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what to pack for a river cruise

Topic What To Pack For A River Cruise
Read Time 5 Minutes
Author Laura Radford, Travel Writer 

RIVER CRUISE PACKING TIPS

Depending on who you sail with, and where you sail tom will determine what to pack for your river cruise holiday, but there are a few things to consider for every river cruise trip, no matter the destination…

GOOD WALKING SHOES

These are one of, if not the most important thing to consider when packing for a river cruise. Most river cruise lines require their guests to be active as there will likely be at least one tour on each day of your cruise that will require some walking. Whether it’s a city tour discovering the highlights of cities such as Cologne or Vienna or strolling around a local market in Vietnam, a good, comfortable pair of walking shoes is a must-pack.

ADAPTORS

Its always worth checking before you travel which electricity output your river cruise operator uses. Some use US plugs for instance, and with others the European adaptors are required. Whilst you won’t need to pack a hairdryer for any river cruise you take, as all operators provide them, for any other devices such as phone chargers, other heat styling equipment or otherwise, its worth checking the output in your cabin. Many now offer USB chargers by the side of your bed for plugging in your devices when you sleep so worth seeing if all the plugs will be needed to!

CLOTHING

Keep track of the weather forecast before you travel, particularly if you’re embarking on a river cruise on the Rhine or Danube or other places in Europe where the weather can be changeable. A raincoat is always wise, as are warmer clothing for cooler evenings or if you’re travelling in the colder months.

INSECT REPELLENT

This is certainly a wise addition to your luggage especially if you’re travelling on the Mekong, or the Ganges, or other warmer climate river cruise. Whilst you can be very lucky and avoid biting insects, it cannot be guaranteed so is always worth being prepared.

These are just some of the things that we think are important when packing for a river cruise, and of course you can pack as much, or as little as you like. And remember there are some things that are worth leaving at home, such as your tux or evening gown, as, unlike some ocean cruises, there are no formal nights on a river cruise. So, you can rest, relax and explore in comfort as you sail the world’s waterways.

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