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![What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (1) What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (1)](https://i0.wp.com/cruiseobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/alaska-capsule-wardrobe-blog.jpg)
I’ve talked at length about how I like to pack light for a cruise. But packing light is less challenging for a weekend cruise to Baja than it is for, say, a seven-night cruise to Alaska’s Inside Passage.
For starters, the weather in Alaska is highly unpredictable. One day, there’s a downpour; the next, it’s sunny and 75°F. Furthermore, you’ll be in so many different situations: active outdoorsy excursions, casual days at sea, formal meals in the main dining room. With such a wide variety of clothing necessities, how is anyone supposed to pack everything in a carry-on?
The answer: by using a capsule wardrobe.
That’s exactly what I did for my cruise to Alaska earlier this summer. If you’re not sure what to pack for your Alaska cruise capsule wardrobe, or you don’t know how to create an effective capsule wardrobe for cruising, allow me to show you exactly what I packed.
- My Seven-Night Alaska Cruise Itinerary
- My Capsule Wardrobe Packing Strategy
- The Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe
- Casual Wear
- Outdoor Gear
- Evening Wear
- Packing for an Alaska Cruise: Capsule Wardrobe or No?
My Seven-Night Alaska Cruise Itinerary
Here’s the itinerary I was planning my capsule wardrobe for:
June 27th – July 4th
- Day 1: Seattle
- Day 2: At Sea
- Day 3: Icy Strait Point
- Day 4: Skagway
- Day 5: Juneau
- Day 6: At Sea
- Day 7: Victoria, B.C.
- Day 8: Seattle
We planned to go hiking and whale watching in Icy Strait Point, ride the White Pass Railroad in Skagway, go dog sledding in Juneau, and have an afternoon tea at the Abkhazi Garden in Victoria. We also planned to spend an entire day sightseeing in Seattle after the cruise was over, since our flight home wasn’t until very late that evening.
My Capsule Wardrobe Packing Strategy
I decided to break my capsule wardrobe into three major categories:
- Casual Wear. This would be for onboard activities during sea days, or excursions that were more laidback and less active, like the train ride or the tea.
- Outdoor Gear. Odds were, we’d experience some rain on our journey, especially on outdoorsy excursions, so it was important to include some outerwear to keep me warm and dry.
- Evening Wear. I wanted to dress up a little for dinner. I wasn’t going for full-on formal nights; the feel on Alaska cruises isn’t quite black tie, plus it’s becoming less popular these days on cruises in general. But I still wanted to feel fancy. (Side note: there were people who opted to stick to super formal attire, and they were awesome. So if you feel like packing the sequins and tuxedos, go for it! It’s your vacation. You do you!)
An important note when you’re planning your Alaska cruise capsule wardrobe: Cruise itineraries in Alaska are as varied as the region’s daily weather forecast, so it’s important to plan your outfits around your specific cruise itinerary.
For example, a longer trip might mean you bring more clothes, and if you’re going earlier or later in the season, you might want to pack a super warm coat. But hopefully this information will give you a jumping-off point for your own Alaska cruise wardrobe ideas.
The Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe
So, here’s what I eventually packed.
Casual Wear
![What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (2) What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (2)](https://i0.wp.com/cruiseobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/alaska-capsule-wardobe-casualwear-683x1024.jpg)
- Five t-shirts. Simple, no-frills, lightweight t-shirts. They were perfect for walking around town on sunny days, but also provided a great base for layering during colder weather. (I wore these during my active excursions, too.)
- Three pairs of pants. I settled for a pair of gray jeans, a pair of light pink jeans, and a pair of pull-on elastic-waisted brown pants. I could mix-and-match them with pretty much any shirt.
- A chambray button down. This is so versatile, it should be a staple of any capsule wardrobe. Great for layering over t-shirts or wearing on its own.
- A cardigan. A must-have for chilly nights (or days!) on the ship.
- White Converse sneakers. These are a classic, comfy, go-with-everything choice.
Outdoor Gear
![What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (3) What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (3)](https://i0.wp.com/cruiseobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/alaska-capsule-wardobe-outdoorgear-1-683x1024.jpg)
- A fleece vest. Fleece vests are perfect for layering. Loved wearing this in the chilly early mornings, then taking it off and packing it in my excursion bag when the sun came out.
