What to Wear on a River Cruise (2024)

FAQs

What to Wear on a River Cruise? ›

Bring casual clothes that are comfortable – that's your main priority. Unlike ocean cruises where guests often dine in ballgowns and tuxedos, the dress code on a river cruise is much more relaxed and informal.

Bring casual clothes that are comfortable – that's your main priority. Unlike ocean cruises where guests often dine in ballgowns and tuxedos, the dress code on a river cruise is much more relaxed and informal.

So comfortable, casual wear will make up the majority of your wardrobe. Comfortable trousers or jeans are best, or shorts or skirts are also appropriate if the weather calls for it. Lightweight, breathable tops.

What's the dress code? Like most river cruise lines, the dress code is fairly relaxed on a Scenic tour. The line recommends packing comfortable walking shoes to make the most of your sightseeing excursions, as well as dressing for the weather. At dinner, the code is smart casual.

There are no formal nights on Viking so there's no need for long dresses for women or dinner jackets for men (even neckties are discretionary). Instead, the dress code for dinner is “elegant casual,” meaning anything from a sundress in the Caribbean—to slacks and a blouse for women cruising in colder climates.

Instead, the Viking cruise dress code remains the same throughout the cruise across all dining venues, performances, and special events. For evening wear, the dress code is simply ”'elegant casual.” Think dresses, skirts, or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and for men, think trousers and a collared shirt.

Although there is a mix of ages on the Viking River ships, most passengers are 60 plus, and many are retired, especially those favoring the longer voyages.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER IN VIKINGS LUXURY BUFFET

Cash and major credit cards accepted. Drinks are included in the rate. The dress code in Vikings Luxury Buffet is Casual.

Breathable fabrics are a must, as are hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug repellent and a swimsuit (if your ship has a plunge pool or if you're planning a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay). Pack light colors in loose layers and pack sturdy sneakers or walking sandals.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a river cruise? ›

Sometimes booking a private veranda is a no-brainer for the vistas, the quick access to fresh air, lots of light, and the extra real estate. But sometimes, because of weather or your itinerary, a balcony may not be worth the extra cost.

The truth, though, is this: There's no “better” side of the ship. It doesn't matter where you're going, or what river you're sailing on, or even what ship you're sailing aboard. Both sides of the ship are created equal.

The Minibar is Included on Viking Cruises

Onboard Viking the mini bar is included. How often it is replenished depends on your cabin grade. The standard balcony cabin is only filled at the start of your cruise but the other categories are filled whenever they are empty.

There are no formal nights on a river cruise, though some guests may choose to dress up for events such as the Captain's Welcome Dinner.

Sandals and thongs (flip-flops, not the men's bathing suit, eeewww) are great for boat wear, because they're comfy and due to their open design, water drains immediately from around your feet.

Boat Shoe Characteristics

One of the most distinct parts of a boat shoe's makeup is the moccasin style toe. The puckered stitching resembles that of an apron like you might find on another preppy fashion staple, the penny loafer. However, boat shoes feature a more rugged looking moc-toe.

Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts, stop by Guest Services once you are on board. Our standard recommended rate is $20 USD per guest per day; or, we will automatically add a discretionary service charge of €20 per guest per day to your shipboard account.

Smart casual is a pair of dark, slim jeans, a blazer, and desert boots. Smart casual is also chinos, a patterned shirt, and a bomber jacket. Done right, a smart casual look can work in “casual,” “business casual,” and even some “dressed up” environments while still standing out from the crowd.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the ship's restaurant; however, you may opt for breakfast or lunch in the Lounge, or take a plate to the Sun Deck. Room service is not available. While serving times can vary depending upon excursions and cruise schedules, they are generally: Breakfast: 7:00 AM–9:30 AM.

Elegant Casual

A step above resort evening, with this dress code, men are expected to wear a long-sleeve dress shirt with slacks and dress shoes—no shorts, t-shirts, or sandals. Women can wear skirts or pants with a nice top or a dress.

Can you get laundry done on Viking River Cruise? ›

A hair dryer is also provided, and laundry and pressing services are available. Depending on your stateroom category, laundry and pressing may be complimentary. If your stateroom category does not include these services, they may be purchased for a modest fee.

All Upper & Middle Deck staterooms have a full veranda or French balcony (a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) Private bathroom with shower; heated floor & anti-fog mirror; premium Freyja toiletries; robes & slippers (upon request)

Viking. Viking's 930-passenger ocean ships top our list of the best cruises for seniors because they are designed specifically for an adult crowd. No one under 18 is allowed on board, and all the programming is created with passengers aged 50-plus in mind. These cruises are ideal for academic-minded seniors.

