What Clothes Should You Wear On A Cruise
What to wear on a cruise depends on what kind of cruise youre embarking on. While many cruises sail to warm beach destinations such as the Bahamas and the Caribbean, cooler weather cruises to places like Alaska and the Mediterranean during shoulder season require warmer clothes like jackets and waterproof wear.
If youre traveling to a warm and sunny destination, here are some things you should wear on your cruise:
What To Wear On Port Days
What to wear on port days depends a lot on what you do. Ill share some of the essentials I think anyone would need for an Alaskan cruise. This is where layers really are suggested!
Unless I was doing a specific excursion, I tried to remember the layering rule.
So most outfits started with a basic tee shirt, paired with a flannel button-down or lightweight thermal. Jeans or leggings are great for walking around or sightseeing.
I personally love leggings because they are warm and take up barely any room in my suitcase. And if its bitter cold, you can put jeans over leggings and have double the warm layers.
Payouts In The Casino Arent That Great
During your trip there will be plenty of time to try your luck in the ships casino. Now it doesnt take a genius to know that any time you gamble the edge always goes to the house. On a cruise ship that edge is even larger. Payouts are notoriously low on the ships, including blackjack that pays 6-to-5, and video poker with low returns. If you still want to gamble theres nothing wrong with that, but just know that the chips are stacked against you.
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A First Timers Guide To Taking An Alaska Cruise
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If you have never taken a Alaskan cruise before then you absolutely should! Cruises are an amazing way to visit a destination and maximise how much you see whilst you are there.
After taking two cruises in Alaska I have collected a bunch of tips and advice that I think will help first timers to plan for the cruise, make the most of their time on board and above all have fun! My most recent cruise was with Carnival Cruises in Alaska and in this guide I share my top tips for joining an Alaskan cruise!
Do You Need A Passport For Alaska
On a closed-loop cruise one that begins and ends in a US port technically you dont need a passport book.; For example, a Caribbean cruise round-trip from Miami.; All you need for this type of cruise is a government-issued photo ID and a birth certificate with a raised seal.; But is that a smart decision?; IMO, no.; Heres why
If your ship breaks down in a foreign port or if you have a medical emergency, to fly home to the USA asap, you need a passport book for re-entry.; Plain and simple.; Without a passport, youd have to get in contact with the local US embassy or consulate and apply for an emergency passport.; This can take days, especially if it happens over a weekend.
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Your Alaska Cruise Itinerary Can Determine What To Pack
Inside Passage:; The overwhelming majority of ships for seven-night round-trip cruises to Alaska depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, Canada.; A one-week Alaska cruise spends two days northbound and the same back plus three or four Alaska cruise ports, all in the Inside Passage.;
On any seven-night round-trip Inside Passage cruise from the Lower 48, you wont have the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Alaska before or after your cruise.
On the other hand, choose a small ship adventure cruise and your ship will probably embark and disembark in either Juneau or Sitka.; In this case, you can easily spend a couple of days on land before or after 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 give you the time to spend in Alaskas interior before or after your cruise.
The clothes youll need can vary, too. Especially if you cruise early or late in the season in May or September.
My Alaska packing list covers everything youll need to pack for a 7-day Alaska cruise, like my Holland America Eurodam Inside Passage cruise. If your cruise is longer or youve chosen a cruise and tour, I also include how and what to pack.;
Basically, you would pack the same but plan on either sending out a load of laundry on the ship, doing a sink wash or hauling it into a town to a laundromat.; But theres more to know.;
Bring The Right Clothing For Alaska
Its really important to remember that it is can be very chilly out on deck, especially at night. Then theres the cold wind off the water and glacier visits.; Brrr.;;
Even though your cruise ship will still have two formal nights, unless youre on a luxury cruise, typical formal isnt over the top on an Alaska cruise.; Think dressy-casual.;;
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Experience Denali National Park
Due to its location quite north of the coast, a visit to Alaskas most popular attraction, Denali National Park, isnt included in your standard cruise itinerary. But a once-in-a-lifetime trip still warrants a visit to one of the countrys most awe-inspiring National Parks, so if you can, schedule your flight a little earlier or later than your cruise departure/arrival and check out the park on your own. Princess Cruises also offers a two-week cruise tour itinerary, where one week of your trip is spent traveling by motorcoach to Denali State and National Parks . Additional excursions and outdoor adventures are offered each day to make sure you make the most of the parks unique desert tundra.
