Thread: Fall Colours or Summer Whites in Jan. in Mediterranean

Dressing for a cruise in the winter in the South Pacific was easier as we were sailing to a summer season.

However, for our next cruise this January out of Barcelona it will be the winter season, albeit it a warmer one than here in Canada. Our stops in Casablanca and Agadir and the Canary Islands promise to be warm.

We're staying on in Spain both pre and post cruise and will need warmer outfits, especially for stays in Madrid and Seville.

I'm considering leaving summer whites at home and packing more fall coloured outfits.

I'm open to any advice.

It's an NCL cruise so we won't be fussing about formal outfits.

Help needed for the fashioned challenged from the experts!

Originally Posted by Cruise Novice

Dressing for a cruise in the winter in the South Pacific was easier as we were sailing to a summer season.

However, for our next cruise this January out of Barcelona it will be the winter season, albeit it a warmer one than here in Canada. Our stops in Casablanca and Agadir and the Canary Islands promise to be warm.

We're staying on in Spain both pre and post cruise and will need warmer outfits, especially for stays in Madrid and Seville.

I'm considering leaving summer whites at home and packing more fall coloured outfits.

I'm open to any advice.

It's an NCL cruise so we won't be fussing about formal outfits.

Help needed for the fashioned challenged from the experts!

I don't think NCL will care what you're wearing. And to be honest, white always looks great on a ship. Or at the beach.

But I always wear darker colors in Europe. It's not a carved in stone rule, and you really can do whatever you like. Nobody's going to give you a second look or go 'tsk tsk'. Just be sure when going into churches or any place that expects respect, watch that you have no bare arms....no shorts or minis...nothing sexy or too lowcut.

I try to watch their fashion trends in Europe, and they wear a lot of classic outfits in darker understated colors. For example, black, navy or chocolate slacks or skirt with a coordinating or contrasting top (jacket, sweater, long sleeved shirt, whatever) with some fall colors in it would be totally appropriate. If you plan to ever get off the ship!

Thanks Texashorselady, I should have known there was an expert out there.

I'm not one to study fashion magazines -- but the fall colours here are the classics with brown less available than it was last year.

We 'enjoy' four distinct seasons but our winter duds would be too heavy even for Madrid and Seville for our post cruise travels. We've only been to Spain/Europe in the winter once before some 35 years ago.

I guess I'll just keep out our fall wardrobes both for style and comfort.

Can't say I'd worry about the odd 'tsk, tsk' anyway.

When in doubt about how cool it will be, layering is always a reliable way to plan. You can put on or take off as the temps change.

Guess I am an old person -- I would not be wearing white in January no matter where in the world I am.

JMO

Just a general comment - to be on the safe side, bring a warm and cosy pyjamas with you. During my trips in southern europe I have sleept in very poorly insulated hotel rooms and ratteling teeth all nigh is not my cup of tea.

Thanks for the chilly hotel warning. Maybe we will pack some of our more Arctic like pyjamas for the land portion of our trip. And I guess we could simply turn down the heat on the ship cabin.

I'm bringing along a couple of more summery outfits for stops in Morocco and the Canary Islands but the rest will be late fall type of clothes.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise. What is the ship and the itinerary?

We were in Madrid and Sevilla one year in October. Madrid was cold. Definitely winter wools. Sevilla was gorgeous.

We are going to the south of Spain in February this year. I plan to take layers. I have some summer weight clothes that are dark colours. I can't see myself in summer "brights". It is not the Caribbean. I expect (if I am lucky) to wear a sweater or jacket that can come off if it warms up. In the evening, it will definitely be cool. I will bring one pair of comfortable walking sandals as I am an optimist!

Funny you should mention the lack of brown this year. I have looking all over for a nice pair of brown wool pants.

Chilly Greetings from the Great White North,

Cruiseshmooz, we're sailing round trip from Barcelona on NCL Jade. We're going a few days early to explore Barcelona as we've never been there before and then after the cruise to Morocco and Canary Islands, where we'll need at least light fall clothes, flying to Malaga and then on to Fuengirola for a two week stay. From there we'll take day trips and then travel by train for a few days in Seville and Madrid.

I eventually found a nice light weight wool blend pair of brown slacks but now am debating whether or not to simply stick with black and grey pants to lighten packing. I've been debating whether or not to bring sandals for the cruise portion in Morocco and Canary Islands but doubt I'd need them in Spain.

We were last in Spain more than three decades ago with our young family over Christmas. In fact we chose our extended stay in Fuengirola because we have such fond memories of our time their with our children. I suspect we won't recognize a place though I'm sure we will in Malaga as we did all the usual sites there on day visits.

Cruise Novice, your itinerary sounds wonderful. For how long, in total? And, what ship?

In the Canaries, the sightseeing is fabulous. The tours go into the mountains and the terrain is very interesting. It could get cool up there. You will definitely need to bring a cover-up and you will need closed shoes. Where will you be in Morocco? It won't be that hot in Agadir or Casablanca.

If you check out the weather averages, you will get a good idea of what to expect in each place. Barcelona will be cool. At the moment, in Europe, they are experiences colder temperatures than usual. Of course, that could change. Hopefully!

We are also from the Great White North. As I type, I am watching the blowing snow!