By Kuki, CruiseMates Cruise Director April 14, 2003
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Packing for an Alaska cruise is different from most other itineraries. For
Alaska, you've really got to be prepared to encounter all four seasons. In
fact, you can run into all four seasons in a single day. The weather
conditions you see when you wake up onboard are not necessarily going to
remain in place for the balance of the day--especially if you're doing shore
excursions, which take you out in the wild.
The key to being comfortable in all conditions is to wear clothing you can
layer as it gets cooler, or remove as temperatures rise.
For most cruises, I leave my blue jeans at home, but in Alaska they serve as
staples to wear in ports of call, on excursions, and even onboard for day
wear while visiting Glacier Bay, or cruising the Inside Passage.
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Upper body clothing can be more complicated. I start off with a lightweight
T-shirt for a base, then either a long-sleeved flannel shirt or sweatshirt (I
prefer the hooded variety, so I can keep my head warm too). Be certain these
are large enough to easily slip over the T-shirt if the weather turns cool.
For truly cold weather insurance I also carry a flannel vest or ski jacket.
Because rain is common in Alaska in the summer months, some sort of rainwear
is also essential. I take along my golf rain suit, but a waterproof
windbreaker and an umbrella are just as effective.
At times, we've been fortunate enough to experience "shorts weather" in
Alaska. So don't assume Alaska will always be cold: Bring along a swimsuit
and a pair of shorts. But when we've flown up to, and landed on, glaciers, we
were delighted we'd brought along warm socks, gloves, polartec fleece or
parkas.
We've found evening dress on the ship during our Alaska cruises to be
generally more casual. Formal nights can still be quite formal, but on most
ships, all other nights are casual attire. Therefore don't feel compelled to
pack sports jackets and ties or extra cocktail dresses.
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Due to the diverse conditions in Alaska, the first thing on my Alaska packing
list is a lightweight, comfortable backpack that I use as my mobile suitcase
in ports of call and on shore excursions. If it turns cool, my next layer of
clothing is readily available, and when the sun comes out, I have a handy
place to store the clothes I remove.
Even in the Caribbean, backpacks are handy for carrying beach towels, coolers
and items you purchase along the way. So it's not something you'll only use
in Alaska, if you choose to purchase one before you go.
If you're planning to take some of the many "adventure excursions" available
in Alaska, I highly recommend investing in a pair of hiking boots, rather
than wearing sneakers. They're comfortable for walking around town, and
combined with a good pair of socks, can keep your feet warm and dry in
inclement weather.
There are a couple of non-clothing items that are MUSTS for an Alaska cruise.
(1) Insect repellent: In some areas you won't be able to tell if it's
mosquitoes or 18-wheelers coming at you. (2) Binoculars, for close-up viewing
of wildlife and glaciers. (3) More film than you think you'll need. The
scenery is truly breathtaking, and you'll be surprised at how many times you
click!
A must on my personal packing list is my antlers. But I always check to see
if it's hunting season before I book the cruise.
