14 Europe River Cruise Packing Tips — Heidi Shares Her Expert Advice Based on More Than 125 Cruises

Europe River Cruise Packing Tips

By Heidi Sarna

I’ve taken more than 125 cruises all over the world. Many on river boats and canal barges in Europe.

I got to tell you, in large part, I know what to pack based on how many times I didn’t bring the right stuff — good ole trial and error!

Here are my 14 Europe River Cruise Packing Tips, hope they help you prepare for your next river cruise on the scenic and historical rivers of Europe.

1. Comfortable Walking or Exercise Shoes

Sounds like a no brainer, but good walking shoes are vital. I often see travelers in flip-flops or even heels; I can’t imagine. Given the cobblestoned streets, steps and the lumpy bumpy terrain that goes along with vineyard tours or walks around beautiful ruins of ancient castles and old towns, the right shoes are key to a successful day of touring. Also, necessary if you plan on doing any cycling in port. For me, I bring my sneakers, the same ones I go running in at home. Whatever shoes makes your feet happy, bring those and wear them.

2. Large Scarf or Shawl

When touring churches and cathedrals, whether you think it’s fair or not, women will often be asked to cover their shoulders or legs if wearing short-shorts or a mini skirt. A pretty scarf or thin sarong comes in handy for covering up when needed.

Heidi’s cruise packing tips include a cotton scarf that you can tie short as well as long. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

I also use my light-weight scarves, most of which come from India, to cover my shoulders and neck and sometimes my head when it’s super hot outside. You can even use them a beach towel; it’s endless!

3. Dinnertime Attire

Like all of cruising, dress codes have relaxed over the years, including on river cruises. I’ve been on several river cruises recently —  Douro River with Uniworld and also in non-European locales including the Hooghly River in India with Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN) and coastal/river cruise in Maine with American Cruise Line. On all three, dinnertime garb ranged from elegant silk dresses and blouses and crisp button-down shirts to more casual polos, t-shirts, jeans and sundresses. People wore what they were comfortable wearing, there really are no rules, except for a few low-bar basics — such as asking guests not to wear swim or gym garb, shorts or tank tops, to the restaurant.

I personally like getting a bit dressed up for dinner — usually for me, I pack slacks or formal jeans, silky tops, a maxi dress or two and tailored denim skirts — though there are no mandatory formal nights on river cruises these days. That said, there’s often a captain’s gala evening where you may be encouraged to up your game a bit; I would say most (not all) people do. On my recent Douro River cruise, the gala night saw some women in sequins and some men with sport coats. But, it’s really up to you.

Heidi (bottom) and friend Georgiana dressing up a bit for dinner on their Douro River cruise with Uniworld. * Photos: Heidi Sarna

QuirkyCruise Contributor Alison Abbott Knows a Thing or Two About Packing

Here are 3 things Alison always packs for travel:

1. A bandana. It serves a multitude of uses in addition to hair tie. Most of the older medieval towns have some sort of fountain in the central square. Soaking a bandana there or with your water bottle can bring a cool relief around the neck. It also provides additional sun protection. They are available in a wide range of colors and fairly inexpensive.
2. St. Lucia tunic from Coolibar. My go to outfit that always makes it into my suitcase is a St. Lucia tunic from Coolibar. I have it in several colors, it can be dressed up or down and provides UV UPF 50 sun protection you WEAR! The fabric is soft, lightweight, doesn’t wrinkle and dries overnight if you need to wash it during a trip.

A St Lucia tunic from Coolibar. * Image: Alison Abbott

1. Rubber coated clothes pins. I always include small rubber coated clothes pins in my travel essentials. Pin down towels on the rail so they don’t fly overboard. Clip small garments to a hanger in the shower for laundry. Use as a book mark and a chip clip for those delicious, not so healthy snacks we all end up buying when on the road.

Globetrotting Alison shares more packing tips HERE.

Alison always carries some rubber coated clothes pins when she travels. * Photo: Alison Abbott

4. Small Foldable Umbrella

This is for rain and for the scorching heat that you’ll likely encounter cruising in July and August.

Yes, ships often to have umbrellas to borrow, but more times than not, they’re the large golf umbrellas that are not convenient to carry around on a walking tour etc.

5. Sunglasses, Plus Hat or Visor

Another obvious one, but just say’in … don’t forget to bring your sunglasses and whatever you prefer to wear on your head. You’ll appreciate a hat or visor when it’s boiling hot outside or when it’s windy on deck.

Don’t forget your sunglasses! * Photo: Heidi Sarna

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6. Basic Meds

Bring the basics, the stuff you prefer, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, cough syrup etc.

Most river cruise line don’t have doctors or nurses on board like the big ships do, and so generally the purser won’t distribute meds, even basic pain relievers.

7. Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Always a must-bring, especially when cruising in the summer.

8. Leggings or Exercise Shorts/Pants

9. Bathing Suit

Many river boats have small swimming pools on deck. * Photo: Georgiana Sim Verdonk

10. Cross Body, Waist Bag or Backpack

For me, the key is a small bag; you don’t want to be lugging around a big heavy backpack. I prefer a cross body bag that I can also wear around my waist.

11. Theme Night Garb

Georgiana all decked out for the 70s theme party one evening. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

12. Phone Charger

13. Adaptors

14. Earplugs and Eye Mask

And More Packing Tips …

16 Things to Pack if You’ll be Cycling on Your Next Europe River Cruise

If you plan on cycling on your Europe river cruise, I’ve got a whole post on packing for packing when bicycling in port (one of my favorite things to do!).

Here’s that post: Heidi’s 16 European River Cruise Cycling Tips & Packing Pointers.

Hope you found my Europe river cruise packing tips to be helpful!

One of the great guided cycle rides on my AMA Stella cruise round-trip from Amsterdam. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

And now that we’re on the topic of packing..

Check Out My Alaska Cruise Packing Tips

Here are 3 of my 11 tips:

1. Layers Layers Layers.

   You’ll need to put on and peel off throughout the day, as hiking for example, may get you heated up, while kayaking or skiffing near a glacier on a cloudy day will put a chill in the air. Alaska temps in the summer can vary from the cool damp 40s in the mornings to the balmier 70s on a bright sunny afternoon. Go to your nearest REI, The North Face, Patagonia or Athleta store, all brands that make an effort to imbibe fair and sustainable business practices, including some being certified as B Corps companies and get a few long-sleeved wicking tops for layering and a warm fleece. Pack several pairs of comfortable leggings or similar work-out pants that aren’t too thick, so you can wear one on top of another if need be. And one under your waterproof rain paints.

2. Bathing Suit!

   Yes, if you’re considering a polar plunge in the chilly Alaska waters, or a dip in the hot tubs some small ships offer, then bring your bathing costume!

3. Extra Socks!

   Trust me … they’ll get wet, bring extra so you always have a dry pair to wear.

Read the rest of my Alaska cruising packing tips LIST HERE.

Here Heidi displays several of her Alaska packing tips all at once — cross body bag, high boots, leggings, rain coat and layers! * Photo: Robin McAdoo

Hope you enjoyed my Europe river cruise packing tips.

Happy packing!

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