Packing for Alaska?

[AshleeH]

I'm sure there are a ton of threads about this, but all of the packing threads I unearthed were for the Bahamas.

How did you pack for Alaska? We'll be leaving on the June 1 cruise. Three kids, two older boys and a 2 year old girl. What are the must-haves? Is dinner a bit more formal than the Caribbean cruises?

 

[KristiMc]

I have not cruised to Alaska yet, on the June 8th cruise. I have heard that dinner is less formal than other cruises. Hopefully someone that has cruised will chime in.

 

[Quellman]

Windbreaker or other light jacket is a must since you may want to dress in layers, which is useful if you do the railroad excursion in Skagway. You may also want a long sleeve shirt for evenings. For dining, Jeans of course are more than acceptable and you can 'dress them up or down' easily.

 

[Disneyteachers]

We are going in 2026 and I was joking the other day that you need everything from a bathing suit to winter clothes, plus formal clothes (we are opting to do formal night and Palo.) And, somehow avoid paying a billion dollars in baggage fees.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Dinner is definitely less formal. I think it is a combination of the Alaskan laid-back spirit and the fact that you have to pack heavier/more clothing.

We did this itinerary a few years ago and are going again this year. I find that mixing and matching is the key. I pack two pair of nice pants and a nice skirt with a few tops that match them all. By switching up my shoes and accessories I can mix and match these items for dinner (even Formal Night) and Palo. I also bring two pair of jeans and several t-shirts, plus a sweatshirt and light jacket. I pack my bathing suit and two pair of shoes besides the sneakers I wear on the plane. I do laundry once on board.

We are from a colder climate (especially this year!) so I don't need a heavy coat. If you are not used to the cold you might want to bring one.

 

[MouseMomx2]

We are going in 2026 and I was joking the other day that you need everything from a bathing suit to winter clothes, plus formal clothes (we are opting to do formal night and Palo.) And, somehow avoid paying a billion dollars in baggage fees.

Wow! You're getting the planning started early!

 

[Disneyteachers]

Ha ha! 2016!

 

[Disneyteachers]

Dinner is definitely less formal. I think it is a combination of the Alaskan laid-back spirit and the fact that you have to pack heavier/more clothing.

We did this itinerary a few years ago and are going again this year. I find that mixing and matching is the key. I pack two pair of nice pants and a nice skirt with a few tops that match them all. By switching up my shoes and accessories I can mix and match these items for dinner (even Formal Night) and Palo. I also bring two pair of jeans and several t-shirts, plus a sweatshirt and light jacket. I pack my bathing suit and two pair of shoes besides the sneakers I wear on the plane. I do laundry once on board.

We are from a colder climate (especially this year!) so I don't need a heavy coat. If you are not used to the cold you might want to bring one.

That's my plan...black pants, black skirt, black dress with matching tops and one pr of black shoes that work with everything. I'm also a yoga pant person so I'll do those for excursions and stuff. How do ppl dress around the ship on sea days? Jeans, yoga pants, casual? (Cruise newbie.)

 

[AshleeH]

You all are awesome, thank you! Keep any tips coming .

 

[MouseMomx2]

That's my plan...black pants, black skirt, black dress with matching tops and one pr of black shoes that work with everything. I'm also a yoga pant person so I'll do those for excursions and stuff. How do ppl dress around the ship on sea days? Jeans, yoga pants, casual? (Cruise newbie.)

Very casually. You will see jeans, work-out clothes, shorts, and bathing suits (even on the Alaskan itinerary). Palo Brunch requires cruise casual attire, but otherwise everything is casual.

 

[rsjj]

we are from so cal...so we don't quite get cold weather. a little bit of rain, and it's "breaking news" here! lol!!

that being said, we packed our winter jackets! and we are so glad we did, b/c it was cold for us! especially when we were going thru tracy arms! we had our jackets on, on our verandah! and on one of the port days, it was a bit drizzly...and cold! and we had our big jackets w/us off the ship. another day, it was sunny, and we left the ship w/out our jackets!

maybe b/c we are not used to cold weather? but i am glad we packed our big jackets! you won't need winter clothes while on ship...b/c the temp is pretty much controlled. it's when you leave the ship...

have a great time! cold or not...

 

[Bill B.]

We'll be leaving on the June 1 cruise.

With that 2 year old little girl I would say something with Frozen on it is a must for the new Frozen show. We're on that cruise with you. I wish we had our little 5 year old granddaughter with us, she is a huge Frozen fan. Have a great cruise!

 

[KBship]

I've got it!!! I'm going to book another alaska cruise in JUNE so I can be ready for the trip in AUGUST and learn from my mistakes....

I'm with you guys. Have no idea what to do. Coming from Tampa I'm going to be completely out of my element!

 

[Disneyteachers]

I'm not sure why I'm contemplating clothes for Aug 2016, but I am. Little OCD. I'm planning to bring a north face fleece and waterproof rain jacket for outerwear (plus hat and gloves) as I figure that combo should get me through rain, cold or a combo...we do live in a cold climate though so Floridians might have a different take on how cold it is!

 

[AshleeH]

With that 2 year old little girl I would say something with Frozen on it is a must for the new Frozen show. We're on that cruise with you. I wish we had our little 5 year old granddaughter with us, she is a huge Frozen fan. Have a great cruise!

I actually had something made for her that was too big for our last WDW trip, so it should be perfect now. It has Elsa on it - I'll be sure to save it for the show! Maybe we'll run into you .

 

[noahdove]

I am packing only 1 "dressy" top with my dress pants for Palo brunch and I have
many many black and white tops, so, with that being said, I have my capris that I will wear with those tops.
Plus a couple of sweatshirts to go under my rain jacket. I hate getting my feet wet in shoes
so, to be on the safe side, I have muck boots to wear for excursions. I won't be able to wear
gloves as I will have my camera around my neck... sneakers for the ship...I will wear jeans on the
excursions as well. I am a planned packer and yes, I have a friend that thinks I am nuts with the way
I pack( I pack by day)in order of what I will wear that day... I will do one load of laundry while on board..

 

[Disneyteachers]

I'm right there w/you. I pack in ziplocs by day by person. So, "DH Mon am, DH Mon pm, DD Mon am, DD Mon pm." I'm pretty "organized" about it, but Alaska is a whole new challenge.

 

[xlxo]

I just check accuweather for the latest forecast at each port prior to packing. The word is layers for the ever changing conditions. In June, I think it will be wetter in Vancouver than in Alaska.

 

[noahdove]

Oh, yes, I forgot that I pack my unders in a baggie layered with my daily clothes..

 

[Disneyteachers]

Oh, yes, I forgot that I pack my unders in a baggie layered with my daily clothes..

Ditto!