Alaska in August

[tiredmomofboys]

This will be our first trip to Alaska.  We are sailing from Seattle on Ovation of the Sea, up past the glacier.  Do we need to bring cold-weather clothing, as we are whale watching while in Juneau.  Any tips and/or tricks are greatly appreciated!!

[reallyitsmema]

1 hour ago, tiredmomofboys said:

This will be our first trip to Alaska.  We are sailing from Seattle on Ovation of the Sea, up past the glacier.  Do we need to bring cold-weather clothing, as we are whale watching while in Juneau.  Any tips and/or tricks are greatly appreciated!!

 

Layers are the best bet.  We have sailed Alaska in May a few times and have had warm port days that we could wear shorts but cooler visits to glaciers that we had long pants, long sleeved shirt, fleece 3/4 zip and a waterproof shell on.  Others were dressed for the arctic with heavy coats.  You could end up with rain, so a waterproof, not water resistant, outer layer can make a difference between a miserable excursion and one that is wet but tolerable.

[vswan]

Sailed early August last year and had to look for a sweatshirt and sweatpants for my grandson at our first stop. He packed for himself, oh and we needed to find a belt at another stop. I brought the rain poncho for him and it was needed. I've sailed Alaska in May, July and August. Have worn a coat of some type on all. Agree, do not forget a rain proof layer. The inexpensive ponchos actually  work quite well - hood, long to cover a lot and roomy for over anything you want to carry and keep dry.

[Cherful59]

2 hours ago, tiredmomofboys said:

This will be our first trip to Alaska.  We are sailing from Seattle on Ovation of the Sea, up past the glacier.  Do we need to bring cold-weather clothing, as we are whale watching while in Juneau.  Any tips and/or tricks are greatly appreciated!!

I agree with all of the above.  Packing layers and wet gear like a water proof inexpensive poncho is essential. Several pairs of shoes unless you have waterproof so a pair can dry out and you have another to wear.  I sailed last August 18th and had great weather ( I was very lucky).  A few time I just wore my T or my Jersey shirt, but for a good part of the time I wore a light long sleeved thermal shirt, with a t-shirt over it and was comfortable. By Hubbard glacier, I had on a long sleeved light thermal, t-shirt, Royal Jersey and a down vest and a hat.   I was out for quite a while in front of the ship and on the sides of Radiance and I was comfortable.   Had the same when I went whale watching in Icy Strait but had one of the layers plus the water proof poncho in my day pack.

 

I don't like to be cold.  I use a day pack to carry additional layers if removed, or put on if I was cold.

 

Keep in mind, because you wear layers, you will wear some of the cloths multiple times (for me it was my t-shirts and Jersey shirts.  I had 2 of the long sleeved thermals, and washed out the armpits and hung to dry, while I was wearing the other, so you might not need as many as you might think.  There are some very good Alaska packing videos on utube.  I watched several different people and picked out what I thought would worked for me.

 

Alaska is awesome, enjoy your cruise!