Alaska Cruise Packing List for Kids Specifically
Kids feel the cold faster than adults, get wetter, and lose mittens at a remarkable rate. Pack them the same layering system you use, then add the extras below. Canadian families already own most of it; you rarely need to buy anything new.
The core layers, kid-sized
Start with the system from what to pack for May vs September, scaled down:
- Base layer: two sets of synthetic or merino long underwear. Cotton stays damp.
- Mid layer: a fleece or light puffy. A fall jacket from home usually works.
- Shell: a truly waterproof jacket with a hood that fits over a toque.
- Rain pants: the item parents most often forget. Kids sit on wet benches and kneel on docks.
- Toque, neck warmer and waterproof mittens: pack a spare set of each.
Choose big zippers and simple fastenings so a six-year-old can add or shed a layer without help. That matters on glacier days, when the deck swings from sunny to freezing.
Footwear and socks
Waterproof hikers or lined rain boots, already broken in, plus a pair of runners for the ship. Pack more socks than you think: at least one spare pair in your day bag for every port. Wet feet end a kid's port day faster than anything else, and rain is likely somewhere on almost every sailing (see your first Alaska cruise).
Things kids need that adults don't
For the ship
- A swimsuit and quick-dry towel wrap. Many ships have heated or covered pools and hot tubs, and kids use them even in Alaska.
- A night light and a small reading lamp if you are sharing a dark inside cabin.
- Familiar snacks for picky eaters, especially on travel days.
- A refillable water bottle each.
For wildlife and glacier days
- Kid-sized binoculars. Adults rarely share theirs when a whale surfaces.
- A cheap waterproof camera or an old phone in airplane mode, so they can take their own photos.
- A notebook for a wildlife checklist: eagle, humpback, sea lion, bear.
- In Glacier Bay, park rangers often run Junior Ranger activities on board, so pack pencils.
For the quiet stretches
Scenic cruising involves long spells of watching. Download shows, audiobooks and games at home, since ship wifi costs extra. A deck of cards and a travel game help in the dining room.
Health and comfort
Pack children's sunscreen and sunglasses, because glare off ice and water is strong. Bring lip balm, a basic first-aid kit and any regular medicines in their original containers. For motion, children's dimenhydrinate is sold in Canadian pharmacies, but check doses with a pharmacist; seasickness in kids covers what else helps.
Documents for the kids
Carry each child's passport, health card and any custody or consent papers in one waterproof pouch. Provincial health plans cover little outside Canada, so check that your travel insurance names every child. Do you need a passport for an Alaska cruise covers the details.
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Ask a cruise expert →What to leave at home
Skip snow pants and winter boots, which are overkill in summer, and umbrellas, which the deck wind destroys. Leave bulky toys; kids clubs supply plenty. If you are bringing a toddler, strollers and car seats on a cruise covers what is worth hauling.
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Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
What extra layers do kids need for an Alaska cruise compared to adults?
The same base layer, warm mid-layer and waterproof shell, plus rain pants, which matter more for kids who sit, kneel and splash. Choose big zippers and simple fastenings so younger children can manage layers themselves, and pack a spare toque and mitts because they get lost.
Do kids need special gear for Alaska excursions?
Usually not. Most family excursions need only good layers and waterproof shoes, and tours that need boots, rain gear or life jackets normally supply them. Check each excursion's minimum age and height or weight rules before booking.
Do kids need passports for an Alaska cruise from Vancouver?
Every Alaska port is in the US, so bring a valid passport for each child; it is the simplest document and essential if you need to fly home unexpectedly. If one parent is travelling alone with the kids, carry a signed consent letter from the other parent.
More questions you might have
- Alaska Independent vs Package Shore Tour Cost ComparisonRunning the actual numbers on ship-booked versus independent Alaska excursions — where the savings genuinely materialize.
- Best Spot on a Cruise Ship for Glacier Viewing: Deck by DeckBow, top deck, promenade or balcony? Where to stand for the approach, the rotation and the calving — and how early to get there on glacier day.
- Round-Trip Vancouver vs One-Way to Anchorage: Pros and ConsSame ships, two shapes of holiday — the flight math, the glacier math, and the Denali question that settles it for most people.
- Alaska Cruise Dress Code: What People Actually WearFormal night in a fleece state — how dressy Alaska sailings really are, line by line vibe, and the one-outfit answer to evening rules.
- Cruise Options for Couples Who Don't Like CrowdsGenuine strategies for avoiding the busiest cruise experience — ship size, timing and itinerary choices that meaningfully reduce crowds.
- Princess Cruises Alcohol Policy: What You Can Bring On BoardWhat Princess Cruises lets you carry aboard at embarkation — wine allowances, the corkage fee, the beer-and-spirits ban, and what happens to bottles bought in port.
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