Alaska Cruise Must Have Packing List and Best Tips
An Alaska Cruise is a trip of a lifetime. Experiencing glacier cruising, seeing whales, bears, and other wildlife, and eating the most delicious salmon make an Alaska cruise unique and memorable. Because it’s a different type of cruising experience, It requires different packing items and additional preparation beyond a traditional Caribbean cruise.
Going on an Alaska cruise was a bucket list trip for me, and I was able to make that dream come true in July 2023. I sailed on the Princess Cruises Royal Princess ship. This cruise line is one of the best to sail to Alaska. They have entertainment and educational events tailored to the Alaskan experience. There is a naturalist onboard that leads the educational events. Additionally, if you are looking to visit the majestic, Glacier Bay National Park, Princess Cruises is one of the few cruise lines that can visit.
The Alaska cruising season occurs from late April through early October. The best time to cruise to Alaska depends on your preferences. There are several factors to consider when choosing the best time to go.
The weather conditions vary during the Alaska cruising season which impacts the type of clothing needed. Certain months may experience wet weather and other months have more sunny days. In general, it’s a great idea to pack layers for the Alaska weather regardless of the month you cruise.
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Essential Items for an Alaskan Cruise
During the Alaska cruising season, you will experience cooler weather. Generally, you’ll need a base layer and an outer layer. It’s also a good idea to pack for cold and warm days even during the summer months. Listed below are some of the most important things to bring on an Alaskan cruise.
Insect Repellent
This is typically a general cruise essential but many people may not think to pack for it on an Alaska cruise because of the cooler temperatures. However, you will be outside and in nature so pack insect repellent to keep the bugs away, especially during the summer months.
Waterproof or Water-Resistant Items
This is probably the most important thing to remember for packing items needed. There are many rainy days in Alaska during the summer so it’s ideal to have a waterproof layer for your attire on port days. This entails a waterproof jacket/rain jacket, waterproof shoes, waterproof pants, waterproof bag.
Portable Charger
Some of the port days are long. Additionally, you more than likely will be taking a lot of videos or pictures because Alaska is beautiful! As a result, pack a portable charger so that your electronic devices stay charged to capture the scenic landscape or amazing wildlife.
Long-Sleeved Shirts
The weather is unpredictable in Alaska. Expect cooler temperatures any month whether it’s at night, during the day in the low season months, or on scenic glacier cruising days. Therefore, it’s essential to bring long-sleeved shirts to keep you warm.
I typically wore flannel long sleeves with a tank underneath so I could remove them if I got warm. Layers are key for an Alaska cruise.
Pants and Leggings
Similar to the reasoning for long-sleeve shirts, pants and/or leggings are also essential. They’ll keep you warm when the temperatures drop. The Alaskan weather is so unpredictable that even in the summer months, you may need pants and leggings.
When I cruised in July, the high temperatures were in the mid to high 60s (Fahrenheit). This is cool weather for this Texas native so I didn’t wear shorts at all during my cruise. I paired my flannel shirts with leggings (some fleece and some regular leggings) that weren’t too hot but kept me warm. I mostly wore leggings but also brought one pair of jeans.
Coffee Mug or Thermal Cup
If you prefer warm drinks, bringing a refillable coffee mug or thermal cup is helpful to have on the cruise. I drank coffee each day and other warm beverages. A thermal mug or cup ensures your drink stays warm as you wander the ship.
Warm Hat
I didn’t wear a beanie most days but it was needed on the glacier cruising day. The wind chill from the glaciers made it feel much colder. Additionally, if you cruise during the low season (April/May or September), a warm hat will help keep you warm during the cooler days and nights.
Jacket
A 3 in 1 jacket is the perfect jacket to bring that’ll ensure you are warm and dry. A jacket like this is waterproof or resistant and provides a thermal layer for warmth. If buying a new 3 in 1 jacket is not a priority, then make sure to have a rain jacket and fleece jacket to bring. They are easy to layer as well. if you’re cruising during the low season, a thicker coat most likely will be needed.
Sunglasses
During the summer months, daylight can last for 18+ hours in Alaska. The midnight sun is spectacular and the sky is painted in hues of orange and pink. Polarized sunglasses are also something to consider because the reflection of the snow and ice is bright.
