Which Mementos Make The Finest Mediterranean Cruise Mementos?

The Mediterranean is a popular destination for artisanal souvenirs, such as Murano glass, limoncello from Italy, French perfume, or ceramics with local designs. To protect fragile souvenirs, pack bubble wrap or bottle protector sleeves. When embarking on a Mediterranean cruise, consider packing lightweight clothing to beat the summer heat.

The best souvenirs to buy in the Mediterranean include locally pressed olive oil, handmade dried pastas, balsamic vinegar, and wines or Linomcello, a popular lemon-flavored liqueur. While Norwegian Cruise Line Ships offer shopping options, the Mediterranean offers a vast array of gifts for yourself or friends and family back home.

When going on a Mediterranean cruise, you can expect to explore ancient landmarks, relaxing beaches, quaint villages, lovely cafes, interesting shops, and iconic religious sites. Shopping in Greece and Italy offers many great souvenirs at reasonable prices, including leather goods, gourmet treats, and jewelry.

Ingredients from Greece include handmade jewelry, locally grown honey, and cosmetic sea sponges. Italian leather goods, such as handbags, belts, and shoes, are also popular. Gourmet treats like pasta, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and limoncello are also favorite gifts. Jewelry is usually the favorite souvenir, and it’s easy to pack.

Apart from standard soccer shirts and Eiffel Tower key rings, there are many better choices that will invoke memories of your travels for months to come. Chocolate is another popular souvenir, with the French, Spanish, and Italians bringing cocoa beans back to Europe from the New World. Olive oil soap was popular, and bars made great gifts with magnets or other items affixed to the outside.

In addition to souvenirs, the Mediterranean offers a world of intricate ceramics, fine wines and olive oils, sumptuous textiles, hand-milled soaps, and more to remind you of your Mediterranean experience. Some of the best souvenirs from Greece include Worry Beads, Sea Sponges, Greek Honey, Olive Greek Wine Leather Goods, Hand-Painted Ceramics, and Evil Eyes.

Is it good to carry cash on a cruise?

Cruises typically charge purchases to passengers’ accounts, with some casinos even offering cashless credit systems. At the end of the trip, passengers receive an itemized bill listing all charged expenses. If any shipboard credit is received, it will be applied to the bill, and the total will be charged to the credit card on file. To avoid last-day surprises, ask for a breakdown of charges each day or track daily expenditures.

Booking with CruiseInsider offers extra perks and additional shipboard credit on most sailings, but it’s important to inquire with experts if you qualify for more shipboard credit. Off the ship, cash is likely needed, especially in foreign ports, as it can save money on foreign transaction fees and potentially avoid places where credit cards aren’t accepted.

Is the sea rough on a Mediterranean cruise?

Cruise travelers in Europe may encounter rough seas, particularly in the Mediterranean, which is most severe during the fall and winter due to winds and storms. However, spring and summer are also common experiences for cruisers.

What do people buy on cruise ships?

All ships feature Fine Jewelry, Watch, Liquor/Tobacco, Perfume and Cosmetics, Royal Caribbean Logo, and designer handbag stores.

How much money should I take on a 7 day cruise?

Onboard expenses on cruises can range from $52 to $89 per day, depending on the cruise line, ship, experience, and individual preferences. Cruise lines are considered a “cashless society”, charging items to cabins using room keys or ship IDs. However, cash can be used in most situations on a cruise, such as bars, spas, casinos, excursions, and shops. It is recommended to leave most cash in the safe inside your stateroom along with important documents, passports, credit cards, IDs, and more. Those planning on dining at specialty dining restaurants, enjoying daily cocktails, enjoying spa services, or taking excursions in every port may spend more.

Is shopping on cruise ships cheaper?

Ship shops often offer discounted items during their closures in port to attract guests. Onboard shop management is aware of what’s available in port and can tempt customers to part with their cash while onboard. Keep an eye out for the ship’s newsletter and signs in shops for upcoming sales. However, be quick as offers are usually shorter. If you can resist the urge to splurge early in your holiday, it might be worth holding off until the end of the cruise, as more sales, giveaways, and promotions tend to occur as shops shift their offerings before everyone heads home.

