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This will come in handy before, during and after your cruise as well. Make sure to bring along some chap stick or lip balm for warm sunny days in Alaska, as well as the windy ones. You’ll definitely need it for any hiking tours and excursions, as well as other times.
Compact Travel Umbrella
While it could be tempting to sleep in, we advise starting your port day earlier rather than later. Nonetheless, it’s helpful to know the basic rules of photography before setting sail. Practice taking pictures at home and watch a few beginner photography tutorials on YouTube to ensure you have the skills needed to take that perfect shot. Alaska’s landscapes are spectacular, so you’ll want to brush up on your photography skills before your cruise. While you can purchase packages once onboard, the cost may be significantly higher than what you could have booked ahead of time. Plus, because you can cancel add-ons for a full refund up to 48 hours before your sailing, you have flexibility in case you change your mind on these purchases later on.
Camera Equipment
This can be a convenient option if you don’t want to pack bulky clothing or if you want to avoid the hassle of transporting formal attire. In this post we went over what to pack for an Alaska cruise, which includes an Alaska cruise packing list for men and women and useful cruise accessories. A waterproof lined jacket or puffer coat can be worn on top as well. When the sun reflects off the glaciers, polarized sunglasses will be essential. While you won’t need a jacket every day in Alaska, if you are cruising during the colder months, there will be times you’ll be happy to have a thin warm puffer coat. For men, dinner outfits should also be a consideration, a pair of slacks paired with a button-up shirt and dress shoes is a great outfit for most nights at dinner.
The Ultimate Alaskan Cruise Packing List
The interior fleece lining is soft and cozy, and the outer material is totally waterproof. I’ve worn these gloves in below-freezing temperatures and used them to pick up snow and for clearing ice without water leaking through or losing heat. The adjustable wrist cuff helps to seal in warmth and keep out snow and water, and there are tech-touch coated fingertips on your thumb and forefingers. Even if you’re heading to Alaska during the hottest months, don’t skip packing an insulating layer like this Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. I love it because it’s people-friendly, animal-friendly, and eco-friendly. When it’s packed down into its convenient carry pouch, it can double as a pillow.
However, you’ll want to be prepared with raingear and clothing for all weather conditions. Here’s a comprehensive Alaskan cruise packing list, including clothing, gear and cruise essentials to bring on your cruise. When planning your Alaskan cruise outfits, you’ll absolutely want to consider which waterproof boots you’re packing. Unless the forecast is showing sunshine all week, these are essential for your Alaskan cruise. When you start picking your cruise outfits for Alaska, focus on packing pieces that can be layered together.
Accessories and Gear
Instead, opt for waterproof hiking pants or something that will dry quicker. A flannel or winter coat with insulated boots is the perfect combination. In the summertime, shorts, leggings, tank tops, and athletic tops are perfectly fine. If you aren’t going hiking or on a boat, flip-flops are great to wear, too. Princess’s Syme notes that guests will usually spend a lot of time out on the decks and outside ashore. Luckily, we’ve tested the best polarized sunglasses and the best travel sunscreens.
Specialty Gear for Onshore Adventures
Chances of rain also increase as the summer months go by, so don’t forget to bring all of your rain-related gear, including a light roll-up waterproof jacket, when you cruise in July. Aside from the comfortable and sports clothing you’ll wear during the day and on excursions, you’ll also want to pack dressier attire, too. During dinner in the ship’s main restaurant, cruisers will dress according to Celebrity Cruises’ dress code. Opt for moderate summer clothing on an Alaska cruise in August and the summer months leading up to it; pack for cooler shoulder season temperatures in May and September. Remember a cap, gloves, and a versatile scarf for chilly moments, even in summer.
Waterproof Gloves & Hand Warmers
They can be worn at night, and then re-worn during the daytime so that you get good wear out of them. Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated on shore excursions. For formal nights and formal diining I chose to take two cocktails dresses. She does agree that there is a big problem with how people dress, as people simply don’t know how to pair clothes to achieve the perfect look. To avoid packing too many shoes, just go with flip-flops, sneakers, and hiking boots. The average temperatures range from about 43 °F or 7.2 °C most of the day, where days usually see warm sunlight, but nights are always very chilly.
Here’s What To Wear On an Alaskan Cruise In September!
How To Pack For A Shoulder Season Alaska Cruise - TravelAwaits
How To Pack For A Shoulder Season Alaska Cruise.
Posted: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Fortunately, after nearly a dozen Alaska cruises, our staff are well versed in the ins and outs of cruising to Alaska. From booking your pre-cruise hotel to utilizing Seattle’s stress-free luggage service, here are our top 24 tips for an Alaska cruise this year. To determine what to pack for your cruise to Alaska, consider the length of your cruise, the activities you plan to do, and the weather in Alaska during your visit. Packing efficiently is both an art and a science, especially for clothing. Selecting a few versatile pieces reduces the total number of items you need. Add different accessories to effortlessly switch your look from day to night.
Or, if your ship is doing a late-night stay in port, you might want to seek out the best place for king crab, wild Alaska salmon and other local delicacies on shore. Alaskans tend to dress for comfort at restaurants — even those with fancy menus. If you’re on a 7 day cruise, you can expect to have mostly casual and smart casual evenings, with one or two dressy or formal evenings. You’ll want to pack short sleeve and long sleeve t-shirts, to wear under a fleece sweatshirt or hoodie.
Whether you’re cruising with an elaborate mirrorless camera or just your cell phone, it’s hard to take a bad photo of somewhere as beautiful as Alaska. Regardless of where your cruise starts and ends, it’s always better to plan transportation logistics ahead of time to avoid any surprises and confusion upon arrival. If your cruise is a one-way itinerary that starts or ends in Seward, Alaska, transportation logistics require more pre-planning.
A first aid kit is always a good idea, including basic medications, band-aids, and insect repellent. There will be a ship’s doctor onboard, and probably a shop selling basic pharmaceutical necessities, but both will be expensive, so rather come prepared. A fleece jacket or woollen sweater is also a good choice for added warmth. However, keep in mind that Alaska is known as the last frontier, and this should warn you that nothing can predict the weather you’ll encounter. I was fortunate to be hosted by Princess Cruises on the Discovery Princess in May this year (2023) on an amazing 7 day cruise to Alaska from Seattle. Getting off the ship and exploring is one of the nicest things to do while on an Alaskan cruise.
My first Icebreaker base layer was a go-to when I backpacked around the world for three years, from European winters to Southeast Asian summers. In total, I wore it for over a decade; it never shrank and always performed. Now, after several more trips to Alaska and just being better-traveled overall, I know where I went wrong — and I’m here to share my essential Alaskan cruise packing list with you.
The best gloves you can bring on your Alaska cruise are one touch gloves. These thin gloves will keep your hands warm, but also allow you to use your smart phone and take photos and videos. This men’s puffer jacket is very lightweight and packs up small and tight, while still being insulated and warm.
If so, you can almost always expect warm temperatures and, aside from a chance of rain, pleasant weather conditions. When you’re getting ready for an Alaska cruise, it’s crucial to think about what you don’t need. To help you avoid overpacking, we’ll talk about what items you can leave at home. Sun protection and bug spray are crucial for your comfort and health.
On milder days in Alaska, you may be able to wear and t-shirt or long sleeve shirt. However, you’ll still want to dress in layers so you can put on a fleece sweatshirt or warm sweater as needed. A rain poncho should always be in your backpack for Alaska excursions and day trips. Something to note is that Alaska cruises tend be more casual than Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises.
