How to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Without Overpacking

At the gate for our flight my bag came in at 37.8 pounds. I was thrilled. Before our Alaska cruise aboard Star Princess, I spent weeks researching what to pack.

When my dad weighed his bag - a cool 57.1 pounds. Items were shifted, and my careful planning allowed my dad to offload enough into my bag to not incur excess baggage fees.

This is the biggest mistake travelers make: it’s not under packing, it’s overpacking.

Alaska Will Make You Think You Need Everything

Alaska has a reputation for unpredictable weather and in our limited experience that tracks. Yo really can experience all four seasons in a single day.

The instinct is to pack for every possible scenario.

Don’t.

The secret to packing for Alaska isn’t packing more clothes, it’s packing the right clothes.

Start With The Basics

If I were packing for Alaska again tomorrow, I’d prioritize:

• Multiple pairs of socks

• Plenty of underwear

• Thermal base layers

• Casual, not fancy

• Formal nights being the exception

Raincoat Advice: Buy Onsite

every Alaska packing guide says the same thing: buy a raincoat before you leave.

I’m going to disagree.

Buy your raincoat in Alaska. Instead of taking a valuable luggage space with a bulky jacket, consider waiting until you arrive. You’ll have opportunities almost immediately. On board the ship you’ll find Alaska themed outerwear in the shops. Once you arrive in your ports, you’ll discover countless options for:

• Rain jackets

• Hoodies

• Fleece pullovers

• Sweatshirts

• Alaska themed apparel

All of these options are significantly cooler than the generic raincoat I brought for our trip that cost me just as much if not more. Not only do you save luggage space, but you come home with the practical souvenir you’ll actually use and love.

The Alaska souvenir strategy

This hack applies to all of your packing: not just the raincoat. Instead of packing for every possible weather condition, or every single day, pack, strong base layers, and leave room in your suitcase. Then use Alaska to help outfit the rest of your trip

A typical day might look like:

• thermal layer

• Long sleeve or t shirt

• Sweater or Hoodie

• Rain jacket

The beauty of layering is that you’re going to add and remove pieces throughout the day as conditions change, and of those four items, three of them can be purchased on site.

The unexpected hero: the laundry room

While we didn’t unpack, we definitely got wet during the trip. Between excursions, rain, showers, and outdoor activities, it was wonderful to have the ability to wash and dry clothes during the cruise on deck six in the laundromat. There’s something incredibly satisfying about returning from a long day of glacier viewing and starting the next morning with clean, dry clothes.

If your cruise ship offers guest, laundry, services or facilities, take advantage of them. It can significantly reduce how much clothing you need to bring.

My Alaska packing formula

• Thermal base layers

• Extra socks

• Extra underwear

• Two pairs of comfortable walking shoes, one sneakers, one pair of hiking boots

• One hoodie

• One raincoat

• Several sweaters

• Casual nighttime clothing

• Formal night attire

• Plenty of room for Alaska souvenirs

That’s it. No giant winter coat. No overstuffed suitcase. No hauling around clothing you never wear.