What to pack for Alaskan Cruise

[samom]

I am very confused. It could be because it has been over 100 and sunny for days and days so I can't look at warmer clothes without sweating. so my questions are:

Do people wear white jeans and summery clothes?
For formal night are suits what is called for or can we pack a sport coat and tie? ( yes I get is is still called formal night but everyone says it is much more casual on Alaska cruises). Also jeans, hiking boots and layering take up a lot of room. Packing as we speak so your help is needed ASAP

[superoma]

You will need layers because you can get any kind of weather. You should have at least a water and windproof jacket for the top layer. It can be light weight but needs to be waterproof. Some fleece for underneath and regular clothes, round out the packing.

I pack black and white so I can mix and match with ease. it lightens the load but gives you lots of choices. Take scarves with lots of colour to change the look. I have taken white jeans and white capris and have used them in Alaska. I lean towards lighter weight pants now because, as you say jeans take a lot of space.

Unless you are going to hike somewhere, good walking shoes or "running" shoes will serve.

My husband wears his suit, but I have seen sports coats and ties for formal. He takes a couple of dress shirts which serve us well for 7 days but for 14 days I would use the laundry services, either self or send out.

[INSIDERS CABIN]

Umbrella, sturdy waterproof shoes (hiking boots not needed but flip flops don't work well), and while close to glaciers, i like to have gloves and a hat. Lightweight Polar fleece works much better than a sweatshirt. Looking back at photos, we have encountered lots of rain, cold by glaciers, heat in towns - layer up! Also one of the few trips where i would take jeans, but really prefer a quick dry lightweight pair of exofficio or columbia pants. yes, we do dress for dinner, but then we always do no matter the cruise!

[tangerinebunny]

The HAL website has suggestions for Alaska packing. Glacier viewing days are chilly, so layers that can be packed on will help. (I confess to bringing and using long johns).

Fleece is wonderful. Sweatshirts/jackets are for sale everywhere you look if you need more. I found a fleece vest to be most helpful as it could go along with a long sleeved T or with a zip up sweatshirt.


Formal nights on our Alaska cruise were more Sunday morning church than country club formal night. Once on board, I doubt that most cruisers notice other folks all that much. They're all too busy having a good time to carp.

Have fun; it's a great trip.

[we're sailing away....]

We had shorts on

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have GorTex jackets with zippered linings that we take for layering.

Have never taken hiking boots -- but then we don't hike. We do take waterprooof shoes.

So far have never had to wear a hat -- hood on jacket is fine. Have never worn the gloves that I always back.

Pack small portable umbrellas.

[Skye23]

Mosquito repellant, preferably the good kind with DEET in it. The mosquitos early in the season are the size of seagulls, but dumb and slow. The ones later in the season are the size of hummingbirds and are faster and smarter. Both kinds bite and have been known to carry off the odd small child or pet. ;)

Deep Woods OFF sells a nice little box of moist towelettes saturated with repellent and individually packaged into little plastic packets. These tend to go past TSA agents reasonably well, still pack say 2/3 of them in a ziploc in your checked luggage and put a couple in your carryon for when you arrive. When we went in 2007 in late May, the moment we stepped out of the airport we were completely surrounded by a swarm of them and it was nearly midnight. The guide swore they waited outside the airport for "take out foreign cuisine".

[Route6A]

I take a jacket with a hood and a zip out liner, slacks but not jeans, a couple of sweaters, and a long scarf and gloves. My scarf is black cashmere, lightweight, and can be wrapped around my neck for warmth, if necessary. It also doubles as a wrap in the evening. I take mix and match clothing, with layering in mind as others have mentioned.

My husband takes a dark suit for formal nights, while I take black evening pants and a black dress and jewelry and scarves to dress things up for evening. Generally, dress is less formal in Alaska, but you'll see some passengers in their finery. It's a good mix.

Have fun! We did.

[Backstage Traveler]

Jeans and t-shirts, some long sleeved, some short-sleeved. We did not wear our shorts once, except for the kids, who have no fear of the cold.
Raincoat, and if it has a zip-out fleece, all the better.
A couple of light-weight sweaters that can be layered for warmth if need be.
Comfortable, closed-toed shoes for walking around.
A down vest can be nice if you have one, for Glacier Bay day when you will likely be outside a lot.
A scarf that doubles as a wrap is an excellent idea.
Sunglasses - it CAN be sunny in Alaska!
A suit or nice cocktail dress is not out of place on formal night, and you will have nice pictures to remember your cruise by.

Happy sailing!

[travelinjones]

Have fun on your cruise.

Alaska weather is variable -- dress like an onion -- with lots of layers that you can "peel" off or on.

Here's some more packing tips for Alaska: http://www.travelingwiththejones.com/2010/06/08/visiting-alaska-this-summer-10-tips-on-what-to-pack/

[aliaschief]

You are getting good advice from posters. We always recommend that each person has their own set of binoculars. Borrow a set from friends or relatives. To many great vistas and wildlife sightings to share. Light gloves are nice if your on a boating excursion.

Have a great cruise.

[jschm27]

Some great ideas already posted! I don't know if anyone said gloves, but gloves can be welcomed addition. Raingear and dress in layers. A previous poster said that they always dress up for formal night, we do to. For my upcoming trip I'll be in my tux but I suspect the rest of our party will be in suits or sport jackets.

I can only imagine suffering through endless days of 100 degree temps and then having to pack for Alaska. Hang in there and think layers.

John