Packing for Alaska

[phillmolly]

So, I am sure this has been asked a 1,001 times, but I could use some helpful guidelines.


This is going to be our third cruise but our first to Alaska, we will be on the Wonder, leaving August 7th. It's also going to be our first time flying, we always drove to Florida, but since this time we will need to fly.

I'm thinking a few pairs of jeans, a couple of pairs of crops, short sleeve shirts, a few sweaters, and a lightweight jacket and a raincoat. Oh and a swimsuit.

Shoes, I am thinking waterproof hiking shoes, sandals and some flats.

I like dressing up for dinner so I will pack a few cocktail dresses and some heels.

I am looking for some advice for those who have been there. Thank you!

 

[tigger2002]

We went last year in July, 2016, and it was beautiful weather with highs in the 70's. I wore shorts most of the time. We were on the RC cruise from Seward to Vancouver. It got wetter the further south we went.
My advice would be to look at the ten day forecast for the area that you are going to be in and pack according to that. I know we packed too many cold weather clothes.

 

[MUN]

The MDRs on our Alaska cruise were much more casual than the warm-weather cruises we have been on. One yahoo wore a cowboy hat each night, yuck!

 

[Jess_S]

The best advice I can give for Alaska is to think layers and you seem to have done that. Being able to take off your long sleeves if you are hot or put on a jacket if you are cold is great.

I think you listed most of the clothing items that I brought. The one omission I see is a hat and gloves. We used those with our light jackets on Tracy Arm day and we were able to stay outside for hours without getting cold. (Being near a glacier is chillier than I expected). What are the sandals for? Unless they are for the pool deck, I think you can get by with the hiking boots, flats and heels for formal night. I also brought running shoes and gym clothing, but that's because I like to use the gym. Those wouldn't be of use otherwise.

As far as non-clothing items that you might not have brought for the Caribbean, I definitely recommend a good pair of binoculars. We had a cheap pair and were happy to have them. Another passenger generously shared his fancy-pants pair during Tracy Arm day and boy did it give us a better view. (They sell fancy binoculars on the ship, but for a hefty mark-up).

 

[Geomom]

So, I am sure this has been asked a 1,001 times, but I could use some helpful guidelines.


This is going to be our third cruise but our first to Alaska, we will be on the Wonder, leaving August 7th. It's also going to be our first time flying, we always drove to Florida, but since this time we will need to fly.

I'm thinking a few pairs of jeans, a couple of pairs of crops, short sleeve shirts, a few sweaters, and a lightweight jacket and a raincoat. Oh and a swimsuit.

Shoes, I am thinking waterproof hiking shoes, sandals and some flats.

I like dressing up for dinner so I will pack a few cocktail dresses and some heels.

I am looking for some advice for those who have been there. Thank you!

Sounds pretty good to me. As you'll see from everyone's replies--weather can be variable week to week. We went on the 8/8 cruise last year. It was wet/foggy/mostly high 50's, low 60's. Vancouver was 70's and sunnier. I just needed shorts for Vancouver, jeans for the entire cruise. Short sleeve shirts, bathing suit and cover up, 1 warm hooded sweatshirt layer, 1 raincoat, 1 pair of winter gloves for glacier day. Shoes--waterproof hikers, casual lightweight walking shoes for around the ship (like Keds), flipflops for pool, and heels for formal and semi formal night.

 

[richkaryn]

Sounds pretty good to me. As you'll see from everyone's replies--weather can be variable week to week. We went on the 8/8 cruise last year. It was wet/foggy/mostly high 50's, low 60's. Vancouver was 70's and sunnier. I just needed shorts for Vancouver, jeans for the entire cruise. Short sleeve shirts, bathing suit and cover up, 1 warm hooded sweatshirt layer, 1 raincoat, 1 pair of winter gloves for glacier day. Shoes--waterproof hikers, casual lightweight walking shoes for around the ship (like Keds), flipflops for pool, and heels for formal and semi formal night.

^^ THIS. I was actually burning up on ship (inside) in jeans/lightweight 3/4 sleeve shirt most days, and would go outside to "cool off". We went 2nd cruise of season (May 30-June 6. Vancouver was mid 70s, and most days were 55-63 in Alaska. Tracy Arm Day (really Endicott Arm) was the coldest, and I was fine with a North Face triclimate 3-in-1 jacket over my t-shirt and gloves and a knit hat for when we were outside close to glacier.

 

[bbel]

I worked three Alaska seasons, and like others have said the weather can be crazy different week to week, one week it can be cold and grey and damp and the next you just want shorts and t-shirts.
LAYERS - especially as it can change quite a bit throughout the day. Decent shoes.
Also, I found in Alaska, that in every port pretty much the first shop you come to sells basically anything that you could have forgotten or run out of. I have numerous (sometimes 'tacky') Alaska items thanks to them (hat, gloves, socks, t shirts, hoodies, sweaters, rain jacket, blanket, bag, it goes on...)

