The Best Footwear Options For An Alaska Cruise: What Shoes To Pack

Table Of Content

• How to Choose the Best Binoculars for an Alaskan Trip
• Dinner Outfits
• Videos : My Resort Wear for Around The Ship
• Water Bottle with Built-in Filter
• Weekly Parenting tips in your inbox!

One of the highlights of taking a cruise to Alaska is all the wildlife you’ll be exposed to during your trip. This is a must especially when going on an Alaska whale-watching cruise. Now that you know what you need to bring from your closet, it’s time to go through all the other items you won’t want to leave out from your Alaska cruise suitcase. Women can wear a smart dress, skirt, pants, or jeans with a casual top, and men can dress in pants or jeans with a short-sleeve sport shirt. Even though it’s fairly cold in Alaska, you should definitely pack a bathing suit. You’ll likely want to use the hot tub or perhaps even an indoor pool during your Alaskan cruise.

How to Choose the Best Binoculars for an Alaskan Trip

Remember, comfortable and well-supported feet will ensure you can fully enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Alaska. On an August cruise to Alaska, remember to pack all of your waterproof gear—rain jacket, poncho, waterproof shoes, and water-resistant pants—in order to come as prepared as possible. Consider bringing warmer sweaters, scarves, and hats, as there’s a heightened chance you’ll be exposed to colder weather, too. You’ll also want a daypack, dry sack, and belt bag for carrying all your necessities on the ship and during trips ashore.

Dinner Outfits

On Norwegian Cruises, you’ll want to dress up when dining at specialty restaurants. When in doubt, assume it’ll be colder and wetter than predicted. My #1 tip when packing for an Alaska cruise is to pack plenty of waterproof LAYERS. With that said, Alaska isn’t a typical place you probably travel to, and the thought of cold weather, rain, glaciers, and the backcountry wilderness might leave you wondering what to wear.

Videos : My Resort Wear for Around The Ship

So, while you’re planning your Alaska cruise itinerary, it’s important to include layers and outdoor gear to fully enjoy the scenic excursions and diverse weather conditions you may encounter. When packing for an Alaska cruise, it's important to bring a variety of shoes to accommodate different activities and weather conditions. You'll want to pack sturdy, waterproof hiking boots for any outdoor excursions or hikes you may take.

Prepare for Rain

I kept all our hats and gloves in one packing cube for easy access. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit, flip flops and coverups for the pool, hot tubs or spa. The pool on the NCL Jewel was heated and a fairly popular spot to hang on sea days. It can still get chilly outside with the wind, so many quests covered up quickly to lay on the loungers.

Water Bottle with Built-in Filter

You’ll want to keep your legs covered since you’ll be spending a lot of time outside, either while on deck or in the beautiful Alaskan outdoors. We suggest bringing at least one pair of water-resistant nylon pants in your suitcase, which will go a long way in keeping you dry during more rugged excursions. When you’re packing for a cruise to Alaska, make sure to bring all the essentials you would need on any other trip, like casual clothes, dinner attire, technology accessories, and toiletries. A lightweight waterproof backpack is a must for excursions and day trips in Alaska, but also makes a handy embarkation day carry on bag for your first cruise day. Due to the potential for heavy rain in any of the Alaska cruise ports, make sure your backpack is waterproof and not water-resistant. When people say to dress in layers for Alaska, it starts with thermal undergarments.

What To Wear In Cape Town: South Africa Packing List

Great guides will get you the animal access, but you can maximize these moments by packing binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens. This gear lets you easily spot and capture images of your wild finds. You can enhance your cabin comfort, functionality, and organization with just a few items. Some cruise cabins have limited electrical outlets, so a power strip for your device cords ensures your devices are fully charged daily. Irrespective of luggage choice, it’s important to pack efficiently. The simple approach to rolling clothing in your luggage will reduce wrinkles and maximize space.

Cell phone dry bag

Expert ship review of Princess Cruises Royal Princess - Cruise Critic

Expert ship review of Princess Cruises Royal Princess.

Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:38:27 GMT [source]

During days at sea, you will spend time enjoying the ship’s facilities. Be prepared for the outside decks and balconies to be windy and chilly, unless you get lucky with a burst of sunshine. Of course, what you wear is also dependent on what shore excursions you choose. If you are visiting Alaska, I’ll assume that you are doing more than just shopping in the cruise port or staying on the boat, and therefore need to be properly outfitted for excursions. My recommendations on what to wear on an Alaska cruise are based on our trip on the Norwegian Bliss in August.

The packet are also about half as wide as my other go-to, Liquid IV Sugar-Free, and contain a good amount of vitamin C and zinc, which is always a nice bonus for the immune system. Now, after several more trips to Alaska and just being better-traveled overall, I know where I went wrong — and I’m here to share my essential Alaskan cruise packing list with you. Get yourself a warm hat that covers the ears, waterproof gloves, insulated hiking boots, various types of wool socks, and waterproof pants and jackets. We recommend steering away from jeans, as you will get wet and they will be uncomfortable. A simple black wrap dress is perfect for a formal night, or even a Black Jumpsuit would look great and can be layered with any jacket or sweater. You can even go with a nice pair of black jeans and heels with a dressy top.

Essentially, packing for Alaska will require some planning and preparation. Ensuring you pack layers and versatile clothing will be key for a successful cruise week. Beyond your weather-curated clothing, there are some essential packing items that you should bring with you on your Alaskan cruise. While it may not be shorts and t-shirt weather, you’ll want to pack a few lighter layers if you’re traveling during this time. For excursions that involve hiking or walking on uneven terrain, closed-toe shoes are definitely the way to go.

I’ve included examples of Alaska cruise outfits for daytime, evening and formal nights. Nothing's worse than unpacking your suitcase in your stateroom and feeling like you've packed horribly for the upcoming week. With unpredictable weather these days, it's even more important to plan ahead and be purposeful with the outfits you choose to bring on your Alaskan cruise. For men, dark jeans and khaki pants can be a great option to wear both during the day and also onboard for dinners.

Always check your specific cruise itinerary for themed or special event nights. One thing all three of our experts recommended bringing is a pair of binoculars. Don’t worry, you don’t have to break the bank or your neck for the perfect pair. This pair of Vortex Vanquish Compact Binoculars packs a punch for its small size, offering many of the same features you’ll find in a full-size pair. They’re also 100 percent waterproof and fogproof and come with a lifetime warranty. And, at just under 13 ounces, they won’t weigh down your neck and are easy to carry on long excursions off the ship.

What to Wear on an Alaskan Cruise: Your Complete Packing List

Table Of Content

• What to Consider Before Packing for an Alaskan Cruise
• Hanging toiletry bag
• Checklist: Accessories to Pack for Alaska Cruise
• WINTER – December, January, February

After you unpack, you can shove those suitcases under the bed for the rest of the trip. Alaska’s weather can be capricious, with drizzles or mist common. Ensure you pack rain gear, including a poncho, wind-proof travel umbrella, and a reliable rain jacket. Waterproof boots or hiking boots are also recommended for exploring Alaska’s rugged terrains.

What to Consider Before Packing for an Alaskan Cruise

Packing a waterproof rain jacket is a must for your Alaskan cruise, along with an umbrella. I prefer to pack a black rain jacket because it goes with everything. The weather in Alaska is undeniably best in the summer during the cruise season with more daylight, less rain and warmer temperatures. However, you can still experience rain, snow and chilly temperatures throughout the year. Items that I bought and did not end up using were a Merino wool base layer and waterproof rain pants.

Hanging toiletry bag

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: 10 Must-Pack Items - CruiseCritic.co.uk

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: 10 Must-Pack Items.

Posted: Thu, 21 Nov 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Depending on the time of the year, a rain jacket is a clothing item to pack for your Alaska cruise. If I was cruising to Alaska in June, July or August, I would have brought mine and layered it on top of a long or short sleeve shirt. If you like to go all-out for formal night, you can definitely pack a more glitzy gown; however, this takes up more space in your luggage.

Checklist: Accessories to Pack for Alaska Cruise

It’s also wind and water-resistant and even though it looks thin, it’s insulated so you stay pretty warm without needing a super big winter coat. It still looks cute and kept me warm enough to get from the hot tub to my room. A light jacket or puffer style vest worn over a fleece sweatshirt should be good for those cruising to Alaska during the late spring and summer months.

