What to wear - Alaska

[julesthecircusfreak]

My family will be cruising on the July 24th Alaskan Cruise. We're all trying to decide what to pack so that we won't freeze or vice versa. Any recommendations? We were thinking a fleece and a shell, but are also concerned that it may be 50 degrees and raining, in which case we may freeze in just a fleece and a shell.

We'll be doing a bit of a Pacific Northwest roadtrip (starting in Portland) prior to the cruise and are trying to figure out how to pack for both hot and cold weather because of this.

Any suggestions would be wonderful! Thanks in advance

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My family will be cruising on the July 24th Alaskan Cruise. We're all trying to decide what to pack so that we won't freeze or vice versa. Any recommendations? We were thinking a fleece and a shell, but are also concerned that it may be 50 degrees and raining, in which case we may freeze in just a fleece and a shell.

We'll be doing a bit of a Pacific Northwest roadtrip (starting in Portland) prior to the cruise and are trying to figure out how to pack for both hot and cold weather because of this.

Any suggestions would be wonderful! Thanks in advance

Just think layers. Alaska weather can change on a dime. You can start out the day at 50 degrees, and by lunch be at 80.

A waterproof jacket would be a good addition. With a hood.

 

[terrybsw]

I was on the June 19th cruise. As the PP said - layers is key. I usually has a t-shirt, pull over, fleece jacket and rainproof jacket with hood. You can always take off something and stuff in a backpack. I will say there is nothing more miserable than to be on an excursion or wondering around while wet -- especially if it is cool. One thing I will add is waterproof or water resistant shoes.

Enjoy--we had a magnificent time!!

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

Agree with layers- especially shirts that are athletic type that are designed to be moisture wicking (dry-fit for example) as they keep you cool when it's hot (Vancouver was in the 80s in August when we went a few years ago) and dry quickly unlike cotton and wool. Also a winter hat of some kind and scarf for the colder times, running type gloves if your fingers tend to get cold like mine, and hat with brim to keep sun and rain out of your face-- the running ones dry quickly. I only used the winter hat and gloves on Tracy arm day.

 

[Racer X]

As they said on the ship multiple times, "Dress like an onion" Hard to pack for 10 days and 3 seasons for sure!

 

[dcassetta]

Rain ponchos, ear protection such as a head band, ear muffs or beanie, scarf and gloves. I found that when my head was warm, that helped a lot even when the weather was wet and cold.

 

[bumbershoot]

Layers!

The things I wish I would have had...longjohns (or whatever they are called), wool socks, warm knit cap. Now our cruise was nearly a month after yours so the weather was older, but it won't hurt to have with you.

 

[Geomom]

It partly depends on what kind of temps you're used to. If you're from an area that is warm year round, where 70 is cold to you, then you'll want warmer layers. We're from Massachusetts, so a rain shell, hooded fleece, and a t-shirt were enough for us. We all had waterproof hiking shoes which were essential! I believe the kids and I wore gloves on glacier day, but that was it. I'd say our temps ranged from low 70's in Vancouver, high 50's -60's for most of the cruise/ports, and colder on glacier day. We did the 8/8/16 cruise.