Alaskan Cruise Outfits: Your Complete Packing Guide

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Everywhere you look, you’re told to “wear layers” for your Alaskan Cruise. But what layers… how many… and WHY? All the mixed advice can make it difficult to figure out what to wear on an Alaskan Cruise.

To help you prepare, this guide will provide a detailed Alaska cruise packing list, covering essential gear, clothing, and accessories. When we recently took a 7-day Alaskan Cruise, the weather ranged everywhere from freezing our butts off, to 88 degrees and sunny. No wonder it’s hard to decide what to pack for an Alaskan Cruise!

Not sure what to pack for your Alaskan Cruise? Check out this Alaska Cruise Packing List!

My complete guide to what to wear on your Alaskan Cruise will make planning your Alaska cruises so much easier. So you can concentrate on what excursions to do and how much food you plan to eat!

Our 7-Day Alaskan Cruise on the Ruby Princess looked a little like this:

• Day 1: Seattle
• Day 2: At Sea
• Day 3: Ketchikan
• Day 4: Juneau
• Day 5: Skagway
• Day 6: At Sea
• Day 7: At sea and Victoria

So you’re looking at about 2 and half days at sea, and 3 full days of excursions. Even those two can vary quite a bit on your Alaskan Cruise.

What’s the Weather Like on an Alaskan Cruise?

We started our Alaskan Cruise at 88 degrees and sunny in Seattle and spent the day lounging by the pool with drinks in our bathing suits. The next day at sea, we froze! So we ended up bundling up the whole day. A fleece jacket is essential for staying warm during colder days at sea, offering warmth and comfort against chilly winds.

TIP: Don’t forget your bathing suits! It can be warm your first day, plus there are plenty of hot tubs to relax in after a full day hiking around Alaska! This cover-up was perfect for my cruise! It still looks cute and kept me warm enough to get from the hot tub to my room. Even appropriate enough to wear to the buffet.

Our day in Skagway was also in the mid-80s and very sunny. I ended up in a tee shirt for the majority of the day. But the locals said it was only a high of 50 and cold the week prior. So really, you just never know what kind of weather you’ll have on an Alaskan Cruise.

Excursions on your Alaskan Cruise can vary a great deal too.  Some popular examples of Alaskan Cruise Excursions can include:

• Hiking
• Kayaking/Canoeing
• Dog Sledding
• Helicopter Tours
• Seaplanes
• Boat Rides
• Shopping
• Ziplining
• Scooters

And SO much more!And SO much more!

Essential Clothing Items for Alaska Cruise Packing

When packing for an Alaska cruise, it’s essential to bring clothing items that can be layered to adjust to changing temperatures. Here are some essential clothing items to include in your packing list:

• Lightweight and breathable tops: Long-sleeve t-shirts and blouses are perfect for layering. They can be worn alone on warmer days or under sweaters and jackets when it gets chilly.
• Insulating layers: Fleece jackets and sweaters are great for keeping warm without adding too much bulk. They’re perfect for those cold mornings on the deck or during glacier viewing.
• Waterproof and windproof outerwear: A good rain jacket and a puffer jacket are must-haves. They’ll keep you dry and warm, whether you’re exploring a rainy cruise port or braving the wind on a shore excursion.
• Warm and waterproof pants: Rain pants and insulated hiking pants are essential for staying comfortable and dry. They’re perfect for hiking through wet trails or exploring the Alaskan wilderness.
• Comfortable and waterproof shoes: Hiking boots and rain boots are a must. They’ll keep your feet dry and comfortable, whether you’re trekking through the forest or splashing around a waterfall.
• Accessories: Don’t forget hats, gloves, and scarves. These small items can make a big difference in keeping you warm and comfortable.

By packing these essential items, you’ll be prepared for whatever Alaska weather throws your way.

What to Wear on Your Days at Sea on an Alaskan Cruise

If you board out of Seattle, it’s impossible to say what the weather will be like. Seattle can be cold and rainy or warm and sunny. You may not know until a few days before travel. Either way, definitely plan to bring a bathing suit. A long sleeve t-shirt is a versatile layering piece for days at sea.

Skip the colorful bikinis, just a good one-piece or something comfortable is fine. You’ll mostly be using it for the hot tubs on the rest of the trip, not to sunbathe in. Oh, and a pair of slip-resistant flip-flops… you’ll thank me later!

This cover-up was perfect for my cruise! It still looks cute and kept me warm enough to get from the hot tub to my room. Even appropriate enough to wear to the buffet.

During the Day at Sea

As soon as your ship heads out to sea, it gets colder and colder. On our first day at sea, we woke up and were FREEZING. I put multiple layers on to go to the buffet for breakfast.

