What to Bring on a Summer Alaskan Cruise?

We went on an Alaskan cruise in June of 2004. It was wonderful! If your in-laws are interested in seeing wildlife and don't have binoculars, those would be great. There are usually whales everywhere, as well as lots of birds. We ended up buying ours on the ship and they were not cheap. Also, as someone mentioned, most drinks cost money on cruise ships. If there is a way to buy a drink voucher in advance that might be a good idea too. I hope they have a fantastic trip. We were blessed with exceptionally good weather while there.

Some beach towels, flip flops, sunscreen, hats/visors if they wear them, maybe straw hats...

It isn't really HOT there in the summer... Um... you could get them a scrapbook or journal to do together, if they like that kind of thing... a book or magazine each, their favorite gum, candy or things of that nature... Maybe a whale watching guide or like a book of Alaskan Wildlife... one of those BIG picture books that gives a few details about the animals...
Hats definitely!
Lotion too!
GOOD LUCK! FUN FUN FUN.... love the idea.

Look at the website of the cruiseship. They usually offer gift baskets you can buy online and will be placed in your in-laws room upon arrival, or you can get ideas from it and buy your own basket and the stuff to put in it. My suggestions would be no-rub sunscreen, bottled water and soda (very expensive on ship), chapstick, a highlighter (for the daily schedule), a pen, notebook for journaling what they did everyday, disposable camera, or rechargable batteries for their camera, one of those wall plugs that lets you plug in 3 cords at one time (it's in the shape of a "T"), and a first aid kit w/motion sickness medicine in it. Be sure to include peptobismol, anti-diahrreal, tylenol, etc... All of these items are very expensive on the ship.

I took a cruise around Alaska several years ago and it was amazing! Do you know if they are just taking a cruise? Our package with the cruise line consisted of a land tour for a week and a cruise on a ship for a week? If they are going on a land tour it gets pretty hot inland (like 90 in Fairbanks). I also remember it drizzled quite frequently so mabye a poncho, umbrella, or hat would be useful. The flight is brutal and the time change is 4 or 5 hours behind. I can't think of too many specific things they'd need. Lots of film and batteries for the camera!

Sunscreen. Seriously, most people would not think about it going up there. Perhaps a few extra rolls of film cannot hurt either.

Regards,
W.

Film or an extra card for the digital camera because I took hundreds of photos there because it is so beautiful. Also, these are items that we had with us. Mosquito repellent (they are huge there!!), rain ponchos for Glacier Bay if they go there, eye covers for sleeping (the sun doesn't go down!), hand warmer packs, and guide books.
We were there the year they had a "heat wave" and a lot of people were having heatstrokes. Please tell them to remember that heat to them is a whole different definition than it is to a Texan. It was only 80 degrees and I was freezing because the breeze comes off the water that is only 33 degrees! I hope they have a great trip. It is a beautiful part of the country.