Osprey Ultralight Dry Sack

The glare from snow covered mountains and glaciers can be blinding. We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing. I’m Bobby Pham, but you can call me “Bobby on Cruise.” I’ve been cruising the high seas and exploring the world for years, and I’m thrilled to share my passion and expertise with you. When not cruising, I spend my time on growing my marketing agency.

Different cruise lines may have varying amenities and services, so it’s important to research the specific details of your cruise. Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated on shore excursions. Start with sun protection items like sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm, as even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays can be intense. Alaska’s weather can be chilly, especially in the evenings or during outdoor activities. The air temperature inside the ship is generally at an ambient termperature, but sometimes you’ll need a cardigan or shawl in the air conditioning especially during the evenings.

WINTER – December, January, February

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. As a bonus, they’re rainproof and approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Although there is already more room in the toes for comfort, you can also get all sizes in wide options.

Packing For Alaska Weather

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. Depending on the length of your cruise, you’ll have one or more formal dinner nights in which you’ll need to adhere to Celebrity Cruises’s “Evening Chic” dress code. For women, the Evening Chic dress code includes cocktail dresses, skirts, pants, or designer jeans with an elegant top. Men will wear pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt, or sweater, with the option of a sports coat or blazer. While sweaters and jackets are important, it’s smart to bring along a few base layers to wear underneath your clothes, too. Something to note is that Alaska cruises tend be more casual than Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises.

I Lived My Best Life on the Disney Wonder in Alaska and Here's What Happened - The Walt Disney Company

I Lived My Best Life on the Disney Wonder in Alaska and Here's What Happened.

Posted: Wed, 12 Dec 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]

To help determine what to pack for dinner wear, visit our FAQ packing page. In order to fully capture wildlife and this natural phenomenon, you should bring your best camera instead of relying on your phone to take photographs and videos. If you want to go above and beyond and get some great shots, a travel tripod should make it into your cruise packing list, too. Chances of rain also increase as the summer months go by, so don’t forget to bring all of your rain-related gear, including a light roll-up waterproof jacket, when you cruise in July.

If you are going more north, however, it could easily require you to bring a warm jacket. One of the easiest (and most beautiful!) ways to experience Alaska is by following the coast on an Alaskan cruise. However, to make the most of your cruise, it’s important to bring along the essentials and know what to wear on any Alaskan Cruise.

Because of this, I like taking them before bed, so I can wake up with the medicine in my system. The Alaska-specific items you’ll want to pack will keep you hydrated, allow you to observe wildlife more closely, and keep you looking fresh and feeling steady. – Be extra prepared with my list of 25 Essentials you NEED to Pack for a Cruise. For the more active days, I bought these Columbia Trail Pants and they were one of my BEST BUYS.

Packing for an Alaska cruise is nearly as important as boarding the ship. If you want an unforgettable Alaska cruise, it’s essential to pack appropriately. Poor packing could lead to uncomfortable consequences, from shivering in the rain to missing out on experiences and excursions.

If you intend to use the ship’s spa or pool, don’t forget a pair of Flip-Flops. For days onboard when you want to enjoy some rest and relaxation, a pair of wool socks will keep your feet nice and warm. Enjoy the view from your balcony with a hot chocolate on hand and comfortable socks on your feet. During any month, it can rain in Alaska, which means the potential for wet feet. Make sure to pack some moisture control socks (hiking or wicking socks).

By the time September rolls in, it’s shoulder season in Alaska, meaning there’s less tourists but chillier weather. Temperatures will continue to drop, with highs only reaching the mid 50s and lows going down to the mid 30s. Therefore, if you booked a September cruise to Alaska, make sure to bring heavier layers of clothes, such as thick wool sweaters, socks, hats, a warmer jacket, and a sturdy pair of gloves. Aside from the comfortable and sports clothing you’ll wear during the day and on excursions, you’ll also want to pack dressier attire, too. During dinner in the ship’s main restaurant, cruisers will dress according to Celebrity Cruises’ dress code. As temperatures in Alaska can vary from a toasty 70 to a cold 30 degrees Fahrenheit, we recommend you bring an insulated jacket to your trip.