Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner/
I was born and raised in Ketchikan. Tips: Waterproof. Waterproof. Waterproof: The Tongass National Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. In Ketchikan we get 13-15 ft of rain per year (yes, we measure in feet!). You could get lucky and have a mostly dry vacation but chances are it will probably rain on your trip. Bring RAINPANTS! You will need serious rain gear if it’s raining in SE Alaska. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been soaked from the mid-thigh down just walking around town. If I were you I would wear rainpants with long underwear underneath especially if it looks like rain during an excursion. Don’t expect the seats on your excursion boat to be dry. Also, waterproof shoes are a must! And honestly, ponchos are laughable. If you want to look like a tourist, wear a poncho. When I was a kid I used to ask my parents why all the people off the ships wore garbage bags. Lol! Layers upon layers: It is always cold at night. Always. If you’re near a glacier it will be even a few degrees colder. If it’s a sunny day the temp could be in the 70’s, and now that global warming is here, sometimes even in the 80’s! Vests are a great option. You don’t need extra lining in your raincoat. Just wear a fleece or sweater underneath, then your raincoat will be thin enough to tie around your waist. Find a raincoat that unzips in the armpits = best hiking layer ever! (You can find all the layers you’ll need at REI or any Pacific NW outfitting company). Mosquitoes are BAD! Really bad: They WILL bite you through your leggings. Spray your pants! If it’s raining the mosquitoes won’t be out too much but on a sunny or just overcast day watch out! Probably won’t be many in town but excursions will take you out in the wilderness more where the mosquitos are plentiful. When it comes to repellent I get the strong stuff, AKA 100% Deet. It’s really bad for you but it’s only a few days and you can just spray your clothes. If you go shopping please try to seek out locally made gifts! SE Alaska relies HEAVILY on tourism and Covid has devastated the economy! Also, please please use the crosswalks and wait for the red light before crossing the street. All of the people driving by are trying to get to work or a doctors appointment on time! It’s not Disneyland, it’s a small rural town. And yes, we take American dollars. Alaska is the 49th state. (You wouldn’t believe how many people ask this question!)
Thank you so much for your advice. Do we need gloves and hat on September? Do we need already winter jackets on September or still light jacket . Thank you for your reply
Its now 2 years that we have been planning our Alaskan cruise and we booked for this July 2024. We keep watching your videos. Thank you very much. All your ideas are wonderful and will be used!
Hi we just came back from our Alaskan Cruise of a lifetime on Carnival Splendor(8/9-16/22) You were spot on about being prepared for cold/rainy weather & layering. Binos are a must, cameras optional, comfortable shoes are essential. Pack your prescription meds, I'm diabetic so I have to worry about packing my meds. The only warm days were embarkation and debarkation in Seattle (beginning and end), after that it was in the 50's during the day and 30's and foggy at night and early mornings, Mendenhall Glacier was in the 20's with wind gusts. initially we thought we over packed but as the days went by we were well prepared for cool days, cold nights, and yes it rained on us the entire day when we were in Ketchican. Inside the ship it was nice and comfortable. My body temp runs on the warm side so I was comfortable with pants and a sweater/hoodie most of the time during the day, on the ship I wore shorts & t-shirt. My teens were good with hoodies in port and short on board. My wife's body temp is cold so she was layered up and had a puffy jacket most of the time in port and pants and sweater or wrap on board. We saw people in shorts and t-shirts/Tank tops all day so it depends on your body temp. Definitely recommend having a plan for each day so you have an idea of what you want to do both on board and in port. there is so much to do on board from shows, to music, movies for families, teens, young adults. Take advantage of your time on board. If you have a must do excursion book it in advance, do a little research on the web and call your destination and you can coordinate excursions and pick ups. Although do confirm a week or two out just in case issues come up. if you want to do a helicopter excursion weather is a main factor so make sure you can get a refund, we were lucky and we were able to do our Helio excursion. We definitely saved hundreds of $$$ by going local rather than booking with the cruise line, although the cruise line will guarantee you make your excursion and will wait for your group if you run late. as for the attire, keep in mind people are on vacation and some don't want to fuss, there are people from all walks of life, young and old, newlyweds and senior couples with different attitudes on what's acceptable or not. We enjoy meeting people so we keep an open mind and had no issues. We traveled with teens and it was not difficult. We love to dress up so on formal nights (2 nights) we went all out and got dressed up, took photos, others were still casual, to inlcude shorts, sundresses with flip flops and there were no issues. We saw it all on our cruise, from tiny bikini's, to shorts and t-shirts/tank tops on formal night, pajamas everywhere on the ship and we saw no issues by guests and crew. There were more issues with drunk and obnoxious guests (but even a few of them were entertaining). We had a great trip, but we had a lot of patience through out the trip and recommend the Alaskan Cruise as a must do, bucket list. Safe travels!
How was Seattle to be in before the cruise, We are taking one same dates as you but this year and little nervous about Seattle. Which cruise line? NCL for us and can"t wait
We watched several of your videos before going on the Celebrity Solstice Ultimate Alaska Cruise May 3-12, 2023. We had all the basics: magnetic hooks, seapass lanyards, collapsible water bottle, etc. One thing I wish I had brought was one of those cardboard drink carriers that hold 2 or 4 drinks. I always made a coffee run for my wife and me every morning and wished I had a carrier so I could open doors, push elevator buttons, etc. Not to mention the cups being hot even with the togo sleeve on. I even saw a guy who had brought a plastic carrier with travel cups he said he bought at a dollar store. Thanks!
Our first stop was Ketchikan. Per advice from friends who cruised Alaska previously, we didn't take a coat. You can purchase a nice jacket for about $20. Warm, rain proof and says Alaska on it. Great buy. Tongass trading post.
As a long time Alaskan resident I can tell you that a buff, or neck gaiter is an excellent idea. Highly versatile, useful while wearing (keeps out the cold drafts and wind), also helpful as a muff to tuck your hands into for additional warmth on windy boat rides, and can help to gently compress bulky layers inside your day pack to save space. They come in very handy. No need to get the expensive merino wool ones, just make sure the one you buy is NOT COTTON.
We've taken two Alaska cruises: opening season (late May) and closing season (early Sept). Late May was still very chilly so layering was a must. Waterproof hiking boots/shoes for slippery rocks (there was still snow and ice on the trails). Early September was very rainy and cool. It was slippery mud to watch out for. In addition to your list: bring gallon ziplock bags to put wet clothes/poncho/umbrella/footwear or anything you are going to shed throughout the days so your backpack and other items don't get wet/muddy. Attach (with a rubber band) another set of cords to the portable charger for each type of phone (iPhone/Android). Don't rely on remembering to bring the cords, just have a set just for the charger. These are valuable "lessons learned" the hard way. Love your videos.
HI, I always bring a few wood clothes pins, just in case the shower curtain is not long enough. Pin the clothes pins to the bottom of the shower curtain which keeps the curtain inside the shower stall. Then the water will not be all over your bathroom floor. Karla :)
My in laws are just starting their second week returning from Whittier to Vancouver with Princess Cruises. They packed fine for being outside, layers etc, however the thing they didn't realize is that because they haven't gone off ship for excursions as much as other people, the interior of the ship is quite cold. My understanding is that because of the tides they have to put the disembarking on the piazza level.....meaning it is open ALL day!! They told me that by dinner time the ship is back to a more comfortable temperature but through breakfast and lunch times when they have stayed on board they definitely were not prepared for how cold it is on board. Otherwise they are loving the scenery!!
My family and I went on a group Alaskan cruise back in 2016, and we LOVED it! We were soooo nervous about the weather (I’m one of those people who is ALWAYS cold), so we packed clothes for EVERY season! And I’m so glad we did, because we got the full gamut, from cool to warm, then HOT and sunny, to freezing cold and rain! I’d like to go back one day.
We went end of August/first of September. Took full winter gear and used all of it for Glacier National park. We were the only ones able to stay outside the entire time. Use wool items mittens, hat and sweaters. Plan on about 50% of your days being wet.
