Pack for a alaska cruise It doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Yes, you will visit some places where the weather may be colder than at home, but you won’t find truly arctic conditions. Far from the magnificent glacier and ice field viewing sites that brought you to Alaska, you may even find weather suitable for shorts and T-shirts.
That said, if you’re used to cruising tropical islands, you’ll find that the packing list for an Alaska cruise is different than the Caribbean. Spend some time learning what you should pack for an Alaska cruise to be prepared for the changing climate and terrain of the 49th state.
What to pack for an Alaska cruise
Alaska weather can be unpredictable and varies depending on elevation. In temperate Southeast Alaska, which is the prime cruising area, summer temperatures can hover around 30 degrees Fahrenheit when near glaciers, such as when sailing. Glacier Bay National ParkYakutat Bay (home of the gigantic Hubbard Glacier) and College Fjord, but they reach 60 degrees or higher in the fishing town of Ketchikan, the gold rush town of Skagway, and Alaska’s capital city, Juneau. Juneau can reach 80 degrees some days. The nights in these cities are usually cooler.
The key is to wear layers of clothing that you can take on and off to help you deal with temperature fluctuations.
Warm and waterproof layers.
Rain is likely, especially if you sail during the popular months of July and August. (Do you want to avoid the rain? Here’s the best time to sail through Alaska.) Waterproof jackets and shoes or boots, umbrellas and hats will be very useful.
In April, you may encounter snow; anything goes in the fall. There’s a reason you’ll find many Alaskans year-round wearing waterproof Xtratuf boots, also known as “Alaska’s sneakers.” Warm parkas, gloves, hats and scarves will come in handy during early and late cruises, as well as when you’re out on deck watching the glaciers melt away.
outdoor clothing
You should pack a variety of outdoor clothing options for an Alaska cruise. The good news is that you probably already have these things in your closet: think fleece jackets and vests, zip-up hiking pants, and sturdy footwear. If you are not planning any adventure activities in alaskaYou probably won’t have to prepare ahead of time at a retailer like REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or LLBean or search Amazon for the right gear.
Also, if you are doing a Alaska shore excursion where it is likely to get cold or wet, such as a dog sledding Glacier top tour (highly recommended) – the tour operator will provide you with the specific equipment needed, such as parkas, waterproof pants and boots. If you do a water activity such as kayaking, the operator will lend you waterproof equipment.
evening wear
While casual is the order of the day on your ship, your cruise line may have specific suggestions for what to wear in the evening. Lines like Princess Cruises and Holland America Organize casual and costume nights.
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Some lines take the always-casual approach to evening wear in Alaska. Other cruise lines designate certain nights as casual, smart-casual, or “stylish and chic,” meaning you’re expected to dress up a little, like a nice sweater or blouse for women or a sports jacket for men.
Many cruise passengers maximize their formal attire. However, some lines offer guests the opportunity to dress up even more for “formal” nights. cunardand to a lesser extent Holland America, are lines in Alaska where some passengers tend to enjoy dressing up for dinner, even in some cases suits and robes. Itineraries longer than a week tend to attract more people dressed in cocktails and tuxedos.
If you don’t want to dress up, you can dine in the more casual restaurants on your ship. Or, if your boat will spend the night in port, you may want to search for the best place to enjoy king crab, wild Alaskan salmon, and other local delicacies ashore. Alaskans tend to dress comfortably in restaurants, even those with sophisticated menus.
Accessories and equipment
You don’t need to pack for an Alaska cruise like you would camping, but it’s important to bring the right amount of adventure and travel equipment.
A camera with a zoom lens or a cell phone that takes good quality photos is probably already on your list, but make sure you have chargers and enough memory for the hundreds of photos you’ll likely take. A portable charger is useful for full-day trips where you could burn out your cell phone battery.
Binoculars are essential. Your boat may have some, but you’ll want your own to watch whales, bears, eagles, and other wildlife and to see glacial ice and other wildlife up close from the boat and on shore. If you plan to do a lot of hiking, you may want to bring a retractable walking stick for uneven surfaces.
It may seem counterintuitive, but the sun shines brightly in Alaska, so don’t forget the sunscreen. You’ll also want to repel insects, as Alaska has a prolific mosquito population.
On your trip north, you’re likely to get rain or shore excursions on the water, so bring a dry bag or dry backpack to protect your gear. For drier days, consider a backpack to store extra layers you’re not wearing.
Pack your bag with packaged snacks brought from home. These are not usually offered by cruise lines and are useful, especially if you are traveling with children or taking long trips by train or bus.
Tips to De-Stress When Packing for an Alaska Cruise
When packing, keep in mind that your ship may have a self-service, complimentary or coin-operated laundry room or offer Laundry and dry cleaning service at home. for a fee. This is particularly useful if you extend your cruise with a land tour (or cruise) in Alaska. You don’t need to pack for the entire trip if you can wash your clothes during the trip.
If you forget to pack something, you can make purchases with US dollars in the Alaska towns and cities you will visit. You will find familiar brands in stores and pharmacies.
Related: Top Alaska Cruise Tips to Help You Make the Most of Your Time on Board and Ashore
Packing list for an Alaska cruise
With all this in mind, here is a suggested packing list for your Alaska cruise vacation:
- A light waterproof jacket or raincoat (not a parka or bulky winter jacket)
- Heavy sweaters, sweatshirts or wool shirts (to wear under the jacket)
- A selection of t-shirts or other casual shirts (some long sleeved)
- Two or three pairs of jeans, khakis, or leggings
- A pair or two of good hiking shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy (sneakers are fine, although if you’re a big hiker you might want to bring your waterproof hiking boots)
- A hat and gloves (for when your boat approaches the walls of a glacier)
- an umbrella
- Shorts (especially if you’re the type of person who wears them above 65 degrees)
- A swimsuit (for your boat’s hot tubs, pools, or water slides; some small adventure boats may present the opportunity for a polar dip)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a baseball cap or other sun hat (the long-standing midnight sun shines brightly in Alaska, especially when reflected off the ice)
- Insect repellent (Alaska has a significant insect population that includes more than 30 species of mosquitoes)
- A variety of evening attire and dinner footwear, based on your ship’s suggestions (check your cruise line’s website for details)
- Accessories (a belt, scarf, or fun jewelry can transform a simple outfit so you can reuse it)
- Gym clothes (if you plan to take classes or use your ship’s gym)
- Binoculars
- Toiletries and recipes (carry them in your continue)
- Underwear, pajamas, and socks (including some thicker wool socks for hiking or hiking at higher elevations)
- Your cell phone or camera, preferably with a zoom lens
- Chargers for all your electronic devices, plus a multi-plug extender so you can power multiple devices at once
- A portable charger in case your phone runs out during an excursion
- A waterproof backpack or bag to protect your cell phone or camera and store your extra layers and snacks
- An e-reader or books, games, and cards, since Alaska cruises sometimes involve a few days at sea without port visits (also look for interesting selections at local Alaska bookstores or Alaska-themed novels, such as “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah, “Alaska” by James Michener, or “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey)
- Your own wine or champagne (this may save costs, but check your cruise line policy How many bottles are allowed? corkage charges may apply)
In a nutshell
Pack with a focus on versatility and prepare for a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions and you’ll be ready for a cruise to Alaska. When in doubt, prioritize outdoor clothing over formal clothing. And remember: you can pick up most of the things you inadvertently forget to bring on your trip north at the port.
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