Packing List for Alaska Cruise

Deciding what to pack for an Alaska cruise can be daunting; trust me, I know! I spent loads of time researching this topic before our Alaska cruise.

One visit and you quickly understand why Alaska cruises are on so many people’s bucket lists.

I usually pack for a warm, sunny climate on most cruises we have been on. I quickly discovered that I would encounter several climates on an Alaskan cruise, so I wanted to be prepared.

I was trading shorts and swimsuits for rain pants and toboggans. This was definitely not my usual Caribbean cruise!

Thank is what prompted me to help others.

By creating this packing list for an Alaska cruise, I hope to alleviate some of your stress and provide you with a complete list of what to pack for an Alaska cruise.

I based this packing list on our experience while on our Princess Cruise to Alaska.

Of course, your list could vary a little depending on the type of excursions and activities you have planned while on your Alaskan cruise, but this will give you a good starting point.

We always recommend checking the weather before you begin packing. You always want to be prepared.

While we usually pack light, we had a checked bag for Alaska. There were too many layers to travel with only a backpack or carry-on.

With that in mind, let’s dive into our Alaska cruise packing list and get you ready to explore the last frontier!

In addition to the various temperatures you will encounter on an Alaska cruise, your packing list will also vary depending on your planned excursions on your days in port.

During our Princess Cruises Alaska cruise, we enjoyed many fun excursions and were glad we brought a variety of clothing to match the planned experiences.

So, whether you’re ziplining through the forest or enjoying an afternoon exploring, ensure you have thought through your activities before packing.

Because the weather can change so quickly, it’s a good idea to have a couple of short-sleeve and a couple of long-sleeve T-shirts.

If you travel during the shoulder season (May and September), you might not even want short-sleeve shirts, as you will experience colder weather than in the summer.

Having some options for your days on the ship is also nice when you might not need the extra layers.

Since Alaska weather can vary greatly, we recommend bringing a lightweight jacket on Alaska cruises.

I would even recommend that this lightweight jacket be a rain jacket because you will likely encounter rainy weather during your trip.

We love the lightweight jackets from Columbia. I have this lady’s Columbia jacket and Marty has this men’s jacket.

Adding base layers to your Alaska packing list is highly recommended. I was so happy I had my fleece-lined leggings under my hiking or rain pants.

These thin tops are made of unique material that helps keep you warm and manage moisture. They offer shirts for women and men.

I was glad for my base layers when we visited Glacier Bay National Park. We spent most of that day out on deck, and boy, was it cold!

Having comfortable pants on your list of casual clothes is beneficial since you will probably spend a lot of time outside.

I suggest bringing at least one pair of waterproof or water-resistant pants, hiking pants, and dress pants for your evenings on the boat.

A good pair of pants with zippered pockets can help to serve double duty for your excursion days.

Waterproof pants saved us during one of our shore excursions. It was a drizzly, rainy day, but we stayed nice and dry thanks to our rain jacket and pants.

The same can’t be said for some of the other people on our excursion.

Don’t underestimate the power of a nice scarf and a warm hat on an Alaskan cruise. I forgot my hat and had to buy one on the ship because it was needed while on deck in the cold wind.

You might also want to bring a baseball hat to help keep the sun out of your eyes and protect your face on sunny, warm days.

I was so glad that I packed some wool socks for the cooler days.

I loved sitting in my cabin in my cozy socks, sipping hot chocolate while watching the beautiful scenery out my balcony windows.

Of course, to keep your feet dry while on your excursions, we recommend some good moisture-wicking socks and waterproof shoes.

One essential item you must pack for your trip to Alaska is a good pair of water-resistant or waterproof shoes or hiking boots.

Waterproof footwear helps protect your feet while you enjoy all of Alaska’s fun outdoor activities!

And a sturdy pair of hiking boots will ensure you enjoy all that Alaska offers.

I like these women’s hiking shoes, and Marty likes these men’s hiking shoes.