I am a lifelong Alaskan and I agree with all items here! Make sure those items next to your skin are synthetic, if possible - less chance of getting chilled if you get soaked and faster drying. These are definitely standard items for SE Alaska cruise areas. If you're doing Interior Alaska traveling, it is less rainy and warmer in late May, June, July, and early August - especially Fairbanks can get warm mid-summer - 70s-90s is common. Also bring sturdy sunglasses - long daylight hours every day. Bring a sleep mask if you need a dark room to sleep because they play baseball at midnight, no lights, in Fairbanks on summer solstice. :-) Great tips here!
@@LifeWellCruised Yes, you are welcome! If you've not been to Alaska before, we have long LONG daylight hours in summer. It can be 10pm and the sun is still shining like it's the afternoon. The further north, the longer the daylight.
We have cruised Alaska twice already and are going again in September on Grand Princess. You have pretty much nailed it; lots of layers, prepare for rain and you definitely do need a hat/gloves and a warm puffer jacket/coat with a hood for glacier days as it can be both wet, windy and cold. Alaska weather is VERY unpredictable! It can be sunny and warm one day and chilly/wet the next. That said, we love it there more than any other cruise destination.
I went to Alaska in July and I agree with all the clothing you suggested because it rained every morning until noon. The temperature was in the middle 60’s which was damp and cold. The temperature at the glaciers was 49 and I was glad I had a sweatshirt and fleece jacket to wear. This was an unusual week for July but it does happen. However in spite of the weather it was an amazing cruise. The rest of the stuff comes in very handy as well. Plan for bad weather and hope for the best.
I went to Alaska the first week of September and my favorite item I took with me was an over sized super soft sweater I used to wrapped around me when sitting and relaxing (and even napping) on the balcony.
We cruised to Alaska during the first week of July 2018 for our 25th wedding anniversary on the Celebrity Solstice. It was cold and rainy the entire week. We had no clue as to what we needed to pack- needless to say, our first purchase in Ketchikan was warm jackets (we still wear them in the winters here in Pennsylvania). The thing about Alaska is to be prepared for anything!
We have cruised Alaska before and it can be very similar in weather to where we live just north of Seattle. We went in late July and it poored rain. I strongly recommend the 32 degree shirts and pants. You can get ones for warmth and one for cooling. Both work exceptionally and are very reasonable in price. My advice is to plan for rain and pray it doesn't come:)
Thank you✔️ I'm going to Alaska in Sep. 2024 on Carnival Luminosa. It will be my very first time going to another bucket list: Alaska. So, I appreciate this information!
I am ALWAYS chilly and have found LLBean silk undergarments to be the best. They provide great warmth while being very lightweight and comfortable underneath just about anything else you wear. Our first Alaska cruise was at the end of June, and all the locals were mentioning how unseasonably warm it was. We needed only a lightweight jacket in the morning, and shifted to short sleeve shirts in the afternoon, even cold-blooded me! Our second Alaska cruise was in August and was uniformly chilly and at least overcast, many times rainy.
I bought the LLBean silk undergarments before seeing your recommendation (have been an LLBean customer for over 50 years) but I'm so glad to hear I made the right choice. They are fairly expensive but, as you say, very lightweight and thin. It was worth it to me to not feel like a "stuffed sausage" 🙂.
This was a great and very informative video. I have been on two Alaskan cruises, in the months of June and July. Even though it was their summer, we still needed our warm jackets, layers and thermo undergarments on some days. And certainly waterproof shoes. Your video covered everything that is needed, I can’t think of anything else, and yes, don’t forget the insect repellent! We will be cruising the Baltic region and the Norwegian coastline as well as a land trip to Iceland this June/July, and your packing list for the Alaskan cruise will be very helpful. Thank you so much Ilana for your very informative videos, and all you do for us.
We're going on our first Alaskan cruise, September 24-Oct 1st on Norwegian! We're so excited ! Thank you for all the helpful information. To save on packing, I bought a Columbia 3-in-1 jacket from REI. It's has a wind resistant and water proof outer shell. The Inside jacket is a lightweight puffer jacket. Comfort cuffs with thumb holes. Also some slip resistant Sketcher hiking boots. Also I bought a nice comfy chunky cardigan for walking around the ship. 😊😊
We cruised twice to Alaska, the end of May both times, and lucked out -- only rained once and that was in Ketchikan. We are going on our third Alaskan cruise next Aug/Sept. and will be prepared for a lot of rain. We would never be so lucky for a third time.
I have sailed May/June/July/Aug/Sep to Alaska. Bring layers! I prefer the FORLOH brand, American made base/warmth/protection clothing, but I have also taken Sitka gear. Kenetrek “Bridger Low” walking/hiking shoes are water tight and have excellent soles for wet or dry conditions. Just make sure to have layers in case in pours down rain or is 60 degrees and sunny!
Rain rain cold sunny rain snow in one day. Layer up. 24 hour sun so eye masks are mandatory! Have been twice. Also waterproof shoes. Keep feet dry! Always carry light gloves and beanie in raincoat pockets and a rainhat. And extra socks. I also use a puffer vest under coat. Fleece shirt. Did i mention rain?
@@jackilocke2459 you will have the best time. Princess has best excursions and welcome back to ship w hot chocolate etc. transports even better quality.
We cannot wait for our first Alaskan cruise! We’re sailing on the Royal Princess on May 25. It’s been so helpful finding all the information about what to bring from RUclips! It’s 93 in Charlotte, NC right now….so it will be a welcome weather change.
Last 2 week of June 1st week of July lightweight all weather jacket- gloves knit hats. Able to peel all by 10am. GLAD had that and thermals for land portion in the parks. We lucked out 21 days and no rain if you do bring binoculars. Bring 2 my husband said he would share with me HAHA
I went to Alaska in the end of August. I pack a little of everything. There weather is so changeable . I pack jeans,long sleeves tee's. Rain coat umbrella eye muffs don't like my ears being cold. Blue Jean jacket,leggings,hiking shoes keens are very good. The weather was 50 to 65 when we were there. It was great really enjoyed my time there.
My wife and I love your vids. So helpful. Just had our 1st successful cruise on Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas a week ago. We used so many of your tips and thank you! Keep up the good work.
Hello. I'm traveling on the Allure the 20th - 27th of this month. Do you have any basic suggestions? Also, can you recommend any excursions? Thanks in advance.
@@feleciaharrell8966 we did the Chocolate and Honey tasting excursion on COZEMEL ISLAND. It's a cultural and history tour so if you like that kind of tour it's right up your alley. We had signed up for the horse back beach tour in Honduras, but it was canceled by the tour people in Honduras. That one looked amazing and we were disappointed. Also, the Rafting tour in the other Mexico stop was canceled because we couldn't port due to weather. As far a TIPS : 1) Thats #1. Be prepared for changes and cancelations. It doesn't happen all the time, but just have a plan on what you will do for the day on the ship. 2) You don't have to do excursions to enjoy the ship. Try to find your niche on the ship, that you enjoy going. Ours was the Solarium because of no kids, there's a restaurant and a bar there, hot tubs plenty of beach chairs. Also we loved CENTRAL PARK. It was so nice you'd forget your at sea on a ship. Plenty of restaurants there to. It's a quit place 3) Anytime Dining in the main dining room was phenomenal! The food was amazing. My wife has a Gluten allergy and they catered to her every need. If you tell them you have allergies they will remember you because you are assigned the same waiter for your table for everytime you do anytime dining. And my wife loved food. What's great about it is you get a guaranteed table and time each day you want to dine there. We never ate upstairs at the wind jammer because the food was so good in the dining room. Also, we didn't really like the cafeteria feel of the Windjammer. You do have to dress a little more appropriate for the dining room but that's a polo shirt and kaki pants. And a nice casual dinner dress for women. It was worth it to us. Plus funny part was... Once everyone found out about it, there were lines to get in at the door. Meanwhile we just walked right into our table. 4) COZEMEL SHOPPING. if you want to just shop and not do an excursion, there are plenty of shops there. If you like leather, culture gifts. Other items. Also bars as well. Honduras Roatan Port is smaller.. So maybe that's a Ship day of you don't got out and explore. 5) Other areas of the ship we liked. The track was a great place to walk off dinner.. 😁. Also just to take a walk. Another spot to go and chill is the back of the ship ofd the track. They have chairs there. Great photo opportunities. All in all it was a great ship, with great staff. They clean the crap out of the ship. 1st night on board, I couldn't sleep. I get up at 3 am to get some tea from deck 5. Get down there, you had guys with misting machines disinfecting, workers walking every deck stairwell wiping every hand rail, on every floor on every deck, in every stairwell... Every elevator. It was nuts. I went back and got my wife because I woke her up at the point she came with me, out side top deck. These guys were literally pressure washing every thing. They do this literally every night. Anyway.. I know that's a lot. Sorry for the long post. Hope you enjoy and hit me back if you have any more questions.
