This is a partnership post with Angie from Tourangie.com
Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? An Alaskan cruise promises breathtaking scenery, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and experiences that will leave you in awe. But before you set sail, there’s one crucial step to ensure smooth sailing (pun intended): packing. The key to enjoying your trip, rain or shine, lies in packing smartly for Alaska’s unpredictable weather and diverse activities.
This Alaska Cruise Packing Guide will walk you through the essentials, from clothing to gear and even cabin hacks, so you’re fully prepared to enjoy all the wonders of the Last Frontier. Cruises in Alaska only happen between April and October, and depending when you travel will help narrow down the list of essentials to bring with you. April, prepared to be chilly to down right cold. July be prepared to sweat from heat at times, and in October the chance of rain in Ketchikan will be very high. I will be going over essentials for the Alaska cruise ship season.
Most important items to pack
- Passport: This is the most important thing to pack. Make sure, triple check that you have it. You will not go on a cruise without it. If you are taking an Open-Jaw cruise like I did for one of my Alaska cruises, starting in Seward and ending in Vancouver you will have to have a passport. Remember Vancouver is in Canada. Closed-Loop cruises from Seattle for United States residents are not as strict for the most part with having a passport. But still I highly suggest having a passport because you never know what could happen, and you do not want to be stuck in Canada without it and need to fly back to the United States. Passport wallets are great for travel.
- Travel Documents: Luckily most cruise ships you use your cell phone and check in that way. But still some use the cruise documents or some people prefer to print out the cruise documents. Remember the luggage tags in particular. They need to be placed on the luggage before the porter takes them from you. I usually place them around the handles at my hotel as I am checking out of the hotel before my cruise. There are great luggage tags available on Amazon perfect for cruise travel.
- Credit Cards/ Cash: I always suggest it to anyone. Use a credit card when traveling. It is safer than using a debit card because you have a longer time to dispute transactions. I very rarely use cash for anything anymore, but I always bring some cash on a cruise. Especially one dollar bills for tips. Sure they charge tips and gratuities everyday, you set that up as prepay before the cruise, or leave it as a daily charge for during your cruise. But there are always specific bartenders or my cabin steward I give extra too. Anyone who is extra special I give an extra tip.
- Prescription Medications: Always pack your medicines. Going to the ship doctor is expensive on a cruise ship and they might not have what you normally take medicine wise. My mom has traveled on cruise ships with one of those weekly medicine containers for years. Saving room in your carry on luggage by not taking every medicine bottle you are prescribed. Pro Tip: Buy travel insurance, just in case you have to visit the doctor on a cruise ship. Also use a travel agent, they can be so helpful, even with the travel insurance that you need for a cruise.
You’ll Need Layers and Waterproof Gear
Packing the right clothing for an Alaska cruise is all about lots of layers. Alaska’s weather can vary significantly throughout the day and by season and its a good idea to be prepared, ranging from brisk mornings to sunny afternoons. To stay comfortable, your clothing should adapt to these changes seamlessly.
Essential Items: Clothing
- Base Layers: Thermal undergarments or moisture-wicking tops will keep your body warm without overheating. Hiking in the summer months will be warm, even if it is hiking to a glacier. The temperatures will be higher and the exertion of hiking will make you sweat.
- Mid-Layers: Sweatshirts, fleece pullovers, long-sleeved shirts or light sweaters are perfect for insulation. Pack more of these heavy items for cruises in April as you will be chilly, but cruises in July not so much.
- Outer Layers: A Columbia waterproof jacket or other lightweight jacket is a must-have to protect you from unexpected rain or mist.
- Comfortable Walking Shoes: If you plan to hike or participate in excursions, Merrell hiking shoes are a favorite for their comfort and durability plus waterproof shoes are great if there is a chance of rain. I brought hiking shoes, walking shows and dressy sandals that look good with everything
- Swimwear: When you think of Alaska you really don’t think about swimming. But the pools are open on deck, and summer will be warm enough to swim usually. Plus using a hot tub is great any time during an Alaska cruise.
- Evening Attire: While most evenings are casual, nice blue jeans, dress pants, skirt, or nice dress for women. For men polo shirts and khakis at least should be packed. Dress code must be adhered to in the main dining room and other specialty restaurants on board a cruise ship. You can not walk in wearing a bathing suit in the main dining room. So I always bring a few casual dress up outfits for dinner. For me this is considered dress up, because I am a Tshirt and jeans type of girl.
- Season-Specific Tips:
- April and May travelers should prioritize warm clothing as temperatures lean toward the chilly side. This is called Shoulder season and prices are typically better than the summer cruises.
