Spring on the Danube (March, April, May) Springtime along the Danube can be a tad unpredictable. Basic toiletries are always provided, and usually slippers and robes are as well. Lets take a look at the kinds of activities that you will likely participate in as part of your cruise. To be completely honest with you, your suitcase for a river cruise doesn't really matter. Required fields are marked *. On one of our earlier trips men wore jackets and neckties to the final dinner and women were wearing long skirts or dress trousers. My husband takes polo shirts and slacks for day time and a suit and a couple of pairs of smart trousers and a couple of blazers and 14 ties for dinner and after dinner. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Extra camera battery and lens cleaner (my. RELATED: The Best Luggage and Bags for Travel. However, there are typically safes in each stateroom, if you really want to bring some nice pieces. There may be one Captain's Dinner night where you're advised that shorts and tank tops are not appropriate, but otherwise the cruise will be fairly casual. 2. Today, ships can navigate 87 percent of the waterway's length, meaning Danube River cruises can sail from the North Sea to the Black Sea. What You'll Need: The one thing we see people forget all the time is an adaptor for European plugs. I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. Call 1.406.541.2677 Start Planning My Trip The Danube River is a charming destination to visit at almost any time of the year, though most travel experts agree the that best times to take a Danube cruise are Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October). Osprey makes amazing soft-sided bags this particular one has been traveling around the world with me for 7+ years and is still in fantastic shape. Sara is the founder and creative behind livelovesara. What to Pack for a River Cruise (and What to Leave Home) by Christine Wei Apr 3, 2014 Nice as they are, river cruise staterooms tend to be smaller than the average hotel room. Although I would not recommend staying in your PJs all day, typical lounge wear like yoga pants, shorts, etc. In summer, bring a lightweight scarf to cover bare shoulders when visiting churches or other religious sites, which may require modest dress. It can not only save you money, but luggage space too. March 2024. I seek to inspire people to be curious about the world and find ways to fit more travel into the lifestyle they already have - and I only share tips based on my personal experiences and places I've actually traveled! By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Packing List for a River Cruise in Europe, Suitcase and Travel Bags For a River Cruise in Europe, General Clothing Tips for a River Cruise in Europe. Everyone was primarily dressed as they were during the daytime. James and Linda on Mt Titlis in the Swiss Alps, Viking Cruise - Viking Extension Package versus Plan Your Own, Viking Cruises - Understanding Your Contract, 30A A Stretch of Paradise on Floridas Emerald Coast, Part I - A Viking Cruise - Venice, The Adriatic and Greece, Viking River Cruise - 10 Reasons To Go - FOREVER TOURING, Viking Rhine Getaway A European River Cruise - FOREVER TOURING. Although a few river cruise lines will ask gentlemen to wear a jacket for special events such as a Captains Dinner, in most cases you can leave the sports coats, suits and ties at home. They're machine washable, too, which is a big bonus. So, if you are participating in any of these activities, you may want to ask for some guidance from your cruise line regarding appropriate clothing. . 7. 4. Certain performances may require suits and dresses. The Main-Danube Canal, which got its major start in the 18th century, was completed in 2002 when the final piece was put in place for the 106 mile, 16-lock waterway. Having a secure, no-fuss bag is an essential, though we dont recommend carrying around anything larger than your average purse. UPDATE (August, 2022): Having just completed a European river cruise last month, there has been a notable change in the habits of travelers. (But you can easily avoid this issue by purchasing dual-voltage gadgets here's a dual-voltage hair dryer, and here's a dual-voltage curling iron + straightener.). Let me just conclude by saying that everyone has a different idea about what is appropriate. River cruises afford more time in port, which means that you're more likely pick up gifts and souvenirs. What You'll Need: The point of accessories is that you don't really need them; it's more in the "nice to have" department. As an Airbnb Associate and Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Pretty much anything you would ordinarily wear to the gym or to a resort pool will be just fine for your cruise. When you dock, you'll embark on fascinating journeys through cities that sport both medieval and modern influences. Just keep in mind that there are some churches and holy sites that require knees and shoulders to be covered. Because of this, its great to pack in layers that can easily be added or taken off. Plus, rooms on river ships tend to be smaller than those on ocean-bound ships, and you'll probably be out of your