Alaska Cruise Packing List
Packing your suitcase with what you need to travel on an Alaskan Cruise can make your vacation carefree and enjoyable. First, the key to smart packing is to start with an Alaska Cruise Packing List and then add items from the general travel packing list to include all the travel necessities.
Alaska Cruise Packing List
- DSLR Camera
- DSLR Chargers, Discs, Tripod
- Waterproof Binoculars
- Rain Coat
- Waterproof Hiking Shoes
- Day Pack
- Dry Bag
- Wool or Dry-Tech Socks
- Shopping Tote
- Water Bottle
- Warm Hat
- Formal Evening Wear
- Smart Casual Outfits
- Excursion Clothing
- Phone
- Phone chargers, battery pack
- Items from General Travel Packing List
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Packing List Essentials for an Alaskan Cruise
DSLR Camera with Zoom
A DSLR camera with a zoom lens will allow you to capture images of the glaciers from the ship’s deck. Additionally, wildlife, whale, and bird pictures either on excursions or from the deck can be captured better with a zoom lens rather than using only your phone camera.
Of course, include the necessary accessories for a DSLR camera such as a zoom lens, charging cable, discs, and tripod.
Waterproof Binoculars
Standing on the ship’s deck watching the coastline it is easier to spot whales and wildlife using binoculars. Due to the weather on an Alaska cruise it is smart to pack waterproof binoculars.
Alaska Cruise Packing List: Rain Coat
Part of the Alaska Cruise travel checklist is a rain coat for days outdoors on the ship’s deck watching the scenery and on port days.
Having skied and traveled for decades, North Face jackets are travel necessities. My coats last forever and have all the little extras that add to comfort.
Alaska Cruise Packing List: Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Rainy days are common on an Alaskan cruise in port and while at sea. Keeping your feet dry and warm makes the trip more comfortable. Plus, hiking shoes are practical for many of the Alaskan excursions.
Alaska Cruise Packing List: Day Pack
Although I use a backpack as my carryon for flights, lately I have found a waterproof daypack to be invaluable during rainy seasons, on Alaskan Cruises, and in the tropics like the week spent in Costa Rica.
My preference is to bring a day pack in addition to my sturdier travel pack that holds prescription medications, devices, and other items I do not want to put in checked luggage. If necessary, it can also be used to pack home travel purchases that do not fit in your suitcase.
A day pack that folds up small works well as a second travel pack option for excursions and day trips.
Alaska Cruise Packing List: Dry Bag
Dry bags protect belongings from getting wet which is invaluable on water excursions like rafting, kayaking, river floats, and whale watching. Also, they can be used when packing to travel home for wet bathing suits or dirty clothes.
Alaska Cruise Packing List: Warm Socks
Bring along socks that are warm and made from wool or dry-tech fabrics to keep warm and dry. Columbia offers some of my favorite socks that are so comfortable! I wear them traveling, hiking, and in the winter months.
Alaska Cruise Packing List: Travel Packing Necessities
On the top of the list as part of travel necessities for packing are your passport, a credit card, and your phone.
With a passport and a credit card you can get along with forgetting almost anything else to most destinations you may travel. However, this becomes less of a truism on a cruise ship and some items are very expensive in popular travel spots.
Keep in mind, it is important to always verify you have identification, either a driver’s license for domestic travel and a passport for international trips. An Alaskan cruise will likely stop in Canada as well as the United States so carry your passport. Of course, verify you have packed a credit card for at least emergencies right before you walk out the door for your trip.
Always carry your passport with one credit card and a small amount of cash, one days worth, securely and easily accessible at the airport. Consider carrying your other credit cards and money in a money belt.
Packing Phone Accessories for an Alaska Cruise Packing List
Phone Charger
Next to review for an Alaskan Cruise packing list is a phone. Most of us cannot live without our phone with its camera and video features. In addition, it is recommended to bring a charger and plug and a backup charger and plug in case one stops working or you forget your phone charger at the airport, in the plane, at a pre-cruise hotel, or at a port where you charged your phone during lunch.
Additionally, a battery pack is useful for port days and excursions so you do not miss any photo opportunities.
Replacement chargers for your model of phone are not always available at your destination or on the ship. Or, they can be costly or time consuming to replace so pack a second phone charger.
Importantly, brightly colored phone cords can help you spot them when doing a last check of your cabin prior to disembarking.
Also of note, packing an extra long cord can aid in reaching the bed as the plug could be on the other side of the cabin on some ships.
Cross Body Phone Carrying Case
After leaving my phone on the plane I now use a phone carrying case with a cross body strap on travel days. Also, I found it handy while traveling so I did not lose my phone or have it stolen from my back pocket. Alternatively, try a belt phone holster.
Conveniently, the cross body phone carrying cases are available in different versions to fit various phone models. In addition, the wallet case comes in handy as well to carry an identification and credit card.
General Travel Packing Checklist
Importantly, when using a general packing list you will remember the small items that are sometimes overlooked. While preparing your Alaska Cruise packing list reference the general packing list.
Once it is time to pack special clothing for your Alaskan Cruise try Amazon’s Prime Try Before You Buy clothing shopping program.
Travel Packing List for Vacation to Pack on the Plane
Motion Sickness
If you get motion sickness on planes, trains, cars, or boats then pack a pair of sea bands. These non-medication pressure point bands work very well without the drowsiness. Also, a travel essential on planes they are helpful when there is turbulence. As a note, even though cruise ships are steady, on rough sea days you will appreciate wearing them.
Dry Plane Air
Other travel essentials include taking eye drops and a small hand and face lotion for flights as the in flight air can dry out your eyes and skin. In addition, they are travel essentials to carry in your daypack.
Alaska Cruise Packing Checklist
As a reminder, review the packing checklist at the top of the page and the general packing list to include what you want to bring on your Alaskan cruise. Have fun!
