Croatia Trip Information and What to Pack
For Your Croatian Trip
Your cruise starts in Italy which is officially called the Italian Republic and is the 4th most populous EU member state with 61 million inhabitants. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Italy shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino and Vatican City. Due to its shape and location it has a largely temperate seasonal climate. Italy is a member of the European Union.
We suggest taking a free walking tour in Venice if you have time before you board. Here are some links to help find a tour to fit your schedule. The tours are free but don't forget to tip the guide.
Venice Free Walking Tour - http://venicefreewalkingtour.com/
Free Tour Venice - http://freetourvenice.com/
Free Walk in Venice - http://www.freewalkinvenice.org/
Slovenia, a country in Central Europe, is known for its mountains, outdoor recreation and ski resorts. Set on a glacial lake fed by thermal springs, the town of Bled contains a church-topped islet and a cliffside medieval castle. It is local lore that when get to the church you must ring the bell and make a wish for good things to happen. The beautiful Julian Alps offer skiing and hiking.
Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a sovereign state at the crossroads of Central Europe, Southeast Europe, and the Mediterranean. Its capital city is Zagreb. Croatia is a member of the European Union (EU). It covers 35,165 miles (56,594 kilometers) and has diverse, mostly continental and Mediterranean climates. Croatia's Adriatic Sea coast contains more than a thousand islands. The country's population is 4.28 million, most of whom are Croats, with the most common religious denomination being Roman Catholicism. It is best known for its beautiful waterways between the many islands. It is a popular tourist destination and sailing area.
Greece is a country in southeastern Europe consisting of 2 mainland peninsulas and thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. It's often called the birthplace of Western civilization, and Athens, its capital, retains ancient landmarks including the 5th-century-BC Acropolis citadel and Parthenon temple. Greece is also known for its beaches, from the black sands of Santorini to the party resorts of Mykonos.
Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosphorus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque and the circa-1460 Topkap? Palace, former home of sultans. Ankara is Turkey’s modern capital.
Montenegro is a small Balkan country with rugged mountains, medieval villages and a narrow strip of beaches along its Adriatic coastline. The Bay of Kotor, resembling a fjord, is dotted with coastal churches and fortified towns such as Kotor and Herceg Novi. Durmitor National Park encompasses limestone peaks, glacial lakes, wildlife such as bears and wolves, and 4,265 feet-deep Tara River Canyon.
What to pack for your Croatia Cruise
Choosing what to bring with you on a trip is personal. Therefore we do not provide a comprehensive packing list that works for everyone. We offers some essentials and suggestions: (Please also refer to our general packing information) add link
Passport and Visa:
Leave a copy of your passport and documents with your emergency contact person at home. Also carry an extra copy with you in case yours is lost while traveling.
PLEASE NOTE THIS INFORMATION WAS VALID AT TIME OF POSTING. IT IS THE TRAVELERS' RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SURE THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR GOVERNMENT'S PASSPORT AND VISA REGULATIONS.
A. S. & Canadian Citizens:
For this cruise you will need a USA or Canadian passport with at least six months remaining validity.
There must be one or two blank pages for each country you will be visiting. Below is listed the countries you will visit and whether you will need to acquire a visa. It is your responsibility to be sure you have all documents required for entry into each country. You may be refused boarding if your documentation is not complete. No refunds are given by the cruise line or Best Single Travel if you are denied passage or fined.
Italy - No visa required Turkey - You must secure a visa. - Go online to Slovenia - No visa required https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ to obtain
Montenegro - No visa required your visa. Read all the easy steps.
Croatia - No visa required Croatia - No visa required
Greece - No visa required Italy - No visa required
The above visa information was correct at time of writing. You are responsible to be sure it is correct at the time of your departure and to secure the appropriate documents.
United States citizens carrying an official (maroon cover) passport must also present a valid diplomatic or personal (blue or green cover) passport in some countries.
Non-US Citizens: Check with your government's passport and visa offices for current regulations.
Luggage Restrictions:
Airlines: Travelers must check with your air carrier for their luggage restrictions to avoid overweight fines. Be sure you also check on the restrictions for carry-on luggage. We recommend one medium size suitcase and one carry-on bag.
Remember the 3 -1- 1 Rule requiring all liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage be placed in a 1-quart Ziploc bag. Each liquid or gel must not exceed 3.4 ounces per container. You are only allowed one 1-quart bag. Other liquids or gels may be stored in your checked luggage.
Being Prepared for Your Cruise:
Log-in to Royal Caribbean.com to find your cruise and become familiar with the suggestions for getting ready for your cruise.
