Packing for an Alaska cruise doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Yes, you’ll visit some places where the weather may be colder than back home, but you won’t encounter true arctic conditions. Away from Alaska’s spectacular glaciers and icefield viewing sites, you might even encounter shorts-and-T-shirt weather.
That said, if you’re used to sailing on tropical islands, you’ll find that an Alaska cruise packing list is different than a Caribbean cruise packing list. Take some time to learn what to pack on your Alaska cruise so you’re prepared for the 49th state’s changing weather and terrain.
What to pack on an Alaska cruise
Alaska’s weather is unpredictable and varies with altitude. In temperate Southeast Alaska (a prime cruising area), summer temperatures can reach the high 30s when you’re near glaciers, such as when cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, Yakutat Bay (home to the massive Hubbard Glacier), and College Sound, but in the fishing town of Ketchikan, the gold rush town of Skagway, and Alaska, temperatures can rise to 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The capital is Juneau. Juneau sometimes reaches 80 degrees. Nights in these towns are usually cooler.
The key is to wear layers of clothing that you can slip on and off to help you cope with temperature swings.
Warm and waterproof layer
It can rain, especially if you sail during the popular months of July and August. (Want to avoid the rain? This is the best time to visit Alaska.) A waterproof jacket and shoes or boots, an umbrella, and a hat will serve you well.
You can have snow in April; anything can happen in the fall. There’s a reason why you’ll encounter many Alaskans year-round wearing waterproof Xtratuf boots (also known as “Alaskan sneakers”). A warm parka, gloves, hat and scarf will come in handy early and late in the voyage and when you’re watching the calving glaciers from the deck.
outdoor clothing
You should pack a variety of outdoor clothing for your Alaska cruise. The good news is, you probably already have these items in your closet: Think fleece jackets and vests, zip-up hiking pants, and sturdy shoes. If you’re not planning any adventures in Alaska, you probably don’t need to prepare ahead of time at retailers like REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or LLBean, or search for the right gear on Amazon.
Additionally, if you are doing a shore excursion in Alaska where you may get cold or wet, such as a dog sledding tour on top of a glacier (highly recommended), then the tour operator will provide specific necessary gear, such as parkas, waterproof pants, and boots. If you do water activities such as kayaking, the operator will lend you waterproof gear.
Evening wear
While casual is the order of the day on board, your cruise line may have specific recommendations for what to wear in the evening. Cruise lines like Princess Cruises and Holland America Line host casual and dressy nights.
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Some collections take a consistently casual approach to Alaskan eveningwear. Other cruise lines designate certain nights as informal, business casual, or “elegant chic,” which means you’ll need to dress up a little, such as a nice sweater or shirt for women and a sport coat for men.
Many cruisers maximize their formal wear in this regard. However, there are several routes that offer guests the opportunity to dress up even more for a “formal” night. Cunard and Holland America both fly to Alaska, and some passengers tend to dress down for dinner — even suits and gowns in some cases. Trips longer than a week tend to attract more tuxedo-clad crowds.
If you don’t want to dress up, you can dine in the ship’s casual restaurant. Or, if your ship is spending the night in port, you might want to look ashore for the best spots to sample king crab, wild Alaskan salmon, and other local delicacies. Alaskans tend to dress comfortably at restaurants, even those with fancy menus.
Accessories and equipment
You don’t have to pack for an Alaska cruise like you would to go camping, but it’s important to bring the right amount of adventure and travel gear.
A camera with a zoom lens or a phone that can take high-quality photos may already be on your list, but make sure you have a charger and enough memory to accommodate the hundreds of photos you may take. Portable chargers are useful for all-day trips that can drain your phone’s battery.
Binoculars are a must. You may have some supplies on board, but you’ll need to have your own to see whales, bears, eagles, and other wildlife on board and ashore, and to see glaciers and other wilderness up close. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking, you may want to bring an extendable pole to accommodate uneven surfaces.
It may sound counterintuitive, but the sun is shining brightly in Alaska, so don’t forget to wear sunscreen. You’ll also want to use insecticide due to the large mosquito population in Alaska.
On your trip up north, you may encounter rain or water shore excursions, so bring a dry bag or dry pack to protect your equipment. On dry days, consider using a backpack to store extra clothes you don’t wear.
Pack your bag with packaged snacks from home. Cruise lines typically don’t offer such services, but they can come in handy, especially if you’re traveling with children or on long-distance train or bus trips.
Tips to ease the stress of packing for an Alaska cruise
When packing, keep in mind that your ship may have self-service, free or coin-operated laundry, or offer laundry and dry cleaning services for a fee. This is especially helpful if you’re extending your cruise itinerary with a land tour (or cruise) in Alaska. If you can do your laundry on the go, you don’t need to pack your bags for the entire trip.
If you forget something, you can shop with U.S. dollars in the Alaskan towns you’ll visit. You’ll find familiar brands in stores and pharmacies.
RELATED: Best Alaska cruise tips to help you make the most of your time on board and ashore
Alaska Cruise Packing List
With all of this in mind, here is a suggested packing list for your Alaska cruise vacation:
- A lightweight waterproof jacket or raincoat (not a parka or bulky winter jacket)
- Thick sweater, sweatshirt or fleece shirt (can be worn under a jacket)
- Selected T-shirts or other casual shirts (some long-sleeved)
- Two to three pairs of jeans, khakis, or leggings
- A pair or two of good walking shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy (sneakers will also work, but if you’re a hiker you may want to bring waterproof hiking boots)
- Hat and gloves (as your boat takes you close to the glacier wall)
- an umbrella
- Shorts (especially if you are the type of person who wears them at an angle of more than 65 degrees)
- Swimming suit (ideal for onboard hot tubs, pools or waterslides; some smaller expedition ships may offer polar diving opportunities)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a baseball cap or other sun hat (Alaska’s persistent midnight sun is bright, especially when reflected from the ice)
- Pesticides (Alaska has an abundance of bugs, including over 30 species of mosquitoes)
- A variety of evening attire and footwear for dinner is provided based on your cruise recommendations (check your cruise line website for details)
- Accessories (a belt, scarf, or fun jewelry can transform a simple outfit so you can repurpose it)
- Sportswear (if you plan to take classes or use the ship’s fitness center)
- binoculars
- Toiletries and prescription medications (keep these in your carry-on bag)
- Underwear, pajamas, and socks (including some thicker wool socks for hiking or trekking to higher altitudes)
- Your phone or camera, preferably with a zoom lens
- Chargers for all electronic devices, as well as multi-plug extenders so you can power multiple devices at the same time
- Portable charger in case your phone runs low on power while traveling
- Waterproof backpack or bag to protect your phone or camera and store extra clothing and snacks
- An e-reader or books, games, and cards, since Alaska cruises sometimes stay at sea for several days without visiting a port (also look for interesting options at your local Alaska bookstore or Alaska-themed novels, such as Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, James Michener’s Alaska, or Eowyn Ivey’s Children of the Snow)
- Your own wine or champagne (this may be a cost-saving move, but check your cruise line’s policy to see how many bottles are allowed; corkage fees may apply)
bottom line
Focus on versatility and be prepared for a variety of temperatures and weather conditions so you’re ready for your cruise to Alaska. When in doubt, prioritize outdoor gear over formal wear. Remember: You can pick up most of the items you inadvertently forgot to bring on your trip north at the port.
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