Packing for an Alaskan cruise, from layers and outerwear to shoes and essentials, so you’re ready for every kind of weather!
Last August 31st to September 7th, my husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary with an Alaskan cruise, and it was one of our favorite trips ever. Before we even boarded the ship, though, I realized something very quickly: figuring out what to pack for an Alaskan cruise is surprisingly hard.
Everyone I asked on our cruise said the same thing: packing was a real challenge. Alaska is beautiful and unforgettable, and it’s also notoriously unpredictable when it comes to weather.
If you’re planning an Alaskan cruise and wondering what to bring, I hope this post gives you a helpful starting point.
Before You Start Packing: A Few Helpful Things to Know
1. Alaska weather is unpredictable
I once heard someone say that when you pack for an Alaskan cruise, you should pack for all four seasons, because you’ll probably dress for them all. I found that to be absolutely true.
We kept a close eye on the forecast for all our ports right up until the day before we left. At the last minute, I tossed in a pair of shorts and some lighter t-shirts, and I’m so glad I did. Our cruise was unseasonably warm, and I wore those pieces far more than I expected.
Consider where you’re coming from compared to Alaska’s weather. We live on Vancouver Island, Canada, which is perhaps more similar to some of the weather in Alaska. If you’re coming from very hot summer weather, you might not feel as warm in shorts as we did. ;)
Ironically, I never wore my rain jacket, since it didn’t rain on any of the 7 days we were cruising. But there are no guarantees when it comes to Alaska weather, so I would still recommend bringing one.
2. Check your cruise line + ship details
We sailed with our cruise line, and one thing I highly recommend is joining an online group for your specific cruise ship. These groups are full of experienced cruisers asking and answering very specific questions, from dress codes to what to expect on excursion days.
I learned a lot just by reading through the questions and responses.
(If you’re still in the planning phase, I’ve also shared posts on how to plan an Alaskan cruise and how to choose the best cruise ship cabin. I’ll link those below.)
How I Packed: Bags & Organization
For this trip, I packed using:
- One carry-on suitcase (packed to its fullest capacity!)
- Compression packing cubes to keep everything organized and take up less space
- One large tote bag with some extra room to bring home souvenirs
- A crossbody or fanny pack. I know it’s stylish to wear these as crossbody bags, but since that makes my neck hurt, I proudly wore mine as a fanny pack and loved it!
I’ll admit it, though: my carry-on was stuffed. But everything fit, and I was grateful not to drag around a huge suitcase! I’ve linked below the exact bags I use:
Shop my Favorite Travel Bags
Here are the actual bags I’ve used for years! (affiliate links)
What I Packed for an Alaskan Cruise
Want to See Our Actual Cruise Outfits?
Here they are! Just click the button below to see what we wore:
Bottoms
I focused on comfortable, mix-and-match pieces:
- 2 pairs of cotton capri pants (one navy, one black)
- 1 pair of dressy linen pants (for evening dinner)
- 1 pair of Bermuda shorts
- 1 pair of jeans (that could be rolled up to become capri pants). I read somewhere that it’s recommended to bring 2 pairs of “warmer” pants for excursion days, in case one gets wet. I took a chance and brought only one pair, and I ended up wearing SHORTS on our excursion days. (I know, highly unusual!!)
Other factors to consider: As I did my research, many people suggested bringing leggings or dressy sweatpants for the cruise. The Alaskan cruise we were on was very casual, so those items certainly could work. However, I don’t enjoy wearing leggings or sweatpants at home, so I didn’t take that advice. Remember to pack what you love to wear, not just what people recommend! ;)
Because I packed mostly things I already owned, I couldn’t link the exact items I took. However, I found similar items and listed them below. Be sure to check ratings, reviews, and return policies to see if they’re what you’re looking for.
Shop Similar Pants
Here are similar items to what I packed for our cruise (affiliate links)
Dinner note: Check your cruise line’s dress code before packing. Ours was fairly casual, with optional dressy theme nights. I wore the same black linen dress pants to dinner each night and simply changed my tops. Easy, comfortable, and efficient.
Tops & Layers
Layering is absolutely key on an Alaskan cruise. I found it funny how many outfit changes I made on the ship each day! For example, walks around the top deck were chilly in the morning, but lunch in the dining room was a comfortable temperature in a light t-shirt!
I packed:
- Several casual t-shirts (most short-sleeved, with 1 long-sleeved and one sleeveless)
- A few dressier tops for dinner
- One cozy cardigan (that worked with all my t-shirts)
- One pullover sweater
- A swimsuit (there are hot tubs and pools on the ship that are so lovely to use!)
The temperature on the ship varied depending on where you were, and I reached for my cardigan often. I often just tied it around my waist and kept walking while we wandered around.
Shop Similar Tops
Here are similar items to what I packed for our cruise (affiliate links)
Outerwear
Even if you don’t end up using everything, these are important to have:
- A shacket or warm sweatshirt
- A rain jacket (even though I didn’t need mine, I’d still bring one)
- Hat & lightweight gloves
One thing to keep in mind is that when you travel to Alaska, it will probably be during the warmer months of the year. If it’s summer in Alaska, even though it might be chillier than your summers, you probably won’t need a huge down-filled coat! But it does rain a lot, so you’ll want to be prepared for chilly, rainy weather (with sometimes a few snowflakes thrown in!).
Shop Similar Outerwear Items
Here are similar items to what I packed for our cruise (affiliate links)
Shoes (Comfort Matters!)
We did a lot of walking, on the ship and during excursions, so comfortable shoes were essential.
I brought:
- Flat slip-on tennis shoes (my most-worn shoes)
- Dressier sandals for dinner
- Flip-flops. Although most people use sneakers as their favorite walking shoes, mine are a sturdy pair of sport flip-flops. Yes, I hike in them (within reason!), too…
- Waterproof boots (just in case it rained during excursions)
Shop Similar Footwear Items
Here are similar items to what I packed for our cruise (affiliate links)
Bags & Accessories
One of my most-used items was a simple fanny pack. It was perfect for excursions and made getting on and off the ship easy.
I kept my glasses, cruise ship card, credit cards, phone, and lip balm in it. It worked great when we were doing lots of walking.
The ship provided a simple reusable shopping bag if you wanted to take that with you on excursions.
Other helpful items:
- Sunglasses
- Small binoculars (optional, but fun for wildlife viewing)
- Simple jewelry to mix and match with outfits
My Biggest Packing Tips for an Alaskan Cruise
- Focus on layers
- Choose pieces that mix and match easily
- Pack for unpredictability in the weather department
- Comfort matters! Pack what feels good and makes you feel great at home, and you’ll feel the same way on the cruise.
Want to See What Our Cruise Was Really Like?
I’ve shared:
- A full Alaskan cruise planning guide
- Tips on choosing the best cruise ship cabin
- A playlist of short daily videos showing what each day looked like on our Alaska cruise.
If you’re planning an Alaskan cruise, I hope this helps as you plan and pack. I’m so excited for you and hope you have a marvelous time!
Happy travels to you!
