Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the like. The problem is the insane crowds that are there most of the day.

I found it best to take a leisurely walking tour of the area so I could see them, take photos, but not commit to going in for a tour. My rationale is the most notable thing about them is being able to say you saw it and take a photo. What the hallways, portraits, and artifacts found inside are all about is less memorable.

That probably sounds like a cold approach to it, but I wanted to maximize my time and see more. 

I ran across a great tip for an alternative to the hop on, hop off buses.  Those bus tours cost around 40 pounds per person, but instead you can hop on the route number 11 bus for just 1.65 per person and the loop goes by many of the major attractions in Central London.

I also took time to walk along the Thames River on the south bank of the Thames, which gives you great views of the major sights. 

There are inexpensive boat tours you can take, or enjoy a leisurely stroll. The walk between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge allows you to see:

• London Eye
• The Shard
• London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Hungerford Bridge & Golden Jubilee Bridges
• Southwark Cathedral
• London County Hall
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• Royal Festival Hall
• Houses of Parliament
• Westminster Abbey
• Tower of London

There's so much to see around London, which is why I found it advantageous to take in sights as I passed by.

Mistake: Not prioritizing outdoor activities when weather is good

The stereotype that it's always cloudy and raining in England is not that far off from the truth, so take advantage of good weather when you can.

I had near perfect weather on the first day I was in London. It was mostly sunny, comfortable temperatures, and a nice breeze.  It was very pleasant to be outside and walk around.

While I did do a lot of walking around the Thames river, I wish I had spent more time prioritizing outdoor activities I thought I could do the next day.

The second day was mostly a rain out, and I don't care how motivated you are to see outdoor sights rain or shine, it's miserable being outside in the rain.

I would recommend having a list of what you want to see and do, and double down on anything outdoors when it's nice out.  Save the museums and shows for rainy days whenever possible.

Mistake: Taking the stairs at Covent Garden station

196 stairs or the elevator, and I thought taking the stairs up wouldn't be so bad.

What was I thinking taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator?!

Despite the stairs mistake, Covent Garden is a fun area to go I liked all the different vendors selling all sorts of souvenirs. 

Going on a European cruise sounds like the perfect way to see the world, but if you're flying across the Atlantic, it's critical you start the trip on the right foot.

I flew from my home in Florida to London in order to board an Anthem of the Seas cruise departing from Southampton. It's a new itinerary with lots of firsts for me.

The problem is fighting jetlag before it hits so that you're not sleeping away half the cruise while getting acclimated to local time.

Prior to my trip, I read the same piece of advice over and over again: don't sleep until it's bed time so you can adjust to local time.

It's a solid strategy, but you have to consider what time you'll arrive in Europe and how feasible it is to stay awake.

Flight times matter

I thought I hit the jackpot by having a direct flight between Orlando and London, because flying internationally and catching connecting flights seems like a recipe for a disaster.

What I did not take into account was what time I'd arrive in London and how difficult it would be to follow everyone's advice.

My flight departed Florida at 5:30pm (actually it was 6:30pm due to weather and traffic delays), which got me into London at a few minutes before 7am.

This meant I would have to stay awake for about 36 hours in order to follow the strategy.

Oh but Matt, you can sleep on the airplane!

While there might be unconfirmed cases of human beings able to sleep on an airplane, I am not that person. Moreover, the departure time meant my brain thought it was still too early to go to sleep, and I only really started to get drowsy in the final two hours of the flight.

I'm sure some would point out different drug and alcohol cocktails to make me sleepy, but I really hate feeling out of control on a plane. 

Ultimately, the flight time is what mattes the most.  Ideally, you'll get a flight that gets you into Europe in the afternoon or evening, so there are just a few hours to remain awake.

Ignoring jetlag could lead to missing too much of the cruise

The longer you put off adjusting to local time, the harder it is to break the cycle of waking up too early and going to sleep too early.

For an itinerary that's brand new to me visiting the northern coast of Spain and France, I did not want to squander the opportunity by sleeping.

On other trips when I've been jetlagged, I recall how frustrating it would be to wake up around 3 or 4am, and then want to go to sleep for the night in the afternoon. You feel helpless and it spirals quickly.

Plan multiple days before your cruise

While I may have picked the wrong flight, I did make a good decision in how early I arrived before my cruise departed.

Instead of the usual flying in one day before a cruise rule, I arrived in London a full two days before my cruise began.

The idea is to give myself more time to acclimate. Sure, seeing the sights around London is good too, but the cruise is what I'm most concerned about.

Heck, if you have plenty of vacation days, you could fly in earlier than two days and let jetlag happen, but work through it.

Fighting jetlag takes discipline

The experts are right. No matter how hard it is, you really want to force yourself to stay awake on the day you arrive until it's bed time in that country.

Unless you're someone who can really get solid sleep in while on an airplane, you should be prepared to acclimate to local time as quickly as possible.

If you're flying many hours for a cruise, that last thing you want to do is sleep it all away. And you definitely don't want to feel tired and groggy when you're awake.

Pick a flight that gets you in closer to bed time, and give your body plenty of time to adjust.