How do people pack minimally for Alaska?

[kmgt]

I just don't get it! LOL. I feel like we have so much stuff! I watch these YT videos and people have this tiny bag and a couple outfits and sweaters. I swear they are not showing everything.

Especially now that the weather is calling for 70's-90's the first part of our trip. We have to pack for warm and cold.

 

[missyp]

I am struggling with this as well. I feel like you have to be prepared for everything. But you can't pack enough to assume every day will be hot and every day will be cold, or you will be bringing a crazy amount of clothing for a family. Not to mention formal and semi formal nights, and just putting on fresh clothes for dinner every night on the other evenings. There is no getting around laundry must be done. I am bringing a little of everything. We will be away for 14 days total and coming from the east coast. I am planning on 4 big suitcases

 

[kmgt]

Same with us! Family of 5, coming from Ohio. Entire trip will be 10 days. Right now we will each have 1 suitcase. We had to switch out my husband's last night to a bigger suitcase. it's crazy. I'd really rather not do laundry, but I'm taking stuff just in case.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Easy just do not overpack! We didn't need half the things suggested here, they said layers layers but we had sun most of the time. One waterproof or coat on jumper you can always buy stuff onboard. We never needed the layers suggested.

 

[AngelDisney]

I am lucky that it`s just the two of us going. Less packing to worry about. I am from Toronto, but still I cannot stand the coldness. I really do need my ski jacket for Tracy Arm day if I am staying outside on deck for hours. This will take up some space. Then I am staying at Banff and Vancouver for a week prior to the cruise. I am doing my laundry the day before the cruise and additional laundry will be sent and done by DCL. No way I am doing laundry myself this time. I want to relax and enjoy this cruise. I will try to squeeze everything into one large and one medium suitcases considering bringing back souvenirs to family and friends.

 

[RebelHawk]

My wife and I were on the last sailing of 2014 and we packed as minimally as we could. We got some really cold and windy days, especially cold day for Tracey Arm. We ended up wearing almost every layer we could stretch over our bodies that day including rain jackets. If you are sailing in the middle of the season I would expect you would have much more temperate weather. Regardless of the weather this was one of the most spectacular cruises we have ever been on and well absolute be going again in the future.

 

[AngelDisney]

My wife and I were on the last sailing of 2014 and we packed as minimally as we could. We got some really cold and windy days, especially cold day for Tracey Arm. We ended up wearing almost every layer we could stretch over our bodies that day including rain jackets. If you are sailing in the middle of the season I would expect you would have much more temperate weather. Regardless of the weather this was one of the most spectacular cruises we have ever been on and well absolute be going again in the future.

View attachment 102042

Well, I am keeping my ski jacket for sure just in case. The shell of my ski jacket is detachable. I can use it as a rain jacket to save some space.
Thanks for sharing your experience and glad you enjoyed your cruise. Can`t wait for mine in August!!

 

[jetskigrl]

Alaska was the only cruise that we did laundry on because we were in the same situation as you. We had 2 days prior to the cruise and then 4 days after where we needed summer clothing. Plus about 1/2 of our cruise was sunny and warm. So we washed the summer clothing 1/2 way through the cruise and used them again for the second half of the vacation.

We made do with only a couple of long sleeve shirts each as well as a fleece jacket (needed that for the evenings even on the warmer days of the cruise) and then pack-able rain shells instead of jackets. Those could be folded up and put in a backpack without taking much space. Our only really cold day was Tracy Arm so we had on a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket and rain shell over that. The other days that we had rain were not as cold so we just excluded one of the layers. Just keep in mind that if you are layering, you can re-wear those long sleeve shirts.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

If you get one really nice jacket or warm fleece, you can wear that over everything and avoid the need to pack a bunch of bulky sweaters. When I went to Alaska, I packed a lot of short-sleeved shirts and added a warm fleece, hat, and gloves when necessary. I think I might have also packed a cardigan or sweatshirt or two. I packed a couple of dresses for dinner and mostly jeans as bottoms. I didn't pack a super heavy winter coat, and I am not a huge fan of long-sleeves at any time of year; I would rather wear short sleeves and add something on top.

 

[glk2009]

I am having the same struggle... two adults, two kids... and I'm just staring at my suitcase thinking I'm going to need more than one, maybe three of them. Especially with all of my FE gifts for our family!

