Packing question for our Alaska Trip. Need Help!

[l4dk]

I am packing now for our Cruise on the 27th and our before cruise stay in Vancouver next week. No need to say I am terrible at packing for any trip. Lol. We will be 3 days in Vancouver before the cruise and I am not sure what to pack. Do we take shorts for Vancouver ? Lol. We are from South Florida and will be the first time visiting Vancouver and Alaska. Any tips are welcome also for restaurants and places to visit. For sure we are planning to visit the Capiliano Park. Thank You!

 

[KristiMc]

It was 80 in Vancouver last June for our trip. I would check the forecast.

 

[saxmangeoff]

Vancouver is warmer than Alaska. Not south Florida warm, by any stretch of the imagination, though.

You're starting to get on the horizon of the 10-day forecast here: https://www.wunderground.com/ca/bc/vancouver. Looks like upper 60s and mostly sunny right now.

 

[dclpluto]

Remember you are going to southern Alaska in the summer time. I was on DCL first Alaska cruise may 3 2011. It wasn't that bad. In Vancouver you will definitely need shorts. Alaska long pants and a sweatshirt for most days. Tracy arm was a little cold.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We did this trip last year, but a week earlier. I would say shorts for Vancouver, but sweatshirts and pants for some nights. For Alaska, we wore pants and sweatshirts the majority of the time. We wore shorts in Ketchikan and our rain gear in Juneau.

 

[bumbershoot]

For a Floridian I wouldn't suggest shorts for Vancouver. Downtown areas can be shadowy and have wind tunnels. I'm not sure ice even worn shorts in Vancouver.

Pack layers and options. Maybe it will be hot and you will only choose the sunny sides of the street. But have a sweatshirt too.

Our Alaskan cruise was the last of the season and some days we were sweating and other says (glacier approach day) we were so cold we couldn't believe it. Some long johns would have been lovely that day along with our wool socks gloves jeans long sleeved shirts and three in one coats.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Layer, Layer, Layer. Be prepared for sun, rain and cooler temps.

 

[annacali]

We are currently heading back to Seattle finishing up our Alaska cruise. Temps have been in the 50-60s all week. We have been lucky to have a lot of sun but it did rain in Juneau and in Victoria today. Our Tracy Arm --Endicott Arm day was spectacular but a bit cold (we were at the glacier at 7 am) and we were all glad for gloves and hats. I brought NorthFace fleece jackets and rain coats. Have mainly worn capris and tshirts with a cardigan or hoodie. Boat gets chilly in areas where the doors open to the outside especially on days when there is a lot to see outside.

There have been brave souls in the pools and hot tubs every day.

 

[xlxo]

forecast says it's going to be cool in two weeks...
http://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/vancouver/v6b/june-weather/53286

 

[cruisehopeful]

I just brought 3 pairs of jeans and didn't bring any shorts. I actually found that I didn't need my big warm puffy jacket or my rain jacket - the 2 things that took up the most space in my luggage.

 

[Jaxasaurous]

I was on the first cruise of the season (May 23rd), and it was warm and cool. I brought a sweatshirt and a jacket for warmth and didn't need to wear the jacket, I was find in the sweatshirt and I get cold easily. I also had a thin rain jacket that I used when it rained. As for shorts, I didn't wear any of them that I brought with me only because I knew I'd get cold when the wind changed or the boat was moving. It got really warm when we were in some ports, that at times I wished I had on shorts.
We spend 2.5 days at Vancouver between before and after the cruise. I highly suggest renting bikes and biking around Stanley Park, or you can walk the park but it would take awhile. Capillano bridge was neat but I thought it was a little pricey for what you are paying for.
If you have kids, there's the Vancouver Aquarium which is in Stanley Park. It's a nice aquarium but I've been to better ones that were cheaper (even with the exchange rate), it didn't take me and my husband very long to walk through and see everything there.
We did go to a really good German and French type restaurant in Vancouver- look up La Brasserie in Vancouver. It is small so you'll either need to get there early to get a table or make a reservation. My husband is allergic to onions and the chef made him a special meal that wasn't on the menu, very accommodating and delicious.
We also ate at White Spot and Earls in Vancouver. Both were very good but they might be small Canadian type chains. I did not have one bad meal in Vancouver. I'm not sure where you are staying but we walked everywhere in Vancouver so to us these restaurants were easy to get to. We also stayed further away from the port to save money so we can splurge on excursions.

 

[G8RGirl]

We're also going on the 27th and flying into Vancouver three days beforehand! (And happen to be from Florida! ) My DD and DH have been researching Vancouver -- top of the list are Stanley park, Grouse mountain, and Capillano bridge ...

 

[l4dk]

We're also going on the 27th and flying into Vancouver three days beforehand! (And happen to be from Florida! ) My DD and DH have been researching Vancouver -- top of the list are Stanley park, Grouse mountain, and Capillano bridge ...

Yayyy! Can't wait, almost here...looks like we have a lot in common. Have a safe trip