Pack for Virgin Voyages Alaska in two buckets: waterproof everything, and layers you can add and shed all day long. That part is the same advice you will read on every Alaska packing list on the internet.
What is different is the ship. It runs colder than any other Virgin sailing I have done, both signature parties move indoors, and several things you were about to pack are already waiting for you in your cabin.
I sailed 14 nights back to back on Virgin Voyages Alaska at the end of May, and I waited to write this until after I had learned a few things the hard way. I forgot gloves and had to buy them onboard.
Here is what earned its space in my bag, what I wish I had brought, and what you can leave at home.
What Makes Packing for Virgin Voyages Alaska Different
Outside the ship, there are two buckets. Waterproof, because it rains a lot in Southeast Alaska. And layers, because the temperature changes every time you move between a bus, a boat, a glacier, and a port.
There is a third bucket almost nobody talks about, and it is inside the ship. This sailing runs cooler than any Virgin voyage I have been on, the big parties are not where you expect them to be, and some of the gear is either provided or sold onboard.
Get all three right and you end up packing less, not more.
Rain Gear: Assume It Rains, Because It Does
Start from the ground up. At a bare minimum, you want a waterproof boot that is non-slip and that you can comfortably walk in all day. There are a lot of moments in Alaska where you really do not want to slip.
A waterproof shoe is the optional second pair. Depending on your Shore Things and the time of year, boots get hot fast, and a shoe is the better call.
Waterproof pants surprised me. Some excursions hand them out, and the pairs I was given were wildly uncomfortable. I wish I had brought my own.
A rain jacket is the obvious one. The poncho is the one people forget, and it was the item I was gladest to have, because it goes over a daypack and covers your legs at the same time.
Bring an umbrella too. There were days I simply did not want the rain landing on my clothes.
If I packed again, I would add a waterproof bag and a waterproof phone case on a lanyard. I ended up wearing my daypack underneath my jacket just to keep it dry.
The Layering System That Actually Worked
Most of what I packed came straight out of my ski gear, and the surprise was how much I sweat in it. You are not just cold, you are moving between a bus, a helicopter, a glacier, and a port, and each one is a different temperature.
Start with a base layer you can sweat in that still keeps you warm. Then a sweater, then a jacket. A down jacket did the heavy lifting for me, and because I run cold, mine covers my legs.
For your neck, a neck gaiter or a scarf. The gaiter also pulls up over your face on the cold days.
For your head, a beanie. I added ear muffs for the days I wanted to stay warm and still look like a person. Bring a brimmed hat as well, because on a glacier the sun bounces off everything and it is far brighter than you expect.
Pants: normal dry fit yoga pants most days. On the really cold excursions, a base layer pant with a fleece-lined pant over the top.
Socks: bring higher ones. I packed all low socks and regretted it every day. Ankle or knee-high, moisture-wicking or wool.
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The Alaska Items That Saved Me
Sunscreen, and specifically a sunscreen stick. So much of your skin is covered that a stick is the only thing you will realistically reapply while standing on a glacier.
Polarized sunglasses. It gets genuinely bright out there. For the grey days, consider a lighter lens that still protects your eyes.
Electric hand warmers. They cost very little, and I travel around the world with mine.
Binoculars, and this is the one where I would tell you to spend the money. Get full-size, good quality, on a strap you can hang around your neck. There is so much to see in Alaska, and whales are genuinely hard to capture on a camera and make look good.
Bring two pairs. You will not want to share, and I learned that with one pair between us.
Gloves. Touchscreen ones do the job. Just do not forget them the way I did.
Don’t Pack These, They Are Already Onboard
A blanket. You get two in your cabin, and there are more all over the ship: outside at the dock, around the pool, up at Richard’s Rooftop. Plenty of Sailors use them.
The card that comes with your cabin blanket tells you to take it with you and enjoy the views. Just sail it back to your room at the end of the day.
Games. Virgin Voyages stocks board games, puzzles and cards at The Social Club, and on this sailing they seemed to be scattered all over the ship. I still brought my own Rummikub, because I wanted that specific game and did not want to go hunting for it.
Water. There are refill stations everywhere and the water is free, so pack the bottle and not the water.
And if you do forget cold weather gear, you are not stuck. Virgin sells a lot of Alaska specific items onboard. I bought gloves for $10 a pair and paid with my Sailor Loot.
What I Wish I Had Packed
A hot cup. There are so many good Alaska-specific drinks onboard, and the to-go cup with the lid does not keep anything warm for long. I was drinking too much water to give up my water bottle for coffee. You can buy one in the Virgin Voyages store, which I probably should have done.
Insect repellent. On one hike I got eaten alive by mosquitoes, and it was a genuine feast for them.
And the ones already covered above: higher socks, my own waterproof pants, a waterproof bag, and a second pair of binoculars.
Don’t forget to pack THIS!
Virgin Voyages has reimagined sailing and what you need to pack on for this trip is DIFFERENT than a normal cruise line. There are many items I wish I knew to bring (that I didn’t have with me on my first sailing).
