What to bring on a Canadian cruise in October for friend from warm weather state?

[Iris1974]

Hi Everyone,

My friend and I will be taking the cruise to Canada this October. One thing that has me thinking (and believe me there are a lot of other things) is will my friend be cold because she's from Texas. I know I will be fine because I've lived in Massachusetts my whole life and can take being cold like any one else in the northern part of the country. I told her to bring a light hoodie in case we get warmer weather, a heavier hoodie in case it's just cool and a fleece jacket for if we get cooler weather. She asked me about thermal underwear and I said I didn't think she needed them but now I'm rethinking that. I'm bringing a fleece scarf for her and a fleece throw for her bed to keep her warm at night. I think, but I have to check the email, I told her to bring a warm hat and gloves. Is there anything else she would need to bring for the cooler weather. I'm worried she'll be miserable and not have a good time. I want her to have fun and not have to worry about being cold. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Shauna

 

[kiford]

It kind of depends on how much experience they have with the cold. I would never bring out my thermals for October. I usually don't break them out until January, but this year I never did - it has to get really cold to need thermals or you'll just be hot. What will probably be the most useful, especially since I assume they'll be in the Maritimes, is wet weather outerwear and layers. Fleece jackets or sweatshirts under a rain jacket with a hood and bring a small easily portable umbrella (especially one that can be put into a case so it doesn't drip on you when not in use). I would imagine that the cabin thermostat can be set warmer, so I'm not sure that it's worth taking up a lot of space in the luggage for a fleece throw, but heavier pj's might be worth it. A scarf, hat and gloves are useful because they don't take up a lot of space and you can use them as needed. Shoes that might be more waterproof are probably a good idea too.

 

[auntlynne]

The throw will be appreciated. One of my cruise friends always brought one. You could end up miserably hot in the room if all she has on the bed is one of the cotton duvet covers (and the velour blanket from the closet). I also assume you are not flying in to the cruise, so not as much a luggage issue.

Modern jeans are thinner than they used to be. I need leggings - not necessarily waffle-weave thermals to help cut the chill from the wind. It helps if I bring my cost that covers my rear and upper thighs.

Yes, I live in the South. But worse, I lived in AZ and lost tolerance for cold after 2 years.

Hat, gloves, scarf, coat, hoodie, rain coat over some combination. Puff jackets are very light and adjust to the weather more than (heavy) wool. And they often go on sale in August and September.

Ask her what she wears in Dec - Jan - Feb on a cold day. That would give her an idea. And as we are always told, bring layers.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Remember that while layering is the most efficient method to regulate your temperature, those layers need to NOT be tight or she will lose her personal warmth of her own body heat. Plan for socks in the shoes, fluffy is best but again the shoes can’t be tight. I personally add a tank top just to keep the body core warm, usually a thin polyester to wick body moisture to the next layer.

 

[Flcruising]

The words "cool" and "cold" are almost meaningless. I would want to know specific temperatures and if it's wet/damp or dry or crisp. What kind of wind movement. At 50 degrees air temp just going 35mph on a motorcycle will feel like it's 27 degrees , below freezing. So wind movement makes a huge difference. With good information I can then determine my tolerance.

 

[mmouse37]

I don't think anyone can give a specific temp that it will be on any given cruise...we sailed the Magic to Canada for 6 nights on October 10, 2022 out of NYC and we had perfect weather. Upper 60's in NY, our sea days were warm enough (low 70's where people were in the heated pool and hot tubs). In Bar Harbor it was mid-60's with a breeze where you needed a light jacket. In Halifax it was much cooler (around mid 50's) with a brisk breeze so I wore a sweatshirt with jacket over it. Onboard I often wore a fleece over my shirt as it could get chilly. We were lucky with no rain. I packed an infinity scarf that i did wear in both ports but took it off in Bar Harbor when it warmed up. It was warm enough to eat our lunch outside near the harbor. I brought those stretchy gloves but never had to wear them. Never wore a hat either.

MJ

 

[Snowwhyt]

The words "cool" and "cold" are almost meaningless. I would want to know specific temperatures and if it's wet/damp or dry or crisp. What kind of wind movement. At 50 degrees air temp just going 35mph on a motorcycle will feel like it's 27 degrees , below freezing. So wind movement makes a huge difference. With good information I can then determine my tolerance.

Well the wind speed is generally for that time of year is 13mph. The highest temperature in October was 87°F and the lowest was 22°F. But it’s been crazy weather all over the world so who knows.
And the most snow they receive was 27.4 cm or 10.8 inches back in 2004. For those who do not do inches or centimeters it’s roughly the size of a bread knife or slightly less than the height of a roll of paper towel.
So on October 18, the High/Low temperature could be on average between 65-22° F in St John. Assuming that they sent no new records that day.
For your friend tell her to get a water, proof, pants and jacket combination that’s too big for her from Goodwill or eBay. Water proof will help keep the wind from going through her clothing. Getting it to large will allow her to wear her regular clothing and coat underneath keeping her body temperature, where she’d be happiest. A pair of Thinsulate gloves and head coverings that hasn’t been hand knit as the cold air just goes right through that. If this is an outfit, she’s never going to use again. She can leave it at the hotel or at the airport. They take Lost and Found items usually and give them to charities anyways. So maybe a homeless person can get something helpful to wear.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

You could get her some of those hand warmer things where you twist the package back and forth and it causes some kind of chemical reaction that warm up. I don't know what they're called.

Texas can get cold too. I've been there in an ice storm. And then there was the winter storm that brought down much of their power grid. Are you sure the cold is going to be an issue for her?

I hope it will be beautiful clear and crisp fall weather for your trip. The thought of being in the heated pool and hot tub on those cool fall evenings just sounds wonderful.

 

[OpieDoodle]

It really depends on your friend. I would encourage them to bring lots of things to layer with. That way if they get cold or hot they can adjust the layers they're wearing. Personally, I tend to avoid big bulky things in my suitcase and go for layering items instead.