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Our family enjoys traveling, and for our son’s graduation, we let him choose our upcoming summer vacation. It was no surprise that he chose Alaska since he’s been fascinated with it since he was little. We opted for a 12-day cruise/land trip to Alaska, and ever since booking it, I’ve been doing a lot of research to ensure that everything is perfect. So, to save you some time, I’d like to share my “What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise” list.
When and where are you going?
The first thing to consider is when you plan to go to Alaska. If you are doing a cruise, you likely are going between April and October, the Alaskan cruising season.
Most cruise ships have ports of call between Seattle and Anchorage or Vancouver and Anchorage. The land portion of the trip takes place from Anchorage with most trips visiting Denali National Park and some of them making their way up to Fairbanks.
Our trip departs from Vancouver Canada and follows the itinerary below:
- Cruising day
- Ketchikan, Alaska for the day
- Juneau, Alaska for the day
- Skagway, Alaska for the day
- Scenic cruising in Glasier Bay
- Scenic cruising in College Fjord
- Arrive in Anchorage – train to Denali National Park
- Few days in Denali National Park
- Bus to Mount McKinley
- Few days at Mount McKinley
- Bus to Anchorage and flight home
With an itinerary like this, it’s crucial to be prepared for any kind of weather. From the South portion of our trip to the Northern area, the temperature fluctuations are massive.
For example, in Ketchikan the temperatures in April range from a high of 50F with a low of 37F. In June, when we are visiting, the high can reach 61F with a low of 48F. While in October, travelers can expect a high of 51F with a low of 41F.
In the Denali National Park on the other hand, temperatures in April are between 19F and 47F. In June, we are prepared for temps to be anywhere between 45F and 66F. For those choosing to close the season in October, temperatures can get as low as 18F with a high of 44F.
A big realization I had when researching was that the portion of our trip in the inside passage (Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway is on the verge) is in a rainforest. This means that you can expect a lot of rain. In fact, the chances of rain in Ketchikan range from 40% in June to 73% in October.
Having this information is important to determine what to pack for an Alaskan cruise.
What to pack for an Alaskan cruise?
A consistent message that you will find is that you need layers for a happy and comfy Alaskan cruise.
Not only are the temperatures somewhat unpredictable, but you’ll also experience large differences between morning and evening temps. Because space is limited, you want to be smart about what to pack. Remember that cruise ships have laundry rooms if you need to use them at some point.
The basics – for everyday and excursions
| Underwears | 1 for each day (1-2 extra in case of travel delays) | |
| Socks | 1 for each day + 1 extra pair for each excursion day | You will walk a lot. Make sure to get cushiony socks that will keep your feet warm like these amazing Merino wool socks. If you feel like splurging, these are supposed to be the cream of the crop. |
| t-shirts or tank tops (base layer) | 1 for each day | This brand is a great option for t-shirts with a mid-range price. Merino Tech is a bit more expensive but is a well-known brand in the hiking space. I like this affordable 32-degree tank top. |
| Base layer bottom | 1 or 2 (more if you like to wear leggings daily) | Depending on when you are going, it’s a good idea to have a base bottom layer as well. Again, Merino Tech is a fantastic option. I also like 32 Degrees which is more affordable. |
| Hiking pants/cargo style | You will walk a lot. Make sure to get cushiony socks that will keep your feet warm like these amazing Merino wool socks.. If you feel like splurging, these are supposed to be the cream of the crop. | I plan to purchase a pair of these cargo waterproof pants for the trip. I think they look great and will be extra useful. You can find plenty of other options that are quick dry but I encourage you to look for waterproof. It will rain at some point. |
| Long sleeves middle layer | one for every 2-3 days. Because you’ll have a bottom layer, you should be able to re-wear the middle layer a few times. | This is a fantastic option from BALEAF. It’s fleece-lined and has a hood. I also love this Amazon Essential option. I would recommend sizing up if you choose this one. Here is one more option if you’d like to pair style with comfort. |
| Single layer shirts | 2 or 3. First days where you don’t need 3 layers | I really like this affordable shirt from BALEAF. |
| Everyday leggings | 2-3 pairs. It’s hard to beat the comfort of leggings, especially on days when you’ll be mostly on the ship or when the weather isn’t too cold | I’m a big fan of the Sunzel flared leggings. They are a bit more in style than tight leggings but provide the same comfort. BALEAF fleeced-line leggings are also super comfy. |
The extra – for evenings or non-excursion days
| Jeans or pants | 1 per every 2-3 days | Although Alaskan cruises aren’t as fancy as regular cruises, you likely won’t want to wear leggings for dinners. You can’t go wrong with a good old Levi boot cut. I am in love with these cute dressy lounge pants options. They can easily be dressed up or down. Lastly, here is an amazing option for wide-leg trousers that are super affordable and so easy to dress up. |