The link below takes you to the Mediterranean Cruise:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/10NightMediterraneanVarietyCruise-RH10M144?currencyCode=USD&sCruiseType=CO&sDateMin=2016-05-03&sDateMax=2016-05-13&sailDate=05%2F03%2F2016
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for all the information . Be sure to read the Before You Cruise, for things like Online Check-in and What to Pack, etc.
Local Currency, ATMs & Credit Cards:
Italy, Slovenia, Greece and Montenegro all use the Euro for their currency.
The Croatian Kuna is the currency of Croatia. The currency code for Kuna is HRK, and the currency symbol is kn.
The Turkish Lira is the currency of Turkey. The currency code for Lira is TRY, and the currency symbol is 
How to purchase Euros and other currency-
Buy Currency - https://www.foreignmoney.com/bestsingletravel
Top reasons you need to exchange your money before you go: No bank charges - Arrive prepared - Competitive exchange rates - Orders are fully Insured - Orders delivered to your home or office - One more thing checked off your list before you leave!
ATMs & Credit cards -
Please remember to contact your credit card company to advise that you will be traveling on a cruise in Europe, so they do not cancel your card due to possible international fraud. Also check about fees for using ATMs in the countries you will be visiting. You may be charged a transaction fee for charges and/or obtaining cash. Be sure you have a 4 digit code for your debit card.
Local Time:
The time in Italy, where the cruise starts, is on Central European Time (CET) and is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Italy uses Daylight Savings Time in the summer. Moving the time one hour ahead. Daylight savings time starts in Italy on Sunday, March 27, 2:00 AM.
Weather:
The weather in Croatia should be warm and sunny in May, with pleasant weather throughout the cruise. It is always a good idea to bring a sweater for the evenings and a jacket in case of rain.
Electric Plugs:
From US and Canada --
All of the Royal Caribbean ships are equipped with North American standard, 110 volts AC and standard European 220/230 volts AC outlets.
Health:
it is important that you are in good physical condition for this tour. We strongly urge that you visit your doctor prior to your trip to be sure you are in good health. Be sure to bring a sufficient supply of your prescription medications in their original containers. We suggest that you prepare by taking local walks prior to the trip.
Sun Exposure:
It is important that you bring sunscreen and a protective hat . We suggest a minimum of 15 SPF and apply often.
Clothes:
Be sure to review the packing list provided by Royal Caribbean for type of dress required for dinning and other good suggestions: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/whatToKnow/whatToPack.do
Footwear:
Bring well broken-in comfortable shoes that give you good support for walking. Sandals with good support are great for warmer weather.
In the Water:
Bring your bathing suit, cover-up, hat with brim, flip-flops and sunscreen.
Camera and Binoculars:
Bring your camera, extra batteries, charger and don't forget the necessary cords. We recommend you bring extra memory cards to be sure to have ones that fit your specific camera.
Phone & Internet:
For information on using your cell phone while on the ship check this link:
http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/08/25/using-your-cell-phone-royal-caribbean-cruise
Shopping:
Shopping on a cruise ship can be expensive. For souvenirs we recommend purchasing items while you are on land in the interesting countries you will be visiting. We recommend you bring a fold up bag or day pack for when you are sightseeing. Also a medium sized fold up duffle to carry those purchases home on the plane.
Other Tips:
- Pair your outfits, put them in their own Ziploc bags, and squeeze all the air out before you zip them closed. You'll have an easier time fitting more clothes into the suitcase.
- Clean out your wallet before your cruise. Take only the cards and ID you will need for the cruise and on shore excursion.
- To prevent liquid travel products from leaking place a square of plastic wrap over the open top of the bottle, then screw the cap on. You can then add tape over the top. Put several bottles in Ziploc bags.
- Soap, shampoo and conditioner. Most cruise lines now feature wall-mounted generic liquid soap dispensers in the shower. If you are particular what you use we suggest you pack your own.
5.Many cruise ship cabins don't come with alarm clocks, so bring your own. If you're using your cell phone for this job, put it in airplane mode so you don't incur roaming charges in foreign waters.
- Since space is short in the bathrooms some passengers bring a hook-over-the-door shoe-bag that can hold things like your hairdryer, brushes and other toiletries conveniently.
7.In order to keep track of the daily schedules and papers, bring a magnetic clip that you can hook to the door and never misplace those items.
- Some staterooms do not have adequate light for reading so a small clip-on book light is very handy. It also can be used for finding your way to the bathroom at night without waking your roommate.
- Bring extra Ziploc bags as they come in handy. Also plastic grocery bags work well to wrap your shoes in to protect your clothing,