What do you wish you'd taken and what would you leave behind?

[joy2travel]

Mushroom,

 

I will be doing that same itinerary in September on the River Duchess.

 

I've only taken one river cruise, but I observed in European cities that women don't wear shorts or capris. I didn't bring any, and wouldn't have felt comfortable in them if I had.

 

Roz

 

Sorry...don't agree with you, Roz. Was in Italy in 2013 and Portugal in 2014. Lived in capris and never felt out of place. Saw lots wearing the same attire. Think it's also important to feel comfortable....will be packing capris for my river cruise.

[gnome12]

I don't often wear shorts, but if it is hot I wear capris (with socks and walking shoes so I look a bit dorky but I don't tour in sandals).

[Lois R]

I wore sandals at the beginning of my trip but as the time wore on, I needed my "walking shoes" and I am very glad I had

brought them with me. (that was back in 2012). Joy, I wore capri's almost every day on that cruise. Now, when I sailed on

my River cruise (last year), I sailed out of Amsterdam in April~ it was cool/cold out every day and I was in long pants and

long sleeves on a daily basis, along with some type of jacket....jean/or cardigan type sweater.

[joy2travel]

I wore sandals at the beginning of my trip but as the time wore on, I needed my "walking shoes" and I am very glad I had

brought them with me. (that was back in 2012). Joy, I wore capri's almost every day on that cruise. Now, when I sailed on

my River cruise (last year), I sailed out of Amsterdam in April~ it was cool/cold out every day and I was in long pants and

long sleeves on a daily basis, along with some type of jacket....jean/or cardigan type sweater.

 

Italy was very hot when I was there on an escorted land tour....plus 40 was the hottest day. Wore capris and sandals just about every day. Found my sandals were very good for walking on the cobblestones....like Naot brand and find them supportive and comfortable. I always take a pair of runners along when touring as an option to wear if it's a rainy day.

[mlld3536]

Haven't cruised yet, and this will not be a problem when I do--Christmas Markets! But I have traveled extensively in western Europe, including months at a time in Italy. And my conclusion: shorts, no; capris yes.

[mlld3536]

Oh, also . . . I agree that for hot weather touring you want a good pair of walking sandals plus sturdy walking shoes. Use the closed shoes for the most challenging terrain, but it is always good for the feet to be able to switch shoes.

[JerseyGem]

Haven't cruised yet, and this will not be a problem when I do--Christmas Markets! But I have traveled extensively in western Europe, including months at a time in Italy. And my conclusion: shorts, no; capris yes.

 

I agree with no shorts (except -maybe- for a pair to wear onboard on the sundeck while cruising).

 

Christmas Markets: You didn't ask, but here are my hints: Long underwear (bottoms and tops), silk glove liners and hand warmers (the kind that you shake to activate- great inside your mittens! One lasts all day)

[dan4182]

In August, I'll be aboard Uniworld's River Duchess sailing from Bucharest to Budapest. I plan to pack all my stuff in one carry-on bag. In addition to the river cruise, I'll spend a couple of days in Transylvania prior to sailing and a couple of extra days in Budapest at the end of the cruise. Since it's summer, I'm hoping to get by with a couple of dressy outfits, a couple of capri and shorts outfits and appropriate tops, a pair of dressy sandals and some walking shoes. This, along with all the necessary other stuff should fill my roll-aboard. Hopefully, someone else has done this and can give me valuable hints as to what they wish they'd packed, what they couldn't do without and what they could have left behind. Thanks for your input!

 

 

A long optical zoom point and shoot camera and a big camera card. Optical zooms are almost always preferable to digital zooms.

 

A pocket size flashlight.

 

A European currency converter and a schuko type plug.

 

A credit card or two with no foreign conversion fees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[mlld3536]

I agree with no shorts (except -maybe- for a pair to wear onboard on the sundeck while cruising).

 

Christmas Markets: You didn't ask, but here are my hints: Long underwear (bottoms and tops), silk glove liners and hand warmers (the kind that you shake to activate- great inside your mittens! One lasts all day)

 

Long underwear! Hand warmers! My goodness, DH didn't have anything like that when he was working in Moscow! Then again, we're from Chicago, and people in my family move north of Green Bay WI to retire. I do realize that on the water on a boat that is cruising it is likely to be colder than the temperature readings would indicate. I'm thinking that if we go up to the sun deck for the cruise through the Rhine Gorge we will want to bundle up.

