I will be on a Holland America Cruisetour in mid-July, starting with the land portion--3 days in Denali before heading to Whittier and the ship. I know that it can be quite cool on the water, and I've planned on layers since I tend to be cool and don't like being cold! But do I need to have shorts for the Denali part? I've heard it can get really warm sometimes. I'm trying to pack as light as possible, still hoping I can cram everything into a carry on as I'm afraid of my checked suitcase not making it through my Minneapolis connection. I will have two pair of light hiking type pants and jeans (and black Athleta pants as "dress up"). Will that do or should I bring something shorter? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7374 posts
So, how do you feel about swarms of black flies and mosquitoes.? I'd be more concerned about them in Denali than temps high enough to warrant shorts. Bug proof clothes and high test bug repellant should be part of your wardrobe.
Posted by
OP
290 posts
Thanks for the advice, CJean. I have 12-hour picaridin spray that I got for a Disney World trip in 2024--no expiration date, but I hope it's still good. Would that be a good spray to bring? And should I get a bug net for my hat?
Posted by
10126 posts
I was not in Alaska in July, but in early September, it was way too chilly then for shorts.
Still, I understand the bugs are bad in the Summer.
I probably would not want to wear shorts in Alaska, some kakis would work. I don't wear Jeans when traveling, since they are heavy and too much in heat and a pain to hand wash.
Posted by
Northern Minnesota
1063 posts
We did the Inside Passage from Vancouver and then 4 nights on land (Denali and Talkeetna) in July, It was several years ago, but I don't remember it being hot enough that I wore shorts. The day we rode the bus into the park it was cool and rainy. It was really cold on the deck of the ship when we were viewing the glacier, and I wore my down jacket, wool hat and mittens:)
Does that bug spray weigh too much to put in your carry-on? I bring repellent wipes when I travel, but I don't think the bugs were bad when we were there. There should be no need for a head net.
Posted by
1025 posts
I wore shorts almost exclusively. I tend to run hot and I just prefer the feeling over long pants. I would typically layer my upper body. I am used to living in a place with mosquitoes and even when we went places with black flies, I never really was bothered. We went into some pretty swampy areas and spent a lot of time outside. For reference, before the cruise we traveled from Anchorage to Denali to Cantwell to Paxon to Kennicott to Valdez to Seward. This was September.
Layering is really key. You'll have cool evenings and hot days. You'll have sunny days and plenty of showers. Have a good rain shell, a hat with a brim, clothing materials that dry easily (e.g. not jeans) and boots with a change of walking shoes. You're gonna get wet.
As far as dressing up on the ship, my experience was that most people did not dress for dinner. And at the "formal night", I was one of maybe 1% wearing a tuxedo. ( but my little 4yo looked pretty damn cute in his)