Alaska Cruise Packing Guide

Everything I Packed for an Early Summer Alaska Cruise

Packing for an Alaskan cruise may be one of the more challenging pre-travel exercises I have ever been tasked with. I truly felt like I had to bring a decent cross-section of my closet for our week-long adventure in order to cover all bases ranging from activewear to formal, outerwear to cabin clothes, light layers to cozy sweaters, and footwear for all the above.

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Like you, I consulted some blogs and online resources, but also specifically packed for my excursions and the current weather forecast. This post will be most helpful for those that are traveling in the early part of the cruising season (May – June) and have adventurous activities planned for ports-of-call.

Cruising Alaska differs from tropical cruises in that the dress code tends to be more casual. Everyone is more interested in having the proper attire for outdoor (often wet) activities and staying warm. That being said, many Alaska-bound cruises still have formal dining. If you want to take advantage of those restaurant venues, you’ll need to mind the dress codes.

We cruised on Seabourn, which is known for their smaller, luxury ships focused on expeditions. The overall experience was amazing. Every detail, down to the complimentary Helly Hansen parkas and all-you-can-eat caviar, was impeccable. But, my favorite feature by far was the Ventures by Seabourn excursions with their expedition team,

As I layout my outfits and packing list, keep in mind that I did re-wear many pieces. Mix-and-match and re-wears were essential, and also easy since I sometimes only wore an item for a couple hours before changing for the next activity.

This post will cover:

• 2 outfits for cruising days
• 5 outfits for port excursion days
• 4 outfits for elegant dining
• 1 outfit for formal dining
• The final packing list
• Shopping links to individual pieces

Outfits for cruising days

The days that are spent simply cruising (i.e., not in port) are easy. Casual attire like jeans, sweaters, tennis shoes, etc. are perfectly fine for spending time on deck, at one of the ship’s casual restaurants, or in the privacy of your own cabin. Many ships have spa facilities, fitness centers, pools, and hot tubs, which can be nice activities to break up a long day on the boat. So, when planning for cruising days, don’t forget to pack a bathing suit or workout clothes if you plan on utilizing the amenities.

Prior to embarkation, we spent the day exploring our departure city of Vancouver on bicycles and were dressed accordingly when we boarded. Most of the other passengers were wearing whatever they had worn on their flights. Embarkation is very casual and you’ll have time to change before dinner.

Our cruise itinerary included 2 full cruising days, which is fairly typical for week-long cruises. While the interior spaces on the ship are kept at a comfortable temperature, the open-air decks can be quite chilly and windy! We also spent a lot of time bundled up on our own cabin balcony.

Outfits for port excursion days

Planning your clothing for port days is where it can really vary from person to person, depending on the activities you have planned at each port-of-call. Alaskan cruises are heavy on outdoor experiences such as nature hikes and wildlife sightseeing. There are also plenty of other more adventurous options such as fishing, kayaking, ATV tours, and cycling.

We decided on our excursions well in advance and were able to take those plans into consideration when packing. Even if you don’t select your excursions ahead of sailing, you may want to be prepared for some muddy adventures. Rain gear, warm layers, and waterproof hiking boots are wise choices. The amount of outerwear I packed may seem like overkill, but I actually wore everything at least twice. I probably could have gotten away with just one of the rain parkas since our cruise ship included a complimentary waterproof jacket for each passenger.

Outfits for elegant dining

While I love getting dressed up for a dinner date, I don’t particularly love having to pack extra pairs of shoes. I did my best to pack outfits that could work with the same pair of sandals or basic black pumps. Since I would only wear an outfit for a couple hours while eating dinner, this is where I decided I would just rotate through a few mix-and-match pieces.

Most cruise ships, Seabourn included, have several different levels of dining. So, if you don’t want to get dressed up every night, you can always opt for the casual buffet or in-room dining (although you’ll want to check on your own ship’s options in advance). We had a total of 7 dinners on board, with one of those nights being formal.

Outfit for formal dining

A recent trend for many cruise lines has been dropping the formal dining nights, especially for expedition-type cruises. Be sure to check your cruise itinerary for more information. Personally, I love the formal nights because they present a fun opportunity to get fancy. Of course, if you do not wish to participate, most ships will still have other casual dining options available.

When packing your formalwear, keep in mind that it will be a wrinkly mess when you pull it out of your suitcase. If you don’t want to press it with the iron in your cabin, you’ll want to pack a handheld travel streamer. Alternatively, pack something that doesn’t show the wrinkles, such as a synthetic material, beaded, or knit fabric.

The final packing list

We employed our largest checked luggage for this trip. In addition to the aforementioned clothing, there were also a several gear items that I packed for our Alaskan cruise that I would highly recommend and have included in the final packing list below.

Shopping links

Things change so fast, so I’m not sure how long any of my links will be shoppable. I included links to the things that I shopped for most recently, as well as some similar finds for pieces that I shopped from my closet and are no longer available. For this trip, I had the most luck at retailers such as Helly Hansen, Lululemon, Free People, and Nordstrom.

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