A sudden, powerful squall struck Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas during its transatlantic crossing, causing disarray on the ship and injuring several guests onboard. 

According to guests on the sailing, Explorer of the Seas encountered a squall while sailing off the coast of Africa towards Miami, Florida. A squall is defined as a sharp, sudden increase in wind speed that lasts for minutes. Squalls can form quickly - in a matter of minutes - and cultivate rough seas, heavy rain, and changes in atmospheric pressure.

On the Crown and Anchor Society Facebook page, David Wong posted, “We were suddenly hit by a 55mph squall to the starboard side and the ship was tilted to the port side at a scary angle. We were all instructed to stay in our cabin for head counts and to check if anyone was hurt. I don’t think anyone was seriously injured.”

(Image shared by Jonathan Parrish)

Explorer of the Seas is currently sailing on a 12-night itinerary from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, Florida. After spending her summer sailing in Europe, Explorer of the Seas is on her repositioning voyage for a winter season in the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, the ill-fated voyage has already experienced unexpected changes before the squall incident. Explorer of the Seas was scheduled to visit Valencia (Spain), Malaga (Spain) and the Azores (Portugal) on her original itinerary before crossing the Atlantic. Due to catastrophic flooding that devastated Valencia last week, the ship was diverted to Cartagena, Spain instead.

(Images shared by Jonathan Parrish)

However, that wasn’t the only weather-related diversion for the ship. Because of Tropical Storm Patty in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, Explorer of the Seas had to skip its scheduled port stop in the Azores as well. The cruise ship instead visited Tenerife in the Canary Islands prior to beginning her ocean crossing.

While only about 750 miles off the coast of Morocco, Explorer of the Seas was unexpectedly struck by damaging winds from a squall. The captain allegedly acted quickly to redirect the ship and safely handle the incident. According to Ron Warren online, the ship listed severely for “somewhere between 5 to 10 minutes” during the incident.

The squall left Explorer of the Seas in shambles, as photos of the aftermath are now being shared online. The damage and apparent chaos can be seen around the vessel in many of the photos. Impacted areas including the Promenade, casino, bars, Windjammer and retail shops. 

(Images shared by Jonathan Parrish)

The shocking images show extensive damage across the ship, particularly in the bar areas. Photos show spilled liquor, broken glassware and shattered bottles scattered across the floor. The retail shops onboard show more damage with clothing, perfume, watches and more merchandise spewed around the ship.

More pictures from guests onboard show furniture and decor overturned in the ship’s hallways and common areas. Tables in the ship’s casino are also flipped due to the ship’s steep listing. Even still, many photos show the crew members working tirelessly and swiftly to clean up the damage around the ship.

(Images shared by Jonathan Parrish)

Following the incident, the captain apparently ordered all guests to remain in their cabins so they could properly account for all passengers onboard. Crew members were also ordered to their cabins for accountability purposes. Online, some passengers have shared that medical announcements were made to assist guests who are injured from the incident.

Impacted guests onboard Explorer of the Seas are understandably shaken by the scary incident. “It was horrible. Terrifying. I’ve ever been scared on a cruise ship before, and I’ve done multiple transatlantic. I am not alone in saying I thought the ship was going over,” shared Patty Laushman.

(Explorer of the Seas' location as of November 7, 2024, 20:25 CST)

“This is our first transatlantic, and yes, it was scary, maybe not so much for us because we were in our cabin. But, I thank Captain Frank from the bottom of my heart that he immediately, and literally, steered us out of harm’s way. Broken dishes and knocked- over-tables can be replaced and fixed, but as far as we know, we are all safe,” said Annette Hodges.

Another guest, Madge McLennan, shared how she was in the theatre waiting for a show to begin when the squall hit. She describes people starting to “panic and race for the exit” during the unnerving situation. She also explained how a bottle of wine in their cabin hit the floor and smashed following the heavy winds. 

(Image shared by Jonathan Parrish)

Moreover, Jonathan Parrish shared an image of Explorer’s current navigational path, showing an obvious course diversion due to the squall. “This is the drastic right turn we made due to the winds. Amazing job to the Captain for a quick reaction: turning and slowing" he shared on Facebook. 

According to guests currently onboard, Explorer of the Seas is now diverting back to the Canary Islands. "Captain Frank just announced they turned back due to a medical emergency and they will refuel and get provisions in the Canary Islands He also says that we wont arrive in Miami until [November] 17th, NOT the 14th as scheduled," wrote Kimberly Melton. 

Explorer of the Seas is currently sailing east towards towards Africa based on CruiseMapper's location. This will apparently delay the ship's scheduled return to Miami by three days, based on passenger's reporting. Explorer of the Seas is scheduled to sail on a 10-night Southern Caribbean on November 14, 2024 from Miami, Florida following the ship's transatlantic journey. 

Royal Caribbean has not provided a comment on the incident as of the time of publication.

Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas is stuck in Yokohama, Japan after encountering technical issues - supposedly with its propulsion system.

Because of this, the ship’s current voyage will be delayed returning to Shanghai, China and the following voyage is cancelled.

According to Reddit user @SkylightJewel on the r/royalcaribbean thread, Spectrum of the Seas has faced ‘technical issues’ during its 7-night sailing from China to Japan. The presumed propulsion issue has delayed the ship’s return to Shanghai, China by two days from November 7, 2024 to November 9, 2024.

“I am currently onboard Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas Japan cruise from Shanghai (Baoshan) China [2nd Nov 2024 - 9th Nov 2024],” writes the cruiser.

“At the time of posting, the captain just announced the ship (Spectrum Of The Seas) is currently having a ‘technical issue' and we are stuck in the Yokohama port unable to depart until the parts to fix the ship come in.”

In an update to the post, the Reddit user explained how the captain later announced the ship was experiencing a “technical fault” that would result in the ship staying in Yokohama, Japan until the issue could be resolved.

Spectrum of the Seas embarked on a 7-night round-trip itinerary from Shanghai to Japan, originally scheduled to return on November 9, 2024. The itinerary featured port stops throughout Japan, including Kobe, Osaka and Yokohama (Tokyo). The original sailing was meant to return on November 9, 2024 to Shanghai, China before sailing on a 4-night itinerary to Japan.

The Reddit user continued, “Captain announced that the estimated arrival time back to Shanghai (Baoshan) has been delayed to 11th November 2024. It looks like whoever has booked their cruise on 9th Nov 2024 (4 Night Nagasaki Japan Cruise from Shanghai, China) will be cancelled.”

As of November 6, 2024 at 8:25 PM CST, CruiseMapper shows Spectrum of the Seas currently docked in Yokohama, Japan. Royal Caribbean has not confirmed exactly what the “technical concern” is, or what has caused the issue. However, the Reddit user alleges that Spectrum of the Seas is having a propulsion issue, which has impacted other Royal Caribbean ships recently as well.

Spectrum of the Seas is a newer ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, launching as the first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship. Spectrum of the Seas was built for - and exclusively sails to - the Asian market. The ship is considered the largest, newest and most innovative ship to sail in Asia, holding nearly 4,900 passengers as maximum capacity and measuring 168,666 gross tons.

Compensation

According to a Facebook post shared by Cruise The World, guests booked on the November 9, 2024 sailing onboard Spectrum of the Seas have been notified of the cruise cancellation.

In the email sent to guests, Royal Caribbean states, “Unfortunately, due to a technical concern on our current sailing, we will be delaying our return to Shanghai (Baoshan), China. As a result, we will need to cancel our sailing together. We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we’re truly sorry for this disappointing news”

For compensation, guests will receive a 100% refund on their cruise, including taxes and fees, within 14 business days. All pre-paid packages and gratuities, amenities and shore excursions will be refunded as well to impacted guests. Further, Royal Caribbean states that any flights purchased through Royal Caribbean are eligible for a full refund, including any pre-purchased Royal Caribbean Travel Protection plans too.

In addition, guests on the cancelled sailing will receive a 50% Future Cruise Credit as a gesture of goodwill from Royal Caribbean. The credit can be used on future sailings within one next year for impacted itinerary.