Binoculars
Spotting wildlife is one of the amazing things to do on an Alaska cruise. On a glacier cruising day or day at sea, binoculars are needed to see whales breaching in the ocean, bears walking along the shoreline, and sea otters floating amongst the ice glaciers.
General Cruise Essentials
Below are common items you probably already know to bring. This is not an exhaustive list of everything you need, but it gives you an idea of what to remember to pack. When doing your packing, think about what you would typically pack for a vacation.
- Personal items- (Consider bringing travel travel-size items that will help save on space).
- Toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, soap, facewash, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, deodorant, etc (this is not like a hotel where they provide small items in the bathroom. You’ll need to bring your own items except for hand soap)
- Clothing items and accessories
- Electronic devices
- Cell phone
- Camera, memory card
- Laptop or tablet
- Headphones
- Chargers for devices
When planning for your cruise, it’s a good idea to review your cruise line’s website for suggested items to bring. The major cruise lines will provide a checklist of items that are recommended and items that are not allowed onboard the cruise chip. Also, be sure to check your cruise’s special events for special attire that may be needed for formal dinners or a theme night.
The following items are important items to bring on most cruises including an Alaska cruise.
Reusable Water Bottle
A water bottle is great to have as you walk around the ship and also great to take with you on shore excursions. Even though the temperatures may not be as hot on an Alaskan cruise, it is still important to stay hydrated.
Magnetic Hooks
The cruise cabins are small. To maximize space, these magnetic hooks help hang items like bags, lanyards, hats, sunglasses, etc on the walls.
Door Organizer
if you’re sharing a room with multiple people, you’ll run out of space for your shoes and other items like lotions, deodorant, etc. This organizer easily goes over the restroom door and allows multiple people to place items in the sections to save space.
Pop-Up Hamper or Laundry Bag
If you don’t want your dirty clothes in your suitcase or just laid out in your room, a hamper or laundry bag keeps these neat and clean. They are also easy to collapse in luggage and also don’t take up much space in the stateroom.
Luggage Tag Holders
You have to print out your luggage tags and staple or tape them to your luggage. To ensure the tags don’t get torn or damaged, these luggage tag holders are a great option and reusable!
Multi-Plug Outlet
Cruise cabins typically have one outlet and one European outlet. Even if you are by yourself, you may have several devices that need charging If you are sharing a stateroom, then having a multiplug outlet is definitely needed! (note-surge protectors and extension cords are not allowed on cruises).
Over the Counter Medicine
You never know what will happen so remember to bring meds like ibuprofen, antacids, and, allergy medication.
Antibacterial Wipes/Spray/Hand Sanitizer
Germs existed even before COVID-19. I’ll leave it at that.
Wrinkle Spray
There are no irons onboard. If you’re like me and roll clothing in your luggage, then the clothes will be wrinkled.
Formal Wear
Most cruises also have at least one formal night and a specific dinner dress code so be mindful when packing. On an Alaska cruise, there are typically two formal nights due to the length of these cruises. The first formal night is typically the more dressy, glamorous night. Towards the end of the cruise, the second formal night wasn’t as formal.
However, formal attire is great to have these nights if you want to take professional photos or make sure you meet the attire requirements for the main dining rooms.
Chair Towel Clips
It is windy on the balcony or on the decks, so if you have a towel, these clips will ensure they don’t fly away. You’re charged for the cruise towels if you lose them. (note- cruises will provide beach towels and regular towels for you to use onboard).
First Aid Kit
Accidents happen. You can find small kits so that they don’t take up luggage space. This will have essential items like bandaids for small accidents.
Eye Mask
There are cruise cabins with windows or a balcony (with curtains). Sometimes the balcony curtains do not close completely so there may be a slither of light. During the summer months on an Alaskan cruise, the days have about 18 hours of sunlight. There was still light outside at 11 pm and the sun rose as early as 430/5 am. If you need complete darkness to sleep, bring an eye mask.
White Noise Machine
If you’re a light sleeper, having a white noise machine helps eliminate some noises you may hear. In case you are in a room with a snorer or have noisy neighbors in the hall, a white noise machine can help you sleep more peacefully at night.
