What to Pack For Your Alaskan Cruise
- Irene Vane
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Headed on an Alaskan cruise with Disney or thinking about one? I have you covered!
Disney currently offers 5-night and 7-night Alaskan cruise itineraries sailing out of Vancouver on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. These cruises run May through September. All cruises include glacier viewing. If you are sailing on the Disney Wonder, you will also enjoy a Frozen themed dinner and deck party.
The average weather on your cruise can range from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to an average low of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Alaskan cruises also offer a variety of activities. You'll want to make sure to be prepared and organized for both the weather and your adventures to make the most of your vacation!
To help simplify your trip, I have a packing checklist along with outfit inspiration to keep you organized as you plan for your Alaskan cruise.
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Embarkation Day Basics
Pack these items in a day bag and/or crossbody to keep with you, as your luggage may not arrive at your stateroom until a few hours after the ship leaves port. Your first day leaving Vancouver may be your best day to enjoy the pool, so having your suit accessible is a good idea.
Medication (in their original containers)
Passport and/or required citizenship documentation
Phone charger/portable charger
Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses
Sunscreen or hat
Swimsuit and cover-up
Attire and Accessories
You will experience a variety of weather during your journey. It may be warm enough as you leave Canada for a dip in the pool and you will need a warm coat, gloves and hat to keep you warm on glacier day. You can experience mid day highs in the 70s for some port adventures and depending on what port adventures you choose you may need winter boots and even snow pants to make the most of your trip. Always read the fine print when booking port adventures for tips on what to wear for your specific adventure.
Jeans, pants, leggings
Sweaters, sweatshirts, warm pullovers, and clothes you can layer.
Sunglasses
T-shirts
Shorts (a pair or two)
Winter wear: coat, gloves, warm hat for glacier day
Windbreaker/rain jacket
Comfortable waterproof walking shoes for Port Adventures.
Dinner attire (see below)
Exercise clothing if you plan on taking advantage of the fitness center
Dining Attire
Disney Cruise Line ships feature an array of diverse dining experiences, from casual to upscale. Be sure to follow the dress code for your restaurant:
Main Dining Dining attire is cruise casual in all 3 main dining restaurants, meaning no swimwear or tank tops. Guests often like to dress up, but this is optional.
Adult Exclusive Dining Adult-exclusive restaurants aboard Disney Cruise Line ships are elegant dining experiences and Guests are requested to dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s ambiance. Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable. Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire are not permitted.
Formal Night On 7-night sailings and longer cruises, the ship offers themed nights, including a formal night, and you're encouraged to dress up and participate in the evening's festivities. You'll see guests in everything from sundresses to very formal attire. There are many opportunities for photos.
Frozen Night If you are sailing on the Disney Wonder, you will enjoy a Frozen themed night. Dinner will be Frozen themed. There will also be a Frozen themed deck party.
Extras
Here are a few optional items you may want to include:
Cabin Door Magnets Most guests on Disney cruises decorate their cabin door. It's fun to see everyone's creativity and also helpful in locating your room!
Fish Extenders If you are participating in a fish extender gift exchange group, don't forget to pack your fish extender and gifts.
Hair tools such as a curling iron, flat iron or both. Each stateroom has a small mat to lay these on, just be sure to use it to protect stateroom surfaces.
Make up, skin care, toiletries organized in separate make up bags. or a make up box.
Binoculars are highly recommended for an Alaskan cruise. There is so much to see from your verandah or from any deck, especially on glacier day.
What Not to Pack
Everyone on board a Disney ship must comply with specific safety guidelines mandated by US Customs and Port Security. This includes not packing certain items.
Please DO NOT bring:
Firearms and ammunition, any kind of knife, sword, dagger, bullwhip or any other type of weapon. These items are not allowed on the ship under any circumstances. Guests found in possession of any weapons or similar prohibited items on their person or in their baggage may be denied boarding and are subject to severe legal penalties.
Homemade, precooked or other perishable items.
Irons, bottle warmers, sporting equipment, balloons, candles, musical instruments, illegal drugs inclusive of medically prescribed and synthetic marijuana.
Coolers, except those carrying medications, baby food or items related to dietary constraints.
Always check the Prohibited Items FAQ
Looking for outfit inspiration? Below are some ideas and some of my favorite brands.
Character Pictures
Alaskan cruises have the best character picture opportunities for two reasons. First the characters are dressed in their Alaskan gear, and second the backdrop of the Alaskan scenery is incredible. To make your pictures even better, consider dressing in theme with the characters. You could add a little fur trim like Minnie or some lumberjack plaid like Mickey, Donald and Daisy.
Lumberjack Plaid
Minnie Faux Fur
Glacier Day
Glacier day is my favorite day on an Alaskan cruise! On this day, the ship travels through a fjord, and the views are incredible. An Alaskan naturalist joins the journey, narrates the views, helps spot wildlife, and provides insight on glacier formation. If you have a verandah room, you can take it in from your stateroom. It's still a good idea to visit the pool deck where hot cocoa and cookies are served, and characters and photographers are available. You will want a good pair of binoculars for this day. It will also be your coldest day, so you'll want to bundle up. You'll also need gear to keep you warm. Below are recommended items for glacier day.
Packable coats
Touchscreen gloves (to keep your hands warm while you are taking pictures)
Resort and Swimwear
While Alaskan cruises may not provide the same pool or beach time as many other itineraries, it's not unusual to encounter weather pleasant enough for a swim in the pool as you depart from Vancouver. A hot tub is always available for enjoyment. I noticed a few adventurous individuals in the hot tub even as we navigated through the glaciers. Make sure to pack at least one swimsuit and cover-up. Below are my favorite brands for resort and swimwear.
What you'll find: Figure-flattering one and two-piece swimsuits that work for a variety of body types. Both my teenage daughter and I have found favorite suits from La Blanca. They also carry cover-ups and resort wear.
What you'll find: Classic simple designs, nice textures (I love the spinnaker) and great support. If you are looking for the perfect bikini to chase kids around on the beach, look no further than their cross front top which comes in the bra top, tankini and one piece. They also carry a variety of linen pants, blouses and resort dresses.
Formal Night
You will see a variety of attire for formal night, from very fancy long evening gowns to sundresses. Here are a few of my favorite brands for formal dresses and sundresses.
What you'll find: Beautiful evening dresses at reasonable prices. For my last cruise, I found a great little black dress from Dress the Population. If you are on the petite side, they have many styles that will work for you and require no hemming. Their styles range from sequins to floral prints, and even jumpsuits.
What you'll find: Bright colors and fun patterns. Lilly Pulitzer is a popular resort wear brand so you will likely see some designs aboard your cruise and possibly in the gift shop. There are many beautiful bright patterns to choose from and some solid designs. as well. (Also consider their tops and sweaters for the casual rotational dining).
What you'll find: A variety of dresses from evening to casual. Petal & Pup has beautiful prints, and styles at great prices. They also offer pants and short sets.
Frozen Night
If you are sailing on the Disney Wonder expect to experience a Frozen themed night. Your dinner will have a Frozen themed menu and after dinner there will be a Frozen themed deck party with dancing and singing. While dressing up for themed nights is not required, it does add to the fun. Below are a few ideas for Frozen Night
Matching Disney Fair Isle Family Sweaters
Accessories
Kids
Stay tuned for packing lists for additional cruise destinations!
Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and I would love to help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and budget! My planning services are free, and I price monitor, saving you time and money! Request a no-obligation quote here.
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