Royal Caribbean has also provided compensation for airfare changes and cancellations due to the propulsion issue. Those who booked flights directly through Royal Caribbean will receive an automatic refund while other guests will be compensated for any change fees incurred by the cancellation. 

Moreover. guests will receive $200 USD per person for domestic travel changes while those with international flights will receive $400 USD per person. According to the cruise line, these passengers are instructed to send receipts to [email protected] for review and reimbursement. 

Royal Caribbean’s recent propulsion issues

Although maintenance issues and cancelled cruises are rare, they are not unheard of. In fact, Spectrum of the Seas is not the first Royal Caribbean ship this year to experience technical issues. Royal Caribbean has experienced a few technical issues across its fleet within the last 12 months.

Just two weeks ago, Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas was stuck in Mexico due to a technical issue with the ship’s propulsion system. This resulted in a delayed return for the ship, causing further delays for the following sailing. Brilliance of the Seas is an older ship, launching in 2002. 

Brilliance of the Seas had propulsion issues earlier this year, too. During her time in Australia and the South Pacific this winter, the ship had to alter and cancel itineraries unexpectedly. During an 11-night itinerary to the South Pacific, Brilliance of the Seas returned to Sydney, Australia four days ahead of schedule for technical repairs. 

This caused the ship to cancel its ports of call in Mystery Island, Port Vila, and Luganville. The shortened itinerary with limited port stops was a huge disappointment for guests onboard. The following 5-night cruise was also cancelled due to ongoing propulsion issues and delayed maintenance. 

Earlier this year, another Radiance Class ship had unexpected maintenance issues with its propulsion system. Radiance of the Seas encountered a propulsion issue in April 2024 that caused a last-minute cancellation for one Alaskan itinerary. The ship had previously experienced propulsion issues in late 2023 as well, which resulted in two cancelled Alaskan itineraries last year.

Finally, Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest vessel, Icon of the Seas, cancelled a 7-night itinerary in September 2024 because of technical issues. Although the cruise line did not specify the exact issue, many presumed the ship was also experiencing propulsion issues. Cruises resumed when Icon of the Seas was repaired successfully. 

Preparing for an upcoming cruise is one of the most exciting aspects of the planning process. Before any trip, I run last-minute errands to stock up on anything that I might need for my vacation.

While I typically run to Target for my pre-cruise shopping spree, I decided to visit my local Dollar Tree before my recent cruise. I was shocked at how many inexpensive cruise essentials were available for just $1.25. This is a fraction of the cost I normally pay - and finding hidden gems at the dollar store felt like a treasure hunt!

If you’re looking to keep costs down on your upcoming cruise, I highly recommend visiting the Dollar Tree before your next sailing. Here are five must-have items that you should stock up on before your sailing.

1. Travel-Sized Toiletries

The Dollar Tree is a great place to purchase travel-sized products before your next cruise. For just $1.25 each, you can get a variety of name brand toiletries. I stocked up on toothpaste and lotion before my last cruise, but you can also find small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, mouthwash and more.

Also, these smaller items are perfect for anyone looking to save space in their luggage. Because I usually travel with just a carry-on, I rely on travel-sized toiletries to be compliant with TSA requirements.

2. Cabin Necessities

If you’re looking for cruise cabin necessities, the Dollar Tree is a great place to visit. Because cruise staterooms have magnetic walls, you can hang anything magnetic during your sailing. I purchased magnets to hang daily agendas and tickets on the wall, along with magnetic hooks for heavier items.

Other necessities that I found at my Dollar Tree included pop-up hamper for dirty laundry and scented room mist to keep the cabin smelling fresh. 

3. Cleaning and Hygiene Essentials

While you won’t have to worry about actual cleaning on your cruise (you are on vacation, after all), you should plan to pack a few cleaning essentials. I was surprised to find many options at the Dollar Tree for cleaning and hygiene at such a reasonable price.

I prefer to have liquid hand soap for the bathroom in my cabin, so I grabbed a bottle for $1.25 to bring onboard. In addition, I grabbed a 2-pack of hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes, as you can never have too many of these while cruising! Other gems at the Dollar Tree included individually-packaged stain removing wipes, an Oxiclean stain removing pen and a travel-sized laundry detergent to wash laundry in your cabin.

4. Medicine and Health Supplies

I never thought about heading to the Dollar Tree for medication, but I was pleasantly surprised by the selection and prices. It’s a good idea to keep over-the-counter medication in your cabin while cruising, as it will save you time and money if you need anything.

My Dollar Tree had everything from supplements like Vitamin C to name-brand medications like Advil and Tylenol. Generic medication was stocked on the shelves too, including gas relief, antacids, cold and flu medication, anti-diarrhea and laxatives.  There was even a small first-aid kit that would be perfect for traveling!

5. Door Decorations

One practice that’s become wildly popular on cruises is decorating your stateroom door. People are very creative these days with their door decor! If you want to participate in this trend, check out the Dollar Tree for a variety of decorations at an extremely reasonable price.

In particular, my store had multiple aisles stocked full of cute Halloween and fall decor for $1.25. Those who want to decorate on a budget will appreciate the selection of decorations for all occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, graduation and family reunions. One of my favorite finds was a magnetic dry erase board that we hung on the door of our cabin for fellow cruisers to leave notes!

Two famous influencers are facing harsh backlash for leaving their two young children unattended during their recent Royal Caribbean cruise.

The couple - Matt and Abby Howard - are known for their online presence, as the two are the hosts of a popular podcast called The Unplanned Podcast. In addition, the couple has a large following on Instagram and TikTok, where they chronicle their lives as parents of two young children to millions of followers. Their children include two sons, a 1-year-old named August and a 2-year-old named Griffin.

The controversy comes after Abby shared on her Instagram story about their recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. The mom of two shared with her 1.3 million followers how she and Matt decided partway through their 5-night cruise to leave their children unattended in their stateroom during dinner.

In the now-deleted Instagram story, Abby said, “So, we ended up taking them for 5 nights and it became apparent that they weren’t enjoying it and therefore we weren’t either.”

“So, THEN we switched our dinner time to AFTER their bedtime and we FaceTimed the [baby] monitors while we ate,” she continued. Further, Abby shared how their baby monitors wouldn’t work onboard Navigator of the Seas unless they were within 10 feet of the device.

Abby stated, “And that worked out muchhhh better for everyone!”

According to online reports, Abby had shared that the parents had tried to leave the children with the onboard childcare services, but their baby was too upset by the ordeal. Moreover, Abby shared in an Instagram story how they tried to reserve slots for their children, but struggled to find availability.

“Our game plan was to play all day with the kids and then let them hang out in the kids club while the adults went to formal dining, as long, nice dinners [are] not a setting designed for them,” Abby said.

“Well, you need to book ahead if your child is under 3 and pretty much all of the dinner slots were already booked before I could get to the nursery (an hour after boarding),” she continued. As a solution, the parents opted to put their children to bed before dinner, relying on their phones to FaceTime a baby monitor to watch the kids.

As a family-friendly cruise line, Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas provides nursery care for children under 3 years old for an additional cost. The cruise line states on their website, "If you’re cruising with a baby or a toddler, you’ll be pleased to know that Navigator of the Seas offers an abundance of childcare options for little ones, like the cruise line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Program and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery. That’s in addition to convenience-boosting amenities like cribs brought to your stateroom and babysitting services run by qualified, caring professionals."

According to Royal Caribbean’s website, Royal Babies and Tots has an additional cost based on an hourly rate. Parents need to register their children and reserve slots for the nursery, which is fully equipped with staff to supervise young children safely.

Unsurprisingly, the Instagram story has brought the parents under scrutiny for leaving their young children alone in their stateroom to have dinner. The story, which was shared to r/royalcaribbean on Reddit, garnered more than 200 comments. The original post on Reddit was captioned, "Influencers leave their kids in their room unattended… y'all, do NOT DO THIS!!"

Social media users and cruisers alike were outraged by the incident, calling the parents “neglectful,” "insane," and “irresponsible.” Moreover, many questioned how the parents would reach their children in the event of an emergency, such as an onboard fire.

