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Must Haves on Alaskan Cruise


CanuckinSMA
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One of the first responses to the OP was to bring ear muffs. Ear muffs? Really? I've lived in Alaska for 32+ years and have never owned or used a pair, even at -50 F. So don't over pack. Be sensible and don't bother purchasing things you may never use again. If you get cold easily, then purchase a hat that will cover your ears. A scarf will do the trick, too.

 

I hope that you love Alaska. I visited for 10 days in 1983 and loved it so much I moved here 6 months later! :D

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One of the first responses to the OP was to bring ear muffs. Ear muffs? Really? I've lived in Alaska for 32+ years and have never owned or used a pair, even at -50 F. So don't over pack. Be sensible and don't bother purchasing things you may never use again. If you get cold easily, then purchase a hat that will cover your ears. A scarf will do the trick, too.

 

I hope that you love Alaska. I visited for 10 days in 1983 and loved it so much I moved here 6 months later! :D

 

It wasn't me that suggested ear muffs, but I would take them too! I'll be taking some to Norway in June. They protect my ears from a cold wind & I get headaches otherwise. You are probably just used to the cold :D

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A post in another thread made me read "Must Haves on Alaskan Cruise" a little differently...

1. Must have.... Dutch Split Pea Soup out on deck

2. Must have.... a spicy Bloody Mary with breakfast

3. Must have... at least a few hours on sea days in Crows Nest reading and listening to iPod.

4. Must have... Zupa di Pesce at Canaletto

5. Must have... Irish Coffee on deck when looking for whales

6. Must have... a little time in casino (because SveaGirl says so)

7. Must have... time on a lounger with a blanket on Promenade deck to read out in fresh air

8. Must have... Halibut (not Salmon) if on MDR menu

9. Must have... a glass of locally made Tatoosh Bourbon to try it out

10. Must have... a great time on our Alaska cruise! :cool:

 

 

where is the "LIKE" button?!? OMG- this list is fantastic

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It wasn't me that suggested ear muffs, but I would take them too! I'll be taking some to Norway in June. They protect my ears from a cold wind & I get headaches otherwise. You are probably just used to the cold :D

 

Honestly, if a person is not going to use them again, I would say that there are other things that can easily cover the ears. I'm originally from Florida and have never used them.

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Honestly, if a person is not going to use them again, I would say that there are other things that can easily cover the ears. I'm originally from Florida and have never used them.

 

I am the ear muff fan - can't believe how many times I have been happy I brought them along. They are part of my bring them everywhere pack. Along with silk long underwear - even on Tales of the South Pacific.

 

Particularly when there is a cold wind that comes up suddenly --like waiting for the tenders in Sochi, Russia in the Black Sea which is their summer resort.. No one expected to have to wait so long and there was no place to go other than stand outside. And as I always do, I had my little "ear pops" in my coat pockets. The day was saved.

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Layers layers layers. The best decision I made was to bring a couple if warmup suits. Tank, tshirt, fleece jacket or hoodie and warmup jacket on the top. Leggings, shorts and warmup bottoms. I would peal back the layers as the day progressed. These clothes are light weight and easy to pack and stuff in a backpack.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Forums mobile app

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Thanks all! It's tough to know how to pack as we'll be visiting family in Calgary/Saskatchewan for 2 weeks prior so need "warm weather clothes" for that time and then have to add "cooler weather" clothes. Is there room in the room for two regular size suitcases plus two carry on cases? We will buy binoculars if they're not included in our room..any more clarification on that. We're in a Veranda balcony room on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Many thanks for this great info. I'm writing it all down!!!

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Thanks all! It's tough to know how to pack as we'll be visiting family in Calgary/Saskatchewan for 2 weeks prior so need "warm weather clothes" for that time and then have to add "cooler weather" clothes. Is there room in the room for two regular size suitcases plus two carry on cases? We will buy binoculars if they're not included in our room..any more clarification on that. We're in a Veranda balcony room on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Many thanks for this great info. I'm writing it all down!!!

 

I find natural fabric layers are more flexible for later temperature changes, than synthetics. Spandex added to the fabric, even in very small amounts I find the worst in hotter climates. Silk, wool, cotton, linen and rayon-hemp.

