What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise, According to People Who Take Lots of Them
Packing is hard. Especially when the destination might involve giant mosquitoes or Instagram-worthy hiking trails. What do frequent travelers to these spots — the ones who best know how to prepare for the conditions — put in their suitcases? We’ll be tackling this in our new series, the Trip List.
Here, we talked to cruise-line operators, wildlife photographers, and numerous others who’ve recently boarded a ship to Alaska. If you’ve ever seen a reality TV show set in this northern tip of the world, you know two things to be true: (1) It’s a wild, wild place, and (2) that wild, wild place wants to kill you. Even though most of us taking a vacation there are more likely to confront surprise rainstorms and buggy beaches rather than avalanches and grizzly bears, you still need the right protection. Luckily, because the cruising season is short (starting in late April and continuing through September), most boat trips are booked six months to a year in advance — so you have plenty of time to gear up.
Clothing
For the same reason, Portnoy loves the Omni-Heat bottoms, too. “The stretchy fabric is super comfortable and the midweight option never feels too hot,” she says. “Plus, they’ve treated it with some kind of antimicrobial thingamajig, so after a long day [of wear], you don’t feel like you have to throw them in the laundry.”
Another Law favorite: The legs on the Kornati style can be rolled to capri length. Both these and the Sahara offer UPF 50+ sun protection, which comes in handy when you’re out and about on daily excursions.
“Alaska is gorgeous in any weather, but during cruising season when it’s not cold enough to snow, it’s often raining,” Portnoy says. “A common port like Ketchikan averages 13 feet of rain a year, meaning if it isn’t raining, you’re witnessing a miracle.” Most travelers remember to pack a lightweight raincoat, but often forget the rain pants. “I was glad I had them, especially when outdoors for long periods of time,” says Portnoy, adding, “They’re easy to pack, fit over your regular layer, and will keep you warm and dry even in a downpour.”
Martin is also a fan of the rain pant, particularly this multifunctional pair from Helly Hansen. It’s waterproof, windproof, lined with quick-drying fabric, and packs into its own zipped thigh pocket, making it easy to tote on shore excursions.
“You cannot go to Alaska without thinking about and preparing for the rain,” says Chris Gray Faust, managing editor at Cruise Critic and a four-time Alaskan cruiser. “The Inside Passage abuts the Tongass National Forest, which is a temperate rainforest. And what does it do in a rainforest? It rains!” Faust likes a rain shell with a hood and layers, so she can peel them off as needed. “Bonus points if it’s lightweight, so you can stash it in your backpack when the sun comes out.”
Also in Law’s arsenal: a long-sleeve fleece. This midweight North Face pullover has a flattering modern shape and smooth brushed fleece texture.
Meanwhile, the hip-length Precip, made of recycled nylon fabric, is Law’s choice for a water- and wind-resistant jacket. There is a hood hidden in the collar, zippers in the armpits for fresh air, and enough color options to keep your outfit interesting.
Geetika Agrawal, founder of Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA), just wrapped up her first Alaskan cruise with her family. She’s glad she bought a lightweight down jacket for chilly glacier walks and “nighttime hangs on the cruise deck.” The shell, made of nylon and polyester and filled with down, was both water-repellent and easy to pack.
Shoes and accessories
You can’t forget your feet, according to Yves Segers, General Manager on Oceania Cruises’ MS Regatta. “Most guests sign up for adventurous shore excursions that immerse them in Alaska’s wild natural environment; I recommend they bring waterproof boots to keep their feet comfortable and dry.” These tumbled-leather 8” boots are lined in shearling and available in variable widths (Medium B and Wide D).
Law seconds the need for solid footwear, but thinks travelers can get away with great hiking shoes if they don’t want to pack bulkier boots. Keen’s Koven are comfy, water-resistant, and available in half sizes and wider widths, depending on the style.
Martin agrees that “taking care of your feet is important,” and the socks you pack can be as crucial as the shoes. He says this pair “keeps me moving comfortably, whether walking around one of the great Alaskan towns, walking the ship’s deck, or hiking to explore the beauty of Alaska.”
Faust on the good-socks front: “You have to have them, as cold feet will make you feel miserable,” she says. “Even if you aren’t outside, Alaskan cruise tours spend a lot of time on buses and trains, which can be drafty.” Faust buys hers from REI. She likes this midweight hiker style because it “gives you the warmth you need, without a lot of bulk.”
Sunglasses are a no brainer in Alaska. “The light there is very intense, and if there’s snow it’s even stronger,” explains Portnoy. Look for polarized lenses to cut the glare and pick plastic frames if possible. “I learned that lesson the hard way,” she warns. “Frozen metal against your face is mighty uncomfortable.”
Neck gaiters are another undersung hero of the cruising set. “Particularly in places like Denali in the interior, or Juneau on the Inside Passage, you want to make sure you’re neck isn’t exposed to the wind,” says Faust, who always packs multiple gaiters because “they provide better protection than a flimsy scarf.” Earlier this year in Norway, she discovered what she calls the ultimate neck funnel: The outside was wool, the inside was lined with faux fur, and it was stretchy enough that she could yank it over her ears and head as needed. It kept her toasty warm throughout Scandinavia and Alaska. Though hers was Norwegian, Flygo sells a similar version on Amazon.
“No one knows cold weather like the Sherpas of Nepal,” says Carey, who has spent a lot of time shooting in the Himalayas. “This hat is handcrafted in Nepal and combines lambswool for warmth plus a high-tech Polarfleece lining for all-day comfort. There’s no doubt if you’re outdoors anywhere at night, or if your ship is nuzzling up close to a glacier, you’ll want this hat on your head.”
Skincare
When packing up your toiletries, don’t forget the sunscreen. “Although Alaska is in the north, it can be quite sunny,” says Segers. “The strength of the sun can be quite deceiving even on an overcast day.” He likes COOLA’s reef-safe organic sunscreen spray with SPF 30 protection. It’s ultra sheer, water-resistant up to 80 minutes, and available in two natural scents (pina colada and tropical coconut) as well as fragrance-free.
“A lot of travelers think that because Alaska in the northern part of the world, that means it’s insect-free, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Ruth Ortiz, Executive Concierge on Oceania Cruises’ MS Regatta. “Alaska can be quite mild and wet, making it the perfect environment for mosquitoes.” A mighty insect repellent is essential and should be used liberally during shore excursions.
Gear and electronics
Do you care about that expensive telephoto zoom lens? Better protect it. “If you’re on an adventure or expedition cruise in Alaska, Zodiacs are typically used to transport people to shore instead of docking like the bigger cruise ships, and they often get wet from splashing water,” says Portnoy. “I use these sacks to keep things like my cameras, day pack, and change of clothes dry.” Amazon sells a three-fer of the polyurethane-coated packs in two-, four-, and eight-liter sizes.
Music makes the moment, right? It does for Agrawal at least, who packed a portable bluetooth speaker so she could play music in her cabin. “Cruising in the middle of the ocean is very peaceful; music adds to that magic,” she notes. This splashproof speaker can handle a little rain on deck, no problem, and has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to 15 hours.
“Having enough outlets seems to always be an issue,” says Carey. “Some boats only had two outlets per cabin — not enough for a power hungry photographer like me.” That’s why he always packs a universal power strip with twin USB ports for charging smartphones and tablets. “That’s two less adapters I need to bring along.”
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