What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise

Wondering what to pack for an Alaska cruise? I’ve got you covered. Freshly back from my Alaska small ship cruise, here are some of my top tips for what to pack for an Alaskan cruise. Read on for insightful tips and tricks from my trip, or jump straight to the full, downloadable Alaska cruise packing list from our team of experts.

ON THIS PAGE – Tips on How & What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise:
Initial Considerations
Planning Your Layers
Packing by Season
Items to Rent or Be Loaned
Cameras & Binoculars
Boots & Other Footwear
What I Wish I’d Packed & Brought But Didn’t Need
The Best Things I Packed
Suitcase Considerations
Get Our Full Alaska Cruise Packing List

Consider Your Ship Size & Itinerary

My ship held only 49 guests, so that is something to consider as you read this. But what to pack for an Alaskan cruise, whether you’re on a big Alaska ship or a small ship, will be similar since you’re still in the same climate. But considerations include: 

• You’ll likely be spending more time outside on a smaller vessel. 
• You’ll likely need overall less clothes on a smaller ship due to the more informal onboard atmosphere.
• You’ll have easier access to a small ship (and your luggage/clothes) throughout the day since it’s more of a basecamp that you return to midday, versus full off-ship days in ports on larger cruise lines.

After the experience, small-ship style, and witnessing many larger cruise ships docked in port towns and sailing through Southeastern Alaska, I can’t imagine doing it any other way. 

Trust Your Source

Don’t just blindly use any packing list you find online. For my small ship Alaska cruise in September, I was given two packing lists to reference: one from the operator of my Inside Passage Sojourn itinerary, and another from the team at AdventureSmith Explorations, who helped me find the best itinerary match and book the trip.  

I used them both to compare with what I would naturally gravitate toward for a fall backpacking trip, for example. And AdventureSmith’s extensive planner also had a lot of other tips on everything from tipping my guide to bear viewing. 

Plan layers for both sailing & walking ashore 

I grew up going fishing with my family along the Northern California coast so being on a boat was not a new concept for me, but I didn’t know what to expect living aboard a small cruise ship for a week in Alaska.

From my experience, it was coldest (necessary for layers, gloves, scarves and face coverings) when we were actively sailing – moving through Misty Fjords, Tracy Arm or Glacier Bay. Otherwise, the temperatures walking around villages and port towns, or even anchored to kayak, were quite mild (average of mid to high 60s).  

I packed enough lightweight, stretchy leggings to ensure that I would be comfortable for anything each day. I was able to wear them alone, or under rain pants as a layer. 

When it comes to layers, I recommend thinking of them in 3 buckets: lightweight, warm/fuzzy and waterproof. My favorite jacket that worked well for most days and outings was a lightweight puffy jacket (see this Pico Ultra Puff Jacket). It kept me warm but was not too heavy and compressed well in a backpack. 

Despite some packing lists including this, I don’t think long underwear/thermal layers are necessary even during shoulder seasons but certainly depends on the itinerary and whether you get cold easily. 

Know what to expect by season & month 

When I went, in September, it was mostly overcast with one day of heavy rain and a couple days of gorgeous weather with sun. It was a nice mix, and going late season meant we had more of Alaska to ourselves with less crowds. I personally would have liked more sun, but was also grateful for the cooler temps and rain this time of year brings. In fact, I only wore the raincoat I packed one day. Learn more about the weather nuances by month to further inform your packing by the season: Best Time to Visit Alaska. 

Prepare for more than just cold 

Alaska is famous for its unpredictable weather. I recommend packing both long- and short-sleeve shirts as well as a pair of shorts (especially mid-summer) for when the weather is nice and you’re more active. In Juneau, I took the tram and hiked the trails at the top for about an hour and shorts would have been ideal. 

I’m also glad I packed a swimsuit. We had the opportunity to do a polar plunge, and most didn’t bring a suit because they were unaware or didn’t think they’d want to do it. But on my cruise all ages (even some octogenarians) jumped in. But some had to go in clothes they packed in order to check off this bucket-list experience.   

Ask about gear you can rent & borrow

I had requested rain gear from my cruise’s operator (Alaskan Dream Cruises) so I knew the bulkier layers (raincoat and rain pants) would be provided. But I also brought a lightweight raincoat that was great for misty weather when it wasn’t very cold. Together, I only wore raingear twice. See more guidance around boots and footwear below.

Consider cameras & binoculars 

Modern phones take great photos and videos, but a camera with a good zoom lens was essential for documenting wildlife in my opinion. Surprisingly, I was only one of three passengers with a DSLR.

My ship provided binoculars in most of our cabins, and also in the dining room and lounge, so I didn’t have to pack them. I found that my DSLR camera lens worked well to zoom in and view anything in the distance as I took photos, so I rarely picked up binoculars, but it was nice to know they were scattered around. 

Think about camera access 

I highly recommend packing lightweight fingerless gloves. These were easiest for me to wear while taking photos/videos. Hand warmers could be an option to keep in your pockets to warm your fingers if/when needed. 

