I’ve been on a handful of warm-weather cruises in my life, but none am I more nervous or unsure about than this… what to pack for Alaska!

A bikini and a deck chair are easier to plan for…

My anxiety has been so high this past week, that I even had a nightmare… I showed up at the dock and forgot my shoes and clothes. I don’t understand why I’m so discombobulated. Fresh out of High School, I worked for Holland America, based at the pier in Vancouver, British Columbia, expediting people back and forth on an Alaskan cruise almost every day for four seasons.

I’m excited and nervous. Here are the deets… In two weeks my ma and step-pa are taking my daughter, for her high school graduation present, and myself, a gift for doing all the social media for ma’s restaurant for the last 10 years for free… on a 10-day Alaskan cruise. We will depart from Vancouver, on the Celebrity Cruise ship Eclipse. I’ve never cruised with this line before. I’ve scoured the intranet to see what I should pack; is there a formal night? Will I need a parka? Where are my mukluks and my toque?!

Then add to the anxiousness… while we are at sea, my daughter turns 19. NINETEEN!!! I’ve never been on board a ship during a celebratory moment… Will the cruise line do something for her? Do I have to bring something myself on board? Should I decorate our door or short her sheets?

I’ve started googling and looking on Pinterest. I’ve become neurotic about making sure I’m ready for this trip. This is NOT like me! Just ask my husband. I am usually the one who barely shows up at the airport on time because I started packing 30 minutes before we had to leave.

If you’ve ever cruised to Alaska, can you share some of your tips on what we should bring and what we should see, and what we should miss? My normal, calm self needs all the help I can get.