bozama

I like to wear pants and skirts at least twice before washing, so I would nix bringing any white bottoms, I find Europe very dusty/ grimy, I mean sitting in outdoor cafes and on stone benches etc while touring around, you get dirty in ten minutes.
Have fun, I also love ziplock baggies.

chicgeek

I was thinking of white linen pants for a couple of dinners on the cruise. I don't want to look completely like an old dowager, considering it is a Greek Isle cruise. I thought white would be a refreshing change from all my black!

takemealong

I took a similar cruise during April/May two years ago. My advice is similar to that of the other posts. In most cases, I can wear slacks/capris at least 3 times and tops at least twice (unless the weather is very hot).

My color choices for slacks/capris are black & khaki. I take a combination of long slacks and capris (depends on the time of year). I usually don't take jeans. I take a track suit for "at sea" days.

Tops can be any color because of the neutral slacks. In spring & fall, I take a mix of short sleeves and 3/4 length sleeves.

Shoes: comfortable sandals and some type of closed comfortable shoe (I am not a sneaker or athletic shoe person either at home or abroad).

For "formal" wear, I do as several other posters suggested: a black skirt, dressy black slacks, one or two lacy or silky tops. I have two that are a crinkly material that does not wrinkle. I do take a pair of heels.

For outer wear, I take a light jacket in a color that works well with my slacks & shirt color choices. Track suit top may be able to double as a jacket. I like a hooded jacket so that I don't need a hat or umbrella. If you have the space, you can add a sweater or lightweight "windbreaker."

Of course, I take lingerie, which I wash out by hand. I take one bathing suit.

I take one suitcase (22" or 24&quot & a carry on.

Luisah

<<People who see you wear the same dress, skirt or slacks with different tops, scarfs or shawls or jewelry, will just think you are an experienced traveler and not a slave to your luggage.>>

I agree but also wonder how large a ship you'll be on. I was on a Celebrity ship and rarely saw the same people twice other than the family at the next table. I don't think anyone really notices what you wear unless it's something atrocious-- which you won't do.

I would take the white pants, they'll be fine for the ship and are defintely refreshing after wearing black.

I took a cashmere cardigan and wore it several times on the ship without it needing laundering.

Your shoes sound fine. I saw a lot of sandals last summer.

Have a great time.

lovetotravel2

We are doing a 14 night med cruise out of London with 3 nights in London - fortunately we are on NCL "freestyle" so don't need to pack the formal wear.
But I am determined to pack "light."
I thought I read a bunch of comments on cruise critic about not wearing capris in Europe - I love capris and see lots of mention on this forum about taking them. So, thanks, I'll add that back on my list!
What kind of COMFY closed toe shoes do you recommend. Thanks!

SeaUrchin

The other night I looked at all the photos of my friend's Med cruise. She looked the most relaxed and the happiest and chic-est in linen/cotton pants and capris in light colors. She also took skirts and blouses in natural fabrics. Crinkly linen, too.

I would die off in those clingly slinky chicos clothes in warm weather.

suze

I love Chico's slinky "traveler" line for fall or winter traveling, but NOT if it's hot, or even warm.

I'm of the linen or cotton, capri persuasion for summer-time.

lanejohann

i never pack white for a trip
i base my colours on black red and different shades of brown
i have written out a list of everything that i travel with and all the combinations
i take scarves and pashminas and no jewellery ever except for the earrings im wearing and a watch

i sometimes take a dressy pair of slip on sandals but i pack a light pair of shoes into my handbag in case we walk home!

i dont want to cruise - so im glad i dont have to pack for all the formal nights you spend with the same people- i hate wearing the same thing over and over so that would stress me!

lvillinois

We are doing a very similar trip in Sept. but are adding on Salzburg and Munich after the cruise. I have Eileen Fisher dressy brown pants that I'm using for the cruise dinners. I'm hoping brown is the new black, or at least will be for me! I am trying to base everything around beigey brown colors...Will Greece still be warm at the end of Sept.?

Luisah

<<I love Chico's slinky "traveler" line for fall or winter traveling, but NOT if it's hot, or even warm.>>

I agree, but I think the OP is using the Chico's black slinkys for the formal nights onboard, not for the ports. The ship is darned cold, at least the one I was on was, so she won't be too warm wearing them for the dinners.

As for color, I saw a lot of color on the formal nights; I was one of the few in black -- yuck, but it's what I had and I didn't want to buy something I wouldn't use again.

Our cruise was late August and I saw lots of capris in the island ports. I didn't go into Rome so don't know about that.

Greece was very hot the end of August so I think it will still be warm the end of September.

suze

Oops sorry, black Chico traveler slinky pants would be very good for that purpose (dressy but easy packing).

bozama

lanejohan, on many cruises you do not sit " with the same people each night" you sit with whom you like, when you like, just like a restaurant ,, cruising has changed alot.
Surprising how many people assume they will not like cruising ,, but then they base their reasons on false or outdated information.

lovetotravel2

We're doing a European cruise because we got a GREAT deal for the 3 of us and it will be a heck of a lot cheaper than trying to make land arrangements with the horrible dollar. And yes, we are on NCL that has about 10 restaurants on board so you eat when you want with whoever you want. Hubby grumbles about spending only a day in each port but for my daughter, it being her first time to Europe, she is thrilled to get a taste of lots of different places.

lanejohann

oh bozama i wasnt implying that you sit with the same people but still youre mixing with the same people on board and like i said - i like to wear different things in that case
cruising has its pluses no doubt and i may take advantage of them one day when im older
for the moment though the OH and i like to hire cars and drive
we did hire a yacht once and that was fun but since OH skippered it we had total control of where we wanted to be and for how long
i do like the idea of not having to unpack each day or so...as you do on a bus tour
happy cruising to all..enjoy your travels no matter how you choose to do it!

BlueSwimmer

The cashmere twin set is a great idea. Casmere looks great, wears like iron, and packs light while providing snuggly warmth when you need it.

I always take a cashmere cardigan in a great accent color, even to warm climates, to throw over my shoulders in the evening or to wear over a t-shirt on chilly days.

I keep it loosely rolled in a big ziplock to prevent wrinkles, and stash a lavendar sachet in the bag to freshen it up scent-wise.

I also second loveyblue's recommendation of taking some cotton flowing skirts. I swear by cute knee-length or longer skirts with a nice t-shirt for hot weather touring. So much breezier than binding pants, cute with walking flats or sandals, and you look charming sitting around in sidewalk cafes.

Try seersucker type fabrics or stretch cotton for wearability without too much wrinkling.

NGail

So I'm guessing from this thread that shorts are totally OUT and capris are IN?
(doing Greece and the isles in May/June on a small ship ).
On a big-ship cruise I always include a tiny black evening bag - if only for my key card, tissues and lipstick. I has a long skinny strap so it can hang from the dining room chair and you can even wear it while dancing.
I also love the long black skirt with glitzy tops for night.

SeaUrchin

In some circumstances you can wear shorts, of course, to me, Greece touring on a small ship screams out for shorts. Maybe not Daisy Mae's but shorts with a longer length.

NGail

Thanks, SeaUrchin!
I'll be packing a pair!

SeaUrchin

Give us a report, please, I want to go on a small ship or yacht to Greece too (and wear shorts!).

suze

As far as shorts being totally OUT... depends on the shorts imo. No way would I travel in hot weather, on a ship, or to a beachy destination without a couple pairs. Mine are nice, knee length, not embarrassing.