Last summer, my family and I took our very first Greek Isles cruise, and just recently, we sailed through the Mediterranean on the MSC Fantasia. After both adventures, I can honestly say that cruising is one of the easiest and most magical ways to experience multiple cultures, cuisines, and coastlines in a single trip.
Jump to:
- Cruise Tip #1: Always Arrive a Day Early (Or Two)
- Cruise Tip #2: Extend Your Stay in the Port City
- Cruise Tip #3: Choose Your Cruise Itinerary Carefully
- Cruise Tip #4: Tender Ports and Shore Excursions
- Cruise Tip #5: Pay Smart: Go Cash-Light in Europe
- Cruise Tip #6: Book Excursions Early
- Cruise Tip #7: What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise
- Finally, be Ready to Embrace the Unexpected!
If you’re new to cruising or just want to make sure your first experience goes smoothly, these first time cruise tips will help you get the most out of your voyage—whether you’re island-hopping through Greece or watching the sun rise over the French Riviera.
Curious about what the ship is really like? I’ve shared all the details in my MSC Fantasia cruise review.
There’s something endlessly relaxing about unpacking once and waking up every morning in a new destination. Our Greek Isles cruise was filled with whitewashed villages, turquoise bays, and long, lazy meals overlooking the sea. In contrast, the MSC Fantasia Mediterranean cruise swept us from the vibrancy of Barcelona to the historic beauty of Palermo and the markets of Tunisia.
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Cruising lets you sample a dozen cultures in a single week while still enjoying onboard comforts like pools, spas, and live entertainment. For families, it’s a particularly cost-effective way to see more without the hassle of constant travel logistics.
Cruise Tip #1: Always Arrive a Day Early (Or Two)
If there’s one rule every first time cruiser should know, it’s this: never fly in on the same day your cruise departs. Flight delays are common, and ships don’t wait for late passengers.
For our Greek cruise departing from Athens, we arrived two days early, giving us time to wander the Plaka neighborhood and climb the Acropolis before boarding. When we set sail from Barcelona on the MSC Fantasia, we followed the same plan: exploring Gaudí’s architecture and the city’s food scene before embarkation day. Those extra days eased our jet lag and added unexpected memories.
Cruise Tip #2: Extend Your Stay in the Port City
Most Greek cruises leave from Athens or Ravenna, while Mediterranean cruises often begin in New Barcelona Port. My best advice? Don’t rush through these incredible cities.
Stay at least one or two nights before or after your cruise to enjoy the local food, museums, and culture.
When we cruised from Ravenna, we spent a morning admiring its golden mosaics before boarding. In Barcelona, we explored tapas bars and colorful markets—there’s so much to do that you’ll wish for more time.
- If you’re planning your stay there, you might enjoy my guides on where to eat in Barcelona and one week in Barcelona with the kids.
Cruise Tip #3: Choose Your Cruise Itinerary Carefully
One thing I didn’t realize before our first cruise is that not every ship visits the same ports. Some Greek routes visit Splitinstead of Dubrovnik, or include Mykonos but skip Santorini due to crowd limits.
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Our MSC Mediterranean cruise took us to Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, and La Goulette (Tunisia). Each offering something completely different and I am glad we didn't miss out on any of them. If you’re sailing with MSC, I recommend reading about our day in Marseille to get a feel for what to expect at this lively French port.
Research itineraries early and double-check that your must-visit destinations are included before booking!
- For those curious about our complete Mediterranean route, take a look at the full MSC 7-day cruise itinerary, which covers every stop from France to Tunisia.
Cruise Tip #4: Tender Ports and Shore Excursions
Many smaller or shallow ports such as Santorini, Mykonos, Kotor, and Corfu (Greek Island Cruise) require small boats called tenders to take you from the ship to shore. Getting early tender tickets can make a big difference in how much time you have to explore.
We learned that booking excursions through the cruise line gives you priority when tendering, which made disembarkation much easier!
Cruise Tip #5: Pay Smart: Go Cash-Light in Europe
In both Greece and across the Mediterranean, contactless and card payments are the norm. Some cafes and taxis still prefer cash, so we carried a small amount of euros, but overall, mobile payments and cards with no foreign transaction fees worked best.
Tunisia is an exception—it doesn’t use the euro—so we made sure to bring a credit card that handled multiple currencies easily.
Cruise Tip #6: Book Excursions Early
Popular excursions, especially in Greece, can sell out months before departure. Whether it’s climbing the Acropolis or visiting Pompeii from Naples, the most sought-after tours often have limited tickets or timed entries.
On our first trip, we made the mistake of waiting too long to book Athens museum passes and ended up with less ideal time slots. Though you can also book it separately like this Athens guided tour.
Now, we book all major excursions as soon as our itinerary is confirmed, it makes planning the rest of the trip much smoother and headache free.
Cruise Tip #7: What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise
Even in summer, sea breezes can make evenings cool, so pack a light jacket or scarf. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, especially for cobblestone streets in places like Athens or Genoa.
Religious sites require modest clothing, so bring something that covers shoulders and knees. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are non-negotiable, especially under the bright Mediterranean sun. If you’re curious about the meals on board, our MSC Fantasia dining experience breaks down everything from buffets to elegant multi-course dinners.
Finally, be Ready to Embrace the Unexpected!
Some of our favorite memories came from detours we never planned. In Corfu, we stumbled into a family celebration in a courtyard, and in Naples, we found a pastry shop serving sfogliatella so delicious we went back twice in one afternoon.
That’s the real joy of cruising—those spontaneous, unscripted moments that make a place unforgettable.
Whether you’re embarking on your first Greek Isles cruise or sailing the Mediterranean aboard the MSC Fantasia, a little planning will go a long way toward creating a stress-free and unforgettable adventure.
This article was inspired by and adapted from How to Make the Most of Your Greek Cruise, originally published on Food Drink Life.
