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What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise in 2026 | Outfit Guide for Every Excursion

Emma Hamrick
Jul 27
6 min read

Breathtaking glaciers, cozy coastal towns, and wildlife-filled adventures are just some of the memories I hang onto when I reflect on my Alaskan cruise. I look back fondly on misty mornings, pine-scented air on the balcony, and tranquil evenings spent in the ship’s thermal spa. But I also remember the not-so-fond memories; the moment I regretted not having a warmer jacket on our glacial explorer excursion and cursing myself for packing so many pairs of jeans that I never took out of my suitcase.

Packing for a Caribbean cruise is easy; grab a couple of breezy dresses and flip flops and call it a day! But packing for an Alaskan cruise is an entirely different beast. I quickly realized I needed outfits that could handle a little bit of everything. Layers became my best friend, and I quickly learned that staying warm and dry didn’t mean sacrificing style.

Whether you’re sipping coffee on the deck as the ship sails through icy fjords or hopping off to explore charming towns like Ketchikan and Skagway, what you wear can shape your experience and the photo memories you take along the way. I put together this guide to give you some inspiration for outfits that are perfect for your 2026 Alaska cruise packing list.

What to Pack: Alaska Cruise Packing List & Outfit Guide: Clothing Inspiration for Every Alaskan Activity

#1 Embarkation Day

If you’re embarking on an Alaskan expedition, you’re likely boarding the ship in Vancouver or Seattle, which will also probably be the warmest destination on your trip. I boarded my ship in jeans and a sweater and instantly regretted not having packed my bathing suit and tank top to enjoy the warmer weather and water amenities. Embarkation day is also a time to prioritize functionality; you’re probably going to be schlepping a carry-on of essentials on board. You'll want to be comfortable until your checked luggage arrives in your stateroom in the evening.

In my opinion, the best things to wear on embarkation day are functional linen pants, a light button-down for warmth, and a tank top for sunny moments. Plan to pack your bathing suit in your carry-on bag in case you spontaneously decide to take a dip to dive down the waterslide.

Casual outfit set with white shirt, black tank, beige pants, brown bikini, straw bag, black sandals, and gold hoop earrings on white. — **Embarkation Day Outfit**: **Top:** White Linen Button-Down Shirt from Old Navy ($22) | **Tank Top:** Black Ribbed Tank Top from Abercrombie & Fitch ($25) | **Pants:** Beige Linen Drawstring Pants from Target ($35) | **Bathing Suit:** Brown Triangle Bikini Set from Amazon ($22) | **Shoes:** Black Leather Crossover Sandals from Amazon ($98) | **Bag:** Structured Straw Tote Bag from Target ($35) | **Earrings:** Mini Gold Hoop Earrings from Kendra Scott ($120)

#2 Easy, Breezy Sea Days

Most Alaskan itineraries include at least one day sailing the high seas. Whether you’re looking for whales from your balcony cabin, enjoying the crisp air on the lido deck, or staying warm at trivia, sea days are the perfect opportunity to embrace casual comforts. I lived in dressed-up sweatpants and cozy sweaters during our sea days. But a hot tip: don’t forget to pack your bathing suit! I splurged on a thermal spa pass during my sailing on Carnival’s Splendor and found it to be totally worth it for a warm escape on an Alaskan cruise. With that in mind, here’s what I’d suggest wearing on sea days on an Alaskan cruise:

Beige sweat set, black swimsuit, sunglasses, necklace, loafers, and tote bag on light background. Minimalist fashion flat lay. — **Sea Day Outfit: Sweatshirt:** Oatmeal Cropped Sweatshirt from Gap ($60) | **Pants:** Matching Oatmeal Joggers from Gap ($50) | **Bathing Suit:** Black One-Piece Swimsuit from Cupshe | **Shoes:** Off-White Slip-On Sneakers from Nordstrom Rack ($54) | **Sunglasses:** Oversized Black Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters ($15) | **Necklace:** Delicate Gold Chain Necklace from Amazon ($12) | **Bag:** Beige Canvas Tote Bag from LL Bean ($55)

#3 Formal Night on the Ship

Alaskan formal nights are a little different than formal nights on other cruises. Overall, the vibe is much more casual… like nice jeans and sweaters in the main dining room, casual. But don’t let the casual vibe take away from your desire to dress up. A simple maxi dress and nicer sandal or shoe is my go-to outfit for formal nights on Alaskan cruises:

White dress with short sleeves, brown sandals, beige sun hat, sunglasses, woven clutch, pearl earrings, and necklace on white background. — **Formal Night on the Ship Outfit**: **Dress:** White Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress from Abercrombie & Fitch ($120) | **Sandals:** Tan Crossover Leather Sandals from Amazon ($27) | **Bag:** Brown Woven Clutch from Amazon ($21) | **Pearl Necklace & Earrings Set:** Gold Teardrop Earrings from Amazon ($30) | **Sunglasses:** Oversized Black Sunglasses from Amazon ($9) | **Hat**: Wide Brimmed Straw Hat from Amazon ($25)

