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Cruising Must Haves: Alaska Edition
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items If you've never cruised to Alaska, you may not know how it differs from any other cruise, but let me be the one to tell you that it is a very different beast. Of course, you will need many of the items on my Must Haves: Cruise Edition list, but Alask...benable.com/jaime_with_magical_travel/must-haves-cruise-edition. Happy Travels! (Note: This is not an exhaustive packing list but rather items that are easily overlooked.)
Sections
4
Sight Seeing
Beat the Elements
Organization/Packing
Miscellaneous
Sight Seeing
There are tons of opportunities to view wildlife, may it be marine life, land animals, or even the elusive Bald Eagle. Make sure everyone has their own pair of binoculars. Trust me. You won't want to share!
Compact binoculars. These are great. At 12X25, they have a great mid-range zoom while being small enough to easily travel with. They come with a strap, lens covers (pro tip: slide the lens covers through your neck strap so that you don't lose your le...
Occer 12x25 Compact Waterproof Binoculars
Great compact binoculars for the kids! And trust me, you're going to want to give everyone in the family a pair! There is nothing worse than when the captain announces that there is a pod of whales ahead, and the kids are screaming that they want to ...
POLDR 12X25 Compact Binoculars for Adults/Kids
Beat the Elements
Alaska weather is temperamental. It can be freezing cold, super hot, or raining cats and dogs—sometimes all three on the same day! Layer up!
I've long been a fan of the famous Isotoner gloves, but over the years, they've gotten even better. The smart-dri technology is fabulous because there is nothing worse than wet gloves and cold fingers. These also have the smart touch technology so th...
isotoner Women's Stretch Fleece Gloves
Isotoner gloves for men! They need warm hands, too! Just make sure you check the sizing recommendations and get the correct size for your hands!
isotoner Men's Tech Stretch Touchscreen Gloves
The Dry Bag… Alaska is very… wet. Or, it can be, especially if you are doing excursions that involve water. Enter the Dry Bag. This particular bag comes in several colors and sizes. It is a roll-top bag, which is what helps it to be waterproof. It is...
HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L
Not all ponchos are created equal. It drives me absolutely nuts when a poncho's “sleeves” don't go all the way down my arms. Or when a poncho is completely open on the side. Or when a poncho's hood is so big that it flies right off even while walking...
Heavy Duty Waterproof Rain Poncho for Adults
Plus-size poncho! As someone who understands that not everything fits every body, I wanted to make sure there was a plus-size option, as well! While not perfect, it should do its job! And the hood on this one mimics a baseball cap to keep the rain of...
Urby Plus Size Adult Rain Poncho with Hood
This is a 47" auto open and auto reverse close umbrella. I love it because it keeps the liquid inside when it closes rather than flicking it all over your clothes. It's not as tiny as the compact umbrellas, but it has decent coverage, and I'm a fan.
Totes Recycled Canopy Auto Open & Reverse Close Compact Inbrella Rain Umbrella Hearts
The Totes compact umbrella. For those who don't need as wide of a canopy and want an umbrella that takes up the least amount of space when storing, this is an option for you! It has a 39" canopy, and when it's closed up and stored, it's super small. ...
Totes Recycled Canopy One-Touch Auto Open Ultra Compact Mini Travel Rain Umbrella with Carrying Case Black
I'm so glad that beanies and hats have started incorporating changes for us ladies with a lot of hair! I basically live in a high ponytail or messy bun, and these are great! Plus, they have a cotton lining on the inside that keeps the material from b...
FURTALK Ponytail Beanie for Women Winter Hat
Don't worry, guys. I haven't forgotten about you! This is a great 2-in-1 winter hat that includes the scarf so you don't have to mess with a separate piece. When you don't need the scarf, simply tuck it up inside the hat. It also has ear flaps, which...
Carhartt Men's Fleece 2-in-1 Hat
Layers, my friend. Layers. Your mornings may start off really cold, but by the afternoon, you may want to shed all the jackets. Combined with the right base layers, this serves as a great hoodie/jacket for warmth. For standard sizing, just click the ...
Women’s Benton Springs™ II Long Fleece Hoodie - Standard and Plus Size
Standard, Big, and Tall sizing are all available in this classic full-zip hoodie/jacket. Columbia is my favorite for these because of their inclusive sizing. They get that everyone needs to stay warm.
