Jackets for Alaska

[lorimay]

We are from South Florida so we really don't own winter coats.

I have one pea coat I wear when we go to NYC.
I don't think that will work in Alaska.

We are looking at either the August 26th or September 2nd cruise.

What should we be looking for in jackets and shoes?
I'm thinking to buy now for the best deals.

Thanks,
Lori

 

[lbgraves]

You want layers in Alaska, so fleece would be good to get in addition to a coat to give you that option. You want something that is water resistant, especially if you are going on excursions dealing with glaciers or sledding. It also rains a lot there, so that will help. For shoes, again, you want something that will keep your feet dry and has good traction. Packing was challenging since we couldn't drive that time. I had long sleeve shirts, button downs to put over them when necessary and sweatshirts as well. It can get warm at times in the summer as well. We hiked to Mendenhal Glacier and before we got there had taken off a few layers since it warmed up from the time we got off the ship in the morning.

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

We went in late May last year. I usually wore a light water resistant/proof shell type jacket. Then underneath I could layer 1 or 2 sweatshirts if needed. I also brought a water proof hat with a wide brim.... that worked out great. Like having an umbrella over your head without having to carry one.

So bottom line... lighter layers, with the outside layer being able to handle the rain.

 

[kaseyC]

You want layers in Alaska, so fleece would be good to get in addition to a coat to give you that option. You want something that is water resistant, especially if you are going on excursions dealing with glaciers or sledding. It also rains a lot there, so that will help. For shoes, again, you want something that will keep your feet dry and has good traction. Packing was challenging since we couldn't drive that time. I had long sleeve shirts, button downs to put over them when necessary and sweatshirts as well. It can get warm at times in the summer as well. We hiked to Mendenhal Glacier and before we got there had taken off a few layers since it warmed up from the time we got off the ship in the morning.

I agree. Right now is a good time to purchase a fleece jacket. Many of the stores have them discounted as they bring in spring stuff. Also great deals on discontinued colors. Backcountry dot com and Eastern Mountain Sports usually have good deals. Eddie Bauer and Lands End sell some very nice packable rain jackets.

 

[lorimay]

Thanks.
I was looking and saw some Northern Face Jackets that will probably work with layers.

Yes, flying makes it all much more challenging.

 

[lorimay]

Searching I see temps as high as 60's, lows in 40's.
But most pictures I see it always looks wet.

 

[tajz90]

We are from Texas and we wore a Columbia fleece jacket and a rain coat over it. Layers! Worked perfect. Threw on some gloves and we were good to go. Of course, it didn't rain one drop on our trip, but the rain jacket certainly stopped the wind.

We just wore tennis shoes. I would bring some water proof type shoes in case it does rain or spare tennis shoes.

 

[patches4me]

We are from South Florida so we really don't own winter coats.

I have one pea coat I wear when we go to NYC.
I don't think that will work in Alaska.

We are looking at either the August 26th or September 2nd cruise.

What should we be looking for in jackets and shoes?
I'm thinking to buy now for the best deals.

Thanks,
Lori

You definitely will need layers, and especially a waterproof jacket with hood. Juneau is usually rainy and cold.

 

[disneypoor]

We all got water resistant North Face jackets. They weren't real heavy jackets though. We took some fleece sweatshirts with us as well so we could layer.

Susan

 

[MikeAndNick]

You may be doing the same thing I did before we went to Alaska. I was thinking the frozen north. The averages fro Juneau, AK in September is low of 44 and a high of 56. September is their time for the most rain, 8.64 in. We went in June which is a little warmer and used normal California rain jackets.

 

[Politzania]

We are from South Florida so we really don't own winter coats.

I have one pea coat I wear when we go to NYC.
I don't think that will work in Alaska.

We are looking at either the August 26th or September 2nd cruise.

What should we be looking for in jackets and shoes?
I'm thinking to buy now for the best deals.

Thanks,
Lori

We did the last 2011 DCL Alaska cruise (27 Aug - 6 Sep) and I definitely recommend layers! For the Tracy Arm day - when we were on deck, I wore the following (I get cold easily - so I figure this is a good recco for Floridians)

Outer to inner layers: rain jacket with a hood, fleece hoodie, fleece vest, long-sleeve T shirt, silk turtleneck. On my bottom half, I wore Jeans (tho I wish I'd had long underwear bottoms too!) socks and waterproofed sneakers. I also had gloves & an earband. I wore pretty much the same outfit for whale watching - another day we were outside most of the time.

