Get ready for your Alaska cruise in late spring and early summer. This article includes every outfit tip and packing advice you should know.
Jump directly to your cruise month (table of contents):
đĄ If you are planning a cruise during a different month, read our Alaska Cruise Outfit Guide for May, June, July, August, and September with tips for every cruise month.
Keep reading to discover how our expert tips and outfit ideas will make your Alaskan cruise not only breathtaking but comfortable and fashionable too:
May Outfits | Packing List Overview
On an Alaska cruise, layered outfits are required, in particular in May. You wear warm waterproof outer layers, middle layers like a sweater or a hoodie, additional light layers like long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts, and long underwear.
Additionally, pack jeans, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella.
May | Essential Packing Tips
Before we provide detailed packing tips for May, letâs give you an overview of what you should bring on your Alaska cruise in general.
The key is to wear layers and waterproof or water-resistant clothing items. Outfits like fleece jackets, sweaters, hoodies, and thermal layers keep you warm on colder days. On warmer days, t-shirts and pants or jeans are appropriate.
Layers
Youâve probably heard the saying, âif you donât like the weather here, just wait five minutes.â Well, they were talking about Alaska!
Alaska’s weather can change quickly, so be prepared. As the temperature fluctuates, layering lets you adjust your comfort.
Most first-time passengers make the mistake of not packing enough layers, especially for May. Even later in July and August, layering is crucial as it can get chilly.
Wear lightweight, long underwear or leggings. Depending on the temps, insulate with a fleece or sweater, then cover with a rain jacket. This combination will keep you warm and dry.
Women’s Outer Layer/Jacket Tips
Good to know: Every port sells fleece-lined, waterproof jackets in case you didnât bring warm enough outer layers. These also make great souvenirs as they are usually reasonably priced.
Every time we went on a cruise, we were glad to have layers of clothing, as we could easily remove or add layers as needed when temps changed.
Women’s Outer Layer Lightweight Alternative Tips
- MATERIAL: 100% Polyester Waterproof Material With Striped Cotton Lined, Breathable, Soft Touch, Windproof, Easy To...
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: Columbia Women's Arcadia II Jacket features our signature, air-permeable protection thatâs...
- Waterproof and Sturdy Material:The rain poncho is made of 210T ripstop polyester + TPU coating, this rain poncho is...
If you pack warm enough middle layers (fleece jackets and hoodies) and base layers (t-shirts, long sleeves), you may use a more lightweight outer layer, like a raincoat, instead of a warm jacket (see above).
Women’s Middle Layer Tips
- SOFT FABRIC: This Columbia Women's Benton Springs Full Zip fleece is crafted of soft 100% polyester MTR filament...
- SOFT FABRIC: This Columbia Women's Benton Springs Full Zip fleece is crafted of soft 100% polyester MTR filament...
- WEARABLE WARMTH: With high-pile fleece and stand-up collar, you'll love to cozy up in this soft, fluffy jacket.
Fleece layers are essential. We always bring a fleece zip-up jacket and a zip-up hoodie.
Layering Example 1
- Fleece-Lined Hooded Rain Jacket (Amazon Link)
- Light Sweatshirt
- T-shirt
This is our favorite layering method for any Alaska cruise. The fleece-lined rain jacket keeps you warm and dry. The two base layers provide additional warmth and are often sufficient when the outer layer is removed.
For late May, this layering method without a heavy coat can be sufficient. However, it depends on your personal ‘thermostat’ and the weather conditions. Always check the forecast.
Layering Example 3: May/June and September
- Winter jacket/coat (Amazon Link/Budget Tip) or medium coat
- Light Sweatshirt
- T-shirt
If you get cold easily, the jacket should be a warm winter coat. Otherwise, you may also bring a medium puffer jacket or even go with our layering example one or two.
đĄ Sometimes, we brought a warm winter jacket in June or even later. However, most times, and for most people, our layering methods #1 and #2 keep you warm enough in the summer months.
Men’s Outer Layer/Jacket
On cooler days, we were thankful for our warm base layers and/or warm waterproof/water-resistant jackets, and on warmer days, we were able to shed layers and feel comfortable. We also found that comfortable and sturdy walking shoes were a must for the many excursions we participated in, from hiking to sightseeing.