So pack lots of comfortable and warm clothing for the days you are at sea. Everything you do on the ship can be very casual. I brought a good pair of fleece-lined leggings and some casual joggersand pretty much lived in those while I was on the cruise. 

The fleece-lined leggings are also great to have on hand to layer under jeans and other pants for extra warmth. 

I also recommend having some tee shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and hooded sweatshirts for walking around the ship during the day. I practically lived in this North Face Pullover when we were on the ship. It comes in a bunch of different colors too!

What to Wear at Night while at Sea: Formal Night Attire

Nighttime on the ship falls into 2 categories, formal nights and non-formal nights. You typically have 2 formal nights while on a 7-day cruise. Formal nights are pretty basic. No jeans or gym shoes, no shorts. Different cruise lines may have varying dress codes for formal nights.

TIP: You are NOT required to participate in the formal night. Formal night is limited to the dining rooms and restaurants but you can still eat at the buffet if you don’t feel like getting dressed up.

A simple black wrap dress is perfect for a formal night, or even a Black Jumpsuit would look great and can be layered with any jacket or sweater. You can even go with a nice pair of black jeans and heels with a dressy top. I love traveling with these simple black heels because they go with everything from dresses to dress pants to jeans.

(Here is another great option for a great black wrap dress for any occasion)

This top was easy to pair with jeans for a casual day look or black pants for a nighttime look.

I loved this long-sleeved top that was both super soft and warm and stylish. It paired great with black jeans and heels.

Every other night at sea is the same. Think business casual (no jeans or sandals) for the dining rooms, but anything goes for the buffet. We ate at the buffet for dinner one night simply because we were too tired from our excursions to get out of our sweatpants!

What to Wear for Excursions on an Alaskan Cruise

Your Alaskan Cruise Excursions are really where it gets tricky. You want to be well prepared because you can’t just run back to your room to change clothes like you can while you are on the ship. 

This is why I recommend bringing a small backpack on all your excursions. Not only for snacks and souvenirs but for any layers you may need to take off. 

Traveling in Alaska is all about comfort. You are going to be out and exploring so make sure your outfit fits your day planned. But… it’s totally ok to look cute too! Here are some of my suggestions that work for both!

Lighter Clothing

For the more active days, I bought these Columbia Trail Pants and they were one of my BEST BUYS. They are super comfy, flexible, and wind and water-resistant. They also come in dozens of colors.

Otherwise, try to pack just a few of each of the following basic layering pieces:

• Tee shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Flannel shirts
• Sweatshirts or hoodies

My day in Skagway started with a short-sleeved tee shirt, flannel shirt, and light jacket. By the end of the day, I was just in the tee shirt, flannel shirt, and light jacket.

Alaskan Cruise Outerwear

Outerwear was where I really struggled and was unsure of what to pack. I didn’t want to be caught freezing my butt off if it was cold out. But then again, I only had so much room in my suitcase and outerwear takes up a lot of space!

Fortunately, I made the perfect choices for my Alaskan Cruise wh

A light jacket – I found this great jacket from The North Face and LOVED it. It was perfect for the cruise and perfect for any other travel I do that involves cold weather. It’s light and form-fitting and super comfortable.

It’s also wind and water-resistant and even though it looks thin, it’s insulated so you stay pretty warm without needing a super big winter coat. 

A Rain Coat – Believe it or not, the places you visit on your Alaskan Cruise is actually a rain forest. So it can be very wet and rainy. You may also visit waterfalls and a light rain jacket comes in very handy!

This great foldable rain jacket was great for traveling since it folds up to almost nothing. It’s easy to pack and even easy to carry around in your backpack on any excursion. It also fits nicely over any other sweater or light jacket. 

A Winter Coat – Even though our weather was pretty nice and sunny most of the time. I’m still really glad I had a good winter coat. You will definitely need one if you plan to do any excursions that involve glaciers or snow in any way.

I purchased this winter coat and it was SUPER warm. But if you are traveling on a budget, try this more affordable version.

The days you are at sea are COLD! I often wore my winter coat just sitting on my balcony. But mostly, you will need it for the morning your ship sails around glaciers (the morning of your Juneau port day). Being up on deck while glacier viewing was the coldest part of our whole trip.

Alaskan Cruise Footwear: Waterproof Shoes

Ok, so when I travel, I tend to bring a lot of shoes. Almost one for each outfit. But you really won’t need that in Alaska. I totally understand the desire to want to look cute but still have functional clothes for your trip. Waterproof hiking shoes are essential for keeping feet dry and providing traction during excursions.