Get a free printable pack list and save yourself the headache!
OR if you’re just looking for some inspo! See the curated list of Amazon items I’ve put together (and use!) for Virgin Voyages.
The Ship Runs Colder Than Any Other Sailing
This cruise runs cooler than any Virgin sailing I have done, and it is not because the ship is cold. It is because people are constantly moving in and out, and the doors on Deck 7 are opening and closing all day long.
It is not freezing onboard. It is just cooler than you would think to plan for.
So bring indoor layers you actually enjoy wearing. I packed cozy jackets I would never wear at port, and several of them doubled as a base layer when I went outside anyway.
Everyone on that ship was in flannel. I fit right in.
Both Big Parties Are Indoors on Alaska
The Pajama Party is held inside on this itinerary. People hear that and are disappointed, and then the sun goes down, the wind picks up, and they are very glad about it. Pack pajamas you are comfortable wearing indoors around a lot of people.
Scarlet Night is also inside, and there is no Scarlet Night pool party. Bring your red, but dress for a room rather than a deck.
It was warmer inside, so I wore something lighter than I would have on a Caribbean sailing.
There is another reason indoors makes sense in May. It is still full daylight when the party starts, and a Scarlet Night pool party in broad daylight would be a vibe kill.
On party clothes generally: Sailors were absolutely enjoying themselves, but nobody flies to Alaska to get lit the way they do on a four-night Miami sailing. It is a different energy. Check your Sailing Lineup and pack for the themed nights that are actually on it.
Pack for Warm Days Too
Our sail away out of Seattle was 77 degrees. A lot of Sailors had already checked their bags and had nothing but flannel and fleece in their carry-on, so they stood there sweating while the rest of us were in the pool.
The pools and the jacuzzis are heated. Bring a bathing suit and flip-flops, and keep them in your carry-on rather than your checked bag.
Bring one pair of shorts. I spoke to a lot of Sailors who did not pack any and wished they had just one.
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Book the Sea Terrace, and Bring a Sleep Mask
I feel strongly about this one. Alaska is not the sailing to book an Insider cabin. It is simply too pretty outside.
One of the most magical days I had on that ship was lying in bed watching Alaska go by. You cannot do that from an Insider.
Then pack a sleep mask, because it stays light very late and gets light very early. I wore two.
The Small Stuff That Made a Difference
Motion sickness patches. We had a lot of beautiful smooth sea days and a couple of rough ones, and they cost a few dollars.
A really good lip balm.
A thick conditioner. Virgin provides shampoo and conditioner, but the cold weather was torture on my hair, and I was glad to have my own.
A thick lotion, and here is a detail worth knowing: Rockstar cabins get lotion in the room and non-Rockstar cabins do not. My skin was very dry the whole trip.
Workout gear and workout shoes. The gym and the classes stay free, and I was still playing pickleball up top on the warm days.
Cash. I bring it. You do not have to, and that is a whole separate conversation.
Virgin Voyages Alaska Packing FAQ
What should I pack for a Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise?
Waterproof non-slip boots, a rain jacket, a poncho, layers built on a moisture-wicking base, a down jacket, a beanie, gloves, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen stick, binoculars, and a sleep mask. Then add a swimsuit and one pair of shorts for the warm days.
Will I be cold on a Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise?
It depends entirely on you, and I cannot tell you what the weather will do on your sailing. What I can tell you is that the ship itself runs cooler than other Virgin sailings, so pack indoor layers as well as outdoor ones.
Do I need a swimsuit on an Alaska cruise?
Yes. The pools and jacuzzis are heated, and you may also want it for the thermal suite in the spa. Our sailaway out of Seattle was 77 degrees.
Is Scarlet Night outside on a Virgin Voyages Alaska sailing?
No. Scarlet Night is held indoors on Alaska, and there is no pool party. Bring red, but dress for indoors.
Do I need to bring a blanket?
No. There are two in your cabin and more around the ship. Take your cabin blanket out with you and sail it back to your room at the end of the day.
Can I buy cold weather gear on the ship?
Yes. Virgin sells a range of Alaska-specific items onboard. I bought gloves for $10 a pair and paid with Sailor Loot.
Do I really need binoculars?
Yes, and get good ones. Full size, quality glass, on a neck strap. Bring two pairs if there are two of you, because you will not want to share.
So, What Should You Pack for Virgin Voyages Alaska?
Waterproof from the ground up, layers you can shed all day, and good binoculars. Then pack for the ship as well as the weather: indoor layers because it runs cool, red for an indoor Scarlet Night, and a swimsuit for the days that surprise you.
Leave the blanket, the water, and the board games at home. They are already onboard, and if you forget your gloves the way I did, you can buy a pair for $10.
And if you have not booked yet, book the Sea Terrace. Alaska goes past your window all day, and that is the one thing on this whole list you cannot buy once you are onboard.