Glacier Viewing
Keep in mind that it gets particularly cold when the ship gets close to a glacier. The viewing experience from the deck is just amazing, but the winds off the ice make the outside temp wintry cold. An insulated jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf are a good idea for this experience.
Rain Gear
Regardless of the month, itâs essential that you pack rain gear for your Alaska cruise. One of the mistakes many passengers make is not being prepared for rain during the cruise season. You will likely encounter rain in at least one of your ports or on a cruising day.
While you might experience heat waves during May, and no to little rain, you may also get rain on most days..
Itâs better to bring a jacket which is waterproof and not only water-resistant. However, a very good water-resistant jacket can do its job as well. Additionally, pack water-resistant or waterproof boots and a compact travel umbrella.
Water-Resistant Pants?
Most of the time, you are fine with a good waterproof jacket. Up until last year, we have never felt the need for any special type of waterproof pants or shoes. If it was mild or moderate rain, I typically still wore my jeans, unless I felt I’m going to get drenched.
That’s why we didn’t add special pants to the packing lists in this article.
However, we bought these, and now we love them on every cruise:
No products found.
They are super awesome and keep you warm and dry all the time. So, instead of a second pair of standard pants, we pack a pair of these water-resistant ones for cooler days with heavier rain.
Comfortable and Sturdy Shoes
- ăLightweight Hiking Shoes ăOUTJET womens hiking shoes are only 10.7 oz each. They are very light and can fully...
- OMNI-TECH: For prolonged exposure to moderate rain and snow. Multilayered, waterproof, seam-sealed construction...
- Stay Dry Outdoors: These women's waterproof hiking shoes provide 4 hours of protection, ensuring your feet remain...
Many Alaska cruise excursions involve uneven terrain, so comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are important. However, we never needed hiking shoes.
Sneakers/trainers, sandals, boat shoes, and other casual footwear are appropriate for onboard activities.
đĄ Tip: The best thing you can do is bring comfortable, waterproof sneakers that are sturdy enough (see our tips above from Amazon). You can use these onboard and during excursions, saving you packing space!
Dress for Dinner
Most cruise lines do not require dinner attire and you can wear jeans and a t-shirt. However, some cruise lines have formal nights in the main dining room, so, pack cocktail dresses or slacks and a jacket.
That said, guests on Alaskan cruises typically don’t care too much about what they wear to dinner. Thus, we usually pack a nice outfit for dinner and shows. If youâre not a formal night person, donât sweat it. Just head to the buffet or another restaurant on board.
For dinner, ladies can bring nice blouses and skirts or pants, dresses, or jumpsuits. Jumpsuits are warm, comfortable, and easy to style for dinner.
Swimsuit and Cover-up
Alaskaâs waters are cold and not known for their beach breaks, but some cruise ships have heated pools and hot tubs. For swimming, pack your favorite swimsuit, flip flops, of course, and cover-up. You can check out big fluffy pool towels in the same area as the pool.
Good to know: Towels are being provided!
Accessories
Bring a hat, gloves, and scarf along with warm layered clothing. Even on cloudy days, sunglasses and sunscreen are necessary. And donât forget the umbrella â rain can pop up anytime.
More Packing Tips for May
May is the beginning of Alaska’s cruising season, and the weather can be quite chilly. Daytime temperatures are typically in the 50s Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), but they can drop into the 40s Fahrenheit (4-9 degrees Celsius) on cloudy days.
Good to know: The chance of rain on an Alaska cruise is minimal and at its lowest during this month. The upcoming summer months always have more rainfall than May.
Nights are even cooler, with temperatures in the mid to upper 30s Fahrenheit (1-3 degrees Celsius). You should be prepared for rain and fog, so bring a waterproof jacket, warm layers, and waterproof shoes for excursions.