[mushroom]

Such great advice from all of you! It's very encouraging to see that "carry-on" is a very popular way to travel. Thank you all for your input.

[dogsarepeopletoo]

Our cruise will be two weeks, plus add-ons. As time gets closer, I try to gauge when I have 2+ weeks left of my everyday bathroom products and I set it aside for the trip. deodorant, face cream, toothpaste, etc. Hopefully, on the last day of the trip, I have used the last bit and I can toss/recycle the container. It might not be a lot of weight, but it saves hauling things back home.

[dogsarepeopletoo]

...after 4 days we have decided this is not for us!

 

I am sorry you are not happy with your adventure. I hope you can grab a positive attitude and make the most of it. I hope you can find something good about it.

[lenquixote66]

I did not pack enough tee shirts and packed too many pairs of jeans.

[dogsarepeopletoo]

I don't often wear shorts, but if it is hot I wear capris (with socks and walking shoes so I look a bit dorky but I don't tour in sandals).

 

My friend and I were discussing shoes to wear on our trip. She asked "do you think these shoes would look dorky with socks?" I think being comfortable and blister-free trump dorkiness any day. :)

[gnome12]

My friend and I were discussing shoes to wear on our trip. She asked "do you think these shoes would look dorky with socks?" I think being comfortable and blister-free trump dorkiness any day. :)

I agree entirely.

[mlld3536]

I agree entirely.

 

Me too. The only thing more important than comfortable walking shoes is the right pair of socks.

[JerseyGem]

Long underwear! Hand warmers! My goodness, DH didn't have anything like that when he was working in Moscow! Then again, we're from Chicago, and people in my family move north of Green Bay WI to retire. I do realize that on the water on a boat that is cruising it is likely to be colder than the temperature readings would indicate. I'm thinking that if we go up to the sun deck for the cruise through the Rhine Gorge we will want to bundle up.

 

If you're from Chicago, you'll be fine. But for those of us from further south, walking (slowly) around the towns for 2 or 3 hours without having a chance to go inside to warm up made me appreciate my long-johns! And you can always stay inside by a window as you cruise through the scenic areas, but up top gives the best views.

[$hip$hape]

[quote name=mushroom;52773921 Since it's summer' date=' I'm hoping to get by with a couple of dressy outfits, a couple of capri and shorts outfits and appropriate tops, a pair of dressy sandals and some walking shoes.

Hopefully, someone else has done this and can give me valuable hints as to what they wish they'd packed, what they couldn't do without and what they could have left behind.

Thanks for your input![/quote]

Bring happiness.

Leave politics behind.

[Daisi]

Bring happiness.

Leave politics behind.

 

Add in some determination to enjoy yourself whatever happens...if it rains or not enough rain, just have fun!

[HokiePoq]

A couple of years ago, a list member blogged extensively about her Viking Amsterdam to Budapest cruise, and she had posts about what worked and didn't work. Go to the link below and scroll down for a couple of posts describing her "hits and misses." I disagree with her on "small binoculars," but everyone is different.

 

https://rivercruisenewbie.wordpress.com/2014/09/

 

This link was VERY helpful as we will be on our first river cruise in June after many ocean cruises.

Thanks so much.

Did you take larger binoculars? DH will want to do that I imagine.

[gnome12]

I wear glasses and have never been able to use binoculars. I use my 24x zoom camera if I need to magnify something.

[Host Jazzbeau]

I wear glasses and have never been able to use binoculars. I use my 24x zoom camera if I need to magnify something.

 

I wear glasses for both nearsightedness and astigmatism, but I find that the diopter adjustment on binoculars allows me to use them use fine. Of course, that makes it difficult to share with my far-sighted DW!

[nomadguy]

I wear glasses and have never been able to use binoculars. I use my 24x zoom camera if I need to magnify something.

Bios have a rubber rim that can be collapsed down for eyeglass wearers. Did you try that?

 

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[gnome12]

Bios have a rubber rim that can be collapsed down for eyeglass wearers. Did you try that?

 

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No, but I don't really want to carry another piece of equipment either.

[nomadguy]

No, but I don't really want to carry another piece of equipment either.

I'd rather go without underwear than give up taking my binos! Lol

 

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