The best time of year for a Viking River cruise on the lower Mississippi River in April, May, or September and October. Hurricane Season runs from June to November, but peak Hurricane Season is from August to September.

These accounts, along with all prices and currency on board the ship, are in US dollars and may be settled in cash or with a major credit card before disembarking the ship; traveler's checks are not accepted.

Dining time: Lunch: 11:00am - 2:30pm (last reservation slot at 1:30pm) Dinner: 5:30pm - 10:00pm (last reservation slot at 9:00pm) - Buffet rates are subject to 5% service charge - Eatigo discount is only applicable to adult rate - Please present your eatigo reservation code upon arrival.

This buffet offers frozen yogurt, caviar, shabu-shabu and bottomless drinks in their all-inclusive rate. Click for more. Buffet rates are P688 for weekday lunch; P888 for weekend lunch; and P888 for dinner (Monday to Sunday).

Guests are required to wear upscale fashion-forward club attire. Collared shirts are required for men. The venue does not permit hats, sandals, slippers, baggy clothing, shorts, and overly athletic clothing. Become a member of Vikings Reward and enjoy more perks and discounts from our partner merchants.

Every sailing that lasts six nights or less on a Celebrity Cruise features a formal night, where guests have to be in formal attire. Passengers are encouraged to dress up for "evening chic" nights by wearing tuxedos and evening gowns.

Smart-casual attire includes pants and open-neck shirts for men and skirts or dresses, slacks and sweaters for women. In the dining rooms, items such as shorts, pool wear and baseball caps are not permitted; shoes must be worn at all times. Jeans are permitted as long as they aren't fraying and don't have holes.

Are river cruises choppy? ›

It's extremely rare for anyone to get seasick on a river cruise. First, there are virtually no waves on a river. Sure, it can get windy, but waves and rocking are almost non-existent. If your river ship is tied up in port at night, you might experience a slightly gentle sway now and then when a cargo boat goes past.

The upper deck cabins have balconies or windows with better views. Not all cruise ships have balconies, but the great ones do! The bottom deck, which is usually labeled Deck 1, is the least desirable. The upper deck is usually the most desirable.

It sounds contradictory, but a river cruise is one of the better vacations to take for those who enjoy keeping active. While river cruises are enormously relaxing, they are also enormously active. Shore excursions, particularly in small towns and villages, tend to come in the form of guided walking tours.

Leaving Your Balcony Door Open Can Make a Mess

You might want to prop open your balcony door as you sail, but cruise lines aren't so keen on the idea. For starters, the warm air coming in will cause your cabin's air-conditioning to work harder (unless you turn it down), wasting energy on the ship.

Many people are sceptical about river cruising if they are prone to seasickness or if they have experienced it on an ocean cruise before. Fortunately, the chances of getting motion sickness on river cruises are much slimmer. It is extremely rare to become seasick on a river cruise as the waters are much calmer.

The waterline cabins on the lower deck are the most affordable and have fixed windows that don't open but still provide plenty of light. Those at the back of the ship are the cheapest, but they can also be the noisiest as they are nearest to the engines and the door to the crew quarters.

Keep in mind that pools on river ships are much smaller than their ocean counterparts, for the space reasons cited above. In many cases, you'll simply get a plunge pool or a hot tub. Still, when you're ready to relax, what more do you need? Take a look at our picks for best river cruise pools.

Yes. We offer complimentary house wines, beers and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners, plus specialty coffees and assorted hot teas that are available 24 hours a day.

The standard Suite is designed to accommodate up to 2-3 guests. There is a private bedroom in this suite which features a hotel-style queen-size bed and access to a French balcony.

If you want to attend a “cruise elegant” evening, bring a fancier, more formal outfit. Men can wear suits or dress slacks with a sport coat and dress shirt. For women, co*cktail dresses, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses are appropriate. Some guests like to go all out with a tuxedo or ball gown.

Can you leave a river cruise early? ›

River cruises are often more active than an ocean cruise, often with more than one port stop during the day. Excursions can leave the ship at 8 a.m. and not come back until 4 p.m., at which point it's time for happy hour or a port talk where the cruise directors talk about the next day's events.

Balcony cabins are only allowed on the upper two decks (2 & 3) of a river cruise ship. Balcony cabins are always more expensive than window cabins. On the first deck, nearest to the river line, all cabins only have small or large windows, but most only have the small windows.