Outfit and packing tips for May:
- Waterproof insulated outer layer like a medium puffer coat, or winter ski jacket if you get cold easily
- Middle layer like a sweater, hoodie, fleece/waterproof jacket/vest
- Light layers like long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts, long underwear or leggings
- Waterproof shoes or hiking boots for excursions
- Hat, scarf, gloves
- Slacks or jeans
- Swimsuit (for pool and hot tub)
- Hiking or mud boots
- Binoculars (for nature watching)
- Umbrella
Basic Packing List [for May-September]
Clothing
- Waterproof insulated outer layer like a light or medium puffer coat, or winter ski jacket if you get cold easily
- Middle layer like a sweater, hoodie, fleece/waterproof jacket/vest
- Light layers like long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts, long underwear or leggings
- Dressier outfits for dinner (optional)
- Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots: For excursions
- Comfortable shoes for onboard activities
- Swimsuit, cover-up, and sandals or flip flops to use on board
- Hat, gloves, and scarf for May or September cruises
- Brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Shorts (optional) for warm days
- Single-use handwarmers if you get cold easily
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Moisturizer and sunscreen
- Razor and shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Makeup and skincare products
- Prescription medication
- Over-the-counter medications (expensive to buy on board)
Electronics
- Camera or smartphone with a good camera
- Chargers for all electronics
- Portable charger or power bank
- Travel adapter
- Cruise-compliant power strip (not surge protector)
Other Items:
- Passport
- Travel-sized laundry detergent
- Travel-sized first aid kit
- Binoculars
- Travel umbrella
- Pre-booked port excursions
- Bathroom scent spray
- Travel clock (many ships donât have phone chargers near the bed)
- Nightlight for bathroom
- Magnetic hooks for the wall to hold items and papers
One of our favorite activities on the cruises is always whale watching. We were able to see humpback whales breaching and splashing in the water, and it was an unforgettable experience. Orcas are also common in the Pacific Northwest, so you have a good chance to see them nearby.
We were glad we brought binoculars to get a closer look at the wildlife and scenery. Many people think they donât need binoculars. Thatâs a big mistake!
Overall, our Alaskan cruises were a fantastic experience every time, and we felt well-prepared with our packing list and outfit choices. By following these tips and bringing the right items, you can enjoy your Alaskan cruise to the fullest and create lasting memories.
In conclusion, packing for an Alaskan cruise requires careful consideration of the weather, activities, and dress codes. By packing layers of warm and waterproof clothing, sturdy walking shoes, and dressier outfits for special events, you can be prepared for any situation.
Don’t forget to bring important accessories, such as a swimsuit, hat, gloves, and sunscreen, and other necessary items like toiletries and electronics.
June Weather
June is the ideal time to cruise in Alaska. The weather can approach 80°F (26°C) in the day, and the sun doesn’t set, it just drops to twilight from 11:30 PM until 4 AM. Although nights can get freezingly cold, you’ll spend evenings on board your warm and cozy cruise ship.
When being outside during nighttime, your hands can feel like icicles. That’s why bringing the right clothing items is crucial. More on that later.
The average daytime high for Juneau is 62°F (16°C), and the average nighttime low is 50°F (10°C).
Dress warmly for the day your ship sails up to a glacier. It can be bright and sunny, but cold winds can fly off the glacier, bringing a brisk chill.
Rain
Alaska Inside Passage cruises visit the state’s southeastern Panhandle, and it’s rich with rain forests.
During June on an Alaska cruise, it’s not uncommon to have a brief rainstorm sneak up on you or for the entire day to be foggy and overcast. However, the area still has its fair share of crystal-clear sunny days.
June Outfits | Packing List Overview
On an Alaska cruise, layered outfits are required, in particular in June. You wear warm waterproof outer layers, middle layers like a sweater or a hoodie, additional light layers like long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts, and long underwear.
Additionally, pack jeans, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella.
June Essential Packing Tips
Before we provide you with our detailed packing tips for June, here is an overview of the essentials of what you should bring on your Alaska cruise.
The key is to wear layers and waterproof or water-resistant clothing items. Outfits like fleece jackets, sweaters, hoodies, and thermal layers keep you warm on colder days. On warmer days, t-shirts and pants or jeans are appropriate.
Layers
Youâve probably heard the saying, âif you donât like the weather here, just wait five minutes.â Well, they were talking about Alaska!
Alaska’s weather can change quickly, so be prepared. As the temperature fluctuates, layering lets you adjust your comfort.
Most first-time passengers make the mistake of not packing enough layers.
Wear lightweight, long underwear or leggings. Depending on the month and temps, insulate with a fleece or sweater, then cover with a rain jacket. This combination will keep you warm and dry.
