It seems that few of those on recent river cruises knew how to pack. Our comments are filled with questions about what should go in – and stay out of – the suitcase. Earlier this week, one reader commented that as a first-time river cruiser on Scenic, she insisted that her husband pack a jacket and tie. ”He really didn’t need it,” she wrote later, noting that dining dress was casual, with only about half the men wearing a jacket. ”Even the night out to the palace was pretty casual,” she commented.

Some are uncertain what to pack because of the weather. Betty started her cruise in Budapest, where temperatures were in the high 70s during the day. Near the end of the trip, in Passau, though, she had to pull out sweaters and jackets, as morning temperatures dipped into the low 40s. She recommended Googling the weather and bringing clothing that could be layered with a sweater.

We’ve written a lot about packing, including my own What I Pack When I River Cruise, What About You? My daughter tells me that I pack as if I were going on an expedition, which is why she compiled her own tips. Listen to her Packing Tips For Women on Spotify. In searching out her tips, I realized she has a lot of great podcasts, which you can find under Avid Travel with Britton Frost on Spotify.

I can leave you with one enduring piece of advice about packing, however. Pack as though the airlines were going to misroute your luggage. That way, if you correctly pack your carry-on, you’ll have enough to get you by until your luggage catches up with you. It’s happened to me, more than once. – Ralph Grizzle