Just returned from Princess 14day cruise/land tour. Surprising change - no one in our party was allowed to keep any heat creating hair appliances: curling irons, curling heated brushes or hair straighteners - they were taken from our luggage, kept by security, then returned on disembarkation day. The weather was great so we didn't need our ponchos or waterproof shoes. The heavy duty magnetic hooks for cabin walls came in handy as did the electronics cube and the phone power source. Thanks for all the helpful tips.
Equally always be prepared for warmer, dry weather. I did not, late Aug, assumed cool and wet, and the reverse happened. Every picture, I made a caption, "here I am over dressed in Alaska". So make sure you have items for all weather, the layering is the absolutely best advise.
This is the first cruise my wife and I are taking. This list is perfect. I worked for REI for many years and we had "gear" lists for travelers. So, this is what we needed for our cruise. I live on Whidbey Island in Washington State and wear shorts and chaco sandals year round. I guess I'll need to bring some pants for our cruise. Thank you again. We cruise out of Seattle in May. So excited.
Our family went mid August in 2021. I was very happy that I chose to bring my thicker winter coat for the day we were in Glacier Bay. Also water proof is very different then water resistant. It has to do with the amount of time, care of item. But it’s super important. As my cousin was soaked after 35 min in her water resistant and my water proof jacket held up. Who knew, I sure didn’t. Lawyers for sure. I even bought Merril woman walking shoes. So happy I did. I have feet and lower back issues. But as always Ilana’s list is wonderful.
We cruised the Inside Passage in mid May 1997. We're from New England and surprisingly it was warmer in Alaska than at home. We were drinking Margaritas in the hot tub in Glacier Bay. The glaciers "calving" were AWESOME. I highly recommend AK cruises. YES bring your bathing suit. FUN!!! :)
I did cruise to Alaska about 15 years ago. I loved this cruise. We only had one day of rain but were told that we were lucky as our weather was unusual. I hope to be able to take the Alaska cruise again before my time on earth is up!
Greetings Ilana, from your senior cruisers in London, Ontario. Our first Alaska cruise was in late June of 2018, arriving into Vancouver on Canada Day! That was such a wonderful day from early afternoon, to late evening with fireworks over the Harbour. We experienced mostly sunny days and nice temperatures. For our shore excursions we wore jeans, a light tee shirt and a sweat shirt. By afternoon we were usually able to take off the sweatshirt. We did take warmer jackets and gloves just in case and we definitely needed them when we sailed into Hubbard Glacier. It was a lovely sunny day, but the wind off the glacier was pretty chilly. Your tips for the shoulder months are spot on. There will be a good chance it will be rainy and quite cool. We are sailing again to Alaska in mid July this year, and although the weather should be good, we both have lightweight waterproof jackets with hoods just in case. Take care and we Love your videos!
My second cruise, last cruisetour was in September cooler, weather more inclement but dry. Juneau was warm and sunny not at all as predicted. I am sailing this time in early mid June and doing a land tour so packing similar items , video was very helpful a few things I hadn’t thought of so thank you.
I usually cruise in June/July and have been fortunate each time with nice weather. Only time I was "cold' was in Glacier Bay. I did cruise this past September -- it was cold and rainy. I come prepared for the cold for sure.
We put our luggage tags on as soon as we land at final destination and get our luggage. We sail Holland America and they take care of luggage from final airport to hotel to ship.
My husband and I are going in about two weeks. May I ask what people usually wear while walking around the ship? I know there are a lot of indoor areas but there are also outdoor. Thank you for your videos and congratulations on your change of careers!
We have been to Alaska numerous times. In addition to our cruises there, our daughter and son in law was stationed in Anchorage and we would go there at least twice a year. We are getting ready to cruise Alaska in June and will probably be our last Alaska cruise as there are other places we want to see. Now, i’m not someone who gets cold, so I bring a lined waterproof jacket.
Thanks for the great tips! We leave on the 22nd for a land and sea cruise with Holland. We are so excited! Our first trip since '19. We will celebrate our 35th Anniversary in Alaska!
We take Rain Slickers and Water proof light shoes , also light Sweat shirts ...After 4 Alaska Cruisers We needed them Twice .....And don't FORGET it may not be that Cold so what Rain Gear We do take is Light Weight ..
California Linda shares 👋so apropos as the first cruise is 19 days out. A great self-check against my packing list. You nailed every point. 🎉🎉 I have a puffer jacket for excursions and a long puffer coat for enjoying Glacier Bay anywhere on the ship. Yes, a swimsuit is essential, on Princess the pools are open most hours unlike other cruise lines. The only time I did not enjoy an early early morning swim is in the North Sea cruising into Norway fjords as the pool waves were higher than I felt comfortable. Otherwise the water into Alaska is fairly smooth. The hiking poles are most useful and I never bring an umbrella, but your other suggestions should be a must for everyone. Thank you for a great video as for many cruisers this may be their first cruise, and it's Alaska. 💞 🇨🇦
After I pack all the stuff you suggested, will I have room for my clothes? I'm glad you made this list. We may be going on our first cruise to Alaska this year. It looks like I need to start shopping at least 2 months ahead of time. ;)
What a great list. Our first trip to Alaska is finally this September... after a 2-year wait 😉. I too purchased a puffer jacket with hood just to be on the safe side . I am also from Montreal and am used to 4 seasons weather so we're prepared for anything. Purchased trecking poles as well. My best purchase was those magnetic hooks. Love them!! Thanks!
We are heading to Alaska this Sept too. I lived there for a year back in '79 and can't wait to see Ketchikan again. When I lived there, the weather was very similar to back home in the New York City area except it rained almost every day.
We are sailing to Alaska in July! So excited! I found this very helpful. I'll certainly be reading through the comments for more information. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your videos. Very thorough 😊. I’m going on my first Alaska cruise mid May 2022. I’m still sort of unsure what to pack especially keeping within the luggage weight stipulations for air-travel. Lots of great ideas and recommendations though. Thank you.
How exciting! It does seem hard to “pack light”. If your cruise ship has laundry facilities, perhaps that can help a bit. Wear layers on the plane as well perhaps
We went September 2021. For my regular day: face layer, shirt or sweater. That’s what I wore on the ship unless I was going to be outside and I added layer. We packed so that we would be able to spend time outside a lot, there were very few excursions during that time. Add to what I previously mentioned, I also bought it for me rain resistant wind resistant jacket. It’s designed for outside or inside. Add it to that jacket in a empty backpack that I carry, I added rolled up waterproof pants and a proper will not leak through the zippers rain jacket that would fit over my clothing including my daytime jacket. That’s all we brought for clothing, for later. We brought waterproof pants because if we got stuck outside we wanted to be able to put those on but we were lucky and carry them around in our backpacks to the time. I bought my face layer, from Costco brand 9°. They are in expensive and we can use them on any other Alaska cruises we will do, like the one in August 2022. We live in Florida, I’m always cold and my husband‘s always hot. He on characteristicly or longsleeve shirts and a jacket and necessary. He opted to carry his roll base layer in the backpack. He never used it. Because we spent a small fortune on our items and we have very nice backpacks, we always travel with an apple AirTag inside our luggage. The benefits of that have been priceless for us. We put Apple air tax and everything.
Good list, thanks! I tend to run warm, but when I was there last August it was cold and pouring rain in Juneau. Wore long sleeve t-shirt, light fleece, and Columbia rain jacket and was wishing for the long underwear 🤣. Next day it was sunny and warm/short sleeves. I used waterproofing spray on my tennies and it worked great for dry feet.
I have found that a medication called Meclizine works really well for motion sickness and it's all natural. Plus I don't feel drowzy like with some of the others.
