Tammy Whiting, our Disney Cruise Line expert, shares with us 10 things she packs for a Disney Alaskan Cruise.
1. Big Lens – This isn’t the time to pare down on camera equipment. The wildlife photo opportunities are abundant, and you will want a big lens if you’ve got one! I have a 75-200, but I could stand an even longer lens at times. iPhones take great photos these days, but if you’ve got a real camera, you’re going to want it.
2. Rain Gear – Alaska is a rainy state. The odds are good that you’ll get rain on your cruise. While Disney sometimes passes out ponchos for guests on their way out, bring your own poncho, packable rain jacket, or umbrella to have as a backup!
3. Waterproof Shoes – I’m not packing full-out rain boots because they take up too much room. But I’ve got some good waterproof shoes to keep my feet dry if we are walking in the rain or going boating.
4. Cold Weather Gear – It is Alaska, after all! Even though there are some warm sunny days, there are also times when you’re going to want those mittens and earmuffs and hats!
5. Formal Attire – Formal attire is probably not the first thing that comes to mind for Alaska, and, overall, it is a casual cruise. Having said that, it’s a seven-night cruise, so there is a formal night and a semi-formal night. You don’t have to dress up, but if you want to, here’s your chance!
6. Binoculars – It’s time to break out the binoculars! There’s a lot to be seen with the naked eye, but it’s also nice to have longer reach at times! Is that hump on the water a log, an otter, or a whale? Now you can know!
7. Clothing Layers – The inside of the ship is generally warm, but the dining rooms and theaters can be chilly. Bring some layers so you can adjust.
8. Swimsuit – It’s true! Disney keeps their pools quite warm, and there’s always a hot tub. The hot tub feels amazing after a particularly wet excursion!
9. Bug Spray – Bugs are a real thing in Alaska. Bug spray will help keep them at bay!
10. Wet/Dry Bag – If you have sailed with Disney more than five times, one of your welcome-back gifts will probably be a wet/dry bag. Otherwise, you may want to pack one to bring home some wet clothes that didn’t have time to dry out before packing for debarkation!
About the author of the blog: Tammy Whiting is the coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. Blogger, Space Force wife, and mother of two, Tammy has been involved in the travel industry for more than 15 years. Though she certainly enjoys vacations of all kinds, her favorite adventures around the globe have been on cruise ships. Tammy spent five years of her childhood in Europe as a military brat and has been a military spouse for over 30 years, living in almost every corner of the US. When she isn’t traveling, you can find her enjoying her family, buying camera equipment, and planning her next trip!
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