What to Pack for Alaska Cruise in September
Whether your Alaska cruise is on a small send take a chance cruise like Alaskan Dream Cruises or UnCruise Adventures or like most first-timers, on a larger cruise ship similar Holland America's Eurodam , hither'southward what to pack for an Alaska cruise.
At the end of the article you'll find my Alaska cruise packing listing fix to print.
What to Pack for An Alaska Cruise
When figuring what to pack, it's all about knowing what you lot will do on your incredible cruise in Alaska. Will y'all spend time pre- or post-cruise in Alaska or Seattle? What sort of shore excursions do y'all program to do? And of course, the calendar month yous choose to prowl Alaska can be significant.
My signal is, nearly probable yous'll need to pack cruise wearing apparel and country clothes. And hopefully fit it all into 1 suitcase. Plus a carry-on for electronics, toiletries, documents and meds. It merely took me ii cruises to Alaska to figure out what I should have packed…or left at habitation.
I've cruised Alaska up and downwards the Inside Passage at least a dozen times plus iv cross-Gulf voyages. My cruises to Alaska happened in every month of the cruise flavour. How to pack for an Alaska cruise in still-chilly May or in mid-July all follow my basic packing guidelines.
I promise my Alaska cruise packing list and tips help yous to be prepared for one of the about incredible cruise and land experiences of a life time.
Your Alaska Cruise Itinerary Can Determine What to Pack
Inside Passage: The overwhelming majority of ships for seven-dark round-trip cruises to Alaska depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, Canada. A one-calendar week Alaska cruise spends ii days northbound and the same back plus three or 4 Alaska cruise ports, all in the Within Passage.
On any vii-dark round-trip Inside Passage cruise from the Lower 48, y'all won't accept the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Alaska before or after your prowl.
On the other hand, choose a small ship hazard cruise and your ship volition probably embark and disembark in either Juneau or Sitka. In this instance, you lot can easily spend a couple of days on land before or afterwards your cruise.
Cross-Gulf: These Alaska cruises can also be seven nights with departures northbound from Vancouver and Seattle or southbound from Seward and Whittier, Alaska. A cross-Gulf cruise will requite you the time to spend in Alaska's interior before or after your cruise.
The clothes you'll demand tin can vary, as well. Peculiarly if you cruise early on or late in the season in May or September.
My Alaska packing listing covers everything yous'll need to pack for a vii-day Alaska cruise, like my Kingdom of the netherlands America Eurodam Inside Passage prowl. If your cruise is longer or y'all've chosen a cruise and tour, I too include how and what to pack.
Basically, you lot would pack the same but plan on either sending out a load of laundry on the ship, doing a sink launder or hauling information technology into a town to a laundromat. Just there'due south more to know.
So if you plan a cross-Gulf of Alaska cruise with a few days in Denali, Fairbanks or Anchorage or an easy Within Passage cruise, it's all hither in my Alaska packing list. I've also included a list of those incidental items that yous might otherwise forget.
Read side by side: 21 All-time Things to practise in Sitka, Alaska
Permit'due south begin with the basics. What goes in your suitcase and why.
This postal service contains affiliate links. If you complete a purchase through the links, I may earn a small-scale committee. Thank you lot!
All-time Apparel to Pack for an Alaska Prowl
Information technology's really important to remember that it is can be very chilly out on deck, particularly at nighttime. So in that location's the cold wind off the water and glacier visits. Brrr.
Even though your prowl transport will still take two formal nights, unless y'all're on a luxury cruise, typical "formal" isn't over the top on an Alaska prowl. Recollect dressy-casual.
Pants
Both men and women should pack at one or ii comfy (non torn) denim jeans. I besides bring a pair of nice unfaded black jeans that tin can double as wearing apparel pants on formal nights.
Last year, I picked up a pair of stretchy black fleece-lined yoga/leggings pull-on pants at Walgreens. They're super comfy and wait skillful enough to wear around the send with a long-plenty tunic. They tin can also get you lot through a workout in the gym or walks around the deck. And they're like shooting fish in a barrel to launder in the sink.
1 pair of shorts is sufficient in case of a few warm days. Good and bad news near shorts. Y'all'll be comfortable on a warm twenty-four hours but a expert target for those pesky Alaska mosquitoes.
A pair of capri pants would even so keep you cool and offering less real manor for mosquitoes to land. Only sayin'.
