Rethinking what to Pack

[Jahla Jahla]

Weather in the DC area is crazy this year. We really haven't had what I call really, really hot weather. And the humidity hasn't bothered me this year. Some years it is so bad that it is hard to breathe. Anyway, the weather here gives a false feel for what it will be like in Alaska. BUT, this morning I woke up and it is in the 50's with a wind reminding me what to expect in Alaska. After the warm to hot weather we have had, the change in temperatue this morning has made me rethink what to pack. It feels really cool. And since I get cold, I am rethinking what to take. We are headed to Alaska on Sept 5, and cruise on the 10th on the Visions. I know no one can say this far in advance what the temperatures will be, but can someone guess? I know that I will take a couple of warm weather clothes, but does anyone think I will need more? Not planning on a winter coat, but a fleece jacket instead.

Can someone give me an idea?

Jahla

[churee]

I just got back from Alaska one week ago. Now I realize that July and September are two different types of weather, but I am also a "cold "person and took way too may clothes. I had taken a fleece jacket and a gortex(is that right) rain/keep warm jacket. I also took earmuffs and a pair of wool socks (because I knew we were going on a glacier and I used them there). I used those, but didn't use the down vest or duck shoes I brought. My advice to you is don't take as many clothes as I did. My husband and I wound up mailing extra clothes back home to lighten our suitcases. You can always layer, and if worst comes to worst you can buy another sweatshirt or whatever in Alaska. Hope this helps.

 

Joyce

[Budget Queen]

You need several warm layers with a lightweight lined jacket. That way just add and subtract as needed. Also necessary- knit hat and gloves, rain gear, 2 pair of walking shoes.

[tennlady]

Take several pairs of jeans, a warm-up (jogging) suit, water-resistant jacket with hood, fleece jacket, sweatshirt, socks and 2 pairs of walking shoes. We bought the fleece jacket and sweatshirts on Summit 2 weeks ago and in ports. Prices were not bad.

 

Be careful about overpacking. We found out that the airlines really do charge for luggage that is over the weight limit. Shipping extra items home was a good idea - too bad we didn't think about it sooner.

[Jahla Jahla]

Thanks guys.

 

 

Hubby and I have learned to pack. Our first trip to England, we took three bags apiece. Boy, did we over pack. Our next trip, we took two bags apiece, and yes, again we overpacked. On our next trip to London, we took a total of 3 bags plus an empty bag. Good thing we did. It carried an English watering can back home. Cabbie wanted to know why we bought a watering can. I said, it was different than the American watering can.

 

on our trip to Ireland, we took again a bag apiece, and a spare. Three years ago we did a 19 day trip around Europe. We each had one bag. On this cruise, we are bring a bag apiece, plus a garment bag with formal attire. But, we are bringing an empty bag.

 

I am wrting down suggestions on what to bring. Thanks for all the help you have given me.

 

Jahla:D

[mrsbojamp]

I had read on the boards how you need to layer, and since Alaska was experiencing a heat wave the week before we left (mid-July), I made sure to bring plaenty of shorts. Other than the pair I wore on the plane to Vancouver, I never wore another pair! At least one fleece is a must. I also had a gore-tex jacket that I wore frequently. The gloves and ear muffs ARE needed by the glaciers. I was so glad I had them. Jogging or wind pants are the easiest to wear and pack, but jeans were good too. Hope that helps.