When I recently found myself prepping for a spectacular Princess Cruise to the Greek Islands, Turkey, Malta, and Italy, the trip felt exceptionally sweet: I had earned this getaway through the corporate leadership workshops and coaching programs I run over at SueReynolds.com. But my closet was full of corporate wear and cozy around-the-house clothes. I needed cruisewear! I wanted to look elegant, put-together, and summer-breezy, while staying completely comfortable in sweltering Mediterranean climates. More importantly, I wanted to pack light, keep it highly affordable, and find styles that look gorgeous on a mid-sized body.
The secret to pulling this off without spending a fortune? Building a mix-and-match cruise capsule wardrobe. By choosing smart neutrals and versatile pieces, I was able to wear items multiple times to create entirely different outfits each day. If you are a mid-sized woman looking for real, honest recommendations on what to pack for a Greek Island summer cruise, here is the exact budget-friendly packing list that kept me feeling chic and cool from Athens to Pompeii.
Three Critical Things Nobody Tells You About Cruising the Greek Islands
Before we dive into the wardrobe, there are three very specific regional realities about a summer Mediterranean cruise you need to know. Do not leave home without prepping for these:
1. The Slipperiness of Greek Cobblestones
When you see gorgeous photos of Mykonos, or the ancient streets of Ephesus, you see charm. What you don’t see is that those steep, winding paths are made of cobblestones and polished marble that have been worn smooth by millions of tourists over centuries. They are incredibly slick, even when completely dry. Leave the cheap wedges and stilettos at home. You will twist an ankle. Instead, pack stylish, high-traction walking sandals with a rubber grip or a chic, lightweight sneaker. No joke, touring Iceland wasn’t this slick.
- 👉 My Pick: Sketcher Go Walk sandals – these look stylish, pass the 20,000 steps per day test and did not slip at all.
2. The Meltemi Wind Factor
If you are cruising the Aegean Sea in July or August, you will encounter the Meltemi winds. These are powerful, fierce northern winds that sweep across the islands. They are fantastic for cooling down a sweltering day, but they will instantly steal your gear. If you wear a floppy sun hat on the cruise ship deck or at an island viewpoint, it will fly into the ocean. You absolutely need hair ties, a secure chin-strap hat, or a heavy-duty hat clip to attach it to your bag. The hat I describe later needed a clip desperately. If you look through my photos you’ll notice I’m holding my hat in a lot of them. It’s not for affect – it’s to keep it on my head.
- 👉 Cruiser Essential: 5 Pcs Adjustable Hat Strap Clips Elastic Hats Removable Chin Cord
- 👉 Hat bag clip: Alloy Hat Clip for Bag Handbag
3. The New European Port Rules (EES Kiosks)
Europe is rolling out its new electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) at cruise ports. This means when you get off the ship at your European stops, you will be interacting with new digital self-service border kiosks that require biometric passport scanning. You cannot be fumbling through a giant beach tote for your documents in these crowded terminal lines. Pack a small, secure RFID-blocking crossbody bag or a flat neck pouch to keep your passport and ship ID easily accessible, secure, and right on your chest.
- 👉 Hands-Free Security: Travelon Anti-Theft Classic North/South Crossbody Bag
The Best Tummy-Control Swimsuits for a Mediterranean 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.
Comfortable Shoes and Breezy Midi Skirts for Walking Greek Cobblestones
This skirt was surprisingly lightweight and cool, and I loved how it blew in the breeze on the islands. There will be wind so work it. 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 Sketcher Go Walk 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.
Lightweight Linen Outfits & Mix-and-Match Tops for Europe
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 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.