COOL CRUISING to ALASKA
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The Approach to Sawyer Glacier
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by Linda Coffman
Spring!
When it's in the air, cruisers' fancies turn north. North to Alaska, with thoughts of majestic scenery, frontiers to explore, and WARM CLOTHING to pack. No tropical prints, sandals, or bikinis are necessary, but that's all the stores are FULL of this time of year.
What's a cruiser to do? First you need to know how to dress and then where to find what you want.
Comfort
That's your first concern. The secret to being comfortable on an Alaska cruise is "layers" of light clothing in natural fabrics. Silk undergarments are the ultimate in warmth and luxury next to the skin. Top that with a cotton turtleneck or shirt and finish up with a sweater and wind breaker. Bottom wear can be jeans or khaki pants. Warm socks and shoes that fit well and keep water and cold at bay are a must.
Summer weather in Alaska can be sunny and warm, overcast and chilly, or damp and dreary. It's changeable, depending on your itinerary and the month you're cruising in. Late May and September are naturally going to be cooler than June, July, and August. In May and June you'll see a lot more snow on the mountains. Later in the summer you may encounter some of the mosquitoes the state is famous for.
In late-May and early-June I found nylon "wind-suits" with a light cotton lining were ideal. They fit the bill for comfort (elastic waistbands!) and warmth. With a turtleneck and light sweater under the jackets and, if necessary, a pair of leggings under the pants, they were even warm enough for glacier viewing days.
Anorak-style jackets with a hood are just about perfect outerwear. So, where do you find that, and other outdoorsy style clothing when it's not on display at the mall? Why it's simple... cruise the following selections online:
- Magellan's Catalog
- Lands' End
- L.L. Bean
- TravelSmith Outfitters
Gone Fishin'?
In our rubbery yellow cocoons, we DID look like we were setting out to troll for salmon off the fantail. While pondering what to pack, I thought of the slickers we'd used so often on our boat in the Gulf of Mexico. They folded flat and barely took up room in the suitcase. Best of all, they cut the wind effectively and have hoods to ward off drizzling rain.
On our first day out of Vancouver, we were sitting at the pool bar of our Norwegian Cruise Line ship. It was overcast, but not cold. Not at first. Our Jamaican bartender showed us his mini-thermometer which read about 50 degrees. Not a useful device in his Jamaica homeland, he snorted--the temperature didn't go high enough on it. Suddenly, the partly cloudy day took a cloudier and colder turn. Now the thermometer read 35 degrees and we switched from Salty Dogs to Jamaican Coffee with Tia Maria, rum, and warmth. The bright yellow slicker I slipped on provided an envelope against the chill and, while other less hardy souls scampered to indoor spaces, we continued to enjoy the scenery and company of our new Jamaican friend from outdoors.
I highly recommend a slicker or poncho if you have one.
Survival Gear
You'll be glad you brought extra film and a long lens for your camera. Figure on the amount of film you normally use, then double that. A panorama camera or lens is highly recommended. Binoculars (in the 7 X 50 lens range) or sport glasses are a necessity to bring seals, whales, and eagles into closer view. And you really don't want to have too close an encounter with a bear, do you? Better to have binoculars.
Outside, at a deck's rail, is where you'll want to be as your vessel slips silently into a passage and you suddenly encounter small icebergs and finally, the surprising blue tinted glacier. It can be an hours long experience and for that, a hat, or earmuffs, and gloves are a must-have.
Do you really need an umbrella? Do as I do, bring a folding one you can slip into your tote bag or purse. It's a given that if you have it, you won't need it, but if you don't... yes, it'll rain. Insect repellent? Bring it along, Alaska is famous for her state bird, the mosquito. You may or may not have a problem with them, depending on the timing of your cruise and the activities you choose ashore.
The air outside is chilly and the air inside your ship is heated. Combine those two elements and your skin and hair will suffer. Pack your most aggressive moisturizer, body lotion, and hair conditioner or visit the ladies in the onboard spa.
After Six
Alaska cruising is different than forays into the Caribbean. While more families are visiting our northernmost state, you'll often find a more mature passenger mix and an earlier to bed crowd. Activities are likely to wind up shortly after the midnight buffet, if not before. You certainly want to appear stylishly attired, but the key word is comfort. Evening wear is more likely to be heavy on brocades and silks and light on strapless evening dresses for the ladies. Less is more... think pearls, not sequins. Men will be formal in tuxes and dark suits and a lot of navy-blue blazers will be sported at dinner, even on casual nights.
It's not all dress-up, of course. On NCL, our Alaska cruise included a Klondike Night when flannel shirts and jeans were appropriate and encouraged attire. Incidentally, our on-board native Alaskan guide was the only woman I saw in sleeveless dresses on formal nights.
P.S. The scenery is just as stunning when viewed from the ship's hot tub or heated pool. Remember to take swimwear and something to cover up with when you leave the water.
Don't miss the Cruise Diva's information on Alaska Ports of Call
Cruise Diva's FOCUS on Cool Cruise Destinations - What you need to know before you go-- tips for planning and packing.
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