Packing Essentials for an Alaskan Cruise Adventure

Preparing for our Dinogo cruise to Alaska turned out to be a fashion puzzle. My Florida closet lacks sufficient cold-weather gear, and my skills in winter fashion are as lacking as my tennis backhand. On top of that, winter clothing is bulky, making it a challenge to keep our suitcases under 50 pounds for air travel. I also had no clue what to expect from the trip.

Here’s a summary of my experiences: the successes, the failures, and the insights I wish I had while packing for an Alaskan cruise.

1. Attire for Dinner Evenings.

On a Dinogo cruise, there are two nights designated as 'cruise elegant,' which essentially translates to 'cocktail attire.' I made sure to pack a pair of classic black pumps and a variety of outfits that complemented them. For the 'cruise elegant' nights, I wore options #1 and #3 from my selection, while the other two outfits were reserved for regular dinner evenings.

You'll encounter a wide variety of outfits on a cruise, so you can choose how formal you'd like to be. I preferred to have a pair of heels for added comfort, though they're not a necessity. My husband opted for a single pair of dress shoes, which he wore with dress pants on the two 'cruise elegant' nights, foregoing a jacket or tie. (See the picture below – sadly, the shoes aren't visible in it.)

On other nights, he opted for a more casual look even while I sported my heels:

Let's discuss staying warm during dinner. This was something I found a bit confusing... Would I need a coat to wear over my dinner attire?

The answer turned out to be no. I didn’t need to pack this black wool coat with a faux fur collar after all. It occupied a lot of suitcase space and ended up being completely unnecessary. Inside the ship, the temperature is well-regulated, so you won't need a jacket while going to or from dinner, or during cruise activities like comedy shows. However, when you do step outside, you'll want to switch into your warmest clothing (see the next section).

2. On the Deck.

When the ship is underway, especially at night, it gets REALLY chilly! You’ll definitely need:

• A cozy coat. I practically lived in this gray North Face fleece.
• Footwear paired with socks to keep your feet warm.
• Warm gloves and hats.

What’s not shown: the hot chocolate and tea that you’ll find yourself sipping on frequently!

Additionally… it’s quite windy.

"Cruise outfit photos are like this..."

3. Throughout the ship.

These outfits are perfect for those transitional times. Whether you’re traveling to and from the cruise, enjoying the sun on deck when the ship is steady, heading to brunch, or dressing casually for dinner. I brought along a few dresses, three pairs of jeans (blue, ivory, and black), and some long-sleeve tops.

4. When you're off the ship.

What you choose to wear when you're off the ship will depend heavily on two factors: the weather and your activities.

a. Weather: Southeast Alaska is classified as a rainforest (with over 100 inches of rain annually, and Juneau alone receives 300 inches!), so it's wise to pack waterproof shoes and a raincoat. The temperature can be quite variable. We experienced unusually warm (70-degree) and dry weather, but a friend who cruised the following week encountered rain and frigid temperatures. It's best to prepare for both scenarios and plan on layering your clothing just in case.

b. Your activities:

Hiking: I expected it to be chilly, so I brought jeans for hiking, but I really wished I had packed more yoga pants. I was quite warm in photo #1 (even without my gray jacket), and the outfit in #2 was not meant to be shown. I noticed many people hiking in stylish yoga pants and regretted not bringing mine!

Zip lining: In photo #3, we went zip lining, and both of us chose cargo pants, which turned out to be ideal.

Sightseeing: If you're planning to explore and shop throughout the day, cute boots and charming fall/winter outfits are a great choice. We aimed to be quite active (hiking, fishing, kayaking), which is why I opted for practicality over fashion. However, I did notice some stylish outfits at the port!

5. For workouts.

One item I really couldn’t fit into my suitcase was a pair of gym shoes. So, I ended up wearing my hiking sneakers to the gym. In photo #1, I jogged on the walking track with my binoculars secured around me in case any wildlife was spotted (they make announcements over the loudspeaker). The other two pairs were worn at the gym.

Alright… let’s recap what I packed. Here are all the jackets and shoes I brought, as shown in my Dinogo closet on board.

Jackets (listed in the order they appear):

1. A heavy jacket for the "elegant attire" night – I suggest you skip this one (black wool with a faux fur collar)
2. A light jacket for casual wear on the ship (navy lightweight wool)
3. A light jacket for casual wear on the ship (olive green army jacket)
4. One very warm jacket (gray North Face fleece)
5. A waterproof jacket (yellow North Face)

Shoes

1. A pair of flats or something easy to slip on
2. A pair of heels or dress shoes (classic black pumps)
3. A pair of hiking boots or athletic shoes (mine, JJ’s)
4. A pair of flat boots

Everything else

• Three pairs of jeans – blue, black, and ivory for wearing around the ship and for travel to and from our cruise
• Assorted tops – long-sleeve blouses and lightweight sweaters to pair with jeans
• Casual dresses – styles to wear with tall boots and/or leggings
• Clothing for excursions – skinny cargo pants for zip lining, and yoga pants or jeans for hiking
• Cocktail outfits – enough for two nights of "cruise elegant" events
• Athletic wear – for workouts and/or hikes

Hiking essentials

• Backpack
• Waterproof jacket and shoes
• Reusable water bottle (bring your own and refill it on board)
• Snacks that bears won’t be able to detect (like granola bars)
• Camera and selfie stick
• Camera monopod that also serves as a walking stick
• Ziplock bags for electronics in case of rain

What essentials should you bring on an Alaskan cruise? Share your top tips and tricks in the comment section below, and don’t forget to check out my general cruise advice and Caribbean packing guide here.