#4 Exploring the Fjords

My favorite excursion during our Alaska cruise was getting off the ship and onto a glacier exploration boat at Tracy Arm Fjord. It was our first “port” in Alaska and our first taste of the chilly northern air. I loved seeing the seals playing in the water and the ice calving from the rocks. And most of all, I was thankful to have packed a warm coat perfect for the adventure. You can replicate my outfit below:

Winter outfit flat lay: brown beanie, black sunglasses, gray sweater, black puffer jacket, black leggings, olive backpack, black boots. — **Exploring the Fijords Outfit**: **Jacket:** Nano Puff Jacket from Patagonia ($239) | **Sweatshirt:** Retroterry Crewneck Sweatshirt from Athleta ($79) | **Leggings:** UA Vanish Cold Weather Leggings from Under Armor ($80) | **Bag:** The Retro Rambler Canvas School Backpack from Western Leather Goods ($129) | **Shoes:** Cloudrock Trek Waterproof Hiking Boots - Women's by On from REI ($260) | **Hat:** Tan Carhartt Beanie from Amazon ($19) | **Sunglasses:** Oversized Black Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters ($15)

#5 Going to Glaciers in Juneau

My helicopter excursion to Mendahall Glacier in Juneau was cancelled due to inclement weather, but we made the best of it by visiting Mendahall from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. If you are fortunate enough to take a helicopter adventure to the top of the glacier, here’s an outfit perfect for traversing the icy land:

Light blue jacket, lavender top, black pants on white background. Cream beanie, gray gloves, sunglasses, gold earrings arranged nearby. — **Glacier Outfit**: **Jacket:** Women’s Antora Rain Jacket from The North Face ($110) ($160) | Quarter Zip: Women's Embossed Quarter Zip Fleece Pullover from Land's End ($50) | **Leggings:** UA Vanish Cold Weather Leggings from Under Armor ($80) | Bag: Everywhere Belt Bag Mini from lululemon ($38) | **Hat:** Close-Fit Wool-Blend Ribbed Knit Beanie from lululemon ($48) | **Earrings:** Pearl Studs from Quince ($59) | **Sunglasses:** Oversized Black Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters ($15) | Gloves: Mongolian Cashmere Gloves from Quince ($30)

#6 Whale Watching in Icy Straight Point

If you’re going to Icy Straight Point, I highly recommend a whale watching excursion. The unexpected highlight was watching humpback whales “bubble fish,” a behavior only exhibited in this unique park of Alaska. Icy Straight is notoriously rainy, so prepare for the weather with this cute ‘fit:

Black coat, cream sweater, gray leggings, teal beanie, black gloves, boots, sunglasses, gold earrings, and yellow bag on white background. — **Whale Watching Outfit**: **Jacket:** Women's Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket from Patagonia ($179) | **Quarter Zip:** Half-Zip Bounce Fleece Pullover Sweatshirt from Old Navy ($50) | **Leggings:** UA Vanish Cold Weather Leggings from Under Armor ($80) | **Bag:** Mini Belt Bag with Adjustable Strap from Amazon ($13) | **Shoes:** Cloudrock Trek Waterproof Hiking Boots - Women's by On from REI ($260) | **Hat:** Byron Hat from Fajll Raven ($45) | **Sunglasses:** Oversized Black Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters ($15) | **Earrings:** Irregular Statement Earrings from Amazon ($15) | **Gloves:** Women's Winter Gloves from Amazon ($6)

#7 Hitting the Trails in Ketchikan

The combination of the colorful homes on Creek Street in Ketchikan and the vast wilderness surrounding it perfectly captures the beauty of Alaska. We opted to experience this port on the cheap by hiking the nearby Rainbird Trail and exploring town.

Casual outfit: light blue jacket, green shirt, beige cargo pants, pink sneakers, mint cap, gray socks, black belt bag, gold hoops. — **Hiking in Ketchikan Outfit**: **Jacket:** Day Drift Jacket by Athleta ($160) | **T Shirt:** Square Neck Hey Baby T from American Eagle ($25) | **Pants:** Vintage Wash Tencel Drawstring Cargo Pants from Quince ($60) | **Bag:** Everywhere Belt Bag Mini from lululemon ($38) | **Shoes:** Puma Carina 3.0 Luxe Sneaker from DSW ($60) | **Hat:** Everyday Hat from Athleta ($35) | **Earrings:** Lou Huggies from Gorjana ($58) | **Socks:** Crew Length Ragg Socks from lululemon ($24)

Wrapping it Up!

Packing for an Alaska cruise isn’t about throwing random layers into your suitcase — it’s about preparing for magical misty mornings, glacier adventures, cozy nights at sea, and everything in between. I hope this guide gave you a clear picture of what to bring so you can feel warm, stylish, and confident throughout your trip. Whether you're whale watching in Icy Strait Point or sipping hot cocoa on the lido deck, having the right outfit can make each moment more comfortable and memorable.

So go ahead — pack smart, layer up, and get ready to experience the wild beauty of Alaska in 2026. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll already be dreaming about your next trip the moment you step off the ship.

While you're here, consider checking out one of the blog posts below that might be helpful for your Alaska cruise planning. Until next time... Keep on Exploring!