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The best way to enjoy your Alaskan cruise is to be prepared for any and every adventure offered to you – in any kind of weather. I recommend bringing a couple of versatile entertainment options to keep you from getting stir-crazy. While not essential by any means, a journal is a great item to bring along with you on a cruise. To have the best trip possible, make sure you come prepared with all the personal care items you could need. Alaska’s weather is generally dry, though the state receives the most precipitation between June and September, with August being the rainiest month.
Water Bottle with Built-in Filter
Some travelers may find them unnecessary, depending on the activities they plan to do and the time of year they will be visiting. If you're traveling during the summer months and sticking to more urban areas or indoor attractions, regular shoes may be sufficient. However, it's always a good idea to check the weather forecast and be prepared for unexpected showers. Alaska is known for its unpredictable weather, and rain is common throughout the year. Waterproof shoes can be beneficial in helping to keep your feet dry and comfortable during wet weather conditions.
REI Co-op Women’s Trailmade Pants
When selecting luggage, also consider its size in relation to your cabin. Research the cabin’s dimensions and storage capacity to ensure your clothing, gear, luggage and, of course, you and your travel companion, all fit cozily. Part of the lure of Alaska travel is exploring its majestic outdoors. Even on an Alaska cruise, consider reliable, versatile outdoor gear a necessity. You might be on a cruise, but you’ll find yourself on your feet more than expected.
Wildlife Viewing Gear
You’ll definitely need it for any hiking tours and excursions, as well as other times. October weather is usually more chilly and rainy than the other months of the Alaska cruise season. Temperatures typically range from lows in the 30’s to highs in the low 50’s F.
I am often traveling the world or exploring nearby New England, both on my own o with my family. You may find us star gazing in national parks, taking a cooking class in Marrakech, exploring Europe, or relaxing at a luxury hotel. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Under the Midnight Sun, with the latest updates about new multi-day tours and day trips from Alaska Tours. If you forget to pack something, you can make purchases with U.S. dollars in the Alaska towns and cities you will visit. Post- it’s – Want to keep in touch with other members of your family (or friends)? Post-it’s are great for leaving each other notes on where to meet and when.
In my experience on Alaskan cruises, people are less concerned about what they wear at dinner each night because they’ve had a long day exploring the ports. The ship isn’t necessarily the destination as much because Alaska’s beauty and wilderness is really the draw for these cruises. If you are sailing at the very beginning or end of the Alaskan season, you might want to consider packing a waterproof coat with a warmer lining, like sherpa or fleece. A light puffer jacket would travel well for an Alaskan cruise as well. Long-sleeve knit or plaid shirts can also layer well under a rain jacket, providing both warmth and versatility. Half-zips are another great piece to consider packing because these layer well with an outdoor jacket but can also be worn with khakis onboard the ship.
What to Wear on an Alaskan Cruise (and what to leave at home)
For a full roundup on my thoughts and tips on my Alaska cruise experience check out this post. There was a country and western night in the BBQ restaurant and bar one evening. I was surprised to see people decked out in cowboy boots, hats, and western gear. Even more surprised that they bothered to pack all of that just for one event. But if you love a good theme party, find out in advance what is happening during your sailing. On our cruise, we weren’t aware of these in any of the pre-cruise information we received but those “in the know” on board came prepared.
However, it only about 50-55F most days and my husband and son found thermal underwear to be useful when worn under a pair of jeans. Although I live in Canada and am used to winter weather, I hate being cold. There’s no need to be fancy during the day on your Alaska cruise.
So pack lots of comfortable and warm clothing for the days you are at sea. I brought a good pair of fleece-lined leggings and some casual joggers and pretty much lived in those while I was on the cruise. If you board out of Seattle, it’s impossible to say what the weather will be like.
You'll likely encounter rain or take a water-based shore excursion on your trip up north, so bring a dry bag or dry pack to protect your equipment. For drier days, consider a day pack to stash any extra layers you're not wearing. For dinner on an Alaskan Princess cruise, smart-casual is the norm. This can include dresses, skirts, or slacks for women and khaki pants with collared shirts for men. On formal nights, cocktail dresses, suits, or tuxedos are recommended.
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north - The Points Guy
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT [source]
Bringing a good baseball cap helps with keeping hair under control on super windy days (aka every day at sea!) and with those light drizzle days. We started our Alaskan Cruise at 88 degrees and sunny in Seattle and spent the day lounging by the pool with drinks in our bathing suits. A poncho is light doesn’t take up much room and can be easily brought on a summer Alaska cruise. A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world.
For example, one of the highlights of traveling to Alaska is spotting wildlife in its natural habitat. Therefore, we recommend travelers bring a handheld camera and a good pair of binoculars, in order to fully experience the wonder of Alaska’s nature. Aside from packing a good sunhat and a bottle of sunscreen, don’t forget to bring along a pair of sunglasses to your cruise. A pair of polarized sunglasses will keep your eyes safe from the sunshine and will protect them from its glare, which can get quite bright when you’re surrounded by snow and ice. It’s a good idea to pack a sunglasses cord so your favorite pair of shades will always remain safely hung around your neck even when you’re not wearing them.
These lightweight jackets work double duty as they’ll keep you comfortable during chillier days, but won’t have you sweating it out during warmer days you might encounter during your trip. If you can pack a lightweight jacket that also happens to be water resistant, even better. Katherine Alex Beaven is a full-time travel writer who went on her first cruise in middle school.
Additionally, pack a warm hat, gloves, and wool socks to stay cosy in colder temperatures. The Alaskan cruise season generally runs from May to September, coinciding with the warmer months in North America. During this time, you can expect the best weather and longer daylight hours. At this time of the year you might expect warmer weather (as I did) because essentially it’s springtime, however, the weather can change really quickly so layering is essential. I was worried these wouldn’t be comfortable enough to walk around all day in but after wearing them 2 days in a row my feet never hurt.
I hate hauling heavy backpacks and I also hate flimsy daypacks, so I find the L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack is a perfect compromise. The roughly 22-liter capacity is the perfect storage size for day tour necessities, while the lightly padded shoulder straps and breathable mesh back paneling come in handy for long or hot excursions. The 75D Bluesign-approved, water-resistant ripstop polyester shell made from recycled water bottles weighs about as much as a football, and packs down into its own pocket carry case. These five-layer ihuan Waterproof Windproof Winter Gloves are my go-to pair of gloves for keeping my hands toasty in cold weather.
The sole is firmer but still has that classic Croc cloud feeling, and they have patterned bottoms for traction to prevent slipping. The color options sometimes change and have a shiny strap finish that gives nostalgic jelly shoe vibes — but, again, no blistering — while the black and white versions have a muted finish. Lisa Syme, Vice President of Alaska Product Management at Princess Cruises, adds that it can also be warm one day and rainy the next. When it’s colder, breathable wool socks and hiking boots along with hiking pants and a winter coat are essentials. Don’t forget to pack a pair of gloves, you will need some for sure! These smartphone gloves are a great way to keep your hands warm and still be able to take photos with your phone or camera.
