What to Wear on a Cruise to Alaska

I had the hardest time packing for this trip. I thought that glaciers = ice cold temperatures. I wasn't sure if I should bring sweaters, cardigans, heavy winter coat, rain boots, sandals...etc. I didn't see any good guides online to help me figure it out, so I thought I would share some tips on my blog to help future travelers! 


The Weather
My cruise started in Seattle and then sailed to Ketchikan, Skagaway, Juneau, and Victoria Island. After the cruise, my family and I took a trip to Vancouver.

The temperature around all of those cities is between 40-60 degrees, and there is always a 30%-50% chance of rain. I think it is about 10 degrees colder on the glaciers. The only thing that made the air seem really cold were the random heavy gusts of wind. So it turns out, I really didn't need my heavy ski coat, just a really good fleece jacket and hat. 

Essential for Lounging Inside the Cruise Ship

• t-shirts, long sleeves tops, and 3/4 tops (Similar) (Similar) (Similar)
• Jean/Jeggings (Similar) (Similar)
• Cardigan (Similar)
• Light Spring Scarf (Similar)
• Watch (because you're constantly in and out of different time zone!) (Here)
• Boat shoes (to keep your toes warm) (Here)
• Walking shoes/running shoes (Similar)
• For the Formal dinner: Little black dress (Similar) + Statement Necklace (Similar) + Black Heels (Similar)

TV Theme Trivia

 J.Crew Factory T-Shirt XS/ Gap Crop Jeans Size 0P / MICHAEL KOR 33mm Boyfriend Watch 33M

I was inside the cruise ship the majority of the vacation. My family and I played trivia games against other passengers, learned to dance salsa & merengue, and ate lots of soft served ice cream. We also spent time outside taking in the beautiful scenery. Everyone dressed pretty casual on the ship.(i.e gym sweats, sneakers, flip flops.)  Instead of wearing sweats 24/7, I decided to "dress it up" a little bit and wore what I normal would wear on a casual day in the city. I put on my scarf, cardigan, or fleece jacket whenever I got cold.  My boat shoes were perfect for this trip. I mean, I was basically on a boat. They were comfortable and easy to take off and on. They protected my feet more or less from the cold winds and random puddles of water by the pool whenever I walked through the sun deck.

Essentials for Outdoor Site-Seeing

• Fleece jacket or thick fall jacket (Similar)
• Light Scarf (Similar)
• Rain jacket (Similar)
• Rain boots (Here)
• Boat shoes (Here)
• Thin gloves (Similar)
• Umbrella (Fun Option)
• Sunglasses (Here)
• Waterproof/Patent tote bag (Similar)

Bight Totem Park | Ketchikan, Alaska

Leopard Scarf / Gap Straight Jeans Size 0 / Lands End Canvas Storm Jacket XXS  / Kamik Jennifer Rain Boots Size 6/ Juicy Couture Patent Tote Bag(Purchased at my company's sample sale) 

Granville Island |Vancouver, BC

 Rose Gold Sperry Top Siders Size 5  / Under Armour Fleece Jacket XS/  J.Crew Vintage T-Shirt XXS / Gap Crop Jeans Size 0P / Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviator Sunglasses

On the way to the White Pass Railroad | Skagway, Alaska

Old Navy Chambray Shirt XSP / AG Adriano Goldschmeid Sateen Stilt in Wine Size 26   

I was definitely glad that I brought my rain jacket and an umbrella. My rain boots probably wasn't a necessity, but they sure kept my feet dry and warm. When I didn't fee like wearing my boots in the rain, my boat shoes became a substitute. Needless to say, they do not keep my feet as warm as my rain boots but at least I wasn't slipping and sliding on the streets.  My rain boots were perfect for walking around Victoria Island for 4 hours. Unfortunately, my siblings didn't have any rain gear. They had to sport the plastic poncho-look and very much looked like a tourist. One stranger on the street actually told my sister she was the bag lady. lol

Chinatown | Victoria Island

Essential for Glacier Trekking

• Under Armor Cold Gear Long Sleeve Mock (Adult size S) (Similar)
• Patagonia Capilene Base Layer Pants (Children Size 12-14) (Similar)
• Target C9 by Champion Running Pants (Similar)
• SmartWool Hiking Socks (Here)
• Hat or headband ear muffs to cover the ears (Similar)

Surprisingly, it's not blizzard cold on the glaciers, so there wasn't a need for my ski coat. My body exerted body heat while I was trekking on the glaciers, so I would have been incredibly hot wearing a ski coat. The tour company also supplied us with North Face fleece gloves, Patagonia wind breaker pants, a waterproof jacket, and additional gear for the hike. Overall, I felt like I was perfectly prepared for the weather on the ice. I wasn't too hot or too cold. I love the Under Armour Cold Gear Tops. They protect you from temperatures under 50 degrees. The only thing I would have considered bringing was a hat to cover my ears. Also, lucky for my siblings and me, we had no rain during this excursion. 

One thing to note is that we weren't allowed to bring a backpack to the trip. The company gives you a hip pack (aka fanny pack) to put some snacks, bottle of water, and other small items in the bag. I had to carry my SLR camera around my neck. Hmmm....camera around the neck + ice didn't sound too good to me. However, it was a chance I had to take so that I could take beautiful photos! Luckily, I only dropped my lens cap once...Good thing I didn't trip!

NorthStar Trekking Level 2 | Juneau, Alaska

Overall, I'm glad to report that I used just about everything in my suitcase except for my my ski coat. Just between you and me, I did end up wearing some shirts twice for the gym and wearing my jeans/jeggings more than ones. I had to be creative to keep my suitcase under 50lbs! 

Stay tuned for more fun photos from my travel activities in Alaska, Vancouver, and Seattle!