Another key consideration if you’re on a small ship Alaska cruise that offers daily excursions on small DIBs (Demaree Inflatable Boat) is to consider a cross-body bag or satchel-type backpack that can hang across the body. Any time we rode the DIB to get ashore (in Metlakatla since the dock was too small for us) or to cruise around small coves and up close to glaciers, you could not wear a backpack because it would not fit under or over the life vest. 

I had packed a lightweight, compressible backpack for hikes/excursions as well as a dry bag. This functioned fine and I would just hold the backpack in my lap while on the DIB. Then I wore my camera by the strap around my neck; some of my fellow passengers were not comfortable doing that and left theirs’ onboard. A few people brought a dry bag for their phone (clear sleeve on a lanyard), which was a great idea. 

The lightweight backpack I brought had a compartment for my camera, which really helped for days walking around in the villages or port towns. Although I had my camera around my neck more than in the backpack, it was a relief to have a secure, dry spot for it (or anything else) on the very rainy day in Wrangell. For any itinerary you are doing more hikes, I would say this is a must.  

A micro-fiber cloth to clean your camera lens is also essential to pack for an Alaskan cruise. All kinds of stuff would blow onto the lens while shooting when the ship was moving, and in wind and rain.  

Don’t forget your feet  

Muck boots (XTRATUF brand or Arctic sport boot style) are famous in Alaska, so you can’t talk about packing for Alaskan cruise without discussing them. My operator typically provides them for guests to use while aboard, but they weren’t needed on my itinerary. Any AdventureSmith Alaska small ship cruise will typically either provide them on loan, or give you information on how to rent them.   

I would also recommend packing a pair of lightweight/quick drying slip-on sandals to wear for the polar plunge and in the shower. In my cabin, the shower was not separated from the rest of the bathroom and is where you’ll stand in other shoes after excursions, etc. so it is a good idea to have designated sandals to wear while showering rather than being barefoot.   

Lastly, for footwear, I recommend slippers or comfy shoes with good traction for walking around the veranda (wrap-around deck) of the ship. Having to not lace up shoes for casual times on the ship is ideal (for example, when wanting to quickly get on deck to see a whale or otter passing by).  

I packed a mixture of socks: thin for sleeping/around ship, warm wool socks and breathable hiking socks for excursions. I recommend having extras pairs in case they get wet, etc. 

What I wish I’d packed on my Alaska cruise 

A headlamp. There were a few times we went to shore for a spontaneous bonfire, and I found myself wishing I had a headlamp for better visibility in general and ease of beach combing rather than using my phone light. Being ashore at night is definitely only something that can happen on a small ship Alaska cruise like mine, so don’t expect this wilderness experience on a larger ship. 

Dry bag or (waterproof phone case) to use while kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and on D.I.B. rides but also for excursions onshore in case it’s a wet day. 

An Alaska book. AdventureSmith provided me with a great reading list of the best books about Alaska, so wish I’d brought one to connect me to the place while I was there. For my culturally focused route, something like The Alaska Native Reader would have been ideal. But during my normal pre-bed reading time, our lead guide would tell us Alaskan folk legends over the intercom, which was an extra memorable touch to the special week. 

What I brought but didn’t need 

I brought Dramamine for seasickness but didn’t need it at all; the waters were quite calm. I quickly fell in love being on the water and there were times we were on land in a port town that I looked forward to getting back on the ship and sailing into the peaceful, remote wilderness.  

I also brought insect repellent but didn’t need it…I’d still pack this again in case of Alaska’s most infamous “state bird.” But rarely are they an issue on cruises. 

The Best Things I Packed for an Alaskan cruise 

In considering what to pack for an Alaska cruise, I do have a few MVPs in addition to my most versatile jacket.  

Hats (baseball caps and beanies) were a must on breezy ship decks and to protect from the sun.  

I packed multiple scarves that were both stylish and practical. And the AdventureSmith-provided buff (neck gaiter) was amazing for keeping the cold wind away from my neck and face while we were sailing. 

Think about what you’re packing it in! 

Cruise cabins, especially in Alaska, are not known for being the most spacious. Ask your booking agent what space to expect in your cabin and consider leaving larger, hard-shelled luggage for a soft-sided or duffel-style suitcase. When you unpack, you can then more reliably stow your suitcase away and not have it in the way on the floor.  

I was able to store my larger checked suitcase in the cabin’s wardrobe, but was a single traveler so wasn’t sharing that space. If you are, the suitcases could slide under the bed. 

Save room in your suitcase 

I recommend checking a bag even if you pack lightly because Alaska has a lot of delicious items – for example, smoked salmon, jarred spruce tip jam, kelp hot sauce, etc., and souvenirs such as carved totems that will take up space.

What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise? Your sense of wonder 

In all, I felt well packed and prepared. While my ship didn’t have a shop/boutique, the staff was accommodating for any needs. One example was a passenger getting extra-wet boots one day on my trip, and they were able to get a portable boot dryer from the ship’s crew. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask and the ship’s crew will often have it. 

Most of all, important to packing is to bring your open mind and eyes. The landscapes were breathtaking, ever-changing and I enjoyed seeing more wildlife than anywhere else I’d been. I truly enjoyed cruising; the access and ability to see more in a short period of time. My 9 days aboard didn’t feel too short/rushed or too long. And best of all… thanks to cruising, I only had to unpack once! 

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