Sunday, April 14, 2024

What To Pack For An Alaska Cruise: The Complete Guide

what to take on an alaskan cruise

Maybe you’ve sailed the Caribbean, but we can tell you that the experience of sailing Alaska is completely different in what you see, the experience onboard, and even your other passengers. In fact, there are many people who may not have any interest in cruising, but do consider taking a trip to Alaska. When it comes to cruising, there is nothing quite like sailing to Alaska. It’s difficult to explain exactly what it’s like to sail to the 49th state, surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and amazing natural beauty. That’s because no matter how many photos or videos you see, it simply doesn’t do it justice.

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How to Plan the Best Alaska Cruise - Travel Alaska

How to Plan the Best Alaska Cruise.

Posted: Thu, 26 Jan 2023 17:02:13 GMT [source]

And don't forget to delete previously saved photos off your phone to open up more memory for your new pics. Whether you plan on kayaking or hiking, most Alaska adventures require essential gear. A durable, versatile backpack or waterproof dry bag will keep your essential head-to-toe gear and snacks dry and nearby. Use packing cubes and travel organizers to keep cabins cozy and tidy, make essential items easy to find and in order, and streamline dressing for any occasion. There’s a balance between packing particulars and considering big-picture factors every passenger strikes while drawing up their Alaska packing list for a fantastic cruise.

Columbia Pouration Rain Jacket

While trips like the Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise takes passengers to a magical Alaska area, some of the most memorable moments of an Alaska cruise trip take place off the boat on exciting shore excursions. No matter how you decide to explore, here are some essentials to pack. It is your place to rest and reflect from an incredible day and charge up for the next day and a place to store your gear. Here are some tips for essential cruise items that will make your cabin feel like home.

Waterproof bag

what to take on an alaskan cruise

Even if the temps are chilly, a soak in the hot tub is the perfect way to relax after a day of adventuring. When you’re out on the water it can get chilly on deck, even when it’s warm on land! You’ll thank yourself for packing a pair of lightweight gloves with touchscreen capability. You’ll avoid cold, chapped hands while taking pics or holding up your binoculars to spot a fluking whale off in the distance.

It’s a good idea to keep a water bottle with you on your trip. The cruise ships don’t have bottles for you to take ashore and bottled water isn’t always available if you get off the beaten path. But if your backpack doesn’t have one, adding an inexpensive rain cover to your Alaska cruise packing list will let you keep all your gear safe and dry during your outdoor adventures. Although I already mentioned packing a pair of lightweight touchscreen gloves, when you cruise to Alaska in the rainy season, you’ll also want a pair of warmer, waterproof gloves. You’ll want to pack several casual tops or shirts to wear around the ship and during your less-active shore excursions.

Portable chargers

In this case, you can easily spend a couple of days on land before or after your cruise. When you cruise through Glacier Bay, you’ll want to be on deck to hear the travel guide and see the area’s 15 active glaciers, humpback whales and other countless wildlife. Cool, moist summers in Glacier Bay mean you should expect temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the really helpful things on the cruise was the Carnival App which details everything you need to know about what’s happening on board, the daily activities, ship port times, etc.

Osprey Ultralight Dry Sack

For $45, this large cover will seal over your backpack (from 50 to 75 L). When you’re not using it, the rain cover packs into itself and weighs 4.4 ounces. Their wool is softer and thinner, making it easier to regulate body temperature and keep your tootsies warm. The fibers also magically wick away sweat and moisture, keeping your feet not only dry but less likely to smell like you were walking around all day.

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Whether you plan to snap iPhone photos or rent a zoom lens for your DSLR, make sure to bring your photo gear for all of the beautiful scenery you'll encounter in Alaska. Kyriecat says, "A good zoom lens or high-pixel camera so you can crop and enlarge pictures is a must have," especially for great wildlife shots. Bring plenty of memory cards and a hard drive to back up your priceless photos. If you prefer the cellphone camera route, consider lens attachments for your phone or a portable or solar-powered charger so your battery doesn't die on you right when that moose decides to show up.

July enjoys the warmest average temperatures of the summer (they can go from low 50s to high 60 degrees), which is why it’s one of the best times to cruise to Alaska. Be sure to pack a mix of short and long-sleeved T-shirts and waterproof pants that can convert into shorts, in case you get extra sunny and warm days during your cruise. Speaking of chargers, a portable charger is also a good item to have on hand during your cruise to Alaska. Odds are you’ll be taking a lot of photos and videos during your trip, which can quickly drain the battery on your phone. Remove all chances of running out of battery life just as you’re about to capture footage of a group of humpback whales splashing in the water by bringing a travel charger with you.

Bring some hats, gloves, good walking shoes or boots, and other warm weather gear for your day trips. A rain jacket and umbrella is also advised as Alaska weather can often be overcast and rainy so be prepared for that. Don’t Miss the Scenery Between PortsSail to the Caribbean and the schedule is typically stop in a port, enjoy the day, and then get back on the ship.

This will be essential for knowing how to dress for those long hiking shore excursions on an Alaska cruise. If you plan to join some serious walking tours while ashore, it’s worth packing good waterproof hiking boots. On formal nights in the main dining room or an upscale specialty restaurant, men can pair dark pants with a sport coat, shirt and and maybe a tie. A guy could even get away with wearing a nice pull-over sweater and maybe a collar peeking out over the neckline. Alaska cruises really are relaxed when it comes to dress-up nights. If you live in a warm climate or don’t wear winter jackets often, consider purchasing gently-used cold weather gear at a thrift shop or on eBay.

We found this app really helpful to plan what we wanted to do on board. With so many people on board, viruses, coughs and colds can spread quickly among passengers. A good rule for you is to bring some handbag sized hand sanitiser and use the hand sanitiser provided around the boat and in the buffet areas every time you see them. In Alaska this will include orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, sea otters, eagles and even bears if you are lucky! My first timer’s tip for once you get on-board the boat is not to head straight to your cabin, but to take a tour of the entire boat and get yourself acquainted with everything on-board.

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