First cruise, first time in Alaska!

[gregma60]

On 7/14/2023 at 10:46 AM, SoloAlaska said:

The biggest thing I can say is make sure your backpack is waterproof. Not water resistant or using a cover. Rain or shine I am not missing out and my water resistant backpack with a cover on it got soaked during my excursions last year in Alaska. If you don’t have a waterproof backpack then use dry bags or big ziplocks to keep the contents safe.

 

The 25lb magnetic hooks were plenty in my experience. I hung my empty backpack to dry (it’s lightweight) or my raincoat etc. The bathroom door on my ship had a hook which I put my toiletry bag on. Hanging things off the ceiling works really well with the magnetic hooks as well. 
 

I got changed every evening for dinner and had a small and medium roller with a backpack. Hiking boots(I did some serious hiking on the trip), casual flats (like light sneakers) for around the ship, dress shoes (for dressing up for dinner), and flip flops or crocs for going to the pool was just the right amount of shoes. My mom is joining me on my next cruise and she needs one less pair of shoes because her around the ship and dress shoes will just be a nice pair of flats since she doesn’t wear heels.

 

Hmmm, going to have to check our backpacks.  They may not be waterproof...

 

Well, even the 150 pound hooks couldn't hold 4 pounds on our fridge, but it is a very thin piece of metal.  Maybe the thicker ship walls will hold them better.  Fingers crossed.  Can always use two.

 

Sounds exactly what we are talking.  Hiking wear for excursions, casual slipons for around the ship, and crocks for on deck, around the room, spa, etc.

[Mum2Mercury]

How exciting!  I'm sure you'll have a great anniversary trip.  Many thoughts: 

 

- You say your trip was a bit more expensive than Jamaica.  By the time you add in excursions, which are pricey in Alaska, it'll be a good bit more.  I'm sure it'll be worth it, but go in with your eyes open. 

- We aren't big on bringing "extras", but we love our magnetic hooks (and clamps), as they keep things "picked up" and make a small cabin more pleasant.  Ours came from Amazon, and I don't know their "strength", but they work.  We typically hold up:  our schedule, any paperwork from the ship, hats, wet items that need to dry.  

- All the walls and doors in your cabin will be metal, so you can use the hooks anywhere.  

- Why are you thinking of running an extension cord to the bed?  Bring a battery-powered alarm clock ... or schedule a wake-up call on your cabin phone ... or order room service coffee as a wake-up.  Charge your phone on the desk.  

- Most of the ships I've sailed have two big, built-in hooks behind the door.  We use those for our backpacks.  Watch You Tube videos and see if this is true of your cabin.  

- Arriving a day ahead is absolutely essential.  Good choice. 

- I know the timetable for boarding doesn't necessarily make sense to a first-timer:  You'll wake at your hotel, eat breakfast, and shuttle on over to the ship.  Sail-away may not be until 4:30, but you'll be allowed onboard 11:00ish (?).  The process of dropping off your luggage, going through security will take 30-60 minutes.  Once onboard, you'll be able to walk around, get your bearings, and have lunch ... you'll get into your room 1:30-2:00ish (?) ... and you'll want to be out on deck (or on your private balcony) as the ship pulls away from port at 4:30.  Now that you have a general understanding, you should call your cruise line and ask about specific times.  Knowledge is power.  

- Call your hotel and ask about the shuttle.  You might need to reserve seats, and -- if so -- you want the earliest time.  You want to board the ship as soon as possible!  

- Your original packing plan is waaay overblown, but others have discussed layering and clothing, and I think you're on the road to a good plan.  Make the goal one suitcase each + 1 daypack each (not a big backpack) ... if you're buying something new, consider the Osprey Daylight series.  My husband and I could do this in a small-to-medium suitcase each ... since you're planning to dress more for dinner /bringing a blazer, you might need one medium and one large suitcase.  Do not opt for those steamer-trunk sized suitcases ... you have to store that thing (and all the clothes that come in it!) in a small stateroom.

- The daypack you carry on at boarding should contain your ID, boarding pass, cash and cards, medicines, electronics, and jewelry.  Don't weigh yourself down with more.  If you arrive early at the port and turn your suitcase in early, it will be waiting in your hallway by the time your rooms open.    

- This daypack should also work for your shore stops.  You don't need to bring much, as you'll only be off the ship a few hours:  your ID, cash and cards, emergency items like aspirin and band-aids, your phone, and maybe a water bottle and snack.  

- Think about how you can wear things more than once.  A couple pair of jeans + multiple tee-shirts + multiple sweatshirts /sweaters + one thin, waterproof outer jacket.  Wear a new tee each day, top it with a once-worn sweatshirt.  

- Bring hats you can wear ashore.  Maybe gloves, depending upon your time of year.  

- Go to Pinterest and check out the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method.  

