We cruised to Alaska again, and this time I made sure to take photos of all my Alaska cruise outfits to share with you. One of the biggest questions people have is: what to wear on an Alaskan cruise?
Like you, I stressed over what to wear. I even asked a good friend who’s cruised to Alaska more than a dozen times. Her advice? Layers are key, and don’t bother buying snow boots, they are unnecessary during cruising season.
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Our first Alaska cruise was in late July into early August. It was chilly and rainy in one or two ports, but we got lucky with mostly beautiful weather. My puffy jacket only came out in Juneau. I wore my everyday sneakers most of the time, but switched to waterproof shoes on rainy days. Fleece-lined leggings were my go-to. I even packed light enough to get by with just a carry-on.
Our most recent cruise was in May, and it was colder and rainier than my last cruise. I reached for my waterproof sneakers, sweatshirts, fleece-lined leggings, joggers, rain jacket, and puffer jacket the most. This time, my husband and I shared one medium-sized suitcase in addition to our carry-ons. If you can’t fit everything into a carry-on, don’t stress. Sometimes a little extra space makes a big difference when you’re trying to stay warm and dry.
In this post, I’m sharing photos of the Alaska cruise outfits I actually wore, including what I wore to dinner on the ship. I wasn’t trying to be colorful or cute—I’m not a fashionista. My goal was to be comfortable, practical, and warm. Most of what I packed are pieces I already wear at home during the winter or bring on other cool-weather trips, along with a few extras I knew would be useful on this cruise.
What I Wore on Embarkation Day
May: I wore a comfy and casual outfit that was perfect for check-in, exploring the ship, and sitting down to a relaxed lunch on board. I had on wide-leg yoga pants, a basic black tee, and a long open-front cardigan. I wore my Brooks sneakers, which are always reliable when you’re on your feet a lot. I had originally planned to wear this outfit to dinner too, but I ended up changing into something lighter. The ship was warmer than I expected once we got settled.
July-August:
On our first Alaska cruise, embarkation day at the Seattle Cruise Port was much warmer. I wore a pair of soft black shorts, a light tank top, and a long-sleeve cotton gauze button-down with my Brooks. I also wore this outfit to dinner that night on the cruise ship.
What I Wore in Juneau, Alaska
May: It was cold and rainy on the day we docked in Juneau, and we had a scheduled whale-watching excursion. I knew it was going to be cold out there in the water. I was prepared for both the chill and the rain—it really came down to layers. I wore a long-sleeve shirt under my favorite oversized navy blue sweatshirt, along with fleece-lined black joggers, warm socks, and my waterproof Merrell sneaker-boots.
I also wore my rain jacket and a baseball cap to help keep the rain off my face and glasses. I brought my gloves with me. This combo kept me warm and dry throughout the day. Thankfully, the rain cleared up during our excursion, but it started coming down again toward the end of our time in port.
We had dinner and dessert in port before heading back to the ship, so I didn’t bother changing until it was time for bed.
July-August: It wasn’t much different—maybe slightly warmer, but not by much. It was rainy and chilly when we docked in Juneau at the end of July. It was raining hard enough that our dog sledding tour was canceled. Instead, we visited Mendenhall Glacier and then treated ourselves to King Crab legs afterward.
As always, I wore light layers, although not quite as many as I needed in May. I had on a black and white plaid long-sleeve button-down over a t-shirt, paired with black fleece-lined leggings, warm socks, and waterproof booties. I also wore my puffy jacket and never took it off all day; sometimes I may have unzipped it. It stayed rainy and misty the whole time we were in port.
Note: My specific Columbia jacket is no longer available, but I have linked the updated version.
What I Wore in Skagway
May: We had two excursions booked in Skagway: the White Pass Railway and the Glacier Point Wilderness tour. Not only was it cold, but the wind coming off the water by the port made it feel freezing. I pulled out my puffer jacket and made sure to layer up.
I wore fleece-lined leggings, a long-sleeve shirt under my black and white striped knit sweater, warm socks, and my trusty waterproof Merrell sneaker-boots, which have been my go-to since winter. A knit cap and my fingerless gloves were a must. I did wear the sweater and leggings to dinner.
