What are the things that people who went to Alaska on a cruise would like to take with them?
With the Alaska cruise season in full swing, many people are excited to have a great cruise, but worry about what they need. If you’re not familiar with this beautiful region, packing can still present a challenge.
To pack the right items and clothing for a cruise, you need to understand the climate and time period in which you will be taking the cruise.
In the Alaska Royal Caribbean Cruises Facebook group, user Lindsey Parks asks other cruisers who have recently sailed to Alaska for advice. “For anyone who has gone (on an Alaska cruise) recently (like in the last week), what did you learn that she should have packed?” she wrote.
Other Facebook users came to their aid, sharing items they wish they had packed or items they were grateful they brought.
To help fellow cruisers prepare for their next trip to Alaska, we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 items people wish they’d packed.
1. A waterproof jacket
Although Alaska’s weather improves in the spring and summer months, there is always a chance of rain.
July and August are typically the rainiest months, but it could rain at any time during a summer cruise.
Cruise passengers commented that they wished they had a waterproof jacket or poncho to protect themselves from the downpour.
The big draw of an Alaska cruise lies in access to beautiful natural wonders, unique wildlife, and real glaciers.
All of these attractions require you to be outside to see them, and on a cruise, you’re limited to a few hours to explore.
If you’re looking forward to certain natural attractions, bringing a waterproof jacket or umbrella will help you see them, rain or shine.
Our choice
Our recommendation is to bring a waterproof raincoat. Women can choose the Columbia Arcadia Ii jacket. For men, try Columbia’s Glennaker Waterproof Jacket. (The links contain an affiliate link that costs you nothing extra.)
If you have kids, try the Columbia Waterproof Jacket for Boys or the Switchback Li Jacket for Girls.
2. Waterproof shoes
Along those same lines, many Facebook users commented that they should have packed waterproof sneakers or hiking shoes.
They would be useful “even for getting around town,” Kimberly Helfant wrote. “Icy Strait Point was rainy and muddy.”
Icy Strait Point is a private, native-owned cruise port, with popular shore excursions.
From whale watching tours to gondola rides, there are many popular shore excursions to take there.
Cruisers will do a lot of walking while in this port, starting with disembarking from the ship and continuing to museums or following their shore excursion groups.
Having the right footwear will improve your endurance all day in port and prevent you from getting your socks wet!
Our choice
Sperry makes really good boots that you can wear anywhere in Alaska, like the women’s Saltwater Lux boot and the men’s Cold Bay Chukka boot (links contain an affiliate link that doesn’t cost you anything extra).
3. Moisture-wicking socks
Several commenters said they wish they had packed moisture-wicking socks, winter socks, or more pairs of warm socks.
On an Alaska cruise, where hiking and walking are popular methods of taking in the scenery, many pairs of quality socks will be essential.
Warm, high-quality socks match your sneakers or walking shoes to control odors and reduce the risk of blisters.
Moisture-wicking socks also help your feet stay warm because they don’t get cold or damp.
This keeps infections away and ensures that you won’t get sick during a cold hike.
Our choice
The Fox River Wick Dry Explorer Socks came highly recommended by other cruisers because they wick moisture away from your skin so you can stay warmer longer (link contains an affiliate link that costs you nothing extra).
4. Warm leggings
BJ Cannon wished he had packed “warmer leggings, not thin ones.”
For those accustomed to living in a warmer climate, packing for a colder destination can be a challenge.
You might assume that “leggings” just means thin activewear.
You should actually look for thick, warm wool or fleece tights. These will adequately trap heat and work as great layers.
For especially cold days, wear warm leggings under a pair of jeans or snow pants and you’ll feel nice and toasty.
Our choice
Try Hixiaohe Women’s Sherpa Fleece Lined Casual Warm Leggings to have something to pack on your Alaska cruise (link contains an affiliate link that doesn’t cost you anything extra).
5. binoculars
Amy Ehrhardt commented that she should have brought binoculars, “especially for whale watching excursions.”
A good pair of binoculars can ensure that you don’t miss any of the beautiful views of nature during your cruise.
They also allow you to sightsee even from the deck of a cruise ship.
You may not be able to see bald eagles, bears, whales, or the details of a frozen glacier with the naked eye, but a pair of binoculars will bring them all into sharp focus.
There are so many exotic attractions to see, so bring binoculars to make sure you can see them clearly, even from the deck of the cruise ship.
Our choice
For most people, an inexpensive but quality pair of binoculars makes sense, like the Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars (link contains an affiliate link that doesn’t cost you anything extra).
6. A sweater
“I found the boat to be colder than I expected,” Christine Stalker said.
“The main dining room was particularly cold; I needed a sweater over my sleeveless dress on formal nights.”
While you might not expect a summer cruise to Alaska to be cold enough to wear hoodies or sweaters, don’t forget about the cruise weather.
Cruises are unique because you’ll spend a lot of time inside during your vacation (in a cabin, in restaurants, and watching shows in theaters), but you won’t be able to control the temperature.
Cruise ship air conditioning can run cooler than some passengers would prefer, so it’s important to be prepared.
Especially if you plan to bring lighter clothing, such as tank tops or sleeveless dresses, bring a light jacket or sweater, in case you start to feel cold.
Our choice
Try to bring a light fleece jacket that you can easily wear in Alaska ports or on the boat (link contains an affiliate link that doesn’t cost you anything extra).
7. Magnetic hooks
An Alaska trip requires many large items, such as coats, hats, and gloves.
Hanging these items on the steel walls of your cabin can save a considerable amount of space.
Kanetha Hysinger Foster commented that she used magnetic hooks “to hang coats, lanyards, binoculars, etc.”
When you’re short on space in a small cruise cabin, using hooks to hang your things is a great way to keep them within easy reach.
Our choice
Be sure to choose magnetic hooks that can handle some weight, such as magnetic hooks with swivel carabiners (link contains an affiliate link that doesn’t cost you anything extra).
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