Alaskan Vacation -- What to pack?

[Anonymous]

Daytime temps seem to linger around 70's when I looked on weather.com for end of July. We are cruising next week and wondering if temperatures on the glacier is different than what I am seeing online. For those who have cruised there, what was your experience with packing for Juneau/Skagway?

[Anonymous]

I've only done day cruises to glaciers but it's much, much colder as you approach the glacier. Add in the wind from being on the water. You'll want a wind breaker over a fleece. May also want scarf/hat/light weight gloves depending on your plans and cold tolerance. Things are wet so avoid cotton. Once the sun is down, it will also be cold on deck. Plastic rain pants you can toss on when heading out on deck can help, too.

[Anonymous]

Nothing fancy. No one gets dressed up in Alaska. Bring layers, including a hat and gloves- it can get cold. It's beautiful, enjoy your trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've only done day cruises to glaciers but it's much, much colder as you approach the glacier. Add in the wind from being on the water. You'll want a wind breaker over a fleece. May also want scarf/hat/light weight gloves depending on your plans and cold tolerance. Things are wet so avoid cotton. Once the sun is down, it will also be cold on deck. Plastic rain pants you can toss on when heading out on deck can help, too.

So would you suggest jeans, jacket/sweater during the day when on an excursion to the glacier? Then shorts for on the boat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing fancy. No one gets dressed up in Alaska. Bring layers, including a hat and gloves- it can get cold. It's beautiful, enjoy your trip.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've only done day cruises to glaciers but it's much, much colder as you approach the glacier. Add in the wind from being on the water. You'll want a wind breaker over a fleece. May also want scarf/hat/light weight gloves depending on your plans and cold tolerance. Things are wet so avoid cotton. Once the sun is down, it will also be cold on deck. Plastic rain pants you can toss on when heading out on deck can help, too.

So would you suggest jeans, jacket/sweater during the day when on an excursion to the glacier? Then shorts for on the boat?

I would not wear jeans with any chance of getting wet. And if you're on a small boat, you'll likely get splashed. I'd wear synthetic pants. Layers on top. Pack a fleece pullover or wool sweater. Waterproof windbreak/rain jacket on top. I find it unlikely that it will be warm enough for shorts on the boat.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Alaska and didn’t own shorts until I moved Outside.

Jeans, a lightweight fleece jacket, and an assortment of shirts. Some can be sleeveless. If you must bring shorts, buy lightweight canvas pants where the bottoms zip off. Maybe bring a jersey skirt. Chaco-style sandals, normal shoes.

[Anonymous]

I wore leggings and tshirts much of the time, and brought a medium weight zip-up cashmere sweater for when it got cold. When in glacier bay it's cold (jacket, hats and gloves cold) but that's only one day. For excursions on the glaciers you'll be fine with layers - long pants, tshirt and sweatshirt.

For the formal nights, we had 2, I brought a black dress and 2 pashmina s, different colors/styles to make my one dress look different.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been twice. This is what I wore on glacier day—jeans, T-shirt, sweater, fleece, rain jacket, gloves, maybe hat. And I was still a little cold (wore skinny jeans the second time and it was a mistake). It’s like standing st the door to your freezer.
But this is what I wore basically every other day in Alaska—jeans, t shirt, fleece (tied around waist on warm days) or rain jacket or both. Some days can be very sunny and even hit 80s so it’s not a bad idea to bring one pair of shorts or capris for a hot day.
Also, cruise will have a cheap laundry day where you can get one bag of clothes washed for a set price. It’s ususlly Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s totally worth it to do one bag of socks, underwear and t shirts for the family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've only done day cruises to glaciers but it's much, much colder as you approach the glacier. Add in the wind from being on the water. You'll want a wind breaker over a fleece. May also want scarf/hat/light weight gloves depending on your plans and cold tolerance. Things are wet so avoid cotton. Once the sun is down, it will also be cold on deck. Plastic rain pants you can toss on when heading out on deck can help, too.

So would you suggest jeans, jacket/sweater during the day when on an excursion to the glacier? Then shorts for on the boat?

I would not wear jeans with any chance of getting wet. And if you're on a small boat, you'll likely get splashed. I'd wear synthetic pants. Layers on top. Pack a fleece pullover or wool sweater. Waterproof windbreak/rain jacket on top. I find it unlikely that it will be warm enough for shorts on the boat.

We did Alaska cruise this summer. This person is exactly right, as is PP who mentioned the single black dress and different accessories for formal nights. Jeans are only for days at sea, not for excursions. Bring your workout gear to counteract the gluttonous intake of food (or maybe that's just me).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing fancy. No one gets dressed up in Alaska. Bring layers, including a hat and gloves- it can get cold. It's beautiful, enjoy your trip.

This. I went a few years ago at the end of July. Never wore anything but jeans and long sleeved shirts. Many days I wore fleece or a wool sweater that was lined.

[Anonymous]

Juneau/Skagway and the air on the ship in August was colder than I expected. I wound up buying some heavier jackets in the ship's store. Remember you will have breezes on the ship so the air will feel colder. Also, you will be up close and personal to glaciers even if not on them.

[Anonymous]

We went in June and I never wanted to be in the ship deck without a jacket on. Might be warmer in Aug but I would bring warm clothes in case!

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your helpful feedback.

-OP

[Anonymous]

Fleece, rainjacket, gortex boots.

My Alaskan uncle wears his "halibut shirt" in the summer .... and when he takes us to tourist places he immediately gets the locals' discount. As far as I can tell, the halibut shirt is your basic Pendleton plaid wool shirt.