Packing for a Disney Cruise to Alaska: Disney Cruise Line Advice

I'll start by saying that packing for Alaska is a tricky business. It's nothing like Florida, which probably doesn't come as a shock to you, but whereas with Florida, you can look at the long range forecast a couple of weeks before you travel and have a rough idea of the temperatures you’re likely to encounter, I found Alaskan weather to be totally different. I think, in the couple of weeks before we left home, the weather forecast underwent some dramatic changes. At one point, the forecast was for temperatures in the mid 30s, while another time when I checked, I saw the mid 50s being predicted. How on earth do you pack for that level of unpredictability? The simple answer is you don’t. To a certain extent, you ignore the forecast, and pack for all eventualities.

Now you’re probably sitting there and thinking, "That’s all very well, but with luggage charges on most airlines, I’m going to end up needing about three suitcases per person." That’s a good point, but the answer is to layer. Go with items that you know you can wear if it’s warmer, with some additional layers to go on top, should the weather turn cold.

It's also worth remembering that, for much of the time you're on the Wonder, you'll probably be inside. Disney keep all the inside areas of their ships at a pleasant enough temperature. I found that I was able to wander around the interior decks comfortably in a T-shirt. However, outside was a different matter.

Alaska - Tracy Arm Fjord
Our first glimpse of the glacier at the end of Tracy Arm Fjord. - photo by chezp