Alaska Cruise Packing List Extras
Hat Or Beanie
You lose the majority of your body heat through your head, so you will want to put a hat like this chunky beanie haton your Alaska cruise packing list.
When you are on a glacier calving or marine mammal sighting boat excursion when you are in port, you will be glad you thought to bring a hat to keep your head warm. Its much colder when you are on the water!
This unisex chunky slouch beanie is fashionable. It is lined to keep you warm!
If the weather is scheduled to be warmer, when you are packing for your Alaskan cruise, you can include this unisex breathable mesh quick-dry baseball sun cap.
Just about everyone in your family can wear this baseball cap, it comes in oodles of colors and is very affordable.
This wide-brimmed;waterproof unisex hat would be great to protect you from the suns harmful rays. It is waterproof, packable, and comes in several colors. Not only that it is pretty cheap!
Ear Mitts
If your waterproof jacket has a comfortable hood, you might want to put ear mitts on your Alaska cruise packing list, instead of a hat. These earmuffs are affordable and come in a very wide variety of colors. Space is a premium when packing and these can substitute for a beanie.
These unisex foldable earmuffs are another option. They are affordable, adjustable and come in a variety of colors.
Thermal Headband
Even another additional item to consider to wear is a thermal headband.
Gloves
Hand And Toe Warmers
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Motion Sickness Options
Umbrella
Health & Safety Products
Cover your health and safety bases by carting along any necessities like medications , pain relievers, vitamins, feminine hygiene products, birth control, as well as a basic, personalized first-aid kit.
Other things to pack for a cruise include sunscreen , as well as insect repellent if youre sailing somewhere tropical.
Keep hand wipes and sanitizer close on hand to help keep the germs at bay while youre on the go.
This Is Not A Caribbean Cruise
If you have never cruised before, then you might have no expectations; however, for those who have sailed the Caribbean, be prepared for a completely different experience. Even on the major cruise lines, you will find a much more toned down style of cruising, including enrichment talks, port history seminars, and more. You probably wont find too many cruisers going wild on the pool decks either. Which leads us to our next statement.
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Trek Glacier Point Or Mendenhall Glacier
Once youve spotted enough glaciers from afar, youre going to want to get up-close and personal. With Princess Cruises, youll find glacier trek options at both Skagway and Juneau, exploring the surfaces of Glacier Point and Mendenhall Glacier, respectively . Strap on your crampons and get ready to explore one of the most unique environments on the planet, from the icy blue deep crevasses to the otherworldly spires of ice.
INSIDER TIPMany of these excursions involve a plane or helicopter ride taking you to the glaciers. Its a very fun way to arrive, but temperamental Alaskan weather means they dont always go off as planned . To ensure you get your chance to walk on a glacier, either book an excursion that doesnt involve a flight or sign up for a trip later in the day, when its more likely the morning fog has lifted.
Haines Shore Excursions & Tours
Note:Some ships that dock in Haines offer tours to Skagway. Unless youre a serious history buff, we dont recommend it. Instead, take advantage of having the town of Haines to yourself. You can enjoy any of the four tours mentioned above: rafting, jetboat, kayaking, and nature tours are also offered from Skagway. Or try one of our recommended tours below.
Travelers to Alaska often wonder what its like to live in a small Alaskan town year-round. This tour is designed to show you. Your fun and informative local guide will take you to out-of-the-way places, like Svensons Extreme Dreams Art Studio. Youll also visit the Hammer Museumthe worlds only museum dedicated to mans first tool.
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Invest In A Camera With A Zoom
These days almost all of us use our phone as our camera. While phone cameras are great for most shots, they often lack in the zoom capability. If you want to spot wildlife in Alaska and catch a snapshot, then youll want a decent camera with a zoom feature. This will allow you to get stunning pictures of the beauty of Alaska, even if you are quite a distance from your subject.
Dont Forget Your Wine Or Champagne
Cruise lines dont let you bring beer or liquor on the ships. But they do allow you to bring a bottle or two of wine of champagne. If you drink these beverages, then take advantage of the perk. Consider that a moderate bottle of wine can cost $10-12. Meanwhile, a glass of wine on the ship can be $10-12. In other words, that bottle you bring can save you a small fortune compared to drinking on the ship.
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Clothing To Pack For Cruise To Alaska
Now lets talk about clothes to pack for an Alaskan cruise. My Princess Cruises trip to Alaska was in mid-September, which can be considered the rainy season. Luck have it we had almost no rain at all, but you really need to be prepared and pack for it.
The temperatures in Alaska can vary greatly, especially in the true summer months, so it is all about layers.
Living in Phoenix my extent of layering is throwing on a cardigan, so I wasnt totally sure at first what this whole layering thing was about. Thankfully its easy, and you can probably work with whats in your closet. If you dont already have everything you need, check with family an friends to see if you can borrow things like rain jackets.