“They could have easily had their dinner brought to their room and ate there. So irresponsible and selfish,” states one commenter.

Another cruiser stated, “I mean, I’ve cruised a lot and there is always something crazy that happens. A rogue wave. A lockdown. Storm. Lost child. The ocean is wild and to leave your 1-year-old and 2-year-old alone on a boat at any time is so so so so so so stupid.”

“If you can’t stay with your kids at all times or have appropriate adults watching them, then don’t bring them!”

Another user shared, “I expected to see a bunch of overreacting, assuming the kids were a bit older. 1 and 2? One is entirely helpless and the other is self-destructive. Yikes.”

“Wow, this is insane. I just took my 2-year-old and 11-month-old on a cruise and I never thought to myself, I should leave them alone in our room,” writes another commenter.

One person commented, “I was thinking that maybe they were older kids since I’m not familiar with these TikTokers. This information makes it so, so much worse.”

Others compared the incident to the story of Madeleine McCann, in which the British parents of the 3-year-old toddler left her unattended in a resort-style apartment to have dinner with their friends nearby. Other children were in the apartment at the time of the incident as well.

Although the parents took turns checking on the kids during dinner, the young Madeline was gone from her bed around 10PM that night - and she remains missing to this day.

“Clearly, they’re too young to know the story of Madeleine McCann. That’s exactly what happened in their case and I am sure those parents regret that choice to go have dinner when the kids are sleeping every single day,” writes one commenter.

Similarly, another person commented, “Dude. No way. Older little kids can leave the room without you stopping them. [For] babies, [it's] basically criminal neglect to leave like that. Madeleine McCann, anyone?”

“I guess they’ve never heard of Madeleine McCann?” commented one user on social media.

Another echoed this sentiment writing, “This seriously reminds me of the Madeleine McCann. Like many years ago, a couple on holiday left their child in the room for dinner and she was kidnapped. I mean that’s a worse case scenario but like literally a billion things can happen."

Abby and Matt have not responded to the criticism publicly, although the couple did remove the story from Abby's Instagram following the backlash. 

Packing for an upcoming cruise is perhaps one of the most stressful aspects of planning a cruise vacation. If you’re jetting off to Europe for a cruise, you might be feeling overwhelmed about what exactly you should pack.

Having the right wardrobe for a cruise is crucial or you might be spending the entirety of your vacation feeling unprepared. Without the proper necessities, you might find yourself needing to shop in ports of call, which is wasting both your time and money.

My husband and I recently returned from a European cruise onboard Celebrity Apex, visiting ports of call across Northern Europe. Our itinerary departed from Southhampton, England before setting sail to Belgium and Norway. This particular sailing had three ports of call throughout the Norwegian Fjords throughout the 7-night itinerary.

Before the cruise, we spent three additional nights in London before heading south to the cruise port in Southampton. We stayed in the heart of London and enjoyed a few days of sightseeing before the cruise. I always recommend spending a few days in your departure city, especially for those making the long trek across the pond for a cruise.

Generally speaking, we were quite lucky with weather and sea conditions during this cruise. The weather during our cruise ranged from sunny to cold and rainy, with everything in between. With such varying climates between these three countries, my husband and I had to be strategic about our packing.

My biggest piece of advice is to focus on practicality and versatility when packing for your European cruise. Having layers and versatile pieces in your wardrobe will allow you to save space in your suitcase while also being fully prepared for changing weather conditions.

Moreover, you should prepare for lots of walking during your cruise. We were walking upwards of 15,000 steps each day while sightseeing. In this way, comfortable walking shoes should be at the top of your European cruise packing list. You do not want to deal with painful blisters because you didn’t pack the appropriate walking shows!

Read more: European cruise outfits and packing guide for women

For a European cruise, plan to pack at least one outfit each day. Most European itineraries are very port-intensive with fewer sea days compared to Caribbean sailings. You should also plan for evening outfits to wear onboard the cruise ship to dinners. Finally, prepare for hanging out or walking around the ship with some lounge outfits. These are also perfect for sea days!

Finally, if you’re looking for men’s outfit inspiration for your cruise, I am here to help! Much to the excitement of my husband (can you sense my sarcasm?), I documented everything he wore during our European cruise. While neither of us are fashionistas, I wanted to provide a realistic look for what men could wear for cruise outfits on a European sailing.

This outfit guide will cover the necessities that men should pack for their European cruise. If you’re sailing on a Mediterranean cruise, this outfit guide probably won’t help you too much. The Mediterranean is much warmer than Northern Europe, requiring a very different wardrobe than the one I will show you in this article.

The outfits below work well for men cruising around Northern Europe and the Baltics. This would include sailings that are departing from ports across Northern Europe, like Amsterdam (Netherland), Southampton (England), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), Reykjavik (Iceland) and Stockholm (Sweden).

General Packing Tips

When you begin packing for your European cruise, you will want to keep a few things in mind. First, you should focus on packing layers! Layers provide flexibility and versatility to your cruise wardrobe. This is very important, as packing layers also allows you to prepare for a changing climate.

While it might be cold in the morning, the sun can pop out in the afternoon and bring warm sunshine. When you have layers that work well together, you are providing yourself with more options to stay comfortable in the changing weather.

For this cruise, my husband packed many different layering options in his suitcase. This included short-sleeved shirts, pull-over sweaters, and outdoor jackets. Almost every day of our cruise, he wore some combination of these layers.

Choose jackets and sweatshirts that are neutral-colored and work well with your wardrobe. By choosing more neutral colors, you can wear multiple combinations of your wardrobe throughout the cruise. For my husband, this meant packing black, grey, and tan colored sweaters and jackets for our cruise. A black raincoat was a staple for both of us.

In addition, this mix-and-match strategy allows you to pack less overall. Avoid outfits that you might only wear once, as this is wasting precious real estate in your suitcase. This also holds true for outerwear and shoes. Keep the shoes at home that you only plan to wear to dinner once or twice if you can avoid it.

When packing for your European cruise, you will also need to consider what your daily agenda entails. For example, if you are planning to do any hiking or outdoorsy activities, you will need to plan for this accordingly. Check out your tour descriptions before packing as well; these tours can provide outfit guidelines to keep in mind for your excursion’s agenda.

For instance, if you plan to do any hiking, most excursion descriptions encourage guests to pack hiking shoes. You’ll need to use your best judgment for this, as some hikes might only require tennis shoes.

Finally, try not to overpack. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for my husband as much as it is for me. Most importantly, you will be lugging your suitcase across the pond to board your cruise. This means you need to anticipate hauling your luggage in the airports, train stations, cruise terminals, hotels, and taxis.

Expectations for Weather

Before you start packing for your European cruise, you will want to check out the weather forecast. Although it might seem obvious, the forecast can vary greatly when cruising in Europe. This is especially true in Northern Europe, where the weather can change drastically. You might have sunshine one day and cold rain the following.

The European cruise season runs between April and October, with peak season between May and September. This is because the weather is usually too rainy and cold if you sail in April or October - this is considered the “shoulder season.” You might be able to snag a great deal on cruises in the shoulder season, but be prepared for even colder and rainier weather.

While cruising on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, you could experience rough waves or storms, especially during shoulder season. The summer should bring more sunshine than rain in Northern Europe, but you should be prepared for anything.

Prepare for temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and highs around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sailings in the shoulder season will have cooler weather while the summer months of June, July, and August will be the warmest months.

Of course, the further north you sail, the cooler the temperatures will be. This means cruises to Iceland, Norway, and the Arctic Circle can bring cold weather - and you should plan accordingly. Other cruises around the Baltics, British Isles, and Scandinavia should have warmer temperatures, although rain and cold temperatures can still be possible.

Even with cooler weather, you can still experience heat waves in this region of Europe. Ports like Le Herve (France), Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Brugge (Belgium) are all destinations where you can plan for warmer temperatures.

During our day in Belgium, the temperatures were around 60 degrees Fahrenheit with sunny skies. The morning was cooler while the afternoon brought warm sunshine. On the other hand, our time in Norway brought more varied temperatures. While it rained all day in Olden when we hiked the glacier, it was warm and sunny in Flam for the railway.