| Dressier tops | 1 per evening that you plan to wear a pants/top combo | Here are a few options to consider if you are looking for a some new pieces for your trip: dressy short sleeves, satin top (here is a second satin top) with a blazer over is always a good choice, a comfy thin sweater like this adorable one with ruffle shoulders can look super classy with wide-leg trouser, a balloon-sleeves knit is an easy option for a casual but not sloppy evening attire. |
| Dresses | 1 or 2 max unless you love to wear dresses all the time. Alaska is cold, remember. | Loungewear |
| Swimsuit | 1 | Not that many people swim on Alaskan cruises but it is always smart to have at least one swimsuit. The hot tub might be tempting some days. Here are a few recent swimsuits I got: this colorful top that I wear with this black bottom, or this beautiful vibrant tankini. |
| Lounge wear | 1 or 2 sets for scenic cruising days | You want to be extra comfy for those scenic cruising days. I love a good lounge wear like this one. Remember to layer. You will be on the ship, but outside to look at glaciers and other natural wonders. Here is another option that is a bit warmer and might not require the same amount of layering. |
The outdoor gear
| Rain jacket | 1 | It will likely rain during your stay. A lightweight rain jacket is a must. I have a Columbia one that I’ve had for many years. It is similar to this one. This lined version would be a good option if you want something a bit warmer. I also really like this jacket from BALEAF. |
| Rain pants | 1 | If your head is cold, it’s hard to feel warm. Make sure to bring a hat. I love these small beanies with got a couple of years ago. |
| Waterproof shoes | 1 | Whether you prefer to go with rain boots or waterproof hiking shoes, these are a must. I’ve owned a few Merrell’s ones and really like them. |
| Warm Hat | 1 | Same reasons as stated above. Gloves are a must. Make sure in these days and age that they are upgraded to let you operate your phone without taking them off. Here is a great option. |
| Gloves | 1 | Same reasons as stated above. Gloves are a must. Make sure in these days and age that they are upgrade to let you operate your phone without taking them off. Here is a great option. |
Additional footwear
| Sneakers | 1 | A pair of sneakers is a must for days when hiking won’t take place but when you still want comfortable shoes to walk around. I love ON sneakers from a comfort perspective. I can walk for hours in them. I’ve also recently purchased white sneakers similar to these which are a good option to wear on the ship (you might want to avoid wearing them where it might be muddy). It can make your wide-leg trousers outfit a bit more casual. |
| Flip flops or sandals | 1 | Always good to have one pair in case you decide to go to the pool or hot tub. I am on my third pair of these. I love them! |
| Dressier shoes | 1 | Limit yourself to one pair of dressier shoes. Make sure they fit well with each evening outfit. You really don’t want cluttering your suitcase with tons of shoes. For this “what to pack for an Alaskan cruise”, I recommend keeping it simple, I love these flats by KBzone, I’ve had a pair for many years. If you are planning to bring a “fancy” dress, it might be difficult to avoid a pair of heels. A low kitten heel makes for a great alternative that often also looks really cute with bootcut jeans. |
| Hiking shoes | 1 | Reference the outdoor section above to find our hiking shoe recommendation. |
Non-clothing Alaskan cruise packing essentials
| Normal toiletry items | All the essential bathroom and toiletry items you need on a daily basis. |
| Medication | All of the daily medication that you take or medication you might need such as headache reliever. |
| Motion sickness medicine | If you might struggle with sea sickness like I do, consider packing “just in case” medication such as these non-drowsy long-lasting motion sickness patches. |
| Bug spray | |
| Electronic Chargers | Most cabinets are not equipped with enough outlets to charge all of our current life electronics. I love this flat multi-purpose charger. I also recommend bringing a cruise-approved power strip. |
| Binoculars | A good pair of binoculars is a must on an Alaskan cruise. We have this model and are very pleased with it. |
| Airtags | To attach to your luggage to track along the way. |
| Magnetic hooks | The cabin’s walls are magnetic, did you know that? These hooks are super useful to hang your purse, belts, draw-sting bags, lanier etc. |
| Shoe organizer | Along the same line as above, cruise cabins are small. A shoe organizer can be used to store way more than shoes and give you extra space. As an example, it’s great to use in the bathroom to hold toiletry if you don’t have a hanging toiletry bag. |
| Laundry bag | |
| Drawstring daytime bag | A small collapsible and waterproof drawstring bag is a must for daytime excursions. Here is a great option. Consider using it as your personal item on the plane to save space. |
| Sunglasses | It might be rainy but it’s also extremely bright with the sun reflecting off of glaciers. Don’t forget a good pair of sunglasses. |
| Refillable Water bottle |
In conclusion
We hope this article was helpful and that you feel completely ready for your Alaskan trip. Make sure to download our “What to pack for an Alaskan cruise” pdf to make sure you don’t forget anything at home.
Bon voyage!
Cat xx