What Should I Pack for an Alaskan Cruise?

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Taking a cruise to Alaska offers wonderful opportunities to see the 49th state's amazing natural geographical features and wildlife. Choosing which exciting cruise to take is probably the hardest decision you'll make. Aboard the ship, you'll be able to choose relaxing leisure activities and enjoy gourmet meals. Once in Alaska, outdoor sporting opportunities abound. Packing for your cruise doesn't have to be a hassle; take the right items and you'll enjoy a worry-free vacation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Sweater Support hose Small, carry-on bag Swimsuit Medications Motion sickness medicine Change of clothes Workout clothes Original or copy of birth certificate Driver's license Passport and copy of passport Reading material Address book Laptop computer Shorts T-shirts Socks Extra swimsuit Cover-up Casual shoes Skirts Sundresses Dresses Blouses Long pants or slacks Sport shirts Sport jacket Dress shoes Dress shirts Suit Ties Evening dress Low or high heels Hiking or walking shoes Binoculars Camera Film Memory cards Warm hat Gloves Windbreaker Raincoat
Sweater
Support hose
Small, carry-on bag
Swimsuit
Medications
Motion sickness medicine
Change of clothes
Workout clothes
Original or copy of birth certificate
Driver's license
Passport and copy of passport
Reading material
Address book
Laptop computer
Shorts
T-shirts
Socks
Extra swimsuit
Cover-up
Casual shoes
Skirts
Sundresses
Dresses
Blouses
Long pants or slacks
Sport shirts
Sport jacket
Dress shoes
Dress shirts
Suit
Ties
Evening dress
Low or high heels
Hiking or walking shoes
Binoculars
Camera
Film
Memory cards
Warm hat
Gloves
Windbreaker
Raincoat

Step 1

Choose comfortable, loose clothing for your flight to the cruise's departure point. Carry a sweater if you tend to feel cold on an airplane. If you or someone traveling with you gets swollen ankles when flying, wear support hose to help relieve that condition.

Step 2

Take a small carry-on bag for day one of the cruise. Include a swimsuit, any medications you take and motion sickness medicine if you've never been on a cruise. Pack a change of clothing and workout clothes if you do daily exercise. If you're traveling on a cruise that starts and ends at the same location, you can take a birth certificate (original or certified copy) or driver's license as proof of citizenship. However, carrying both your original and a copy of your passport is a good idea as well. Pack all copies in separate locations from the originals.

Step 3

Pack reading material such as travel guides and the latest bestseller. Consider buying a journal or notebook so you can record your experiences. If you take an address book or laptop computer with your friends' and family's addresses, you can send them postcards or letters.

Step 4

Fill your suitcases with casual clothing such as shorts, T-shirts, socks, an extra swimsuit and a cover-up. Pack casual shoes, skirts, sundresses, dresses, blouses, long pants or slacks, sport shirts and a sport jacket. These items will all be appropriate for most activities and meals. If your cruise has formal dinners, men will need dress shoes and shirts, a suit and ties. Women should take evening dresses and low or high heels. Don't forget to pack a warm jacket for cool evenings on board the ship and in Alaska.

Step 5

Watching whales from a cruise ship

Pack hiking or walking shoes for shore excursions such as hiking through rain forests and glacial waterfalls. Take binoculars and your camera with extra film or memory cards for watching whales or other wildlife. Take a warm hat and gloves if you'll go on a dogsled race. The cruise line will provide helmets for mountain biking. You may need a windbreaker or raincoat.

Tips & Warnings

Do not pack coffee makers, irons, flammable liquids or explosives such as fireworks. Don't take candles or electrical transformers, and carry valuables with you instead of in luggage.

Do not pack coffee makers, irons, flammable liquids or explosives such as fireworks.

Don't take candles or electrical transformers, and carry valuables with you instead of in luggage.

Resources

Official State Alaska Travel and Vacation Information

Article Written By Ellen Kendall

Ellen Kendall has 15 years of writing and editing experience. Her travel and insurance articles have appeared in national magazines. Her book contributions include biographies and multi-cultural and Holocaust lesson plans. She has previously served as a real estate broker and interior designer and taught ESL in Korea and at Duke.

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