Need Your Help

[Luanne Russo]

I opened today's mail and realized that the winter clothes are already going on sale, so the summer clothes can be displayed.

We will be taking our first Alaska cruise out of Seattle in June, and I need to know what to take with us.

Would all of you put your heads together in order to make suggestions?

Remember it is not just for me, but for Josh and Jim too.

I learned yesterday that we will need gloves and hats. What else can you think of?

[katlady]

We went at the end of May 2006 and the weather was sunny. The week before it rained all week. Alaskan weather is unpredictable. I suggest you bring clothes that you can dress in layers. Also bring a rain jacket of some kind and waterproof hiking boots if you plan on hiking around. Alaska is beautiful you will love it. You should see lots of whales at the time of year. I'm not sure if the salmon are running if so you will see bears. We didn't because at the end of May the salmon are not running.

[rollerdonna]

Think layers Luanne. Although I've never been to Alaska, I am Canadian, and we have weird fluctuating weather, no more so than here in Nova Scotia.
I would normally be bundled up the ying yang in Jan. yet here I am still in a Fall jacket with no hat or gloves!
If you dress in layers, from T-shirts, sweaters, especially polar fleece jackets, maybe a down vest or windbreaker, you should be fine, then peel off what you don't need. Gloves and hats are a maybe in June, but then, I've never been to Alaska. Layers, windproof and waterproof would be best, and don't forget your feet!

donna

[Lisa]

Ditto what they said. Instead of a rain jacket, I use a cheap plastic poncho to pull over my clothes when it starts to rain (which it usually will do at some point on your trip.)

[yellowbee]

I took a 7 day cruise to Alaska and was married on Mendenhall Glacier on June 5th. I packed a rain jacket which was much needed. We mostly wore jeans and fleece jackets. I never found I need a t-shirt . We took a ship that had an enclosed pool so we could enjoy the hottubs without having to freeze our bums off getting in and out. On deck the cruise supplied us with wonderful plaid blankets if needed. As far as dinner went I wore long sleeve dresses, mostly light wool and the hubby worn long sleeve dress shirts. I found no need for mittens but it probably wouldn't be a half bad idea to pack some.

Happy sailing!

[Fern]

I agree with everyone about layering. We wore jeans most of the time.
I wore a knit top with a long sleeved blouse over it and DH wore a T with a long sleeved shirt. I also found a waterproof jacket with a zip out lining last year on sale at K-Mart. I never used the lining, but it was nice to know I had it!

Although I brought a hat, what I used most was a wide headband that covered my ears. I also bought socks that wick away moisture and our feet stayed dry and warm.

[Luanne Russo]

So it is no problem wearing jeans? That is good to know. To be honest, I was a little worried, because there is not much call for winter clothes here. I have all of two outfits that all of you would consider winter. We wear the same year round, and take a sweater or coat.

I am making the list, so if anyone else has any ideas, let me know.

Thanks

[Henry43]

I was in Alaska in 2008 in May and June and the temperatures ranged from the low 70's to low 80's

[Rev22:17]

Luanne,

Originally Posted by You

I opened today's mail and realized that the winter clothes are already going on sale, so the summer clothes can be displayed.

We will be taking our first Alaska cruise out of Seattle in June, and I need to know what to take with us.

Would all of you put your heads together in order to make suggestions?

Remember it is not just for me, but for Josh and Jim too.

I learned yesterday that we will need gloves and hats. What else can you think of?

Basically, pack the same way that you would for any other cruise except:

>> Cut the number of pairs of shorts in half (you may want shorts in some areas, but not all).

>> Bring casual pants for wear ashore (yes, jeans are okay for wear ashore -- but bear in mind that some cruise lines forbid them in the dining room all day and at evening functions).

>> Rain gear (waterproof windbreaker, rain hat, etc.) is a "must." Ketchikan and Juneau are in a temperate rain forest, and Ketchikan is the wettest city in North America with over 250 days of rainfall per year. Daytime temperatures also can be rather cool in this region, so you may appreciate a couple extra sweaters or sweatshirts.