room most of the time anyway. A Dangerous Business is a participant in several affiliate programs. - Authentic Voyages Luxury Cruise News What to Pack for a Danube River Cruise? are built these days to handle any voltage between 110v and 250v. What kind of shoes you want to bring will largely depend on your cruise itinerary. If you really need to, you can always hand-wash single items in your stateroom, or pay for laundry service on board. Outdoor dining aboard a Uniworld Danube River cruise ship. The black sweater has a removable cowl neck so you will have two different looks with the sweater, the scarf is reversible to black, and the clutch has removable strap to make it a cross body. 6/18/2021 0 Comments On a Danube River cruise, you'll have the chance to see a large portion of Europe. Personally, I recommend staying away from graphic tee shirts or shirts with sports team logos. But here are my tips for what to pack for a river cruise in Europe after going on 4 such cruises myself. October 2023. Always be sure to consult one of our European cruise experts to ensure you pack accordingly for your voyage and the time of year. Just like you, no one said anything but I felt a little casual at dinner. What we mean to say by all this is that the Danube features a wide range of cities, countries, and peoples along its course. It is not uncommon to see a few folks in their pajamas grabbing a cup of coffee to take back to their stateroom early in the morning. TIP: You may think that you have to have unique outfits for every day and evening. Aug 29, 2022, 11:52 AM Save Hi: We are taking a Viking Danube River cruise the last two weeks of September and we have a question about clothes to pack Do we take shorts and capris? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Technical clothes such as hiking pants or shorts, shirts, shoes or biking shorts are appropriate for any of these types of activities. Many great cities line the river, inviting cruisers to explore their culture, dining, art, history, and architecture. I would personally only pay this much to have laundry done if it's absolutely necessary, but the service IS there if you need it. Overall though, Europeans tend to be a bit more put together, even when dressed casually. And you'll also need to keep in mind important distinctions among cruise lines: packing for a Viking river cruise, whose ships cater to Americans with U.S. power outlets for electronics, is different from, say, Avalon Waterways, which uses European sockets. COVID Testing. I know how you feel. You'll appreciate binoculars to help you zero in on the landscape, especially when you're doing scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley, Austria's wine country, between Melk and Vienna. The easiest way is to search for clothes with a simple color scheme - white, neutrals, pastels. Most people go on European river cruises in the spring and summer months, with a handful cruising in the winter to visit Europe's famous Christmas markets. 05/13/13 12:58 PM 1924 posts The slacks and nice sweater will work fine. 2023 A Dangerous Business. Evening shoes might be a low heeled pump or flat. I always look at weather forecasts just before I start to pack. Thank you for the comment. Learn how your comment data is processed. Generally I do not wear shorts or capris or sandals in the US after Labor Day, and I would do the same for Europe. Advantageous viewing areas are only a short walk away. Since we never write about places we havent been ourselves, you can be sure that everything you read and pictures you see are things we have actually seen and done. Is it heated at night in the restaurant. For both men and women, your footwear needs to be comfortable since you will be doing a fair amount of walking. If you want to pack all of that, then you do you! Unless specified by your cruise line, cocktail dresses or gowns are not necessary. How to Become an Influencer: Grow Your Following & Make Money! Your email address will not be published. These types of shirts are not that common in Europe. I compare that with my standard ocean (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? While Europeans have not fully embraced the baseball hat, you do see a few. How to Create Instagram Reels: The Ultimate Guide! Save or delete older photos from your phone prior to your trip. Squeezing the last bit of wear that I can from thi, Adding an 80s denim jacket to a basic white tee an. 6. Simple tops, including sleeveless ones are generally fine as long as they are not too revealing. Leave your bulky high heels and dress shoes behind. With baggage generally limited to one suitcase per person it is useful to understand what you might need. But there is certainly no rule against it, and there will inevitably be other folks on your excursions wearing these types of shirts. