River Cruise Capsule Wardrobe - Nov 2024
Hello, travelers! With my Christmas market river cruise coming up, I’m busy getting my suitcase organized and thought it would be fun to share what I’m packing and planning to wear for the journey. After all, packing smart is half the fun of travel prep—and even more so when we’re talking about European Christmas markets!
European Christmas markets are an absolute treat for the senses. Picture strolling through twinkling, historic squares filled with cozy stalls offering mulled wine, festive treats, handcrafted ornaments, and more. It’s a dream, but being outdoors at this time of year requires a bit of planning, especially if you want to stay comfortable and stylish.
Layers, Layers, Layers
When packing for any European trip in winter, layering is the name of the game! River cruises are fantastic for seeing multiple destinations, but they can be chilly at this time of year. Here's my approach:
Base Layer: I’m bringing a mix of thermal tops and bottoms in lightweight, breathable fabrics. These are perfect for staying warm without feeling too bulky.
Mid-Layer: This is where the style kicks in! I’ve packed a few soft, warm sweaters in neutral shades that work well for daytime exploring and evening dinners onboard.
Outer Layer: A good coat is non-negotiable, so I’ve chosen a down-filled, waterproof coat that’s both warm and easy to move around in. I like a longer length for extra warmth—think of it as my cozy armor against the winter chill!
Cozy Yet Practical Footwear
Christmas markets often mean walking on cobblestone streets, so sturdy and comfortable footwear is a must. I’m packing a pair of stylish yet practical waterproof boots that I know can handle a full day of exploring. For evenings, I’ll switch to a pair of sleek ankle boots—perfect for dinners onboard or a festive evening stroll.
Accessories: Stay Warm and Stylish
Accessories are key for adding some style to your winter outfit while also staying warm:
Scarves, Hats, and Gloves: I’m a big fan of chunky knit scarves and cozy hats, both in neutral colors that go with everything. I’ll also bring a thinner, cashmere wrap that can double as a shawl for evenings onboard.
Gloves: Touchscreen gloves are a lifesaver when you want to snap a quick picture without taking your gloves off in the cold!
Evening Wear for Onboard Dining
The beauty of river cruising is the balance between relaxation and style, especially on evening outings. I’m keeping it simple yet elegant with a couple of classic outfits—a dress or two in warm fabrics paired with tights, and a chic, yet comfortable sweater-and-skirt combo. These pieces are perfect for the onboard dinners where you can enjoy a cozy, festive ambiance without needing to dress up too much.
The Essentials
In addition to the wardrobe basics, I’m packing a few travel must-haves that I find especially helpful on a winter trip:
Portable Charger: With all the photos I’ll be taking, a portable charger will keep my phone ready for the next picturesque shot.
Travel-Size Hand Cream: Cold weather can be drying, so a good hand cream is a small luxury that I never travel without in winter.
Hand Warmers: These as such a great item to bring to help keep your hand toasty!
Ready to Cruise in Christmas Spirit!
I’m looking forward to sharing the festive markets, cozy cruise evenings, and all the beautiful scenery along the way! If you’re considering a Christmas market cruise, I hope this gives you some helpful packing inspiration.
And, of course, if you’re ready to book your own winter river cruise adventure, you know where to find me! Feel free to reach out for packing tips, planning advice, or to start mapping out your itinerary.
Happy travels, stay warm, and delight in the spirit of the season!
Here is what I packed for this trip - this all fit into one large suitcase and one small carry on bag (not shown):
- Shoes for the ship
- SANTA HAT!
- Thermals
- Fancy top (for dinners)
- Sleeveless black turtleneck
- PJs
- White collared shirt
- Black slacks
- Navy sweater
- Raspberry sweater
- Tartan check slacks
- Black t-shirt
- Berry collared shirt
- Checked pleated skirt
- Silk top
- 2 Scarves
- Earmuffs
- Gloves
- 2 dress jackets (black and khaki)
- SWIMSUIT!
- Travel pack (see what's in mine here)
- Black mini-purse (for on the ship)
- Waterproof boots
- Toiletries (makeup remover, shampoo, conditioner, etc..)
- Underwear (in the small packing cube)
- Jewelry Kit
- Belts and silk scarves (in the other small packing cube)
- Masks (in case I sit beside somebody hacking their brains out....)
- Medicine kit (always bring your own preferred cold medicine just in case).
- Flat iron
- Heated vest (the battery pack is in my carry on)
- Granola Bars (in case I can't find gluten free items)
- WET NAPS (in case I spill gluhwein on myself at the markets...)
- HAND WARMERS (essential!)
- BUBBLE WRAP (for bringing back treasures ;)
What was your favorite outfit? Leave a comment below and be sure to hit the like and subscribe button to keep following for more tips and tricks and to follow along on my trip to year. See how I'm too young for river cruising!
To book your next dream vacation - when the time is right to travel - reach out to me through email at Alicia@EveningStarTravel.ca, or by calling 587 772 2525. I am located in Sherwood Park, Alberta (a suburb of Edmonton), and am a Travel Advisor specializing in River Cruising, Beach Escapes, and Custom Vacations. I am the owner/operator of Evening Star Travel, and I book travel for clients all across Canada.