In order to minimize the amount of footwear you pack in your suitcase, but still, bring exactly what you need (and want!) this is what I recommend:

One pair of heels – I bought these black heels because they go with everything. I wear them with my dresses for formal nights and they even look great with jeans or black pants for non-formal nights for dinner. This one pair was all I needed!

One pair of casual walking shoes – I own a basic pair of black and white Nikes and they usually go with me on any trip. These are great for airports, and even walking around the ship with your joggers and a hooded sweatshirt.

Hiking Shoes – Because we decided to go on a hike in Ketchikan, I wanted a good pair of hiking shoes that were also comfortable enough to walk around town in. These great hiking shoes are light, comfy, and even water-resistant. Perfect for hiking or just exploring the towns of Alaska.

Boots – I packed a red pair of Hunter Boots and was SO GLAD I did! Hunter boots are well worth the price. They have great tread on them, making them easy to hike and climb. They are also fully waterproof (I splashed around a waterfall in Juneau with them) and they are actually very comfortable. Not to mention SUPER cute!

TIP:* Pair your Hunter Boots with some wool socks and you have the warmest and driest boots you could ever need.*

Snow Boots – I do think Hunter Boots could have gotten me through rain or snow, but if you are doing a true glacier expedition or excursion, then you might want to consider bringing a pair of snow boots. I never ended up needing mine, but you might if your excursion calls for it.

I really love these Sorel Boots… they are comfy and I love the style with the fake fur and colors they come in!

Don’t forget the accessories!

Bringing a good baseball cap helps with keeping hair under control on super windy days (aka every day at sea!) and with those light drizzle days. 

Don’t forget to pack a pair of gloves, you will need some for sure! These smartphone gloves are a great way to keep your hands warm and still be able to take photos with your phone or camera. 

Otherwise, maybe a scarf would be a good idea. Or a knitted hat or two.

What to Leave at Home

When packing for an Alaska cruise, it’s essential to leave some items at home to avoid overpacking and to make the most of your luggage space. Here are some items you can consider leaving at home:

• Formal gowns and suits: Unless you’re planning to attend a formal night, leave the fancy attire at home. Most evenings on the ship are casual, and you can always opt for the buffet if you don’t feel like dressing up.
• High heels and dress shoes: These are unnecessary for an Alaskan cruise. Stick to comfortable and practical footwear that can handle the varied terrain and weather conditions.
• Bulky and heavy clothing items: Thick coats and boots take up a lot of space and are often unnecessary. Opt for lightweight, insulating layers and waterproof outerwear instead.
• Valuables: Leave jewelry and expensive watches at home. There’s no need to risk losing or damaging them on your trip.
• Irreplaceable items: Family heirlooms and important documents should stay safe at home. Bring only what you need and can afford to lose.

By leaving these items at home, you’ll have more space for the essentials and avoid the hassle of overpacking.

Cruise Ship Essentials

When packing for an Alaska cruise, it’s essential to include some cruise ship essentials to make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable. Here are some items to consider:

• A reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated is important, especially when you’re out exploring. A reusable water bottle is eco-friendly and convenient.
• A power bank: Keep your devices charged with a power bank. It’s especially useful during long shore excursions when you might not have access to power outlets.
• A portable charger: Similar to a power bank, a portable charger ensures your devices stay powered up throughout the day.
• A travel adapter: Depending on the cruise line, you might need a travel adapter to charge your devices in your cabin.
• A small daypack or backpack: Perfect for carrying essentials during shore excursions. It’s great for holding snacks, water, extra layers, and souvenirs.

These cruise ship essentials will help you stay comfortable and prepared throughout your journey.

Tips for a Comfortable Alaskan Cruise

Here are some tips to make your Alaska cruise more comfortable and enjoyable:

• Pack layers: The weather can change quickly, so be prepared with layers that you can add or remove as needed.
• Bring waterproof and windproof outerwear: Protect yourself from the elements with a good rain jacket and windproof coat.
• Wear comfortable and waterproof shoes: Whether you’re exploring the ship or going on shore excursions, comfortable and waterproof shoes are a must.
• Bring a reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated by carrying a reusable water bottle with you.
• Take advantage of the ship’s amenities: Relax and stay active by using the ship’s spa, fitness center, and other amenities.

By following these tips, you’ll ensure a comfortable and enjoyable Alaska cruise experience.

Being prepared for your Alaskan Cruise

Going on a cruise can be tough because you can’t just run to the store and buy the stuff you forgot. You’re stuck in the middle of the ocean! And with the weather changing constantly, you want to make sure you bring enough… without overpacking.

If you follow my guide on what to wear on your Alaskan cruise, you’ll have a great time and take the stress out of packing.

Enjoy your cruise! 

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