First time cruising and going to Alaska!

First time ever on a cruise ship, my husband and I are going on the star princess cruise at the end of july'15, any advice about how to be best prepared! winter clothing? , snow shoes?, tipping to the captain on the fishing and plane excursions? thank you in advance!

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Alaska is beautiful. We were on the Star about 5 years ago and had a wonderful cruise.

Clothing is best when layered. Some days may be cool, but others warm

Thank you!!!

Don't do what we did and totally over pack with all of our winter gear. Layering is the answer but bring a hat (could be rainy or cold on excursions) and a pair of gloves and a rain proof jacket or poncho and you should be fine. They even sell the really cheap ponchos (like $1 cheap) at the various stops. On one excursion we did (river rafting) the outfitter had all kinds of additional clothes for people that were not dressed warmly enough. You will also find lots of shops at the various ports that sell warm clothes but you might also find it to be very warm. That's why it's important to dress in layers. No snow shoes.

We always tip the guide at the end of the excursion - usually $10 a person but we never went on a fishing or plane excursion so that might be more.

Have fun. It was one of my favorite trips.

thank you for your response! I will keep that in mind! I can't wait! kind of nervous, but I'm sure I'll be fine!trip of a lifetime for both of us, but especially my husband "the outdoors man"!!!

I see that you live in NJ. Dress for NJ fall temps. Like others have said dress in layers and you will be fine. No need to dress like you do for a NJ winter and no reason for snow shoes. If you have a day of scenic cruising near glaciers it will be chilly. Bring a pair of gloves, warm hat, long sleeved shirts, jeans, jacket, poncho or rain jacket (no bathing suit needed on Alaskan cruises...atleast not for us!!!)If your cruise stops in Victoria it will probably be warm enough to wear shorts and a tee shirt. Alaska cruises are pretty informal during the day.

As for tipping we always tip the operators of our excursions.

Enjoy your trip, I did the Star to Alaska last year. The only time it was cold was in Glacier Bay. Wearing layers is good advice.

Make sure you go up to Skywalkers. Great views from up there and it is inside, so not cold.

Yes layers layers layers. The weather can change in a matter of minutes. :)

We had snow at the end of July.

I see that you live in NJ. Dress for NJ fall temps. Like others have said dress in layers and you will be fine. No need to dress like you do for a NJ winter and no reason for snow shoes. If you have a day of scenic cruising near glaciers it will be chilly. Bring a pair of gloves, warm hat, long sleeved shirts, jeans, jacket, poncho or rain jacket (no bathing suit needed on Alaskan cruises...atleast not for us!!!)If your cruise stops in Victoria it will probably be warm enough to wear shorts and a tee shirt. Alaska cruises are pretty informal during the day.

 

As for tipping we always tip the operators of our excursions.

I agree with this advice.

My DH and I sailed to Alaska on Princess in July,2004.

Our first port was Ketchican (sp?). We got off the ship wearing turtlenecks and jeans.

It didn't take us long to return to the ship to change into shorts and t shirts.

The high temp. that day was in the 80s.

I would be more concerned to pack a rainproof jacket or slicker. It can be rainy or foggy.

You didn't mention if you were taking a land tour as well to Denali. Evenings there can get chilly.

Layers are a good idea as well as a warm scarf,hat and gloves - these items don't take up so much room in a suitcase.

Alaska is beautiful! Enjoy!

thanks everyone for your replies! We will definitely dress in layers! glad to hear no snow shoes needed, we had enough of that this winter in NJ.

we're arriving in anchorage and doing five days on land, the "Denali Explorer" I think it's called, and then from Whittier we're sailing to Vancouver! Unfortunately, I didn't realize about the bus tour you can take in Vancouver until after I purchased the tickets to come back home so we'll only have a couple of hours there to explore! ...oh well, live and learn!

You've chosen an excellent first cruise! Our first was a cruise tour that included Denali and then southbound Whittier to Vancouver in July 2012. We called it our trip of a lifetime. But we got hooked big time! Heading back to Alaska this August for our second cruise! Cruising is addictive, so watch out.:D Enjoy!

You've chosen an excellent first cruise! Our first was a cruise tour that included Denali and then southbound Whittier to Vancouver in July 2012. We called it our trip of a lifetime. But we got hooked big time! Heading back to Alaska this August for our second cruise! Cruising is addictive, so watch out.:D Enjoy!

Thanks! it looks like we're taking the same cruise you did!!oh boy! not a bad thing to get hooked on, after 25 years of marriage and first trip ever, we're off to a good start! maybe next year we'll look for warmer weather since my twins are graduating from college! hmmm!;)

First time ever on a cruise ship, my husband and I are going on the star princess cruise at the end of july'15, any advice about how to be best prepared! winter clothing? , snow shoes?, tipping to the captain on the fishing and plane excursions? thank you in advance!

