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What To Wear On A River Cruise In Europe – FAQs
One of the most common questions that first-time river cruisers have is what to wear on a river cruise in Europe. Or, any other river cruise for that matter 🙂
There is sometimes a misconception about river cruise packing because some ocean cruises have somewhat specific dress codes. Especially luxury ocean cruises.
So if you’re wondering how you’re going to fit in those fancy dresses and suits or sportcoats for formal night dining, just relax.
You can grab my full printable river cruise packing list for the detailed inventory of what you should consider packing, but this post is simply to answer your general questions about what to wear.
Contents
What Type Of Clothing Should I Wear On A River Cruise?
While the season you’re traveling in will somewhat drive the specific answer to this question, the general rule of thumb is that you should plan to wear casual clothing during the day and “smart casual” at night.
Depending on where you are sailing as well as the time of year, remember that you may encounter several different climates due to the distance you are traveling and altitude changes. Layering is key.
Do I Have To Dress Up On A River Cruise?
This issue right here is what everyone seems to worry about the most. Sometimes there is a misconception around this issue and people think that it’s like ocean cruising formal nights where you get all gussied up in the formalwear.
Most of the European river cruise lines have adopted a “smart casual” rule for evening attire. And let’s face it – it’s the evening attire that we’re most concerned with, right? Do we have to dress up for dinner?
The short answer is – No.
Smart casual clothing is perfectly acceptable for evening wear on a river cruise. For ladies, this could be anything from a pair of capri pants or nice jeans with a top or sweater, to a casual sundress. For men, a pair of khakis or nice jeans with a shirt or nicer T-shirt is common.
I have never seen anyone wear shorts in the evening so even though there may not be a rule against it, I believe this would be a bit out of place.
Some people (especially the gals) will opt to dress up a little more in the evening. I, myself, usually want to get into something a bit more presentable than what I’ve worn all day while on excursions or just looking around on my own. So I’m a fan of wearing comfortable, casual dresses that can be repurposed throughout the week with different scarves or sweaters as accessories to change up the look a bit.
On most river cruises, there are usually one or two evenings that are “special” evenings, like the Captain’s dinner and such. While these might warrant a slightly nicer set of duds, I’ve seen very casual outfits on these nights as well.
Remember, river cruising is quite a comfortable laid-back experience. That goes for the clothes too.
Is There Decent Closet Space?
That depends. If you’re on a high-end luxury river cruise line in an upgraded suite, you may think the closet space is great. If that’s not the case, don’t plan on it 🙂
I’ve been in some staterooms that have decent space for 2 people, and some that have been dreadful.
Don’t overpack. Keeping in mind the casual atmosphere, overpacking shouldn’t be necessary. Uh, hint, hint – Gals, I’m talking to you!
Can You Do Laundry?
Yes. There are generally two options for doing laundry.
One is sending the laundry out to have the shipboard staff take care of it. You can expect the prices to be similar to what you would pay in a high-end hotel.
The other option is simply using the self-service laundrette that is common on board these ships.
Be sure and check with your specific cruise line and ship to see what laundry facilities they offer, as these vary from ship to ship.
What Amenities Are In Your Stateroom?
Again, this will vary slightly from ship to ship, but you can generally expect to find robes, slippers, and bathroom amenities like a hairdryer, shampoo, soap, and lotion.
What About Outerwear?
That’s a great question. Again, this will vary by the season and the areas that you’re traveling through. I recommend some type of jacket that allows you to layer sweaters and fleeces underneath so that you can bulk up if the weather turns colder than expected. Rain is another factor that you should plan for. A light, packable raincoat is something I always travel with. Umbrellas are usually provided on the ship – so no need to pack one of those unless you are spending additional time in Europe pre or post-cruise.
Be sure and grab my full river cruise packing list for more specific ideas on what to bring.