Packing for River Cruise...What to take and what to leave home

[caviargal]

Oh No! I finally convinced myself that travelling "light" was the way to go on our River cruise in Nov. I read a number of articles about packing for winter in Europe. I convinced myself that this was different than an ocean cruise. And now this thread.

 

We always clean up for dinner. Wash, change our tops,shower if we have time, etc.If the weather is hot we know we will need a lot more clothes.After all no shorts in the Dining Room. And 94 degree temps are different than in the 40s.

 

But this River Cruise has me a little befuddled. We have 3 days in Paris precruise and 2 additional days in Amsterdam after we get off the boat. This means dragging suitcases through airports and train stations. I thought that what we wear the night before would do for touring the next day. Otherwise 14 days x 2 outfits = 28 outfits. Yikes! I was only going to take 3 pair of cords and 1 or 2 pair of knit jeans including what I wear on the plane. Sweaters can be worn multiple times.

 

I would not want to be offensive to anyone and to the best of my knowledge we never have been. Should I rethink the amount of clothes we are taking? Those of you that have been on River Cruises this time of year what has been your experience and what is your best advice.

 

Thanks so Much!

Carol

 

Yes, it is very different from an ocean cruise.

 

Traveling light is the only way to go IMO and IME. I do wear two different outfits in a day, but I certainly re-wear the items throughout the trip. I do not pack two unique outfits for each day.

 

We will be gone for 16 nights and nearly half will be on land. We leave the states on Thanksgiving and return on 12-11.

 

I will bring a few different outfits for evenings, separates that I can mix and match. A pair of dressy black jeans (mine are tailed with black rhinestone detail) will be a staple, worn with different tops, on casual nights. For dressier nights, black dress pants and pretty tops worked very well. The boat was kept at a comfortable temp last year (same time of year) so I wore mostly silk ribbed turtlenecks or fine gauge knit tops to dinner as they are light and pack well. I bling them up with accessories to add some sparkle and change the look.

 

For day, I packed black cords, black knit ponte pants and a pair of black apres ski pants and that worked really well and was enough variety for me. I had them cleaned mid trip, as needed. I layer them up with a cami and half zip top. I wore jeans on the plane that I also wore some days.

 

This year we will have a 24 inch spinner each and a medium backpack for laptop, cameras, books, etc. My bag normally weighs 32-35 pounds as that is a weight I can handle myself up and down steps, etc.

[Hydrokitty]

Oh No! I finally convinced myself that travelling "light" was the way to go on our River cruise in Nov. I read a number of articles about packing for winter in Europe. I convinced myself that this was different than an ocean cruise. And now this thread.

 

We always clean up for dinner. Wash, change our tops,shower if we have time, etc.If the weather is hot we know we will need a lot more clothes.After all no shorts in the Dining Room. And 94 degree temps are different than in the 40s.

 

But this River Cruise has me a little befuddled. We have 3 days in Paris precruise and 2 additional days in Amsterdam after we get off the boat. This means dragging suitcases through airports and train stations. I thought that what we wear the night before would do for touring the next day. Otherwise 14 days x 2 outfits = 28 outfits. Yikes! I was only going to take 3 pair of cords and 1 or 2 pair of knit jeans including what I wear on the plane. Sweaters can be worn multiple times.

 

I would not want to be offensive to anyone and to the best of my knowledge we never have been. Should I rethink the amount of clothes we are taking? Those of you that have been on River Cruises this time of year what has been your experience and what is your best advice.

 

Thanks so Much!

Carol

 

Carol: You're going to be fine. Of course, we all "freshen" up for dinner, but to change clothes isn't necessary. The only trip I ever showered and changed before dinner for was Egypt, because camels smell like cattle and there was sand in everything. Weather won't be sweltering so you won't be soaking with sweat. Trust me, I've done this several times on river cruises, what you mentioned will be fine.:D

[caviargal]

Whether a change of clothes is "necessary" or not is a personal choice. While some folks may be fine with freshening up, for us a hot shower and change of clothing is a given at the end of a day spent exploring. And our clothing choices for day are not at all the same as we wear for dinner. Personal taste and only you can decide what you are comfortable with.

 

Note that November can be rainy (we have always had rain in Europe at that time of year) so we often came back to the boat wet and chilled.