On formal nights in the main dining room or an upscale specialty eating house, men can pair dark pants with a sport coat, shirt and and maybe a necktie. A guy could even become away with wearing a overnice pull-over sweater and perchance a collar peeking out over the neckline. Alaska cruises really are relaxed when information technology comes to wearing apparel-up nights.
You'd be surprised how many people choose to eat at the Lido buffet on an Alaska prowl. Note: If that'due south your preference, exist prepared for a queue until yous go the timing for when the cafe is the to the lowest degree crowded.
Swimwear
Bring a swimsuit and cover-up, though you can use your bathrobe from your stateroom if there is one. If there isn't a robe, ask your room bellboy.
If your ship doesn't have a sliding glass dome over the pool, you may not demand to pack a swimsuit at all. Then again, if you're a spa person, bring one anyhow. Sandals or these thin, easy to pack flip-flops are always skilful for the pool and don't take upwards much space.
Dresses for an Alaska Cruise?
If you're but more comfortable wearing a dress on formal nighttime, by all means bring i. If so, you lot might want to bring a pair of stockings or tights for a bit of warmth on your stroll around the deck.
Bring a couple of dressy lightweight scarves to spruce upwards and modify up your look, especially if yous're only bringing one blackness dress. Or buy a $12 neutral shade pashmina if your wearing apparel is sleeveless. You lot can whorl it upwardly, it doubles as an outdoor scarf and it won't take up much room in the suitcase.
Tops
I'grand sure you've heard this earlier about packing for Alaska: Information technology's all about wearing layers. Here's where I have the most fun.
T-Shirts. Definitely bring two or three. I clothing them nether sweaters, to sleep in and to the gym. Multi-use items for sure. Or, if you think y'all'll buy one in Alaska, only pack one from home. Who doesn't go all the style to Alaska and non buy a T-shirt!
If it'south a chilly, damp or drizzly day, instead of a T-shirt nether my sweater or sweatshirt I wearable a long-sleeve silk-like top. They're amazingly insulating. This mock turtleneck top works well (I bought one in black and one in purple, not expensive at all) and thin enough so I can notwithstanding bend my elbows.
Same goes for silk leggings to habiliment nether jeans. You lot'll forget yous're wearing them. They'll keep you warm if yous choose 1 of the helicopter tours to a glacier.
What I Clothing in Alaska on a Shore Excursion
Here's what I might wear on a shore excursion, especially to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Up close at Mendenhall Glacier is not just icy-dank but there'due south also spray off the water.
First, I layer a silk or silk-like top underneath a coiffure cervix or turtleneck sweater or sweatshirt (non too heavy). And then…
Over the lightweight sweater or sweatshirt, I'll either vesture a thin, loose-plumbing equipment waterproof rain jacket or my usual down, water repellent puffy jacket with hood, depending on if information technology'south a sunny or rainy day.
Then I either wear or bring forth a sleeveless puffy vest with a zipper. This is almost a must-take particular to pack. It comes with a little conveying pocketbook to squish the vest into for travel.
Puffy vests are smashing to toss on in the morning to go to the Lido buffet or for a summer'due south morning walk around the deck with a loving cup of coffee.
Make sure that information technology has outside zip pockets and maybe an within pocket or two. You tin put your room card in the zippered pocket and not worry about it falling out when you lot sit down for breakfast, as well.
Tunic Tops
These are smashing for a multitude of reasons. You can habiliment them over annihilation and at whatever time. Get tunic tops for Alaska with enough room in the arms then you can vesture a layer or ii underneath. That's another reason why I love my tunic crew-neck tops – they're dandy for layering.
This is the tunic acme I bought for my Alaska cruises. Actually, I bought two of them. The neckline isn't stifling and has plenty of room for a mock or turtleneck peak underneath without feeling constricted.
In the evening, yous can dress upward a night colored tunic with a signature necklace (costume jewelry merely, please) or a scarf and those nice black jeans. Information technology's Alaska! No need to go decked out to the nines. Unless of course you want to and your suitcase agrees.
Sweaters
I accept 2 cozy turtleneck sweaters that I really beloved but are also bulky then they stay habitation. Even putting them into plastic bags and squishing out the excess air, I won't bring them with me.
Instead, I found and will bring two lighter-weight knit crew neck sweaters. They were on sale at Old Navy for $18. I'll about always wearable the silky mock turtleneck underneath. When my neck gets cold, the rest of me freezes. Plus a scarf.
And I'm certain I'll end upward buying a flannel shirt or a knit sweater somewhere along the way. Pack less – buy more.
