Best Cruise Packing List: Alaska Travel Essentials
Alaska Cruise Packing List Overview
My travel essentials include everything I need for my 7-day Alaska cruise on the Royal Princess. I had the hardest time figuring out what to pack for my Alaska cruise. I don’t like carrying a lot of unnecessary items. Here is what I wore and used in Alaska the first week of June 2025.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through a link and make a purchase, I may get a small commission at no cost to you. (PS: I only recommend things I really use)
My favorite travel bag is the Samsonite Mother Lode Junior. Everyone in my house has it or the Mother Lode. We have spent 7 days in France, each carrying this, and most recently a 7-day Royal Princess Cruise. The picture below is of me leaving the cruise carrying everything I took in my backpack.
💡Heading out on an Alaska Cruise? Check out my Alaska Travel Guide -> Alaska Cruise Travel Hacks
Clothing Essentials for Alaska Cruise
Ski Jacket for Glacier Bay
The one item I debated bringing the most was my ski jacket. It didn’t fit in my backpack since it is bulky. I ended up carrying it on the plane, and I was glad I did. I used it twice on our trip. First, I needed it for our day in Glacier Bay. It was cold and windy, and this jacket was perfect. It is also waterproof. It was also great for Ketchikan, where it was cold and windy. Ketchikan is called a rainy city for a reason. They even have a drug store called RainCity Drug Store.
Click pic to find the coat on Amazon. It’s super affordable and cute!
Quick-Dry Travel Pants
I bought these travel pants back in 2023, and I still wear them all the time. I have two pairs. These were the perfect weight for Alaska. They paired great with all the Ts I packed, and I could layer a sweatshirt if I got cold. I am 5’1” and these fit me like regular pants.
These are some of my favorite travel pants. I wore them all over France, and they were perfect for my Alaska cruise. They are comfy and have lots of pockets. Alaska was wet, so having these pants quick-drying was perfect. They were so nice to have. They are super cute too. These received many compliments. They will be going on many more trips with me this year for sure!
Cute affordable travel pants click picture to check them out on amazon.
These adorable denim pants were comfy and cute. I loved wearing these. The ship gets warm in areas these were lightweight enough that I wasn’t burning up, and if I moved to a cooler area, I would pair with a sweatshirt.
Amazon denim pants
Lightweight Rain Jacket
Only two of the 7 days were cold. I was very thankful I packed rain jackets for this cruise. Alaska is rainy. This lightweight rain jacket was perfect for our day in Juneau and Skagway. We kept them rolled up in their pouches until we needed them.
Check out all the colors on amazon by clicking picture above
I paired the clothes above with items I already had in my closet. I carried one sweatshirt, a couple of long-sleeved t-shirts, and a couple of short-sleeved t-shirts. I was good for almost everything. I did carry one dress that I wore both formal nights.
Footwear & Accessories
I wore my running shoes most of the trip and a pair of sandals; my feet swell when flying. Oh, the joys of getting older
Packing Light Tips
Packing for Alaska doesn’t have to mean overstuffing your suitcase. The key is building a versatile Alaska cruise packing list that balances warmth, comfort, and efficiency. Stick to layers you can mix and match—like quick‑dry travel pants, a waterproof rain jacket, and a cozy mid‑layer for Glacier Bay. Choose footwear that works double duty, such as waterproof sneakers or hiking boots, so you’re ready for both excursions and casual evenings onboard. Rolling clothes instead of folding saves space, and packing cubes keep essentials organized. Remember, most ships offer laundry service, so you don’t need a new outfit every day—just smart staples that cover all your Alaska travel essentials.