While you will spend most of your days in comfortable, casual clothes, your evenings will require some dressier attire.

If you plan to eat in the main dining room or the specialty dining rooms on your cruise line (which we highly recommend), you must dress nicer for dinner.

Men are usually asked to wear dress pants and a shirt with a collar.

Women can wear skirts, dresses, or slacks with a casual top.

For footwear, most cruise lines will not allow you to wear flip-flops in the dining room, so be sure to bring some dress shoes or sandals for the evenings.

Depending on the length of your Alaska cruise and cruise line, you will spend one or more formal nights on the ship.

I noticed on the Alaska cruise that the formal night felt a bit less formal than other cruise ships we have been on.

Regardless, you can make a formal night of whatever you want.

Ladies often wear cocktail dresses, skirts, or pants with an elegant top, while men usually wear suits or sports jackets.

Your cruise packing list isn’t complete without the addition of a swimsuit.

Your cruise line will have a spa and, more than likely, hot tubs, which are perfect for enjoying your trip to Alaska.

With that in mind, throw in a pair of flip-flops as well.

Don’t forget to add some of your favorite accessories to your Alaska cruise packing list.

I like taking a few pairs of earrings and some fun hair accessories to mix and match my different outfits.

A good pair of polarized sunglasses will protect your eyes during your trip to Alaska.

The sun reflecting off the water can be bright, and you will be glad you brought some polarized sunglasses along on your Alaskan adventures.

In addition to clothing, there are several other items to bring along on your Alaska cruise.

These non-clothing essentials will help ensure you have the best experience during your Alaska trip.

I know that these days, most of us use our cell phones to take pictures but trust me when I tell you that having a good camera with a strong zoom lens makes such a difference in Alaska.

This is especially true if you are trying to photograph wildlife.

Thankfully, Marty’s camera and lens allowed us to catch some amazing pictures while on our trip!

Having the right gear truly makes a difference. I compared my photo with the iPhone and his photo with his camera and posted it to our Facebook page. The difference in the two photos was astounding.

A good pair of binoculars will definitely come in handy during your time in Alaska.

While cruising the inside passage, I loved sitting on our balcony or out on the boat’s back deck, searching for wildlife.

Thanks to my binoculars, I spotted a huge brown bear on the side of the cliff. I pointed it out to Marty, who used his zoom lens to snap a nice picture of it.

My binoculars also helped me to see otters, seals, humpback whales, bald eagles, mountain goats, and more!

We were so thankful that we packed waterproof gear like plastic bags and dry bags during our Alaska cruise.

As we mentioned, Alaskan cruises are notorious for having all sorts of weather, so you might as well be prepared.

A good dry bag can help to keep your belongings nice and dry while on an excursion.

We always travel with our reusable water bottles. Not only do they help the environment, but they also save money!

We always carry our water bottle in our carry-on bag and fill it up after passing through security at the airport.

Did you know that the walls in your cruise ship cabin are magnetic?

It’s true! So, with that in mind, bring along a few magnetic hooks. These are great for hanging jackets!

Remember, your phone charger, camera battery charger, and adaptors are needed to create USB ports, as many cruise lines don’t have built-in USB ports.

I recommend a multi-port charging outlet for charging several items simultaneously, as most cruise ship cabins have limited electrical outlets.

We always travel with a portable charger. Taking pictures and videos can quickly drain your phone’s battery, so bring a portable charger to ensure you can charge whenever you want.

I usually throw mine in my carry-on bag.

Of course, packing your prescription medication is a given for most of us, but don’t forget about other medicines you might need.

I never travel without motion sickness pills. If you are highly sensitive to motion sickness like me, you might also want to consider adding a patch or band to your bag to help alleviate the sickness.

Another option for seasickness is ginger chews. I don’t like ginger chews, but some people do.

Other medications to consider are those for headaches or upset stomachs. If you have to buy these on the ship, they are much more expensive.