What to Take on an Alaskan Cruise

About Alaskan Cruises

What you need will in part depends on the type of Alaskan cruise you decide to embark on. There is a variety of cruises to this interesting destination, from Alaskan adventure cruises that allow you to experience the majestic wildlife and natural wonders of the area along with outdoor sports like kayaking and fishing; resort-style Alaskan cruises that may include shore excursions; Alaskan cruise tours that allow you detailed, guided site seeing and various points of interest; luxury Alaska cruises with many amenities; and even custom-designed cruises that allow you to choose exactly the activities and areas you want to experience during your Alaskan cruise trip. Vancouver and Seattle are the most common embarkation ports.

Cruise lines and companies that offer voyages to Alaska include:

• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Alaska Cruises
• Alaska Charters
• Sikumi Custom Cruises
• Alaska Wilderness Voyages
• Stan Stephens Alaskan Day Cruises

The cruise season for Alaskan voyages is typically from May to September, although specific adventure cruises may deviate from this standard time frame.

Suggestions for What to Take on an Alaskan Cruise

Pack light layers to keep comfortable.

Clothing

Although the Alaskan cruise season is designated to avoid inclement weather, you may encounter cool, wet, rainy, or even cold conditions. Be prepared by taking cruise wear clothing that you can layer, such as t-shirts, lightweight long-sleeve shirts, easy to remove sweatshirts, flannel shirts, ski vests, or jackets. Rain jackets or ponchos are also a wise choice to pack in case of wet and rainy weather.

Make sure to check the recommendations of the cruise line for your voyage, particularly for adventure cruises -- thick socks, parkas, hats and gloves may be recommended for nature excursions, hiking, or other outdoor activities, though some shore excursion companies can provide minimal protective gear for cruise passengers. Jeans, corduroys, or khakis are recommended for daytime and excursion activities. Long underwear and extra socks are also wise choices to pack. If warmer weather is a possibility, or a pool or Jacuzzi is available onboard, pack shorts and a bathing suit.

Evening dress requirements also vary upon the cruise line, but it is wise to pack suitable evening attire for dinner or formal nights. Many Alaskan cruises are considered more "relaxed" when it comes to evening dress, so you may simply want to step up your clothing to a pair of nice slacks and shirt rather than your jeans and flannels.

Other Packing Suggestions

Other important items you may need for your Alaskan cruise include:

• Comfortable shoes for activities and excursions
• Waterproof footwear for wet or outdoor excursions
• A lightweight backpack, tote, or comfortable carrying bag
• Insect repellant
• Sunscreen or sunblock
• Hat or headband to keep ears warm
• Camera with extra film or memory card
• Batteries for camera
• Binoculars
• Face and body moisturizers to counterbalance effects of wind
• Lip balm

Don't forget personal items and important paperwork, such as your airline tickets, travelers' checks, passport or identification, a phone card and emergency phone numbers. A journal is also a great item to have to record your experiences watching the Alaskan wildlife, viewing glaciers, or other once-in-a-lifetime experiences you want to remember all the details of.

Note on Laundry Service

First-time cruisers often feel as if they have packed too heavily, and keeping track of an abundance of items can crowd your space and hamper you experience. Be sure to check with your cruise line about whether or not the ship offers laundry service or has laundering machines available; if they do, this can significantly reduce the amount of clothing you need to pack, especially for longer cruises.

For a printable packing list of what to take on an Alaskan cruise, visit Alaska Cruises.com.