For touring and active excursions in port, sneakers, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are suitable. You may also want sneakers for the onboard gym. At night, women should wear comfortable heals, sandals or flats; boat and dress shoes are good choices for men.

Swimming. If you plan to hop in the water during your excursion, choose boating attire accommodating your swimming plans. In most cases, this can be as simple as a sun shirt and swimming trunks for men, and for the ladies, a bathing suit with a breathable viscose from bamboo dress or a women's sun shirt.

Do you wear socks with boat shoes? Boat shoes are designed to be comfy and airy without socks, and most people keep their ankles bare for the classic maritime look – preferably with no-show socks. If you're going for an 80s preppy look, however, socks and boat shoes are definitely part of the uniform.

Boat shoes look great with denim as part of a laid-back summer look, especially with rolled-up jeans to showcase them. Add a plain t-shirt or jumper, go all-out sailor with a stripy top, or embrace smart-casual with a summer shirt.

Boat shoes are basically quick drying leather moccasins. Their traction is good but nothing special. And they don't offer the true quick drying that a good quality water shoe or sandal does. Additionally, they take a bit more time to drain completely.

You Plan on Hiking - Boat shoes are just fine for walking the piers and streets of town. Or the back yard or office for that matter. But under no circ*mstances should these shoes be used for hiking out in the woods or in rocky terrain. While boat shoes have ok traction, the traction isnn't ideal for hiking.

At night for dinner guests can go for casual or smart casual clothes at most of the restaurants. Although for specialty restaurants in cruise ships a formal dress code is suggested. The cruise line does not have any kind of formal nights but 'Norwegian's night out' can be considered as the formal night.

If you want to attend a “cruise elegant” evening, bring a fancier, more formal outfit. Men can wear suits or dress slacks with a sport coat and dress shirt. For women, co*cktail dresses, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses are appropriate. Some guests like to go all out with a tuxedo or ball gown.

What should I wear on a boat dinner cruise? ›

If you're wondering what to wear on a cruise during dinner in the main dining room, meals at specialty restaurants, or shows in the theater, the Celebrity Cruises dress code for these occasions is usually “smart casual”. This means a dress or skirt, stylish pants, smart jeans, a stylish top or button-down.

You'd want to look your best for your first cruise night. Men can suit up in that tuxedo, and ladies can glam up wearing evening gowns or pantsuits. Luggage is the first thing vacationers should consider when going onboard a cruise.

On formal nights, proper attire includes tuxedos, suits or slacks (jackets required) for men and evening gowns, co*cktail dresses or dressy pantsuits for women. Jeans are welcome in all dining venues during the day, but they're not appropriate in any public venues for dinner or co*cktail hour.

Smart casual: Jeans or slacks with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes. Tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded with holes or tears and worn below the hips are not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.

This depends on cruise line policy and might also vary from ship to ship within a particular line. No-fee room service policies generally apply to luxury and upscale lines. Continental breakfast (including coffee) served in your cabin is typically free on the mainstream lines.

Cruise casual clothing – including jeans and shorts for men and jeans, casual dresses and shorts for women – is acceptable at the buffet and most specialty restaurants anytime during the day. Guests can wear swimwear at the buffet and outdoor restaurant as long as they have a shirt or cover-up and footwear.

Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcomed.

Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, co*cktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship's discretion.

Maxi dresses can be a fun choice for a boat cruise. If your boat cruise includes an evening schedule, you might want to bring a lightweight cardigan to wear over your summer dress. An evening breeze on a boat can get chilly. For a casual to smart-casual look, consider a fit and flare dress.

Any shoes are fine, from flip-flops to deck shoes. Bare feet are not acceptable inside. Trainers or walking shoes are fine for excursions. Women will wear heels in the evenings but bear in mind that the ship might be moving, so avoid anything too vertiginous.

Do you have to go to the captain's dinner on a cruise? ›

It is an honor, and often quite interesting, to be invited to dine at the captain's table. However, you can always decline the invitation if the timing is bad or you simply do not want to dine with officers.

You want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least movement. Avoid cabins near the front (bow) or back (stern) and on decks higher than the middle deck of the ship. So, on a ship with fourteen passenger decks, your best options are below deck seven.

Generally, it's best not to go barefoot outside your cabin unless you're on the lido deck. There are too many floor hazards that you can avoid by just wearing sandals or flip-flops. The public restrooms are no different.

Yes, there will food provided for lunch once you get onboard the ship. Depending on which ship you are boarding, the options can vary, but in general the Windjammer buffet will be your go-to spot for an embarkation day lunch. Other good alternatives include Cafe Promenade or Park Cafe.