July-August: We lucked out with the weather when we were in Skagway on this mid-summer day. What started as a cool morning turned into a beautiful, sunny afternoon. We did an all-day tour that began with a bus ride up to the Yukon and ended with a train ride back to Skagway on the White Pass Yukon Railway.
By the time we arrived in Canada, I was peeling off layers and was left with just my tank top—no joke. I wore my Spanx AirEssentials tapered pants, a tank top, a navy blue plaid button-down, and my Brooks sneakers. (We had a bit of a plaid theme going on this cruise.) I didn’t even need a jacket, but I brought along a black hoodie just in case.
What I Wore in Ketchikan
May: It rained the entire time we were in Ketchikan, which was disappointing, but it didn’t stop us from getting off the ship. We had an excursion to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Pole Park, so we dressed for the weather and made the most of the time we had.
I wore my go-to fleece-lined leggings (I didn’t feel like waterproof ones were necessary), a soft thicker fleece button-down (which I stole from my husband) over a t-shirt, my waterproof Merrell sneakers, a rain jacket, fingerless gloves, and a baseball cap. The flannel was warm enough under the rain jacket that I didn’t need anything heavier. If you don’t have a heavier flannel, a fleece jacket would work well too for layering under a rain shell. The visor on the cap also helped keep raindrops out of my face and off my glasses.
We had dinner at a specialty restaurant that night, so I did change later in the evening.
July-August: We lucked out during this mid-summer day in Ketchikan. For a place that gets rain over 200 days a year, we had a gorgeous, clear, and surprisingly warm day. Our plan was simple: explore the downtown area during the half-day we had in port.
After checking the weather app that morning, I went with light layers. I wore a gray t-shirt, a pair of jeans, a flannel plaid shacket, and my Brooks sneakers. It started off cool—typical for a coastal town—but after a couple of hours of walking around, I took off the shacket and was comfortable in just the t-shirt and jeans.
I stayed in this outfit throughout the day.
What I Wore for Cruising Glacier Bay
May: Glacier Bay was just as cold in May as I remembered it being in mid-summer—maybe even a bit colder. Still the coldest day of the week. If you plan to spend time outside taking in the beauty of Glacier Bay (which I highly recommend), you’ll want to layer up or wear your warmest pieces. The mornings are especially chilly, and while it does warm up slightly throughout the day, it never gets warm enough for me to be walking around in a t-shirt—unless I was inside the cruise ship. Others from colder climates might feel differently, but I was glad to be bundled up.
That day, I wore a long-sleeve shirt layered under an oversized sweatshirt, paired with my fleece-lined joggers, warm socks, and my Merrell sneakers. I also threw on my rain jacket, knit cap, and gloves. Since my sweatshirt was on the thicker side, I didn’t feel the need for my puffer. But if I’d worn a lighter top, I definitely would’ve brought it out.
We did change that night for dinner.
July-August: We had a beautiful, clear day in Glacier Bay, but it was still cold. It was the coldest day of the week for the start of August. We were out on our balcony first thing in the morning because we didn’t want to miss a thing.
That day, I wore a t-shirt, a black hoodie, my Spanx AirEssentials tapered pants, my plaid shacket, warm socks, a knitted hat, and waterproof booties (mainly because they were warm). I even carried hand warmers in my pockets… my hands are always cold.
We changed for dinner that night.
What I Wore to Dinner on the Cruise
For both cruises, I packed a few outfits specifically for dinner—but I didn’t go overboard. We were sailing with NCL, which has a relaxed, casual vibe and no formal nights. In general, Alaska cruises tend to be more laid-back across most cruise lines, even in the main dining rooms.
The ship itself is kept warm and comfortable, so I had no problem wearing short sleeves or even sandals to dinner on some nights. Sneakers would have worked just as well, especially on nights we kept things more casual.
My goal was to feel comfortable and slightly more put-together than I did during the day. Here are a few examples of what I wore to dinner during our Alaska sailings:
Outfit Example 1: A t-shirt dress with pockets paired with sandals—this is what I wore to dinner on embarkation day during our May cruise. It was easy to throw on after unpacking and super comfortable.
