European Cruise Preparation Checklist: Essential Tips Before You Sail

So you’ve booked your European cruise. Woo-hoo! Time to start dreaming about castles, cobblestones, and croissants. But before you grab your suitcase and call it a day, let’s talk prep. A European cruise is a little different than a Caribbean getaway — there’s more paperwork, more walking, more logistics, and definitely more opportunities for “oops, I wish I’d done that sooner” moments. If you’re still deciding which European cruise is right for you, start with my European Cruise Guide: How to Choose the Right Cruise for You. It breaks down itineraries, ships, and everything you need to make the best choice.

This is your complete European Cruise Preparation Checklist, broken down by timeline. Think of it like a cruise countdown — with a little Shore to Cruise flair. And if you haven’t already, check out why I always pre-pack before a cruise — because trust me, it makes life so much easier.

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Key Takeaways

• Start early — passports, insurance, and pre-packing can’t wait.
• Think logistics — flights, hotels, transfers, and tender ports all take planning.
• Protect yourself — insurance, STEP registration, and digital document copies are musts.
• Pack smart — comfy walking shoes, theme-night outfits, and leave irons at home.
• Arrive early — plan to fly into Europe at least two days before embarkation.
• Stay flexible — a good attitude is just as important as your luggage.

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6+ Months Before or Just Booked!

You’ve put down your deposit and you’re giddy. Don’t stop there! Now’s the time to tackle the boring-but-critical stuff that can make or break your trip.

• Passports & Entry Requirements: Make sure your passport is valid at least six months past your cruise. Double-check visa rules too, since the UK now requires an Electronic Travel Authorization, ETA, and the rest of Europe’s rolling out ETIAS requirements for U.S. travelers soon.
• Vaccinations: Most travelers from the U.S. don’t need special vaccinations to visit Europe. Still, it’s a good idea to double-check current recommendations from the CDC Traveler’s Health or the World Health Organization before you go. Requirements can change, and both sites also give you advice on routine boosters that are smart to be up to date on.
• Travel Insurance: Don’t wait on this one. Buying insurance within 14–21 days of booking often gives you the best coverage. Be sure to check if your policy is primary or secondary, and confirm whether medical evacuation coverage (Medevac) is included. I’ve personally used travel insurance on two of my last four trips: not for cancellations, but for the unexpected stuff like delays and an injury. It’s worth every penny. You can compare options at InsureMyTrip, and I also break it all down in my Ultimate Guide to Cruise Travel Insurance.
• Flights & Hotels: Think about both arrival and departure times. If your port is far from the airport, a 9 a.m. flight home may not be realistic. Build in buffer time for transfers. You may even want to book a post-cruise night in your airport city so you’re not rushing to catch a flight. On the front end, if you land in Europe at 7 a.m., you might want to book your hotel for the night before so you can shower and drop bags right away.
• Port Distances: Don’t assume you’re docking in the city center. Rome’s port (Civitavecchia) is 90 minutes away, Paris (Le Havre) is about two hours, and London (Southampton) is 1.5–2 hours out. Knowing this now helps you plan transfers, shore excursions, and timing.
• At-Home Prep: Request time off work, arrange for pet sitters or house sitters, and don’t forget to look into pausing subscriptions: like meal kits (you don’t want HelloFresh greeting you after two weeks away).
• Digital Organization: Create a dedicated email folder labeled for your cruise and start dropping confirmations and tour information there. Future you will be very thankful.
• Pre-Packing Pile: Start a little stash of cruise items now. It’s just a pile in a corner, but it helps you avoid forgetting things later. If you want more information on how to prep for your cruise, check out Cruise Prep Made Easy.
• Community Fun: Join Facebook groups for your ship or itinerary and binge your favorite bloggers or TikTokers (hopefully me at Shore to Cruise). You’ll get insider tips and new cruise buddies before you even board.

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2–3 Months Before

Now you’re getting closer, and this is when the fun shopping and planning kicks in.

