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Thinking about booking a unique experience that explores the interior of a region along its fascinating waterways? That sounds like you could be packing for a river cruise! This blog aims to give you some insights into what to expect and what to consider as you prepare a packing list for a river cruise.
River cruises tend to be much smaller than the typical ocean cruise. Even some of the more extensive river cruises—like those along the mighty Mississippi in the United States—only carry around 125 to 200 passengers. Other river cruise vessels are smaller and take fewer than 100 passengers. Exclusive ones, like some you find in Europe or South America, are typically smaller than this still, accommodating around 60 passengers, which for many, is an ideal size, providing an excellent guest-to-staff ratio (usually around 2:1) and allowing for excursion groups to remain a comfortable size. The bottom line is that a river cruise can be a very exclusive and unique experience.
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Diego Zapata
Rosa Mena
Sandy Lara
Diego Zapata
Rosa Mena
Sandy Lara
What’s the weather like on a river cruise?
Where you’ll be traveling and during which time of year will dictate what to bring regarding river cruise clothing; if you’re visiting Europe in the fall and traveling along the Danube, for instance, you’ll want to bring warm clothing and dress in layers so you can enjoy touring the cities along your trajectory or spend some quality time taking in the views comfortably from the exterior decks. Conversely, if you’re planning to travel along the Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam, you’ll want to bring clothing made with light, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, or silk to keep you cool and comfortable in hot and humid conditions. In other words, river cruise packing depends on where you’ll be traveling and what activities you’ll be doing.
What are the essential clothing items for a river cruise?
Pack what you need, give yourself some options, plan for different events (formal and informal settings), and consider your comfort, but pack only a little! It’s easier said than done. The first thing to do when considering your river cruise packing list is to ask some key questions:
- Does the ship have a laundry facility or laundry service? (This will help you determine how many pairs of socks and underwear you should bring.)
- What types of excursions and activities will be available to you? (This will help determine if you need to bring any special footwear or clothing items.)
- What is the dining situation going to be like? (Find out if passengers are expected to dress up or down for different meals and any special events or presentations that may be part of the itinerary.)
River Cruise Packing List
As a rule of thumb, when you’re packing for a river cruise, here are some key clothing items to bring for warm and cool climates:
Warmer Destinations
- Several short- and long-sleeved tops and tees made from lightweight fabrics, like cotton and linen
- A few pairs of pants or skirts, which could include khakis, cargo pants, jeans, slacks, leggings, linen pants
- Enough pairs of socks and underwear or undergarments as are necessary, ideally made from lightweight and breathable fabric
- Eveningwear options for more formal dining or event settings, plus the appropriate footwear
- Comfortable footwear, appropriate for the activities in which you’ll be taking part (think hiking shoes, slippers, sneakers, or formal footwear, depending on your itinerary)
- Lightweight jacket or sweatshirt (in case the weather gets cooler or the air conditioning is strong)
- Bathing suit for ships with a pool or hot tub
Cooler Destinations
- Short- and long-sleeved shirts that would be great for dressing in layers and staying warm in cooler weather
- Comfortable pants, which could include jeans, khakis, slacks, leggings, etc.
- Enough pairs of socks and underwear or undergarments as necessary
- Eveningwear options for formal events or dining experiences, plus the corresponding footwear
- Comfortable shoes, boots, or sneakers as appropriate for whatever activities you’ll be doing, like trekking through the city, strolling through parks, exploring cities, museums, and other sights, etc., plus slippers and/or formal footwear to be comfortable aboard the ship and feel prepared for any special occasion
- Sweater, sweatshirt, coat, or jacket for cooler weather
- Swimsuit for vessels with a hot tub or pool
What accessories and personal items should I pack for my trip?
- For warmer climates, a good hat to protect your face from the sun
- In cooler weather, a pair of gloves, a hat, and a scarf
- A backpack or daypack for excursions
- A zip-top, waterproof bag to keep phones, cameras, and other items safe when transitioning between the boat and the riverbank
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellant for excursions, especially in wooded and natural areas
- Umbrella or poncho in case of rain
- Binoculars
- Any prescribed or over-the-counter medications
Javier Garcia
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
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Javier Garcia
Eduardo Silva
Carolina Escobar
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The Importance of the Excursion Daypack
A combination of these above-listed items can fit effortlessly in a good daypack. When touring through a city, you’ll want to make it a comfortable experience for yourself. Pack light, but bring what you need. It’s a good idea to be prepared. A good daypack can help make your river cruise packing experience successful.
Entertainment Items and Gadgets
Aboard the vessel, you’ll likely have some downtime to enjoy as you travel between destinations. Bringing a book, an iPad or tablet, and some headphones is a good idea. As you sail down the river, you’ll want to capture and remember many beautiful moments. Other times, you’ll want to soak up some sun, breathe the fresh air, or exercise in the ship’s fitness room. Also, some ships may have a pool or hot tub. Almost all of them have a bar and lounge where you can gather with other guests and share impressions of the day’s sights and activities or chat about where you’re from.
Conclusion
A river cruise packing list is just one thing to help you prepare for your upcoming experience. When booking your luxury river cruise, your destination expert or travel agent can answer your most pressing questions about the places you’ll visit and the experience you’ll have aboard the ship. Plus, they can recommend things to bring; they may even have their itinerary-specific packing list ready to share with you. So, relax, start getting excited, and don’t forget to pack your sense of wonder and a friendly smile!
