The Ultimate Summer Greek Cruise Guide + FREE Packing List

Greece is a bucket-list summer destination for many, but honestly, knowing what to wear can make or break your trip.

As a southern-European girl who has survived many scorching-hot Mediterranean summers, and who’s been on a Greek island cruise before, I’ve written this packing list and guide to help you prepare and pack for your next summer Greek cruise in the best way possible.

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What to know before packing for a summer Greek cruise

The main thing to know before packing for a Greek cruise in the summer is that it can get both hot and windy.

Greece’s sunny summer days can get intensely hot with very high UV levels. At the same time, the Meltemi winds blow between mid-May and mid-September, particularly affecting the Cyclades (mainly Mykonos, Andros, and Tinos), the Dodecanese, and the Sporades islands.

Of course, you will also need to pack cruise-specific items and outfits, as many cruises include onboard entertainment and formal evening events. For day-to-day excursions and sightseeing, you’ll need to be comfortably prepared for walking across Greece’s cobblestone streets just as much as for spending time at the beach or swimming.

By the end of this guide, you will have everything you need. You can also click here to jump to the itemised summer Greek cruise packing list.

What is not allowed in luggage on a cruise?

For safety reasons, most cruise lines prohibit items that present fire hazards, security risks, or violate port laws. Please note that this can include CBD products and medical marijuana without appropriate authorisations.

Additionally, many cruise lines restrict how much alcohol you can bring on board, and some cruise lines prohibit steamers, clothing irons, balloons, and small appliances.

Make sure to check your cruise line’s specific guidelines to ensure you don’t pack any prohibited items.

What to Pack for a Summer Cruise in Greece

1. Luggage and Bags

In all honesty, my favourite part of going on a cruise is precisely that your luggage stays in your cabin the whole time.

While you don’t exactly have to pack light, it’s a good idea to leave some room for any spontaneous purchases and souvenirs (wine and olive oil are VERY good Greek souvenir ideas, but they must go in the aircraft hold as liquids). Also, packing cubes are a great way to keep your items organised in your luggage.

Aside from checked luggage, I recommend packing a light backpack or RFID crossbody bag to carry around with you while sightseeing. It’s also a good idea to bring a dry bag or beach bag for beach days or boat trips (and for protecting your valuables when transferring between the cruise ship and the port on tender boats).

Tip: For a nice compact backpack to bring under the seat on airplanes, I recommend this extendable backpack so that you can fit more items in!

2. Travel Documents & Medications

Before landing in Greece, you’ll need all the usual travel documents such as your personal ID document or passport (valid for 6 months beyond your trip’s end date), and any visa documents or ETIAS pre-travel electronic authorisation.

You should also receive a list of the required documents from the cruise line ahead of time. These normally include your boarding pass/cruise ticket, your cruise luggage tags (if provided to you beforehand), a credit card, and proof of travel insurance.

For a cruise, one thing I can’t recommend enough is bringing sea sickness tablets! These help prevent motion sickness from the swaying of the ship.

Important: If you take medications containing codeine or tramadol, opioids/strong painkillers, or anxiety and ADHD medications like Diazepam/Valium, Xanax, Adderall or Ritalin, make sure to bring your doctor’s note or prescription, keep your medication in its original, sealed pharmacy packaging, and limit your supply to a maximum of 30 days.

3. Electronics

Make sure to check if you need to pack an international plug adapter – Greece uses standard European plugs (Type C or Type F).

If your cruise line allows you to bring hairstyling tools onboard (such as straightening/curling irons), check whether the wattage of your devices is compatible with the cruise ship, as they may not work otherwise!

Finally, I never leave for a trip without bringing my power bank, as I don’t like running the risk of having my phone die when I’m out and about. An extra-long phone charging cable may also come in handy to charge your phone at night, in case the plug is not right next to the bed.

The easiest way to stay connected when docked at port is to get an eSIM ahead of your trip! Holafly sell both unlimited Greece eSIMs and eSIMs for European Cruises – you can save 5% off your eSIM using my discount code “JESSICAVIANA“.

4. Light Breathable Layers & Modest Coverups

Greece gets very hot in the summer, so it’s important to stay cool by wearing light and breathable layers. Cotton and linen are the best fabrics to choose, as they also have UV-protecting properties.

