Phishface Posted August 13, 2006 #1 Share Posted August 13, 2006 We're leaving Saturday for the Celebrity Summit cruise from Seward to Vancouver, and are thinking about what to pack. I wondered if any of you who have done an Alaska cruise, particularly this time of year, could offer advice as to what to bring. Everytime I go someplace for the first time there's something I wished I had brought with me (binoculars, more warm clothes, more lightweight clothes or whatever). So if any case, if anyone had an example of something they wish they had taken along, or were glad they did bring, the advice would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia’s Journey’s Posted August 13, 2006 #2 Share Posted August 13, 2006 Hoping to get some items that I never thought of, I am planning on Starting to pack for my trip after next weekend which is going to be hectic so hopefully can compile a list from suggestions here!!:D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZSO Posted August 13, 2006 #3 Share Posted August 13, 2006 Packing list Passport and personal identification Imgration form Gloves, the home depot brown work gloves would be fine Sunglasses dress shoes sneakers boots for the glacier landing camera with film and batteries Video camera, cell phones work in AK can be used as alarm clock Power cord limited out let on board one per cabin Binoculars, technically each person should have one, I'm bringing two warm hat for the fishing trip and arora borealis viewing in late evening. fishing rod if can figure out how to pack it reading material for the long flight, poker cards zip lock bags for any items that might get wet Sunscreen Bug spray something witrh deet small flash light bungee cord small umbrella duct tape spare eyeglasses A few blank checks Medications and dosing information Address list of folks you want to send postcards or gifts to Land maps of the ports formal night dining jacket or dress two dress shirts two dress slacks, get khakis and use other occasions rain jacket with hood sweater or fleece blue jeans casual pants underwear for at least seven nights, laundry services on ship I pair of shorts exra socks warm jacket, Flannel shirt swim suite for the pool and jacuzzi personal hygiene items, tooth brush razor blade, tampons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmeesook Posted August 14, 2006 #4 Share Posted August 14, 2006 thanks for the list ZSO. i found that very helpful. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAYEF Posted August 14, 2006 #5 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I also take a small journal to write in each evening, a ball point pen and blank Thank You notes to write for personnel who have been especially helpful; these notes really DO help them in their "moving up the ladder" on a ship. I write during the cruise and on the last evening I write others and include extra TIP $; they can keep it IF you have not removed your name from the $10. a day "Service Charge." I also take an empty water bottle in my checked on luggage.........I can fill it on the ship (in the Lido) and it leaves a bit of room for something I've bought on the trip. I also take my door decorations and some tacky stuff to keep them up. and, last............lots of zip-lock bags............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terpnut Posted August 14, 2006 #6 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Having just got off Radiance yesterday, and the weather was fairly cold, windy and rainy, I would lean toward packing fewer shorts and short-sleeves, and substituting more long-sleeves and warmer stuff. I'd be asking however about the many things I wish I HADN'T packed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralcruzer Posted August 14, 2006 #7 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I wish I had taken along a tripod to set up for my camcorder on our balcony. There is no way to hand-hold a video camera and zoom in without getting camera shake. I also wish I had brought full-size, insta-focus binoculars with a tripod mount for the same reason. I like zoom binoculars, but unless you put them on a tripod, the zoom is worthless because you just can't hold them steady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terpnut Posted August 14, 2006 #8 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I wish I had taken along a tripod to set up for my camcorder on our balcony. There is no way to hand-hold a video camera and zoom in without getting camera shake. I also wish I had brought full-size, insta-focus binoculars with a tripod mount for the same reason. I like zoom binoculars, but unless you put them on a tripod, the zoom is worthless because you just can't hold them steady.I agree that image shake is a huge problem with video equipment and binoculars when viewing wildlife at maximum magnification. Few people realize that it is nearly impossible to hold the equipment without shaking while often observing from a moving ship too. Personally I'm going to invest the $1000 to $1500 for image stabilized binoculars the next time, but I suspect most people will balk at that expense so a tripod is a very good alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fti Posted August 14, 2006 #9 Share Posted August 14, 2006 If you do a