Youll Find The Cheapest Fares In May And September
The height of the Alaskan cruise season runs the summer, but most ships start sailing May and dont finish up the season until September. Those May and September trips when families that have kids in school cant sail are usually cheaper due to lower demand. You can find the same cabin on the same trip for hundreds of dollars less by sailing during one of these months versus the height of summer.
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Cute Outfits For An Alaskan Cruise
I had anticipated the towns in Alaska would be the coldest part of my trip but I was SO wrong. Your time on the ship is way colder. Being out at sea made for some very cold and windy days.
For this, Im glad I packed a couple of hooded sweatshirts and casual pants.
Fleece-lined leggings were my savior! I wore these as regualr leggins all around the ship. They worked great as a comfortable option that kept me warm .;
The fleece-lined leggings were also thin enough to layer underneath a pair of jeans or jogger pants in case it got REALLY cold outside.;
Youll also want to add a comfortable pair of shoes for just walking around the ship. These shoes are my go-to for any traveling I do. They are super comfy for airports and pretty much match with anything.
Wool And Wicking Socks
For days onboard when you want to enjoy some rest and relaxation, a pair of wool socks will keep your feet nice and warm. Enjoy the view from your balcony with a hot chocolate on hand and comfortable socks on your feet.
For outdoor excursions, we recommend packing a pair of wicking socks, which will keep your feet dry while youre busy hiking or running outside.
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What Should I Pack For An Alaska Cruise In June
A to Alaska is popular for two reasons: the long daylight hours and the low chance of rain. In June, daylight lasts between 18 to 20 hours and the average temperature varies from a high of 40 degrees to mid 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bring along at least one pair of polarized sunglasses and a good sleep mask .
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.
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Bars And Night Clubs On The Celebrity Eclipse
The cruise ship has a lot of variety when it comes to bars, lounges and night clubs.;
We spent most of our adult time in the Sky Lounge. The views from the Sky Lounge are fantastic and it has fun trivia games happening throughout the day.
Below are a few photos of the various bars and lounges on the Celebrity Eclipse.
Above is the Ensemble Lounge. It has live music in the evenings.;
Above is the Cellar Masters wine bar on the 4th floor.;
Watch our video about the Celebrity Eclipse here.;
More seats and the bar inside Quasar nightclub.
The futuristic entrance and DJ booth at Quasar nightclub, located on the 4th Floor of the ship.;
Above is the World Class Bar, specializing in diverse cocktails and fancy drinks.
This is the bar inside the Sky Lounge.
What To Pack For An Alaska Cruise: Top 12 Things Youll Need For The Last Frontier
Packing for an Alaska cruise can be challenging, even for highly experienced travelers. Alaskas weather is difficult to predict and extremely changeable, making it possible to experience multiple seasons in a single week.
The Last Frontier is also a visual paradise filled with incredible wildlife and scenic wonders, so youll want to be bring along the right gear to capture the memories and get the most out of your trip. In addition, Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities. Being ready to take part in these exciting excursions requires careful consideration of what to take on an Alaskan cruise as well.
If youre wondering what to pack for an Alaska cruise, here are twelve essential things to put on your Alaska cruise packing list:
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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
Cruises To Alaska From Seattle Or San Francisco
For a round-trip cruise to Alaska from Seattle or even San Francisco, youd think you dont need a passport, right? Wrong.; In order to return to a US port, your ship needs to stop in a foreign portin this case, in Canada.; Either north or southbound, your ship will stop somewhere in Canada.; In order to enter Canada, set foot on Canadian soil and then re-board your ship, you must have a passport book.
