What to Pack for a Rhine River Cruise?

On a Rhine River cruise, you’ll have the chance to see a range of beautiful countries starting in Switzerland and ending in the North Sea. Wonderful sites are located along the Rhine, from bustling cities to quaint, medieval villages. A popular river for architecture enthusiasts, the Rhine has tons of great buildings, castles, and urban history. Not limited to architecture, the river also travels near the Moselle Valley, with its fantastic wines, and through the tranquil European countryside.

As river cruises on the Rhine River become more popular, bringing in visitors from around the world, it’s important to be prepared for it in every aspect. Cruises offer the most convenient, all-inclusive way to travel Europe’s greatest locations without unexpected costs. While preparing a budget is the first step, the next thing you’ll want to do is get prepared for the cruise itself. One of the most important things in preparing for a European river cruise on the Rhine is deciding what to pack. From clothes to accessories, our experts have put together the best tips to pack for the Rhine.

Cruisers dressed smart casual on a Rhine River cruise

Get ready for changing climates on the Rhine

The Rhine River visits multiple countries along its northwestern route through Europe. Starting in the heights of Switzerland, the river winds down through Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and the Dutch Netherlands. It empties near Amsterdam into Europe’s North Sea. While the river travels through a temperate climate zone, it does rain often and can be prone to dips in temperature or rain.

Because of this, most cruise ships offer rainwear, jackets, or other forms of gear to keep you comfortable and protected from the elements. While you may not need too much protective outerwear if your cruise line provides it, it’s important to pack according to the potential changes in weather.

Family packed for a Uniworld Rhine River cruise

Wear layers for potential temperature changes

When packing clothes for a river cruise on the Rhine, it’s always a best practice to layer up. That way, if the nice, sunny weather takes a dip in the evening, or you’re faced with a chilly breeze, you’ll be ready. We recommend packing lighter layers -- like t-shirts and button downs -- for your base layer, and then a sweater, light jacket, or vest that can be easily removed. 

Smart casual is the best way to dress

​Similar to wearing layers for all weather occasions, we recommend packing “smart casual” clothing to handle any social occasion that comes your way. Wearing smart casual clothes will leave you comfortable enough for adventures on Rhine River excursions and dressed up enough for a nice dinner on the ship or in a Michelin-starred restaurant. 

Smart casual clothing usually entails a casual dress, pants, blouse, or sweater for those with effeminate styles, or a good button up or polo with chinos or pants for those that dress masculine. Many brands nowadays cater to the traveling crowd, making breathable, flexible versions of these everyday classics. This style will offer you the most from the clothes you bring, so you’ll be prepared for whatever the day has in store.

Smaller bags are the best way to carry your belongings

One travel essential we always recommend is a small bag that zips. It’ll hold your travel wallet, phone, and any other essentials you bring on port excursions. The zipper will discourage potential pickpockets if you tour a crowded part of town, keeping your goods safe. While meals and refreshments are included with your Rhine River cruise cost, you never know if you’ll need your wallet when exploring off-ship. 

Pack with a color scheme in mind

You won’t need to pack as many clothes on most of our cruises due to many of the lines featuring laundry services. Make sure you check with one of our cruising specialists before your journey so we can help you pack accordingly. While laundry services can save you a lot of room in your bag, you’ll still want to get the most out of your clothes. The best way to do that is by sticking to an easily interchangeable color scheme.

​Doing so will allow you to continue wearing the same clothes in different ways, saving space in your luggage. Some of our most skilled packers are even able to make due with just a carry-on because of careful planning. While that’s not everyone, we always recommend trying to bring clothes that can be swapped to make multiple outfits for your Rhine River cruise.

Packing carry-on for a Rhine River cruise

European outlet adapters will save you from big hassles

​Lastly, an outlet adapter or European travel plug will allow you to charge your phone and any other electronic devices. While standard US outlets are versatile in the States, they’re almost impossible to find in Europe. An adapter will work with your existing plug to let you plug in anywhere, making it an essential for most river cruisers.

​These are a few of the most essential tips our experts have come up with, but make sure you consult your cruising expert to pack for your specific cruise. We hope these tips will help you make the most of your Rhine River cruise experience, and wish you a wonderful journey!