Top Alaska hotels
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Always take a warm jacket, rain cape and warm knit cap, other wise you will be purchasing one as you get off the boat. In that you will pay more for any medical supplies, if you can find them, always take any medicines you may need as supplies are either limited or costly. Cameras a must, and videos would be great to capture the whales and other sea critters in action.
Useful packing list for day-hikers and backpackers as well including Clothing (Base-Insulation-Shell-Other Layers), Footwear, Head Gear, Hand Gear, Toiletries, Shelter, Sleeping Gear, Walking/Hiking Gear, Cooking Gear, Miscellaneous. Definitely have a look at this list before you head to the mountains.
Regular suitecases are fine - bring a backpack as well for day trips and or over night trips! Rain JacketHiking shoesLayers, layers, layers - one minute you could be hot, the next cold so wear things you can layer up and down to keep good. I suggest a tank top, then a thin thermal or T, thin fleece and a wind braker Sun block - bring it or buy it here, you may be suprised at how often you need it if it's nice outside. If doing any glacier trips or spring outdoor activities you will need it as well.Lotion - it is dry here compared to some places, people that live in humid areas find they use lotion way more here than at home. ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM - some wildlife may be a bit far away so make sure you have what you need to take a great pic. I also suggest a camera tripod thing that has flexable arms that you can wrap around a tree branch or whatever happens to be around so you can get that...
Baggallini Messenger Bagg for walking around – This backpack purse is awesome. It even fit my jacket or fleece when I wasn’t wearing it.Formal night purseKipling Hiker Expandable BackpackA reusable shopping bag to hold your souvenirsInsulated lunch bag to hold snacks and packed lunches WOMEN’SBathing suitConvertible pants – converts to shorts so didn’t need to pack them seperately. We brought 4 pairs each for 11 nights.Formal dressesSundresses for dinnerFleece capFleece pulloverFlip flops (I didn’t pack these and wish I did to walk around the ship on sea days)Formal shoesGlovesJewelry1 set of long underwear top and bottomsPajamasRain pantsSocks that can be worn with pants or shorts3-4 short-sleeved shirts and the rest long-sleeved shirtsLow top hiking shoesWaterproof jacket w/hoodMEN’SSuit with dress shirts & shoesFleece pulloverFlip flopsGlovesConvertible pants1 pair of long underwear...
It rains - a lot. Bring light weight rainwear that you can carry with you for showers ( which will happen). While in summer the weather is mild - you'll want layers to be able to adjust for cooler days. Waterproof shoes/boots would be a good idea or something like Teva sandals if you don't mind your feet getting wet ( and the streams are a bit cold)
With airlines charging more for checked bags and overhead bins filling up, I find myself packing lighter and lighter. A few minutes spent washing clothes at night is a decent trade off to the relief from dragging too much stuff with you. http://www.onebag.com has become a favorite web site of mine as I figure out how to lighten my load. After living in Alaska for over 30 years, I've learned to expect any kind of weather any time of the year. Rain, sun, wind, calm. Summer tempuratures range from 45F to 75F on the coast.Last night it was 39 here in Kodiak and raining (unusally cold) and today at noon it is almost 60 and sunny. You just never know.So layering up is the best way to dress. That way you can peel off and back on as things change and yet stay as you are without overheating for much longer. -Water and wind proof outer layer (Gortex?). -A vest of some sort. (Down in winter and...
We took carry-on only for our 10-day trip and couldn't have been happier! We also had smaller backpacks to use as daypacks. Great to carry your jacket/extra shirt, etc. The weather varied from mid-40's to mid-80's during our late June visit, sometimes during the same day, depending on location. It is a very good idea to pack layers of clothing and carry a jacket/rain jacket wherever you go. We took goretex rain jackets that doubled as regular jackets. Think tees or tanks, regular shirt (short- or long-sleeved) and a jacket to be sure you are comfortable no matter what the weather. Anytime you are near glaciers or ice fields, the temperature will drop. Also in Homer, along the coast, the wind made the air feel much cooler. Definitely bring mosquito repellant! Mosquitos were everywhere, with maybe the exception of the coast. We were lucky and didn't get many bites. A good...
Take as many bags as the airline will allow! Crise ship cabins usually have room under the bed and in the closet to store quite big cases. You will also need a suitcase rather than a holdall to carry your formal wear. There will usually be 2 formal nights on a 7 night cruise, and most people where cocktail dresses or suits. You will also find that people dress for dinner each night. No shorts allowed in the dining room. You will also need suitable clothes for going ashore, depending on the activities /tours you have chosen.
The weather in Alaska during the summer months really isn't that cold, so it's not really necessary to take your thermals unless you intend to walk on a glacier for an extended period of time. Wet weather gear will be more useful. The dress code in most restaurants and hotels appears to be casual. There are lots of mosquitos, bring the repellant. You will require telephoto lenses for shooting wildlife and a wide angle lense for pictures of the glaciers and other amazing scenery.
You get eaten alive without mosquito repellent. The mosquitos come in herds. We could not even open the car door without have a few dozens following us into the car anywhere outside of Anchorage or away from the ocean. The good thing is, if you forgot to bring it, repellents are readily available in most shops in Alaska, and come in a variety of selections.
Hotel Captain Cook Anchorage
9 Reviews and 246 Opinions Excellent amenities, with an excellent outlook. The higher the room the better the view, always ask...
Westmark Baranof Hotel Juneau
4 Reviews and 83 Opinions We stayed twice in the past month for a couple of days each trip and found the front desk staff...
Sophie Station Fairbanks
1 Review and 93 Opinions We stayed at Sophie Station as part of our package tour and one night before the tour. It was clean...
Reviews and photos of Alaska attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Alaska sightseeing.
More Cities in Alaska
Q: Hello, I am thinking about flying to Fairbanks the long weekend 2/18-2/20/12 to view the northern light. Anyone has been...
A: The moon phases will be in your favour; new moon is on Feb 23. You have to be out of town and away from "light pollution", and of course there has to be good weather...
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