Alaska Travel
 

After years of discussion and procrastination, we finally booked a cruise / tour in Alaska. It will be a 4 day cruise and 9 day inland tour, beginning August 15.

We would really appreciate any advice folks can give us regarding what to wear and how to pack. With cooler weather, air flights, and so forth, this seems a little more complicated than a Carribean cruise.

Thanks.

if you are in seattle, the chihuly glass gardens...stunning...

Our boat to alaska in 2008, the Ryndam of Holland America, had washers and dryers which made packing much lighter.
Wear your heaviest shoes and pack the light ones.
Repeat outfits for formal nights.
Instead of packing an umbrella, take a raincoat w hoodie. You will need it!
Go w neutral colors to mix and match so you take less pieces of clothing.
Enjoy your trip!!

Take bear warning signs VERY seriously.

I did an Alaska land/cruise tour 10 years ago and am leaving this Saturday for a repeat of a wonderful trip. There's a heat wave going on in Alaska this month so out with the sweaters and in with more summer clothes and layering. It has been in the 90's in Fairbanks for 2 weeks, just as hot in Juneau and Anchorage. Princess cruises does a fabulous job. The whole trip is just wonderful. Bring lots of bug spray. The mosquitos are really bad this summer I hear.

Alaska
 

When we have been to Alaska, the cruise portion, we wore very warm clothing viewing the glaciers. Remember if you are surrounded by the glaciers, you are in the middle of a very cold area - we needed warm clothing, especially when the boat is moving.

When we got to the glacier area we viewed the glacier from as many different decks where we had access to an outside view. This gives you a different perspective of the same glacier.

Since you are going in August remember the days are going to get shorter faster. I have heard, though have not seen, that the early fall colors are spectacular.

Have a wonderful time. One of these years I would like to go to Alaska in the fall.

August in Alaska can be cooler and layers are best way to go and it depends where you are in the state at that time. Rain jacket always a good one too. My sister has lived there for 38 years and always tells me they can have snow starting in the mountain in Aug. One year I visited was early Sept. Temps in Anchorage were in the mid 50's, cool and rainy. Can't tell you about the cruise since never been on one there but even in summer evenings all around Alaska can be cool.

Salmon, Bears
 

We went down by the dock on the lake and hired a sea plane to take us to see bears. He flew us to a small cove where bears were feeding and we rowed the plane up to about 30-40 yards away and watched them feed. It is well worth the plane trip. :thumbup::thumbup:

As others have said - dress in layers. You can take things off and on as the situation outdoors changes. My wife and I bought waterproof jackets with hoods for the trip as well as sturdy walking shoes.

In my opinion, two excursions not to miss are white water rafting and a helicopter ride to one of the glaciers. The rafting was in a river that was a glacier 12 hours before and the water was in the 30's. The guides give you neoprene suits to wear on the raft. On the helicopter ride they land on the glacier and give you footgear so you can walk around for awhile.

The Alaska trip, especially inland, is something that should be on everyone's bucket list.

I lived there for 7 years, and agree, bring layers and rain gear, hoods on your waterproof coat or jacket and zip up sweatshirts or fleece. Some good boots, they can be short ones but waterproof also with some tread on the bottom, also some gloves may help, nothing big and wintery but I wore light fleece or knit gloves because my hands would get cold!

Thanks for all the suggestions. Nothing better than learning from folks with experience.

Hello bob47,

What part of Alaska are you visiting ?