Traveling to Alaska usually involves packing light and packing smart. Whether you're meeting a cruise ship or traveling by RV, space will be at a premium, but you will need to be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions. Our Alaska packing tips will help you make the most of every inch of storage space and maximize your enjoyment of this amazing travel destination.
- Bring layers. Summer weather in Alaska is changeable. Be sure to bring a warm, lightweight outer layer, preferably with a hood, if you are taking a fjord cruise on a catamaran or plan to spend time outside while the ship is underway.
- Plan for outdoor experiences. You may wish to bring sunscreen, binoculars, insect repellant, a hat, gloves, walking shoes and a rain shell or umbrella.
- Come ready to shoot – pictures, that is. Bring extra camera batteries and memory cards (e. g. SanDisks). Remember to bring your battery charger.
- Toss in a stadium blanket if you enjoy sitting on a deck chair.
- Choose outdoor sporting equipment carefully. If you are traveling by air, check your airline's baggage regulations; it may be more cost effective to rent equipment than to pay baggage charges to ship your own.
- Acquire a neck pouch or lanyard card holder. Unless you have plenty of pockets, you'll need some convenient way to keep your shipboard identity card with you.
- Pack enough of the basics so that you will not need to do laundry. With laundry service prices starting at $2 per pair of socks (and going up from there), many passengers use the self-service laundry facilities on the ship. This means that lines are very long and that you must stay with your wash loads. Is this how you want to spend your cruise vacation?
- Create a mix-and-match wardrobe. The Fashion Police are not going to be on your cruise. No one will notice if you wear the same long skirt or suit for both formal nights. Choose a theme color in a neutral tone, such as black or taupe, and build your cruise wardrobe around it.
- Consider the conditions on board as well as weather during your shore excursions. The ship's heating and cooling system makes the atmosphere very dry, and a good lotion and lip balm will soothe dry skin. The ship may also be warmer or cooler than your own home; dressing in layers and carrying a light sweater will keep you comfortable at all times.
