Ultimate Alaska Cruise Packing Guide: What I Actually Pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska

Kelly Maples
2 days ago
9 min read

Alaska is not a “throw a few outfits in a suitcase” kind of cruise.

The weather can change from sunshine to rain to chilly winds in a matter of hours, and the key to staying comfortable is not packing more. It’s packing smarter.

After sailing Alaska myself and helping hundreds of families plan their Disney Alaska cruises, I’ve learned there are a handful of items that make a huge difference. Some are obvious. Others are things I never would have thought to pack until I needed them.

Here’s what I actually recommend.

Start with Layers

The secret to packing for Alaska is layering.

You don't need a giant winter coat. Instead, think about wearing layers that you can add or remove throughout the day. Temperatures can vary significantly between early mornings, glacier viewing, and afternoons in port. "Dress like an onion" is our motto in Alaska!

Smiling woman in winter hat and sunglasses poses before the Disney Wonder cruise ship docked in port.

A fleece, lightweight vest, rain jacket, and comfortable base layers will take you much further than one bulky jacket.

A Good Rain Jacket Is Non-Negotiable

Rain is simply part of the Alaska experience.

I always recommend something packable and lightweight that can easily be tossed into a backpack for excursions.

Smiling woman in knit hat and jacket poses on a wooden dock by calm water, with a gazebo and cloudy sky behind.

This is the women's rain jacket I've personally used for years because it folds into its own pouch and barely takes up any room: https://amzn.to/4frQral If you look closely you'll see it under other layers in many of my photos.

For my husband we love the Frogg Toggs rain jackets because they're lightweight, affordable, and easy to pack: https://amzn.to/4e0ia0F

For younger kids, I especially love the Frogg Toggs rain suit because it includes both a waterproof jacket and rain pants. If your little ones really get into excursions, puddles, hiking trails, or rainy port days, having waterproof pants makes a huge difference.

https://amzn.to/4upt7Pj

For bigger kids who don't need a full rain suit anymore, these are the exact rain jackets my kids wear in Alaska. They've held up really well in typical Alaska weather while still being lightweight enough to pack easily plus the bright colors look great in photos.

https://amzn.to/4uC6PtG

Your Stateroom Will Fill Up Fast

Alaska cruises somehow create layers everywhere by day two.

Jackets, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, rain gear, backpacks, and souvenirs all seem to multiply inside your stateroom.

One thing that helps tremendously is using magnetic hooks throughout the stateroom.

These are the exact ones we use:

https://amzn.to/4uNALCQ

They're perfect for hanging jackets, sweatshirts, backpacks, and rain gear without taking up valuable closet space.

Also worth packing is a lightweight pop-up laundry hamper. Ours folds completely flat in the suitcase, pops open instantly onboard, and has a great side pocket for storing detergent sheets.

https://amzn.to/4uzuM4U

Door Decorations Done Right

Disney cruise cabin door covered with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Bluey stickers, cruise names, and the text This Episode of Bluey Is Called Cruisin'

Decorating your stateroom door is one of the most fun Disney Cruise Line traditions.

One important thing to know is that Disney Cruise Line does not allow tape or adhesives on stateroom doors or walls. New DCL door decorationg rules limit decorations to the door itself. You may not decorate the walls or ceiling outside of your stateroom.

That means magnets are really the only cruise-friendly option.

All magnets can be dangerous if

Hand holding a stack of shiny silver rectangular bar magnets against a white background.

swallowed, but we personally prefer these larger bar-style magnets because they're much harder for a little one to swallow than the tiny round magnets. I also find them easier to handle and much easier to pull off the door. Plus they come with adhesive strips to apply to the back of door decorations.

https://amzn.to/4fwMe5c

Small Cabin Upgrades That Make a Big Difference

The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder don't have a ton of outlets, especially for families all trying to charge phones, watches, cameras, tablets, and portable chargers at the same time.

We love this charging block because it expands your charging options without violating Disney's no power strip policy.

https://amzn.to/49fnwCO

We also never cruise without a fan.

The more affordable option is this magnetic rechargeable fan that I've had for a few years:

https://amzn.to/3R9qhiN

White clip-on mini fan with carabiner and remote showing 2H, 4H, 6H, 8H buttons on a white background.

If you're someone who runs hot at night, I also like this camping fan because you

can use a magnetic hook and clip it overhead to create your own "ceiling fan" effect.

https://amzn.to/431oaQN

Another favorite is rechargeable magnetic puck lights.