Finally, this region of Norway is notorious for rain. Every cruise that we’ve taken in this region of Europe has at least one or two days where it rains for the entire day. The weather can also change quickly with pop-up storms. For this reason, I always pack a rain jacket and a small umbrella. My husband wore his light rain jacket almost every day of the cruise.

Cruise Essentials Overview

My husband packed just one 50-pound suitcase with a carry-on for this trip. Overall, he wore almost everything in his wardrobe that he packed for our European itinerary. For our cruise, we had a few excursions planned that were taken into consideration when planning.

First, we planned to hike the glacier in Olden, Norway. Although this was advertised as a hike, it was a nicely paved path up to the glacier. We also planned to ride the Flam Railway while docked in Flam, Norway. Finally, our itinerary stopped in Bergen, Norway, and Brugge, Belgium, where we were planning to walk around the cities.

Moreover, my husband is a runner and planned to workout a few days during our cruise. He packed exercise clothes with the anticipation of a few workouts. If you are someone who wants to hit the gym, make sure to pack accordingly and throw some gym shorts and workout shirts into your suitcase.

My husband does not love jeans, so most of his pants are the ABC Classic Pant from Lululemon. He claims these pants are easy to dress up or down - and are extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day. He packed multiple colors of these pants, including black, grey, and khaki.

During the day, my husband wore a combination of these pants with a casual short-sleeve shirt. He layered this outfit with a quarter zip and black rain jacket. This black rain jacket is from 66 North and one of his favorites for outwear! A black rain jacket is perfect for a European cruise as it's both versatile and practical. 

In the evenings, he actually wore similar outfits to his daily attire. Most of the evenings, he swapped his short-sleeved shirt for a polo with his khakis or black pants. He also wore a quarter zip during the cooler evenings onboard.

As for outfits on the ship, my husband kept it casual with joggers and sweatshirts. Since our sailing had two sea days, he wore these casual outfits around the ship. In addition, these more casual outfits were perfect for the mornings for breakfast or watching the fjord sailings from the top deck.

Read more: What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes

However, loungewear was minimal for this cruise since we only had two sea days. If your sailing has more sea days, then you will want to consider packing more comfortable outfits to wear around the ship.

Of course, you don’t want to forget a swimsuit either! Although this isn’t your typical Caribbean cruise, there are usually indoor pools and multiple hot tubs onboard to enjoy! One evening after dinner, we hot tubbed while sailing through the fjord. Since the sun doesn’t really set in Norway in the summer, it was a beautiful late-night evening.

I should also note that my husband took advantage of our free laundry voucher onboard Celebrity Apex during this cruise. Because we have Elite Plus loyalty status with the cruise line, we each received two free bags of laundry. This helped provide some fresh outfits and undergarments halfway through the cruise.

With that in mind, here’s exactly what my husband packed for our 7-night European cruise. Below is a list of everything he wore during our sailing to Norway and Belgium.

European cruise packing list for men

Outfits:

• 1 light jacket
• 3 quarter zip jackets
• 5 polos
• 3 sweatshirts
• 1 swimsuit
• 5 pairs of pants
• 1 pair of sweatpants
• 5 t-shirts
• 3 workout shirts
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 2 hats (workout and casual)
• 3 pairs of shoes (2 sneakers and 1 dress boot)
• 12 pairs of underwear
• 15 pairs of socks
• 3 pairs of gym shorts

Accessories:

• Crossbody/fanny pack
• Electronics organizer
• Packing cubes
• Small cosmetic bag

Technology:

• Phone
• iPad
• Wireless headphones
• Laptop
• Smartwatch
• Portable charger
• Charging cords

Daily Necessities:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Face wash
• Moisturizer
• Prescription medication
• Cologne
• Hair gel and powder
• Over-the-counter medication

Travel Needs:

• Valid passport with case
• 3 credit cards (Visa and American Express cards with no foreign transaction fees)
• Local currency (However, we mostly used our credit cards)
• USD in Cash (For tips onboard the cruise)
• ATM debit card

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The next Royal Caribbean world cruise is in the planning stage. 
 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, has confirmed the cruise line has plans to announce its next world cruise.

In a new TikTok video posted by @brooklyntravelstheworld, Bayley can be seen making the announcement to cruisers onboard the current Ultimate World Cruise. In the video, Bayley shares Royal Caribbean's plans for not only another world cruise, but also a reunion cruise onboard Serenade of the Seas next summer in Alaska.

“The answer is yes, we are going to do another Ultimate World Cruise,” says Bayley in the announcement. In regards to when the next world cruise will happen, Bayley said Royal Caribbean is still working on the details.

“We’re not entirely sure yet. We are still working our way through it,” explains Bayley. However, the Royal Caribbean International President and CEO continues with an additional exciting announcement, elaborating on plans for an Ultimate World Cruise Reunion voyage next summer.

“We’re announcing today that we are going to hold [an] Ultimate World Cruise reunion cruise. And when we have the reunion cruise, we are going to announce the next world cruise,” shares Bayley. Further, the Royal Caribbean CEO explains how guests on the reunion cruise next summer will have exclusive access to make a deposit on a future reservation for the next world cruise. 

“And when we announce the next world cruise on the reunion cruise, we will only open it for sale for those people who are on the reunion cruise,” states Bayley.

Expanding on this announcement, Bayley shares how guests on the reunion cruise will have the first 24 hours to secure their spot on the next world cruise once it goes on sale. In this way, potential world cruisers can ensure they pick the best cabins for the voyage. “Whatever you want to do to make sure it works for you,” says Bayley.

Royal Caribbean's exciting news is received with applause and cheers from the audience onboard Serenade of the Seas. The video also shows Bayley sharing more details about the timeline of the reunion cruise. 

“In one year, pretty much from today, [the reunion] will be in Alaska - because I think you missed Alaska,” explains Bayley.

He also confirms the reunion cruise will also take place on Serenade of the Seas. "So, you’ll be in Alaska and you’ll be on Serenade [of the Seas]. It will be everybody you [formed] relationships with,” shares Bayley. 

Continuing, he says, “It’s a little bit of a part two of the Ultimate World Cruise, because we know circumstances were the way they were.”

Notably, the Ultimate World Cruise was forced to be rerouted multiple times throughout its 9-month voyage, including an alternative route around Africa to avoid the Red Sea conflict. Originally, Serenade of the Seas was scheduled to visit the Middle East before transiting through the Suez Canal. Other ports of call were missed due to weather issues, political conflict and local protests. 

At the conclusion of the TikTok, Bayley shows a trailer officially announcing the Ultimate World Cruise reunion cruise. The video shows clips of famous sights around the world, including the Great Wall of China and Trevi Fountain in Rome. The video states, “But, there's one chapter left. Relive the memories. Reconnect with friends. And go wild on one more shore.”

The announcement video concludes with the unveil of the reunion cruise, which is scheduled for September 7, 2025 onboard Serenade of the Seas.

Bayley already confirmed earlier this year that Royal Caribbean was planning another world cruise, despite the execution being “extremely complicated” and “massively expensive”.

During the President’s Cruise in July 2024, the CEO stated, “First of all, I think the World Cruise has been a fantastic, unbelievable product for Royal Caribbean to launch and operate. I think it has been a great success."

Currently, Serenade of the Seas is sailing on her last world cruise segment from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Miami, Florida. The ship arrived back to the United States on September 3rd to Bayonne, New Jersey for an overnight stay in New York City, marking her stateside return after 9 months of traveling the world.

During this final segment, guests have visited ports in Iceland, Greenland and Canada before heading south to Bermuda and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Serenade of the Seas concludes its first-ever Ultimate World Cruise on Tuesday, September 10 in Miami, Florida.

The Ultimate World Cruise was originally divided into four different segments, including Ultimate Americas, Ultimate Asia Pacific, Immersive Africa and Ultimate Europe and Beyond. Royal Caribbean also offered 17 smaller cruise segments on the Ultimate World Cruise, ranging from 9 to 29 nights across the world.

Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise has created a huge social media following, with many world cruisers going viral on Instagram and TikTok. Currently, many of the social media creators are sharing their final days onboard Serenade of the Seas. 

Serenade of the Seas set sail on December 10, 2023 for its 9-month voyage around the globe. Departing nearly 274 days ago, world cruisers have visited all seven continents and over 55 countries. These included visits to iconic world sights like the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Taj Mahal in India.

With so many destinations to choose from in the Caribbean, it’s easy to see why these itineraries are so popular with cruisers. From mountainous regions to the sandy beaches, there is a little bit of something for everyone.

Since I was a toddler, I have been cruising around the Caribbean. Even growing up in the Midwest, my parents would take me and my sister on a yearly Royal Caribbean cruise, typically over spring break or summer vacation.

I’ve been able to visit nearly all of the Caribbean destinations reachable by cruise ship. With the exception of a few islands - such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao - and a few countries, like Colombia, I’ve enjoyed exploring this region of the world over the last two decades.

Overall, I’ve been to 25 Caribbean destinations by cruise ship. Therefore, it’s pretty rare when I sail on a cruise that visits a new port of call. Anytime I can visit a new destination in the Caribbean, I am giddy like a little kid.

Last year I was able to visit two new countries while cruising: Honduras and the Dominican Republic. I also visited Turks and Caicos for the first time - and I loved the experience. However, at this point, I’ve done almost all of the touristy excursions throughout the Caribbean that you can possibly do.

I’ve held a stingray in Grand Cayman, zip-lined in Costa Rica, swam with the dolphins in Mexico, snorkeled with sea turtles in Barbados, and lounged on all of the picturesque beaches. Finally, I’ve been lucky enough to transit through the Panama Canal by cruise ship, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Read more: How to choose the right Caribbean cruise sailing

Of course, there is always a new experience to be had regardless of how many times you’ve visited the Caribbean! There are some destinations that I can’t wait to return to while others are fine as one-and-done.

Here are the four Caribbean destinations I would visit again in a heartbeat, along with three ports that I would skip.

St. Maarten

One of my all-time favorite ports in the Caribbean is Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The island is actually owned by both the Netherlands and France, with the northern part of the island being French and the Southern part being Dutch. As such, St. Maarten has a unique blend of varying cultures and so much to offer.

I’ve been to St. Maarten multiple times and one of my all-time favorite activities is visiting Maho Beach. Being married to a pilot, my husband absolutely geeks out over this iconic beach where the runway approach is right over the beach. The planes land so close to the beach it almost seems like you can touch them!

Is Maho Beach the nicest beach in St. Maarten? Not necessarily, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable and unique beaches you’ll find in the Caribbean. For me and my family personally, this is such a fun place to visit while cruising.

Moreover, there is so much to do in St. Maarten, including relaxing on the island’s many pristine beaches, shopping on Front Street, and hiking to Mount Concordia. The island feels quaint, clean, and easy to navigate.

Whenever I am looking to book a Caribbean cruise, I look to find an itinerary with a port stop in St. Maarten. It’s one of those places that I find myself always excited to visit again after countless good experiences ashore.

Dominica

Nicknamed "The Nature Island," Dominica is one of the prettiest Caribbean ports I’ve ever visited. Although I’ve only been to Roseau once, I’ve been wanting to return ever since. The island has such a diverse, mountainous landscape with hot springs, beaches, and tropical rainforests.

While cruising on Jewel of the Seas a few years ago, my husband and I took an excursion through Royal Caribbean to Morne Bruce, Trafalgar Falls, and the Emerald Pool. We marveled at the Trafalgar Falls before swimming in the freshwater Emerald pools, surrounded by more cascading falls.

We were able to see so much of the island, but I wished we had more time to explore! Dominica was lusciously green with beautifully blue ocean water. I also appreciated that we were the only ship docked, as Dominica can only accommodate one cruise ship each day. It didn’t feel like the island was overtaken by cruisers!

Roseau is a more rare cruise port for Royal Caribbean. You’ll either need to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, or book a longer itinerary from Florida that visits the Southern Caribbean. However, I highly recommend booking an itinerary with a stop in Dominica if you can.

St. Thomas

I’ve been able to visit St. Thomas multiple times over the years and it continues to be one of my favorite Caribbean destinations.

The first time I visited St. Thomas was in middle school on a family reunion cruise. We booked a sailboat tour and sailed around the island - my mom still makes the sailor’s homemade guacamole recipe to this day! I remember thinking it was one of the bluest ocean waters I had ever seen.

Typically, I like to head over to the famous Magens Bay for a lovely beach day. Magens Bay has soft sand and crystal-clear ocean water for swimming. Because the bay is shaped like a horseshoe, you don’t have to worry about rough seas. There are plenty of other beautiful beaches on the island too.

St. Thomas also has great shopping and quaint villages! During my last visit to St. Thomas, my dad purchased a stunning emerald ring for me as a special keepsake. I wear it every day with fond memories of St. Thomas! The island has so much to do, including visiting Blackbeard’s Castle or the Skyride to Paradise Point.

Overall, I’ve had only positive experiences during my time in St. Thomas. Look to book either Southern or Eastern Caribbean sailings with Royal Caribbean if you want to visit St. Thomas on your future cruise.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Perhaps unsurprising, I truly love visiting Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas: Perfect Day at CocoCay. If I am being honest about which destinations in the Caribbean that I look forward to returning to, Perfect Day at CocoCay is at the top of my list.

I’m not alone in this either, as Royal Caribbean has stated that CocoCay is the cruise line’s highest-rated destination! First, visiting CocoCay is not only extremely convenient, but also so relaxing.

The private island feels all-inclusive with so many beaches, pools, and restaurants included in the cost of your Royal Caribbean cruise. As a Diamond Plus loyalty member, I love that I can use my free drink vouchers while ashore. Anyone with a drink package can also take advantage of their purchase at CocoCay as well, which is a huge perk!

The island has a little bit of something for everyone, including Thrill Waterpark, the adults-only Hideaway Beach, the exclusive Coco Beach Club, Oasis Lagoon swim-up bar, a floating tiki bar, and multiple beaches with loungers.

Overall, Perfect Day at CocoCay really feels like a beach getaway. There is no denying you are on vacation when you’re docked here. I love being able to truly unwind and not have to worry about how I am going to spend my day.

Royal Caribbean sails to Perfect Day at CocoCay on nearly every Caribbean itinerary. Currently, the cruise line has 144 itineraries with stops scheduled in CocoCay. If you’re hoping to visit this private destination, there’s a good chance your itinerary already includes a stop!

Honorable Mention: Key West

While not necessarily in the Caribbean, one of my all-time favorite cruise destinations is Key West, Florida. Known as the southernmost city in the continental United States, Key West is a lovely destination while cruising.

The port of Key West is right in the city center, so you hardly have to venture far if you’re looking for shops and restaurants. The city is so charming with pastel-colored buildings, wandering chickens, and live music coming from the many beach bars.

Key West is laid-back and easy to walk around. I love visiting all of the shops and bars around the port. My sister and I recently visited Key West during our cruise on Celebrity Silhouette and walked to the Southernmost Point Buoy and enjoyed leisurely strolling the side streets. I would never turn down a port stop in Key West.

Skip: Jamaica

Perhaps my least favorite destination in the Caribbean, Jamaica is one port of call that I would be fine skipping for the foreseeable future. In fact, I am surprised cruise ships continue sailing to Jamaica. Royal Caribbean cruise ships typically dock in Falmouth, Jamaica, although I’ve also visited Ocho Rios, Jamaica by cruise ship.

First, the area outside of the port and touristy area is very rough. The last time I visited Jamaica, I remember thinking that I’d be fine if I never visited the island again. Generally speaking, the area outside of the cruise port feels unsafe once you leave the secure area. It’s not uncommon to be offered drugs for purchase, sometimes by pushy sellers. Unless I book an excursion, I typically stay on the ship when docked in Jamaica.

Read more: Caribbean tourist traps to avoid on a cruise

Even on an excursion, you can expect to spend nearly two hours driving to and from the cruise port. Many cruisers find their excursions run behind schedule or deviate from the planned agenda, although this hasn’t been my experience. If you’re visiting Dunn’s River Falls, which is one of the main tourist attractions for cruisers, you can expect to find a massive tourist trap upon arrival.

