What To Wear On An Alaska Cruise

Taking an Alaska cruise is different from cruising to the Bahamas. For one thing the weather on an Alaskan cruise is different from that of the Bahamas. Also when cruising to the Bahamas there is for the most part nothing to look out at other than sky and water. When taking an Alaska cruise on the other hand, there is so much to see. Things such as awe inspiring glaciers, snow covered mountains and the wildlife that you can see from your ship is that of pure nature in an all natural habitat.

It is that scenery that will have you out on deck straining to see a Grizzly bear on the shore hunting for salmon or a humpback whale coming up for air. As the scenery and wildlife are ever changing you may not want to miss a moment of it by being inside.

Now that you know where you will be spending a great deal of your Alaska cruise, you need to look at what type of attire is appropriate for an Alaskan cruise. You may cruise Alaska at anytime year round but the most appropriate times depending on your type of cruise is from April to early September. During these times the weather in Alaska runs from a low of around 40 degrees to a high of around 75 degrees. The climate in Alaska is ever changing so one must be prepared for anything. Dress in winter layers when on deck and out on a shore excursion and take off and add back on clothing as needed to keep you comfortable in the temperature that you are in at the moment. These items include t-shirts, long sleeve shirts and a wind breaker. A winter coat may be needed depending on if you are cruising during normal cruising season or if you are cruising during the winter. Some shore excursions may take you into arctic areas so make sure to have thermal pants on under your jeans or trousers. Heavy socks and hiking boots will be appropriate for these types of excursions.

During your cruise of course you will need the appropriate cruise attire. Most cruise lines have a formal night on at least one night of your Alaska cruise and formal attire will be required. For men this usually means a suit and tie or tuxedo and for the ladies this means a cocktail dress or evening gown. Women may also wear an appropriate pantsuit during formal nights.

As with other times the dress is usually kept to a resort type of casual. Resort casual includes attire such as a sports shirt and slacks, dresses and skirts and pantsuits. Most cruise lines forbid t-shirts, shorts and swimsuits in the dining room. Since most cruise lines have indoor pools that are heated a swimsuit should be brought along so that you can enjoy a swim in the pool.

Just remember that despite the temperature at that moment, the weather in Alaska can change at any moment. So apply your clothes when on deck and on shore excursions in layers so that you are always comfortable and ready for any climate change.