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Alaskan Cruise

(16 Posts)
Rosiebee Wed 22-Dec-21 16:59:33

We've booked to go on a 7 night Alaskan Cruise in Sept 2022. It's part of a 3 week trip starting in Seattle and going into Vancouver and Island. Finishing off with the Rocky Mountaineer. DH keeps reminding me that although we'll be away 3 weeks, we'll still just have a suitcase each. All my clothes will have to mix/match and wash /dry. Only advice so far has been a waterproof coat - which I'm looking to buy in the Sales. I'm hoping that the vibe on board will be relaxed as I don't want to pack dressy stuff that I won't wear again. Don't think we'll be strolling the decks in the evenings. Brrrr! The cruise is at the start of the trip. Has anyone done this cruise and are able to offer help? We'll be 70 and 72 and looking at being practical and comfy. Thanks for any replies.

chelseababy Wed 22-Dec-21 17:07:03

Which cruise line ate you going with?

ginny Wed 22-Dec-21 17:31:38

We did a similar cruise a few years ago in the September. We expected cold weather and itcertainly snowed our first night.
However the rest of the cruise was spent mainly in light jackets and a few days just T Shirt weather. So I suggest layers.

We usually find that on board you can be as formal as you like or keep it casual and comfortable.
There may be a formal evening or two where some will go the whole hog but there is usually the option of buffet or room service.
Enjoy !

rockgran Wed 22-Dec-21 18:08:28

We did a similar trip a few years ago and found little need to dress up. We just took one dressy top/shirt and used it on the last night at a farewell dinner. Even on the cruise we found people dressed casually. The main advice is to take layers as temperatures vary according to altitude. You can find yourself up a mountain and very cold or in a shop and very warm all on the same day. It was fabulous - hope you enjoy it.

Rosiebee Wed 22-Dec-21 18:26:08

We're going with Celebrity. We've not been on Celebrity before but loved all the Tui cruises we've done.

Kate1949 Thu 23-Dec-21 10:46:03

Oh lucky you. I'd love to to this but my husband won't go anywhere cold for a holiday. I hope you enjoy it.

BigBertha1 Thu 23-Dec-21 11:10:24

It sounds wonderful. Too cold for me I'm afraid which is a shame as I am sure you will see wonderful things. I juts read a piece by Marion Keyes on her trip to Antarctica her usual comic writing but she did stress the amount of specialist clothing needed - they went to various islands in Antarctica but no reference to dressing up. Lots of whales and penguins though. I hope you have a wonderful time.

Daisymae Thu 23-Dec-21 11:57:33

Yes we do it a few years ago. As there's bound to be a lot of Americans on board it will be casual. They don't go for a lot if dressing up! Layers are the best option. Windproof, waterproof coat essential. Comfortable shoes ditto. We saw bald eagles, black bear and a grizzly with a cub. One of our best holidays. Hope you have a great time!

Daisymae Thu 23-Dec-21 11:59:42

It not actually that cold. Don't expect Artic temperature. Celebrity are an excellent cruise line. Big ships but excellent quality.

Hiraeth Thu 23-Dec-21 12:35:09

Ooh I’m on the.Celebrity cruise ship as well with my school friend from over 60 years ago .The Eclipse is leaving from Vancouver on the 11 th September 2022 You definitely need warm clothes Fleece hoodies etc.

Hiraeth Thu 23-Dec-21 12:38:08

The Celebrity cruises are fantastic.

Ashcombe Thu 23-Dec-21 14:11:20

My favourite cruise destination of all! You will need layers but it wasn’t very cold (in mid August) but wet at times. When we went on an excursion by helicopter to land on a glacier, large, bright yellow, waterproof coats and overshoes were provided. Being on the glacier was the most awe inspiring silence I have ever experienced. We went with Princess Cruises out of Vancouver and back into Anchorage. Enjoy!

magwis Thu 23-Dec-21 15:07:33

Tracy Arm fjord spectacular but exceedingly cold at 6am. Formal nights were very formal with most women wearing black. Dressing for dinner encouraged.

Rosiebee Thu 23-Dec-21 15:20:54

Thanks for all replies. I have 2 pairs of black evening type trousers and hope to get away with 3 lightweight floaty tops for evenings. Conscious of not taking too much room up in suitcase, needing weight / space for clothes for rest of trip.

Maggiemaybe Thu 23-Dec-21 15:29:58

We went on the Alaskan cruise after two weeks in Canada including the Canadian sleeper from Toronto to Vancouver and the Rocky Mountaineer. It was probably our best holiday ever, and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, so I’m very jealous!

We had at least two formal nights on the cruise, so took outfits for those, plus warm jackets, walking boots, thick gloves and hat for going on the Athabasca glacier, and plenty of Summer clothes (it was August). I don’t know how we fitted it all into one suitcase apiece, but we did! We went with Air Canada, and I think the luggage allowances were quite generous.

We did make good use of a laundrette next door to our hotel in Vancouver before boarding, but there’ll be facilities on the ship too.

Have a great time - I’m very jealous!

Soroptimum Thu 23-Dec-21 15:33:35

Went to Alaska on a cruise in May a couple of years ago. It was actually quite warm some days, but very cold when cruising by Hubbard Glacier. Black evening trousers and a few tops would be perfect, maybe a floaty chiffon cocktail dress. We were on Queen Elizabeth so quite formal some nights.