Disney Cruise Line staterooms bathrooms can get surprisingly dark at night. While the newer Wish Class ships have a bathroom nighlight option, the Magic and Wonder do not so we always make sure to pack these for Alaska. https://amzn.to/4dumV1d

Laundry Is Easier Than You Think

Disney Cruise Line offers both self-service laundry rooms and laundry service.

They do sell detergent onboard, but we always bring our own to save a few dollars. We pack detergent sheets because they take up almost no room and eliminate any worries about leaking detergent in your suitcase.

https://amzn.to/4tHRmaq

That side pocket on our pop-up hamper is the perfect place to keep them when walking to and from the laundry room!

The Packing Cubes We've Used for Years

Alaska cruises usually mean bulkier clothing than warm-weather itineraries.

We've had these exact compression packing cubes for about three years now,

and they're still going strong.

https://amzn.to/4tS77eG

One thing that works really well for our family is that each person gets their own color. Mine are purple, which makes it easy to identify my things without digging through everyone else's luggage.

Waterproof Shoes That Don't Feel Like Hiking Boots

I wanted something practical for Alaska excursions without packing bulky hiking boots.

These waterproof KEEN hiking sneakers ended up being perfect. They're comfortable, waterproof, and honestly look more like athletic shoes than traditional hiking boots.

Women's version:

https://amzn.to/4uFzH48

Men's version:

https://amzn.to/4duUO3a

The One Thing My Freezing Hands Were Thankful For

My hands are always cold.

Person in a gray sleeve holds a black hand warmer beside a weathered dock post over calm water under a cloudy sky.

These rechargeable hand warmers were actually a gift from my husband before one of our cold-weather trips, and now I never travel without them.

Trust me, you'll spend much more time outside than you expect between glacier viewing, whale watching, scenic cruising, and excursions.

https://amzn.to/4dPvvaV

My Favorite Glacier Day Upgrade

The hot chocolate and blankets on glacier day are wonderful.

But before our Norway cruise, my husband surprised me with a heated vest, and I'll absolutely be bringing it to Alaska!

It keeps your core warm without adding a lot of bulk.

Women's heated vest:

https://amzn.to/4tWjWVE

Men's heated vest:

https://amzn.to/3RExZBx

The Item We Didn't Think We'd Need

We were honestly skeptical when friends handed us mosquito head nets before our Laughton Glacier hike.

Two smiling hikers in rain jackets on a misty forest trail, with evergreen trees and mountains in the background.

A few minutes later, we were so thankful we had them! This photo was taken about 2 minutes before I put mine on. My smarter friend was already wearing hers!

If you're planning hiking excursions, especially glacier hikes or wooded trails, these ended up being far more useful than we expected.

Kids:

https://amzn.to/3Q2wFIh

Adults:

https://amzn.to/4dIntkb

Don't Underestimate a Good Pair of Binoculars

Whale watching, glacier viewing, spotting bald eagles, and searching for wildlife all become more fun with binoculars.

I've been really impressed with these compact binoculars, especially for the price. They're definitely not the same as high-end Nikon binoculars, but they're lightweight, easy to pack, and a great size for both adults and little hands.

https://amzn.to/4v725w2

Don't Forget Portable Chargers

The last thing you want is a dead phone while watching whales breach or standing in front of a glacier.

My teenagers are constantly stealing my portable chargers, so now we each have different colors.

I love these because they have built-in charging cables for multiple device types, so there's no need to pack extra cords in your day bag.

https://amzn.to/4f5hMPM

The Cutest Alaska Accessory

I can't resist the double pom pom beanies because they look a little like Mickey ears in photos.

They're soft, warm, fleece-lined, and add just the right amount of whimsy to glacier day pictures.

Women's version:

https://amzn.to/4a8wvWy

Kids version:

https://amzn.to/4nRZxQa

Don't Forget Hand Sanitizer

Disney Cruise Line has excellent health and sanitation practices. You'll find handwashing stations, sanitizing wipes, and reminders throughout the ships and restaurants.

We still tend to sanitize more frequently on cruises, especially after excursions and before grabbing snacks.

These travel-sized hand sanitizers are easy to keep in a backpack, day bag, or stateroom.

https://amzn.to/4nVZJh6

One Small Disney Cruise Detail First-Timers Often Forget

Returning Disney cruisers usually receive lanyards with card holders in their stateroom on embarkation day, and Disney Vacation Club members can often pick up DVC-themed lanyards at the DVC desk.

If this is your first Disney cruise, you'll probably want to bring one.

