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What Should I Wear For An Alaska Cruise?
- Stephanie Bourbon
- May 25, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: May 25, 2023
This is something that I see DAILY in FB groups for cruises, so I am writing this to help you make the best decision for YOU. No one can really tell you what to wear as we are all different, but these tips will help you make choices for YOU and what YOU NEED & WANT.
Phot credit-Carnival Cruise lines
The reason that it seems impossible to know what to bring is that Alaska has weather that changes constantly throughout the day. We all grow up seeing pics of Eskimos, Igloos, Polar Bears, and tall mountains covered in snow as children, so we assume that it's freezing all year round, but it's not true.
Another essential factor is HOW YOU REACT to weather and temperatures. It doesn't matter where you are from, I have lived in Los Angeles since 1991 (with a few stints out of the country and in other cities for working on films throughout the years), and before that, I went to high school and college in Tucson, ARIZONA--aka, the desert.
Photo from Wix stock photos
I was born and grew up on the east coast, and I still haven't acclimated. I'm hot at 70, especially if there is sunshine, and uncomfortable at 80, and a downright biatch any anything over 85---seriously, I LOATHE hot weather.
Today I went for a walk with my dog, it's 54 and cloudy with about 18 mph winds, and this is how I dressed.
Yup, shorts, t-shirt, flip flops, and I was NOT COLD; in fact, it was perfect.
Which brings me to this blog.
We are all different, so I can tell you and show you how I pack for 7 days in Alaska and 3 in Seattle, but you may freeze with those clothes. See my other blogs for specifics, especially the one right after this one (posted after).
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!
ASK YOURSELF the following, at the minimum, and answer HONESTLY.
What temperature do I love the best?
How do I dress in that temperature?
Do I love rain?
Does wind bother me?
Do I get uncomfortable if the sun is blazing, even when it's cool or cold outside?
What temperature do I feel cold?
What temperature do I feel hot?
Do I like feeling cold?
Do I like feeling hot?
What about when I'm active?
Now, do the following.
ADD THE STOPS YOUR SHIP WILL MAKE TO YOUR PHONE'S WEATHER APP.
For us, it's
SKAGWAY
JUNEAU
KETCHIKAN
and we are flying into SEATTLE
So I have ALL of those on my phone to check the weather leading up to my trip.
Finally, WHAT EXCURSIONS DO YOU HAVE PLANNED OR HOPE TO DO?
You will dress differently if you are flying to a glacier than if you are staying in town and shopping or eating. You will dress differently if you are in a boat that could be windy, like whale watching, or on the water in a smaller speed boat or canoe.
Do the following
List all your planned excursions.
Read the description of what to wear on the cruise site or the place you are using's site. Most of them include how to dress.
Research!!! Ask people in FB groups and GOOGLE, and check for last year the same month-though in general, it's much colder this year (2023) than last year, and the weather is always unpredictable.
And do NOT overpack.
Alaska cruises are casual, so you don't need a 3 piece suit for the gentlemen, and you don't need diamond shoes and fancy gowns; you can bring if you like, but it's not needed. In fact, you can wear your trainers or trek shoes with any dress or wear pants.
Bring shorts and a bathing suit and shoes that go with those for sea days.
Pack layers! This is something that stumps people.
What do LAYERS MEAN?
LIGHT fabrics that you can wear more than one piece. Like, two cotton shirts will be warmer than one, and if it gets hot, you can strip down.
Convertible pants are great because you can unzip the bottoms and create shorts if it's too warm, and the opposite if it's too cold.
If you have a backpack, plan to bring it with you so you can shove extra jackets for your days off the ship.
Bring LIGHT weight coats, especially waterproof and windbreakers are great for cooler days.
The lighter the weight, the easier to tie around your waist if you get warm or fold up and keep in your bag in case it starts to rain (this happens a lot up there)
A nice cotton button-down/Oxford shirt is great to go around your waist, or a flannel--think '90s grunge!
Kurt Cobain Photo by Frank Micelotta
Look at Kurt, a t-shirt, a cotton button-down, and a cardigan. LAYERS. He could take any of these off if he was warm. Also, Alaska never really moved out of the grunge fashion movement.
I hope these tips are helpful!!
XO Stephanie!
Follow me on social @stephobourbon
@brunette_about_town on Instagram
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