search on this forum for Packing List or something similar I think you will find a really helpful post. It was not just a packing list but info on many ports as well. I must say though, that I would also not bring as many things as I did (extra hangers were senseless since our room had so many hangers to begin with, for example). Post It notes were really helpful though to leave notes for the others in our room where we were going and when we were going to be back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraftyDD Posted August 14, 2006 #10 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I am a habitual overpacker. We are leaving Wednesday for southbound and I have been checking the weather - it will probably be pretty cool the whole trip. DH and I have 4 full suitcases - by the time you pack dress clothes, dress shoes, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, jeans, and tops to layer it doesn't leave much room for a lot of extras. How do people do it????:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suntan Sailer Posted August 14, 2006 #11 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Personally, I would suggest against a tripod if you are using high magnification/focal length lenses. The motion and the vibration of the boat will be just as annoying as the hand held shakes you experience when hand holding. A monopod placed on the top of your shoe, to dampen out the vibrations from the ship, works well to minimize hand shake and reduce the fatigue of holding the equipment for long periods of time. You still have to actively compinsate for ship motion though. Optical stabilization does work wonders and imo, it is worth it if you plan to hand hold long lenses/high powered binoculars. Assuming it is in your budget. However, OS/VR/IS will not compinsate for the large displacement type movements of a rolling ship. As for things not to forget, a small plug in alarm clock so you can see what time it is when you wake up in the middle of the night. -Suntan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1survivorfan Posted August 14, 2006 #12 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Just got back from two weeks in Alaska in July. We were lucky to have beautiful weather most of the time however, I had way over packed!!!!. All you need are jeans, long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, fleece jacket and rain proof jacket. I was so glad I had taken a nice warm hat, a knit scarf and gloves. They were used for both glacier days. I also took a insulated coffee cup (big) so I could fill with a lot of coffee or tea and take on the deck. I thought we would get more dressed up each evening for dinner, but we didn't. So I had nicer clothes for each night. I only needed the clothes for formal nights. Each room had a blow dryer, so if you don't mind using the one provided, don't bother taking your own. We were also packing for the land tour part of our trip and I just took too much. But I thought I needed it all:) Have fun.....I wish I was going again. BTW, take lots of memory sticks and take a lot of pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin7 Posted August 14, 2006 #13 Share Posted August 14, 2006 So if any case, if anyone had an example of something they wish they had taken along, or were glad they did bring, the advice would be much appreciated. Even though I warned him the weather could be terrible, my SKINNY-always-cold hubby didn't bring his winter jacket. I was fine with my sweatshirt with a hood and waterproof rain/windbreaker. HE was not. (It was cold and rainy in every port.) We had to buy him a heavier coat! And, even though I reminded him, he didn't bring a knit cap (he's bald) or knit gloves. We had to buy those, too. So if you're thin-blooded like he is, I'd go prepared to be cold. That will assure you'll have absolutely wonderful weather and won't need the stuff! :D Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncamy Posted August 14, 2006 #14 Share Posted August 14, 2006 There were a couple of things that we had planned to bring but forgot. The most notable was the downloaded TV shows we purchased for the ipod which we forgot to load to the ipod! My daughter was quite distraught over not getting to watch "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" on the firve hour flight. Oh well the new episodes of "Southpark" and the kiddie shows were waiting for us on our computer when we got home. As far as what did I wish I had brought but didn't... one thing that comes to mind is a second bathing suit. We went to the spa every day to use the thermal suite and my bathing suit never dried from one day to the next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliesMom Posted August 15, 2006 #15 Share Posted August 15, 2006 When we went to Alaska years ago I packed a fleece jacket but forgot a knit hat and gloves. We stood outside on deck for hours going thru Misty Fjords ... it definitely got cold there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZydeDiverDC Posted August 15, 2006 #16 Share Posted August 15, 2006 Question; and pardon my ignorance on this .. but with the news lately.. what CAN you pack?? We won't be leaving on an airplane till Dec so I am hoping things on the homefront will be better... but for now.. I keep