Cruise Vacation - What to Pack for Alaska Adventure

An Alaskan cruise vacation requires more careful luggage management than a tropical one. This is not just due to the larger volume of clothes, but also to the great temperature variations in this area, which prompt the traveller to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Summer time in Alaska can mean anything from tepid to freezing.

So how do you get ready for that? It’s simple: pack clothing for all seasons – because you might actually experience all of them during the course of a single day! The best thing you can do is to take an “incremental” or “sequential” approach, i.e., prepare layers of clothing. That way, you can easily put something more on, or take off something, depending on the temperature changes. 

A layered clothing model could look like this: a T-shirt as the foundation, a flannel shirt, a sweatshirt or a turtleneck over it, and possibly a warm jacket as the outer layer. You want to be comfortable, so nothing should be too heavy. As pants, you should pack jeans or khakis. A pair or two of thermal underwear won’t take up much space in your luggage and they might prove useful.

At the beginning of May and the end of September, you can expect lower temperatures, so gloves are not a superfluous item. Some heavy lined jackets or warm coats will help you enjoy the cruise without worrying about the cold. You will definitely appreciate them when exploring a glacier.

Adequate footwear is also necessary. Some hiking shoes and warm socks will help you avoid sore feet or frost-bitten toes during the shore excursions. Bring your most comfortable shoes, not brand new ones – you don’t want blisters to distract your attention from the wonderful scenery you’re exploring.

All well and good, but don’t forget there will be entertainment on the ship as well – and most of it won’t take place on the ice, but in warm rooms. There probably won’t be any waltzing, but you might want to pack some semi-formal apparel. Don’t forget a swimsuit, in case you have the chance to try the heated swimming pool on the ship.

The freezing cold outside will urge mosquitoes to huddle in your cabin and want to become friends with you. Some insect deterrent will help you set some rules. Alaska’s panoramic beauty must not elude you, so you might want to bring a camera and a pair of binoculars. Your skin will appreciate some moisturizer and lip balm, as protection against the extreme temperatures. Also, your arms will be happy not to carry any layers of clothing you’re not wearing at the moment, so a backpack can be useful.

The bottom line is, you have to pack things for a miniature year. “Miniature” and “year” are both key words, as you’ll need to be prepared for any kind of weather, but without carrying too much luggage with you.

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