Momof3boys

I will be in Alaska from 8/10-8/22, and I need HELP packing. For 8 days, I'll be on a cruise w/ Cruise West which is a smaller ship and more casual so no dressy affairs. The other 4 days, I'll be traveling to Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and Ketchikan to see the sights. I will be traveling solo so I don't have someone else to help carry some of the equipment I want to carry such as binoculars and digital camera...have already decided to leave the camcorder at home. Since I will be on a fast pace schedule on land and want to pack light w/ only 1 suitcase (and pack another inside to bring souvenirs home) plus a daypack, I need to know exactly what I need and don't need. I could fill a suitcase w/ just all the extras - toileteries, guide and reading books, etc - so that's why I'm asking for your advice and help. My goal is to pack light and travel light which can be hard moving from place to place and in a cooler climate such as Alaska plus don't want to look like a susceptible female bogged down w/ tons of luggage.

I've cked the weather and of course there is rain w/ temps currently in the 40's to 60's. I have a waterproof jacket (unlined) w/ hood and waterproof boots. I plan at least 1 other pr of shoes, silk underwear for glaciers, hat and gloves. I can wash out underwear and socks (probably 3 of each of these), but how many pants, tops - long or short sleeves, sweaters, fleeces, etc? What am I forgetting? Thanks so much for your help.

ShaeC

You are doing very well with your planning. "Think layers" Alaska is very casual, so think jeans/t-shirt/sweatshirt/waterproof jacket combos. You'd be amazed... you might end up stripping down to the t-shirt and wishing you had shorts. That happened to me in July in Skagway.

I don't think I'd take the waterproof boots. They take up so much space. Are you planning to walk on actual glaciers or just "vist" them? I wore comfy walking shoes while on deck in Glacier Bay and while visiting Mendenhall Glacier and was comfortable.

As the rest of the nation is baking in this horrible oven-weather pattern... we all envy your trip to Alaska! Have a great time!

happytourist

Having done a similar trip, I'll share my recommendatons.
1. Buy a messenger bag that fits diagonally across the front to carry your camera, binocs, water, etc. That way your hands are free and it makes it easier to climb in and out of planes, buses, etc. I love the Bagalinni messenger bag at ebags.com. because it has so many secure pockets.
2. Pack with a basic color scheme, such as black/red/tan. Then take two pairs of washable black pants and perhaps a pair of jeans, with coordinating red and tan tees (three or four) and shirts (two or three). I bought a denim long-sleeved shirt in Alaska that I wore over just about everything. I also love the microfiber "big shirts" from Travelsmith.
3. Two pairs of comfortable walking shoes. Buy really good smooth socks (I like Fox River).
4. A water repellant windbreaker jacket with a hood. I also throw in a $1 disposable plastic rain cape from the discount stores.
5. One pullover, such as a fleece.
6. One silk underwear shirt for extra warmth, if desired but not necessary.
7. You might want to add a pair of gloves.
8. Pack a small laundry kit: small bottle of liquid detergent, a few Bounce sheets in a plastic bag, travel clothesline and clips, stain remover (Shout packets or Tide pencil).
9. Don't overpack! Everything is casual and no one is looking at you anyway. Comfort, however, is king.

BayouGal

For clothes, as Shae said, think layers. First of all, our land travel was interior Alaska and the Kenai, not the Inside Passage. Not sure if the temps will be warmer in the ports you'll be in for your 4 days on land. I wore my fleece jacket or my rain jacket most often - not because of rain but it served as a great wind breaker. If it was cold (like near glaciers or outdoor activities like kayaking or ice climbing) I wore cuddle duds, a long sleeve t, my fleece jacket and my rain jacket over the fleece, and polypro gloves and socks (which I bought in Anchorage - cheap at WalMart or Fred Meyers). You will need a warm cap/hat, too. Fleece is excellent for the cold if you have a long sleeve shirt layered under it, and fleece hats are warm, too. I wore tennis shoes the entire trip. I brought 2 pairs in case 1 got wet (we were there for 2 weeks), but it never rained hard enough while we were outdoors for them to get really wet. You can buy anything you don't have and might need in Anchorage or Fairbanks at Fred Meyers or WalMart.