Heres what my Alaska outfit layers looked like almost every day
Thats a LOT of layers, especially for a girl who lives in jeans and short sleeve t-shirts. But I have to say, it worked very well. I usually left the ship wearing everything on that list. It was easy to pull off layers or add back layers as needed.
While I brought a number of camis and t-shirts, I only brought two vests, one lightweight jacket, one warm jacket, one rain jacket and one scarf. This helped save space for packing, though I do look like Im wearing the exact same outfit the entire time, and when you are wearing 834 layers it adds some bulk to you. BUT YOU ARE IN ALASKA, so who cares!
Borrowed rain jacket was big, but did its job.
White Pass Scenic Railway
This is a must-do tour, especially on a clear day. Take a round trip ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, a historic narrow gauge railway built into amazingly rugged and beautiful terrain some 120 years ago. It follows the same Trail of ’98 route taken in the late-19th century by a steady stream of gold prospectors looking for Yukon gold ⦠except they did it on foot and often, in wet, muddy conditions or frigid temperatures.
You travel in the comfort of old-fashioned rail cars, and the route takes you up the 2,865-foot summit of the White Pass, through tunnels and over sky-high trestles, past remote valleys and such sights as Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch — so named because so many miners lost their horses there.
For those seeking a more active way to see the White Pass, we highly recommend you book the White Pass Train & Bike Tour. You take the train up the Pass and then get off at Fraser for an additional 15-minute van ride to the White Pass summit. You’ll then bike 15 miles down the Klondike Highway on a guided summit-to-sea tour back to Skagway — and we mean down, down, down. Your hands will likely hurt from hitting the handbrakes so much. Along the way, you stop at waterfalls and other spectacular overlooks.
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Alaska Cruise Formal Nights
Although Alan and I love dressing up for formal nights, we leave the dinner jacket and long gown at home when cruising to Alaska. In fact, wed do the same on any 7 to 14-day cruise. During port-intensive cruises, theres not enough time on ship to make bringing the formal wear worth it.
Ill pack a pair of dressy black pants, sparkly top and shoes, especially if Ive adhered to the two pants/five top/1 par of shoes list I mentioned for casual nights in the packing list that follows. If you really want to cut down on clothing, wear the black pants from elegant casual night in place of an additional pair of dressy pants.
For an Alaska formal night, Alan wears a sport coat and dress pants or khakis, perhaps without a tie as they are usually optional. Hell bring one, though, just in case he changes his mind.
No need to worry about formal nights on an expedition cruise because there arent any.
Daves Alaskan Cruise Packing List
- 1 dark suit
- 3 dress shirts for under suits.
- 4 ties
- 4 smart shirts for dinners
- 1 pair trekking pants
- 1 set of work out clothes
- 2 pair shorts
What Dave Would Have Changed
Should have brought:
Would have left at home
- Bulky Down jacket
- 1 dress shirt
- 2 ties
- 1 pair casual shoes
- 1 suit
- 1 trekking shirt. Didnt need two as the excursions are short and not strenuous.
An Alaskan Cruise requires a little more planning than a Caribbean or even European river cruise when it comes to packing. You need many more layers and a lot more luggage.;
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Top Shoes For Your Alaska Cruise Packing List
Waterproof Walking Shoes
Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must to put on your Alaska Cruise packing list.
Your cruise will offer you an abundance of opportunities to hike forests and up to and on to glaciers.; And numerous other options of things to do out in nature.
Supportive shoes should top your packing list for a cruise to Alaska. And it is a good idea to invest a bit more if you can and make sure they are waterproof as well.
This waterproof trail shoe is an excellent choice to add to your Alaska cruise packing list. It is waterproof and has enough support and structure to keep your feet comfortable, even when the days are long.
If you have selected a more rigorous itinerary these waterproof hiking boots may be a better choice for you.
Athletic Shoes/Walking Shoes
I never leave home withoutmy Asics running shoes.You might consider adding a pair of athletic shoes to your Alaskan cruise packing list too.
They can also be worn when shopping or dining. You can purchase them in many interesting colors to match your outfits.
Another popular brand, Skechers, offers many options, such as these Air Run High Fashion sneakers. They are way more affordable, are a good-looking walking shoe with great support. They would make an excellent addition to your packing list for your cruise to Alaska.
In Alaska, wearing my Asics kicks.
Comfortable Sandals For Warmer Weather
Guide’s Choice Photography Discovery
Serious photographers are often frustrated when they find a nice spot, set up for a shot, and the guide yells, “Time to get back on the bus!” This tour is for photographers, so there’s ample time to get your shots just right. Better still, your professional photographer guide has the flexibility to take you where the “action” is, whether it’s a field of wildflowers by the Chilkat River, brown bears feeding on salmon near Chilkoot Lake, or a juvenile bald eagle exercising its wings for its first flight.