Overall, I am glad that Jamaica is crossed off my bucket list of countries that I’ve visited, but it’s certainly not a destination that I need to visit again.

Skip: Nassau

Located in the Bahamas, Nassau is one of the most common cruise ports for Caribbean sailings. It seems like every cruise I book these days has a port stop in Nassau! However, it’s one port that I would be fine never visiting again.

To start, the cruise port is always jam-packed with cruise ships, as the port can accommodate up to six ships in a single day. Nassau can even accommodate up to three Oasis Class ships! This leads to a very crowded port with tens of thousands of cruisers taking over the city. Last year, Nassau set a record for having almost 30,000 cruise passengers visiting the port in a single day!

Also, the excursions in Nassau are super expensive. If you want to visit Atlantis, be prepared to fork out hundreds of dollars per person for a few hours at the resort. Those choosing to visit a resort for the day will likely spend $100 per person. I’m always shocked by the inflated excursion costs in Nassau!

Unless you book an excursion or take a taxi to Paradise Island, Nassau itself feels disingenuous. If you wander too far outside of the port area, you can find yourself in tough areas very quickly. I’ve never run into an unsafe situation while visiting Nassau, but it’s not a port that I look forward to visiting.

Even after visiting Nassau close to 12 times, the port has never left me very impressed. I consider Nassau one of those port days where I stay on the ship and take advantage of everyone being ashore. Staying onboard during a port day allows you to enjoy a quiet ship and all of the amenities to yourself.

Skip: Belize

One port in the Caribbean that I don’t need to visit again anytime soon is Belize. Royal Caribbean’s ships dock in Belize City, which certainly isn’t the safest destination in the Caribbean. Unless you decide to visit the Mayan Ruins or tube down the caves, Belize doesn’t have much else to offer.

The port area for Belize is very lackluster, not to mention you need to tender to and from the ship to get ashore. I first visited Belize back in elementary school during a cruise on Enchantment of the Seas. We walked around the port area and decided there wasn’t much to see before tendering back to the ship.

Although I’ve visited Belize by cruise ship, I also traveled to the country for a mission trip back in high school. After seeing so much of the country in a very different light, I haven’t had much desire to return for vacation.

Overall, Belize isn’t a destination that I feel the need to visit again on a cruise ship. I find the tender ride to and from the ship to be the most exciting part of visiting this destination. Again, I am happy to cross this off my list of countries visited, but Belize City leaves little to be desired for me.

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The next new Royal Caribbean ship class could be here in the next few years.

A new smaller ship class could be built within the next three to four years, according to Royal Caribbean International’s CEO and President, Michael Bayley. This new ship class with smaller ships has been dubbed “Project Discovery.”

In a collaborative interview posted on Instagram between Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley, and Devon Rodriguez, Bayley talks about the upcoming plans for the Discovery Class. The interview was filmed onboard Utopia of the Seas, which is Royal Caribbean’s newest ship that just debuted last month.

During the casual interview, artist Devon Rodriguez draws a portrait of Bayley while asking questions about the cruise line’s exciting upcoming plans. Rodriguez asks Bayley, “What opportunities are you most excited about for Royal Caribbean in the coming years?”

Bayley responds by reflecting on how far Royal Caribbean has come this year with its newly-built mega ships before discussing the future of the brand. First, Bayley discussed how Icon of the Seas, which was launched in January 2024, is the most successful new ship that Royal Caribbean has ever launched.

However, Bayley continues to discuss Royal Caribbean’s future plans for new ship classes, hinting at the new Discovery Class.

“We’re working now on another class of ship called Discovery Class. So, that’s going to be super exciting. That’ll come in about another 3 to 4 years from now,” states Bayley in the interview.

Little details have been revealed about Royal Caribbean’s “Project Discovery”, although the cruise line has been slowly discussing the new ship class more frequently. Rumors have been circling for years about Royal Caribbean’s upcoming plans to build new ships of smaller size. However, the cruise line has not confirmed many details about Project Discovery.

If Royal Caribbean continues its naming trend, the first vessel from Discovery Class could be named Discovery of the Seas. Similarly, the Icon Class was named before the flagship vessel, Icon of the Seas, was announced.

In fact, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, Jason Liberty, commented on the cruise line’s aging fleet and the need for new, smaller ships. As the oldest and smallest ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet continue to age, there is an increased need for replacement vessels in the coming years.

During the earnings call, Liberty stated, "We have ships that are reaching 30-35 years [old]. This is not just about what we want to build, it's also [about] replacing ships that will eventually reach their end of life.”

Building smaller ships will become necessary for Royal Caribbean, as the cruise line’s largest vessels are limited for itineraries due to port restrictions. Liberty also mentioned during the earnings call how smaller vessels allow passengers to visit unique destinations, which is a priority for Royal Caribbean.

Moreover, Bayley also commented on Project Discovery earlier this year on Facebook. One cruiser, Thomas Budzyn, commented to Bayley on a Facebook post. He asked Bayley about the prospect of Royal Caribbean building smaller ships that could reach more ports, noting that long-time Royal Caribbean guests find itineraries to Perfect Day at CocoCay to be repetitive.

Bayley responded, “The Royal team is working on a new class and I hope if all the needed hurdles are tackled, we can announce something this year.”

Earlier this year, Bayley also commented to the press about the conceptualization of a new ship class. “From a brand perspective, we recognize we've got two classes of ships, Radiance and Vision, that are doing phenomenal. They're beautiful ships, beautifully constructed.

“But... they're getting older. So we're obviously concepting thoughts and ideas on how we would ultimately replace those ships with a new class of ships,” concluded Bayley.

Although comments about the Discovery Class have been made throughout 2024, Bayley hinted at the new ship class last summer as well. While sailing on Allure of the Seas in 2023 for the President’s Cruise, Bayley was asked about Royal Caribbean’s plans for building smaller ships.

Bayley answered, “It is something that's certainly deeply in our consideration and our planning at the moment that we have a lot of conceptual work going on. I think when we're ready we can we can announce steps that will take to do just that.”

Royal Caribbean’s smallest ships in the Vision and Radiance Class were all built 20 to 30 years ago. The Vision Class has vessels around 73,000 gross tons, with the capacity to hold around 2,400 guests. Grandeur of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s oldest ship at 28-years-old, being built in 1996.

The Radiance Class encompasses ships of slightly larger size, measuring around 90,000 gross tons. These ships can hold similar amount of passengers as the Vision Class, with around 2,400 passengers at maximum capacity.

Cruising to Europe this summer? If so, you’ll want to ensure you pack appropriate attire that’s both chic and comfortable. In this guide, I’m sharing my top outfit tips for women on a European cruise.

Packing is an essential part of the cruise planning process. You want to make sure you pack everything you need for your time onboard and in port. If you pack incorrectly, you’ll find yourself spending extra money on clothes in port, which can get expensive and take away from time otherwise spent sightseeing.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about packing for a European cruise, I can help! I just returned from a 7-night cruise to Norway and Belgium, and the weather spanned from sunny and warm to cool and rainy. Prior to embarking, my husband and I spent three nights in London, too, so we had to pack additional outfits for these days.

Here’s what I learned about packing for my European cruise, and I’m sharing the best outfits you should pack for your cruise, too.

Keep practicality at the forefront of your packing strategy for Europe.

I can almost guarantee on any European cruise that you will be doing plenty of walking. You can easily hit 15,000 steps each day while cruising in Europe. With so much walking, be sure to pack comfortable shoes that are broken in. You don’t want to deal with painful blisters during your vacation.

In addition, you’ll need to pack outfits and necessities for your time onboard your cruise ship. I typically plan for one outfit each day followed by one evening outfit for the ship. This also includes one or two lounge outfits for sea days.

Please note, if you’re sailing to or around the Mediterranean, you will need a completely different wardrobe than the one I’m about to provide. Mediterranean cruises are much warmer compared to cruises farther north.

