Alaska Cruise Vacations: What to Pack?

So you've booked an Alaska cruise, but you have nobe misty, cool, and rainy, so rain gear is a must. Bring a
idea what to pack. What do you wear in Alaskawaterproof windbreaker or rain coat, and pack a hat
anyway? Inevitably, when you think of Alaska, youand gloves.
think of natives bundled in fur-lined parkas and teamsA pair of thermal underwear can also come in handy
of dogsleds racing across vast, snowy expanses.for those long periods you will most likely stand on
Of course, you'll be going to Alaska in the summer, anddeck, staring in awe at the "calving" glaciers, endless
while you'll be viewing glaciers (and maybe even takingwaterfalls, and steep, lush cliffs.
a dog sled ride across an ice field), you will most likelyThe weather in these fjords can change rapidly, and a
experience some very pleasant weather too.misty, cool afternoon can turn warmer and sunny in a
Highs in the summertime in coastal Alaska averagefew minutes, so dressing in layers is important. Pack at
around 60 degrees (16 Celsius). Inland, it is evenleast one warm sweater and maybe another thinner
warmer, with average highs ranging up into the 70'ssweater or sweatshirt.
(mid-20's Celsius).A Passport for Alaska?
Fairbanks is Warmer than Anchorage?Believe it or not, you will need to bring a passport if
Paradoxically, it gets warmer the farther north you goyour cruise either a) begins or ends in Vancouver or b)
from the coast, so that Fairbanks is often 10 degreesstops in a Canadian port, such as Victoria. Almost all
or more warmer than Anchorage during the summercruise ships are of foreign registry and thus are
months, the polar opposite of the winter months, duringrequired to make at least one stop in a foreign port, so
which it is bitter cold in Fairbanks.you will most likely need your passport.
So if you are planning to spend any time touring theThe passport is also necessary if you plan to head on
interior of Alaska before or after your cruise, youa shore excursion into the Yukon when your ship is
might want to pack a pair of shorts (or even a bathingdocked at Skagway, Alaska.
suit -- after all, the cruise ship will most likely have bothAlso, remember to bring binoculars, a camera, and
indoor and outdoor pools).plenty of extra memory cards (or film, if you prefer).
In addition, you will want to bring some short-sleevedFinally, bring a suit or jacket for those formal nights on
shirts or blouses and, yes, even some sun block. Thethe ship -- you wouldn't want to miss out on that
sun block is good to have if you encounter sunnylobster dinner because you forgot your coat at home!
weather while viewing glaciers, as you will most likelyThe key to packing for and Alaskan cruise is making
want to spend a good amount of time on yoursure you have a variety of clothes for everything from
balcony or on an outdoor deck. Bring lip balm too --cool, rainy days to pleasant, sunny, even warm days.
you will need it.The key here is variety and layers.
Alaska Glacier Cruise Packing EssentialsWhatever you do, make sure you have the clothes
Almost all Alaska cruises stop in one or more of theyou need to stand on deck for several hours in what
major fjords of lower Alaska. The ships stop at somemight well be chilly, rainy conditions. Lower Alaska is a
combination of the following: Glacier Bay National Park,temperate rainforest. It rains frequently all summer long.
Misty Fjords National Monument, Tracy Arm Fjord, andBeing prepared with the right layers and waterproof
the College Fjords.clothing will help ensure that you will have an incredible
These fjords are breathtaking and spectacular, andexperience. Your Alaska cruise could well be the
they are the highlight of the cruise. They also tend tovacation of a lifetime. I know it was for me.