What I Wore: Alaska Cruise Edition

Being that I put a lot of thought and research into what to wear and pack for my recent Alaska cruise, I thought it would be worth sharing not only what I packed, but what I wish I had/hadn't brought.

Something that I wanted to do for this trip was pack with a minimalist mindset. I've always been a serious over packer, so to really think about the trip and not pack a bunch of extras was a big change for me. Bringing tops that would go with any of my bottoms was essential and made it easier. I also wanted to fit everything into a carry-on suitcase, which I did successfully.

Unfortunately I don't have any photos of my packed suitcase (I didn't know I was going to have this blog at the time), but I did take a video showing everything I took that I shared on Instagram.



Including what I wore on the ship I had:
-1 casual dress
-1 dressy dress
-2 pairs leggings
-3 tops
-2 skirts
-2 halftees
-1 light jacket
-1 fleece jacket
-1 windbreaker
-1 pair each fleece and regular tights
-1 pair each fleece and regular footless tights
-2 hats
-1 scarf
-1 pair gloves
-1 pair boots
-1 pair flats
-1 pair canvas flats

The biggest challenge was not knowing how much time I would spend on deck as I would need warmer clothes for that, but lighter ones for hanging inside the ship. I didn't end up using the scarf or gloves at all. The fleece and windbreaker were invaluable on port days. Hats were good, especially on Tracy Arm/Endicott Fjord day. Adding legwarmers on top of my leggings was a great idea.

Personally I could have used one more shirt for lounging around in on the ship (mainly because I ended up getting a spot on one) and probably one more dress, since that's what I normally wear. Being from Seattle the weather wasn't that big of a deal since it was like an average fall/winter day.

When it comes to being on the ship, comfy shoes are important! If your anything like me, you'll end up doing a lot of walking throughout the day, so it's worth making sure your feet are comfortable. I also rarely needed a jacket in the evenings, which was nice. And if you don't plan on carrying your phone with you, particularly on the ship, remember a watch!

This is what I wore on embarkation day. Seattle was really warm leading up to the trip, so I took advantage of that with a good warmer weather outfit.

-Black high-low skirt from friend

-Red top from Target

-Belt from Fred Meyer

-Canvas shoes from Payless

On day two this is what I wore lounging around the ship, adding the fleece if I was going out on deck. 

-Columbia fleece jacket from Amazon

-Black leggings from Fred Meyer 

-Grey boots from Fred Meyer

-Leg warmers from TJMaxx

My formal night attire. I kept it pretty simple. This is one of my favorite and most worn dresses that has gotten a lot of wear the last few years! Also, my sparkly shoes are getting really beat up, but they don't make these cute silver ones anymore so I keep on wearing them anyways.

-Navy polka dot dress from ThredUp

-Black halftee from Halftee

-Sparkle flats from Payless

-Black tights from Fred Meyer

Port day in Juneau. Comfort is key. So is a windbreaker. I put my phone, wallet, and passport in my fleece pockets so I didn't have to carry a purse (I already had my heavy Canon 6D and Sigma 35mm).

-Orange striped shirt from ThredUp

-Columbia fleece jacket from Amazon

-New Balance wind breaker from TJMaxx
-Black leggings from Fred Meyer 

-Grey boots from Fred Meyer

-Leg warmers from TJMaxx

-Hat made by me

Skagway was nearly identical to Juneau, just a different shirt.

Random story about my windbreaker: When I found out I was going on this cruise (two weeks before departure) I had to go on the hunt for a rain jacket. I found this one at TJMaxx and I love the grey and white strips, but the inside is this bright bubblegum pink that makes me wanna gag every time I put it on. Good news is that when I'm wearing it you would never even guess the inside is such a bright color that I dislike. 

We were at sea (Endicott Fjord day) and there was another formal night, though I kept it super casual with a day dress and fleece tights that I wore all day. I added my fleece and windbreaker while out on deck going through the fjord, along with a super warm hat. This purple Columbia hat is super warm and has served me well the past few years.

-Casual dress from ThredUp

-Black halftee from Halftee

-Sparkle flats from Payless

-Black tights from Fred Meyer

There was another sea day in here which I wore the exact same outfit as I did on embarkation day.

 The weather in Victoria was perfect. Didn't even need a jacket. 

-Orange striped shirt from ThredUp

-Black skirt from Fred Meyer

-Black belt from Fred Meyer

-Black canvas shoes from Payless

David Curtis - Explorer of the Seas

If you read about my Alaska Cruise, you without a doubt saw David Curtis mentioned several times. If you look at the Cruise Compass he's listed as Piano Entertainment with David Curtis starting at 8:30pm at the Schooner Bar. I remember seeing that and thinking since it says entertainment, he must do more that just play the piano? But I had no idea what.

Then later that day, on formal night, I was making my way out of the Palace Theater with the masses of people. After going up the staircase I found a lot of people crowed around the Schooner Bar watching and singing along to David, who was playing Piano Man and getting the crowed involved to sing along at parts. That was where I got this gem of a clip:

I was passing my with my dad, though after a few minutes he left to go to another event and I ended up listening for another hour or so as I was having such a nice time. That night and the next day I had several people who where there that night comment on how much I was enjoying myself and liked the music, which was so true! Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not really into much pop or modern music, it's all the fun old stuff that I enjoy.

The next night most of the family joined and he brought up my sister Tiana to sing, and there there were Justice and Josh were to other regulars that sang as well and both sounded amazing. 

The way he combines music, improve, props, and the crowd makes for a real magical night. He would also bring up people to sing, often time innocent bystanders who didn't always want to sing at first, but turned out to be awesome. That's what makes it so fun and new every night, as you never what's going to happen or who's going to pass by. The way he plays with and engages the people passing by has to be one of the best parts.

If you ever have the chance to see David, don't pass it up! It'll be worth it, I guarantee.

Alaska: Explorer of the Sea - Day 7 - Victoria

Our last day was spent in Victoria, BC. My parents had been there once a decade ago, but for the rest of it was our first time. Since we were trying to keep it budget friendly we walked to town and spent the morning exploring. I'd love to go to Butchart Gardens the next time we're in Victoria as I hear they're gorgeous! We stopped at Fisherman's Wharf on the way downtown and the weather was so nice we didn't even need jackets. Such a nice change from the previous ports!

Lots of colorful houseboats on the wharf!

The British Columbia Parliament Building

I'd never worn this shirt/skirt combination before, but I'm now a fan!

The gorgeous Empress hotel.

We perused some more, stopped at a drugstore for some insoles for my sister's shoes as her feet were a lot of pain, and stopped in a gift shop before taking a water taxi back to Fisherman's Wharf.

Our gorgeous ship.

My dad always points out pay phones, but this time we got a photo too.

After boarding some and grabbing at late lunch at Windjammers some of our group went to the pool, some others lounged in the sun, and I packed and took some more photos around the Explorer. For me the last days of a trip, and even more so on a cruise, are so sad. You know it's the last day so you try and fit in all that fun stuff you haven't had time to do, but in the back of your head you know that it's practically over. But hey, the almost empty ship is perfect for photographing!

We'd been talking about doing mini-golf for days and we finally fit it in! And for the record, I'm terrible at mini-golf. If I had a dollar for every time my ball brushed by the hole I'd be rich.

Just as we finished mini-golf , about 5:00pm, the Celebrity Solstice pulled in. 

Every night I got a cold soup, gluten and dairy free, and they were all delicious. 

Anthony was showing us how to make a napkin swan.

Our last sunset on board the Explorer.

The trip was finished off with us hanging out at Schooner all evening. The best way to end the trip, for sure.