Men's Steens Mountain Full Zip Fleece Hoodie
Remember those layers I was talking about? Well, you need a waterproof layer, as well. This is a great option that can be layered over your other warmth layers. Size up a bit if you want to wear bulky layers underneath. This has standard, big, and ta...
Men’s Watertight™ II Jacket
You need water-resistant or waterproof shoes or boots! This is a very hard thing to recommend since everyone's needs are different. However, take a look at the excursions or activities you will be doing. If you are hiking, fishing, or being near wate...
Footwear | Columbia Sportswear
Alaska cruises are more casual than a lot of itineraries, so you will see people dressed comfortably. These fleece-lined leggings are great to wear while hiking, working out, or even layered under your day pants as a thermal layer.
BALEAF Women's Fleece Lined Thermal Leggings
Men's long johns. Great as a thermal underlayer, especially early or late in the season. You may not need them mid-summer, but always better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.
Fruit of the Loom Men's Waffle Thermal Set
I've been using Hot Hands for years! They do exactly what they say they do. They don't last forever, so make sure you get enough for everyone!
HotHands Hand Warmer 10-Pair Value Pack
This is an alternative to Hot Hands. They are rechargeable and last about 20 hours. They are great, as well.
AI Rechargeable Hand Warmers 2 Pack, 6000mAh
Organization/Packing
Organization just makes travel less stressful. And nothing is worse than needing a charger for your phone but you can't find it. Introducing the electronics organizer. Keep all your cords, cubes, portable chargers, and even your phone when necessary....
FYY Travel Cable Organizer Pouch - Black
Staying on the wave of organization, if you need to use the dry bag I have listed, there are no dividers or pouches. These little pouches in different colors are great for keeping small things together. Medicine, sunscreen, insect repellent, etc… It'...
3 Pack Premium Tool Zipper Pouch 12.5x7
With the thicker clothing that you'll need to pack to visit Alaska, you absolutely MUST have compression packing cubes. It can reduce your bulk by so much! It's insane! I'll never travel without them again. There are several different colors, so get ...
Cambond Compression Packing Cubes for Travel
Miscellaneous
If you didn't know, Alaska has HUGE mosquitoes! You're definitely going to want to bring bug spray if you do excursions off the beaten path. But bring the dry formula! No one wants to feel like there is a film all over them!
OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I, Smooth & Dry Mosquito Bug Spray Repellent, 15% DEET Formula, 4 oz
During the summer, Alaska has long days of sunlight. Depending on where you are, it may not get dark until the wee hours of the morning, and even then, it may not be dark like you're used to. Grab this three-pack of sleep masks to ensure you have the...
LKY DIGITAL 3D Sleep Mask for Side Sleepers
I love a good water bottle. I'm known for bringing several different types on trips. But this one I feel is great for bringing with you on an excursion. It has a built-in straw lid. Is small enough to fit in your backpack, but you can also attach it ...
YETI Rambler 26 oz Bottle, Big Wave Blue
When things get wet, you need a towel that actually absorbs the moisture. This is a great towel that is perfect for travel, as it has its own storage case. Just throw it in your day bag, and off you go!
Rainleaf Microfiber Travel & Gym Towel
You're not going to the beach, so do you still need sunscreen? Yes! Your days are full of sun (remember there is very little darkness), so you still need to protect your face and arms from the UV rays. But I can't stand the way sunscreen feels when I...
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 45 Sunscreen 3oz
Don't forget the chapstick! It can be windy or cold if you don't protect your face, and this particular ChapStick has SPF! Win-win!
ChapStick Spf 15 Suncreen Moisturizer Black Cherry Lip Balm, 0.15 oz, 3 count Pack
Dime Beauty Tinted Wonderscreen is by far my favorite beauty product. When I'm on vacation, I'm not all about that makeup life. However, this is perfect for light coverage, PLUS, it has 30 SPF, so it essentially takes the place of your sunscreen. It ...
Tinted Glow Wonderscreen® SPF 30
Ahhh. The Del-Sol sunglasses. These are a cruiser's favorite. They change colors in the sun, AND they have an amazing lifetime warranty. They even cover loss and theft! Just make sure you keep the box so you can have the numbers off of it!
Del Sol Color-Changing Sunglasses