Women’s Outer Layer/Jacket Tips
Good to know: Every port sells fleece-lined, waterproof jackets in case you didnât bring warm enough outer layers. These also make great souvenirs as they are usually reasonably priced.
Every time we went on a cruise, we were glad to have layers of clothing, as we could easily remove or add layers as needed when temps changed.
Women’s Outer Layer Lightweight Alternative Tips
- MATERIAL: 100% Polyester Waterproof Material With Striped Cotton Lined, Breathable, Soft Touch, Windproof, Easy To...
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: Columbia Women's Arcadia II Jacket features our signature, air-permeable protection thatâs...
- Waterproof and Sturdy Material:The rain poncho is made of 210T ripstop polyester + TPU coating, this rain poncho is...
If you pack warm enough middle layers (fleece jackets and hoodies) and base layers (t-shirts, long sleeves), you may use a more lightweight outer layer, like a raincoat, instead of a warm jacket (see above).
Women’s Middle Layer Tips
- SOFT FABRIC: This Columbia Women's Benton Springs Full Zip fleece is crafted of soft 100% polyester MTR filament...
- SOFT FABRIC: This Columbia Women's Benton Springs Full Zip fleece is crafted of soft 100% polyester MTR filament...
- WEARABLE WARMTH: With high-pile fleece and stand-up collar, you'll love to cozy up in this soft, fluffy jacket.
Fleece layers are essential. We always bring a fleece zip-up jacket and a zip-up hoodie.
Layering Example 1
- Light Raincoat (Amazon Link)
- Zip-up fleece jacket (Amazon Link)
- Light Sweatshirt
- T-shirt
Layering Example 2
- Fleece-Lined Hooded Rain Jacket (Amazon Link)
- Light Sweatshirt
- T-shirt
This is our favorite layering method for any Alaska cruise. The fleece-lined rain jacket keeps you warm and dry. The two base layers provide additional warmth and are often sufficient when the outer layer is removed.
Layering Example 3: May/June and September
- Winter jacket/coat (Amazon Link/Budget Tip) or medium coat
- Light Sweatshirt
- T-shirt
If you get cold easily, the jacket should be a warm winter coat. Otherwise, you may also bring a medium puffer jacket or even go with our layering example one or two.
đĄ Sometimes, we brought a warm winter jacket in June or even later. However, most times, and for most people, our layering methods #1 and #2 keep you warm enough in the summer months.
Men’s Outer Layer/Jacket
On cooler days in June, we were thankful for our warm base layers and/or warm waterproof/water-resistant jackets, and on warmer days, we were able to shed layers and feel comfortable.
We also found that comfortable and sturdy walking shoes were a must for the many excursions we participated in, from hiking to sightseeing.
Glacier Clothing
If you get close to a glacier on land or in the water, the air cools quickly. Although viewing the glacier from the helipad is just amazing, cutting winds can entice you back inside before youâre ready.
Expect close to freezing temperatures, and have an insulated jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf for this experience.
Comfortable and Sturdy Shoes
- ăLightweight Hiking Shoes ăOUTJET womens hiking shoes are only 10.7 oz each. They are very light and can fully...
- OMNI-TECH: For prolonged exposure to moderate rain and snow. Multilayered, waterproof, seam-sealed construction...
- Stay Dry Outdoors: These women's waterproof hiking shoes provide 4 hours of protection, ensuring your feet remain...
Many Alaska cruise excursions involve uneven terrain, so comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are important. However, we never needed hiking shoes.
Sneakers/trainers, sandals, boat shoes, and other casual footwear are appropriate for onboard activities.
đĄ Tip: The best thing you can do is bring comfortable, waterproof sneakers that are sturdy enough (see our tips above from Amazon). You can use these onboard and during excursions, saving you packing space!
Rain Gear
Even though June is one of the driest months, be prepared for rain.
Being unprepared for cold rain can make your Alaska trip miserable. Even if one day is hot, the next day or the next hour could be different.
Make sure you have a waterproof (not water-resistant) jacket, waterproof boots, and a compact umbrella.
Water-Resistant Pants?
Most of the time, you are fine with a good waterproof jacket. Up until last year, we have never felt the need for any special type of waterproof pants or shoes. If it was mild or moderate rain, I typically still wore my jeans, unless I felt I’m going to get drenched.
That’s why we didn’t add special pants to the packing lists in this article.
