What to wear in Alaska

[jonyboy]

We are soon leaving on our first cruise, the 11 day land/sea denali trip on HAL. I've seen so much conflicting information on this and other sites regarding dress I'm hoping to get the details here. I'm curious about how to dress aboard ship. First, the casino, deck, lido etc. Not so much the level of dress, but what is the temperature on board? Long pants and fleece? Short sleeves and shorts? Also, how dressy or not dressy for dinner? I won't wear jeans or anything like that for dinner but was not planning on a suit or jacket and tie either. Khakis and oxford shirt ok?

[jkrislc]

I'd wear lots and lots of denim. ;)

 

Seriously, just follow the stated dress code and you'll be fine. I traditionally wear long pants in Alaska even though it can get warm in the afternoons; this is where dressing in layers is really beneficial. I have needed a fleece jacket at docking and then found myself playing in the snow with my son at the top of Mt. Roberts in a t-shirt as it was that warm. However, it does take time to warm up and the mornings can be quite cool.

 

I'm usually fine within the ship without an outer layer and only need one when the ship is in motion and we're walking outside. However, my wife has a tendency to get cold because of the A/C, so she always carries something with her to wear when she gets cold inside the ship.

 

Jeans are acceptable for dinner as long as they are not distressed or full of holes. I personally go with khakis and a polo or a button-up shirt. I'll add a tie on "formal/gala" night. I'm happy to leave the jacket at home, which I wasn't able to do the last time I cruised with Holland America as a jacket used to be required.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You will see very few people wearing shorts during the day time on the ship.

Pack only 1 pair of bermudas each just in case there is a warm day ashore.

Slacks and a collared shirt is fine for the smart casual evenings as well as the gala nights -- everywhere on the ship -- even in the specialty restaurants.

[fishin' musician]

The last 3 times I've been there it was in the 80s and I lived shorts both on and off the ship.

[lenquixote66]

We are soon leaving on our first cruise, the 11 day land/sea denali trip on HAL. I've seen so much conflicting information on this and other sites regarding dress I'm hoping to get the details here. I'm curious about how to dress aboard ship. First, the casino, deck, lido etc. Not so much the level of dress, but what is the temperature on board? Long pants and fleece? Short sleeves and shorts? Also, how dressy or not dressy for dinner? I won't wear jeans or anything like that for dinner but was not planning on a suit or jacket and tie either. Khakis and oxford shirt ok?

 

We did a land/cruise in Alaska in the month of May.We brought winter clothing and temperatures were close to 80 .

[bluegiraffe]

We did a land/cruise in Alaska in the month of May.We brought winter clothing and temperatures were close to 80 .

 

We've been lucky enough to have weather in the 70s in May; this May it was cold (40s and low 50s) and rainy/foggy in most of our ports. Prepare for anything by bringing layers. T-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, fleece, jacket.

[jonyboy]

Thanks for all the input. We are from New England so the temperature isn't an issue but all advice is very helpful

[catl331]

Agree with layered outfit. First trip we had rain until we left Victoria going back to Seattle. Once you get a pair of shoes wet, they stay that way. It was July and a friend who was there the week before got a nice sun tan. Next trip included Fairbanks and Denali in Sept. It snowed at the Nat. Park. Rained in Juneau Good thing though all tourist goodies, even wool clothes and socks were 75% off. Bad news: we live in FL. Be prepared for everything. Still had a good time!

[alwaysfrantic]

Take a little of everything. You will be fine onboard. Heat/AC keep things comfortable. As someone said just follow the dinner dress guidelines and that will be fine. On land, we had 80+, hot and sunny in Fairbanks and Denali. Rest of the trip was cold, wet, and COLD. I had thrown in a lightweight packable down with a hood and was so glad I had. I paired that with a rain coat as a shell. I wore the hat people said I wouldn't need. Wore the gloves people were skeptical of. Was very glad I had the shorts and tee shirts people thought I wouldn't need when we were inland.

[jonyboy]

Take a little of everything. You will be fine onboard. Heat/AC keep things comfortable. As someone said just follow the dinner dress guidelines and that will be fine. On land, we had 80+, hot and sunny in Fairbanks and Denali. Rest of the trip was cold, wet, and COLD. I had thrown in a lightweight packable down with a hood and was so glad I had. I paired that with a rain coat as a shell. I wore the hat people said I wouldn't need. Wore the gloves people were skeptical of. Was very glad I had the shorts and tee shirts people thought I wouldn't need when we were inland.

 

Keyword being little. I think we'll take full advantage of unlimited laundry

[JimnKaren]

There is heat on the ship, don't worry about that.

What you might want to do is to check the 10-day forecast for several of the cities. You'll get a good idea of what might be in store on shore.

 

There are some folks, generally who live in the south, who wear shorts most of the days on a ship no matter the outside temperature.

 

 

 

Jim

[OlsSalt]

Agree with layered outfit. First trip we had rain until we left Victoria going back to Seattle. Once you get a pair of shoes wet, they stay that way. .......!

 

One way I used the poster-recommended "rare earth magnetic hooks" on our last Alaska cruise - I attached them to the metal ceiling panel near the ventilation output panel and hung my damp (not soaking wet) hiking boots closer to the cabin airflow - did the job in short order.

 

That very helpful poster explained the "pull weight" hanging things off these magnets is a lot stronger, than trying to use magnets to post things against a flat wall.