• Cruise Payments & Extras: Make your final payment if you haven’t already. This is also the best time to pre-pay gratuities, drink packages, Wi-Fi, or spa treatments. Cruise lines often offer discounts for purchasing early, and it feels nice not to come home to a big bill.
• Cruise Line App & Online Check-In: Most cruise lines open online check-in a couple of months before sailing. Jump on it as soon as it opens — it’s the best way to snag an earlier boarding time on embarkation day if you don’t have loyalty status or a suite. You’ll usually need your passport handy and be ready to upload a quick photo of yourself. (If you haven’t already, this is also when you’ll want to download your cruise line’s app so everything is in one place.)
• Shore Excursions & Tender Ports: This is prime time to book excursions — especially if you’ve got popular ports or tours in mind. Also, check your itinerary for tender ports. At these stops you’ll board a smaller boat to go ashore, which can impact excursion timing. Sometimes booking a ship excursion gives you priority access. I explain how tendering works in my tender boats guide. For excursion inspiration, use my Dream Port Planner.
• Arrange Transportation: Don’t forget the transfers. You’ll need transportation from the airport to your hotel, from the hotel to the port, and from the port back to the airport at the end of your cruise. It’s especially comforting to arrange this in countries where you don’t speak the language. After a long international flight, nothing beats walking into the arrivals hall and seeing someone holding a sign with your name who already knows where you’re going.
• Cruise Fashion & Fun Shopping: This is the perfect time to scoop up all your cruise essentials — from magnetic hooks and door magnets to your comfy-but-cute dresses. Ordering now means you’ll have plenty of time to try everything on and send it back if it doesn’t fit. Plus, half the fun of a cruise is the cruise shopping — checking out new outfits, accessories, and gadgets that make you feel vacation-ready.
• Special Items: Order things you’ll need but don’t want to be scrambling for last minute — power adapter for your European destinations, binoculars for fjords, waterproof shoes for Belgium, a crossbody bag for big cities.
• Theme Nights: Many lines have theme nights like Virgin’s Scarlet Night, Norwegian’s White Night, or Holland America’s Orange Night. If you’re sailing Virgin, my Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Virgin Voyages Cruise will help you with all of the details.
• Walking Shoes: Europe means cobblestones and lots of walking. Invest in a pair of stylish but comfy sneakers that can work with dresses too. I rounded up some favorites in my best travel shoes guide.
• Arrival-Day Activity: Here’s my secret jet lag hack — book a light activity for your arrival day. My go-to? A food tour. It gets you moving, tasting local flavors, and helps you stay awake until bedtime. I even wrote about my favorite food and rum tours in San Juan as an example of how fun food tours can be.

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1 Month Before

One month out, it’s all about fine-tuning your details.

• Cell & Tech Prep: Check your phone plan for international coverage or grab an eSIM (Airalo and Holafly are popular). Some carriers even offer a cruise-specific plan — worth checking before you sail so you don’t come home to bill shock. Download your cruise line and airline apps now while you have strong Wi-Fi. Don’t forget offline Google Maps and Google Translate too.
• Money & Cards: Double-check your debit and credit cards. Call your bank to notify them of travel and make sure you won’t be hit with international fees. Always pay in local currency (not USD) to avoid sneaky conversion charges. Carry a backup card and a little cash for public restrooms.
• Debit Card for ATMs: Bring a debit card for pulling local currency at ATMs once you arrive. It’s usually much cheaper than buying currency from your home bank or those pricey kiosks in the airport. Yes, you’ll pay an ATM fee, but it’s often far less than conversion fees. You usually only need a small amount of cash, and remember — not every country in Europe uses the euro. Some, like the UK, are still on the pound.
• Insurance & Health: Make sure your policy covers you abroad and bring printed copies. Get prescription refills and seasickness meds squared away.
• Documents & Copies: Print and digital copies of passports, tickets, and insurance cards are must-haves. Share your ship’s emergency contact number with family at home.
• Register for STEP: Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program through the U.S. State Department. You’ll receive email updates about safety issues in your destinations, and it also lets the embassy know where you are in case of an emergency.
• Learn a Few Phrases: Take some time to learn basic words in the languages of the countries you’re visiting. Even simple phrases like “hello,” “thank you,” and “where’s the restroom?” are always appreciated.

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1 Week Before

It’s getting real! This is your final prep week.

