I went on my first cruise and absolutely loved it, but I definitely overthought every minute leading up to it. After reading way too many articles and debating every little detail, I finally decided what to pack. Some things were perfect, some things I never touched, and a few surprised me. These are the items that helped me stay comfortable on my Alaskan cruise and earned a spot in my suitcase for future trips.
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A Rain Hat That Keeps Me Comfortable Outside
In case you haven’t already heard it, let me be the first. Rain gear is important in Alaska. There’s a reason its the top thing on my list. I overpacked rain gear for my trip, and this is the one item I’d buy a million times again. With a wide brim, it kept the rain off my glasses and I could use it as a mini umbrella to try to take photos. It was a comfortable hat and had a strap to keep it from blowing off on the one really rainy day we had on the trip.
A Rain Jacket That Handles Wet and Windy Weather
This jacket keeps me dry on the rainiest days and doubles as a windbreaker when I’m out on a deck or wandering around town. It’s lightweight, reliable, and one of those pieces I reach for often.
Rain Pants That Make Stormy Days Easier
like having a pair of rain pants when I’m expecting wet weather. They fit well over my regular clothes, stay breathable, and the ankle closures help keep water out. As a tall person, I appreciate that these fit comfortably and keep me dry.
A Backpack Cover That Protects Everything Inside
This cover fits easily over my backpack and keeps everything dry during heavy rain. It’s simple, lightweight, and helpful when I know I’ll be out in unpredictable weather.
A Shoe Spray That Saves My Favorite Sneakers
When I went to Alaska, I wanted to bring my comfortable everyday shoes even though they weren’t waterproof. Two coats of this spray made all the difference. My feet stayed dry through puddles, wet streets, and long days outside. It worked better than I expected.
A Fleece That Works for Chilly Days and Cold Nights
This fleece is warm, soft, and easy to layer. It works well on its own, and when paired with a rain jacket, it becomes a great combo for colder weather. I wear it at home often, and it’s become a regular travel piece for me.
Women’s Plus Size and Tall Pants that work for every kind of travel day
As a tall plus‑size woman, it’s incredibly hard to find pants that work for everything: hiking, lounging, wandering around town, or long travel days. These pants pack well, wear well, and have become my recent go‑to in every suitcase. I love the options they come in, letting me mix and match neutral colors for an easy capsule wardrobe that always feels put together.
A Cardigan That Dresses Up Any Evening
As a tall plus size woman, I like having a cardigan that actually fits the way I want it to. This one is comfortable, easy to pack, and works well when I want to dress up an outfit without feeling overdressed. The scalloped edges add a nice detail, and the colors pair well with blouses and dresses.
Gloves That Keep My Hands Warm Without Slowing Me Down
My hands get cold easily, so I was glad to have these gloves. They dry quickly, feel comfortable, and the tech material lets me use my phone and take photos without removing them.
Packing Cubes That Make Unpacking Simple
I’m not usually a packing cube fan, but these worked well. I organized everything by day and activity, and the cubes fit neatly into drawers for easy unpacking. They made the whole process smoother.
Sunglasses That Play Nice With Prescription Lenses
I tried prescription sunglasses once and hated them. These fit perfectly over my everyday glasses without feeling bulky, and the polarized lenses make bright days easier. They’re lightweight, practical, and just make more sense for me.
Binoculars That Make Wildlife and Nature Watching Better
There’s so much to see on outdoor trips, and binoculars help me take it all in. I chose this waterproof pair because I trust the brand, and they work well for spotting wildlife and distant views.
USB Hub Charger that solves almost every outlet problem
I’m constantly battling charging issues no matter where I stay. There are never enough outlets, and the ones that do exist always seem to be in the most inconvenient spots. This is an upgraded version of the charger for several years, and it’s been perfect for me. It adds a little weight, but the long cord and ability to power multiple devices from one hub have saved me more times than I can count. It’s earned its place in my bag. Its also great on cruises since it doesn’t have a surge protector.
A Power Bank That I Never Travel Without
I seem to go through a phone charge in no time at all using it as part time phone, tv, radio, and computer. Even when I’m home, I never go far without a portable charger. This one is my favorite for the extendable cord, smaller size, and larger capacity. Just make sure to follow any TSA and airline guidelines when you’re flying during your travels!
A Disinfectant Spray That Helps Me Clean Quickly
Regular wipes don’t kill norovirus, so this spray is my go‑to for high‑touch spots in hotel rooms and cruise cabins. It smells a little like a pool, works quickly on hard surfaces, and gives me peace of mind when I’m settling in.
A Hand Cleanser for Days Without a Sink
Soap and water are always best, but this is my backup when I’m nowhere near a sink. It’s simple, effective, and helped me feel more protected during travel days when handwashing wasn’t an option.
A folding hair brush that saves me from bad‑hair chaos
My hair goes all over the place on the best days, so I do what I can to keep it under control. I found this collapsible brush right before a recent trip, and it instantly became a daily essential. It folds down small enough to fit in any purse or pocket, opens up to a full brush when I need it, and has officially earned a permanent spot in my travel kit.
A lightweight towel that dries my hair faster
I like bringing a few comforts from home when I travel, and this towel is one of them. Hotel towels never seem to help my hair dry, and I hate sitting around with wet hair. This microfiber towel dries my hair quicker and feels comfortable to wear. It also works well if I need a towel for anything else during a trip.
A soft scrunchie that helps my hair dry overnight
Even when my hair feels mostly dry, it still seems to take forever to fully dry out. I like sleeping in a bun with one of these scrunchies because it helps my hair finish drying and gives me a light curl in the morning. They have just the right amount of scrunch to make a difference.
A Quick Way to Feel Clean When a Shower Isn’t an Option
There are times when you just want to feel fresh without taking a full shower. I’ve used these wipes in cabins, airports, and long travel days when water or time is limited. They are unscented, individually packaged, large enough that I only need one, and the microscrubbers help me feel genuinely clean.
A Simple Way to Freshen Up at the End of the Day
I don’t wear much makeup when I travel, but I still like carrying these wipes. There is something about wiping down my face at night that helps me feel refreshed without relying on hotel or camp towels. They are fragrance‑free and gentle, which I appreciate.
Leak‑proof bottles that make packing liquids easy
These silicone bottles are my favorite way to pack liquids. The colors help me tell which one is shampoo or conditioner, and they have never leaked on me. Being able to bring my own toiletries makes travel feel more comfortable, and these bottles make it simple.
Ginger Lozenges That Help Settle My Stomach
When I think there’s a chance of queasiness, I like to pack a few natural stomach calming items. This brand has always been my go to for both peppermint and now ginger lozenges. I like to use these same lozenges at home with a non-travel queasy stomach and these helped settle me in no time at all.
A Ginger Tea That Makes Cold Days More Comfortable
This tea is one of my favorites. It’s warm, calming, and nice to have on chilly days or when my stomach needs settling. Even on shorter trips, I’ve been known to carry one or two of these teabags with me.
A Folder That Keeps Travel Paperwork Organized
One thing that surprised me the most about cruising is the amount of paperwork I ended up with! I like to keep file folder filled with printed travel information like excursions or reservations when I think I’ll be away from my laptop or a signal, and I was glad I had it on a recent cruise. It was great for keeping all the paperwork organized and from taking over the room.