Outfit Example 2: My midi dress by Pact paired with a black and white button-down shirt and sandals for dinner at a specialty restaurant.
Outfit Example 3: I wore a black floral ruffle skort with a simple black top and threw on a zip-up hoodie for warmth. Since it was a casual night, I stuck with my Brooks sneakers—comfortable and acceptable for dinner on an Alaska cruise with NCL.
Bring Shorts and a Swimsuit
It might sound odd for an Alaska cruise, but I packed a pair of shorts and a swimsuit—both with the ship in mind. On our July–August sailing, we had a few warm afternoons. Once the sun came out, people were out sunbathing on the sundeck, and the ship itself is always kept warm.
As for the swimsuit, some ships have heated pools and hot tubs, and they stay warm even when it’s chilly outside. A swimsuit also comes in handy if you plan to use the spa or thermal suite. These don’t take up much space in your suitcase, and if you end up needing them, you’ll be glad you brought them.
I wouldn’t wear shorts off the ship in Alaska, unless it was super hot, but for relaxing onboard, they were worth having.
My Most-Worn Pieces on Both Alaska Cruises
These are the items I reached for again and again, no matter which month we cruised. If you’re unsure what to prioritize when packing, start here:
- T-shirts
Great for layering and easy to rewear. I packed both short- and long-sleeved options. The ship stays warm inside, so you’ll definitely want a t-shirt or two for lounging or dinner. - Fleece-lined leggings
My go-to. I wore them multiple times, especially on colder or rainy days. I recommend packing at least two or three pairs. - Sneakers
Between ports and sea days, you’ll be in sneakers most of the time. Waterproof or supportive pairs are best. My Brooks weren’t waterproof (the option is available), but my other pair of sneaker-boots by Merrell were. - Rain jacket
Lightweight and easy to layer. Essential for ports like Ketchikan and Juneau. It’s better to be prepared than not. - Sweatshirts and hoodies
Perfect for colder days—and it’s nice to have that one cozy layer you reach for every time you leave your cabin. If you forget to pack one, you can always pick up a souvenir sweatshirt in port. - Fleece Jacket
I’m not usually someone who reaches for a fleece jacket, which is why I lean toward hoodies and sweaters I know I’ll rewear at home in winter. However, fleece is a solid layering piece that does the same job just as well. - Baseball cap and knit hat
I used both depending on the weather. The baseball cap was especially handy with my rain jacket on rainy days.
A Few Quick Tips for Packing Alaska Cruise Outfits
Check the weather app before you pack. Look at the forecast for each port and your departure city. It can be sunny in one spot and raining in the next.
Alaska’s weather is unpredictable. You can read every blog and Reddit thread from cruisers who sailed the same time of year, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have the same weather. What someone else experienced last May or July might be completely different from your cruise. Check the weather app a few days before you go, and pack for a range.
Don’t second-guess the rain jacket. Just bring it. It doesn’t take up much space, and odds are you’ll need it, especially in ports like Juneau or Ketchikan. A poncho might be your next best option, but a proper rain jacket is the better choice. In the worst case, you can pick one up in port. We’ve seen decent ones with fleece lining for around $30–40. Many Alaskan cruisers are also opting to order the same ones from Alaska ahead of time from Tongas Trading Company.
Layers > outfits. Mix and match what you already have. Think warm, dry, and comfortable. Mornings can start cold, warm up a bit, then drop again. Dress like an onion—you’ll want to add or remove layers as the day goes on. May cruises or sailings in late September through October tend to be colder and wetter, so thermal base layers can be a smart addition.
Prioritize shoes. Waterproof footwear isn’t always necessary in the summer months, but it’s worth having, especially for ports like Ketchikan, one of the wettest places in the U.S. Dry feet = better mood. If your sneakers aren’t waterproof, consider spraying them with a product like Kiwi Sneaker Waterproofer before your trip. It’s also smart to pack a backup pair in case one needs time to dry out.
Bring a water-resistant backpack or daypack. It’s helpful for storing layers you peel off during the day, and for keeping your stuff dry when it rains.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
