A typical Alaskan cruise of seven nights features three casual evenings for slacks and open-collar shirts or skirts and blouses for the ladies; two semiformal nights where sport jackets and evening dresses are suggested and two formal evenings calling for gowns for the ladies and tuxedos or dark suits for men. Save the shorts, jeans and casual shirts for deck-side daytime activities and dress up in the evenings. You can pack more clothing than you might ordinarily carry on a vacation since you board the boat one time with all your luggage; you won't be hauling bags from city to city as you might with an international trip. Still, pack only enough for the duration of your cruise. Two daily changes of clothing is plenty for a weeklong Alaskan cruise.
To cut down on the amount of evening wear, choose color-coordinated ensembles with skirts and blouses, and shirts and slacks for men so you can mix and match. A guy needs two suits and six or seven colored shirt/necktie combinations to create a seemingly different outfit every time he steps out of his cabin. Likewise, ladies can maximize the space in their luggage by mixing and matching skirts and blouses, with two evening gowns for the formal nights in the ballroom.
Depending on the time of year, you will want to pack a sweater or two, woolen slacks, socks and comfortable walking shoes for chilly days at port.
Pack any prescription medicines you will need during the cruise, as there will be few, if any, opportunities to get an emergency refill.
Most Alaskan cruises are all-inclusive, so you won't need a lot of money on board. Bring some cash, travelers cheques and a credit card for souvenirs, shopping and snacks during your ports of call.
Since more than half of your evenings on board will likely be semiformal or formal, bring personal grooming supplies to look and feel your best. Hair dryers, toiletries, electric shavers, cologne, perfume, hairbrushes and lint brushes for a quick suit cleaning are all essential items.
Pack a quality set of binoculars for reveling in the breathtaking Alaskan scenery and spotting wildlife, both in the water and at the shoreline. A good camera is also a must, along with spare rolls of film or extra memory cards and several sets of batteries.
Bring a few books on Alaska history and points of interest around your cruising route so your visit will be enhanced by knowledge and context.
You'll also have room in your bags for an iPod or MP3 player with the AC charger and a couple of paperback novels in case the ship's library is scarce on titles of interest. Bring your laptop if case you have Wi-Fi access or want to watch DVDs in your cabin at night.