You’ll notice many people wearing white and/or blue in Greece – these colours match the whitewashed villages and blue-dome roofs of the islands perfectly. Your holiday photos will come out especially picturesque if you pack some white and blue outfits!

To protect yourself from the sun, pack light midi/maxi dresses and skirts, loose shorts and trousers, linen shirts, and a mix of light t-shirts and tops.

Tip: Remember that to enter churches in Greece, you must cover your knees and shoulders. I like to keep a light shirt or scarf in my backpack to use as needed.

5. Comfortable Shoes

From climbing up steep, winding paths to going down slippery cobblestone steps, you will likely walk a lot on port days in Greece.

Prioritise comfortable walking shoes, deck shoes, sneakers or sandals with decent grip for sightseeing. If you plan on going for a fancy dinner on shore, I recommend opting for block heels, which provide better support and grip.

6. Hats & Windproof Accessories

The sun in Greece is very intense, so it’s important to protect your head by wearing a cap, sunhat, or headscarf during the day.

Be mindful of the wind, however – it’s a good idea to pack at least one hat with chin straps (or buy chin straps that you can attach to your hat when needed!) to prevent it from flying off your head! Having a hat clip to attach your hat to your bag when not wearing it is also smart, to avoid losing it.

On particularly windy days, I just choose to tie my hair up, or wear a headband to avoid worrying about having hair on my face all day.

7. Evening Layers & Cruise Gala Night Outfit

Temperatures often drop on particularly windy days and in the evenings, especially when out at sea. Make sure to pack some layers like a light cardigan or jacket.

Most cruises also usually host a gala night, where guests are encouraged to dress up in formal dress or black-tie. So don’t forget to pack a glamorous suit or cocktail dress and a pair of dress shoes or pumps for this special evening!

8. Swimwear & Beach Shoes

Your cruise ship will most likely have pools and jacuzzis where you can dip your feet in and relax on sea days. So, don’t forget to pack at least one swimsuit/bikini or swim shorts/trunks, and a pair of flip flops or sliders with good grip. Cruises usually offer complimentary beach and pool towels, so you don’t need to pack your own.

Your Greek summer cruise will likely includes stops at islands or beaches, so add a pair of beach sandals and water shoes to your packing list – many beaches in Greece have pebbles and rocks, which can be painful on bare feet!

Tip: In Greece it’s frowned upon to walk around on the streets or in restaurants/shops in swimwear, so it’s a good idea to pack sarongs and beach coverups to wear when stepping away from the sand on port days or excursions.

9. Sleepwear & Underwear

Of course, don’t forget to pack enough underwear and socks for your trip!

Depending on how you prefer to sleep (I won’t judge!), throw in some cotton pyjamas or light nightdresses, tops, t-shirts, and/or shorts for sleeping in.

10. Toiletries & Essentials

Sun protection is very important, especially when visiting Greece at the height of summer. Before boarding your cruise, make sure to pack high-SPF sunscreen, at least one pair of UV-blocking sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated on port days.

It’s also smart to get some insect-repellent (you can buy it in Greece once you arrive or on the cruise ship itself). During the summer, mosquitos become a little annoying here, so it’s useful to have some bug spray on hand.

Of course, don’t forget to pack your usual skincare, perfumes, haircare products, and accessories. Most cruise ships offer complimentary shampoo and conditioner, but I find they’re usually those 5-in-1 kind of products (if you know what I mean). So, if you use any special care products, I really recommend bringing your own.

Tip: You can bring full-size toiletries onto cruise ships, as cruise lines don’t have liquid size restrictions like airlines do.

Itemised Packing List for a Greek Cruise in Summer

Now that we’ve gone over all the details, I’ll leave here an itemised packing list with everything you’ll need during your Greek summer cruise.

This list is tailored for an average 1-week trip, so feel free to adjust based on the duration of your own trip.

FAQ: What to Wear on a Greek Summer Cruise

Last thoughts

I hope this packing list is helpful to decide what to wear ahead of your Greek cruise this summer. By following the above packing list, you’ll hopefully be able to find the right items and materials for an easygoing trip.

Feel free to write any questions you may have in the comments – I’ll do my best to help!