Scarves
In add-on to my usual one or two pashminas, I always pack a warm scarf. On days when a heavier weight scarf would be overkill, I'll simply wear a high-cervix top and then if the conditions suddenly gets warm, I can open my jacket and be comfy.
And then in improver to one or two thinner dressy scarves, bring that neutral colored pashmina. I've even used it to cover my legs on a particularly cold and windy whale watching bout.
Accessories to Pack for an Alaska prowl
Yous know…those extras that are sometimes forgotten…until you absolutely need them. And so I've added these essentials to the packing list.
Hats
Don't go out home without at least i. The easiest and most packable is a knitted ski cap (beanie) or a floppy 100% wool beret. They can scrunch upwardly and fit into your pocket if you go too warm.
Besides, for both men and women, a skillful ol' baseball game cap comes in handy. I usually buy this on the ship or in Alaska and have a souvenir at the same time.
Don't worry if your hat is not waterproof. Your jacket (see beneath) will have a rainproof hood to popular over it.
Gloves
Aye! A necessity. And…so yous don't have to constantly take them on and off to take photos with your iPhone or Android, I really suggest device-enabled gloves.
When you're out on deck or on a tour, putting your gloves on and off to take a photo or mail service to social is a real pain. Easy to lose a glove, too. To solve this problem, I ordered these gloves to use with my iPhone. I've ever loved Isotoners so that's why I went for the more than expensive gloves with device-touch enabled finger tips.
Socks/Tights
You lot'll need socks. I bought 2 pairs of colorful striped Smartwool socks. I've never had a pair of wool socks and expected them to exist totally itchy. They're not! I honey my Smartwool socks. Very soft and cozy.
I also bought a 3-pack of black socks, again at Walgreens. Black tights I bought at Target. I have a pair of sheer stockings/tights for dress-upwardly to article of clothing with the one blackness apparel that I always bring along. I telephone call it my cruise uniform.
Shoes
This is the toughest function of my packing dilemma. I've already mentioned sandals/flipflops. What most formal night? In an emergency last year, I found a great-fitting pair of ii″ suede-similar black dress shoes. They've become a new function of my cruise compatible. They work with my blackness jeans or apparel on formal nighttime.
Next, yous actually should bring already-broken-in hiking shoes with a tread. First, I bought Merrells. They weren't comfortable in the arch so back they went. Then I bought a pair of Keen hiking shoes – with Alaska Blue trim! I love love love these – they're like wearing comfy slippers. Plus, they're waterproof leather.
Likewise pack one pair of sneakers or super-comfy walking shoes. If you can become by with i, pick the sneakers. Just make sure they're cleaved in and have tread.
Boots for Alaska
Rubber boots. Or as they're chosen up north, Alaska sneakers! Actually, they're Xtratufs. Those brownish rubber boots with the light colored trim on the edges.
I didn't have whatsoever rubber boots when I arrived at Juneau. Only a pair of mid-dogie black "way" boots. Past the end of my trip, I was the proud owner of two pairs of XtraTufs, designed by the Salmon Sisters. Why two? I love both designs on the within of the boots! I have the Xtratufs bluish with whales and the mint green with salmon.
If you don't mind missing a couple of hours exploring Alaska, look until your first port on your Alaska cruise to purchase boots. Head straightaway to the nearest shop where XtraTufs are sold. Google it when your send docks. I bought i pair at Murray Pacific Hardware Store on Water Street in Ketchikan- a 15 infinitesimal walk from the dock.
Be certain to purchase the Women'south Size and definitely add a liner to the boot. The salesperson will know which liner to cull. I habiliment a ix 1/two shoe. My XtraTufs are a Women's ten. Or you lot can save time and buy your boots earlier y'all get out home. If you lot wearable them on Alaska Air, you'll fit right in with the locals!
Not simply volition you be able to slosh through mud puddles and step through little streams and squishy bogs, you'll get comments from the locals, who will immediately assume you're Alaskan. Or in my case, a Laskin. Sorry. Worst pun in the world.
Belt
I take a belt. Why I don't know. Only my jeans accept belt loops.
Outerwear for Alaska'due south Unpredictable Conditions
Rainproof Pants
This is a biggie. Last twelvemonth my girl, who happens to love hiking and the outdoors, joined me on i of my Alaska cruises. She brought her Gore-tex rain pants. I chuckled when I saw those baggie bottoms, not realizing how essential they'd be on a hike in the rain.