We've been on three Alaskan cruises, two out of Whittier in September and one out of Seattle in May. The first one was pretty cold, especially in Glacier Bay and Carcross, CA (right around the freezing point). The second, two years later was warm enough in Glacier Bay that we only needed light jackets. I will say a fleece hoodie and a mid-weight rain coat is a good combination with a hiking shirt underneath. Also, while it was cool but not cold in Glacier Bay, we wore hiking clothes (convertible pants/shorts, hiking shirts) in Skagway and shorts to ride bikes in Ketchikan. We've found Alaska to be one of the hardest destinations to pack for just because it is so hard to predict the weather. We treat Alaska as a cross between spring skiing and hiking in Colorado (at the same time of year). Can't wait for number 4 in 2023!
Thank you llana! So much great information! Just downloaded your "Ultimate Cruise Planner." Just last week Charlie and I booked a Cruise/tour to Alaska in September! We appreciate the help greatly! Better to be prepared! :)
Thank you so much for this information. We are going to Alaska in June of 2023 for our 40th Anniversary. I am buying a little at a time some items you linked below for our cruise. Happy cruising 🛳.
We will be on that ship. It’s our ninth anniversary and first honeymoon! I’m a little overwhelmed about the packing. My plan is to check the weather a week before departure so I have a better idea of what to pack
Have a September cruise to Alaska that I am looking forward to and the idea of packing for a cool weather cruise is certainly a bit more daunting .... thanks for sharing
We did a 14 day trip in September of 2019 on Seabourn to Alaska. They had several formal nights, and 75 %of the people were in tuxedos and gowns. I felt all I needed was a blazer and tie. Boy were we wrong!!
Alaska is amazing! We have sailed late May (cool but sunny and dry), August we had glorious warm weather so we were in shorts in Vancouver and hiking in Skagway, Sept it was cool and a bit rainy but not enough to spoil anything. I definitely wore layers - tee shirt, long sleeve wool blend shirt then either sweater or puffer vest plus a Columbia raincoat. Our only really cold times was at the glacier face. DH gets cold and wore his 32 degree lightweight long johns and shirts (very inexpensive at Costco or online). We did a helicopter ride and glacier hike in Juneau where the company provided the insulated suit. I didn't want to pack hiking shoes (too bulky) but have found waterproofing our regular sneakers was fine. All this was packed in two carry on bags with the help of compression bags. Finally I did often wear a baseball cap when we were outside as it is frequently windy.
Such great ideas. I’m off in May to Alaska, second trip. I have most of the things you mentioned but picked up the binoculars now to test them out before I go. I have your planner too. Thanks.
Cruised to Alaska twice in Sept. Mostly nice weather..one day of rain. But it was really cold in the mornings. I even got sunburned one day at the pool. Definetly bring layers. I pack way more for Alaska than Caribbean..lol
1. Hi! How far is the Seattle airport from the port? Like how much did you pay for Uber, if you don’t mind please? 2. Also do you have any budget hotel recommendations? They are all so expensive and costs about $70 for transport to port. 3. Things to do in Seattle if we fly in the day before? 4. What about the weather when we travel to Alaska in June? 5. Also…excursions are so expensive. When we get to a port, do they have local ones we can go on that are not as expensive as booking one with the ship? Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you.! Very excited about this cruise. And thanks for posting this video!
We will be flying into Seattle for 2 days before heading back to SeaTac to catch the motorcoach to Vancouver. There are 4 of us and I think the total was $109. We will be visiting the Space Needle and Pikes Fish Market. I'm sure we'll find more to do.
Went in September. Had to wear warm jackets and hats in the morning when we were in glacier bay as it seemed like it was 30 degrees out, but as we sailed out that afternoon, I was sitting on our balcony with shorts and no shirt. I got a sunburn. No rain in Ketchikan which we heard was unusual. Juneau was cloudy, but around 60 degrees. Skagway was nice for the White Pass Railroad ride. We brought clothes for all types of weather.
Thank you for all the tips!! There were a few I did not even think about! This was a very informative video!!! Now we are ready for our 1st Alaska cruise!!! =)
Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner/
I was born and raised in Ketchikan.
Tips:
Waterproof. Waterproof. Waterproof:
The Tongass National Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. In Ketchikan we get 13-15 ft of rain per year (yes, we measure in feet!). You could get lucky and have a mostly dry vacation but chances are it will probably rain on your trip. Bring RAINPANTS! You will need serious rain gear if it’s raining in SE Alaska. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been soaked from the mid-thigh down just walking around town. If I were you I would wear rainpants with long underwear underneath especially if it looks like rain during an excursion. Don’t expect the seats on your excursion boat to be dry. Also, waterproof shoes are a must! And honestly, ponchos are laughable. If you want to look like a tourist, wear a poncho. When I was a kid I used to ask my parents why all the people off the ships wore garbage bags. Lol!
Layers upon layers:
It is always cold at night. Always. If you’re near a glacier it will be even a few degrees colder. If it’s a sunny day the temp could be in the 70’s, and now that global warming is here, sometimes even in the 80’s! Vests are a great option. You don’t need extra lining in your raincoat. Just wear a fleece or sweater underneath, then your raincoat will be thin enough to tie around your waist. Find a raincoat that unzips in the armpits = best hiking layer ever! (You can find all the layers you’ll need at REI or any Pacific NW outfitting company).
Mosquitoes are BAD! Really bad:
They WILL bite you through your leggings. Spray your pants! If it’s raining the mosquitoes won’t be out too much but on a sunny or just overcast day watch out! Probably won’t be many in town but excursions will take you out in the wilderness more where the mosquitos are plentiful. When it comes to repellent I get the strong stuff, AKA 100% Deet. It’s really bad for you but it’s only a few days and you can just spray your clothes.
If you go shopping please try to seek out locally made gifts! SE Alaska relies HEAVILY on tourism and Covid has devastated the economy!
Also, please please use the crosswalks and wait for the red light before crossing the street. All of the people driving by are trying to get to work or a doctors appointment on time! It’s not Disneyland, it’s a small rural town. And yes, we take American dollars. Alaska is the 49th state. (You wouldn’t believe how many people ask this question!)
Thanks so much!! I learned a lot from your advice and really appreciate you sharing the info! Rain pants and strong insect spray it is!! 😬😂
I will be in Ketchikan next month for one day. I would love something locally made. What shop would you recommend?
I love that your name is Rayne!
THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you so much for your advice. Do we need gloves and hat on September? Do we need already winter jackets on September or still light jacket . Thank you for your reply
Its now 2 years that we have been planning our Alaskan cruise and we booked for this July 2024. We keep watching your videos. Thank you very much. All your ideas are wonderful and will be used!
Tip #1 check 7 day weather forecast when your within those 7 days at your port stops.
Hi we just came back from our Alaskan Cruise of a lifetime on Carnival Splendor(8/9-16/22) You were spot on about being prepared for cold/rainy weather & layering. Binos are a must, cameras optional, comfortable shoes are essential. Pack your prescription meds, I'm diabetic so I have to worry about packing my meds. The only warm days were embarkation and debarkation in Seattle (beginning and end), after that it was in the 50's during the day and 30's and foggy at night and early mornings, Mendenhall Glacier was in the 20's with wind gusts. initially we thought we over packed but as the days went by we were well prepared for cool days, cold nights, and yes it rained on us the entire day when we were in Ketchican. Inside the ship it was nice and comfortable. My body temp runs on the warm side so I was comfortable with pants and a sweater/hoodie most of the time during the day, on the ship I wore shorts & t-shirt. My teens were good with hoodies in port and short on board. My wife's body temp is cold so she was layered up and had a puffy jacket most of the time in port and pants and sweater or wrap on board. We saw people in shorts and t-shirts/Tank tops all day so it depends on your body temp. Definitely recommend having a plan for each day so you have an idea of what you want to do both on board and in port. there is so much to do on board from shows, to music, movies for families, teens, young adults. Take advantage of your time on board. If you have a must do excursion book it in advance, do a little research on the web and call your destination and you can coordinate excursions and pick ups. Although do confirm a week or two out just in case issues come up. if you want to do a helicopter excursion weather is a main factor so make sure you can get a refund, we were lucky and we were able to do our Helio excursion. We definitely saved hundreds of $$$ by going local rather than booking with the cruise line, although the cruise line will guarantee you make your excursion and will wait for your group if you run late. as for the attire, keep in mind people are on vacation and some don't want to fuss, there are people from all walks of life, young and old, newlyweds and senior couples with different attitudes on what's acceptable or not. We enjoy meeting people so we keep an open mind and had no issues. We traveled with teens and it was not difficult. We love to dress up so on formal nights (2 nights) we went all out and got dressed up, took photos, others were still casual, to inlcude shorts, sundresses with flip flops and there were no issues. We saw it all on our cruise, from tiny bikini's, to shorts and t-shirts/tank tops on formal night, pajamas everywhere on the ship and we saw no issues by guests and crew. There were more issues with drunk and obnoxious guests (but even a few of them were entertaining). We had a great trip, but we had a lot of patience through out the trip and recommend the Alaskan Cruise as a must do, bucket list. Safe travels!
