Table Of Content
These fabrics will help you stay cool and comfortable in Alaska’s warmer weather. For cooler weather, you can layer with a thin wool long-sleeve or fleece pullover. You’ll want to pack a raincoat, poncho, or waterproof coat plus rainpants.
Rain Jacket
Alaska cruises really are relaxed when it comes to dress-up nights. Even though your cruise ship will still have two formal nights, unless you’re on a luxury cruise, typical “formal” isn’t over the top on an Alaska cruise. My Alaska packing list covers everything you’ll need to pack for a 7-day Alaska cruise, like my Holland America Eurodam Inside Passage cruise. If your cruise is longer or you’ve chosen a cruise and tour, I also include how and what to pack. I hope my Alaska cruise packing list and tips help you to be prepared for one of the most incredible cruise and land experiences of a life time.
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north - The Points Guy
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT [source]
Luggage and Bags
This can be your backpack or a smaller dry bag for your phone and camera. You’ll want to have your camera and binoculars ready to capture all the stunning scenery and wildlife you’re bound to see. Pack thermal layers that can keep you comfortable in temperatures ranging from 30- to 80-degrees Fahrenheit. Outfitters often provide the special gear for Alaska shore excursions, so no need to load your bags with crampons and waders.
Cruise Packing Checklist: Other Items to Bring
Before you bust out the suitcase and start throwing stuff in, consider the weather and how it varies. If you’re cruising the Inside Passage and waterways of Southeast Alaska, expect summertime highs between 50 and 60 degrees, with the occasional 70- or 80-degree day. As the popular Scandinavian saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” It’s true! The better you pack and the better prepared you are for the weather, the more you’ll enjoy yourself. What to pack on a cruise to Alaska is tricky because the weather varies from one extreme to the next, sometimes within a few hours.
When you don’t need it for thermal warmth, throw it over your shoulder as a fashion statement. Scarfs are also great for co-ordinating outfits and giving your limited cruise wardrobe a fresh look each day. While it will be pretty cold out, the cruise ship might have some steamy hot tubs to jump in. It will be lots of fun and a great relief from the cold, but only if you remember to pack your swimsuit or shorts! Pack pants made from warm fabric, or better still some waterproof overpants to keep your legs warm while out on the glaciers and icy terrain.
Waterproof Backpack or Dry Bag
I travel with Nikon’s small, folding waterproof binoculars. It fits in your hand, weighs less than a pound and can easily fit into a backpack. You know…those extras that are sometimes forgotten…until you absolutely need them. The overwhelming majority of ships for seven-night round-trip cruises to Alaska depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, Canada. A one-week Alaska cruise spends two days northbound and the same back plus three or four Alaska cruise ports, all in the Inside Passage. I’ve cruised Alaska up and down the Inside Passage at least a dozen times plus four cross-Gulf voyages.
There will be no shortage of long walks on this trip, whether it’s on shore, in town, or around the ship; so it only makes sense to go for sneakers specifically designed for walking. What I like about the KLAW 528 Walking Sneakers is how they combine exceptional support in all the right spots of your foot but look like sneakers you’d actually want to wear outside the gym or trail. By that, I mean they are made from soft leather, come in seven solid colors, and have a chunky profile. This shoe has full-length arch support and a deep heel cup that can help prevent common aches and pains, like plantar fasciitis and heel pain.
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist - Travel + Leisure
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:11:15 GMT [source]
Best Clothes to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
If you get chilled easily, pack hand warmers and thermal socks to keep yourself warm and comfortable. Protect your skin with a high SPF sunscreen and don’t forget to pack a lip balm with sun protection to keep your lips hydrated and shielded from the elements. Since you’ll be exploring both the ship and various Alaskan destinations, comfortable walking shoes are a must.
I’m suggesting the mid-height boot because I’ve got the shorts, and I think the extra ankle support of the mids is worth it since Alaska can have a lot of rocky or uneven terrain. Even if you’re heading to Alaska during the hottest months, don’t skip packing an insulating layer like this Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. I love it because it’s people-friendly, animal-friendly, and eco-friendly. When it’s packed down into its convenient carry pouch, it can double as a pillow. It’s great for Alaska because it’s waterproof and windproof, so it’s a no-brainer to wear on glacier hikes, during rain showers, on your balcony, and around the ship. The high collar helps to trap heat around your neck, and it’s designed to fall below your hips, keeping your core insulated for better warmth.
Taking an Alaska cruise is one of the best ways to soak in the scenery of this incredible place, while still having the cozy home comforts of the cruise ship. Each cruise line is different but all have limited counter space in the bathrooms. Ours at least had two shelves, but I still worried about items falling off into the toilet or getting wet from the shower.
I recommend bringing a drone along with you if you have it! You can find all these items and more in my printable packing guide below. Between you and me, the weather in Alaska can be far different than what you planned for according to the weather report you pulled up on your phone when packing for this trip. The weather forecast leading up to our second trip was filled with mostly rainy days (just like our first trip), so naturally we planned accordingly. A good rain jacket will be your best friend when you’re out and about exploring Alaska sights. Avoid getting your hair wet and ruining your clothes by carrying a compact waterproof rain jacket with you for any surprise weather changes.
I hope this Alaska cruise packing guide has helped and while you are here, make sure to fill out the form below to get my printable packing guide delivered straight to your inbox! And if you’re looking for more great Alaska cruise travel tips, read my guide here. Keep a check on the chilly weather outdoors with a small portable thermometer.
By the time September rolls in, it’s shoulder season in Alaska, meaning there’s less tourists but chillier weather. Temperatures will continue to drop, with highs only reaching the mid 50s and lows going down to the mid 30s. Therefore, if you booked a September cruise to Alaska, make sure to bring heavier layers of clothes, such as thick wool sweaters, socks, hats, a warmer jacket, and a sturdy pair of gloves. July enjoys the warmest average temperatures of the summer (they can go from low 50s to high 60 degrees), which is why it’s one of the best times to cruise to Alaska. Be sure to pack a mix of short and long-sleeved T-shirts and waterproof pants that can convert into shorts, in case you get extra sunny and warm days during your cruise. Aside from the comfortable and sports clothing you’ll wear during the day and on excursions, you’ll also want to pack dressier attire, too.
A combination of these options provides the best coverage, blending storage and mobility. And one of the most important factors when shopping for any type of luggage is its durability. Opt for moderate summer clothing on an Alaska cruise in August and the summer months leading up to it; pack for cooler shoulder season temperatures in May and September. Remember a cap, gloves, and a versatile scarf for chilly moments, even in summer.
Cruise ships offer trips and activities for guests that run on a strict schedule. Keep on time for all your favorite activities using a simple and reliable waterproof sports watch that won’t be harmed by splashes of seawater, rain or snow. Ziploc bags come in handy on an Alaska cruise for so many reasons. Use them to keep your phone dry, important documents safe, keep snacks packed away and even put your dirty clothes in large Ziploc bags. You’ll find many uses for them and they take up very little space in your luggage.
For me for Alaska, a regular backpack to haul on a day trip is too heavy and bulky. I bought two of these Bago Daypacks…one in hot pink for the Caribbean and a black and grey one for Alaska. Your jacket (see below) will have a rainproof hood to pop over it.
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