[Cruizer Bill]

Bring lots of layers including a waterproof shell, hat and shoes. Bring a fleece or heavy shirt to go under your light waterproof jacket.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

It might be warm bring shorts ..

[shadow8800]

Layers was the best advice I got. As it warms up you can take off top layers or if it remains cold you are all set. Wind breaker and hat/beanie was a good idea we used this on our balcony when we were scenic cruising through Tracy Arm.

 

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[panoramaofthepast]

Temps in Alaska can vary from the 30s to the 80s F, so it does make packing a challenge. We have taken four Alaska cruises - here's some suggestions:

- have a raincoat or rain poncho and an umbrella. It rains a lot in Alaska, especially in Ketchikan. The cheap, throw away ponchos have the advantage of not taking up much space!

- think layers - a t-shirt, a sweater or sweatshirt, a jacket. That way you can add or subtract as necessary.

- jeans are very "in" in Alaska. Many cruise lines stay in port later because of the long days, so dinner becomes "my time" dining universally on those nights. I don't know how HAL does it, however.

- Alaskan cruises tend to be the most casual we have taken, if that helps.

- If you are doing anything on the water [like whale watching] or glaciers, dress warmly. Throw in a pair of gloves and a hat - you just never know. I have a sweater and a denim shirt I bought on separate trips because the temps dropped when I was out on an excursion!!

 

Enjoy your cruise. Alaska is gorgeous.

SueB

[Kate45]

Just got back 2days ago from this exact cruise/tour. You are going to love it! We didn't take any fancy clothes and were fine. All inside parts of the ship were fine for temps, but I took a sweater/shawl with me just in case-used it most nights but that's just me. Temps in morning were cool but by afternoon all that was needed was a tshirt. I didn't take shorts and didn't miss them, but there were a lot of shorts worn both on and off the ship. We lucked out last week however with weather. Only day of a few showers was in Ketchican. Any questions, just ask. I'll try to write a review next week.

[curtdesilets]

The last 3 times I've been there it was in the 80s and I lived shorts both on and off the ship.

 

That is super rare' date=' if not impossible. Definitely not all 7 days of a cruise 3 times in a row.

 

Here are Juneau averages June 62H 48L, July 63H 51L, August 63H 50L, Sept 57H 45L.

 

Nice Try Sherlock. ;>)

[SnowBird Cruzer]

Layers are the key, but so are your excursions. 5 yrs ago in Juneau it was rainy so jeans and a raincoat. Skagway was beautiful and sunny, but we were on a hike to a glacier, so we had layers and long waterproof hiking pants. I didn't need the hooded sweatshirt till we were on the glacier.

Ketchikan was mostly nice and so we had shirts on. In the Tracy Arm fjord, I'm wearing my sweatshirt cuz those I've covered Waters had a cool breeze.

 

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[jonyboy]

One way I used the poster-recommended "rare earth magnetic hooks" on our last Alaska cruise - I attached them to the metal ceiling panel near the ventilation output panel and hung my damp (not soaking wet) hiking boots closer to the cabin airflow - did the job in short order.

 

That very helpful poster explained the "pull weight" hanging things off these magnets is a lot stronger, than trying to use magnets to post things against a flat wall.

 

Where to get them? I've found the rare earth magnets but not with hooks. I've found magnets with hooks but they are not rare earth. You've convinced me they're a good idea

[unclerich]

Where to get them? I've found the rare earth magnets but not with hooks. I've found magnets with hooks but they are not rare earth. You've convinced me they're a good idea

 

Item B was recommended by a previous poster

 

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=73796&cat=1,43326

 

Richard

[Fouremco]

Where to get them? I've found the rare earth magnets but not with hooks. I've found magnets with hooks but they are not rare earth. You've convinced me they're a good idea

This is where I get mine: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=73796&cat=1,43326

 

I use the 24 lb pull strength version and I've been very happy with them.

 

Edited to add: Sorry unclerich, I posted before seeing your reply.

[OlsSalt]

Where to get them? I've found the rare earth magnets but not with hooks. I've found magnets with hooks but they are not rare earth. You've convinced me they're a good idea

 

I did a google search and found a mail order company "rare earth magnets" - they were around 3 for US$5.00 for the smallest size. Sorry, I can't remember the company. I plan on getting some larger ones too. I don't know the magic behind them being "rare earth" and hope that first poster who put me on to them will come back to (1) take a bow and (2) explain this a bit more. When you both near and feel the "suck" of these magnets when you get them near the cabin ceiling panels, you know right away they are going to be up there for life.

[Fouremco]

I did a google search and found a mail order company "rare earth magnets" - they were around 3 for US$5.00 for the smallest size. Sorry, I can't remember the company. I plan on getting some larger ones too. I don't know the magic behind them being "rare earth" and hope that first poster who put me on to them will come back to (1) take a bow and (2) explain this a bit more. When you both near and feel the "suck" of these magnets when you get them near the cabin ceiling panels, you know right away they are going to be up there for life.

I'm glad to hear that they worked out well for you. As I said in my original post, I've used them for a number of years and wouldn't travel now without them.

 

Although the components of "rare-earth" aren't actually that rare, their properties enable the generation of a strong magnetic field with an accompanying high level of resistance to demagnetization.This allows rare-earth magnets to be smaller than other magnets with the same strength. If you want a better understanding, let Google be your friend. :)

[jonyboy]

Thanks all