Earplugs
If you want complete silence, earplugs may be needed. While I didn’t have a problem with noisy hallways, there are times (during the day if you take a nap or at night when people get back late to their rooms) when people may be a little noisy in the halls.
Air Freshener for Bathroom
Everybody’s gotta use the restrooms so air freshener is never a bad thing to have in these close, confined spaces.
Sea Sickness Medicine
If you’re prone to motion sickness, then medicine or patch is essential to bring. If this is your first cruise, the last thing you want to happen is to get seasick and be miserable your entire cruise.
Bathing Suit
There are pools (some ships may have an indoor or heated pool) and hot tubs on an Alaska cruise. If this is something you want to enjoy onboard the ship, then pack your swimsuit.
Alaska Cruise Tips ![]()
The list above covers the essentials you’ll need during the Alaska cruise season. However, depending on the month, you may change the type of clothing you need to bring. For example, during the low season months (May or September) on an Alaskan cruise, you may need more warm layers. In May, Alaska is in its spring season and more snow and ice are still visible in many places which means the temperatures are colder. During September, Alaska is entering its fall season so temperatures have already begun to drop.
In the summer months (high season), you get some of the best weather, but the weather is also unpredictable. I took my first Alaska cruise July 8-15, 2023 and I was unsure of the weather for this time because all the blogs I read said it could still be cold. Looking at the weather app in advance of the trip, most days were in the low 60s (Fahrenheit) and nights were in the high 40s (Fahrenheit).
Here are my specific tips based on my experience on a Southeast Alaska cruise in July.
Pack Layers
I was so annoyed reading this over and over but it is true. While it didn’t rain during the week I was cruising, we experienced all other weather types. Some days it was extremely windy making it chilly sailing in the middle of the ocean. Some port days were pleasantly sunny and that made it feel much warmer. Other days were cloudy which was perfect for a light outer layer.
Be Prepared to Spend Money
An Alaska cruise is not cheap! I am a great budget traveler and thought I was prepared but spent more than I thought I would.
You can estimate as best as you can for the cruise costs once you booked your cruise. These costs included stateroom costs, beverage packages, and excursions. Other costs that may not be as planned are what you’ll spend at the ports. There are fantastic souvenir shops, educational places to visit, and food to buy and bring back with you.
During high season, cruising to Alaska is more expensive, and a balcony stateroom can easily cost you around USD 1200. With that in mind, depending on when you take an Alaska cruise, be prepared to spend between 3,000-5,000 USD, but the cost is worth the experience.
Go On Excursions
Excursions on an Alaska cruise are more expensive than excursions you may find on Caribbean cruises. However, they are unique. Where else are you going to be able to explore glaciers, get close to whales, or go on wildlife expeditions?
Consider Add-On Packages
I purchased the Princess Plus package that gave me unlimited drinks on the cruise. It also included wifi (and other additional perks) while onboard. I enjoyed having a variety of beverages to drink (coffees, lattes, alcoholic drinks, teas, etc) and having wifi when sailing (albeit with a weak signal). Wifi was needed on our ship because that was the only way to communicate with my family onboard.
Each cruise line offers different “add-on” packages. Most will include an additional beverage option. Purchase of these packages is not required, but consider what additional perks and amenities would make your cruise more enjoyable. If you don’t need additional beverages besides water and juice and want to completely unplug, then this is not an additional expense you need.
The great thing about cruises is that you can tailor them to meet your needs!
Plan for a Slower Pace Onboard
On any cruise, there are activities onboard to entertain you during the At Sea days. The scheduled activities onboard were spaced out on the Alaskn cruise which made for a slower-paced, relaxing time onboard. This was different from what I’ve experienced on a Caribbean cruise where they have back-to-back entertainment all day and throughout the night.
I saw many people with their own board games and card games sitting at a bar and lounge area throughout the day. If you’ve been on other Caribbean cruises, just know and prepare to go with the flow and enjoy a more chill environment onboard an Alaska cruise.
My first Alaska cruise exceeded my expectations. I had the best time on this cruise vacation in July and it was worth all the planning and expenses. Alaska is something special to see and learn about the history and culture of the indigenous people.
Use this packing list to prepare for your Alaska cruise and enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Last Frontier.