We are just like you! This is our first cruise and our first trip to Alaska! We leave in 68 days (July 12)!!!! We are doing the "Off the Beaten Path" land tour prior to our cruise and will be sailing on the Pacific Princess. Since we have booked I have done nothing but researched and read everything I can on this forum and I can only hope that we are prepared and have made the right excursion choices. My big concern is being bored on the cruise ship. Hour after hour just looking at scenery doesn't seem like my cup of tea but time will tell. I also can't see us going to shows, to the casino or playing bingo :D to fill the time. We will wait and see how things go but we are planning on this being our "trip of lifetime" and have no plans of ever repeating this adventure.

I hope you enjoy your trip! I wish you safe and happy travels!

I forgot to mention that I also have spent multiple hours on the Cruise Critic Alaska forum! If you haven't found it yet I highly suggest you take a look at it too. There are so many helpful comments and experiences shared.

thanks for your input, I will be checking Cruise Critic Alaska soon, I was nervous at first about taking this cruise because I am more of a city person, but I think this is going to be a great cruise; one that will force me to do things that I never though I would, like flying in a small plane over mountains or walking on suspension bridges and possibly zip lining if time allows. I booked 5 excursion! and I am looking at videos on youtube just to get familiarized about what to expect. I also plan to take full advantage of what they have to offer on board!!!It's going to be great!

Welcome to CC

1) Alaska is a tropic rain forest that if sunny can be in the warm 70-80s but equally likely to be overcast and rainy and high 50's for the duration. it can change by the hour so have layers with the outer one being waterproof.

NO winterwear required, if you venture to ice/snow they will provide boots.

2) Excursion will be what your interest, they have everything from outdoor kayak/ATV/Zipliniing to the total TV tourist catering Bearing Sea Crab stuff.

My personal best or charting a fishing boat ( Ketchikan ), whale watching ( Juneau ), helicopter glacier landing ( Skagway )

Look at your Princess online excursion by port will give you the best taste of what is available and matching your budget and interest ;)

thank you! yes! my husband is definitely doing some fishing ;), and we're doing the McKinley discovery tour, klondike summit, Suspension Bridge & Salmon Bake, Salmon fishing, exclusive flightseeing & crab fest

hi! do you recommend getting the Beverage packages?

do they really have 24hr food service? I have the anytime dining and the brochure says the dinning room is opened 5:30-10pm.

do you ever use the internet? or is it so amazing that you forget to get connected? ;):confused:

My parents, who cruise often, took the rest of us (finally!) on our first cruise to Alaska two years ago. We were on the Golden Princess and sailed RT from Seattle. The trip was absolutely amazing!

I agree w/ just packing layers - windbreaker/raincoat, fleece or hoodie and a hat. We had temps in the 80's (nice for touring, bad for the environment), and only were cold in the glacier cruising. I'd bought hiking boots and never wore them.

My brother got the ultimate drink package, but he likes soda and was also forcing himself to get mocktails so to feel like he got his money's worth. Personally, I felt we had enough calories and didn't need to force more - but I'm also not a soda drinker, so it was not worth it to me.

Internet on the ship is slow and expensive. Never missed it on the ship, but admit to checking my personal email when we got to a port. But I never checked work email :p

I don't think you'll be bored or restless. I loaded up my Kindle prepared to read, read, read and I don't even think I completed one book! Came back exhausted - so much to do, didn't want to miss anything- but loved every minute. It is quite honestly the only vacation I've ever been on where I was NOT ready to come home!

thank you!! I'm not a big drinker, maybe a glass of wine here and there, mostly just water and COFFEE!!! but my husband would like some beer or wine with dinner. I also plan to do as much as possible and come back really tired...sounds like sooo much fun!

thank you!! I'm not a big drinker, maybe a glass of wine here and there, mostly just water and COFFEE!!! but my husband would like some beer or wine with dinner. I also plan to do as much as possible and come back really tired...sounds like sooo much fun!

If you like fancy coffees, you'll want to get a coffee card. I've read mixed reviews about the dining room coffee but I didn't mind it. I don't think the bar package is worth it if you only have a couple drinks w/ dinner. If you order a bottle of wine, and don't finish it they will save the rest of it for you for the next night.

Thank you!

Take a pair of shorts or at least a pair of capris. On the same cruise during which I once wore a fleece vest topped with a fleece jacket topped with a Goretex hooded jacket, gloves and a wool headband (all at the same time), I also wished I had taken shorts. It was hot and sunny and I actually got sunburned in Ketchikan, one of the rainiest towns in the U.S.

Remember that Princess allows each adult to bring a bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage when they first board the ship, to enjoy in their cabin. This is a nice perk, as many cruise lines don't permit this.

Yes! :)