 

[amberwc]

Watch the weather of course, but I found the best packing lists for Alaska on Pinterest. It really helped give me a visual. The one splurge I didn't do was rent a better lens for my camera. I do wish that I had had a more powerful zoom to get better pics of the wildlife.

 

[Geomom]

^^ THIS. I was actually burning up on ship (inside) in jeans/lightweight 3/4 sleeve shirt most days, and would go outside to "cool off". We went 2nd cruise of season (May 30-June 6. Vancouver was mid 70s, and most days were 55-63 in Alaska. Tracy Arm Day (really Endicott Arm) was the coldest, and I was fine with a North Face triclimate 3-in-1 jacket over my t-shirt and gloves and a knit hat for when we were outside close to glacier.

As far as the burning up inside--we could never get our stateroom cool enough for us (deck 2)--it looked like they had heaters going in the hallways some days for the 'cold' people. The public areas were comfortable with short sleeves and jeans.

 

[tigger2002]

As far as non-clothing items that you might not have brought for the Caribbean, I definitely recommend a good pair of binoculars.

I'll second having a good pair of binoculars. I have several pairs and took a pair for each person in our group.

Also a good camera.

 

[phillmolly]

Thank you all for your help, I keep forgetting about the binoculars! I think I will get my DH a nice pair for his birthday in April. I tend to run warm so I want to make sure I can keep myself comfortable. It's good to know they heat they public areas. On our last cruise on the Magic we couldn't get the room cool enough and ended up buying a fan at the first port, Couzmel.

 

[Lolo579]

Don't forget bug spray for port days

 

[tnshsms]

I agree with layers. Now we went on the first May cruise of the year and I thought it was pretty cold the first couple of days (one of them being Endicott arm). We were in gloves and hats and warm coats for that day. It warmed up a little later but I was happy to have the hats and coats and gloves. But I do tend to be more on the cold side. Hubby and kid brought swimsuits but she was always too cold to try it out. We also went in carry on's only which I know isn't something everyone can do but it can be done! We really liked our coats because they folded into small pack-able bags. They were the 32 degree coats. And I agree with the Binoculars. We wouldn't have been able to see bears without ours. My trip report is in my signature if you want to see all we brought. I talk about us in carryons and show a picture of everything that was in our suitcases.

 

[xlxo]

Don't forget bug spray for port days

The only place I needed bug spray was Liarsville (black flies). Other than that, I never noticed bug problems... especially walking around town.

I guess it depends on what excursions you are on and whether you are deep in the forest.

Instead of over packing for the pre-flight... I guess you can get clothes in port or on the ship. I also recommend checking the weather forecast prior to boarding the plane.

 

[tnshsms]

We actually got bug wipes instead of spray since we did all carry ons....got them off amazon.

 

[snoopy5386]

We also cruised Alaska last July. We saw the sun when we left Seattle and did not see it again till the last day. It was in the 50s and 60s all week. I wore long underwear every day in port and many days on our balcony. Wore a short sleeve shirt with a hoodie over it every day. Don't know that I just wore a t shirt the whole week. If we were spending more than a few mins on the balcony I wore a fleece jacket and sometimes a rain jacket on top (to block the wind). I did bring and wear a swimsuit and sandals on the pool deck since the pools were heated but had no need for capris or shorts. Hat and gloves were a must for Tracy Arm. Freezing!!!! Pack a little bit of everything!

 

[disneyholic family]

as everyone said, layers and rain gear..

one year we had no rain at all and very sunny warm weather, the other year we had nearly non-stop rain and cold....YMMV

 

[richkaryn]

I'll second having a good pair of binoculars. I have several pairs and took a pair for each person in our group.

Also a good camera.

Someone had recommended a decent pair on here from amazon.....I can't remember if in a trip report or what though. But I ended up buying and they were only about $30, and well worth it.
They were Bushnell Powerview compact folding 10x32

 

[kgwoozle]

For long pants in excursions I would recommend something quick or at least quicker dry in than jeans. There is nothing worse than cold damp jeans.

 

[moralesdavis]

I agree with layers. Now we went on the first May cruise of the year and I thought it was pretty cold the first couple of days (one of them being Endicott arm). We were in gloves and hats and warm coats for that day. It warmed up a little later but I was happy to have the hats and coats and gloves. But I do tend to be more on the cold side. Hubby and kid brought swimsuits but she was always too cold to try it out. We also went in carry on's only which I know isn't something everyone can do but it can be done! We really liked our coats because they folded into small pack-able bags. They were the 32 degree coats. And I agree with the Binoculars. We wouldn't have been able to see bears without ours. My trip report is in my signature if you want to see all we brought. I talk about us in carryons and show a picture of everything that was in our suitcases.

where did you find the coats? Thanks in advance!