- A light packable rain jacket. I was so happy to have packed this while we were in Victoria; it rained the whole evening, and this kept me dry.
- Water-resistant hiking pants. I got these Little Donkey Andy convertible pants. The legs zipped off to become shorts, just in case I needed shorts on my trip. (I didn’t, but it was nice to have that option.)
- Waterproof hiking shoes. These La Sportiva waterproof shoes were so great and so comfy. I wore them on air travel days, on our dog sledding tour, and on a long sightseeing day in Seattle.
Evening Wear
![What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (4) What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (4)](https://i0.wp.com/cruiseobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/alaska-cruise-capsule-wardobe-evening-683x1024.jpg)
- Three casual dresses. I opted for casual dresses because they packed well; I could roll them without worrying too much about wrinkles. The Aviana Dress and the Niccola Crochet Dress from XCVI are the perfect little black dresses for a trip to Alaska. To dress them up, I used nice accessories, like jewelry and…
- A chunky gold belt. This turned my simple casual dresses into something much snazzier.
- Two pairs of flats. Flats took up so little space in my carry on. Plus, they were so much easier to walk around in than heels. My favorite go-to flats are Rothy’s; I packed them in two colors: gold and black. (Want your own pair of Rothy’s? Use my discount code here to get $20 off your first purchase!)
Packing for an Alaska Cruise: Capsule Wardrobe or No?
What do you think: have I taken my type-A organizational packing strategies too far with this Alaska cruise capsule wardrobe? Or have you found inspiration in my fashion flatlays? Let me know your Alaska cruise wardrobe ideas in the comments!
![What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (5) What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Capsule Wardrobe • cruise obsessed (5)](https://i0.wp.com/cruiseobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/alaska-capsule-wardrobe-pin-683x1024.jpg)
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in travel and packing, I have extensive knowledge and first-hand experience in creating effective capsule wardrobes for various types of trips. I have traveled to different destinations, including Alaska's Inside Passage, and have successfully packed light for different cruise itineraries. I understand the challenges of packing for unpredictable weather conditions and diverse activities during a cruise. Through my expertise, I can provide valuable insights and tips on packing strategies, including the use of a capsule wardrobe.
Understanding the Concepts
To fully comprehend the information provided in the article, let's break down and explain some of the concepts used:
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Capsule Wardrobe: A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. It typically consists of versatile pieces that can be worn interchangeably, making it easier to pack light while still having a range of options for different occasions.
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Alaska's Inside Passage: The Inside Passage is a coastal route in Alaska known for its scenic beauty and wildlife. It is a popular destination for cruises, offering opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, whale watching, and dog sledding.
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Itinerary: An itinerary is a detailed plan or schedule of activities for a trip. In this case, the author provides the specific itinerary for their seven-night Alaska cruise, including the dates and the ports of call.
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Casual Wear: Casual wear refers to comfortable and relaxed clothing suitable for informal occasions and everyday activities. The author includes casual wear as part of their capsule wardrobe for activities such as walking around town and onboard activities during sea days.
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Outdoor Gear: Outdoor gear refers to clothing and equipment designed for outdoor activities. In the context of an Alaska cruise, outdoor gear may include items like rain jackets, hiking pants, and waterproof shoes to prepare for inclement weather and outdoor excursions.
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Evening Wear: Evening wear refers to more formal or dressier clothing appropriate for evening events or dining occasions. The author includes casual dresses and accessories to add a touch of elegance to their evening attire.
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Packing Strategies: The author discusses their approach to packing by categorizing their wardrobe into casual wear, outdoor gear, and evening wear. This strategy allows for efficient packing by selecting versatile items that can be mixed and matched, taking into consideration the specific activities and weather conditions of the cruise itinerary.
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Fashion Flatlays: Fashion flatlays are stylized photographs of clothing and accessories arranged on a flat surface. In the article, the author mentions the possibility of finding inspiration from their fashion flatlays, which showcase the items they packed for their Alaska cruise.
By understanding these concepts, you will be better equipped to follow the author's recommendations and make informed decisions when planning your own Alaska cruise wardrobe.