- For July cruises, remember that Alaska can surprise you with sunny, warm weather. I even found myself in a t-shirt some days!
Pro Tip: On my first Alaskan cruise, I packed waterproof hiking pants. During a rainy whale-watching excursion, I was so grateful I thought ahead and packed them. The key to staying happy is to stay dry.. Don’t make that mistake!
Gear and Gadgets for the Ultimate Adventure
An Alaskan cruise isn’t just about scenic views and relaxing aboard a luxury liner. Wildlife sightings and exploring untouched terrains make this trip unique. Proper gear will help you capture every “pinch me, this is real” moment.
- Binoculars: Don’t skimp here; Nikon binoculars are worth the splurge. I used mine every day to spot humpback whales breaching, bald eagles soaring, and even mountain goats in the distance.
- Portable Chargers: Anker portable chargers will keep your devices powered during shore excursions where outlets are limited. I always keep my portable charger on me to recharge my cell phone. You use your phone on the ship when you sign into the app and check the daily schedule. On an NCL cruise you use your phone to play Wheel of Fortune. Plus if you are anything like me, you will be taking pictures and videos of everything Alaska.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial for active days. Look for insulated bottles to keep beverages hot or cold. For me this is a must for a cruise. I go to the buffet in the morning and fill it up with coffee for the morning, and in the afternoon I fill it up with water or flavored water they have at the buffet area. This saves me from buying a soda package on the cruise ship. Even if you don’t have the drink packages, soda can cost $5 each, so bring your insulated water bottle.
Pro Tip: I spotted a grizzly bear outside my train window from Anchorage to Seward, and with my binoculars, I captured every glorious detail. Don’t forget to bring yours to shore excursions, train rides, and even the ship’s deck.
Health and Safety Must-Haves
Nature is unpredictable, and it’s better to be over-prepared than underwhelmed when it comes to safety and health.
- First-Aid Kit: Include essentials like band-aids, pain relievers, anti-allergy meds, and motion sickness remedies.
- Sunscreen: Don’t underestimate the Alaskan sunshine, especially when reflecting off the water. Do you know that my only sunburn for the year happened in Anchorage Alaska the day before my cruise started. I did not think about sunscreen because I was so focused on just the rainy weather of the Pacific Northwest. Summer days can be hot.
- Lip Balm: Is something I always bring with me, SPF protection for your lips is needed. Any time I spend lots of time outside my lips get chapped.
- Mosquito/ Insect Repellent: If cruising in July or August, Sawyer Products mosquito repellent is perfect for fending off pesky insects during forested excursions.
Pro Tip: Traveling in April? You can likely leave the mosquito repellent behind, as bugs are less active.
Consider These Optional Items
If you have extra suitcase space or weight allowance, here are a few “nice-to-haves” that can elevate your Alaska cruise experience.
- Books or Travel Games: Perfect for quiet evenings in your cabin or lazy afternoons at sea. Personally, I always pack a deck of cards.
- Formal Night: Most cruise ships still have formal nights, but on NCL they do not. Sure people still dress up from time to time throughout the cruise, but there is not a designated formal night. So if you do not want to get fancy, don’t bother.
Brilliant Cabin Essentials
Living out of a cabin can be conveniently stress-free if you pack a few clever items to make the space feel more functional.
- Magnetic Hooks: Cruise cabin walls are often magnetic. Hooks can provide additional storage spots for hats, jackets, or bags. Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise line have a retractable line in the bathroom of your cabin. This is helpful for drying out your swimwear, but also great to use if your clothes are wet from walking in the rain on a shore excursion.
- Travel-Sized Laundry Detergent: Useful for longer cruises where re-wearing clothes might be necessary. Personally the best thing for me is to get laundry done on the cruise ship. It allows you to pack less in your luggage and usually isn’t that expensive to get a few items together, and bag them up to leave for the cruise laundry service to do for you.
Pro Tip: I do not pack shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. Cruise lines supply it. Celebrity cruise lines have amazing health and beauty products in their cabins, and NCL’s products are great too.
What to Leave at Home, for the Majority of People
- Camera: Your smartphone is handy and newer phones take high quality shots and videos. Only if you’re a photography enthusiast, bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera for higher-quality shots.
- Umbrella: If your cruise provides an umbrella (some classes on Celebrity Cruises do), you can skip this. Otherwise, pack one for peace of mind. I remember the one time I cruised on Celebrity cruise line, I was booked in the Concierge Class and it had an umbrella in the balcony cabin for passengers to use.
