Alaska Cruise Packing Essentials: What to Bring for a Cruise Tour
- Renee Ward
- 12 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Packing for Alaska is a little different from packing for a typical cruise. On an Alaska cruise or cruise tour, you may be moving between airports, hotels, motorcoaches, trains, lodges, and the ship itself. You may also experience sunshine, mist, wind, chilly mornings, and warmer afternoons all in the same trip.
That is why I recommend packing with three goals in mind: layers, organization, and weather readiness.
Whether you are sailing the Inside Passage, exploring Denali before or after your cruise, or combining your trip with a land tour, these are some of my favorite travel essentials to help make the journey smoother.
Luggage and Organization Essentials
Apple AirTag
An Apple AirTag is one of those small travel items that can bring a lot of peace of mind. I like them for checked luggage, carry-ons, backpacks, and even camera bags.
For Alaska cruise tours, your luggage may be transferred between multiple points, especially if you are doing a land portion before or after the cruise. Having a tracker in your bag does not replace proper luggage tags, but it can help you keep tabs on where your belongings are along the way.
You will need an Apple device, such as an iPhone or iPad, to set up and use AirTags.
Small Tote Bags for Splitting Up Belongings
For cruise tours, I love the idea of packing a few lightweight tote bags or packable bags. These can be especially helpful when your main suitcase is being transferred separately, or when you want to keep certain items with you for a day of travel.
Use small totes to separate:
Medications and daily essentials
Rain gear
Camera gear or binoculars
Snacks
A change of clothes
Kids’ items
Laundry
Souvenirs
For Alaska specifically, I would choose totes that are lightweight, easy to fold, and preferably water-resistant. A zip-top tote is even better if you will be carrying it around on excursions or during unpredictable weather.
Shop here: Packable Tote Bags on AmazonWater-Resistant Tote Bag on Amazon Zip-Top Travel Tote on Amazon
Space Saver Bags
Roll-up compression bags can be very helpful for Alaska because you will likely be packing layers. Sweaters, fleece jackets, base layers, and casual clothing can take up a surprising amount of suitcase space.
I prefer the roll-up style because you do not need a vacuum. They are great for soft items like clothing, but I would avoid overpacking them so much that your suitcase becomes too heavy.
Shop here: Space Saver Bags on Amazon
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are one of my favorite ways to keep a suitcase organized, especially on trips with multiple stops. For an Alaska cruise tour, you can use one cube for cruise clothes, one for land tour clothes, one for undergarments, and one for outerwear or accessories.
They also make it easier to unpack quickly once you get to your stateroom.
Shop here: Packing Cubes on Amazon
Digital Luggage Scale
A digital luggage scale is a small item that can save you from expensive surprises at the airport. This is especially useful if you are flying to your embarkation city, bringing heavier layers, or returning home with souvenirs.
It is also helpful if you are trying to balance luggage between travelers.
Shop here: Digital Luggage Scale on Amazon
Alaska Weather Essentials
Packable Rain Jacket
Alaska weather can be unpredictable, and rain is always a possibility. A lightweight, packable rain jacket is one of the most important items to bring.
Look for something that is water-resistant or waterproof, breathable, and roomy enough to fit over layers. A hood is important, too, especially for excursions, glacier viewing days, or walking around ports.
Shop here: Packable Rain Jacket on Amazon Waterproof Rain Jacket on Amazon
Waterproof or Water-Resistant Pants
Not everyone thinks to bring rain pants, but they can be very useful for active excursions, wildlife viewing, fishing, kayaking, or walking in steady rain.
You may not need them every day, but if you are doing a more active Alaska itinerary, they can help keep you comfortable when the weather is damp.
Shop here: Waterproof Rain Pants on Amazon
Waterproof Shoe Covers or Water-Resistant Walking Shoes
Comfortable walking shoes are a must for Alaska. If your shoes are not waterproof, you may want to consider waterproof shoe covers or a good pair of water-resistant walking shoes.
You do not necessarily need heavy hiking boots for every Alaska cruise, but you do want shoes with good traction. Wet sidewalks, docks, trails, and ship decks can get slippery.
Shop here: Water-Resistant Walking Shoes on Amazon Waterproof Shoe Covers on Amazon
Lightweight Gloves and Warm Hat
Even in summer, mornings and evenings can feel chilly in Alaska, especially on deck while scenic cruising or viewing glaciers. A lightweight pair of gloves and a warm hat do not take up much space, but they can make a big difference.
These are also helpful for early morning excursions or wildlife viewing.
Shop here: Lightweight Gloves on Amazon Warm Beanie Hat on Amazon
Lightweight Scarf, Buff, or Neck Gaiter
A scarf, buff, or neck gaiter is another small item that can be surprisingly useful. It adds warmth without taking up much space and can help block wind on deck or during excursions.
Shop here: Travel Scarf or Neck Gaiter on Amazon
Cruise Stateroom Essentials
Magnetic Hooks
Most cruise ship cabin walls are metal, which makes magnetic hooks incredibly useful. You can use them to hang hats, lanyards, light jackets, bags, wet swimsuits, or daily schedules.