However, we bought these and were always supper happy with them:
- Stay cool, fresh and comfortable all day with our lightweight, breathable, water-resistant and quick-dry women's...
- Cargo pants women:skin-friendly, lightweight, quick dry, breathable, wrinkle-free, womens cargo pants features a...
They are super awesome and keep you warm and dry all the time. So, instead of a second pair of standard pants, we pack a pair of these water-resistant ones for cooler days with heavier rain.
Dress for Dinner
Most cruise lines do not require dinner attire and you can wear jeans and a t-shirt. However, some cruise lines have formal nights in the main dining room, so, pack cocktail dresses or slacks and a jacket.
That said, guests on Alaskan cruises typically don’t care too much about what they wear to dinner. Thus, we usually pack a nice outfit for dinner and shows. If youâre not a formal night person, donât sweat it. Just head to the buffet or another restaurant on board.
For dinner, ladies can bring nice blouses and skirts or pants, dresses, or jumpsuits. Jumpsuits are warm, comfortable, and easy to style for dinner.
Swimsuit and Cover-up
Alaskaâs waters are cold and not known for their beach breaks, but some cruise ships have heated pools and hot tubs. For swimming, pack your favorite swimsuit, flip flops, of course, and cover-up. You can check out big fluffy pool towels in the same area as the pool.
Good to know: Towels are being provided!
Accessories
Bring a hat, gloves, and scarf along with warm layered clothing. Even on cloudy days, sunglasses and sunscreen are necessary. And donât forget the umbrella â rain can pop up anytime.
June Packing Lists
June is one of the most popular months for Alaska cruising because the weather is more pleasant and the daylight lasts from 5 am to 11 pm. Daytime temperatures are typically in the mid to upper 60s Fahrenheit (16-20 degrees Celsius).
However, they can range from the 50s to the 70s Fahrenheit (10-21 degrees Celsius) depending on the location and day.
Although nights are shorter, they remain cool with temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit (4-9 degrees Celsius). June usually has dry and sunny weather, but sometimes rain or fog roll in, so bring a waterproof jacket and warm layers.
Basic clothing packing list:
- Outer layer: Waterproof insulated outer layer like a medium puffer coat or a winter jacket (if you get cold easily)
- Alternative outer layer (pack warm enough middle layers):Â waterproof raincoat or a waterproof fleece jacket
- Middle layers like a sweater, hoodie, vest, zip-up fleece jacket (our tip)
- Light layers like long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts, long underwear or leggings
- Slacks or jeans, optional shorts
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Hat, scarf, and gloves if you get cold easily
- Swimsuit (for pool and hot tub)
- Binoculars (for nature watching)
- Umbrella
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Moisturizer and sunscreen
- Razor and shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Makeup and skincare products
- Prescription medication
- Over-the-counter medications (expensive to buy on board)
Electronics
- Camera or smartphone with a good camera
- Chargers for all electronics
- Portable charger or power bank
- Travel adapter
- Cruise-compliant power strip (not surge protector)
Other Items:
- Passport
- Travel-sized laundry detergent
- Travel-sized first aid kit
- Binoculars
- Travel umbrella
- Pre-booked port excursions
- Bathroom scent spray
- Travel clock (many ships donât have phone chargers near the bed)
- Nightlight for bathroom
- Magnetic hooks for the wall to hold items and papers
One of our favorite activities on the cruises is always whale watching. We were able to see humpback whales breaching and splashing in the water, and it was an unforgettable experience. Orcas are also common in the Pacific Northwest, so you have a good chance to see them nearby.
We were glad we brought binoculars to get a closer look at the wildlife and scenery. Many people think they donât need binoculars. Thatâs a big mistake!
Overall, our Alaskan cruises were a fantastic experience every time, and we felt well-prepared with our packing list and outfit choices. By following these tips and bringing the right items, you can enjoy your Alaskan cruise to the fullest and create lasting memories.
In conclusion, packing for an Alaskan cruise requires careful consideration of the weather, activities, and dress codes. By packing layers of warm and waterproof clothing, sturdy walking shoes, and dressier outfits for special events, you can be prepared for any situation.
Don’t forget to bring important accessories, such as a swimsuit, hat, gloves, and sunscreen, and other necessary items like toiletries and electronics.