SUPER ALASKA CRUISE
S. Packing Suggestions for an Alaksa Cruise
Packing the right stuff, and not packing too much is a concern on any vacation and will serve to make it more enjoyable. Especially frustrating is having to purchase something at a high price (such as in the cruise ship gift shop) that you already own but did not think to bring. Here is a list of things that I recommend should be brought on an Alaskan cruise, in addition to other things normally brought along when traveling.
- Camera and loads and loads of film.
-
Binoculars: An 8 or 10 power pocket size one that can be purchased for $15-$25
in sporting goods stores like ‘The Sports Authority’ or discount
stores like ‘Target’ is ideal.
Make sure you purchase before leaving because at ports of call or
on the ship identical items will be priced from $50 to
$100. Each member of your party
should have one because they are so inexpensive and necessary to see
wildlife. Good item to keep kids occupied during excursions
or during cruising. Don’t
bring cumbersome large binoculars, they are too heavy and cannot be carried
around conveniently and unlike cheaper binoculars, you will be upset if they
get lost or fall on the ground or in the
water.
- A warm lined coat, waterproof: For standing outside on the ship at the glaciers or any other time it may be cold, windy and wet. May also need it for the rail excursion in Skagway on the White Pass Railroad if it is rainy, cloudy or cold because the cars have open sides.
- A waterproof jacket shell.
- Warm gloves.
- A wool hat.
- A baseball cap or your favorite hat for keeping the sun off you.
- Thin gardening type gloves (costs $1-$2 in hardware stores): For handling your camera/binoculars when it is cold. Also good for bike riding or canoe/kayak paddling. No big deal if loose them.
- Sunglasses (with a strap so they don't fall off).
- The map of Alaska received from Princess Cruises (even if you do not take a Princess Cruise).
- A watch: Each member of your party should have one to make sure they get back to the ship on time during port calls. Make sure you can easily adjust it because there will be one or two time zone changes on the voyage, in addition to the time zone change from home.
-
A battery operated alarm clock (along with a spare battery or two): Staterooms
do not have alarm clocks, electric alarm clocks will not work, and they are
more reliable than a wake up call. Also, if you miss an early morning excursion because
you slept late, there is no refund.
Make sure you can easily adjust it because there will be one or two
time zone changes on the voyage in addition to the time change from
home.
-
Plastic cable ties: In the electrical department of hardware stores you can find plastic ties for securing cables that are permanently secured by threading one end into an opening in the other end. Purchase a bag or two of the smallest size you can find. Thread through the loop in the zippers of suitcases that you will check to secure, and bring the whole bag so you have enough for intermediate and return travel. (Locks are not safe because they all share the same key and all dishonest luggage handlers around the world have copies.) Be sure to bring a scissor in your carry-on luggage that can cut the ties (test out the scissor on one of the ties before you leave).
- A Walkman with tapes (rather than a radio which will not work on ships or in some steel and brick buildings) along with extra batteries for keeping you occupied in case you have a long layover. Also good for use on exercise machines on the ship or in hotels.
- Travelers’ checks: The ship’s purser’s office will cash these so you can tip waiters, busboys and stewards/esses.
- Credit cards: Need to establish and pay your on board account.
- Passport: Need for entering Canada and re-entering the USA.
- Extra carryon bags that can be stuffed into your luggage: To carry extra purchases. May need it on the last day for hand carrying overnight items.
- A calculator: For calculating currency exchange in case you must purchase items in Canada with US currency. Also for adding up you credit account if you tend to ring up large bar tabs.
- A bankcard that you can use to get cash: To obtain Canadian currency from any ATM machine in Canada. Note, if you leave Canada through the Vancouver Airport you will be required to pay an airport improvement departure fee of about $10 Canadian (or an equivalent amount in US currency) per person in cash. If you have extra Canadian currency (Canadians I met on my cruise call their currency 'Monopoly Money') (or extra US currency if you are traveling to Asia or Europe) you can use this opportunity to get rid of it.
- Phone cards (disposable if you use them): To make phone calls from pay phones in Alaskan ports of call.
- Post card stamps: For mailing post cards in Alaskan ports of call. (Don’t forget, Alaska is part of the US and standard postage will get cards and letters back to the US.) (Side note: One of the most frequent questions that the cruse director is asked by passengers is: Do they take US currency in Alaska?)
- A bathing suit: In case you want to use the ship’s hot tub or the hotel swimming pool.
- Comfortable sneakers and shoes for doing lots of walking. Also extra pairs in case one gets wet in the rain.
- Dress clothes for the 2 or 3 formal nights. For the men, a dark business suit is good enough. Just bring along extra shirts and ties so your outfit looks different and is clean in case you spill soup on it. For women, whatever looks good.
- Layered clothing for touring in unpredictable quickly changing weather. Also, some warmer weather clothing in case you are lucky and the weather is sunny and warm during your whole trip.
- Walkie-talkie type radios if you are traveling in a large party that tends to get separated.
- A flashlight if you have an inside cabin.
- Zip-lock bags for keeping thing dry such as your camera when on excursions in wet weather.
- Your cruise ship tickets.
- Your airline tickets.
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