Packing for a cruise is never easy. Packing for a cruise in cold weather is even more challenging. You can’t just fill your suitcase with swimsuits and sandals; you need to really think through the type of conditions you’re going to need to survive in. While your cabin will certainly be comfortable, cruises through cold weather areas are often incredibly scenic. That means that you’re going to want to get out and do some exploring! In order to feel nice and toasty while doing so, here are three pieces of gear you shouldn’t forget when you take a cruise to a chilly destination.
A solid down jacket
Let’s start with the most important article of clothing you can bring on a cold weather cruise: your jacket. While there is plenty of room for flexibility here, we recommend bringing a down jacket over anything else. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, down is warm. Like, really warm. There’s a reason it’s favored by mountaineers and cold weather explorers. Down is also incredibly packable, meaning it’s easy to stuff in your bag while you’re on the plane. Finally, down jackets are great in a layering system. While your grandpa’s massive leather jacket might be warm, it’s not nearly as versatile as a solid down parka.
Rain jacket or hardshell
Jackets are the name of the game when it comes to proper layering for cold weather. Having an insulated jacket is important for warmth, but having another that is waterproof is key to enjoying your cruise. Whether you’re dealing with snow, sleet, or just spray from the ocean, you’re going to want something to put over all your other layers to keep you dry. Trust us, there’s only one thing less fun than being wet: being wet AND cold. An ideal shell jacket will also be windproof to help keep you extra warm.
Long underwear
For many people who have experienced seriously cold weather before, proper layering of jackets and sweaters is second nature. But far fewer people actually layer on their lower body. It may seem superfluous, but we strongly recommend bringing along a pair of long underwear, tights, or anything else that you can wear under your normal pants for a bit of extra warmth. Your upper body can be as comfortable as possible, but that doesn’t matter if your legs are freezing cold. You will be much happier exploring the frigid corners of our world if you take the time to pack in an extra layer or two for your lower body.
Of course, this is really only scratching the surface of all that you could bring with you. Anything that will keep you toasty is helpful here. Oh, and don’t forget sunglasses. Cold weather means snow, and snow blindness is a real thing!