Read more: What to wear on a Mediterranean cruise

My outfit and packing guide will focus on necessities and inspiration for Northern Europe. This could include cruises across Northern Europe and the Baltics, such as itineraries from popular embarkation ports like Southampton (England), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Reykjavik (Iceland), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Stockholm (Sweden).

Weather Expectations

The cruise season for Europe starts in April and ends in October. However, cruises around Northern Europe are typically from May to September due to cooler temperatures in the spring and fall. 

As you might guess, sailing around Northern Europe will be inherently cooler than the Mediterranean. Cruising on the North or Baltic Sea means you’ll be experiencing a cooler climate, even in the summer.

Temperatures will be anywhere from 40 degrees F to 70 degrees F on a European sailing. However, cruises in the shoulder season (April/May or September/October) mean you’ll veer towards the cooler temperatures.

Weather in Europe can often be unpredictable. For instance, during our cruise to Norway, it would be cold in the mornings at 40 degrees and warm up to 70 degrees later in the day. The following day could bring cold, rainy weather all day in the 50s.

However, this region of Europe can still experience heat waves, so packing layers is the key. We didn’t necessarily have a heat wave during our cruise, which was in early June. But, we still had a few warm and sunny days.

Moreover, if you’re sailing towards the Arctic Circle on itineraries to Iceland or Norway, you’ll need to prepare for mostly cold and rainy weather. The further north you’re sailing, the cooler you can expect the temperatures.

Finally, European cruises are notoriously rainy. Every cruise I’ve sailed around this region has experienced multiple days of cold weather and rain. The weather can change quickly with spurts of rain throughout the day.

General Cruise Packing Tips

While packing for your European cruise, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. First, focus on packing layers. This will allow you to bundle up when the weather is cool while also being able to shed layers if it warms up.

For instance, choose neutral-colored jackets that you can wear with the majority of what you’re packing. For me, this includes a long black raincoat to wear over a sweater or a denim jacket to pair with a short-sleeved dress or top.

In terms of layered clothes, you should also prioritize packing items that you can mix and match. Again, neutral-colored clothes or capsule items are usually good for this, as you can wear multiple pieces together over the course of your cruise.

The mix-and-match strategy also allows you to pack less overall. If an outfit is a one-and-done, it probably could stay home. The same principle applies to shoes and outerwear to ensure you aren’t wasting precious space in your luggage.

Moreover, make sure you consider your daily activities while in Europe. If you’re visiting churches or holy sites, make sure you pack appropriate clothes that cover your knees or shoulders (if needed). Those doing adrenaline-pumping or active excursions should look for outfit guidelines on tour descriptions. For example, hiking excursions often suggest wearing hiking shoes.

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

Finally, aim to pack clothes that are always comfortable. It’s not uncommon to feel bloated by the end of your cruise, and this isn’t the time to try squeezing into your fitted jeans, at least for me! Versatility, comfort, and practicality are all key when choosing the outfits for your European cruise.

Try not to overpack if you can. I struggle with this, especially for colder climate cruises. Remember, you will need to lug your suitcases around from the airport to the cruise terminal. This could also include train stations, taxis, hotels, and more depending on your plans before and after cruising.

Clothing Essentials Overview

For this cruise, I packed one outfit for each day of our cruise - so 7 different daily outfits. Our itinerary included three days in Norway and one day in Belgium. As we cruised further north in Norway, the temperatures dropped.

Our activity schedule included a train ride in Flåm, Norway and a glacier hike in Olden, Norway. As such, one of my outfits was an athletic fit for the hike, including workout leggings, a long-sleeved workout shirt, and appropriate undergarments.

I also packed a dress to wear each evening onboard our cruise, meaning I also packed 7 dresses. Most of these dresses were versatile and comfortable pieces that I could layer with a coat if needed. I also packed practical dresses that I could wear during the day, if needed.

How you choose to dress on your cruise is up to you. Most cruise lines have dress code guidelines that forbid shorts, flip-flops, and swimsuits for restaurants. You should also consider if your cruise has any formal or elegant nights. 

This could include a cocktail dress or even a formal gown if you feel like dressing up. For me, I tend to wear casual and comfortable dresses during my cruises in the evenings. I also try to pack dresses that I can wear during the day, meaning only a few dresses are strictly for evening wear. 

I kept lounge wear minimal for this cruise, as we only had two sea days. I packed a crewneck and short matching set to wear onboard. I typically wore this to breakfast each day before changing for the daily activities. I also packed sweatpants that I wore in our cabin while enjoying the balcony. If you have more sea days, you will need to pack more casual clothes to wear onboard. 

Finally, don't forget a swimsuit! I love this long-sleeve swimsuit from Amazon (this contains an affiliate link) because it's warmer and I don't have to worry about getting sunburnt. 

Without further ado, here’s everything I wore and packed for my 7-night European cruise to Norway and Belgium. This is a breakdown of exactly what I wore during my cruise.

European Cruise Packing List

Outfits:

• 2 pairs of pants (cargo pants and jeans)
• 3 pairs of leggings (casual and workout)
• 3 workout skorts (to wear under dresses or alone)
• 4 long sleeve dresses
• 3 short sleeve dresses
• 2 elegant night dresses
• 2 sweaters
• 2 casual tops
• 1 long sleeve workout top
• 1 black denim jacket
• 1 lounge outfit (matching shorts and crewneck)
• 2 pairs of pajamas
• 1 swimsuit (pack extra if you plan to hot tub more than once or twice)
• 14 days worth of undergarments (I packed extra in case of travel delays)
• Optional: Workout clothes (if you plan to exercise on your cruise, pack accordingly)

Outerwear:

• 3 coats (raincoat, fashion coat, puffer coat - I could have left behind the puffer coat, but it packed easily in a compression packing cube and I wore it onboard. Having a waterproof coat is key)
• 2 hats or warm headbands (in case one gets wet)
• Gloves
• Optional: Scarf (I didn’t wear one this summer, but I did last year when cruising to Iceland and it was colder!)

Shoes:

• Comfortable walking shoes (I packed white tennis shoes and wore them almost every day)
• Waterproof boots
• Dinner shoes (I brought casual platform sandals that could be dressed up or down. I wore these every night)
• Sandals (I packed casual slides to wear around the ship - I wore them with socks)

Accessories:

• Crossbody purse (Mine was used daily for ashore exploration and dinners onboard)
• Daily jewelry (I keep this simple and wore my wedding rings with gold hoops each day)
• Sunglasses
• Umbrella
• Small travel wallet
• Larger purse (I use a small backpack-style purse to hold more for longer travel days)
• Packing cubes
• Jewelry travel case
• Electronics organizer
• Tote or bag to use around the ship
• Hair clips or ties (I use claw clips and scrunchies mostly)

Daily Necessities:

• Sunscreen (I prefer a tinted moisturizer with SPF when cruising, but sunscreen is still important)
• Skincare (I bring travel-size products, including face wash, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and eye cream)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Body spray or perfume
• Makeup and makeup remover
• Prescription medication (I pack extra medication in case of emergency or travel delays)
• Over-the-counter medication (My travel pharmacy contains a variety of OTC medication that might be needed, including pain relief, seasickness, cold/flu medication, sleep aid, and allergies)
• Contacts/glasses and solution

Technology:

• Phone
• iPad or tablet with downloaded shows
• Wireless headphones
• Wired headphones (for the plane)
• Smartwatch
• Charging cords
• Portable charger
• Camera (I have a nicer digital camera I bring while traveling)
• Optional: Laptop (I always travel with mine) and e-reader/book

Travel Needs:

• Valid passport (and any necessary visas)
• Travel insurance
• 2 credit cards, including Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees
• ATM card (in case of an emergency where you need cash)
• Cash or local currency (I don’t deem cash necessary anymore for European travel. Everywhere we went accepted credit cards. But if you like to have cash or want to tip onboard, bring some local currency)

Cruise Items:

• European converter
• Outlet expander
• Magnetic hooks
• Travel-size sound machine
• Hanging cosmetic organizer

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Many would agree that one of the highlights of cruising is indulging in all of the delicious cuisine while onboard. While there are specialty dining options on virtually every cruise ship, you can always enjoy unlimited, complimentary food during your sailing. From the buffet to the main dining room, you certainly won’t go hungry while vacationing on a cruise ship.

