What Shoes Should I Wear On An Alaska Cruise?

Well, you have many options, and it also depends on you and how you handle the elements but here are some of my top picks for this type of trip!

Photo from Carnival Cruiseline copyright Carnival 2020

If you are from Southern California (Arizona, Texas, Florida-somewhere hot most of the year) you may not have any idea of what to bring to Alaska!

Will I freeze? Do I need heavy snow boots? How tall should they be? Thermal socks?? EEEK! Don't worry, I have you covered.

Know that it's not too cold in Alaska in the summer/cruise season. It will be warmest in July and August but could be cold too-it's water, ice, and on a ship which is moving, so you may get cold but I don't believe you need extreme winter wear.

I live in Los Angeles and have for the last 32 years. Here are my picks!!

Waterproof shoes are always a good idea because you may get wet. It rains a lot on the west side of Canada and Alaska, and even though you are most likely going between mid-April and the end of September, the chance for wet feet is high!

Here are some picks.

VESSI offers a great selection of shoes that you can wear in the wettest of weather. Many Vancouverians and Seattlites swear by these. The con is that they are not cheap. Expect to plop down close to $200 USD, but they will last, and they are comfy!

MERRELL is one of the top shoes for hiking and trails around, and you can't go wrong getting a great waterproof pair of hiking trainers instead of boots, especially if you don't have time to break them in. I love all the Merrells that I own, and I wear them all for a long time. If you are looking for high quality and durability, you will love them.

Merrell Bravada 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoes - Women's

You can also get Merrell's at REI, which gives you dividends to spend later with every purchase, and they have a great return policy

SPERRY

Is a classic for their DUCK SHOES. I have longer ones and short slip-ons. They are made for wet and rainy, and snowy weather. I live in Los Angeles and wear both the taller ones and the shorter ones in the "winter" or three weeks that it may rain here. They are great! I grew up in Vermont wearing these. For Alaska, I'd recommend the shorter ones. Women's Saltwater 1-Eye Leather Duck Boot

Trek Sandals are great for hiking and doing things during the day that may get wet but isn't too cold or if you are like me, just like to have my feet bare to stay comfy. I grew up in Vermont and so I like it cold and wear all brands of my trek shoes all year round in Los Angeles and will bring on my Alaska cruise in June.

I love,

TEVA

LANDS END these are the ones that I have and will bring to Alaska this year

Here is a link to an article that I found that has some great picks and insights that you might find interesting and helpful too. It doesn't really matter what brand you get as we are all different, but I'm just suggesting that these are another style that will be good for your summer cruise to Alaska

You can also wear your trek sandals to the pool so you can skip bringing flip-flops to save room in your luggage but I ALWAYS bring flip-flops as I love them for walking around the cabin and just relaxing. This brings me to my next section

Flip Flops will be a great addition for the pool if you have extra room. If you get ones that are somewhat pretty you can wear them to dinner even--sorry men, just for the ladies, men wearing flip-flops at dinner? Please no. Hahaha

I love the CROCS with the sparkles. I have a few pairs of them, and I'm not sure if they still have them, but they are comfortable and look fine with a casual dress.

Note that I never wear the cheap flat ones as they are really bad for your feet.

Trainers/Sneakers are also a great idea, and if you grab a waterproof pair you can get away with packing less.

NOTE: wear the biggest shoes you are bringing on the plane!

Grab your favorite workout shoes and hit the gym on sea days to work on some of the food you had the day before or a night of drinking that needs some calories burned off. Your trainers will help you feel relaxed and comfortable. You can also wear them on many of the excursions, just know that the weather may change and you could get wet.

Hiking Boots, if you are the outdoorsy type, will always be a great idea!

Remember what I said about waterproof? Yup.

Here are some of my recommendations

Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot

If you are doing anything in the water (smaller boots where your feet will get wet, remember there is ice in the water up there so it's cold) or on a glacier consider

Salomon OUTpulse Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots - Women's

Chances are if you hike a lot you are covered so I won't go on and on about these.

The thing that you have to consider is who you are and how cold you get and the activities you are choosing to do. Last week in Los Angeles it was between 40-60 F and I never put on actual shoes, even at 6 in the morning but I like it cold so I wear shorts here all year round and sandals a lot. I also own hiking and waterproof boots but that is because I love to travel, hike, and go to cold places.

Shoes that IN MY OPINION you do NOT need on your Alaska cruise?

Stilettos, pumps, anything with a lot of fake diamonds or anything that you wear with super formal wear. You can bring them if you want but these cruises are more casual so you can get away with wear comfortable shoes under your dress but again, this is up to you. A nice wedge will look good but this is again up to you!

casual

If you want to dress up for dinner, go ahead and pack your slinky sandals but just don't forget your, waterproof shoes, boots, and trainers! It is Alaska after all.

I hope this is helpful. Please comment if you have suggestions or questions and I hope your cruise to Alaska is amazing!!!

Also, you can buy shoes there if you get wet on an excursion, a great excuse to shop!!

XO Stephanie