How was Seattle to be in before the cruise, We are taking one same dates as you but this year and little nervous about Seattle. Which cruise line? NCL for us and can"t wait
We watched several of your videos before going on the Celebrity Solstice Ultimate Alaska Cruise May 3-12, 2023. We had all the basics: magnetic hooks, seapass lanyards, collapsible water bottle, etc. One thing I wish I had brought was one of those cardboard drink carriers that hold 2 or 4 drinks. I always made a coffee run for my wife and me every morning and wished I had a carrier so I could open doors, push elevator buttons, etc. Not to mention the cups being hot even with the togo sleeve on. I even saw a guy who had brought a plastic carrier with travel cups he said he bought at a dollar store. Thanks!
Our first stop was Ketchikan. Per advice from friends who cruised Alaska previously, we didn't take a coat. You can purchase a nice jacket for about $20. Warm, rain proof and says Alaska on it. Great buy. Tongass trading post.
Awesome!! Great to know
I ended up buying one of those Alaska jackets while in Juneau, it was a good price and made a big difference in keeping me warm and dry...
@@bobhill9041 you purchase these in person.
@@sunseekermama our first stop is in Juneau so can I ask how long ago, price, & if there was a good variety?
Lol I bought some there too!
As a long time Alaskan resident I can tell you that a buff, or neck gaiter is an excellent idea. Highly versatile, useful while wearing (keeps out the cold drafts and wind), also helpful as a muff to tuck your hands into for additional warmth on windy boat rides, and can help to gently compress bulky layers inside your day pack to save space. They come in very handy. No need to get the expensive merino wool ones, just make sure the one you buy is NOT COTTON.
Turtle Fur is cheap and it's a lifesaver!
We've taken two Alaska cruises: opening season (late May) and closing season (early Sept). Late May was still very chilly so layering was a must. Waterproof hiking boots/shoes for slippery rocks (there was still snow and ice on the trails). Early September was very rainy and cool. It was slippery mud to watch out for. In addition to your list: bring gallon ziplock bags to put wet clothes/poncho/umbrella/footwear or anything you are going to shed throughout the days so your backpack and other items don't get wet/muddy. Attach (with a rubber band) another set of cords to the portable charger for each type of phone (iPhone/Android). Don't rely on remembering to bring the cords, just have a set just for the charger. These are valuable "lessons learned" the hard way. Love your videos.
Great info and tips!! Gallon ziplocks are brilliant 👏
1
HI,
I always bring a few wood clothes pins, just in case the shower curtain is not long enough. Pin the clothes pins to the bottom of the shower curtain which keeps the curtain inside the shower stall. Then the water will not be all over your bathroom floor.
Karla :)
Brilliant
My in laws are just starting their second week returning from Whittier to Vancouver with Princess Cruises. They packed fine for being outside, layers etc, however the thing they didn't realize is that because they haven't gone off ship for excursions as much as other people, the interior of the ship is quite cold. My understanding is that because of the tides they have to put the disembarking on the piazza level.....meaning it is open ALL day!! They told me that by dinner time the ship is back to a more comfortable temperature but through breakfast and lunch times when they have stayed on board they definitely were not prepared for how cold it is on board.
Otherwise they are loving the scenery!!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I’m sure many will appreciate the tip and info. Glad they’re having a good time!
My family and I went on a group Alaskan cruise back in 2016, and we LOVED it! We were soooo nervous about the weather (I’m one of those people who is ALWAYS cold), so we packed clothes for EVERY season! And I’m so glad we did, because we got the full gamut, from cool to warm, then HOT and sunny, to freezing cold and rain! I’d like to go back one day.
Lol love this!! Sounds like me 😂. Thanks for sharing your experience in Alaska
My sister & I are planning an Alaska cruise hopefully this summer!!! I appreciate the real-world-help of tons of comments!!!!🤠🤠🤠
We went end of August/first of September. Took full winter gear and used all of it for Glacier National park. We were the only ones able to stay outside the entire time. Use wool items mittens, hat and sweaters. Plan on about 50% of your days being wet.
I am a lifelong Alaskan and I agree with all items here! Make sure those items next to your skin are synthetic, if possible - less chance of getting chilled if you get soaked and faster drying. These are definitely standard items for SE Alaska cruise areas. If you're doing Interior Alaska traveling, it is less rainy and warmer in late May, June, July, and early August - especially Fairbanks can get warm mid-summer - 70s-90s is common. Also bring sturdy sunglasses - long daylight hours every day. Bring a sleep mask if you need a dark room to sleep because they play baseball at midnight, no lights, in Fairbanks on summer solstice. :-) Great tips here!
Thanks so much Delia for sharing your tips and advice!! So helpful! I hadn’t considered the sleep mask - brilliant
@@LifeWellCruised Yes, you are welcome! If you've not been to Alaska before, we have long LONG daylight hours in summer. It can be 10pm and the sun is still shining like it's the afternoon. The further north, the longer the daylight.
I travel very light; 1/2 of these I will never pack and survived. Another 1/2 is great suggestions!
We have cruised Alaska twice already and are going again in September on Grand Princess. You have pretty much nailed it; lots of layers, prepare for rain and you definitely do need a hat/gloves and a warm puffer jacket/coat with a hood for glacier days as it can be both wet, windy and cold. Alaska weather is VERY unpredictable! It can be sunny and warm one day and chilly/wet the next. That said, we love it there more than any other cruise destination.
Thanks so much Trudy for sharing your experience!! :)
I went to Alaska in July and I agree with all the clothing you suggested because it rained every morning until noon. The temperature was in the middle 60’s which was damp and cold. The temperature at the glaciers was 49 and I was glad I had a sweatshirt and fleece jacket to wear. This was an unusual week for July but it does happen. However in spite of the weather it was an amazing cruise. The rest of the stuff comes in very handy as well. Plan for bad weather and hope for the best.
That’s great, and I love the advice 👏
I pack magnetic, rechargeable nightlight. So helpful!
I went to Alaska the first week of September and my favorite item I took with me was an over sized super soft sweater I used to wrapped around me when sitting and relaxing (and even napping) on the balcony.
May September October a puffer jacket yes. June or July a hoodie under a rain jacket or wind breaker
We cruised to Alaska during the first week of July 2018 for our 25th wedding anniversary on the Celebrity Solstice. It was cold and rainy the entire week. We had no clue as to what we needed to pack- needless to say, our first purchase in Ketchikan was warm jackets (we still wear them in the winters here in Pennsylvania). The thing about Alaska is to be prepared for anything!
Thanks so much for sharing!! Lol at least you can still use your warm jackets and they are a great memory too
We have cruised Alaska before and it can be very similar in weather to where we live just north of Seattle. We went in late July and it poored rain. I strongly recommend the 32 degree shirts and pants. You can get ones for warmth and one for cooling. Both work exceptionally and are very reasonable in price. My advice is to plan for rain and pray it doesn't come:)
Love this!! Thanks for sharing your experience and advice (and prayers 😂)
Thank you✔️ I'm going to Alaska in Sep. 2024 on Carnival Luminosa. It will be my very first time going to another bucket list: Alaska. So, I appreciate this information!
