Cruising in Alaska is one of my favorite active boomer travel experiences. With plenty of active adventures and beautiful scenery to admire and/or photograph, it’s no surprise that an Alaska cruise is at the top of many boomer bucket lists.

However too many folks become caught up in worrying about packing for an Alaska cruise. Don’t let that angst ruin anticipation of a wonderful trip. With my practical Alaska cruise packing tips, you’ll look forward to your cruise rather than dreading preparing for it.

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What to wear on a cruise to Alaska?

A boomer woman wears a red jacket with the waters of the Inside Passage behind her. — Read my tips for clothes to wear in Alaska. As you can see, here, colorful jackets make you stand out in a photo.

What to pack for an Alaska cruise? I’m asked this question a lot. And my answer is always the same: not as much as you think.

With the typical Alaskan cruise ranging from one to two weeks, your Alaska cruise packing list should include clothing layers for outdoor fun with mix and match outfits for evenings, including formal night—if the cruise will have one.

In fact, as couple travelers, you and your partner could probably manage with one checked bag between you, a rolling carryon for her plus a personal item bag. He’ll be fine with a backpack, which you can also share on those fabulous Alaska cruise excursions. This advice remains the same for solo travelers, too.

And, if you’re an especially efficient packer, there’s no reason why you can’t pack your Alaska cruise attire into a rolling carryon, even when including cold weather gear.

Remember, lightweight, layered clothing is your friend. I traveled for 21 days in China using only a rolling carryon and a personal item bag. You can do it, too!

What to pack for a 2-week Alaska cruise

If you read my luxury cruise reviews here at My Itchy Travel Feet, then you know that I love to bring fancy cruise wear for dressing up on cruises. But that’s not the case for Alaska, where the cruise is all about active travel fun. Here are my suggestions for what to pack for a two-week Alaska cruise:

Daywear for Alaska

When it comes to what to wear during the day on an Alaska cruise, I opt for layers with items that will work well on the ship or on excursion. Even on scenic cruising days, I know that I’ll be outside on deck admiring Hubbard Glacier or another beautiful Alaskan scene.

A boomer couple poses wearing Alaska cruise attire for a hike on Kodiak Island, with the ocean in the background. — Alan and I are dressed for a hike on Kodiak Island. On this day in Alaska, lightweight layers were all we needed.

Alaska weather is changeable. You never know if it will be cloudy and cold, sunny and warm, or rainy and whatever. Packing an assortment of layers that dry quickly—no bulky clothing allowed—prepares you for any situation.

A boomer man and woman pose in Alaska expedition clothes in front of a glacier. — When it comes to clothes for an Alaska cruise, sometimes, layering up is the way to go. Here we are exploring Baird Glacier on an expedition cruise. Boots and poles were provided by the cruise company.

Cute Alaskan cruise outfits for casual nights

In Alaska, most of the nights onboard ship will be designated casual night—elegant casual, country-club casual, whatever term the cruise line uses. And that’s just fine with this baby boomer.

A boomer woman models Alaska cruise fashions for casual night wearing a black and white top with black pants in one photo and with white pants in the second photo. — One top, two pair of pants, two different looks. My idea of versatile cruise wear for over 50 women.

With so many outdoor adventures, Alaskan cruises are busy enough that there’s not a lot of time for night life. I mainly wear pants because I look better in them rather than skirts or dresses.

Boomer Travel Tip

Know your style and what looks best on you. For me, the mix and match clothing at Chico’s is perfect for cruises.

Accessories are an easy way to extend the life of an outfit, making it feel different each time that you wear it. A scarf or eye-catching necklace can instantly change your look without adding bulk to luggage.

Alaska cruise formal nights

Although Alan and I love dressing up for formal nights, we leave the dinner jacket and long gown at home when cruising to Alaska. In fact, we’d do the same on any 7 to 14-day cruise. During port-intensive cruises, there’s not enough time on ship to make bringing the formal wear worth it.

A boomer woman models an Alaska cruise formal night outfit consisting of black pants and gold and black top. — What to wear on an Alaskan cruise for formal night. Actually, you could dress this outfit down a bit and still be fine for a formal evening in Alaska. Yes, this is from Chico’s.

I’ll pack a pair of dressy black pants, sparkly top and shoes, especially if I’ve adhered to the two pants/five top/1 par of shoes list I mentioned for casual nights in the packing list that follows. If you really want to cut down on clothing, wear the black pants from elegant casual night in place of an additional pair of dressy pants.

For an Alaska formal night, Alan wears a sport coat and dress pants or khakis, perhaps without a tie as they are usually optional. He’ll bring one, though, just in case he changes his mind.

