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-   -   ALASKA CRUISE - LADIES!!! (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/alaska-cruise-ladies-987457/)

baddeck Aug 3rd, 2013 02:59 PM

ALASKA CRUISE - LADIES!!!
 
This is so unimportant but still something I'd like to know. We are going on an Alaskan cruise in mid September and would like opinions on whether a long white skirt is appropriate for a dressup evening. The top is multi-colored but hot pink/summery colours - is this too summery for an Alaskan cruise in mid September? Thanks Ladies for your input!

DebitNM Aug 3rd, 2013 03:23 PM

As always, wear what you are comfortable in, but I wouldn't wear either the skirt or the top.

DebitNM Aug 3rd, 2013 03:26 PM

As always, you can wear what you feel comfortable in but I would not wear either; Sept isn't summer [those sound like summer clothes/colors] and weather is to cool:

http://www.alaskacruises.com/cruises...a-weather.html

janisj Aug 3rd, 2013 08:46 PM

It will be a lot cooler tan you may think. Don't think summery clothing. I was on an Inside Passage cruise sailing out of Vancouver August 31 last year. It was cool some days, COLD some days, and rainy several days. Folks weren't wearing summer/resort/beach wear

Special nights were pretty dressy and your description wouldn't be typical. What would you wear to an upscale cocktail party in say November? That is what you'd want for the two or three dress up evenings.

And during shore excursions you definitely need fleeces/waterproofs.

abram Aug 3rd, 2013 10:20 PM

I agree--I wouldn't wear something that summery, although it does sound very pretty.

gail Aug 3rd, 2013 11:28 PM

Sounds pretty - but I would pick separates more interchangeable and in September, think late fall weather in Alaska. Dressier nights on Alaska cruises require a lesser level of formality than warm water cruises - despite what glossy ads show (they are models).

We cruised to Alaska (Princess) in June a few years ago. It was very chilly, even during the day. And something like a black dress with accessories or black pants/skirt with several tops and/or jackets worked just fine every nite for dinner. Never saw a gown. Passengers on our cruise were not much into dress up.

schmerl Aug 4th, 2013 03:37 AM

I agree with attire on an Alaska cruise not being as "dressy" as other cruises. People use the room in their luggage to pack the different layers of clothing needed.
We cruised Alaska the first week August and had beautiful warm weather. We were told that was not the norm. We needed everything from short sleeve tops to sweaters and a wind breaker jacket.
We wore nice black slacks and dressier tops for the dress up nights. Did not see anyone in a gown or tuxedo.

mikesmom Aug 4th, 2013 04:56 AM

I agree with the others. The outfit you described is too summery for an Alaskan cruise. I have cruised to Alaska twice -- once in late August and last year in late June. I brought two dressy tops and wore them with a simple black knit skirt (no wrinkles) and black dress slacks. I felt just right.

smssowo Aug 4th, 2013 05:23 AM

I returned from a Princess cruise two weeks ago...Whittier to Vancouver. Took another Alaskan Princess cruise eight years ago. I am a conservative New England dresser and was concerned about the dress up events...as I don't dress up!!! I was very surprised at how the dress up was now dressed down. Many women with simple black pants and a nice blouse. I saw few (if any) sequin garments and very few tuxedoes.

nytraveler Aug 4th, 2013 05:48 AM

You really need to dress for the weather. Don't think you could go out on deck in that attire without freezing your buns off. Have a look at the average temps where you will be - and remember that it is likely to be colder and windier out on the water.

You are not going in midsummer - but on what will be well into the fall then. What would you wear at home in Nov (unless you live in an area that doesn't have real seasons).

janisj Aug 4th, 2013 06:20 AM

When I said 'cocktail dressy' I meant mostly what schmeri and mikesmom describe. While there were a lot of women in quite dressy things, most were wore something like a sparkly top with black skirt. But quite a few did wear pretty flash cocktail attire. almost no gowns. I was surprised to see so many young adults and they mostly wore trendier/shorter REALLY short dresses.

Your cruise is likely the last of the season before the ship repositions. That is quite late for Alaska. The weather was more like winter in my part of Northern California. Mostly 50's during the day but felt colder due to the water, 40's at night, quite a bit of wind, VERY heavy rain one day, showers a couple of other days, two really glorious days w temps in the 60's. definitely not summer weather.

hpuente Aug 7th, 2013 01:03 PM

We are taking an inside passage cruise the last week in August and need some advice. Our nephew keeps telling us that we absolutely need waterproof shoes. I'm not sure that's something we need to worry about. What kind of clothes will we need?

baddeck Aug 7th, 2013 06:54 PM

Thanks ladies for your responses - the white skirt outfit is out! I will do the black pants/skirt thing with different tops. It makes sense because you really don't want to pack too much stuff, and you need warm sweaters etc. that take more room.

janisj Aug 8th, 2013 01:00 PM

Hpuente: whether you need waterproof shoes mainly depends on what sorts of shore excursions you are doing. You won't need them on board. But if you are doing any of the glacier walks or . . . Definitely yes.

schmerl Aug 8th, 2013 02:02 PM

We wore sneakers (athletic shoes) on our glacier walks and were fine. When we did rafting, they provided rubber boots.


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