When a cruise ship cruises the Inside Passage to Alaska departs from a US port, the ship mustMUST stop in a foreign-flagged port before returning to the US.; Why?
First of all, almost every large cruise ship that departs from a US port was built and flagged in a foreign country.; Cruise lines erroneously site the reason for stopping in for example, Vancouver or Ensenada, as the Jones Act of 1920.; This Act states that only vessels built, crewed and flagged in the US may carry cargo between US ports.; It was a protectionist Act aimed at preventing foreign-flagged ships from moving their goods between US ports.; But thats not actually the reason.
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All Inclusive Buffet On The Celebrity Eclipse
The Oceanview Cafe is where the all inclusive buffet is located. Its open around the clock, however there are certain times when items are limited due to switching menus from breakfast to lunch, or lunch to dinner.
The buffet gets crazy busy at peak hours. It was difficult to find a table that fit our family of six. In fact, it was difficult to find a table for two people during peak hours.;
The food at the buffet was decent. However, the food in the main dining restaurant was much better. We only ate at the buffet for lunch or afternoon snacks .
The buffet in the Oceanview Cafe offers a wide variety of food, including a carving station, salad bar, variety of sandwiches, fresh pizza, international cuisine , fresh pasta bar, cheese and fruit platters, ice cream and all kinds of sweet desserts.;
Above is a rare moment when the buffet lines were empty. This is not the norm. The buffet restaurant is consistently crowded, making it difficult to find a table during peak hours.
We preferred to eat from the menu at the main dining restaurant.
Above Salmon Wellington served at the carving station in the Oceanview Cafe.
Cakes and pastries on display at the Oceanview Cafe.
Where To Stay In Vancouver
There are plenty of;hotels in Vancouver;to choose from, ranging from upscale five star hotels to backpacker hostels and everything in between.
- Search for Vancouver hotels;here.
- If youd like to stay near the cruise ship terminal, we recommend the Pan Pacific Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront or Fairmont Pacific Rim. They are located within walking distance to the cruise ship.;;
- If you prefer apartment rentals, get up to $45 CAD off your first night;here.
- Most of the popular Vancouver tourist attractions are located in the downtown area. Consider this when selecting where to stay in Vancouver.
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Arcade And Games Room On The Cruise Ship
The arcade on the Celebrity Eclipse is small but effective. Theres about a dozen games in the room, including air hockey and race car video games. Our boys enjoyed visiting this arcade in the evenings.;
There is an additional fee for each game. It costs about $1 USD per game, so it starts to add up. Games do not take coins or cash. You must use your room card to pay for each game.
If you look at the image below, you will see the Recharge Station. To pay for the games, you will need to add money to your room card via this machine.;
Note we were double charged multiple times. The machines are unpredictable. Its annoying because these games are not cheap. We wasted at least 30 minutes trying to rectify the overcharges with Guest Services.;;
Adult Pool On The Celebrity Eclipse
The cruise ship has an enclosed pool and lounge area, which is a nice feature for an Alaskan cruise. Even in the summer, Alaska weather is cooler and it rains often. Having a space that is heated and protected from the rain is very nice. We spent time in this Solarium every day.;
Although this space is Adults Only for most of the day, families are allowed to use the pool between 4:00 and 6:00 PM. This is the biggest and nicest pool on the cruise ship, so our boys enjoyed swimming here.;
That said, its not advertised that family time is between 4:00-6:00 PM each day, so we still got a few stink eyes from uninformed guests who thought we were breaking the rules.
It would be nice for staff to inform guests with signage, that way families dont feel awkward.;
Pool inside the Solarium on the Celebrity Eclipse.
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