How to pack for a river cruise
River cruising allows you to move effortlessly through landscapes and villages; the ship is your hotel!
As it peacefully takes you from place to place, you get to enjoy the perfect combination of onboard and on-land experiences. As river cruising is a newer way to travel, it comes as little surprise that it comes with a slightly different packing list. Here are some of our tips to help you pack for an upcoming river cruise holiday!
Don’t Pack your whole wardrobe!
One of the greatest advantages of river cruising is the ability to unpack once and store your empty suitcase under your bed (rather than towing it from hotel to hotel). However, this doesn’t mean that you should pack your entire wardrobe!
Mix and Match your clothing
When packing (or shopping) for a river cruise, opt for shirts, pants, shorts and skirts that can be worn for multiple outfit combinations. The easiest way is to search for clothes with a simple colour scheme – white, neutrals, pastels. Our rule of thumb is for each week you will be travelling, pack five to seven tops that complement three different bottoms. Also, keep in mind comfort and wrinkle-resistant, easy-care clothing will help to make you feel even more relaxed.
Dress for dinner (sort of)
Don’t expect to get all decked out for dinner on a river cruise. Although, some cruisers do like to spritz up their attire for the evening. Using the colour-coordinated wardrobe you’ve packed for daytime, sprinkle in some fun pieces – scarves, shawls, jewellery, stylish shoes etc. It will eliminate the need to pack a separate evening wardrobe but still put an appropriate spin on your daytime attire.
Include the right elements for the right elements
Depending on when you travel, the weather forecast can sometimes be a little unpredictable. Make sure you always pack a light jumper in case it gets a bit cold, a hat and sunscreen for sunny days and a waterproof jacket for the occasional drizzle. Most importantly, don’t forget comfortable walking shoes and layers – both will be very useful for your daily excursions!
All that’s left to do now is to sit back, relax and enjoy! Interested in river cruising? Check out Avalon Waterways itineraries for Europe, Asia and South America.