I am ALWAYS chilly and have found LLBean silk undergarments to be the best. They provide great warmth while being very lightweight and comfortable underneath just about anything else you wear. Our first Alaska cruise was at the end of June, and all the locals were mentioning how unseasonably warm it was. We needed only a lightweight jacket in the morning, and shifted to short sleeve shirts in the afternoon, even cold-blooded me! Our second Alaska cruise was in August and was uniformly chilly and at least overcast, many times rainy.
Thanks for sharing your recommendation and experiences. Sounds like we are the same!
I bought the LLBean silk undergarments before seeing your recommendation (have been an LLBean customer for over 50 years) but I'm so glad to hear I made the right choice. They are fairly expensive but, as you say, very lightweight and thin. It was worth it to me to not feel like a "stuffed sausage" 🙂.
This was a great and very informative video. I have been on two Alaskan cruises, in the months of June and July. Even though it was their summer, we still needed our warm jackets, layers and thermo undergarments on some days. And certainly waterproof shoes. Your video covered everything that is needed, I can’t think of anything else, and yes, don’t forget the insect repellent! We will be cruising the Baltic region and the Norwegian coastline as well as a land trip to Iceland this June/July, and your packing list for the Alaskan cruise will be very helpful. Thank you so much Ilana for your very informative videos, and all you do for us.
Good idea!
We're going on our first Alaskan cruise, September 24-Oct 1st on Norwegian! We're so excited !
Thank you for all the helpful information.
To save on packing, I bought a Columbia 3-in-1 jacket from REI. It's has a wind resistant and water proof outer shell. The Inside jacket is a lightweight puffer jacket. Comfort cuffs with thumb holes. Also some slip resistant Sketcher hiking boots. Also I bought a nice comfy chunky cardigan for walking around the ship. 😊😊
I'll be on the same cruise and I'm really happy to have watched this video too.
i'm going in sept 8-15 i got my hiking shoes and a 3-1 jacket free country
I always bring a car air freshener (shaped like a tree) to hang in the bathroom. Keeps everything smelling fresh!
Smart!!
My husband and I have been twice once in June and once in September I always over pack. Now we are taking our grand daughter to Alaska May 10th.
That’s amazing! Have a wonderful cruise!
We cruised twice to Alaska, the end of May both times, and lucked out -- only rained once and that was in Ketchikan. We are going on our third Alaskan cruise next Aug/Sept. and will be prepared for a lot of rain. We would never be so lucky for a third time.
I have sailed May/June/July/Aug/Sep to Alaska. Bring layers! I prefer the FORLOH brand, American made base/warmth/protection clothing, but I have also taken Sitka gear. Kenetrek “Bridger Low” walking/hiking shoes are water tight and have excellent soles for wet or dry conditions. Just make sure to have layers in case in pours down rain or is 60 degrees and sunny!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!! So helpful 👏
Which month would you recommend the most to sail? Leaving between May and September
Zip lock bags. Laundry detergent pods & dryer sheets.
Rain rain cold sunny rain snow in one day. Layer up. 24 hour sun so eye masks are mandatory! Have been twice. Also waterproof shoes. Keep feet dry! Always carry light gloves and beanie in raincoat pockets and a rainhat. And extra socks. I also use a puffer vest under coat. Fleece shirt. Did i mention rain?
When did you go?
Great tips!! I never thought about the eye mask. Thanks!
@@jackilocke2459 both times were in july. Once HAL other Princess. Still snow on ground many places.
@@janeshiota1005 Holy Smokes. We are on Princess sailing out of Vancouver in July. Good to know, thank you!
@@jackilocke2459 you will have the best time. Princess has best excursions and welcome back to ship w hot chocolate etc. transports even better quality.
We cannot wait for our first Alaskan cruise! We’re sailing on the Royal Princess on May 25. It’s been so helpful finding all the information about what to bring from RUclips! It’s 93 in Charlotte, NC right now….so it will be a welcome weather change.
Now that you've gone, do you have any recommendations!! Also how was the Royal, we are on it later this month.
Last 2 week of June 1st week of July lightweight all weather jacket- gloves knit hats. Able to peel all by 10am. GLAD had that and thermals for land portion in the parks. We lucked out 21 days and no rain if you do bring binoculars. Bring 2 my husband said he would share with me HAHA
Thanks Lynn for sharing your experience. I’m laughing about the binoculars 😂
I went to Alaska in the end of August. I pack a little of everything. There weather is so changeable . I pack jeans,long sleeves tee's. Rain coat umbrella eye muffs don't like my ears being cold. Blue Jean jacket,leggings,hiking shoes keens are very good. The weather was 50 to 65 when we were there. It was great really enjoyed my time there.
September 2016…..weather was in 60’s & 70’s. Beautiful! No rain! Brought way too many garments! LOL
Haha you never know I guess. I’d rather warm weather, even if I overpack 😂
My wife and I love your vids. So helpful. Just had our 1st successful cruise on Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas a week ago. We used so many of your tips and thank you! Keep up the good work.
Thank you for watching and your kind words! So glad you had a great cruise with Royal Caribbean 👏
Hello. I'm traveling on the Allure the 20th - 27th of this month. Do you have any basic suggestions? Also, can you recommend any excursions? Thanks in advance.
@@feleciaharrell8966 we did the Chocolate and Honey tasting excursion on COZEMEL ISLAND. It's a cultural and history tour so if you like that kind of tour it's right up your alley. We had signed up for the horse back beach tour in Honduras, but it was canceled by the tour people in Honduras. That one looked amazing and we were disappointed. Also, the Rafting tour in the other Mexico stop was canceled because we couldn't port due to weather. As far a TIPS :
1) Thats #1. Be prepared for changes and cancelations. It doesn't happen all the time, but just have a plan on what you will do for the day on the ship.
2) You don't have to do excursions to enjoy the ship. Try to find your niche on the ship, that you enjoy going. Ours was the Solarium because of no kids, there's a restaurant and a bar there, hot tubs plenty of beach chairs. Also we loved CENTRAL PARK. It was so nice you'd forget your at sea on a ship. Plenty of restaurants there to. It's a quit place
3) Anytime Dining in the main dining room was phenomenal! The food was amazing. My wife has a Gluten allergy and they catered to her every need. If you tell them you have allergies they will remember you because you are assigned the same waiter for your table for everytime you do anytime dining. And my wife loved food. What's great about it is you get a guaranteed table and time each day you want to dine there. We never ate upstairs at the wind jammer because the food was so good in the dining room. Also, we didn't really like the cafeteria feel of the Windjammer. You do have to dress a little more appropriate for the dining room but that's a polo shirt and kaki pants. And a nice casual dinner dress for women. It was worth it to us. Plus funny part was... Once everyone found out about it, there were lines to get in at the door. Meanwhile we just walked right into our table.
4) COZEMEL SHOPPING. if you want to just shop and not do an excursion, there are plenty of shops there. If you like leather, culture gifts. Other items. Also bars as well. Honduras Roatan Port is smaller.. So maybe that's a Ship day of you don't got out and explore.
5) Other areas of the ship we liked. The track was a great place to walk off dinner.. 😁. Also just to take a walk. Another spot to go and chill is the back of the ship ofd the track. They have chairs there. Great photo opportunities.
All in all it was a great ship, with great staff. They clean the crap out of the ship. 1st night on board, I couldn't sleep. I get up at 3 am to get some tea from deck 5. Get down there, you had guys with misting machines disinfecting, workers walking every deck stairwell wiping every hand rail, on every floor on every deck, in every stairwell... Every elevator. It was nuts. I went back and got my wife because I woke her up at the point she came with me, out side top deck. These guys were literally pressure washing every thing. They do this literally every night. Anyway.. I know that's a lot. Sorry for the long post. Hope you enjoy and hit me back if you have any more questions.
Great info! I am doing my first Alaska cruise in May. Not my first cruise but first to Alaska. Thanks!
If you’re a golfer you may have a Gortex rain suit. Be sure to take it. Keeps you,warm and dry.,
Awesome! Thanks for sharing
Just returned from Princess 14day cruise/land tour.
Surprising change - no one in our party was allowed to keep any heat creating hair appliances: curling irons, curling heated brushes or hair straighteners - they were taken from our luggage, kept by security, then returned on disembarkation day.
