I had to refresh my wardrobe for a cruise to the Greek Islands, Turkey, Malta, and Italy, as I mainly own office attire and work-around-the-house attire. I wanted to look elegant, put together, summer breezy, and still feel comfortable in what I knew were going to be hot and sunny locales. I did not want to spend a lot of money either, and all the items I list below are affordable. I like to pack light so there is room in my suitcase for souvenirs at the end of the trip. For that reason, I plan to wear items multiple times, mixing and matching them so they make different outfits each day while still feeling dressy and elegant. With that in mind, here’s what I decided to purchase and pack for my Greek Island cruise.
Swimsuits for a Greek Island Cruise
I’m a mid-sized mom of twins, so swimsuits are not my favorite attire (hello stretch marks), but I ended up being happy with my selections and recommend each one of these for good tummy control and overall appearance, especially in photos. I was not tugging and pulling on them and felt sufficiently covered while still stylish.
- Holipick Women’s One Piece Swimsuit with Tummy Control – After a lot of searching, I ordered this suit, only to discover that my sister has the same swimsuit from 15 years ago. We are obviously related.
- Ekouaer 2 Sarang Swimsuit Coverup – this is the red version, and they come in a two-pack.
- CUPSHE Women’s One Piece Swimsuit High Neck Tummy Control – you really can’t go wrong with a black swimsuit.
- Ekouaer 2 Sarang Swimsuit Coverup – this is the black version.
I opted to wear this swimsuit while on a morning tour of Crete, as we had a beach club excursion that afternoon. I paired it with a scarf I’ve worn on multiple trips to Europe, only this time it worked great as a sarong.
- SUUKSESS Women Tummy Control One Piece Swimsuit Halter – This suit has great tummy control and is made from good quality fabric.
- 100% Cotton Sarong Coverup Indian Hand Block Print
- SHECURVE Smart Sculpt Plunge Swimsuit – I chose the Earth Yellow and paired it with my Walmart Sarong. The suit is fully lined and comes with removable bra inserts.
Skirts, Tops, and Shoes for a Greek Island Cruise
This skirt was surprisingly lightweight and cool, and I loved how it blew in the breeze on the islands. I chose it over a dress for more versatility, as I paired it with a white top later in the trip. I loved it so much that I ordered one in royal blue, too. I paired it with tops from one of my favorite brands, OGL. Their fabrics are sustainable, and I love the elegance of their merchandise.
Pro tip – I always wear lightweight shorts under skirts in the summer to prevent chub rub and an unintended show when the breeze hits.
Shoes: I am of the age where I refuse to wear shoes I cannot walk in, and these sandals were great. Even walking 10+ miles a day across cobblestone and marble, I had no blisters, no rubbing, and the support was comfortable all day.
- Women’s High Elastic Waist Midi Skirt – these come in several colors and are light and breezy!
- OGL Move Side Ruched High Tie Neck – this fabric is so soft and luxurious! There’s a built-in bra as well.
- Skechers Go Walk Flex Sandal – I have both the black and the beige versions, and they are like walking on clouds.
Shorts and Pants and More Tops for a Greek Island Cruise
Go for lightweight, breathable fabrics in the Mediterranean. I found these linen-blend shorts at Walmart in both black and beige. They have elastic in the back, are long enough for good coverage, and hold up well in the heat. After seeing the pics for this tank, I wish I had ordered a larger size, as it was too tight for me, but the tank itself is pretty and packs easily. Whatever you choose, I suggest items you can mix and match in order to get multiple uses out of them. Neutrals always work well and can be paired with statement jewelry for an elegant and timeless look.
- Time and Tru Women’s Linen Blend Shorts – 5″ Inseam
- Women’s Square Neck Seamless Wide Strap Tank Top – Flower Lettuce Trim – I ordered the three-pack in white, black, and cream. Size up on these as they are tight-fitting.
- Halara High Waisted Drawstring Picket Wide Leg Casual Linen-Feel Pants
- OGL Eco-SkinKiss Halter Neck Side Gathered Brami Tank – this has a built-in bra and is VERY soft to the touch. I felt elegant and cool. I packed a white and black version.
- Time and Tru Women’s Ombre Print Pareo – This sarong was an impulse buy at Walmart, and I ended up loving it. You can wear it multiple ways, and it is very soft and comfortable.
Here’s the red skirt paired with the white OGL top. Add some costume jewelry and the hat I bought in Greece that became my entire personality, and voila, an entirely different outfit!
Scarves and Hats
As I noted, I purchased a floppy straw hat in the Plaka on my first day in Athens, along with a few scarves along the way. I used the scarves to decorate my hat or to wear as headbands in my hair. I loved the ease of pulling on a hat or a headband, and I think it elevated my outfits to vacation status. I swore I wasn’t a hat person until this trip!
The Advantage of Packing Light
I love to poke around in shops while on vacation, and I know I’m going to purchase unique treasures I’d never find in the States. Each one will remind me of my trip. If I hadn’t packed light, I’d have never had room in my suitcase for this leather beauty I picked up in Turkey. :)\
If you’d like to read my review of the cruise and see all my photos, visit my Princess Cruise Greek Island review blog.
Off Duty Traveler 