hearing conflicting info regarding what can or not be in the carry on? If you can actually carry something on? and what or not can go in the suitcase.:confused: I love my own shampoo, my own soap.. my own mouthwash. And I don't have the finances to buy new every place I go. I economize constantly so I MAY cruise. I am one of those people who buy the plastic bottles at CVS and fill with shampoo from my large economy size bottles. etc.;) I hope I don't get flamed for this or removed, but I really don't know what the new "limits" are in packing to travel via plane. Thank you to all of those who respond in kindness and understanding!:D blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynda90 Posted August 15, 2006 #17 Share Posted August 15, 2006 I always bring a stack of $1 bills for those extra little tips. Always have them handy. Also, an over the door shoe holder for all the incidental items you use on a daily basis. Really helps with the small bathrooms. Purchased this at the Dollar Store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmeesook Posted August 15, 2006 #18 Share Posted August 15, 2006 Question; and pardon my ignorance on this .. but with the news lately.. what CAN you pack?? We won't be leaving on an airplane till Dec so I am hoping things on the homefront will be better... but for now.. I keep hearing conflicting info regarding what can or not be in the carry on? If you can actually carry something on? and what or not can go in the suitcase.:confused: I love my own shampoo, my own soap.. my own mouthwash. And I don't have the finances to buy new every place I go. I economize constantly so I MAY cruise. I am one of those people who buy the plastic bottles at CVS and fill with shampoo from my large economy size bottles. etc.;) I hope I don't get flamed for this or removed, but I really don't know what the new "limits" are in packing to travel via plane. Thank you to all of those who respond in kindness and understanding!:D blue i believe for a domestic flight you can take your own poo, toothpaste, liquids/gels, etc.... it just needs to go into your checked luggage. :) a very valid question btw. i'm like you, i use the travel bottles as well for my shampoo, conditioner, etc and prefer my usual toiletries. i fly out next wednesday so have been *trying* to keep up with the latest info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terpnut Posted August 15, 2006 #19 Share Posted August 15, 2006 Tonight we just met a family of 4 adults, 2 teenagers and 1 young child from New Jersey. For their 12 day Alaska vacation, they had a total of just 7 carry-on size bags! All 7 passengers and their luggage easily fit inside their rented Dodge Durango WITHOUT anyone sitting stuff in their laps or under their legs! Now THAT'S packing light and I think most people should be able to do the same! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabb Posted August 15, 2006 #20 Share Posted August 15, 2006 One thing I'd add to the packing list is a powerful air freshener. Our bathroom on the Summit had a very strong musty odor. Even one of those "air neutralizer" cones didn't hide it. Also flip flops / shower shoes if you intend to swim. Best extra thing we packed was a second camera. The difference in our pictures was enough to make looking at the photos later more interesting, and we ended up with more photos of each other. Usually I take all the pictures, and appear in none. You should be OK putting shampoo, etc. in smaller bottles in checked baggage. Just be sure any prescription drugs you carry on are in the original package with your name on the label, and pack the over-the-counter stuff. Glad we went in June, when I could carry bottles of water! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrco90278 Posted August 15, 2006 #21 Share Posted August 15, 2006 We're leaving Saturday for the Celebrity Summit cruise from Seward to Vancouver, and are thinking about what to pack. I wondered if any of you who have done an Alaska cruise, particularly this time of year, could offer advice as to what to bring. Everytime I go someplace for the first time there's something I wished I had brought with me (binoculars, more warm clothes, more lightweight clothes or whatever). So if any case, if anyone had an example of something they wish they had taken along, or were glad they did bring, the advice would be much appreciated. I wish I had packed one pair of shorts. The day we left Vancouver (July 1st on the Sapphire Princess) it was very warm outside on the ship and I got hot in my jeans. I suggest that you not pack too many jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters etc. The clothes on the ship were surprisingly reasonably priced and the prices in the ports were even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynda90 Posted August 15, 2006 #22 Share Posted August 15, 2006 If you are transferring any liquid items into smaller bottles to pack in check-in luggage, be sure to pack them in plastic zip log bags. Nothing worse than gooey shampoo or messy cough syrup all over your clothes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliesMom Posted August 15, 2006 #23 Share Posted August 15, 2006 Question; and pardon my ignorance on this .. but with the news lately.. what CAN you pack?? We won't be