The weather was great so we didn't need our ponchos or waterproof shoes. The heavy duty magnetic hooks for cabin walls came in handy as did the electronics cube and the phone power source. Thanks for all the helpful tips.
Equally always be prepared for warmer, dry weather. I did not, late Aug, assumed cool and wet, and the reverse happened. Every picture, I made a caption, "here I am over dressed in Alaska". So make sure you have items for all weather, the layering is the absolutely best advise.
Wow!! Great advice. Seems hard to pack light for Alaska 😂
This is the first cruise my wife and I are taking. This list is perfect. I worked for REI for many years and we had "gear" lists for travelers. So, this is what we needed for our cruise. I live on Whidbey Island in Washington State and wear shorts and chaco sandals year round. I guess I'll need to bring some pants for our cruise. Thank you again. We cruise out of Seattle in May. So excited.
Whitney Island - lucky you!
I mean Whidbey
Our family went mid August in 2021. I was very happy that I chose to bring my thicker winter coat for the day we were in Glacier Bay. Also water proof is very different then water resistant. It has to do with the amount of time, care of item. But it’s super important. As my cousin was soaked after 35 min in her water resistant and my water proof jacket held up. Who knew, I sure didn’t. Lawyers for sure. I even bought Merril woman walking shoes. So happy I did. I have feet and lower back issues. But as always Ilana’s list is wonderful.
Great to know. Yes you’re right water resistant just isn’t enough!! Lol the lawyers definitely know
I also try to seek advice from a lawyer when layering
We cruised the Inside Passage in mid May 1997. We're from New England and surprisingly it was warmer in Alaska than at home. We were drinking Margaritas in the hot tub in Glacier Bay. The glaciers "calving" were AWESOME. I highly recommend AK cruises. YES bring your bathing suit. FUN!!! :)
That’s awesome!! Love this
I did cruise to Alaska about 15 years ago. I loved this cruise. We only had one day of rain but were told that we were lucky as our weather was unusual. I hope to be able to take the Alaska cruise again before my time on earth is up!
Greetings Ilana, from your senior cruisers in London, Ontario. Our first Alaska cruise was in late June of 2018, arriving into Vancouver on Canada Day! That was such a wonderful day from early afternoon, to late evening with fireworks over the Harbour. We experienced mostly sunny days and nice temperatures. For our shore excursions we wore jeans, a light tee shirt and a sweat shirt. By afternoon we were usually able to take off the sweatshirt. We did take warmer jackets and gloves just in case and we definitely needed them when we sailed into Hubbard Glacier. It was a lovely sunny day, but the wind off the glacier was pretty chilly. Your tips for the shoulder months are spot on. There will be a good chance it will be rainy and quite cool. We are sailing again to Alaska in mid July this year, and although the weather should be good, we both have lightweight waterproof jackets with hoods just in case. Take care and we Love your videos!
Hi neighbour!! Your first Alaska cruise sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing your tips and comments 😊
Excellent list for Alaska list to take😅
😊
Rain gear is a must& water proof wear in Aksaka.
I've been to Alaska. It can get cool. Definitely NOT that cold. It never hurts to be prepared, but that much clothing is overkill.
Been there done that pack shorts and plenty of layers short sleeved, thermal, hat, gloves and nice rain gear !
My second cruise, last cruisetour was in September cooler, weather more inclement but dry. Juneau was warm and sunny not at all as predicted. I am sailing this time in early mid June and doing a land tour so packing similar items , video was very helpful a few things I hadn’t thought of so thank you.
I usually cruise in June/July and have been fortunate each time with nice weather. Only time I was "cold' was in Glacier Bay. I did cruise this past September -- it was cold and rainy. I come prepared for the cold for sure.
Great to know!! Thanks for sharing
We put our luggage tags on as soon as we land at final destination and get our luggage. We sail Holland America and they take care of luggage from final airport to hotel to ship.
Excellent video as usual, thank you. Your link to the "No surge power bar" actually points to a "CyberPower CSP600WSU Surge Protector"
My husband and I are going in about two weeks. May I ask what people usually wear while walking around the ship? I know there are a lot of indoor areas but there are also outdoor. Thank you for your videos and congratulations on your change of careers!
We have been to Alaska numerous times. In addition to our cruises there, our daughter and son in law was stationed in Anchorage and we would go there at least twice a year. We are getting ready to cruise Alaska in June and will probably be our last Alaska cruise as there are other places we want to see. Now, i’m not someone who gets cold, so I bring a lined waterproof jacket.
Thanks for the great advice and enjoy your Alaska cruise this year :)
Been there 5 times I love going the first week in Sept less crowded big sales less crowded
it it very cold at that time?
Thanks for the great tips! We leave on the 22nd for a land and sea cruise with Holland. We are so excited! Our first trip since '19. We will celebrate our 35th Anniversary in Alaska!
Weather anything from 30* to 70 *
If I get cold there's alchohol, one drink hot flashes I'll be good to go !
😂😂😂
Hi this will be out first time on Alaska carnival cruise in may 28 this was helpful we got the balcony thank you so much
We take Rain Slickers and Water proof light shoes , also
light Sweat shirts ...After 4 Alaska Cruisers We needed
them Twice .....And don't FORGET it may not be that Cold
so what Rain Gear We do take is Light Weight ..
Great to know! Thanks for sharing Ray
Perfect timing on this video. Will recheck my current list of stuff for Alaska so I don't miss anything.
Awesome!! So glad the timing was right :)
California Linda shares 👋so apropos as the first cruise is 19 days out. A great self-check against my packing list. You nailed every point. 🎉🎉 I have a puffer jacket for excursions and a long puffer coat for enjoying Glacier Bay anywhere on the ship. Yes, a swimsuit is essential, on Princess the pools are open most hours unlike other cruise lines. The only time I did not enjoy an early early morning swim is in the North Sea cruising into Norway fjords as the pool waves were higher than I felt comfortable. Otherwise the water into Alaska is fairly smooth. The hiking poles are most useful and I never bring an umbrella, but your other suggestions should be a must for everyone. Thank you for a great video as for many cruisers this may be their first cruise, and it's Alaska. 💞 🇨🇦
Thanks Linda for your insights and for sharing your own packing list! Amazing that your cruise is around the corner 👏
Thank you. Getting ready for Discovery Princess to Alaska this summer. So helpful.
Very exciting!! Have an amazing cruise 🛳
After I pack all the stuff you suggested, will I have room for my clothes?
I'm glad you made this list. We may be going on our first cruise to Alaska this year. It looks like I need to start shopping at least 2 months ahead of time. ;)
What a great list. Our first trip to Alaska is finally this September... after a 2-year wait 😉. I too purchased a puffer jacket with hood just to be on the safe side . I am also from Montreal and am used to 4 seasons weather so we're prepared for anything. Purchased trecking poles as well. My best purchase was those magnetic hooks. Love them!! Thanks!
Lol I get you. In Montreal we certainly know fluctuations in weather 😂. Great to hear what you’re bringing 👌
We are heading to Alaska this Sept too. I lived there for a year back in '79 and can't wait to see Ketchikan again. When I lived there, the weather was very similar to back home in the New York City area except it rained almost every day.
We also bring umbrellas and raincoats especially in Juneau
Great to know!!
This is our first Alaskan cruise. Yout lists are so helpful!!!
I’m so glad! Have an amazing cruise 🛳👏
We are sailing to Alaska in July! So excited! I found this very helpful. I'll certainly be reading through the comments for more information. Thanks for sharing.
So glad this was helpful! Have a wonderful cruise
Will be there in July as well !
@@mea3665 Awesome!! Which cruise line?
Thanks for your videos. Very thorough 😊. I’m going on my first Alaska cruise mid May 2022. I’m still sort of unsure what to pack especially keeping within the luggage weight stipulations for air-travel. Lots of great ideas and recommendations though. Thank you.