But, how much would you eat on a cruise if you had the metabolism of a 17-year-old teenager?

A recent viral TikTok from Kyleigh Ryan (@kyleigh.pate) shows just how much a teenage boy can eat in one day on a cruise. The video has been viewed more than 4.7 million times - garnering around 9,000 comments and nearly 500k likes from viewers. Ryan's viral video is likely inspired by the TikTok trend where siblings share what their teenage brothers eat in a day. 

In the video, Ryan chronicles her brother’s meals and snacks throughout his cruise day, meticulously keeping track of everything he ate for the TikTok. As you might imagine, the 17-year-old certainly got his money’s worth just in cruise food.

Ryan captioned the TikTok, “What my 17-year-old brother eats in a day on our cruise.” She also included in the captions that simply making the video made her nauseous. Ryan tagged Royal Caribbean in the video, although she does not specify which ship she is sailing on with her family.

The hilarious TikTok was posted to social media earlier this month, presumably during a family vacation. The tagged location on the TikTok is Galveston, Texas, and appears to be Mariner of the Seas. Of course, it should also be noted that the sentiment of this TikTok is clearly lighthearted and not meant to be shaming or judgmental.

Here’s everything that the 17-year-old enjoyed during his cruise day, in the order shown in the viral video.

Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day - and Ryan’s brother certainly started his day with a bang. The beginning of Ryan’s viral TikTok shows her and her brother dining at the Windjammer buffet for breakfast onboard their Royal Caribbean cruise.

The Windjammer is Royal Caribbean’s standard buffet that serves meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the TikTok, Ryan’s brother makes three separate trips to the buffet for his breakfast.

During breakfast, the 17-year-old makes a few trips to the buffet. It looks to be a sea day onboard the ship, as the TikTok never shows the family disembark the ship. More time onboard means more opportunities to indulge in all of the cuisine!

Ryan documents her brother with each trip to and from the Windjammer buffet, which is actually recommended on a cruise to reduce waste, as it’s easy to overload your plate. One can appreciate the teen’s conscientious efforts to not be wasteful!

Here’s what the 17-year-old had for breakfast, according to the viral TikTok:

• 3 slices of French toast
• 2 donuts
• A plate of bacon
• Hashbrowns
• 3 more slices of French toast
• 2 sausage links
• A chocolate croissant
• 1 more donut
• 2 glasses of apple juice

Lunch

Before lunch, Ryan shows a clip of her brother having his first ice cream cone on the pool deck. One of the quintessential treats on a Royal Caribbean is a soft-serve ice cream cone! Although popular with all guests onboard, the soft-serve machine is particularly popular with kids and teens. Who doesn’t want unlimited ice cream on vacation - it’s a kid’s dream!

For lunch, the 17-year-old takes a trip to Sorrento’s onboard. This is Royal Caribbean’s complimentary pizza, serving up fresh slices throughout the day and into the late night. Ryan shows her brother taking three separate trips up to the counter for lunch, in which the teen eats the following:

• 2 slices of pepperoni pizza
• 2 more slices of pepperoni pizza
• 2 final slices of pepperoni pizza

After indulging at Sorrento’s for lunch, the teen heads back to the pool deck. Ryan shows her brother having two more ice cream cones from the soft-serve machine.

Dinner

The TikTok continues by showing the teenager enjoying dinner in the main dining room, presumably with Ryan and their family. On Royal Caribbean ships, the main dining room serves multi-course meals, which are included in each guest’s cruise fare. The main dining room also serves sit-down meals for breakfast and lunch depending on the sailing’s itinerary.

Each evening in the main dining room features a different themed menu. Ryan shows her brother’s dining room order, including the following appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Based on the 17-year-old’s selections shown in the TikTok, it appears to be Italian night in the dining room.

The teenager didn’t hold back with his dining room order, indulging in the following meal for dinner:

• 2 cheddar bread rolls with butter
• 2 glasses of lemonade
• 1 more cheddar roll with butter
• Arancini appetizer
• 2 steaks with baked potato and broccoli
• Chocolate dessert with ice cream
• Lemon tart

Late Night Snack

After dinner, Ryan shows her brother making another trip back to Sorrento’s for a late-night bite of pizza. She captions the ending of her TikTok, “Went back that night because he was hungry again.”

At the end of the TikTok, Ryan shows her brother indulging in four final slices of pizza before calling it a night. To be fair, there is nothing quite like Sorrento’s pizza to end your night on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Response from viewers

Ryan’s viral TikTok has become overwhelmingly popular with viewers on the social media app. The video has surpassed 9,000 comments, mostly with commenters appreciating the teenager’s eating tenacity!

“If I paid for his cruise, he’s the one I’m feeling good about having got my money’s worth!” said the top response in the TikTok’s comment section. This top comment has received over 81.4k likes from other viewers!

Another top response - which has received 32k likes - said, “I ain’t mad at him. He CLEARLY knows how to enjoy a cruise.”

Similarly, many viewers agreed with the sentiment that the 17-year-old is getting his money’s worth. One commenter writes, “Note to self: take my twins on a cruise when they’re 16 to save on groceries” while another responds, “It’s cheaper to take your teenage boys on cruises than grocery shopping these days!”

“I am expecting my 16-year-old to eat our money’s worth on our cruise in December!” responded one user on the viral video. Another user agreed, “Have two teenage boys. Can confirm they eat like this.”

In the same way, another commenter stated, “Just got back from a cruise with my 14-year-old son and he ate 24 slices of pizza and 7 ice cream cones, in addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner one day. I felt like it was a good value at least lol.”

Another parent chimes in, “As the parent of a teenage boy, I see what our next vacation is gonna be. That alone would justify the cost of the cruise!”

“My 18-year-old ate his weight in soft serve daily on our 8-day cruise. The food he consumed balanced the cost of his room,” writes another commenter. 

Along with these remarks, many of the commenters mention how they are envious of the teen’s metabolism. One of the top comments with 33.6k likes reads, “I have metabolism envy!”

“Cries in bad metabolism,” responds another viewer jokingly.

What food is included on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

All of the food in Ryan’s TikTok is included in the cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise. Each ship features a combination of for-fee specialty dining and complimentary dining options.

To start, all of Royal Caribbean’s ships provide a Windjammer buffet, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. There are multiple buffet stations with a range of cuisine options - everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to Indian curry and Italian pasta.

Moreover, each ship in the fleet has at least one main dining room for dinner and breakfast each day with multi-course meals. The main dining room is a classic, traditional cruise ship dining experience.

You can choose between My Time Dining or set dining time (early or late). In the main dining room, you’ll receive a menu each evening with appetizers, entrees, and desserts to order. Guests can essentially order as much as they want in the dining room.

Royal Caribbean’s ships also typically feature a grab-and-go cafe with snacks, sandwiches, and salads. These quick-service dining options are often named Cafe Promenade, Park Cafe, Pearl Cafe, or Cafe Lattitudes, depending on which ship you are sailing on. Sorrento’s is Royal Caribbean’s pizza parlor, which serves pizza throughout the day on your cruise.

Finally, some of Royal Caribbean’s ships also have poolside dining options like El Loco Fresh for Mexican and Boardwalk Dog House for hot dogs. These are also grab-and-go style dining options so you can get a quick bite to eat and eat right on the pool deck.

As for drinks, your Royal Caribbean cruise fare includes basic beverages, excluding alcohol. This includes water, lemonade, tea, juices (not freshly squeezed), drip coffee, tea, milk, and flavored waters.

Specialty dining options are available for a surcharge on Royal Caribbean’s ships. These include restaurants like Chops Grille Steakhouse, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or Table, Izumi Sushi and Teppanyaki, Jamie’s Italian, Playmakers Sports Bar, and 150 Central Park. Specialty dining experiences are also available for an extra fee, including Chef’s Table, Royal Railway Utopia Station, Wonderland, and Empire Supper Club.