What to Wear Each Month on an Alaska Cruise Packing List

Alaska packing goes wrong in two directions. Some people haul a giant winter coat they never wear. Others bring a cotton hoodie and shiver at the glacier.

This guide sits in the middle. You'll get the core gear, a weather table, what to wear month by month from May through September, and what to put on for dinner.

When I help plan Alaska cruises, the first thing I check is the sailing month. It changes your bag more than the ship or the itinerary does.

The Alaska cruise packing list: what to pack for an Alaskan cruise

Think in systems, not outfits. A base layer, a warm middle layer and a waterproof outer shell, and you swap pieces in and out as the day changes.

The most useful single purchase is the shell. Look for a hood, taped seams and a cut roomy enough to fit over a fleece. Packable waterproof rain jackets are easy to find, and a good one stuffs into your daypack without a fight.

Shoes come second. Lightweight waterproof walking shoes with grippy soles handle wet docks, boardwalks and muddy trailheads. Break them in before the trip, not on day one.

For the general cruise stuff like chargers, meds and documents, my cruise packing list has you covered. This page sticks to what's different about Alaska.

What's the weather really like on an Alaska cruise?

Cool, damp and changeable. The National Weather Service says June, July and August are Juneau's warmest months, with average highs creeping above 60 degrees and a July peak of 63.8.

The “dry season” is real, but it's relative. NWS Juneau puts it in late spring and early summer, and most of the rain and snow arrives in fall and winter. By the time August and September roll around, the rain clearly picks up.

Here are rounded Juneau averages for the main cruise months, based on 30-year climate normals. Different weather stations around town vary by a degree or two, so treat these as a guide and not a forecast.

Where you stand in town matters, too. NWS Juneau says the city averages around 54 inches of precipitation a year at the airport but over 90 inches downtown. That's where your ship will probably dock.

Your route changes the picture as well. The same NWS page notes that annual precipitation swings wildly across the Panhandle, from around 18 inches in Skagway to roughly 150 inches on parts of southern Baranof Island. Pack the shell for every port, even the ones that look dry on paper.

Glacier Bay is its own microclimate. The National Park Service says summer visitors can expect highs between 50 and 60 degrees. On a moving ship with wind, it feels colder than that.

If you're still deciding when to go, my month-by-month guide to the best time to cruise Alaska lines up weather, wildlife and crowds.

What to wear on an Alaskan cruise by month

The core kit stays the same all season. What changes is how heavy your middle layer is and how much sun gear you need.

What to wear on an Alaskan cruise in May

May is the coldest cruise month, so pack like it. Juneau's average high is about 57 and the average low is about 41.

• Thermal or merino base layers
• A heavier fleece or insulated jacket
• Waterproof shell, plus waterproof pants if you're doing lots of outdoor excursions
• Warm hat, gloves and a neck gaiter
• Wool socks and waterproof shoes
• Hand warmers for glacier day, because standing on deck while the ship idles gets cold fast

The upside is that May sits in the drier part of the year. Still, I'd rather be slightly overdressed here than slightly underdressed.

What to wear on an Alaskan cruise in June

June is the sweet spot for a lot of people, and the light is wild. Juneau gets roughly 18 hours of daylight around the June 21 solstice, so your cabin may be bright at 11 pm.

The layering system still applies, but you can usually drop to a lighter mid-layer. Pack a few short-sleeve base layers for the sunny stretches, a fleece for evenings, and your shell every single day.

Two June extras: polarized sunglasses and a sleep mask. Holland America's own Alaska packing advice says UV reflects off water and ice more than you'd expect, especially from June through August. If you're packing for kids, add a sunhat they'll actually keep on.

What to wear on an Alaskan cruise in July

July is the warmest month, but it isn't beach weather. Juneau's average high peaks around 64, with the occasional day higher.

The average low is about 50, so you get a swing of roughly 14 degrees between morning and afternoon. That's why convertible zip pants and a stack of thin layers work better than one heavy piece.

• A mix of short and long sleeve base layers
• Light fleece or merino mid-layer
• Waterproof shell, because rain is more likely than in June
• Sun hat or cap, sunscreen and sunglasses
• Bug spray (it's on Holland America's own Alaska packing list)

What to wear on an Alaskan cruise in August

August is a little wetter, with average rain around 5.5 inches compared with about 4.5 in July. Daylight also shrinks noticeably as the month goes on.