leaving on an airplane till Dec so I am hoping things on the homefront will be better... but for now.. I keep hearing conflicting info regarding what can or not be in the carry on? If you can actually carry something on? and what or not can go in the suitcase.:confused: I love my own shampoo, my own soap.. my own mouthwash. And I don't have the finances to buy new every place I go. I economize constantly so I MAY cruise. I am one of those people who buy the plastic bottles at CVS and fill with shampoo from my large economy size bottles. etc.;) I hope I don't get flamed for this or removed, but I really don't know what the new "limits" are in packing to travel via plane. Thank you to all of those who respond in kindness and understanding!:D blue A lot of the choices will be determined by where you are travel from/to. People traveling in Europe are heavily restricted right now, whereas in the US we are restricted but can still take carryon with us. I have found that the tsa website is the best to use for the details of what is OK, what is not: http://www.tsa.gov/ they are the ones that make the rules, so when in doubt check with them. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/new-items.shtm#1 Prohibited Items (this pertains to carryon luggage) Makeup and Personal Items Aerosal spray bottles and cans All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topcial or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc. Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents Eye drops (See exceptions below) Gel deodorants Hair styling gels Hair sprays of all kinds including aerosol Hair straightener or detangler Lip gels and balms Lip glosses or liquids for lips Liquid bubble bath including gel or liquid filled bubble bath balls or bath oils or moisturizers Liquid foundations Liquid, gel or spray perfumes or colognes Liquid sanitizers Liquid soaps Make up removers or facial cleansers Mascara Non-prescription liquid or gel medicines like cough syrup and gel cap type pills (See our section on Medications) Mouthwash Nail polish and removers Saline solution (See exceptions below) Shampoos and conditioners Toothpaste Food and Drinks All beverages Camelbaks and similar backpacks and water bottles (See exceptions below) Cheese in pressurized containers Duty free alcohol and other items (Please see our section on Duty Free Items) Gel based sports supplements Jellos Pudding Whipped cream Yogurt or gel like food substances Other Items Baby teethers with gel or liquid inside Children’s toys with gel inside Gel candles Gel shoe inserts (See exceptions below) Lighters (Read our section on lighters and matches) Exceptions Under certain circumstances, some items from the list above are permitted. To help you understand more about these items and the circumstances under which they are permitted please read below. Eye drops - You are allowed to carry up to 4 oz., of eye drops with you. Volumes greater than 4 oz., are only permitted in your checked baggage. Gel Shoe Inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened. Prescription and non-prescription medications and other medical needs Saline solution - You are allowed to carry up to 4 oz., of eye drops with you. Volumes greater than 4 oz., are only permitted in your checked baggage. Baby formula and food, breast milk and other baby items Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC47 Posted August 16, 2006 #24 Share Posted August 16, 2006 We flew home from Anchorage on Monday AM checking everything except our breakable gifts which my husband attempted to carry on. This included 3 small (4oz) jars of crowberry jam. He was "busted" by security! They are considered jell products. Fortunately we had time to go back and stow them in our checked bags and we had a good laugh and another story to tell about our great trip to Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6Arabianhorses Posted August 16, 2006 #25 Share Posted August 16, 2006 I wish I had packed......................LESS!! :eek: But what I can tell you is what I am glad I packed. BONINE!!!!!!! Rain Hat Rain Jacket Fleece pullover Fleece Jacket Fleece Gloves Flip Flop and Slippers Extension cord (We took 2 and used both!) Travel Mugs Small pair of Sissors (We actually used those all the time!) Travel Umbrella Travel Clock A Few Ziplock bags Dog Treats for the Sled Dogs......Their Owner was so appreciative that I brought his dogs treats! (As a courtesy, ask permission first) Hand Sanitizer A Large Tote bag....I used this constantly in port for carrying stuff, (DH carried the backpack) A large Canvas Duffle bag for packing all those t-shirts, sweatshirts and souveniers to bring home Diet DP & Bottled Water My own Blow Dryer (The cabin one was permanently mounted in a drawer in the poorly lit vanity area) Of course, our cameras, binocs, laptop, cell phones and all the chargers Don't forget to roll up socks and undies and pack them in shoes. Here are some of the souveniers I was really glad we bought: Alaska Wildflower seeds Alaska Blueberry muffin mix in a really pretty burlap sack Local Newspapers from each port Polar Bear Smooches (I bought 5 boxes of those and everyone has loved them!) T-shirts from Coastal Helicopter Good luck and have a wonderful trip! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.