Alaska Cruise Packing Help!

[DisneyGirlSB]

Hi, we are taking our first Alaskan cruise in July. I would love some tips for what to bring clothing and packing wise. I feel like the weather can be so unpredictable up there! What were some things you brought that you really needed, or what were things you didn't really need?

 

[Aby]

On our first Alaskan cruise, we way overpacked - I brought everything I thought I *might* need, and then some. I had long underwear & multiple sweaters which were never used. The second time we went back, we did better, but still took too much. The key really is in clothes that you can layer and take on/off as needed depending on the day. Jeans/pants + a t-shirt is my base outfit, with a fleece jacket as my first outer layer, then a waterproof shell to add if necessary. I also bring one "indoor" sweater to use in the dining rooms or theatres because I find them cold. Gloves/hat were only needed on Tracy Arm day, but definitely appreciated and didn't take too much space in luggage. I only bring 2 pairs of shoes - the ones I wear most of the time (just sneakers) and a pair of dressy sandals for dinners. Remember that you can do laundry on the ship, so don't bring too many doubles of any of the big bulky stuff - plus, since you don't sweat as much in a colder climate like Alaska, you can wear clothes more than once before they need to be washed.

Don't forget your binoculars and camera!

Aby

 

[DisneyGirlSB]

On our first Alaskan cruise, we way overpacked - I brought everything I thought I *might* need, and then some. I had long underwear & multiple sweaters which were never used. The second time we went back, we did better, but still took too much. The key really is in clothes that you can layer and take on/off as needed depending on the day. Jeans/pants + a t-shirt is my base outfit, with a fleece jacket as my first outer layer, then a waterproof shell to add if necessary. I also bring one "indoor" sweater to use in the dining rooms or theatres because I find them cold. Gloves/hat were only needed on Tracy Arm day, but definitely appreciated and didn't take too much space in luggage. I only bring 2 pairs of shoes - the ones I wear most of the time (just sneakers) and a pair of dressy sandals for dinners. Remember that you can do laundry on the ship, so don't bring too many doubles of any of the big bulky stuff - plus, since you don't sweat as much in a colder climate like Alaska, you can wear clothes more than once before they need to be washed.

Don't forget your binoculars and camera!

Aby

Thank you so much Aby! Layers it is! And I would have completely forgotten binoculars! We have a balcony cabin, so those will definitely come in handy!

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

We are so excited, leaving home this Saturday for the 6/6 Alaska departure. I think I've read enough about the layers to be convinced to leave the parkas at home and just pack extra layers (saves a lot of room). Also, lots of advice on bringing bug sprays, as saw quite a few mentions of mosquitos being the "Alaskan State Bird"! Wouldn't have thought of that, as we would assume it would be too cold.....

Does anyone have a perspective, are the dinners a little less dressy given the general nature of the Alaska cruise? Jeans take up a lot more room than shorts, so trying to pack as light as possible (not suggesting jeans for dinner). Thanks!

 

[Aby]

Dinner dress was fairly casual on my Alaskan cruises. People were dressed cleanly, but most people were in simple casual clothes - jeans/casual pants were quite common on cruise casual nights, and there was quite a range on the semi and formal nights, from basic dress pants and a nice shirt, all the way up to tuxes and ballgowns with most people falling somewhere in the middle. On long port days, many people came to dinner in whatever they wore ashore but it was no big deal - everyone was very relaxed and comfortable!

 

[ScottNicholls]

One of the best ways to save time when you are packing just find the right list. For example, when I was packing on my first cruise, I found the http://www.cruisepackinglists.com/breaking-cold-alaska-cruise-packing-list/ website. It was very helpful because there are billions of things I hadn’t know about that kind of trip. So if you have the same problem just click the link. The service has very detailed information.

 

[GPaLarry]

We did this cruise last June and found we did not need bug spray, but did need sunscreen. The sun came out our last "at sea" day and the decks by the pools were near 80 degrees...awesome. We got rain three of the days, so rain gear is needed. Camera and binoculars are a must. It will be an adventure to remember and repeat.

 

[Jess_S]

I have been on 2 different Alaskan cruises. On the first it was unseasonably warm (near 80 most days). On the second, it was in the 50s and 60s most days. As others have said, bring layers. You'll want some short sleeve and some long sleeve items, a jacket, hat and gloves. (No need for a coat). There are laundry rooms on the ship, so no need to get carried away with packing tons of each item. You can always wash things if it turns out that you are getting way more very warm or very cold days. We did bring and wear formal wear. As other's said, we just wore jeans to dinner when it wasn't formal night.

We brought waterproof hiking boots with us and we were happy to have them. It only rained one day for us, but the boots were good for muddy trails. (Whether you will get use out of them depends on what you plan in each port). We brought and used rain jackets too. But DCL supplies ponchos if you forget yours. And binoculars are a must.

 

[Conorama]

Best advice we got before our Alaskan cruise- bring good insulated travel mugs. We used them often for hot drinks (hot chocolate, coffee, mulled wine). It made it very comfy sitting on our balcony under blankets, even on Tracy Arm day.

We used umbrellas a fair bit on excursions, in addition to our rain gear- and layers were essential as mentioned above. We're Canadian, so we didn't bring our main winter gear - just our in-between stuff, plus rain gear, which added insulation on the one day it was really cold.

Backpacks for all were used often.

But really- the most essential bit of packing? Good binoculars. They were amazing to have. And our good camera was totally worth packing (proper Canon Rebel).

 

[xavier2001]

I wore a lot of capris in June when we went, was 80 degrees 2 of our port days.

 

[xlxo]

Which July sailing? I can suggest some seasonal Vancouver opportunities (eg fireworks)