 

Have a great trip. :)

[montu6]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I need to do a dry run with packing to try to get a handle as to where I stand. Then I can adjust as need be. My DH will take more clothes since he is staying an additional 3 weeks in Europe after to cruise for business. He will need sports coat, ties, etc. This will be a learning experience for me.

[brownblonde]

I'm sure most of you people are well rounded travelers and know what each one is saying is true. You could be the one dressing in the a.m. and staying that way till bed time. Others seem to like to change and feel like they are stepping out for dinner at the end of a sightseeing day. To each their own. Friendliness and your personality makes a better statement then your clothing.

 

Some of these postings make me wish I could be a fly on the wall and see each and every one of you on these trips.

 

I've just signed up for a bus tour of Christmas Mkts Nov 30th and since going 4 yrs ago, sweaters under the winter jacket was fine and changing some nights for dinner worked well. We will be in small towns of Germany where after eating you probably can go back out to the mkt place. The dress on those days maybe from a.m. to p.m.

 

Eleanor

[lonsdajk]

Someone in an earlier message talked about black SAS walking shoes.

Recently SAS came out with a new style of black leather water resistant-non-skid sole walking shoes. (They also have a boot style).

Those are going in my bag for my November trip to France.

Edited October 19, 2010 by lonsdajk
spelling

[PCruzer]

So I'm asking all of the experienced River Cruise People what will you pack for your next river cruise and what will you leave home. We are cruising from Budapest to Amsterdam the last week of September into October. Thanks for your advice!

I always take about 4 different silk scarves to coordinate with all my clothing. I use these instead of bringing jewelry. I can wear a sweater for daytime and also use it for dinner with a scarf and it looks completely different. Changing the scarf gives a completely new look to an outfit also.

[cormike1]

This has been a very interesting topic of discussion!!! We did a Viking-Danube trip 9 years ago and we dressed very nice for dinner....fancy dress or pant suit for woman and jacket and tie for men for Captain's nite and farewell dinner. The other nights we still dressed very smartly for dinner also, country-club casual I would say. About 2 1/2 years ago we did Avalon-Rhine and noticed it had become alot more casual for dining...dress shirts for men but not a lot of jackets. Last July we did AMA-Moscow-St. Petersburg. Many days we wore exactly what we had on all day as we never made it back to the ship until dinner time. Due to major traffic problems in both cities there were times when dinner was held up because we had not arrived back from touring, so we just ditched our coats and any purchases in our rooms and went straight to dinner. No time for shower and believe me it would not have been my choice but we did have no choice. I really don't care what my table mate is wearing. Some people stink no matter what. I am there to see the country and meet new and interesting people. If you are looking at and know what everyone has worn that day then I don't think I want to meet you anyhow. I am sure that everyone would shower if they could and there really are health issues with some people...how do you know. Just go and enjoy the holiday and don't worry what everyone else is wearing....is that why you booked the trip....I think not.

[Ozjohnno]

Cormike1 I appreciate your candor. We're booked for next September and as we live in the topics down here I can honestly say I haven't worn a suit, tie or sports coat for over 25 years. I even had to rent a suit for my son's wedding. I wouldn't have booked a river cruise if I thought I would be judged by what I'm wearing. I'll roll up for the Captains dinner in a pair of slacks and shirt and I don't care if I'm damned by the fashion fanatics.

[shoshona2]

To PCruzer,

 

I do the same thing!! I went to Chico's today and bought two new scarves for my Chico Traveler black outfits for our Russian River Cruise on AMA next September.

 

To Ozjohnno,

 

You will be fine with your slacks and shirt!

 

To Cormike1,

 

We're booked on AMA for next September on their new ship, AMA Katarina. If I gave you my email address, would you answer some questions re the itinerary and sights you saw? It will be our first time on AMA. Their brochure doesn't list exactly what is "drive-by".

 

Sheila

[cormike1]

To PCruzer,

 

I do the same thing!! I went to Chico's today and bought two new scarves for my Chico Traveler black outfits for our Russian River Cruise on AMA next September.

 

To Ozjohnno,

 

You will be fine with your slacks and shirt!

