Europe In July

Not sure what you are asking. It will be hot especially in parts of Italy, Greece, Turkey. Light weight clothing works best. Shorts can be problems because they are not frequently worn by the locals and most churches require knees and shoulders to be covered. We tend to use synthetic blended clothing to keep cool and for for easy care.

I don't like wearing shorts either. I'm not a cruiser, but for summer travel in general lightweight summer slacks or capris are a good alternative - seersucker is great because it can remain fresh and fairly crisp looking. I also avoid clothes that can become clingy, so synthetics are mostly out. Lightweight cotton blend tops usually work for me, with little cap sleeves. If you are used to wearing dresses, choose summer-weight, slightly below knee-length, so you won't have problems in some churches in Italy (mainly the Vatican) where knees and shoulders must be covered. A lightweight rain jacket is probably also a must, and a wrap of some kind for cool nights on deck star gazing. Try Googling 'cruise clothing women' and have fun e-shopping. Also Google 'women's cruise clothing packing list'.

Mary, how great to have that much time. Given where you live, you have to have lots of clothes appropriate for hot weather (although obviously not as humid). I'm a big fan of not shopping for new clothes for travel. I bring things I'm comfortable in and like wearing at home, things I know won't wrinkle and will dry quickly if hand washed. I don't own shorts and would never buy them for a trip; also, they'll be a problem in major churches (ie, you won't be allowed in). I find that long, very lightweight, gathered skirts work well for me in really hot weather. I find them cooler than pants, and if you get the right fabric, they also look better/less wrinkly than most pants after a few cycles of wearing/repacking. Since I look for very lightweight fabric, I also look for ones with a very lightweight stretchy lining, so I don't need a slip. You might want to search or post some questions on the cruise critic website. It's a great source of info, and it has boards where you can locate and communicate with folks booked on the same cruise if you're interested. The cruise line website should also have some information on what to pack, since different lines have different standards for dress,

Don't get too hung up on the cruise wear part. We've cruised several times & cruise wear is really no different than going on other vacations. On sea days you might be in the pool, so bring a swim suit & cover up. You'll see people walk around in all types of clothing on the ship - shorts, capris, skirts, sundresses etc. We're also doing a Med cruise this summer. I'm planning on packing a couple pairs of capris/pedal pushers/cropped pant (whatever you want to call them), maybe Bermuda shorts & some sundresses and coordinating tops. We're stopping in Athens & Ephesus and the suggestions I got were not to wear dresses there because of climbing on the rocks, so the reason for the Capri pants. Depending on which cruise line you will be on, some are more formal for dinner than others. I usually wear a skirt or dress for dinner & dress it up with a scarf or jewelry if needed. If you are traveling with a male, usually they can do a polo or button down with khakis. Some lines require jackets on formal night, if you don't feel like packing one, there are multiple dining opportunities on the ships which don't require them. We're spending 2 weeks prior to the cruise in Italy, but I'm only packing about a weeks worth of clothing & taking advantage of the washers in the apts we're staying in & the ships laundry.

Not only do you not have to wear shorts, you will be glad if you don't. I was in Italy for two weeks last August with temperatures of 99 - 102! I wore a long light-weight cotton-blend skirt to the Vatican and maxi-dresses in the evenings. They are much cooler than slacks. During the day, I wore linen or cotton capris. If my tops were sleeveless, I carried a linen blouse or scarf to cover my shoulders when we went into churches.

hey guys thanks for all of the replies it really helps a lot since its my first time going out of the country. from what it looks like I have been looking at the temp these past few weeks and currently its between the low 60s and low 80s. so far I have planned to only take 2 pairs of jeans and a pair of short and the rest are maxi dresses I'm also taking like 2 light cardigans and some scarves. I also bought a cross body bag that I can carry around with me so that I am not carrying around to much. as for shirts I am hoping just to take some light colored shirts that I can wear with everything. as for shoes I brought 2 pairs of really comfortable sandals and a pair of tenashoes. I am not sure what else I should bring as for clothing and shoes. any suggestions would be great thanks again.

hey guys thanks for all of the replies it really helps a lot since its my first time going out of the country. from what it looks like I have been looking at the temp these past few weeks and currently its between the low 60s and low 80s. so far I have planned to only take 2 pairs of jeans and a pair of short and the rest are maxi dresses I'm also taking like 2 light cardigans and some scarves. I also bought a cross body bag that I can carry around with me so that I am not carrying around to much. as for shirts I am hoping just to take some light colored shirts that I can wear with everything. as for shoes I brought 2 pairs of really comfortable sandals and a pair of tenashoes. I am not sure what else I should bring as for clothing and shoes. any suggestions would be great thanks again.