Evening attire in Alaska

[operafan]

Can anyone who's done Alaska in June tell me what type of clothing is worn in the evening??
For the life of me I can't figure out if I should bring spring clothes or (since it's chilly out) fall/winter clothes.

[lstrong]

I am assuming you meaning evening on the ship - on non-formal nights we just did layers - slacks, shirt and/or sweater-set, light jacket, etc. The inside of the two ships we were on were kept fairly warm, almost too warm for me at my age :) I think layers is the key for Alaska, daytime and nighttime. Laurie

[jtl513]

You've got to be prepared for anything in AK. Bring Spring clothes, but also bring (or buy on the ship) a sweatshirt or sweater and a rain-proof windbreaker. The expression that's always used is "layered" - clothes that you can remove or put back on throughout the day.

For viewing at a glacier you will usually need cold weather gear, since the ship will be sitting is a basin of ice-water, and it is often breezy as well. I'd suggest a hooded parka or at least a knitted wool hat, and gloves.

[operafan]

I am assuming you meaning evening on the ship - on non-formal nights we just did layers - slacks, shirt and/or sweater-set, light jacket, etc. The inside of the two ships we were on were kept fairly warm, almost too warm for me at my age :) I think layers is the key for Alaska, daytime and nighttime. Laurie

Thanks. Yes, I meant evening on the ship. (It made perfect sense to me when I wrote it..... LOL) I'll leave the white pants at home.............

[operafan]

You've got to be prepared for anything in AK. Bring Spring clothes, but also bring (or buy on the ship) a sweatshirt or sweater and a rain-proof windbreaker. The expression that's always used is "layered" - clothes that you can remove or put back on throughout the day.

For viewing at a glacier you will usually need cold weather gear, since the ship will be sitting is a basin of ice-water, and it is often breezy as well. I'd suggest a hooded parka or at least a knitted wool hat, and gloves.

Thanks. Just dragged the parka out........

[grsnovi]

Thanks. Just dragged the parka out........

I don't know that I'd go THAT far...

We were in Alaska in June two years ago and apart from our shore excursion onto Mendenhall Glacier, we were comfortable with "spring" type clothes/jackets.

On the glacier, we layered.

We did feel sorry for the young couple from Florida who decided that wearing shorts and flip-flops on the helicopter jaunt to the glacier was appropriate. They were cold.

[operafan]

I don't know that I'd go THAT far...

We were in Alaska in June two years ago and apart from our shore excursion onto Mendenhall Glacier, we were comfortable with "spring" type clothes/jackets.

On the glacier, we layered.

We did feel sorry for the young couple from Florida who decided that wearing shorts and flip-flops on the helicopter jaunt to the glacier was appropriate. They were cold.

LOL.... Since I am now totally confused I'm bringing tank tops to wear with the parka and Ugg's to wear with my capri's. I've also decided to cut a notch out of my triple layer wool socks so my flip-flops will fit........

[Solo Cruiser]

I had to giggle about cutting a notch in the wool socks for the flip flops. But dressing for AK can be confusing. Just remember this, take clothes to layer as the weather can be warm or chilly or downright frigid, sunny to pouring rain.

For glacier cruising and viewing from the ship (whether it be from the top deck or your balcony) you will need warm clothes. My favorite attire for this activity was: silk long underwear - pants and shirt; cotton knit pants (sweats would work or like the lands end sports knit series) and turtleneck; rainproof hooded jacket; ear muffs; gloves; thick socks and sneakers. I was plenty warm but the hot cocoa - with just a dash of peppermint schnapps - was welcome anyway.

Excursion dressing sort of depends on what you will be doing but I was always safe with cotton knit pants, tank, turtleneck and lightweight, rainproof jacket, socks and sneakers. If you get too warm take off the jacket and whatever else can be removed and stow it in your day pack.

For clothing on the ship, the same attire as I would always wear on a cruise did just fine. Don't forget your swimsuit and a coverup if your ship has a covered pool or if you plan to use the hydrotherapy area.

Have a super cruise!

[operafan]

I was plenty warm but the hot cocoa - with just a dash of peppermint schnapps - was welcome anyway.


For clothing on the ship, the same attire as I would always wear on a cruise did just fine. Don't forget your swimsuit and a coverup if your ship has a covered pool or if you plan to use the hydrotherapy area.

Have a super cruise!

The heck with the clothes! I want the schnapps (cocoa optional)!!!!! Thanks..........

[maadimom]

All I seem to read on the boards since I've been surfing for this cruise is that Alaska is more casual attire. Would I be totally out of place if I wore a dress on a non-formal night? We've got hiking excursions planned during the days, and I have several of those non-wrinkle type dresses that take up almost no room in my bag. I was thinking about tossing in a couple of those to save space or at least make room for the extra layers I'll be needing for the daytime. But, if everyone is wearing khakis and sweaters for dinner, I think I might feel out of place. What do you all think?

[pipedreams62]

http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trff1905i.jpg

[Roz]

I would not take up packing space with a parka. The key word in Alaska is LAYERS.

Roz

[middle-aged mom]

All I seem to read on the boards since I've been surfing for this cruise is that Alaska is more casual attire. Would I be totally out of place if I wore a dress on a non-formal night? We've got hiking excursions planned during the days, and I have several of those non-wrinkle type dresses that take up almost no room in my bag. I was thinking about tossing in a couple of those to save space or at least make room for the extra layers I'll be needing for the daytime. But, if everyone is wearing khakis and sweaters for dinner, I think I might feel out of place. What do you all think?

You will be just fine in your dresses, whether it's formal or casual night. Not everyone will be wearing khakis and sweaters for dinner. :) The fashion spectrum on an Alaska cruise runs from jeans to tux and whole lot of in-between.

[aliaschief]

In June 07 we cruised Alaska on the Volendam. We had Eddie Bauer windproof outer waterproof coats with a felt liner. We definitely were glad we had them especially on water excursions or glacial viewings. Trying to take pictures and view through binoculars without gloves was really needed at times. We also had water proof shoes and wool socks and were very glad we took them.

Water temperature in 40's, wind, mist or rain and you will be glad you had them. We are headed next week on the Maasdam to Canada next week and we are bringing most of what we took to Alaska. Previous reviews of our Canada cruise all have stated they wish they had brought warmer clothes.

Now we do live in Florida but grew up in Vermont and Michigan but still feel we made the right choice. I will also state the weather was not very nice that week but the clothes brought made the poor weather very tolerable.

Bring binoculars for each person as you will use them. Borrow some from friends/relatives. It beats breaking neck's with tugging on the strap and saying "Let Me See"!

Layers is the key but the smartest way is being prepared.......

Have a great cruise as Alaska is fantastic....

[RuthC]

All I seem to read on the boards since I've been surfing for this cruise is that Alaska is more casual attire. Would I be totally out of place if I wore a dress on a non-formal night? We've got hiking excursions planned during the days, and I have several of those non-wrinkle type dresses that take up almost no room in my bag. I was thinking about tossing in a couple of those to save space or at least make room for the extra layers I'll be needing for the daytime. But, if everyone is wearing khakis and sweaters for dinner, I think I might feel out of place. What do you all think?
The dress code is the same, regardless of the destination. It's only compliance with the code that varies---and that isn't limited to the Alaska itineraries.

I always dress for dinner, and I'm not the only one who does. Your dresses are quite appropriate. And if they make packing easier---all the better!