AndreaNewEngland

I will see you at the rental counter! ;) :)

I'm gonna try to be there really early! I hear it can get crowded and you end up waiting for your car.

Getting really excited about this trip! Have a great time on your cruises.

Just because someone else had good weather in AK doesn't mean you will. The odds are there will be rain. As some of us have pointed out, these tips are for people doing active shore excursions. But even just walking around for a few hours, there is nothing more miserable than soggy shoes and wet socks. If you're bringing plain old sneakers for ports, go to REI or whatever outdoors outfitter is in your area and buy some spray-on waterproofing.

Thanks for the input. The consensus does seem to be the best scenery ends at Emerald Lake. But Whitehorse is only a little further and I wondered if it's interesting. The main thing I've found thus far is the 1920s riverboat that you can tour. But skipping it would give us more time to hike and less pressure on the return drive.

Our port date is August 17 by the way. Renting from Avis as they open earlier and close later, giving us more time out.

Are you on a cruise? How long do you have? We are renting a car and have about 12 hrs. Do you need a Jeep to do Dyea?

I am wondering whether it's worth going as far as Whitehorse, or just to Emerald Lake. We will choose a couple of places along the way to do some hikes of 2 hrs or so.

Thanks.

(reply to EM, post #8) I agree. It's a lot easier to pack a little cocktail dress than slacks and tops. And on formal nights, I think it's just not nice to wear jeans. But for me it's the same at home. When you're at a nice restaurant and people are wearing jeans and golf shirts, I just wonder why they wear the same thing out that they'd wear to the grocery store. But that's how I was raised.

Anyway, did you observe that people dressed down more on the Alaska cruises?

And are the clothes still "summer" even though it's not hot? I mean my husband could bring nice linen slacks, not wool. Go with the weather or the season?

Thanks!

You have some nice gear, but there a lots of good choices so people should try on and get advice on what to buy from an outfitter. Not Amazon. I agree with others that if you aren't really a hiker, you don't buy hiking boots for one week. But definitely get waterproofing spray for your sneakers. And I totally love my Keens, but don't see any reason to take them to Alaska with me. But Kudos on your deals, Ahnus for $48! I got my Keens at the REI Member's garage sale! We'll wear our Salomon hikers in port. I'm bringing mostly tech stuff: Royal Robbins hiking shirts, some ExOfficio stuff; both are fantastic brands. Bringing heavier waterproof jackets for Denali, better safe than sorry.

Don't feel bad for trying to be helpful! Most people are couch potatoes and won't be doing anything more challenging in Alaska than they do at home.

But the main thing I wonder about is what you wore to dinner? Did you not eat in the main Dining Room? What did most people wear? I feel like I'm packing for two separate holidays: hiking in Maine and a resort! :)

Wow, I can't believe no replies to this! I wondered the same, having heard people don't dress up as much on Alaska cruises. I can't imagine my husband wearing khakis on formal night!

We leave Aug. 13 from Vancouver.

It really depends where you are going. To the Caribbean? I could do it, easy. We are headed to your neck of the woods, Vancouver/Alaska. Ten days in all. That's harder. But, wear the heavy stuff (my hiking boots) on the plane. Also, we happen to be very small, and that really helps in packing. My cocktail dresses take up almost no space at all. I will bring 2 dresses and a black skirt, and a pair of nice, patterned skinny slacks. The two thin sweaters that I wear with the slacks, I will later wear with layers during the day. We also use what you'd call "tech" gear for hiking etc. Those things are very light, warm, breathable and anti-bacterial, so will be worn 2-3 times.

BTW, I've heard that people dress way down on Alaska cruises, like not wearing dresses at dinner, nor suits even on formal nights? True?

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She also has her own line, and I happen to use her cleansing lotion and toner, both are very good. But you'll find ratings for lots of good ones that you can find locally. What's amazing is how the price doesn't matter much. Some of the worst rated products are some of the most expensive.