- Over-the-Door Hanging Organizer: A lifesaver for holding toiletries, chargers, and even snacks. This is a must for families, as 4 people in a cruise cabin is cramped and needs extra storage at times. But for the majority (2 people in a cabin), don’t bother buying or packing this item. It takes up more room in your luggage than it is worth.
What About Packing for Different Months?
Depending on when you plan to cruise, an Alaska cruise packing list can be different. Consider these extra tips for tailored packing.
- April-May: Pack warmer clothing, as temperatures are brisk. Waterproof and layered pieces are vital, especially since rain is more likely during these months.
- July-August: Mosquitoes are more active, but sunny days are common. Keep sunscreen and lightweight layers handy! This is considered to be the best time to take an Alaska cruise due to the lack of cold weather, but will be the most expensive time to cruise
- Rain Variability: Even light rain can happen year-round, so pack a poncho or a backup rain jacket for shore excursions and deck side strolls. October is known to be the rainiest month in Ketchikan, so I can see more rain then than any other time.
10 Day Alaska Cruise
Anchorage day 1: Landed at 8:30PM, sunny skies, temperature in the 80’s and I was in a t-shirt and jeans. I was really confused by the light at night thing that happens here. In July it was 1AM and it was still light outside. When the sun does set, it doesn’t stay dark for long. Early sunrises too.This was something I was not prepared for. Consider this when booking a cruise, if light bothers you, book an interior cabin, it will be better for sleeping.
Anchorage Day 2: Exploring Anchorage, sunny skies and hot: temperatures were above 90 degrees!!!! Wore a T-shirt and shorts, and was sun burnt by the early afternoon.
If you would like to learn more about my adventure in Anchorage, click here.
Day 3 Travel from Anchorage to Seward: Mixed day or sunshine and showers, highs in the 80’s I was wearing T-shirt and jeans. Left Anchorage before noon, while riding the train it did rain when traveling across the mountain, then it cleared up. But as we were boarding the ship in Seward the skies became dark with rain clouds. It started raining as the cruise ship pulled out of port to start the adventure, but did not rain long.
Day 4 Sea Day/ Hubbard Glacier: Highs in the low 60’s cloudy with a misting rain off and on all day. Chilly sailing the bay close to Hubbard Glacier so I was wearing a T-shirt, jeans and lightweight jacket.
Day 5 Icy Strait Point/ Hoonah Alaska: Highs in the mid 60’s with spotty showers in the area. My shore excursion was walking in the forest trying to find bears, so I dressed to prepare in case for rain. Comfy waterproof shoes, water resistant hiking pants, and water resistant jacket. Walking and hiking was warm wearing what I was wearing, but I could take off my jacket when needed. When the rain came, I was glad I had my jacket. It didn’t rain for long and I would take off my jacket then
Day 6 Juneau: Rainy 70% of the day, but nothing heavy, just misting. Hiking at Mendenhall Glacier was chilly so I was glad I had a long sleeve t-shirt under my jacket.
Day 7 Skagway: Sunny and upper 60’s. brought my light weight jacket with me because I was not sure what it would be like taking the train to Canada for my shore excursion. Good thing it was chilly with a cold wind in Fraser, British Columbia. It warmed back up in Carcross in the Yukon Territory, but did rain on the drive back down to Skagway. Officially though I was never out in the rain.
Day 8 Ketchikan: Sunny and hot, temperatures in the upper 70’s. I wore my lightweight jacket on a shore excursion because it was a fishing boat, but honestly I did not need it. I wrapped it around my waist when walking Ketchikan as it was hot.
Day 9 Sea Day, Cruising the Inside Passage: Cloudy with rain in the evening, but temperatures were in the upper 60’s. I wore a long sleeve shirt without a jacket when sitting on the outside deck looking for whales.
Day 10 Vancouver, the end of cruise: Early morning rain that cleared and the day was warm and clear, T-shirt and jeans were worn and jacket was packed in luggage as the cruise was over.
If you would like to read my Alaska Cruise Review, click here.
The More You Know, the Better You Pack
Packing light doesn’t mean leaving behind the essentials. It’s about curating the right items that ensure comfort, efficiency, and a little extra joy on your Alaska adventure. Trust me, your binoculars will become your favorite companion, and you’ll thank your rain jacket every time the weather changes.
Do you have a packing hack or must-pack item for an Alaskan cruise? Leave a comment below, or share your best tip with the community! Now, get ready to confidently pack and set sail on a cruise filled with unforgettable moments.
If you would like to read more about Alaska, check out my collection of blogs. Visit Tourangie.com for all of your travel needs.
Alaska Cruise Packing Guide: Essentials on What to Bring!