Viking Ocean Cruise Packing List
Here are the things that you need to pack for your next ocean cruise.
Photo by Carlos Derecichei on Unsplash
Packing for a vacation can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t need to be that way.
This blog post outlines my top tips for anyone preparing to embark on a Viking ocean cruise, including clothing, cabin accessories and excursion essentials.
Hoping to play bingo? Pack your bingo dabber. Have a tendency to lose your cruise card? Get yourself a lanyard so you can wear it instead.
Read on for my complete guide to packing for a Viking ocean cruise!
Things to remember when packing for An Ocean cruise
Here are a few of my top tips for packing for an ocean cruise.
Viking Ocean Cruises are slightly more formal than their river cruises
All this means is that slightly more formal outfits are required in the evenings, when the dress code is ‘relaxed smart casual’. Because of this, you’ll want to have some slightly more dressy outfits to wear to dinner, but no ball gowns or three piece suits.
For my full guide to dress codes on Viking Cruises, take a look at my blog post here.
Bring your swimwear for the pool and spa
This is a key point, as the spa’s thermal suite is free for all guests to use, in addition to the pool and hot tubs elsewhere on the ship.
If you want to go for a swim after boarding but before your cabin is ready, then make sure you keep your swimwear in your hand luggage as you won’t yet have access to your checked bags.
Pack your travel sickness medication
Whether you typically suffer from motion sickness or not, it’s worth having some medication in your bag just in case you hit rough seas. It also tends to be more expensive to buy onboard, making travel sickness remedies a handy item to have with you.
My Ocean Cruise Packing List
Here are all of the things that you’ll need on your next Viking ocean cruise. Think of something I don’t have on my list? Send me an email and let me know!
Documents
Passport
Booking confirmation with the cruise line
Travel insurance confirmation
Payment cards
Carry-On Must-Haves for Embarkation Day
Your luggage will arrive either when or after your room is ready, so keep these things in your carry on in case you need them.
Passport & documents listed above
Essential medications
Swimwear (if you want to use the pool right away)
Any valuables including jewellery or electronics
Excursion/travel Essentials
A comfortable day bag or backpack. I use this one from Nordace which I love!
A good quality hard shell suitcase - I like these ones from Tripp
Packing cubes are a great way to keep your suitcase organised. You can buy them on Amazon here.
Reusable water bottle
Sunglasses
Mini electric fan - one of these is an absolute game changer for me
Sunhat
Portable umbrella or rain coat if travelling in rainy season
A cover up for churches or other religious sites if you are planning on visiting them
For your cabin and Around the Ship
Magnetic hangers: I don’t personally use these but lots of people love them for extra storage
Lanyard: Again, not something that I use but some people like these for their cruise card
Laundry bag to contain your dirty clothes
Alcohol to drink either in your cabin or in one of the bars or restaurants. Viking have a generous alcohol allowance and no corkage fee, meaning you can bring your own bottles of wine to dinner with you
Entertainment and Technology
Phone and charger
Camera, charger and any accessories
Travel adapter (Both European and US plugs often used onboard)
Books or an e-reader
Portable games console such as a Nintendo Switch 2
Small board games or card games
Clothing
During the Day (Onboard + Excursions)
Daytimes on a Viking Ocean ship are relaxed, with a resort casual dress code. Make sure you bring lots of comfortable clothes for going on excursions and lazy days around the ship.
Lightweight tops or T-shirts
Casual dresses, skirts, shorts or trousers
Underwear and socks
Comfortable walking shoes (essential for excursions)
Sandals and flip flops
Swimwear + cover-up (for the pool or spa)
Evening
There are no formal nights on a Viking cruise, although you will be expected to ditch the jeans for your evening meal. Make sure you have a few clean outfits to change into each night and wear around the restaurants and bars.
Basically, if you’d wear it to a nice dinner on land, then it’s probably smart enough for an evening on a Viking Ocean cruise.
Evening tops, shirts and blouses
Casual dresses, skirts or trousers (no jeans)
Smart shoes or sandals
Light cardigan or jumper
3–5 collared shirts (polo or button-down)
2–3 pairs of chinos/slacks
Seasonal Clothing
The weather can vary when at sea, so make sure you check the weather forecast for each of your destinations. If you’re travelling a long way, then one country might be a different temperature to another, so don’t get caught out!
Light rain jacket or coat
Scarf, thermal socks and gloves if sailing somewhere cold, like the Arctic
Layers such as jumpers and cardigans
Toiletries and Personal Items
Shampoo, body wash and conditioner if you’re not planning on using the toiletries provided by Viking
Suncream and bug spray (if travelling somewhere warm)
Motion sickness remedies, painkillers and any other medication
Hand sanitiser
Makeup bag
Sanitary items
Deodorant
Perfume
Hairbands
Skincare
Razor and shaving cream
Hair product
What Not to Pack
There are some things that you absolutely won’t need during a Viking ocean cruise.
This includes overly formal clothes like cocktail dresses or three piece suits, as there will be no formal nights during your cruise. The same goes for stilettos and formal shoes which you just won’t get chance to wear.
Photo by Ilya Semenov on Unsplash
Make sure you don’t pack too many ‘just in case’ outfits. The ocean ships all have self service laundrettes onboard so it’s easy to wash your clothes if you’re going on a long trip. This is particularly helpful if you are flying out to meet the ship and don’t want your luggage to be overweight.
It’s very easy to overpack for a Viking cruise, so have a think about what you really do or don’t need before zipping up your suitcase.
Simple Clothes Packing Formula for 7 - 10 nights onboard a Viking Ocean Cruise
7 - 10 daytime outfits: this gives you a clean outfit for each day.
4 - 5 evening outfits: you will likely only wear your evening clothes for a few hours each day, so these can be reworn for two nights each
Three pairs of shoes: one comfortable pair for walking on excursions, one pair of sandals/flip flips and one dressier pair for the evenings
One jacket for colder evenings
Feel free to adapt the above formula so that you have everything you need for your trip. For example, if you’re sailing somewhere cold, then make sure you have enough layers to last the week. Similarly, you should be able to mix and match lots of your outfits - particularly in the evenings if you don’t want to wear the same thing twice.
I hope you have a great time on your cruise, and for more information about Viking Cruises, take a look at my blog posts below.
Read more about Viking Cruises
Ship and Cabin Tours
Viking Ocean Ship Tour and Review