Alaska cruise packing list
- Alaska cruise weather changes hour by hour — layers beat one heavy coat.
- July and August are peak season: long daylight and milder ports, but glaciers and fjords stay cold and wet.
- Formal nights still happen; pack one dressy outfit even on adventure sailings.
What you’ll likely need
A quick peek at must-bring and strongly suggested items for this trip. Your full checklist with checkboxes appears in a moment.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light jacket / layer
- Packable rain jacket
- Pants / shorts
- Socks
- T-shirts / tops
- Thermal base layers
- Underwear
- Warm gloves
- Warm hat / beanie
- Review cruise line dress code
- Small day bag for port days
- Credit / debit cards
- Cruise boarding pass
- Driver's license / ID
- Flight / booking confirmations
- Health insurance card
- Passport
- Passport (even closed-loop)
- Shore excursion tickets
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Meds in original containers
- Prescription medications
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen SPF 30+
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (travel size)
- TSA liquids bag (100ml)
- Day backpack
- Packing cubes
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable embarkation day outfit
- Disembarkation day outfit (keep accessible)
- Formal outfit
- Light rain poncho (tropical cruise)
- Sandals / flip-flops
- Sleepwear
- Swimsuit
- Warm jacket / coat
- Waterproof pants
- Beach towel (pool deck)
- Cocktail dress / suit
- Cruise lanyard with card holder
- Dress shoes for formal night
- Plan 1–2 formal outfits
- Waterproof phone pouch
Tips for this trip
- Inside passage days can feel mild on deck but cold in fjords — bring a packable down layer.
- Rubber-soled waterproof shoes matter more than fashion boots on wet gangways.
- August can bring more rain than July in some ports — a light shell still earns its space.
More cruise packing lists guides on our cruise packing lists hub , or use the full packing tool
Common questions
What should I pack for an Alaska cruise in July? +
July is peak season — pack waterproof shell, fleece layers, gloves, and rubber-soled shoes for wet gangways. Mornings on deck can be cool even when ports feel mild. Binoculars help on glacier days.
What should I pack for an Alaska cruise in August? +
August packing is close to July: waterproof shell, warm mid-layers, and sturdy shoes. Expect similar cool decks and possible rain — keep a dry bag for phone and camera on shore days.
Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise? +
Yes for most sailings, especially if your itinerary includes a foreign port. Even closed-loop cruises may require ID for certain shore excursions.
What should I wear on formal night? +
Most Alaska cruises still have 1–2 formal nights. A cocktail dress or collared shirt with slacks is enough — full black-tie is rare.
Can I use this list as a printable PDF? +
Yes. Build your list above, check off items, then click Print / Save as PDF for a printable packing list.
What should I pack for an Alaska cruise with kids? +
Layers for cold decks, waterproof shoes, formal night outfits for kids, motion sickness remedies, and entertainment for sea days. Turn on Traveling with kids in the list — car seats apply only if you are driving to port.