>> And when you are out on deck in the vicinity of glaciers, you WILL want winter jackets, hats, and gloves or mittens. The constant calving of the glaciers provides continuous replenishment of the ice, ensuring that the bays with glaciers are full of ice water (temperature: 32 deg. F, 0 Deg. C). The air above those bays is not much warmer. The same is true of helicopter excursions that land on glaciers.

Note that the prescribed evening dress aboard ship is the same as to other destinations. On cruise lines that still hold true "formal" evenings, white and pastel dinner jackets are proper for gents because cruises to Alaska operate in the summer season.

Have a great cruise!

Norm.

[Nurse Debra]

Originally Posted by Luanne Russo

I opened today's mail and realized that the winter clothes are already going on sale, so the summer clothes can be displayed.

We will be taking our first Alaska cruise out of Seattle in June, and I need to know what to take with us.

Would all of you put your heads together in order to make suggestions?

Remember it is not just for me, but for Josh and Jim too.

I learned yesterday that we will need gloves and hats. What else can you think of?

Dressing in layers is always the key when going to Alaska. I still remember my first trip to Alaska and packing gloves, fur hats, thermal underwear and never taking them out of the suitcase the entire trip!

Since I see you are from Texas and I am from the north east maybe my tolerance to cold is a little higher than yours. The temperatures at the glaciers are NOT, as one poster stated, about 32 degrees. While the outside temperature may be 10 degrees colder than if you were not right in front of a glacier they will still usually be around 50 to 60 degrees.

As others have mentioned, a good rain wear is very important.

Enjoy your cruise.

Debra

[Donna]

Yep, I wore jeans just about everyday, they were perfect. We did also see temps reach 70, so even a pair of shorts may be worn during the cruise, you just never know.

[Mike M]

Luanne,

It's pretty simple. Layers and waterproof outerwear. I doubt you will be subjected to any temps less than 40F.

I personally found that a Columbia rain suit worked great. I wore a sweatshirt and t-shirt and carried the rain suit in my backpack. It worked wonderful in Juneau. It was pouring rain in Juneau and the rain suit saved the day. On our whale watching excursion, while everyone else was inside the boat trying to get a glimpse through foggy glass, my wife and I were up on the top deck getting great pictures and views while staying perfectly dry. The rain suit rolls up and fits easily in a small backpack. The raincoat also is great to keep you warm.

Also: Jeans are fine. There is no cruise line, other than perhaps Crystal, that will not allow jeans to be worn, during the day, on an Alaska cruise.

Here is a picture of the type of rain suit I am talking about.



Take care,
Mike

[katlady]

Originally Posted by Luanne Russo

So it is no problem wearing jeans? That is good to know. To be honest, I was a little worried, because there is not much call for winter clothes here. I have all of two outfits that all of you would consider winter. We wear the same year round, and take a sweater or coat.

I am making the list, so if anyone else has any ideas, let me know.

Thanks

I live in California and I don't own any winter clothes. The only thing I purchase for the cruise was a waterproof coat (never used and returned after the trip) and waterproof hiking boots (which I did use). This picture was taken on our alaskan cruise in on room on the balcony the Hubbard Glaicer is in the background.


We wore Hawaiian shirts to Alaska isn't that puppy cute.

[cruis'n sus'n]

Luanne...We loved wearing windsuits (jogging suits) on our trip to Alaska (hubby wore them too)...They don't take up much room in the suitcase, either....I would take one pair of insulated underwear, for when you go to Mendenhall Glacier, but you will probably never use them, otherwise....Their is usually a laundry room on the ship, if you need to wash some clothes. So, pack as light as you can....

Enjoy your cruise!!!!! It is soooo beautiful!!!!

[Luanne Russo]

I actually thought about wind suites. We will be Platium for the first time, so laundry won't be a problem this time.

Thank you all for your help.