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An Alaska Cruise is the trip of a life time; In fact it’s like two trips! I discovered that the only way I could make sure I had everything I needed for the variety of things we had planned was to create two small capsule wardrobes: one for the shipboard activities and one for the on shore adventures.
Read my tips on what to pack for Alaska Cruise in August and find out how to be glamorous aboard, an outdoors-woman ashore, and comfortable the whole time (in just one suitcase)!
What to Pack for Alaska Cruise in August
Written by: Wendy Craig
Packing for a cruise can be confusing and tricky. Perhaps when you learned there would be formal nights onboard, you had nightmarish flashbacks to ill-fitting prom tuxes and figure skater-style sequin dresses.
Don’t worry–being ultra-casual won’t be a hindrance on your cruise, and you can fit in with the formal dining nights with ease. While people certainly rock formal wear, my goal is to pack carryon only for the flights to and from the cruise terminals and to make sure my clothes are versatile as possible.
Creating an interchangeable capsule wardrobe is the key to simplified packing, which can easily fit into a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing!
Start by reading these general tips for packing for a cruise:
- 10-Step Guide to Packing for Any Trip
- What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation
- What’s in My Carry-on Bag for a 2-Week Cruise
- What to Pack on a Cruise: 7 Things to Bring and What to Leave Behind
- Understanding the Cruise Dress Code
- 10 Unexpected Things You’ll Experience on a Cruise
The key to planning what to pack for Alaska Cruise was in bringing tops and bottoms that could (almost) all be worn together. (The yoga pants get a pass because, hey, they are yoga pants; perfect for lounging about, hitting the climbing wall and sleeping in!)
In two parts: 15 total clothes pieces, 4 shoes, 1 rain coat, 1 hat, 5 accessories
Part 1
CASUAL CAPSULE WARDROBE
4 TOPS: Blue Wicking T-shirt, Black T-shirt, Blue Yoga Tank, Grey T-shirt (similar)
3 BOTTOMS: Jeans, Yoga Pants (similar), Jeans
2 LAYERS: Fleece, Sweater (similar)
2 OUTERWEAR: White Raincoat, Grey Wool Hat
2 SHOES: Hiking Boots , Slipon Sneaker
Part 2
FORMAL CAPSULE WARDROBE
3 TOPS: Peplum Blouse (similar), Cream Sleeveless, Black Nude Lace
1 SKIRT: Black Maxi (similar)
1 FORMAL: Strapless Dress
2 SHOES: Heels, Flats (similar)
2 EARRINGS: Blue Grey Drop, Tiered Pearl Drop
1 SWEATER: Black Cardigan (similar)
1 PURSE: Grey clutch
2 SCARVES: Grey Wool / Pink Pashmina
When planning what to pack for Alaska Cruise in August, the easiest way to use your Capsule Wardrobe is to write out both your itinerary and each corresponding outfit by day. For Example:
Day 2: At Sea
- Morning:
Yoga, Climbing Wall, Breakfast (Yoga Pants, Tank, Fleece, Black Sneakers) - Afternoon:
Enrichment Lecture, Reading, Lunch (Change into Black Jeans) - Evening:
Formal Dinner, Dancing, Music in the Lounge (Gown, Heels, Earrings, Pashmina& Clutch)
Day 3 Ketchikan: Flight Plane Excursion
- Morning:
Breakfast, Ashore to explore town (Black Jeans, T Shirt, Grey Sweater, Hiking Boots) - Afternoon:
Flight Plane over Misty Fjords (Add Raincoat, Grey Scarf and Wool Hat) - Evening:
Dinner in Specialty Restaurant (Skirt, Peplum Top, Cardigan, Clutch, Black flats, Earrings)
My formal clothing was worn each evening as per the cruise dress code. I probably could have worn the same top for the semi-formal dinners, but it was more fun to have options. Each night after dinner, my husband and I would race back to the cabin to change into jeans and a sweater before checking out the evening activities.
I wore the same gown with a different scarf and earrings for our two formal nights. Although some people did not go all out, there were enough of us who did, making it very festive and totally glamorous; definitely worth the effort.
That being said, my casual wardrobe made up the majority of what I wore for this trip. I must say that I was pretty glad that I brought my little bottle of Febreze; especially after our 9 mile hike to the Mendenhall Glacier and our horseback riding excursion!