No need to worry about formal nights on an expedition cruise because there aren’t any.

Two-week Alaska cruise packing list

Do you need help packing for your Alaska cruise? Check out my Alaska cruise packing tips.

Here’s a packing list that should cover a 2-week cruise in Alaska. Feel free to print this out. One of these days, I’ll create a fancy downloadable for you (once I learn how) so stay tuned.

Day time

1 pair water resistant safari pants. On 14-day Alaska cruises, make this 2 pair of safari pants.
1 pair jeans for on the ship or walking around ports. Don’t wear jeans on active excursions, especially if you’ll be around water or where it might rain. Nothing is worse—or colder—than wearing soggy, wet jeans.
2 safari shirts that go with safari pants or the jeans. On warm days, roll the sleeves up.
2 long-sleeve crew-neck shirts (or turtlenecks) to layer underneath safari shirts or to wear with a quilted vest. Or make this one long-sleeve crew-neck shirt and one short-sleeve solid color tee, just in case the weather is warmer than you think it will be.
Quilted sleeveless vest for layering with a long-sleeve shirt over jeans or safari pants.
Fleece jacket, choose a colorful one for showing up against snow scenes in photos.
Water-resistant jacket, same advice as for the fleece jacket—color rules!
1 set of thermal underwear. You probably won’t need these however they don’t take up much room so pack them anyway.
Gloves, glove liners, hat, neck warmer, warm socks
Shoe covers that have treads. Wear them on wet, muddy excursions or in port when it’s raining.
Lightweight hiking shoes that can also be used for walking laps on deck. You can also use these for the gym in a pinch. Wear these shoes on travel day.
Comfortable pants/top for travel day (wear them to and from the cruise). This can double as an extra outfit for on the ship or port days.

Evenings

Two pair of pants: black and another color. Gray is good. Or if you’re in a summery mood bring white ones.
Five tops—make one a cute summer sweater— that go with both pair of pants, which makes ten outfits. On a 14-day cruise, repeat 3 of your favorite looks. For 1-week Alaska cruises, three tops will do.
1 pair of shoes that will go with all outfits. Pewter flats are a great choice if you can find them. And, if you do, let me know as my Cole-Hahn favorite pewter shoes are almost worn out.
Optional: 1 pair of fancier black pants and sparkly top with appropriate shoes for formal night.

Expedition cruisers might consider bringing a heavier jacket, but check with your cruise line, first. Many small ship luxury expeditions provide a jacket to passengers.

Of course you’ll need room in luggage to bring it home. Alan and I always forget that part, which is why you’ll see us wearing ours through the airport.

Don’t forget these must-have items for an Alaska cruise

Bathing suit for the hot tub, yes you’ll enjoy a soak while admiring the scenery. You’ll probably want to pack a coverup, or wear a t-shirt over your suit that can double as a workout top.
Flip-flops or sandals for walking to and from the hot tub (or pool). Make them cute enough to double as daywear or nightwear shoes, especially if the weather surprises you with a warm spell.
Baseball hat or sun hat for lounging on deck, on your balcony, or on a sunny wildlife watching excursion.
1 pair pajamas. I cheat here by wearing a t-shirt and shorts that I can also use in the gym. If they become sweaty, hand wash with TSA-approved laundry packets. Using the ship’s laundromat is another option, if your ship has one. That’s Alan’s job.
Sunscreen to protect your skin from bright sun reflecting off snow.
Insecticide repellent towelettes for those pesky gnats, flies and mosquitos.
And don’t forget your underwear. I’m leaving the amount and type up to you.

If you’re worried about sweaty clothing or spilling food on clothing, bring a package of laundry packets for hand washing clothes. That’s what I do. Of course that means the clothing that you bring should wash easily by hand, dry quickly and require no ironing.

If you’re cruising on an Alaska expedition ship, reduce this list by one pair of pants and 2 tops. The relaxed style of expedition cruising means you will wear less. Some adventure cruises are so busy that you’ll find yourself wearing safari pants and a top to dinner because there isn’t time to change clothes.

Alaska cruise shopping list

Is your Alaska cruise coming up quickly? This Amazon shopping list makes it easy for you to purchase what you need all in one place. Happy shopping!

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

And there you have it. As you can see, deciding what to wear on an Alaskan cruise doesn’t have to be complicated. This is one trip where you’ll be happy that you packed light.

Don’t know what to pack for an Alaska Cruise? Our Alaska Cruise Packing List to the rescue!

What to wear on a cruise to Alaska?

What to pack for a 2-week Alaska cruise

Daywear for Alaska