I just wish the weather forecasts were more reliable!

 

[ldo]

layers and a good shell, tennis shoes, hiking boots/shoes, dress shoes.
For variable weather, also applicable for the Baltics, I take: sweater sets (shell and long or 3/4 sleeve sweater, larger swetaer or sweatshrt which could be wore over that, shell windbreaker that is waterproof, scarf, gloves, shorts, capris, 1-2 pairs of long pants. With that, I could be comfortable in weather from 30-90 degrees. For a normal chilly day, I wore a shell sweater set with windbreaker and take gloves/scarf. One day, I was in my shell with sweater looped around my neck and windbreaker tied on my waist by the afternoon. Another day, I had to add the scarf and gloves. I take dark bottoms, so the don't show dirt. I can go 3 weeks in a carry-on and small backpack.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We knew to bring a waterproof jacket, a warmer fleece jacket and layers. What we weren't prepared for was how warm it was to us and we started to run out of t-shirts It was in the 60's/70's during our 2013 sailing and we were plenty warm walking around everywhere in a t-shirt. Indeed it's hard to prepare but the best advice is definitely layers and perhaps checking right before leaving if you can.

Heather

 

[dotfurio]

For 4 of us we brought 3 suitcases and 3 carry-ons. We stayed a few days in Vancouver before and after, and did a little laundry one day on the cruise. I had planned to send out things to be washed because I didn't want to waste any precious cruise fun time, but as it turned out our little one crashed early each night and the laundry room was on our floor a few doors down, so we just did it ourselves.

We come from a really warm climate and expected the summer temps to be cool, but we also found our warmer clothes were usually too hot. The only really cold days were one of our Vancouver days, Tracy Arm day, and Ketchikan because it was raining. We brought layers, but I could've been fine with packing 1 or maybe 2 hoodies for each of us since we didn't really wear them often. A lightweight waterproof jacket is a must, though. We're all "jeans" people, which is heavier to pack than other pants, but it is what it is.

Of course we also had several princess dresses we had to pack, so that took up quite a bit of room

 

[bumbershoot]

I just don't get it! LOL. I feel like we have so much stuff! I watch these YT videos and people have this tiny bag and a couple outfits and sweaters. I swear they are not showing everything.

Especially now that the weather is calling for 70's-90's the first part of our trip. We have to pack for warm and cold.

Are they packing videos? Or are they videos of them getting onboard? If the latter, their checked bags were already taken from them.

Layers are good. 3 in 1 coats are good.

Our alaska cruise was the end of the season as well and some days were coooooold. And somedays were warm! We were missing good socks and knit caps. And I could have been happier if I had long johns for under my jeans.

 

[Sir William]

I've been to Alaska 3 times and experienced freezing cold, heat waves, pouring rain, and really beautiful days, usually all within a few days of each other. Alaska is not the Arctic, so you don't have to dress like you're on an expedition to the North Pole.

I have two basic rules I follow:

Layers, layers, layers. Instead of a heavy coat and heavy sweater, take a good rain jacket that can double as a windbreaker, and that is large enough to fit over a mid-weight sweater or polar-fleece (I usually take one of each), or both. Take a mix of long (I like at least 1 flannel shirt) and short sleeved shirts, and maybe a couple of t-shirts (I usually buy additional souvenir ones on the ship or ashore so I don't take too many. I like to take zip-off hiking pants which gives me more flexibility. A pair of rain pants can come in handy, both to keep dry and as another layer for warmth. Also take a knit cap, warm gloves and a scarf to help block the wind and/or cold.A good pair of comfortable, water repellant shoes/lightweight boots for hiking or rainy days (you can wear these on the plane to save space and weight in your luggage, and another pair of comfortable shoes for wear on the ship or those nice sunny days.