• Weather Check: Don’t assume “summer” means the same thing everywhere. The Med is toasty, while Northern Europe can still be in the 60s. I went on a British Isles cruise with someone who only packed flip-flops, t-shirts, and shorts. They ended up buying an entire new wardrobe onboard — a very expensive mistake you’ll want to avoid.
• Beauty Prep: Time for cruise nails, cruise toes, and maybe a hair refresh.
• Final Confirmations: Double-check excursions, transfers, and hotel bookings.
• Luggage: Make sure your bags are in good shape, or order/borrow new ones if needed. Add luggage trackers like AirTags or Tile. Print out your cruise line luggage tags when they arrive by email, and tuck them into a file folder in your carry-on backpack for embarkation day.
• Prohibited Items: Don’t bring irons, steamers, candles, or anything with a heating element. Here’s my guide to prohibited items so you don’t get flagged at security.
• Safety Note: Leave expensive jewelry, designer bags, and flashy labels at home. Not only does it keep your valuables safe, but it helps you blend in and avoid being a target for pickpockets. Stick with costume jewelry and practical accessories.

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Day Before

By now you’re buzzing with excitement. Use the day before to tie up loose ends.

• Final Packing: Weigh your checked bags and balance them if needed. Keep must-haves in your carry-on.
• Charge Devices: Phones, portable chargers, tablets, e-readers — charge everything.
• Hydrate & Sleep: Drink water, eat light, and get some rest so you’re ready for travel day.

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Day of Your Flight to Europe

It’s travel day! Nearly all U.S. flights to Europe are overnight, so pacing yourself is key.

• Stay Hydrated: Airplanes are dry, so keep sipping water.
• Move Around: Walk the aisles and stretch to reduce jet lag.
• Carry-On Essentials: Keep meds, toothbrush, a change of clothes, and chargers handy.
• Entertainment & Snacks: Load your e-reader, podcasts, and movies ahead of time, and bring snacks you know you’ll enjoy. Even though most airlines will serve you snacks, drinks, and a meal on a long haul flight, it's nice to have something you know is tasty!

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Embarkation Day

You’ve arrived in Europe and now it’s cruise time. This day can vary — maybe you’re taking a quick transfer to the port, or maybe it’s a two-hour trek. Either way, you’re finally boarding your floating home.

• Arrive Early: Ideally you’re already in your port city, two days before embarkation. You’ll thank yourself if your flight was delayed.
• Embarking The Ship: Check your cruise line’s instructions for your boarding window. Sometimes you can drop luggage early and explore, but sometimes arriving too early just means waiting in line.
• Carry-On Bag: Pack a small bag with your documents, medications, sunscreen, and anything you’ll want before your checked luggage is delivered.
• Stay Flexible: Boarding day is exciting but can also mean lines and waiting. My Ultimate Cruise Embarkation Guide walks you through what to expect. You can also check Virgin’s official Before You Sail page for their current policies and tips.

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Before You Set Sail

Congratulations — you’ve done all the prep work! Now you can relax knowing you’ve handled documents, insurance, excursions, packing, and even your nails. Europe, here you come.

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FAQs

Do I need a visa for a European cruise?
Some countries may require visas, depending on your nationality. Most U.S. travelers can currently cruise Europe with just a passport, but ETIAS authorization is coming soon. Always check the rules for your specific itinerary.

What documents are required for a European cruise?
At minimum: a valid passport, cruise boarding pass, and proof of travel insurance. Make copies and keep digital backups.

Should I buy travel insurance for a European cruise?
Yes. Medical care abroad — and especially medical evacuation from a ship — can be very expensive. Read more in my cruise insurance guide.

How early should I fly in for a European cruise?
At least two days before embarkation. International flights get delayed often, and a buffer keeps you from missing the ship.

What’s the best way to get cash in Europe on a cruise?
Use your debit card at a local ATM once you arrive. Avoid currency kiosks at airports.

Will my phone work on a European cruise?
Maybe. Check with your carrier, or buy an eSIM for local coverage. Avoid cruise ship roaming — it’s very expensive.

What items are prohibited on cruise ships?
Leave irons, steamers, candles, and appliances at home. My prohibited items guide has the full list.

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Ready to Cruise?

I hope this checklist has been helpful as you plan your European cruise. Prepping ahead of time means less stress and more time to enjoy gelato, fjords, and all the fun in between. These European cruise travel tips are designed to make your journey smoother from start to finish.

If you’d like even more tips, daily inspiration, and a place to chat with fellow cruisers, come join us in the Shore to Cruise Facebook Group. It’s where the cruise conversation keeps going.

And remember — we’re with you from Shore to Cruise.