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Pickpockets can be an issue in major European cities, so make sure your daytime bag can either be zippered or worn cross-body to deter theft. Unless you're told you need your passport when you're off the ship, just leave it in the safe in your room. Now comes the big question: What should be on your packing list for a river cruise in Europe? So, what does this all mean for your day wear while you are on the cruise? Our personal expertise & experience, local partners in our destinations, & access to over 150 small ships are all invaluable to designing your unique journey. The oversized shirt and Le, A little french inspired today. Things to Note: Before you leave, make sure you figure out your communication back home. My top tip for packing light is to stick to mostly neutral colors and one or two accent colors that you can mix and match. Give yourself a few days to break them in before you leave -- the last thing you want is blisters. Black Polka Dot Blouse Marks and Spencer. Your computer. Remember, black goes with everything, and accessories and can change your entire look. (They don't have a ton of arch support, though, so keep that in mind.). Keep it simple. This is if you plan on taking lots of photos with your camera, but don't plan on bringing a computer where you can save files (see below). You're not alone. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Most people will dress up a little bit for dinner in the main dining room but by dress up I mean put on a clean pair of pants and maybe swap out the sneakers for something slightly nicer. Keep in mind that many cities in Europe still have cobblestones, so look for shoes with lots of cushioning and a sturdy insole. We hope that this post will help you have a complete understanding of the types of clothing you need to pack so that you are not just comfortable, but also confident that your clothing will be completely appropriate for every activity. Things to Note: Europe can be chilly and rainy in the shoulder season and, of course, you'll want to wear warm, weatherproof footwear if you're going on a Christmas markets cruise. Women can wear pants, jeans, casual dresses and skirts just about anywhere. Here are some helpful hints and tips to assist you in deciding what to bring with you on your river cruise and what you can leave at home. Whether you are navigating the Danube or the Rhine you might be wondering what to pack for a European river cruise. However, on the smaller group excursions that required only a large van, we were not socially distanced and many riders chose to wear a mask on the buses. Talk with a specialist to plan your next adventure! Active Pursuits If you are participating in some outdoor activities like hiking or biking, you are going to want to dress in clothes that work for your level of physical activity and the weather. Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises: Whats It Really Like? However, I've seen women in cocktail dresses and men in sport coats on Europe and Mississippi river . Off-peak cruises (early- to mid-April and mid-October through November) are the best bargains, but note that it can be chilly and rainy. 1 What to Wear on a River Cruise in Europe 1.1 Types of European River Cruise Outfits 1.2 Dressing for the Season 2 Tips on How to Pack for a River Cruise 3 Viking River Cruise Packing List 3.1 River Cruise Clothes 3.2 Footwear 3.3 River Cruise Essentials 3.4 Toiletries 3.5 Electronics 4 Questions on what to pack for river cruise in Europe? Bring a collapsible travel one, especially if you're staying in Europe before or after your cruise . Things to Note: Umbrellas are usually provided by the cruise line, but they are usually quite large and cumbersome -- and definitely mark you as a tourist. Explore more travel destination possibilities and experience the world first hand. There are generally no formal nights on river cruise ships. As with many things nowadays, dress codes are relaxing and casual clothing has become the predominant way to dress for the majority of occasions. Sandals or fall boots? "When packing (or shopping) for your river cruise, choose shirts, pants, shorts and skirts that can be worn for multiple outfit combinations. The cruise takes place in April for 8 days, so the weather will be cooler in general. 9. Heels and fancy dress shoes aren't necessary for a river cruise. So if its cool at night, they will make sure its comfortable inside. Other than the dress code guidelines that are particular to each cruise line, there are no rules. Whatever you decide to pack, just be sure you have at least one pair of shoes that you'll be comfortable walking in. No jackets to be seen..at all. However, on all of our later trips this was not the case. One thing to keep in mind: some cruise lines have a no-jeans, no-shorts policy for dinner, so check before you sail. There may be one Captain's Dinner night where you're advised that shorts and tank tops are not appropriate, but otherwise the cruise will be fairly casual. I have noticed that although more European women are wearing shorts these days, they are typically the younger set. NOTE: I don't ever recommend carrying your passport on you at all times. On most days you will have sufficient time after returning from your excursion to shower and change before cocktails and dinner, and most folks make an effort to dress up, even if just a bit. We went on a Viking cruise and our luggage did not arrive for two days. 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