Keep July's list and add a warmer sweater and a scarf or buff. I'd also add a second pair of dry shoes, because wet shoes on day three of seven are miserable.

What to wear on an Alaskan cruise in September

September sailings feel like May with more rain. Juneau's average rain jumps to roughly 8 inches, and the National Park Service says September and October tend to be the wettest months at Glacier Bay.

Pack heavier layers, waterproof pants, gloves and a warm hat. You can still have a great trip, you just have to dress for it.

What to wear to dinner on an Alaskan cruise

This is the question that makes first-timers overpack. Your cruise line sets the rules, so look up yours, but Holland America's official guidance is a good example of how it usually works.

It splits evening dress into dressy attire and smart casual, and smart casual is what most evenings call for. That means slacks and a sports shirt or sweater for men, and a skirt or trousers with a sweater or blouse for women.

On dressy nights, the same line suggests a jacket and tie for men and a cocktail dress or gown for women. In practice, a dress, jumpsuit or nice slacks with a good top fits the spirit.

Honestly, I'd skip the full tux or floor-length gown unless you love dressing up. If you do love it, go for it and have fun. My formal night outfit guide has more ideas.

Women's packing list for an Alaska cruise

This is the list I'd hand a friend. Scale quantities to your trip length, because most of it repeats.

Daytime and port days

• 2 pairs of quick-dry pants or leggings, plus 1 pair of jeans
• 4 to 6 base layers in short and long sleeves
• 1 warm fleece and 1 light puffy or vest
• Waterproof shell with a hood
• Waterproof shoes, plus a comfy backup pair
• Hat, gloves, and a scarf or gaiter

Evenings

• 1 or 2 dresses or jumpsuits in wrinkle-resistant fabric
• 1 pair of nice pants and 2 dressy tops
• Cardigan, wrap or blazer
• Dressy flats or low heels, and ankle boots if you like them

Extras worth the space

• Swimsuit and a cover-up for the hot tub
• Curling iron or flat iron if you use one. Royal Caribbean permits personal hair appliances like these, but check your own line
• Compact binoculars, which make whale and eagle spotting much easier
• Sleep mask and a lip balm with SPF

Traveling with kids? My guide to the best family cruise to Alaska covers more gear for little ones. Bring an extra set of dry layers for each child, because puddles are irresistible.

What NOT to pack for Alaska

I have opinions here.

• A heavy winter coat. With summer highs in the 50s and 60s, layers work better and pack smaller.
• An umbrella. A hooded shell is easier in wind and on crowded docks.
• A cotton hoodie as your only warm layer. It's fine on the ship, but not for hours on deck in the damp.
• Lots of formalwear. One or two dressy outfits cover it for most people.
• High heels or brand-new shoes. Wet docks and gangways are no place for them.

Also check your document rules before you leave. What you need depends on your citizenship and itinerary, and many Alaska sailings call at a Canadian port. A valid passport is the simplest answer, so confirm the details with your cruise line.

Glacier days and shore excursions: what goes in your daypack

Port days are where weather swings catch people out. You leave the ship in sunshine and it's raining by lunch.

Holland America's own packing advice for Alaska is a lightweight waterproof jacket, a sweater or warm vest for glacier viewing, and a warm hat and gloves. I'd say the same, and I'd put all of it in your daypack.

My standard daypack for every Alaska port day:

• Rolled-up waterproof shell
• Hat and light gloves
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
• Refillable water bottle and a snack
• A small pouch for your phone and ship card
• One spare pair of dry socks if you're hiking or on a boat tour

Flying into Seattle the day before? A pre-cruise night takes a lot of stress out of embarkation morning. My Alaska cruise from Seattle guide covers routes and ships, and you can compare Seattle hotels before you book.

Your questions, answered

One last thing before you zip the suitcase

Lay everything out on your bed a week before you leave, then put half of the “just in case” items back in the closet. A smaller bag wins in Alaska, and this Alaska cruise packing list is built to get you there.

If you're still comparing sailing dates, Alaska cruise deals is a good place to see what's out there. And if you'd rather have someone do the legwork, I'm happy to.