BayouGal

Oops, sorry, just dawned on me that you probably won't be in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Juneau is good sized, and maybe someone else can tell you there is a place you if can buy the things you need in Juneau.

BayouGal

I give up . . . I hope you got the gist of that!!

BayouGal

Okay, Mom, I forgot to ask my question . . . where is your cruise going? I noticed that you have chosen cities for your land tour that ordinarily are ports of call on cruises. I'm guessing Glacier Bay . . . if so, and you'll be kayaking, you need the undergarments plus layers. Have fun!!!

Momof3boys

Thanks for being so helpful! My cruise goes to Tracy Arm, Frederick Sound, Glacier Bay NP, Icy Strait, Sitka, and Elfin Cove so most of the time is spent on the water w/ nature. My waterproof boots are really my hiking boots so that is why I planned to take those even though they do take up a lot of rm in a suitcase...but since most of the trip is on a ship maybe those aren't the best choice for me. I didn't think tennis shoes would be a good choice, but you may have me changing my mind for my 2nd pr or even just wearing those while traveling. I will ck out the bags on ebag and Travelsmith-like the idea of a "big shirt" for traveling. I'll keep taking everyone's idea and hopefully, post my packing list in a few days for your preview.

dfrostnh

I think outdoor wear has been pretty much covered. I still like a turtleneck jersey which is good under a fleece jacket. I live in Birkenstock sandals so those went with me along with the hiking shoes. We had unexpected hot weather. Since we stayed mostly at B&Bs I also took a cotton house dress that was nice enough if someone else happened to see me to wear as a nightgown and wore sweat pants and a t-shirt other nights when it was chilly. On one trip we spent several nights on the ferry. Although we had a private bath I wanted sleep wear I could wear in public if I decided to take a midnight stroll. I could throw on my fleece jacket if I went on deck. One time we stayed at a place without our own bath. Our room was in the garage so I needed something for a midnight stroll to the bathroom in the main house. And sandals were easy to slip on for a walk across the yard. Expect some days on Cruise West it will be very chilly and windy on deck. The messenger bag sounds handy. I use a pouchy bag with a single strap I got at LL Bean. It has several zip compartments and can easily hold camera, wallet, water bottle, etc. Binoculars might fit too if they aren't too large. I used a back pack with rollers as my carryon so this was good for day trips and is large enough for extra jacket etc. Because of the rollers, however, it's a bit heavy. Ahead of time you should check with the cruise company to see if you can buy ulu knives. This was my favorite purchase and I use quite often but a friend said the cruise boat she was on did not allow knives of any kind. Some gift shops might ship.

mscarls

I would just emphasize the importance of having a good windbreaker to wear on the deck of your ship. On our Alaskan cruise, in August 2004, we took fleeces, but they weren't very useful on the moving ship.
Several of the days were unseasonably warm when we were in Alaska, and short-sleeved shirts were appropriate on shore.
We took excursions that included a glacier walk and a raft trip. Each of the excursion operators provided the special gear we needed, like waterproof boots or an extra layer for warmth.

kayd

If the hiking boots are too heavy for this trip, consider "trail runner" or hybrid footwear, generally in the $50-100 range with trail treads and more structure than sneaks, but lighter than true hiking boots and suitable for general casual wear. LLBean's website is a good place to look at some of the options.

Momof3boys

I've got a good waterproof jacket w/ hood and had planned to take a fleece vest, lt wt sweater, and 1-2 sweatshirts. I've cked out the travelsmith website and debating over getting 1 of their big shirts vs. a tunic type top. Several of you addressed 1 of my concerns is that I'll take TOO many clothes for cold temps and not be prepared if it's warm. I think I'll take 1 pr shorts and 2 short sleeve shirts then 3-4 long sleeve ones. All of my tops are cotton so they are a pain to wash out and dry though. Thanks for everyone's help. I'll keep plugging along w/ this list so keep the suggestions coming!

BayouGal

In May/June of last year, I lived in capri pants and shirt sleeved shirts. I would add long sleeve shirt and more layers if needed. The only time we needed cold weather clothing was doing water activities or near glaciers.

Momof3boys

Gosh, I would have thought capri's and short sleeves would be too cool so I'm really going to rethink w/ more short sleeve tops and less long. Can always layer w/ sweater and then jacket. Thanks for the advice!