The Alaska Cruise Items We Ended Up Using Every Single Day
- Kelly Maples
- 18 minutes ago
- 5 min read
By Kelly Maples
There are always a few things you pack for a cruise thinking, “Maybe we’ll use this.”
And then there are the items that somehow end up being used nonstop from embarkation day until the final morning.
On our most recent Disney Alaska cruise, there were a handful of things we kept reaching for over and over again. Some made the stateroom more comfortable. Some made glacier days easier and some honestly just made the entire trip more enjoyable.
These are the items that genuinely earned their suitcase space.
The Fan We Wouldn’t Cruise Without Again
To most, Alaska might not sound like “fan weather,” but Disney Cruise Line staterooms can still get surprisingly warm at night. This effect compounds after long excursion days especially in the case of large families in full staterooms.
Our magnetic rechargeable fan ended up being one of the most-used things we packed.
Its magnetic base made it easy to move around the stateroom, so we could position it wherever we needed airflow most — especially for whichever family member was overheating that night.
One thing I especially liked was how compact it was compared to traditional travel fans. It packed easily and barely took up room in our luggage, and the battery lasted for a surprisingly long time.
Why We Were So Glad We Packed Binoculars
You do not realize how often you’ll want binoculars in Alaska until you’re actually there.
Whales in the distance. Bald eagles in trees. Glaciers calving. Mountain goats high up on cliffs. The point is, there were constantly moments where we found ourselves reaching for them. In Alaska, there is almost endless opportunity for zooming in on something incredible.
Additionally, we also noticed that a huge number of other passengers had binoculars with them too, especially on glacier viewing days and scenic cruising mornings. After experiencing it ourselves, it makes complete sense.
The compact size of this first set made them especially easy to keep in our backpack during packing, port days, long hikes where weight matters, and glacier viewing.
I also really liked that this option was lightweight enough for kids to use comfortably without feeling bulky or difficult to hold, and the easy to use focus adjustment, eye relief, and clarity of the lenses ensure that your little ones will not feel left out of the majestic scenery.
For families wanting a simple, compact pair primarily for sightseeing and excursions, this smaller set worked extremely well for us. They are lightweight, easy to pack, surprisingly clear for the price, and small enough that we never hesitated to throw them into a day bag.
Compact Binoculars: https://amzn.to/3SsDrrS
We also tested a slightly upgraded pair that included a phone mount for taking photos directly through the binoculars, and honestly, this ended up being far cooler than I expected.
The zoom you can achieve with the phone attachment is genuinely impressive. Some of the wildlife and glacier photos we captured almost looked like they were taken with a much more expensive camera setup rather than just a phone attached to binoculars.
If you enjoy photography or simply want a fun way to make Glacier Day even more immersive, this ended up being one of our favorite things we brought for the entire family.
The upgraded pair also felt sturdy overall and provided a slightly more premium viewing experience while still remaining compact enough for travel. We also found the controls of this set to be very straightforward and easy to use for people of all ages.
Binoculars with Phone Mount: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZJDYKGY?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2IFGFGVYEA5KF&linkCode=tr1&tag=afteralltrave-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2IFGFGVYEA5KF_1782412733518
Whether you're hoping to capture surprisingly good photos without spending a fortune on professional camera gear, or simply want a reliable pair of binoculars for glacier viewing and whale watching, the value these provide for the price is honestly hard to beat.
The Shoes That Handled Alaska Better Than Expected
Alaska weather changes fast.
One minute you’re walking through a sunny port and the next you’re dealing with rain, puddles, wet docks, or muddy trails. This is something I can now personally attest to after experiencing some of Alaska’s sunniest days in Juneau and Ketchikan, followed by a rainy uphill hike in Skagway.
Having comfortable waterproof shoes that I could use almost exactly like bulky hiking boots, crossing small streams, gripping wet rocks and steep surfaces, and simply feeling far more confident in the rain, ended up being one of the best packing decisions I made for the trip.
These shoes were a stylish and functional way to save space in my already tight Alaska packing, taking the place of both sneakers and hiking boots, while still giving me the confidence and performance I needed for more serious hikes and excursions.
What I liked most was that they didn’t feel bulky like traditional hiking boots. They were comfortable enough for long excursion days while still handling wet conditions really well.
Shoes: https://amzn.to/4xTNOVS
The Small Cabin Upgrade That Helped More Than Expected
Disney Cruise Line staterooms are designed incredibly well, but Alaska cruises create a lot of extra layers and gear.
Rain jackets. Sweatshirts. Hats. Gloves. Backpacks. Souvenirs.
Magnetic hooks ended up helping us keep the room from feeling completely chaotic by day two.
We used them for jackets, bags, damp rain gear, and even extra cruise lanyards.
It’s one of those inexpensive cruise items that ends up making the room feel significantly more functional.
Hooks: https://amzn.to/4wbLkQV
Don’t Underestimate Warm Accessories in Alaska
One thing Alaska taught me is that “cold” feels different when you’re standing outside glacier viewing for long stretches of time. Especially on glacier days, where the cutting wind is prevalent, having some light gloves which I could still operate my phone with while keeping my fingers warm was nice.
Additionally, on glacier day I was very glad I had a warm hat with me. This one was comfortable, stylish, and did a great job keeping my ears and head warm without feeling overly hot during glacier viewing.
I also love the two pom-poms, which subtly give it a bit of a “Mickey ears” look. It’s a fun option for Disney fans who want a small nod toward the brand, while still being understated enough for anyone who simply wants a cute and practical Alaska hat.
Good gloves and warm hats made a much bigger difference than I expected.
Especially early in the mornings or during scenic cruising, having warm accessories easily accessible in our day bag made outdoor viewing far more enjoyable.
Gloves:
Hat:
A Few Alaska Packing Lessons We Learned
After this cruise, there are a few things I’d absolutely tell first-time Alaska cruisers:
• Pack layers instead of one huge coat.
• Waterproof shoes matter more than fancy outfits.
• Binoculars are 100% worth bringing.
• Your stateroom fills up with gear fast.
• Small comfort items end up making a huge difference.
Alaska cruises are incredibly active, scenic, and outdoors-focused. The right gear simply helps you enjoy more of the experience comfortably.
Shop Our Most-Used Alaska Cruise Favorites
Cabin Favorites
• Magnetic Fan — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3XFMHRG?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.22N600DPARQBW&linkCode=tr1&tag=afteralltrave-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.22N600DPARQBW_1782413974709
• Magnetic Hooks — https://amzn.to/4wbLkQV
Glacier Day Favorites
• Compact Binoculars — https://amzn.to/3SsDrrS
• Binoculars with Phone Mount — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FZJDYKGY?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2IFGFGVYEA5KF&linkCode=tr1&tag=afteralltrave-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2IFGFGVYEA5KF_1782412733518
Outerwear
• Waterproof Shoes — https://amzn.to/4xTNOVS
• Gloves — https://amzn.to/3QqrHFE
• Warm Hat — https://amzn.to/3T209XL
Shop my other picks for all things Disney Cruise below!
Final Thoughts
Alaska quickly became one of our favorite Disney cruise itineraries we’ve ever done.
The scenery is unbelievable, the excursions are unforgettable, and there’s just something incredibly special about glacier mornings and cozy evenings onboard.
And while you definitely don’t need to overpack, there are a few items that genuinely make the experience smoother, warmer, and more comfortable.
These were the ones we were truly glad we brought.
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