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In addition to clothes, there are a few extra items that will go a long way in making your cruise to Alaska a memorable experience. For example, one of the highlights of traveling to Alaska is spotting wildlife in its natural habitat. Therefore, we recommend travelers bring a handheld camera and a good pair of binoculars, in order to fully experience the wonder of Alaska’s nature.
Research low-cost things to do in port if you’re on a budget
How To Pack For A Shoulder Season Alaska Cruise - TravelAwaits
How To Pack For A Shoulder Season Alaska Cruise.
Posted: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
I’ve chosen the lime green color because it stands out more, especially key in low light. Waterproof Hiking Boots or ShoesWhen creating your packing list for an Alaskan cruise, don’t forget to include a pair of waterproof hiking boots or shoes for any on-shore adventures. Opt for sturdy soles that will provide traction and stability during hikes or other outdoor activities.
NOCS Provisions 8x25 Waterproof Binoculars
To ensure you don’t miss out, consider booking a later dinner time, or simply eat dinner elsewhere on the nights the sailaway overlaps with your dining time. The Windjammer buffet can be an excellent place to enjoy dinner in Alaska, as the buffet has floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the venue, in addition to outdoor seating on select ships. Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a traditional part of any cruise experience, but think twice before selecting your dining time. Watching a ship tour will help make your first few days onboard stress-free, as you will already have a general understanding of what is offered onboard, as well as the location of popular venues. One of the best ways to become acquainted with Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships is to watch a full tour of the ship on YouTube.
Best Gloves
Unlike most cruises, which typically require you to bring clothes for a consistent temperature throughout the trip, on an Alaska cruise, you’ll encounter varying climates. When packing, keep in mind that your ship might feature a self-serve, complimentary or coin-operated laundry room or offer send-out laundry and dry-cleaning service for a fee. This is particularly useful if you extend your cruise with a land tour (or cruisetour) in Alaska.
Cruise Cabin Essentials
There will be no shortage of long walks on this trip, whether it’s on shore, in town, or around the ship; so it only makes sense to go for sneakers specifically designed for walking. What I like about the KLAW 528 Walking Sneakers is how they combine exceptional support in all the right spots of your foot but look like sneakers you’d actually want to wear outside the gym or trail. By that, I mean they are made from soft leather, come in seven solid colors, and have a chunky profile. This shoe has full-length arch support and a deep heel cup that can help prevent common aches and pains, like plantar fasciitis and heel pain. I find that wearing these lightweight, supportive sneakers literally adds a spring to my step and keeps my feet from feeling fatigued.
The entire shoe is waterproof and can be submerged, so you can also go ahead and wear these in the shower. The sole is firmer but still has that classic Croc cloud feeling, and they have patterned bottoms for traction to prevent slipping. The color options sometimes change and have a shiny strap finish that gives nostalgic jelly shoe vibes — but, again, no blistering — while the black and white versions have a muted finish.
Dinner & Evening Wear

Whether you travel with a laptop or external drive, get in the habit of transferring and backing-up your day’s photos before you go to bed. Get one that can adapt to use with your smart phone and a camera. I always travel with my Joby Gorilla Pod for tabletop use that I mentioned above. And if you’re doing any really active excursions, think about attaching a sunglass strap so you don’t lose them. Plus, if your Alaska cruise begins or ends in Vancouver, you’re going to need a passport for Vancouver. I chuckled when I saw those baggie bottoms, not realizing how essential they’d be on a hike in the rain.
Also, certain sections of the access road to Denali National Park may close in September due to snow, so check your itinerary if that's your preferred Northern Lights viewing spot. Of course, there are also some things that you need to pack for the whole family. I would recommend keeping some of these that you need for boarding in a carry-on bag for easy access. Another tip that I got from my friend Sue was to bring along a set of magnetic hooks. Typically either the cabin door or bathroom door is metal and you can use the hooks here. We found these very helpful for hanging up our coats and sweatshirts.
Check out our list of the 10 Must-Pack Items for an Alaska Cruise for more information on packing necessities on your Alaskan cruise. A waterproof backpack with bug spray, bear spray, bottled water and snacks is practically a necessity in the State. Come prepared, and always check trail conditions with locals or tourist information centers first before setting out. Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next.
9 Alaska Cruise Tips and Tricks (Including What To Pack and Expect) - Upgraded Points
9 Alaska Cruise Tips and Tricks (Including What To Pack and Expect).
Posted: Wed, 18 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
A surefire way to keep your core warm without overheating is a classic fleece jacket. This fitted, hip-length jacket is made of a polyester filament fleece that hits our two Alaska-packing keywords of “warm” and “dry” (a.k.a. “water-resistant” and a “layer). I like the two-tone color scheme of these men’s fleece jackets, as well as zippered pockets that ensure your phone won’t fall overboard.

Humpback whales can be found in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and are some of the most frequently spotted, though you may also see orcas and gray whales as well. If you made it to the end of this article, chances are you’re already following our final tip on this list, and that is to read as many tips as you can about Alaska cruises before you set sail. No one enjoys navigating crowds, but it’s almost inevitable when cruising to Alaska. If you want to avoid the highest crowds, we recommend disembarking your ship early on each port day. As your ship sails away from each port of call in Alaska, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Inside Passage, and you won’t want to miss sailaway each evening. However, sailaway times often overlap with the early dining time, meaning you’ll miss these scenic sailings if you're in the Main Dining Room.
Plus, it comes in multiple colors and is at an accessible price point, so you can easily get more than one. It was a two-week cruisetour with Princess Cruises, where you spend a week on land and a week on a cruise ship — and I got it completely wrong when it came to packing. Growing up in Florida, Alaska was as far away as you could get.
Even if you’ve taken a cruise before, you might be surprised to realize that your cabin door and ceiling are actually metal. It means you can bring along some magnetic hooks like these and use them to hang things around the room. Whether you need space to hang outerwear or a swimsuit to dry, having these hooks adds a ton of extra space to your cabin.
A backpack will be the most comfortable option and can fit everything you’ll need for a busy day in port. Outside of your main clothes and footwear, don’t forget to pack accessories for an Alaska cruise. From hats to wool socks, scarves, gloves, sunscreen, and sunglasses, there are many accessories that you’ll want to bring with you to Alaska. Southeast Alaska is quite a ways away from the Arctic Circle and polar bears, so you may be surprised to encounter nice weather while visiting the state.
For drier days, consider a day pack to stash any extra layers you're not wearing. An Alaska cruise packing list wouldn’t be complete without waterproof shoes. Make sure your waterproof hiking shoes are comfortable, breathable and have support for your feet. For excursions in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and other Alaska port days, it’s a good idea to plan on wearing layers of clothing, with a warm jacket and/or rain-gear as the top layer. Princess’s Syme notes that guests will usually spend a lot of time out on the decks and outside ashore.
Remember that much of your time is actually going to be spent on the cruise ship. So bring your swimsuit and you can take a dip in the hot tub or even lay out if the weather is warmer and sunny. The good thing is that swimsuits don’t take a lot of room in luggage, so even if you don’t use it, it’s not a big deal. While Alaska isn’t hot, it’s still easy to get dehydrated — especially if you decide to do a strenuous excursion like hiking. It’s a good idea to keep a water bottle with you on your trip.
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