Packing List for July Alaska Cruise - Carry On Bag Only

I have been reading and searching about information on packing for a cruise to Alaska in July for a 4 day Land Tour + 7 day cruise (13 day total trip), and I have come across a ton of information. I’ve got the memo on the layers, but I’m still having a hard time deciding what is necessary and what I can leave home. Our activities during the day will include mostly hiking in Denali, Juneau, and Haines. We plan to do laundry once we get on the ship.

My question is, what is missing and what is too much? Are the mosquitoes really that bad? I am trying to pack everything into 1 carry-on bag plus 1 small backpack. Thanks! :)

Clothes

o Short Sleeve Shirts (4)

o Quick Dry Short Sleeve T-Shirts (2)

o Long Sleeved Cardigan (1)

o Long Sleeved Blouse (2)

o Outfit for 2 Formal Nights (1)

o Jeans (2)

o Yoga Pants (1)

o Hiking Pants (1)

o Running Shorts (1)

o Black Dress Pants (1)

o Swimsuit (1)

o Long Underwear Set (1)

o Lightweight Fleece (1)

o Bugs Away Hoodie (1)

o Midweight Fleece (1)

o Midweight Insulated Jacket (1)

o Waterproof Rain Jacket (1)

o Hiking Shoes (1)

o Sketchers (1)

o Heels (1)

o Flip Flops (1)

o Gloves (1)

o Sun Hat (1)

o Beanie (1)

o Underwear (10)

o Bras (3)

o Socks (5)

Toiletries:

Toothpaste/Toothbrush

Brush

Hair bands and clips

Sunscreen

Bug Wipes

Make-up

Medications

Sunglasses

Glasses

Contacts and contact solution

Sleeping Mask

Small first aid kit

Hand sanitizer

Deodorant

Razor

General

Small backpack (1)

Binoculars (1)

Cruise documents

Digital Camera (1)

Kindle (1)

Passports (1)

Cell Phone (1)

Power strip (1)

Reusable water bottles (1)

Purse/Wristlet (1)

Gallon Size Zip loc bags for garbage/laundry bags (2)

I would stick with one jacket (the waterproof one) and one fleece. I would add lightweight waterproof pants, a couple of long-sleeve t-shirts to aid in layering, and some small ziplocs to tuck phone and wallet in if it's raining. We've had more than one Alaska trip that had entire days of rain.

The power strip will probably be confiscated, as they have problems with the electrics systems in ships. So save that space.

Don't forget chargers for kindle and phone.

Depending on what line you're on, you might not really need a formal outfit. Last year on RCCL, Alaska formal nights were sweater and dress pants nights for a lot of people on our cruise.

I was fine with just the deep woods off towelettes.

If you have an Ikea near you, they make fabulous ziplock bags in all sizes, big enough for wet clothes and swimsuits, as well as 1 litre ones for toiletries. And they're thick plastic and quite strong.

You can bring a power strip, just not one with a surge protector.

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Thanks for the advice about bringing a power strip without a surge protector! Also, I'll look into waterproof pants. Do you think waterproof hiking shoes are important? Mine aren't.

Also, we are going on holland america - is a nice skirt and lace top going to be dressy enough for gala night? Thank you so much for your help!

Are your hiking pants zip-offs? That's always a nice thing to have, and we've seen some pretty warm weather in Alaska.

Yes, my hiking pants are zip off

I'd leave out the mid weight fleece, insulated jacket, and a couple short sleeve shirts and probably add another light weight fleece and long sleeved shirt. But, it really depends on your tolerance for temps. Pick up a compressor bag for the fleece items to squeeze out the air and save some space. I'd also suggest picking up a fleece vest in port. Then you'll have a nice souvenir and a very useful piece of clothing.(the one's I've seen on offer are usually embroidered with the Alaska flag/a bear/etc) I always travel with a fleece vest and a goretex jacket, no matter the destination or time of year. I'll second the suggestion of waterproof/breathable pants. Get some with full side zippers. They will be much easier to get on and off. I'd also suggest waterproof/breathable hiking boots. Some don't think they're necessary, but I can't imagine going without them. Nothing makes me more miserable than cold wet feet. On our last Alaska cruise, I forgot to grab my waterproof pants for our whale watch/Mendenhall Glacier excursion. It poured down rain sideways on the whale watch and I spent the rest of the excursion in soaking wet jeans. But my feet and upper body were dry and warm thanks to the fleece vest, goretex jacket and boots. Yes, I know jeans aren't great for travel, and I wear travel khakis everywhere else, but for me, Alaska means jeans, hiking boots, and goretex. YMMV

Your gala night outfit sounds fine.

I have been reading and searching about information on packing for a cruise to Alaska in July for a 4 day Land Tour + 7 day cruise (13 day total trip), and I have come across a ton of information. I’ve got the memo on the layers, but I’m still having a hard time deciding what is necessary and what I can leave home. Our activities during the day will include mostly hiking in Denali, Juneau, and Haines. We plan to do laundry once we get on the ship.