Follow the rules of The Capsule Wardrobe. Stick with one color palette and make sure that you have a plan to wear the majority of your items at least twice. This will ensure that you have the perfect packing list for your Alaska Cruise Adventure.
What are your suggestions on what to pack for Alaska cruise in august? Comment below!
For more cruise packing tips, please read:
- What to Pack for the Bahamas
- What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise
- What to Wear on a Cruise to the South Pacific
- Caribbean Cruise Wear Essentials
- What to Pack for a Transatlantic Cruise
- Mediterranean Cruise Packing List: 5 Essentials
Suggested Travel Resources:
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Author Bio: Wendy Craig is a transplanted New Yorker living in the Pacific Northwest. Her wanderlust comes from a lifetime of Nomadic travel (Having lived in 14 different places across the US and Australia before graduating from High School) She has a passion for discovering the authentic and looks at each trip as an opportunity to see the world with new eyes.From researching to writing checklists, planning to packing, Wendy is in Love with every step of the Travel process.
We are cruising for a week to Seattle on July 21 (after spending a preceding 3 weeks in Anaheim/Palm Springs/PCH/Yosemite/PAC NW starting July 3!). Since we are flying from Florida for a month, my goal is to pack carry on only for both a long California vacation + Alaskan cruise. I also want both of my kids and husband to do the same, although I’m less optimistic there. This article was helpful, particularly (a) writing out all the outfits to go with the cruise itinerary, and (b) the small febreze bottle suggestion! Thank you TFG for all your packing lists and articles – been enjoying them since 2013!
Hi Sandy, so pleased we have been able to help you with your packing!! Have an incredible time on your trip, sounds so exciting!! 💜
Great ideas. What changes if any would you make for an early May cruise to Alaska? Thanks
Hi Amy, so pleased you enjoyed the article. Thanks for your question! We’ll share your question here so the author of the article can reply 🙂
Thanks for this list! I’m going on a cruise to Alaska in a month and this list will be very helpful. Thanks!
In 15 days cruise to Alaska 10 days. Thanks I thought this wardrobe out , I am packing just like you shared . woohoo excited for adventure.❤
Grateful for this list! I’m cruising the Norwegian Fjords in September and this is easily adaptable to my trip. I’m still stressing a bit about it since the weather can be very changeable plus we’re on a small ship where the dressing for dinner each night is required. Eeek! I have found a great LBD plus a couple of wrap dresses & a shift dress that don’t wrinkle. I think I’ll just recycle those for the entire trip (4 dresses total). LOL
Yes, recycle those dresses and add a colorful pashmina and costume jewelry to change the look. You can even add a light cover up 🙂
Great ideas… thanks so much for the tips. My husband and I will be cruising to Alaska for 7 days this July in between other travels to the Pacific northwest (we’ll be gone a month). Your suggestions are very doable. Since we’ve retired, I’ve been working on developing a travel wardrobe made up of three colors – navy, gray, and purple/raspberry, so your examples were pretty right-on. Was there anything you wished you had that you didn’t bring?
That sounds like a great plan Janis! The article was written by a guest author, I haven’t been on this cruise unfortunately. I hope you have a great time 🙂
Hello,
I am about to go on an Alaskan Cruise in the end of June. Any suggestions?
Help…I’m planning on a cruise to Alaska, leaving on May 29th. Will be on the Carnival Legend. Will be doing some sightseeing off ship and want to be dressed nice, not formal for dinner.
What do I need to pack for this type of vacation?
Thanks for the tips. It was helpful for our Alaska cruise.
That’s awesome Muriel! Glad to help! Anything we should change?
We are going to Anchorage, Seward and Denali for 2 weeks! I leave in 6 days! Any ideas for layering? I like what you have shown on this website. We are not doing the cruise. Five days is going to be fishing. I won’t be fishing but I will be on the fishing boat. And how cold will it be near the glaciers? I want to be comfortable and not cold or wet. Should I wear elastic pants? lol
This sounds like a great trip 🙂 Take a look at this post for layering ideas http://bit.ly/2a93zi4
Thank you so much for these graphics and tips. I am packing for cruise/ two weeks in Northern Isles including Iceland. After much perusing of web, I landed on your page. Very helpful!
You are so welcome 🙂 Glad you’ve found the page useful!
please make a list for visiting Dubai in early April.
Hi there! I’ll add it to the list 🙂