What is the best month to go on a Mediterranean cruise?

Summer is the peak travel season in the Mediterranean, with warm weather, sunny skies, and warm water. The best time to take a Mediterranean cruise is in spring (May-June) or fall (September-October), as temperatures are comfortable, the sun is bright, and crowds are fewer. Spring months are filled with flowers and verdant landscapes, while autumn days are mild and clear before winter rains.

For those wanting to travel earlier, southern destinations like Sardinia, Corsica, and Malta are ideal for April, while Morocco, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and the Adriatic Sea are ideal for late March through April. Mediterranean wildlife is abundant, with a variety of marine life including swordfish, tuna, dolphins, white sharks, loggerhead turtles, and endangered monk seals. Birdlife is also abundant, with populations of storks, flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, egrets, golden eagles, giant black vultures, and the rare white pelican in Montenegro. Turkey is a prime destination for birdlife, with 250 bird species migrating through the country each spring and fall.

Is it cold at night on a Mediterranean cruise?

Mediterranean cruises can be hot during the day but cooler at night, reaching 50 or 40 degrees. It is generally calm sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, but there may be choppy sailing due to temperature changes and strong winds. On a 7-day western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain, on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, the seas were rarely felt. However, when the waves crashed into the ship at the spa, it didn’t impact the experience.

To pay on a Mediterranean cruise, it is recommended to bring small denominations of euros, as some places only accept cash for tips, transportation, and souvenirs. Some excursions may include lunch, so it is wise to bring cash for that. It is also fun to try local food at each stop. It is recommended to bring at least 100 euros per person in smaller bills, as most places may not be able to provide change or will reject payment using 50 or 100 euro notes.

Is it good to buy jewelry on cruise ships?

Despite the advice from cruise ship and port jewelers, there are no deals for buying jewelry on a cruise ship. As the world returns to normal after the pandemic, it’s crucial for cruise-goers to be smart when it comes to onboard purchases, especially when it comes to fine jewelry. Cruise ships are known for high prices for everything on board, including top-shelf liquor and spa treatments. International Gem Society CEO Lisa Rosen warns that jewelry is no exception.

What currency do I need on a Mediterranean cruise?

Onboard MSCs charge passengers in Euros for cruises in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Northern Europe, Antilles, and southbound cruises departing from Europe. For Caribbean, South America, South Africa, and transatlantic cruises to Europe, all charges are in US dollars. For more information on cashless systems, visit the frequently asked questions on onboard spending page. For the best cruise deals, visit the homepage.

Where do you leave from for a Mediterranean cruise?

Mediterranean cruises depart from various ports, including Lisbon, Portugal, to Istanbul, Turkey, and hundreds of other ports. Western Mediterranean itineraries typically start from ports like Barcelona or Rome, while Eastern Mediterranean sailings typically depart from Athens, Istanbul, or Venice. Other popular destinations include Savona, Genoa, Bari, Malaga, and Monte Carlo. England’s Dover and Southampton are also popular starting points for Western Mediterranean itineraries.

There are over 30 cruise lines operating in the Mediterranean, ranging from tall ships with white sails to mega-ships with over-the-top amenities. Cruises are categorized into mainstream, premium, deluxe/specialty, and luxury, with each category having a corresponding price tag. Mainstream cruise ships carry between 2, 000 to over 6, 000 passengers and offer a variety of onboard activities. They are largely cookie-cutter, with itineraries calling on the largest and most popular ports of call.

Families will appreciate the kid-friendly appeal and budget price tag, with interior cabins ranging from $600 to $1, 100 per person for a 7-night cruise. Special promotions and sales can bring the cruise fare down even further, but new, buzz-generating mega-ships will be priced higher than older vessels.

Can you buy souvenirs on a cruise ship?

On a typical ship, you’ll find a boutique selling handbags, cruise-y clothing, T-shirts, books, kids’ items, souvenirs, high-end jewelry, watches, and duty-free items like perfume, cigarettes, chocolate, and alcohol.