Bottom-line: She stayed warm and dry while my jeans, from the lesser of my jacket to my shoes were soaked. Every bit soon as I returned to Florida, I ordered these waterproof rain pants for my next Alaska cruise.
Rainproof Lined Windbreaker with Hood
This is the all-time and least expensive of my Alaska-clothing. I have this waterproof rain jacket. It's basic, loose-fitting with room to layer underneath.
Not actually lined, it sits just below my hip and has a hood, a waist with a draw-cord and a protected zipper. I tin wearable my silk undershirt plus a medium-weight sweater underneath. And…still bend my elbows. But on my side by side cruise to Alaska, I'll accept those pelting pants, too.
Downward- or Synthetic-filled Hip-Length Jacket with Hood
A must. I'm on my 3rd down-filled puffy jacket. I'yard only fussy and I like this 1 best. It has a visible hood and two within pockets also as two exterior with zippers. It's super light-weight jacket and has its own footling deport-sack.
If it's warm when I travel, I put it into a freezer ziplock bag and squish the air out of information technology. It takes up even less room that way. And it sits at mid-hip length. It's also water resistant (not waterproof) and a windbreaker.
Miscellaneous Stuff to Pack for Alaska
Pocket-sized Folding Umbrella
Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage is in a rainforest, did you know that? I didn't. Information technology's the 17-million acre Tongass National Forest. The Tongass is function of the largest temperate rainforest on globe.
While the temperatures in Southeast Alaska stay adequately moderate, the average corporeality of rainfall days is in excess of 230 days per year. A small-scale umbrella tin be your best friend.
On the other hand, pelting in Alaska comes with wind. Horizontal rain is common and can quickly plow your umbrella within out. That said, when in that location's a constant drizzle, a small umbrella comes in handy. So pack those waterproof rain pants and jacket.
Binoculars
You don't take to spend a fortune just a decent pair of binoculars will actually enhance your chances to run into wild fauna. Go minor ones that you tin stuff into a sneaker when you pack or into a petty corner of your suitcase.
I travel with Nikon's pocket-sized, folding waterproof binoculars. It fits in your hand, weighs less than a pound and under $100.
Daypack
For me for Alaska, a regular haversack to haul on a day trip is too heavy and bulky. I bought two of these Bago daypacks…1 in hot pink for the Caribbean and a blackness and greyness 1 for Alaska.
Don't Leave Domicile Without These
Passport
Whether or not your Alaska prowl begins or ends in San Francisco or Seattle, you're going to need a passport if yous desire to leave the ship for a tour in Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia, CA, usually a required service call when at that place's not a pandemic.
Or if you or your companion become ill…you might need to fly abode from Vancouver. You'll need a passport to fly back to the U.s.a..
Make a colour re-create of your passport and continue in a carve up place, in example you lose the original.
Plus, if your Alaska prowl begins or ends in Vancouver, you're going to need a passport for Vancouver.
Read More: Why You Should Accept a Passport for an Alaska Prowl
Medications
Always bring a few days' extra pills and keep with you in your purse or deport-on. Do not pack whatever medications in your checked baggage.
Insect repellent
Non my favorite item. For the entire six-weeks I spent in Alaska terminal August and September, I didn't go one mosquito bite. I was warned that they're nicknamed the state bird, just I judge was lucky.
I was told annihilation with DEET is what you need. Personally, I'd rather wear long sleeves and pants than use issues spray. Only I'll pack issues spray on my next cruise to Alaska. Actually, for a Caribbean cruise nowadays, too. Dengue fever, y'all know.
Sunglasses
A must. And if yous're doing any really agile excursions, retrieve nearly attaching a sunglass strap so you don't lose them.
Sunscreen
Another product that I'k not thrilled to use, but a necessary i, especially on a glacier hike or trail walk.
Electronics to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
Bring a Camera
If yous don't have a camera or the one y'all have is really old, this prowl is a good fourth dimension to invest in a new ane. An Alaska cruise is actually an unforgettable experience and yous volition want to preserve those precious memories.
Don't wait until the solar day before yous leave to buy information technology. Allow a few weeks to play with the camera. Accept photos in your house and exterior and get used to dissimilar lighting atmospheric condition. Get a experience for your new camera. Be certain to pack the manual, too.
I've been using my trusty Nikon 5600 for three years and I'm actually happy with the results. The 5600 came with two kit lenses, 18-55 and 70-300mm.