If you're planning on doing a hiking excursion, get waterproof hiking boots - otherwise take 2 pair of sneakers & buy some waterproofing spray to prep them ahead of time. I cleaned up an old pair of tennies, waterproofed them & then tossed 'em in the trash at the end of the trip = more room for souvenirs!

FYI - I bought a decent winter jacket in Skagway on clearance for $20 & have used it the last 2 Indiana winter seasons!

 

[MCO mama]

We went to Alaska in September and it was not all that cold -- we are Florida peeps, too! Everyone is right about layers...a couple of turtlenecks, a sweatshirt, jeans, and a good raincoat. It is so amazingly beautiful -- have a great trip!!

 

[lorimay]

We did the last 2011 DCL Alaska cruise (27 Aug - 6 Sep) and I definitely recommend layers! For the Tracy Arm day - when we were on deck, I wore the following (I get cold easily - so I figure this is a good recco for Floridians)

Outer to inner layers: rain jacket with a hood, fleece hoodie, fleece vest, long-sleeve T shirt, silk turtleneck. On my bottom half, I wore Jeans (tho I wish I'd had long underwear bottoms too!) socks and waterproofed sneakers. I also had gloves & an earband. I wore pretty much the same outfit for whale watching - another day we were outside most of the time.

If you're planning on doing a hiking excursion, get waterproof hiking boots - otherwise take 2 pair of sneakers & buy some waterproofing spray to prep them ahead of time. I cleaned up an old pair of tennies, waterproofed them & then tossed 'em in the trash at the end of the trip = more room for souvenirs!

FYI - I bought a decent winter jacket in Skagway on clearance for $20 & have used it the last 2 Indiana winter seasons!

Thanks for the shoe tip!!!!
I will be using that one for sure.
I am always cold so your ideas sound great.

Thanks,
Lori

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've cruised Alaska four times and the only time I was really cold was when the ship was "up close and personal" with a glacier and the wind was blowing right at us.

I like to wear warm-ups, and actually get some use out of my sweaters. It does seem rather strange to take the sweaters to the cleaners when we get back to Ariz and the temp is over 110F.

 

[TDC Nala]

I had a sweatshirt and a rain jacket in port. That was fine in September. Didn't go on any "walk on the glacier" or dogsledding excursions or anything like that though. It rained in every port.

 

[quinnc19]

I have the outer rain jacket and all recommended layers. Still on the fence over whether to also bring down jacket. When it's 50 here in SC I often wear it INSIDE my office. I'm going in June and hate being cold.

 

[lbgraves]

It was cold in late July some days. I really layered up when we were out on deck sea days while watching for whales and other wildlife. I always grabbed one of the fleece blankets kept on deck 4 to wrap around me also. The wind is chilly out on deck, especially when foggy.

 

[bceagle76]

we went in middle of August and I am from Boston and there were cold days
layers are best plan

 

[DisSarahK]

We went on an August cruise to Alaska last summer--LOVED it!! I was so worried about jackets and footwear, so I understand your concerns. I have a circulation disorder, so I am always cold and frequently have blue tinged fingertips...and that is at home, not in Alaska!

For jackets, I brought a North Face fleece that I could zip into a North Face waterproof rain jacket. This was a perfect combo for me. I wore this over long sleeves and it kept me quite warm. The rain jacket has a great hood with a bit of an "overhang" over my face--not one that just cinches tight around the edges of my face. Layering was key for me! I also had hand warmers stuffed into my jean pockets as well as my coat pockets and my gloves.

For shoes, I wore sneakers and waterproofed them with the waterproofing spray. It worked great! It was cold and drizzly on Tracey Arm day and my feet stayed toasty warm and dry.

However I did *not* stand outside all day on Tracey Arm day. No thank you! We had a lovely brunch in Palo on that morning and sat right by the window. Later we bundled up and went out front for a bit. Then we went down to our verandah room for a little while. After the ship turned around we went on the stern to the "secret deck" that was TOTALLY deserted and got great pictures from there too.

We also went on a private whale watching charter--just our family and one other. I sat up on the top of the boat the entire time wearing the same combination of layers I just posted. I was fine the whole time! Definitely bring those hand warmers! I brought a huge package of them from Amazon and stuffed them into every nook and cranny--my children were very grateful for them too!

 

[lorimay]

What did you guys wear for dinner?

Were there less Dresses worn?
Were people more dressed "down" instead of "up"?

I froze in the dining room last month on a Bahama's cruise.