 

To Cormike1,

 

We're booked on AMA for next September on their new ship, AMA Katarina. If I gave you my email address, would you answer some questions re the itinerary and sights you saw? It will be our first time on AMA. Their brochure doesn't list exactly what is "drive-by".

 

Sheila

 

I would be happy to answer any of your questions Sheila. Here is my e-mail and fire away. m.c.bissonnette@sympatico.ca It was the most amazing trip and we absolutely loved Russia. Of course you are rushed forthe most part to see the sights but it is an amazing place. Send me an email with your questions and I will gladly answer them. Talk soon.

Corinne

[greatcats]

what to pack? Some say country club attire-whatever that is in Europe in the winter! I don't want to under or over dress.:eek:

[Host Jazzbeau]

greatcats - just an FYI that your post will be less than clear to anyone using the App, as it doesn't show post titles. The titles are therefore only for emphasis: the information should be repeated as the beginning of the post text.

[nana541]

Oh your right..,, I use the App always but just went to the website to see what I was missing...

 

The title: WINTER RIVER CRUISING

Was kind of important!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[cruiseryyc]

This post is four years old, I suggest you start your own post with your question Nana541. Assuming of course that there actually was a question in your recent posts?

[nana541]

what to pack? Some say country club attire-whatever that is in Europe in the winter! I don't want to under or over dress.:eek:

 

 

Actually this post is 5 hrs old! But the thread is 4 yrs old and Greatcat just drug it out of the moth balls...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited December 9, 2014 by nana541

[CPT Trips]

This post is four years old, I suggest you start your own post with your question Nana541. Assuming of course that there actually was a question in your recent posts?

 

It is an old thread, not resurrected by nana . . .

 

My hunch is that greatcats followed advice found throughout CC and did a search.

[nana541]

Good grief! Poor Greatcat just wants to know about what to wear on a Wintertime River Cruise....

 

And yes I suspect she used the search function to find this old thread... Pretty clever don't you think? ;)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Hoyaheel]

I am on a Christmas Market cruise in Germany right now. I am wearing black pants, a Uniqlo long sleeve heat tech t-shirt, and a black cashmere sweater. I packed light but flexible layers - various types of black pants, and a black merino dress. Most people don't wear dresses or skirts but I love a dress - a sweater dress is like wearing pjs ;-) But with tights and boots, quite warm!

 

There's a thread somewhere I have posted my capsule wardrobe I packed for the trip....

 

There are a few people with jeans, but mostly trousers (on men and women) with sweaters. Warm coats (it's been in the 30s F this week, and overcast. We're expecting rain/snow the next couple days) 1 pair of my pants and 2 prs of my husband's pants are water resistant. His are levi commuter pants (designed for bike messengers so they are cotton but repel water) and Outlier trousers (completely water resistant). Goretex walking shoes, I have a pair of leather knee height boots, and we both have a pair of slip ons for use on the boat (loafers & ballet shoes - small to pack, nice to throw on to run for coffee)

Edited December 9, 2014 by Hoyaheel

[greatcats]

thank you so much!

[KSummerwine]

If it rains wear leather shoes with socks

[loosygoosy]

It would be nice if we all could take enough clothes to change twice a day and have a nice fresh evening outfit each night for dinner. Packing restrictions and weight limits have made things very difficult to do that. We are now restricted to one checked bag and one carry-on, that makes it hard to pack all of that and be gone for three weeks! I certainly try not to come to dinner without freshening up, but you sure might see me in the same outfit a few times. Let's be reasonable, use the ship's laundry and if the weather is cool and we show up in the same clothes we came to breakfast in so what?

 

 

 

Why are you "restricted" to one bag and one carry on??? Perhaps this is what your flight includes, but you can always pay for more luggage if you so choose.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[caviargal]

Why are you "restricted" to one bag and one carry on??? Perhaps this is what your flight includes, but you can always pay for more luggage if you so choose.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

The river cruise lines often have restrictions on baggage. You should check with your TA or the line.

[Hoyaheel]

If it rains wear leather shoes with socks

Nope. Goretex!

[philw1776]

Why are you "restricted" to one bag and one carry on??? Perhaps this is what your flight includes, but you can always pay for more luggage if you so choose.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thankfully, my wife does not read this forum.