Packing for an Alaska cruise can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re someone who is always cold (that would be me). Between chilly mornings, misty rain, glacier days, and outdoor excursions, layering properly makes all the difference.
After our trip, I can honestly say this: what we packed worked. Not perfectly (nothing ever is), but really well — and many of these items are now winter staples for us at home too.
Below is a breakdown of what we wore on our Alaska cruise, why it worked, and how we layered to stay warm and dry.
Fleece-Lined Leggings (My MVP)
These fleece-lined leggings from Amazon were one of my favorite items on the trip.
Why I loved them:
- Super comfortable and warm
- Great for the cruise ship and on land
- They have pockets (always a win)
- Easy to layer under waterproof pants
- I still wear them around the house and running errands in the colder months
I wore them on the ship, walking through ports, and lounging — and they’ve become a go-to even after the trip.
Affiliate link here Fleece Lined Leggings
Thermal Underwear (Essential for Glacier Days)
I bought thermal underwear for myself and my youngest son — and I’m so glad I did.
Glacier Bay Day
The day we cruised Glacier Bay, I knew it would be chilly and that we’d spend a lot of time outside. I wore my thermal underwear all day and stayed warm.
My ten-year-old?
He wasn’t thrilled at first — but he stayed warm too.
Re-Wear = Win
We re-wore the thermals on our day in Juneau, when we visited:
- Mendenhall Glacier
- Nugget Falls
That’s when you know something earns its place in your suitcase.
Affiliate links here https://amzn.to/4thDKU7 and https://amzn.to/3Zj5wSr
Waterproof Pants (Thin but Mighty)
We bought waterproof pants for myself and my ten-year-old. These pants are thin, so layering is key — but they absolutely did their job.
We wore them:
- Cruising Glacier Bay (misty/rainy)
- Icy Strait Point & Hoonah
- Juneau
Underneath, we layered:
- Thermal underwear
- Or fleece leggings
Since Alaska, we’ve also worn these pants sledding at home — again with thermals underneath — and they kept us completely dry.
Affiliate links here https://amzn.to/4thijTh and https://amzn.to/4avO9nQ
Waterproof Shoes for My Son (Traction Matters)
For my ten-year-old, my husband and I picked out Merrell waterproof shoes.
What we wanted:
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Good traction
What we got:
- All of the above
They worked perfectly for:
- Hiking
- Muddy trails
- Rainy days
- Long walking excursions
He liked them so much that they became his back-to-school shoes.
Affiliate link here https://amzn.to/4bw7lCW
Lined Winter Boots (Unexpected Favorite)
My husband bought me a pair of lined winter boots originally for snow — but they ended up being perfect for travel.
I first wore them on our trip to Cape May, realized how comfortable they were, and then wore them every single day in Alaska.
They were:
- Warm
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Great traction
They didn’t disappoint — and I still use them when playing in the snow at home.
Affiliate link here https://amzn.to/4tnEtDq
Coats & Rain Jackets
For My Son & Me
We already had:
- Waterproof winter coats
- Lightweight rain jackets
We wore:
- The heavier coats on colder days
- The lighter rain jackets when needed
Affiliate links here https://amzn.to/4afEa4G and https://amzn.to/4qXk5Ho
For My Husband
My husband bought a new waterproof coat for the trip and wore it several times. It worked great in Alaska and has since been used during our winter weather at home.
Affiliate link here https://amzn.to/3ZSkZJm
Warm Socks (Because I’m Always Cold)
I’m usually the coldest person in the room, so warm socks were non-negotiable.
These socks:
- Kept my feet warm
- Worked well with boots
- Made long days outside much more comfortable
Affiliate link here https://amzn.to/4qWXCKx
Cruise Ship Days = Puffer Vest
The ship itself was warm, so on sea days I was perfectly comfortable wearing a puffer vest instead of a full coat.
It was:
- Easy to layer
- Not bulky
- Perfect indoors
Toboggans for Everyone
We all wore toboggans to keep our heads warm — simple, effective, and absolutely worth packing.
Final Thoughts
Layering is everything in Alaska.
We weren’t trying to be fashionable — we were trying to be comfortable, warm, and dry — and this setup worked.
Many of these items:
- Were worn multiple days
- Were reused at home
- Became winter staples
If you’re planning an Alaska cruise and wondering what to pack, I hope this helps you feel more confident.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share items our family personally uses and trusts. Thank you for supporting Three Compass Journeys.
— Gretchen Leneaye