Make sure it includes a clear card holder, not just a lanyard.

Spiral of repeated small cartoon faces on a black background, creating a hypnotic swirl.

You'll use your Key to the World card constantly throughout the cruise for entering your stateroom, purchases onboard, and getting on and off the ship.

I also like having the card holder space for things like the Cove Café Fanatic punch card. Disney Cruise Line offers a loyalty-style punch card for specialty coffee purchases, and after enough purchases you'll earn a free coffee. Alaska cruises are definitely the kind of itinerary where warm lattes seem to multiply.

Classic Disney version:

https://amzn.to/4f0oE0H

Princess version:

https://amzn.to/4dJuKjC

Disney Cruise Memories & Souvenirs

Once you've got the Alaska essentials covered, there are a few Disney Cruise Line traditions worth planning for before you sail.

One of my favorite Disney cruise traditions is collecting character signatures on something you'll actually keep and use long after the cruise is over.

Years ago, many families left items with Guest Services for signatures, but today you'll want to bring your item with you to character meet-and-greets and collect signatures throughout the cruise.

White Photo Mat

This may be my favorite option.

Have characters sign the mat throughout your cruise, then use it to frame a favorite cruise photo when you get home. It becomes a personalized piece of Disney artwork and a wonderful reminder of the trip. This would look great with Glacier Day character photos!

https://amzn.to/49xOq97

White Pillowcase and Fabric Markers

A classic Disney cruise keepsake. Character signatures turn an inexpensive white pillowcase into a custom souvenir that many kids treasure for years. Sharpies can bleed, while fabric markers generally work much better on pillowcases and other fabric items.

Affordable 2 pack of white standard pillow cases: https://amzn.to/4wWK5pS

20 rainbow fabric markers: https://amzn.to/4o58C8o

White Stainless Steel Tumbler or Water Bottle

Hand holding a white thermos bottle covered with black autographs on a dark background.

A fun alternative to an autograph book. You end up with a practical souvenir you'll actually use instead of storing on a shelf.

White Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle: https://amzn.to/4dEtM9I

Traditional Autograph Book

Still a great option, especially for younger kids who enjoy collecting signatures and flipping through them after the cruise. Make sure you get one that includes a pen!

Classic Disney Character Autograph Book with Pen: https://amzn.to/4dSPINf

Minnie Mouse Autograph Book with Pen: https://amzn.to/43DURUq

Disney Princess Autograph Book with Pen: https://amzn.to/3PM6XYz

A few practical tips:

• Bring your items in your carry-on so they're ready on embarkation day.

• Black and metallic markers tend to show up best. (Set of black and metallic Sharpies: https://amzn.to/4uJkbVh)

• Start collecting signatures early in the cruise.

• Character lines are often shortest on port days.

No Pirate Night in Alaska

One thing first-time Disney Alaska cruisers are often surprised to learn is that Alaska sailings do not have Pirate Night.

Instead, you'll find Frozen-themed entertainment and sing-along fun onboard.

Most families keep it casual, but a lot of kids love joining in. Purchasing princess dresses ahead of time is much more economical than purchasing onboard at Bibbidi Boppity Boutique.

Team Elsa:

https://amzn.to/4wRZ44w

Team Anna:

https://amzn.to/4e1JknX

Team Olaf:

https://amzn.to/4fCotsy

And Yes, Bring a Swimsuit & Sunglasses

People always forget swimsuits.

The pools are heated, the hot tubs are fantastic, and Vancouver can actually be quite warm during the summer.

Don't leave your swimsuit at home.

Even on cold days it can be very sunny and the glare from the water and the glaciers is real. Be sure both big and little cruisers pack some shades.

Alaska Evenings Are More Relaxed Than Many People Expect

Two smiling women pose with Mickey Mouse in a navy captain uniform indoors, creating a cheerful photo-op.

One thing I always tell first-time Alaska cruisers is not to stress too much about dressing up for dinner. Here's a photo of us on our way to dinner in Alaska.

Alaska days can be long, active, and excursion-heavy. Many families are rushing back from whale watching, glacier hikes, or rainy port adventures just trying to make it to dinner on time.

You'll absolutely see some guests dressed formally on optional dress-up nights, but you'll also see plenty of people in jeans, sweaters, fleece pullovers, and casual dresses.

It's your vacation. Wear what makes you happy and comfortable.

The one exception is Palo. If you have a Palo brunch or dinner reservation, make sure you pack something that meets the restaurant's dress code.