Wear shirts and pants at least twice, if not three times. If it gets dirty on an excursion, so what! You can still wear it again on another excursion where you'll get dirty again. No one is going to notice, let alone care. You're in Alaska where the people have a pretty casual outlook on life. You can change into cleaner clothes when you get back aboard (I also take 2 outfits for dinner that I alternate).
​

 

[3fish]

This is what I brought for 10 days a cold and then hot weather trip:

Color scheme: bkl, wht & red

3 t-shirts (wore one on the plane)
2 blouses (try a pack a cotton button down and use as a civer-up as well)
2 Capri pants, wht & blk (wore blk on plane)
1 maxi skirt (blk)
1 knee length skirt (wht cotton stretch - J. Crew.)
1 heavy cardigan (neutral color)
1 leggings (layering method)
1 long sleeve v-neck thermal (light weight)
1 swim suit
5 panties & 2 bras ( 1 nude)
2 night gowns
1 flip flop
1 flats
1 wedge
1 pashmina (used on plane)


Both my husband and I and our children have disney 20inch carry on luggage. I pack all of this in my 20 in luggage with room to spare. If I choose to bring a jacket, I bring a packable trench that's fashionable enough to wear with my Capri and knee-length skirt. And I generally still have enough room for goodies.

Ps. Laundry services are available on all Disney cruise ships.

 

[3fish]

This is what I brought for 10 days a cold and then hot weather trip:

Color scheme: bkl, wht & red

3 t-shirts (wore one on the plane)
2 blouses (try a pack a cotton button down and use as a civer-up as well)
2 Capri pants, wht & blk (wore blk on plane)
1 maxi skirt (blk)
1 knee length skirt (wht cotton stretch - J. Crew.)
1 heavy cardigan (neutral color)
1 leggings (layering method)
1 long sleeve v-neck thermal (light weight)
1 swim suit
5 panties & 2 bras ( 1 nude)
2 night gowns
1 flip flop
1 flats
1 wedge
1 pashmina (used on plane)


Both my husband and I and our children have disney 20inch carry on luggage. I pack all of this in my 20 in luggage with room to spare. If I choose to bring a jacket, I bring a packable trench that's fashionable enough to wear with my Capri and knee-length skirt. And I generally still have enough room for goodies.

Ps. Laundry services are available on all Disney cruise ships.

 

[gumbypee]

Reiterating-no need for "fresh" clothes every night for dinner. Re-wear dinner clothes! Alternate or bring extra top but no one is going to scrutinize you!!

Enjoy!!

 

[kmgt]

Thanks everyone! We are definitely planning to wear things more than once. Won't be taking a big winter coats. We're from Ohio. We only wear that type of stuff if we're literally playing in the snow, lol. We do have thin raincoats and Columbia Fleeces. 1 Sweatshirt. A few long sleep and a few short sleeve. I have 2 pairs of jeans, 2 capris, 1 dress pants and 2 dresses. But add in shoes, bathroom stuff for everyone, and all recommended cruise STUFF (night light, clips for curtains, clorox wipes, coffee mug, camera, binoculars, hats, gloves, etc. etc.) and we'll be stuffed.

BTW: Is it cheaper for your suitcase to be overweight or to bring two?

 

[sambycat]

i have a hard time packing light. i know with alaska, it's tough because you might need layers and you might not. but i wore jeans and leggings underneath for outings. i could have done with like 2 pairs of jeans period for my entire pants wardrobe. i wore long sleeved t shirts and had layers of tank tops, short sleeved shirts and pull over sweatshirts. and a jacket. and i just did the shell type jacket to add waterproofness. honestly that i only wore once, although that's not something you could choose not to bring. i brought tennis shoes and uggs and hiking boots. i did not need the thinking/waterproof boots. i suppose you could depending on your excursion choices.

basically, because of the time change and the hours of daylight, i found it incredibly easy to do laundry this trip (usually neve do laundry - or you could pay for the laundry service). i washed all the things i brought twice, so i could have just brought one pair of pjs, fewer t shirts, no pants other than jeans (and one dressy outfit", one pair of sweats, fewer socks etc. my husband and DS didn't pack terrifically less than i did, but they had no interest in me doing laundry for them, whereas i enjoy laundered things immensely!

we were on last years 9 day trip, with 2 days before and after. i could never be a cube person! but, again, it was easy to do laundry and i so i did! and didn't miss anything or wait because i usually did it at like 530 in the morning! also, i typically bring a pair of older sneaks (and the uggs too on this trip) that i specifically plan to leave behind so that lessens my return luggage a little bit!

wrapping my mind around packing was the hardest thing for me!

ETA - i enjoy a persimmons scarf and they were handy. so i would be sure to have a good ski cap/hat and a decent pair of gloves. we too were super cold on tracy arm day (but so fun!) and i mostly liked the layers with the hat and gloves.