- Shoes are a make-or-break item.  Good shoes are going to be essential to your Alaskan excursions.  I try to limit myself to three pairs of shoes /no two pairs in the same category.  You each need a good pair of basic, water-resistant walking shoes for excursions ... one pair should work, as you'll probably be wearing jeans (or similar) ashore every day.  Bring a pair of comfortable tennis shoes (I'd want slip-ons like Vans) to wear around the ship.  Your wife will want a pair of dressy shoes for dinner (I like wedges onboard, as they're easier to walk in) and hopefully you can use your walking shoes for dinner too.  And I'd bring a pair of leather-bottom sock-slippers, which would take no space in the suitcase, for the room.  Think basic shoes that can work with everything you bring.  

- You might be thinking about blankets you could use to wrap up on the balcony (or the promenade deck) to watch the scenery go by.  Don't pack these; instead, ask your cabin steward.  

 

Edited July 21, 2023 by Mum2Mercury

[gregma60]

33 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

- You say your trip was a bit more expensive than Jamaica.  By the time you add in excursions, which are pricey in Alaska, it'll be a good bit more.  I'm sure it'll be worth it, but go in with your eyes open. 

Well, we also do things when we are in Jamaica, or the Bahamas, or anywhere Sandals goes, so I consider that a wash.  The comparison is only for the resort vs the ship minus excursions.

 

34 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

- We aren't big on bringing "extras", but we love our magnetic hooks (and clamps), as they keep things "picked up" and make a small cabin more pleasant.  Ours came from Amazon, and I don't know their "strength", but they work.  We typically hold up:  our schedule, any paperwork from the ship, hats, wet items that need to dry.  

We definitely have the hooks!  Strongest we could find at Amazon!

 

35 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

- Why are you thinking of running an extension cord to the bed?  Bring a battery-powered alarm clock ... or schedule a wake-up call on your cabin phone ... or order room service coffee as a wake-up.  Charge your phone on the desk.  

The extension cord is for our CPAP's only. 

 

3 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

- I know the timetable for boarding doesn't necessarily make sense to a first-timer:  You'll wake at your hotel, eat breakfast, and shuttle on over to the ship.  Sail-away may not be until 4:30, but you'll be allowed onboard 11:00ish (?). 

We are actually staying at the Pan Pacific hotel.  Haven't gotten confirmation from anyone, but supposedly we are met in our room or something and someone escorts us throughout the process of getting from the hotel, to the ship and through the process?

 

3 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

- Think about how you can wear things more than once.  A couple pair of jeans + multiple tee-shirts + multiple sweatshirts /sweaters + one thin, waterproof outer jacket.  Wear a new tee each day, top it with a once-worn sweatshirt.  

We are paring down.  Since the neptune suite gets free laundry, we have decided to cut down to one thing wearing, one things for the next day, one thing as backup, two things in the laundry.

 

Thank you so much for all the wonderful suggestions and ideas!!!

 

-gregma

[Mum2Mercury]

On 7/21/2023 at 3:51 PM, gregma60 said:

Well, we also do things when we are in Jamaica, or the Bahamas, or anywhere Sandals goes, so I consider that a wash.  The comparison is only for the resort vs the ship minus excursions.

Yeah, but have you looked at the prices of Alaskan excursions?  They're considerably higher than Caribbean excursions -- many are $300-500 per person.  You're forewarned.  

On 7/21/2023 at 3:51 PM, gregma60 said:

We are actually staying at the Pan Pacific hotel.  Haven't gotten confirmation from anyone, but supposedly we are met in our room or something and someone escorts us throughout the process of getting from the hotel, to the ship and through the process?

I don't know the hotel, but it'd be wise to call and verify exactly how this works /whether you need to make a reservation for the shuttle. 

"The process" isn't much -- don't expect anyone to hold your hand through it.  First you'll need to turn in your suitcase; then you'll show your boarding pass, your ID, have your carry-on x-rayed, and you'll be allowed on the ship.  

[Essiesmom]

At the Pan Pacific the bellmen will pick up your checked bags at your room and you will next see them on the ship.  Then you go down and check out and they will direct you to the elevators down to the check in area.  It’s all right in the building.  EM

[CoW mAn]

It sounds like you may be over-packing on the cold weather clothes a little. In August a full-zip fleece will probably be sufficient most of the time

 

 

[gregma60]

34 minutes ago, CoW mAn said:

It sounds like you may be over-packing on the cold weather clothes a little. In August a full-zip fleece will probably be sufficient most of the time

 

I think we have pared down.  We are basically down to a very light waterproof "shell" weighs nothing and compacts down to next to nothing, then a long sleep zipup fleece type jacket, again, very lightweight.  Nothing more really.  Long sleeved shirt and a scarf for my wife.  Gloves.

 

-gregma

[MobiusHky]

3 minutes ago, gregma60 said:

I think we have pared down.  We are basically down to a very light waterproof "shell" weighs nothing and compacts down to next to nothing, then a long sleep zipup fleece type jacket, again, very lightweight.  Nothing more really.  Long sleeved shirt and a scarf for my wife.  Gloves.

 

-gregma

Layers are the right choice.  Best part is that you can remove layers if you get too hot.  It's been a cooler summer this year for a lot of places in Alaska.  We barely even hit 75 and that was only for a day or two.  The inside passage is sticking to script and is wet and cool.  Roughly 50-60 and raining.  So that waterproof shell is probably going to be used.