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What To Expect On An Alaskan Cruise
Wondering what it is like to cruise to Alaska? Whether you have plans to travel way up north this season or you are starting to plan for next year, be warned that this is not
Wondering what it is like to cruise to Alaska? Whether you have plans to travel way up north this season or you are starting to plan for next year, be warned that this is not your ordinary cruise. For those in the early stages of the planning process, we have put together this top ten list of what to expect on an Alaskan cruise. These tips will get you prepared for what will certainly be a memorable vacation.
Dont Forget These Must
- Bathing suit for the hot tub, yes youll enjoy a soak while admiring the scenery. Youll probably want to pack a coverup, or wear a t-shirt over your suit that can double as a workout top.
- Flip-flops or sandals for walking to and from the hot tub . Make them cute enough to double as daywear or nightwear shoes, especially if the weather surprises you with a warm spell.
- Baseball hat or sun hat for lounging on deck, on your balcony, or on a sunny wildlife watching excursion.
- 1 pair pajamas. I cheat here by wearing a t-shirt and shorts that I can also use in the gym. If they become sweaty, hand wash with TSA-approved laundry packets. Using the ships laundromat is another option, if your ship has one. Thats Alans job.
- Sunscreen to protect your skin from bright sun reflecting off snow.;
- Insecticide repellent towelettes for those pesky gnats, flies and mosquitos.;
- And dont forget your underwear. Im leaving the amount and type up to you.
If youre worried about sweaty clothing or spilling food on clothing, bring a package of laundry packets for hand washing clothes. Thats what I do. Of course that means the clothing that you bring should wash easily by hand, dry quickly and require no ironing.
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Rafting The Mendenhall River
If youre looking to go whitewater rafting in Southeast Alaska, the Mendenhall River rafting trip is your only option. So dont miss out! You start with a float in Mendenhall Lake with a view of the blue-tinged Mendenhall Glacier. The current picks up, and soon youre bouncing through some mild, Class III rapids with ice cold water splashing in your face. The river winds through the forest, and you end the trip floating through a Juneau neighborhood. Watch for real Alaskan wildlife, like a family barbecuing salmon in their backyard!
Your Phone Might Work On The Ship
One issue with sailing on most cruises is that your phone doesnt work on the ship. If sailing to Alaska, there is at least a chance that youll have your normal cell service. Since Alaska is part of the United States, your cell service provider may also offer service in this area with any additional charges. Check with your provider for a current map, or see our article here.
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Best Time Of Year For Your Alaska Cruise
There are a lot of variables to consider when selecting the best time to take an Alaskan Cruise.
First off, the price. If you choose your Alaska cruise in July, know that it is the busy season and will be more expensive. Attractions will also be more crowded if you choose your Alaska cruise during the high season.
Secondly, the weather. While the shoulder seasons of early spring to late fall will offer the most affordable prices, the weather will undoubtedly be chillier.
If you refer to my Alaskan cruise packing list and suggestions, you will not have to worry about the weather!
Thirdly, your family and friends traveling with you will probably need to arrange time off work, and this is certainly a huge consideration in the early planning stages of an Alaskan cruise.
What is most important is that everyone is able to accompany you on your dream Alaskan cruise, so giving credence to others schedules is of paramount importance!
What To Pack For A Cruise To Alaska Faqs
You can bring as many suitcases as you like on to Queen Elizabeth for your Alaska cruise, although there is a 20;kg weight limit on all individual pieces of baggage checked.
Cunards on-board accommodation is among the most spacious at sea. Each stateroom is equipped with closet hanging space and a safe for your valuables, as well as drawers for your clothes and accessories. In addition, your staterooms bathroom has counter space beside the sink where you;may wish to keep your toiletries, while select Grills Suites on board also feature dedicated in-suite dressing areas.;
You are welcome to bring water, soft drinks and light snacks on board, although we encourage you to take full advantage of our dining options. These include indulgent fine dining, hearty gastro fare, an informal buffet, and 24-hour complimentary room service.
For all complimentary on-board activities, your equipment is included at no extra charge. Youll find an ever-changing program of classes and activities to try each day, including fencing, table tennis, paddle tennis, shuffleboard, quoits, golf , hoopla, darts, croquet and short mat bowls, to name but a few.
Irons are available in our laundry rooms, so you wont need to bring an iron with you. Please note, you are not permitted to bring irons on board with you.
No, we will provide fresh beach, pool and bathroom towels for you throughout your stay.
Youll find both self-service laundry rooms and specialist cleaning services on board.
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