For Alaska, I especially like them for hanging rain jackets, hats, scarves, and tote bags so your cabin does not feel cluttered.
Choose strong magnetic hooks so they can hold more than just paper.
Shop here: Magnetic Cruise Hooks on Amazon
Magnetic Clips
Magnetic clips are another simple cruise item that can help keep your stateroom organized. Use them for excursion tickets, daily planners, invitations, notes, or reminders.
They are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to pack.
Shop here: Magnetic Clips on Amazon
Over-the-Door or Hanging Organizer
A hanging organizer can help keep small items from taking over the cabin counters. This can be especially helpful for families or anyone sharing a stateroom.
Use it for sunscreen, chargers, medications, hair accessories, toiletries, sunglasses, gloves, hats, and other easy-to-lose items.
Before packing one, check your cruise line’s rules, since some cruise lines have restrictions on over-the-door organizers or hooks. A hanging toiletry bag or closet organizer may be a better option.
Night Light or Motion-Sensor Light
Cruise cabins can get very dark at night, especially inside cabins. A small night light or motion-sensor light can help you move around without turning on bright lights and waking everyone up.
Choose one that is battery-operated or rechargeable.
Day Bag and Excursion Essentials
Collapsible Water Bottle
A collapsible water bottle is lightweight, space-saving, and easy to bring along on excursions. I personally like collapsible bottles because they tak
e up less room when empty.
My Vapur bottle has lasted for years without breaking or leaking, which is exactly the kind of travel item I appreciate.
Shop here: Collapsible Water Bottle on Amazon
Binoculars
Binoculars are especially useful in Alaska. You may spot whales, eagles, bears, mountain goats, sea otters, glaciers, waterfalls, and other scenery from the ship or during excursions.
You do not have to buy a professional pair, but a compact travel-friendly pair can make scenic cruising and wildlife viewing more enjoyable.
Shop here: Compact Travel Binoculars on Amazon
Waterproof Phone Pouch
A waterproof phone pouch can be handy for rainy port days, kayaking excursions, whale watching, or small-boat tours. It can also help protect your phone from splashes and mist.
Even if you never fully submerge your phone, having extra protection in wet weather is useful.
Shop here: Waterproof Phone Pouch on Amazon
Tech and Travel Comfort
Portable Phone Charger
Between taking photos, using maps, checking excursion details, and staying in touch with your travel party, your phone battery can drain quickly. A portable charger is one of my top travel essentials for almost any trip.
For Alaska, it is especially helpful on long excursion days or scenic travel days when you may be taking lots of photos and videos.
Shop here: Portable Charger on Amazon
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones are wonderful for flights, layovers, train rides, and even quiet time in your cabin. They can help reduce travel fatigue and make long travel days more comfortable.
Shop here: Noise-Cancelling Headphones on Amazon
Travel Pillow
A supportive travel pillow can make flights and long transfers more comfortable. Some travelers prefer a traditional neck pillow, while others like an inflatable pillow because it takes up less space.
Choose the style that best fits how you sleep while traveling.
Shop here: Travel Pillow on Amazon Inflatable Travel Pillow on Amazon
Toiletry and Personal Care Essentials
Travel-Size Toiletry Kit
A leak-resistant toiletry kit with travel-size bottles is helpful for staying organized and avoiding messes in your luggage.
Even on cruises, I like having my preferred skincare, hair products, and personal items in familiar containers.
Shop here: Travel-Size Toiletry Kit on Amazon
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise bathrooms are compact, and a hanging toiletry bag can save valuable counter space. Look for one with multiple compartments and a water-resistant exterior.
This is one of those items that works well for cruises, hotels, and land tours.
Shop here: Hanging Toiletry Bag on Amazon
Makeup Bag That Opens Flat
A makeup bag that opens flat makes it easy to see everything at once. It is especially helpful in small cruise cabins and hotel bathrooms where counter space is limited.
I like water-resistant options that can hold makeup, brushes, skincare, or small toiletries.
Shop here: Open-Flat Makeup Bag on Amazon
2-in-1 Contact Lens and Eyeglasses Case
If you wear contacts or glasses, a combined case can keep everything together. Look for one with a mirror, tweezers, and a small bottle for solution.
This can be especially convenient on flights, cruise ships, and land tour days when you do not want to dig through multiple bags.
A Few Final Alaska Packing Tips
When packing for Alaska, think in layers. You may want short sleeves, long sleeves, fleece, a rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes all in the same trip.
I also recommend keeping your most important items in your personal bag or carry-on, especially medications, passports, valuables, chargers, travel documents, and a change of clothes. This is especially important if your luggage will be transferred separately during a cruise tour.
Alaska is one of those destinations where the right gear can make your trip more comfortable, but you do not have to overpack. Focus on items that keep you dry, organized, charged, and ready for changing weather.
Need help planning your Alaska cruise or cruise tour? Forward Points + Travel can help you compare cruise lines, routes, land tour options, cabins, excursions, and travel logistics so you can choose the Alaska experience that fits your travel style.
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