 

My question is, what is missing and what is too much? Are the mosquitoes really that bad? I am trying to pack everything into 1 carry-on bag plus 1 small backpack. Thanks! :)

Clothes

o Short Sleeve Shirts (4)

o Quick Dry Short Sleeve T-Shirts (2)

o Long Sleeved Cardigan (1)

o Long Sleeved Blouse (2)

o Outfit for 2 Formal Nights (1)

o Jeans (2)

o Yoga Pants (1)

o Hiking Pants (1)

o Running Shorts (1)

o Black Dress Pants (1)

o Swimsuit (1)

o Long Underwear Set (1)

o Lightweight Fleece (1)

o Bugs Away Hoodie (1)

o Midweight Fleece (1)

o Midweight Insulated Jacket (1)

o Waterproof Rain Jacket (1)

o Hiking Shoes (1)

o Sketchers (1)

o Heels (1)

o Flip Flops (1)

o Gloves (1)

o Sun Hat (1)

o Beanie (1)

o Underwear (10)

o Bras (3)

o Socks (5)

 

Toiletries:

Toothpaste/Toothbrush

Brush

Hair bands and clips

Sunscreen

Bug Wipes

Make-up

Medications

Sunglasses

Glasses

Contacts and contact solution

Sleeping Mask

Small first aid kit

Hand sanitizer

Deodorant

Razor

General

Small backpack (1)

Binoculars (1)

Cruise documents

Digital Camera (1)

Kindle (1)

Passports (1)

Cell Phone (1)

Power strip (1)

Reusable water bottles (1)

Purse/Wristlet (1)

Gallon Size Zip loc bags for garbage/laundry bags (2)

assuming you are nto flying because if you are most of those toiletries are not going to make it in a carry on.

assuming you are nto flying because if you are most of those toiletries are not going to make it in a carry on.

Huh? I just packed toiletries for 12 days including some sin block, all fit into a 3-1-1 bag. Wipes, stick deodorant, and medications don't count in the 3-1-1 allowance.

The power strip will probably be confiscated, as they have problems with the electrics systems in ships. So save that space.

Don't forget chargers for kindle and phone.

Depending on what line you're on, you might not really need a formal outfit. Last year on RCCL, Alaska formal nights were sweater and dress pants nights for a lot of people on our cruise.

 

I was fine with just the deep woods off towelettes.

 

If you have an Ikea near you, they make fabulous ziplock bags in all sizes, big enough for wet clothes and swimsuits, as well as 1 litre ones for toiletries. And they're thick plastic and quite strong.

On our HAL Alaska cruise, I (a woman) wore a turtleneck, nice wool sweater & colored jeans to dinner a few times in the MDR --- not a problem.

assuming you are nto flying because if you are most of those toiletries are not going to make it in a carry on.

just got back from a week-long carry-on-only trip via airplane ... in my ziploc bag I had deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, perfume (small sampler tubes), face cream, lipstick, chapstick, hand cream, eye bag remover cream, and sanitizer. only the liquids and cremes.

wipes and tissues weren't in the baggie. nor was the toothbrush or tylenol.

as long as everything is 3 oz/100ml or less, it's fine.

toiletries are also easy enough to pick up anywhere, in case you forget ... even after security in the airport.

Also, we are going on holland america - is a nice skirt and lace top going to be dressy enough for gala night? Thank you so much for your help!

I was on RCCL, so I'm not sure what is the vibe on HAL -- you could ask someone in one of the roll calls for a cruise that goes before you to get a sense.

Check the weather reports just before you go.

We always put contacts, solution and eye drops in a separate bag from the 311 and liquid Med bags. Haven't had a problem domestic. Only international problem was the solution was in a 4oz bottle labeled for air but Heathrow didn't like it.

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Which waterproof pants would you recommend?

I'd leave out the mid weight fleece, insulated jacket, and a couple short sleeve shirts and probably add another light weight fleece and long sleeved shirt. But, it really depends on your tolerance for temps. Pick up a compressor bag for the fleece items to squeeze out the air and save some space. I'd also suggest picking up a fleece vest in port. Then you'll have a nice souvenir and a very useful piece of clothing.(the one's I've seen on offer are usually embroidered with the Alaska flag/a bear/etc) I always travel with a fleece vest and a goretex jacket, no matter the destination or time of year. I'll second the suggestion of waterproof/breathable pants. Get some with full side zippers. They will be much easier to get on and off. I'd also suggest waterproof/breathable hiking boots. Some don't think they're necessary, but I can't imagine going without them. Nothing makes me more miserable than cold wet feet. On our last Alaska cruise, I forgot to grab my waterproof pants for our whale watch/Mendenhall Glacier excursion. It poured down rain sideways on the whale watch and I spent the rest of the excursion in soaking wet jeans. But my feet and upper body were dry and warm thanks to the fleece vest, goretex jacket and boots. Yes, I know jeans aren't great for travel, and I wear travel khakis everywhere else, but for me, Alaska means jeans, hiking boots, and goretex. YMMV

Your gala night outfit sounds fine.

