How to Pack for a Caribbean and Alaska Cruise
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Cruise packing can be easy, but it can also easily go wrong. The culprit is OVERPACKING. How many of you have sat atop overstuffed suitcases at war with the difficult zipper. You may win at last, but why not skip the whole inconvenience all together. Follow these easy steps and you’ll be on your way to packing bliss.
The good news: Dress codes have loosened up along with dining options – all in response to the changing tastes of the many passengers who prefer a more relaxed shipboard atmosphere. To get the most effective packing, be sure to study your itinerary. Plan your outfits ahead. It will help you avoid bringing half of your wardrobe because you are packing the night before and thinking “better more clothes than not enough”. Every day of the cruise, you will need at least a bathing suit, a smart casual outfit and a formal outfit/evening outfit.
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Here are some tips for a Caribbean Vacation
Day wear: For warm-weather cruises, bring quality swimwear.
For women, sarongs, cover-ups and sundresses are necessary.
But what does
 “smart casual” wear mean? Dress shorts, skirts,or trousers, short-sleeved shirt or polo shirt are all considered
“smart casual”. The rest of the time you can dress pretty much
as you like. Useful accessories include flat shoes with a good
grip for the wet decks, sunglasses and a sun hat.
If you are going on an Alaska cruise or other outdoor adventure, bring hiking shoes, water shoes and rugged clothes for the shore excursions.
Evening wear: Most cruises will have one or two formal evenings
a week. Men are expected to wear a dark suit or tuxedo; women
should wear an evening dress (long or short) or a dressy pantsuit.
Also be sure to pack a dressy sweater or jacket, especially for the
newer cruise ships, whose air conditioning can be quite powerful.
And now, the grand and magnificent Alaska From May through September, temperatures range from 40°F to
70°F during the day and drop into the 30’s and 40’s at night. The
best way to prepare for this range of temperatures is to dress in
layers and to be prepared for anything from bright sunshine (bring
your sunglasses) to light rain. Here’s a list of items to include when packing for an Alaska trip.
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While on a shore excursion, make sure you have the following:
While onboard, consider these tips:
Days onboard are casual. To be most comfortable we suggest:
For evening wear, count on three basic types of attire:
Casual: Dresses or slacks and blouses for women, sport shirts and trousers for men.
Smart Casual: Dresses or pantsuits for women, jackets for men
Formal: Cocktail dresses for women, suits and ties or tuxedos for men (you can arrange to rent a tuxedo onboard.)
Ashore, you’ll need comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots. Cruisetours are casual, both during the day and in the evening.
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