I used the 70-300mm lens to capture the Northern Lights. Here are the results.
Camera Battery Charger and a Second Battery
Plus, bring forth some spare regular AA batteries. You never know.
Camera Lenses
If you lot already have a photographic camera, think about bringing a zoom lens. If you don't have 1 and can afford it, buy one. Why? To capture close-up images of the glaciers, wildlife foraging forth the shore and on and on.
l love my iPhone and accept thousands of photos on every trip. Just I grab my "real" camera with the zoom already attached, whenever someone yells, "whale/hawkeye/bear at two:00 o'clock!"
When you are out and almost on a shore excursion, toss a nil-lock plastic bag that tin fit the camera into your day pack. You never know when you'll get caught in the rain.
So that you aren't lugging a example full of lens, you could just bring an 18mm-300mm and use only that i for your entire trip. If that seems a scrap too cumbersome for a walking around lens, yous could bring ii lenses: an 18mm-55mm and a 70mm-300mm. That's what I do.
Tripod
Get one that can accommodate to use with your smart phone and a camera. I always travel with my Gorilla Pod for tabletop use. And then a lightweight Manfrotto travel tripod to set upward on deck or even on a nature walk shore excursion. Be sure to buy a smartphone adapter, also.
Memory Cards
Do not scrimp on a memory card. Get a brand name like Sandisk or Lexar. I'd suggest two or three higher grade cards. I bought ii Sandisk Extreme Pro – 32 GB cards. 1 card might exist enough for near cruisers, though. Just exist sure to back up your photos at least every other night.
Photograph Storage
Don't accept a chance of losing those astonishing Alaska memories. Whether you travel with a laptop or external drive, arrive the addiction of transferring and bankroll-up your day'southward photos before you go to bed. Brand certain you bring their cables, too.
I'm on my tertiary external portable bulldoze, the LaCie 4TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive. I like information technology because, like the name says, information technology's rugged. I also bought a travel case for it. Plus, the travel case has user-friendly slots for your memory cards.
Emergency Charger
My become-to favorite portable charger is this i past Anker. It has ii charging ports and comes with a petty mesh carry-bag.
Extras to Bring on an Alaska Cruise
Coffee Mug
Yes, there are a lot of these out there. I've become a fan of Hydro Flask. Why? Their java mug (with the lid on) keeps hot beverages hotter longer than Yeti, and common cold beverages colder for just a petty longer, also. Plus, the company is wonderful to deal with if you need a replacement or have any questions.
Why pack a mug for an Alaska prowl? I love to have my forenoon (or afternoon) coffee on deck, breathe in the well-baked Alaska air, watch the steam rising from the mug and search the shoreline for wild fauna. Java or tea in a cruise ship's coffee mug just doesn't concord the heat and doesn't have a lid. Then I pack my trusty Hydro Flask coffee mug on every cruise.
Just do anybody onboard a favor: when filling your mug at the coffee station, continue it away from the spigot. Or fill upwards a transport'due south coffee cup and then transfer it to yours.
Freezer Numberless
Ever bring three or four naught-lock freezer bags. I bring two of the large size and then, every bit I mentioned, I tin can pop my camera into one in example of rain. There'due south always a utilise for small sandwich-sized numberless, too.
Travel Alarm Clock
I know my iPhone has a clock and an alert. But recently I started to e'er pack this basic, super-simple folding small travel alarm clock with me.
All it has is an alarm and a digital clock confront. There's a disable switch and so the alert won't accidentally ring if information technology gets bumped in your suitcase. Now I don't accept to double-bank check that my iPhone alert is set every day or that I'll hear information technology if the phone volume is off (yes yous will).
Nightlight
I usually sleep with the stateroom bath light on and the door closed. Only enough light is emitted around the crack under the door. Just it'south then darn bright when yous walk in during the dark. So I bought this little plug-in night light, one for habitation and one for travel. It stays on all the time and doesn't blind y'all when y'all walk into a dark bathroom at 4am.
At that place you take it. Everything you need to pack for an Alaska cruise. I hope my Alaska packing tips are helpful!
Have a wonderful time! If I've missed something, delight get out a notation in the comments below.
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I'm editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com and a solo traveler exploring the globe on waves and wheels. An gorging melt, I collect recipes along the way from ships and places. I promise my articles, reviews, news and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to try solo travel and run across the globe without flight. Have a breath… stop for a meal and a glass of wine along the mode.
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