Thanks for the advice! So, the temps that are listed for July in Alaska are pretty much the same temps we have in San Diego during our winter--and I've worn the insulated jacket at night then! Would the only time I might need a heavier jacket be glacier bay? If so, I'll probably just leave the insulated jacket at home and hope the fleece and rain jacket will be enough.

The North Face has some reasonably priced rain pants. Also, REI. I see you are in San Diego, so you do have access to one. Instead of fleece, I'd look for one of the newer poly or down products from TNF, Patagonia, REI. Very lightweight, pack down far better than fleece. And, it will still serve you well in San Diego on those cool nights.

I also don't understand the whole thing with packing toiletries in the kippie bag - I never have a problem. Plus, just because you are packing in a carryon-size bag, it does not mean that you must only carry it on. I've checked my bag a few times when I didn't want to have it during a connection, but I needed something that I can easily manage on my own during my travels.

You can take a power strip on board, but not one with a surge protector.

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I don't know how you will get all that in a carry on. We did 8 weeks in South America, including a cruise around the horn, with a 20" carry on roller each. We certainly did not take all that no would we have been able to fit it in. We have been to Alaska and the weather there can turn on a dime

We do layers. We left in the winter, went to Uruguay in the sun, then parts of our cruise were cold. Forget all multiple fleece jackets. Take one. Plus a light weight waterproof/windproof shell that has a hood. Forget the long underwear. Take one pair of jeans...you don't need two. In fact, forget anything that you think you will only wear once for a few hours. Layer and improvise. Cut down on the shoes. You don't need them all. Forget all the other items like a power strip. Get one from the ship. Besides, they are heavy. Forget the cardigan. Take a light cotton sweater that can be easily layered under your fleece, which you can layer over top with the shell.

I might add one thing if you are hiking above the tree line or on /near the glacier. Wind coming off the glacier on a damp day can be cool. We take an ear band each in case it is very cold. They are light and take no up no room.

They have first aid on the ship and enough hand santizer to float the boat. Do you really need to carry those items? I would not bother with the hiking boots either unless you are planning to go on back country non group or unescorted hikes. They take too much room and weigh too much.

Focus on one of everything, not multiples.

We prefer doing carry on only for a number of reasons. We pack for 6-7 days max. Does not matter if we are going for one week or three months. We don't like lists. We found in the past that our lists were too long. The earlier we started them the more items we took-many of which we did not need or only used once. We also find that when we pack the night before we tend to pack less, use everything, and forget less or nothing whatsoever.

You may want to consider this Aukey USB charger, as it can charge up to five devices at once, including my QuickCharge-compatible phone. Also, at least 2 of each cable. And a USB battery pack that can also double as a flashlight.

Highlighter pen, pen, pencil.

Thanks for the advice! So, the temps that are listed for July in Alaska are pretty much the same temps we have in San Diego during our winter--and I've worn the insulated jacket at night then! Would the only time I might need a heavier jacket be glacier bay? If so, I'll probably just leave the insulated jacket at home and hope the fleece and rain jacket will be enough.

Aaaaah, San Diego! I spent a fall semester there in 1990. I remember showing up for class one night in shorts and a sweatshirt, which would have been normal attire for me in MN at 62F. My local classmates were wearing down jackets. We each looked at the other as if they were nuts! Remember, you'll be on a ship while in Glacier Bay. It's always 72-74F inside. Get too cold? Step inside for a couple minutes. I'll again suggest a fleece vest (get one with the Alaska flag embroidered on it). They're just so versatile. I wear them from Oct-April up here in the Northland. I've worn one every day on every AK cruise we've taken. A fleece vest on top of a lightweight fleece, under a goretex jacket, should be plenty warm. If you think you want more insulation, just in case, Patagonia Nano Puff jackets add a lot of warmth for the weight. They also compress well.

Someone suggested you don't need to pack Goretex hiking boots. I agree. Wear then on the plane. :D I wouldn't go to AK without Goretex boots. Wet feet=Misery! SE Alaska is a temperate RAIN forest.

Which waterproof pants would you recommend?

I have REI brand. They no longer sell the model I have, but they do offer models with side zips. So much easier to get on and off. I"m sure Marmot, TNF, Patagonia, all have options. If you don't want to spend that much, consider Frogg Toggs. I haven't used their products, but saw several people wearing them on our last cruise. They get very good reviews on Amazon.

HAL Gala nights - nice pants (no jeans) and sweater would be fine.

You can make used of the 220v European style outlet for charging electronics using a simple plug adapter . Electronics with transformer "bricks" will convert the power. This might eliminate the need for power strip.

First glance at the list and I think it could be trimmed some. Such as just the light fleece and if cold enough to have needed medium weight then wear long underwear top under the light one. One thing to pack layers and another to pre-plan how to put them together for various conditions.

Depending on the camera capacity a couple extra storage media could be handy. I typically take over a thousand pictures.