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I like the waterproof rain pants that layer over regular pants. These keep you dry and cut the wind when it's not raining. The wind coming off the glaciers goes right through jeans and is even colder if they're damp. These are very compact to pack and make a big difference in comfort.

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Thanks all! It's tough to know how to pack as we'll be visiting family in Calgary/Saskatchewan for 2 weeks prior so need "warm weather clothes" for that time and then have to add "cooler weather" clothes. Is there room in the room for two regular size suitcases plus two carry on cases? We will buy binoculars if they're not included in our room..any more clarification on that. We're in a Veranda balcony room on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Many thanks for this great info. I'm writing it all down!!!

 

Yes there will be room to store your suitcases. Ours all fit under the bed on the NA in a verandah cabin.

 

When are you going to be in Calgary and Saskatchewan? And where do you currently live? (approximate is fine, just wondering if "summer" in Alberta and Saskatchewan will feel "hot" to you or not....)

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It wasn't me that suggested ear muffs, but I would take them too! I'll be taking some to Norway in June. They protect my ears from a cold wind & I get headaches otherwise. You are probably just used to the cold :D

Bells Palsy taught me to keep my ears covered!

 

 

I bring a hat, mittens and a knit scarf.

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Is there room in the room for two regular size suitcases plus two carry on cases? . . .

In our vista suite on the Rotterdam, we fit a large suitcase a garment bag, two wheeled carry-ons and a large camera bag & accessory bag. The garment bag was a hassle getting it into the closet. That's where the walk-in closets on Royal Caribbean's Radiance Ship and up Junior Suites work so well. We may have put it under the bed.

 

We're doing the Rocky Mountaineer train from Calgary to Vancouver, then stepping onto the ship.

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  • 2 weeks later...

"When are you going to be in Calgary and Saskatchewan? And where do you currently live? (approximate is fine, just wondering if "summer" in Alberta and Saskatchewan will feel "hot" to you or not....)"

 

We will be in Calgary and Sask. mid August thru till our cruise on Aug. 26. We're from SW Ontario..it can get very humid here in the summer, especially August!

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What you need to know: You'll have a great time.

 

We've been twice. As others have said, the weather can vary. I got the worst sunburn of my life in Fairbanks!

Take some sunscreen, sunglasses, a few lighter shirts that would go under a sweatshirt, one hoodie sweatshirt (who cares if you wear it everyday), two pair of jeans, an exercise/wind suit, and regular casual clothing you'd normally wear inside the ship. A water resistant jacket with a zip-out lining would also be nice-- if you have one. But don't buy one, just take an extra long-sleeved shirt. If you tend to be "cold" maybe an extra sweater, scarf, light gloves. IF you have room, one-short sleeve shirt.

 

The chip clip is a good idea if you are on a land tour. You don't need an alarm clock... ship and land tour hotels provide wake up calls and you'll most likely have your cell phone with an alarm clock on it (turn off data roam out at sea).

 

Most excursion companies will provide boots, extra coats/warmth for glacier landings/dogsledding. (We thought coastal helicopters glacier and dogsledding was EXCELLENT. Expensive, but worth it. A true highlight. )

 

Expect rain, sunshine, cold and warmth. Don't overpack or overthink.

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"When are you going to be in Calgary and Saskatchewan? And where do you currently live? (approximate is fine, just wondering if "summer" in Alberta and Saskatchewan will feel "hot" to you or not....)"

 

We will be in Calgary and Sask. mid August thru till our cruise on Aug. 26. We're from SW Ontario..it can get very humid here in the summer, especially August!

 

Calgary is usually pretty dry (unless it is raining), and the temperature cools down in the evenings due to the proximity to the mountains. Not cold, but cooler. They get some hot summer days, same in Saskatchewan, but I don't think anything similar to some of the periods of 38C++ and humidity you get in S. Ont. Consider that some long sleeved cotton shirts or t-shirts might work for some of your non-cruise time as well as on your cruise.

 

(Now watch, this year there'll be an outbreak of 40C+++ and humidity there .... :eek:)

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I would add finding a copy of The Alaska Cruise Handbook: A Mile-by-Mile Guide by Joe Upton. It should include a map of the cruise routes. This was beneficial for knowing when to be outside for photos. I used magnets to hang it on the NS wall so it was always available.

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