How exciting! It does seem hard to “pack light”. If your cruise ship has laundry facilities, perhaps that can help a bit. Wear layers on the plane as well perhaps
We went September 2021. For my regular day: face layer, shirt or sweater. That’s what I wore on the ship unless I was going to be outside and I added layer. We packed so that we would be able to spend time outside a lot, there were very few excursions during that time. Add to what I previously mentioned, I also bought it for me rain resistant wind resistant jacket. It’s designed for outside or inside. Add it to that jacket in a empty backpack that I carry, I added rolled up waterproof pants and a proper will not leak through the zippers rain jacket that would fit over my clothing including my daytime jacket. That’s all we brought for clothing, for later. We brought waterproof pants because if we got stuck outside we wanted to be able to put those on but we were lucky and carry them around in our backpacks to the time. I bought my face layer, from Costco brand 9°. They are in expensive and we can use them on any other Alaska cruises we will do, like the one in August 2022. We live in Florida, I’m always cold and my husband‘s always hot. He on characteristicly or longsleeve shirts and a jacket and necessary. He opted to carry his roll base layer in the backpack. He never used it. Because we spent a small fortune on our items and we have very nice backpacks, we always travel with an apple AirTag inside our luggage. The benefits of that have been priceless for us. We put Apple air tax and everything.
I m going to Alaska n June 2022 Can not wait!
I have an Alaska cruise planned for 2023. Thanks for all the information
Very exciting!!
Good list, thanks! I tend to run warm, but when I was there last August it was cold and pouring rain in Juneau. Wore long sleeve t-shirt, light fleece, and Columbia rain jacket and was wishing for the long underwear 🤣. Next day it was sunny and warm/short sleeves. I used waterproofing spray on my tennies and it worked great for dry feet.
Haha it’s crazy the way the weather can be so different!! Smart to use a waterproof spray
Very helpful, my Alaskan cruise is set for Sept 2023, very excited!!!
I was on Amazon filling up my cart while you spoke!
Thank you for sharing.
You are very good and helpful love watching you
This is great! I'm going on my first every cruise from Alaska back down to Vancouver! I can't wait and all this info is so very helpful! Thank you!!
Will be going to Alaska in September 2023 with a friend, going to do carry on only.
I have found that a medication called Meclizine works really well for motion sickness and it's all natural. Plus I don't feel drowzy like with some of the others.
We've been on three Alaskan cruises, two out of Whittier in September and one out of Seattle in May. The first one was pretty cold, especially in Glacier Bay and Carcross, CA (right around the freezing point). The second, two years later was warm enough in Glacier Bay that we only needed light jackets. I will say a fleece hoodie and a mid-weight rain coat is a good combination with a hiking shirt underneath. Also, while it was cool but not cold in Glacier Bay, we wore hiking clothes (convertible pants/shorts, hiking shirts) in Skagway and shorts to ride bikes in Ketchikan.
We've found Alaska to be one of the hardest destinations to pack for just because it is so hard to predict the weather. We treat Alaska as a cross between spring skiing and hiking in Colorado (at the same time of year).
Can't wait for number 4 in 2023!
What cruise line do you recommend?
@@stephaniebullard2618 Right now, I'd say Princess, especially if you're thinking about a cruise tour.
125 days until my second ever cruise. Alaska on Discovery Princess. Can’t wait!
We're going in september on the discovery princess. So 😊 excited
We'll be on Discovery Princess Sept 18th Maybe we'll run into each other 😁 Have a great crui!se
Thank you llana! So much great information! Just downloaded your "Ultimate Cruise Planner." Just last week Charlie and I booked a Cruise/tour to Alaska in September! We appreciate the help greatly! Better to be prepared! :)
Thank you so much for this information. We are going to Alaska in June of 2023 for our 40th Anniversary. I am buying a little at a time some items you linked below for our cruise. Happy cruising 🛳.
What a great cruise to be planning for your 40th anniversary 🥂
We will be on that ship. It’s our ninth anniversary and first honeymoon! I’m a little overwhelmed about the packing. My plan is to check the weather a week before departure so I have a better idea of what to pack
We purchased winter coats onboard! Wish I had watches this ahead of time.
Sounds like UNDER ARMOR brand clothing would be best to bring along as they are thin and warm for layering with other clothing.
Have a September cruise to Alaska that I am looking forward to and the idea of packing for a cool weather cruise is certainly a bit more daunting .... thanks for sharing
Yes it definitely is! A wonderful cruise though
We did a 14 day trip in September of 2019 on Seabourn to Alaska. They had several formal nights, and 75 %of the people were in tuxedos and gowns.
I felt all I needed was a blazer and tie. Boy were we wrong!!
Wow! Thanks for sharing - it shows all cruise lines really are different
Not happening not even taking a dress or jacket !
Going my 2nd time in July! I'll remember to bring binoculars next time, to see closer of the Humpback Wales.😀🐳
Alaska is amazing! We have sailed late May (cool but sunny and dry), August we had glorious warm weather so we were in shorts in Vancouver and hiking in Skagway, Sept it was cool and a bit rainy but not enough to spoil anything. I definitely wore layers - tee shirt, long sleeve wool blend shirt then either sweater or puffer vest plus a Columbia raincoat. Our only really cold times was at the glacier face. DH gets cold and wore his 32 degree lightweight long johns and shirts (very inexpensive at Costco or online). We did a helicopter ride and glacier hike in Juneau where the company provided the insulated suit. I didn't want to pack hiking shoes (too bulky) but have found waterproofing our regular sneakers was fine. All this was packed in two carry on bags with the help of compression bags. Finally I did often wear a baseball cap when we were outside as it is frequently windy.
Great advice!! Thanks for sharing
Iliana, you are so thorough. Thanks for all you do. Reminder to all to take your passport as some excursions may cross the boarder into Canada.
Great tip!! I’ll probably follow up with a future Alaska video so I’ll try to remember to include this. Thanks for mentioning
Such great ideas. I’m off in May to Alaska, second trip. I have most of the things you mentioned but picked up the binoculars now to test them out before I go. I have your planner too. Thanks.
So exciting! You seem ready to go! Thanks for your purchase of the planner:)
We are going on the Norwegian Bliss October first for our first Alaska cruise
Great list!! I should know this being from Wisconsin, but TX weather has spoiled me for many years. We plan to go on our Alaska cruise next year.
Cruised to Alaska twice in Sept. Mostly nice weather..one day of rain. But it was really cold in the mornings. I even got sunburned one day at the pool. Definetly bring layers. I pack way more for Alaska than Caribbean..lol
Great to hear your experience :)
Thanks for posting this, im doing and Alaska cruse next May so this was really helpful
So glad this was helpful!! Nice cruise planned :)
What great information! This will help us get ready for our cruise to Alaska in July. Thank You So Much!!
Wonderful!! Have an amazing cruise!
1. Hi! How far is the Seattle airport from the port? Like how much did you pay for Uber, if you don’t mind please?
2. Also do you have any budget hotel recommendations? They are all so expensive and costs about $70 for transport to port.
3. Things to do in Seattle if we fly in the day before?
4. What about the weather when we travel to Alaska in June?
5. Also…excursions are so expensive. When we get to a port, do they have local ones we can go on that are not as expensive as booking one with the ship?
Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you.! Very excited about this cruise. And thanks for posting this video!
We will be flying into Seattle for 2 days before heading back to SeaTac to catch the motorcoach to Vancouver. There are 4 of us and I think the total was $109.
We will be visiting the Space Needle and Pikes Fish Market. I'm sure we'll find more to do.
Chuhuliy garden , Tilicum indian village ( a full day event )
@@jackilocke2459 thank you!!
@@sabascales3088 thank you!!
I’m glad to see you’re getting some great answers:)
Went in September. Had to wear warm jackets and hats in the morning when we were in glacier bay as it seemed like it was 30 degrees out, but as we sailed out that afternoon, I was sitting on our balcony with shorts and no shirt. I got a sunburn. No rain in Ketchikan which we heard was unusual. Juneau was cloudy, but around 60 degrees. Skagway was nice for the White Pass Railroad ride. We brought clothes for all types of weather.
Wow!! Thanks for sharing (hard to pack light for Alaska 😂)
Did you go early or late September? Considering late September dates
@@stacyb6461 Late September. It was Princess' last cruise to Alaska.
@@stevenonustack6954 thank you
This will be my first cruise
Thank you for all the tips!! There were a few I did not even think about! This was a very informative video!!! Now we are ready for our 1st Alaska cruise!!! =)