I went on a 7-day Alaskan cruise. Here are 5 things I'm glad I packed and 5 I wish I brought with me.

• I took a seven-day cruise to Alaska.

• I packed my raincoat, binoculars, and swimsuit because I used all of them.

• I wish I had a blanket with me because I had to buy a hat.

I need my raincoat on and off the ship.

I had drinks on the deck and was looking for whales.

I was happy to have it when we traveled to one of the rainiest areas of the state.

I used my binoculars to look at the ocean.

The cruise ship became a whale watching vessel because I brought my own binoculars.

Humpback whales can be seen in between ports of call.

I am glad I brought a swimsuit to Alaska.

I don't like swimming in cold water, but I did use my bathing suit to visit the hot tub, which was nice and warm.

I have a tank top with me.

It was 80 degrees on the hottest day of the cruise.

The views of the city from Mount Roberts were amazing.

I was happy to wear a tank top for the warm day.

My layers were very important to me.

I brought layers, including a fleece, down vest, and light jacket, on the other side of the temperature spectrum.

It was the lowest day of the year at 50 degrees.

Going through Disenchantment Bay helped the layers on the deck.

I wasted money on a hat I didn't need.

I didn't bring a hat to the store, so I bought one.

It's important to keep warm when you're taking a dip in the hot tub or whale watching.

Things would be easier if I brought my own blanket.

The ship did not offer blankets to guests on deck.

I didn't have to worry about the ship running out since I brought my own.

A book would have made it easier to identify whales.

Sometimes it can be hard to identify a whale species.

I didn't find any books on the ship, and I wish I had brought my book. It would have been useful to reference.

An additional bag would have been useful for my souvenirs.

I brought a big suitcase, but I wish I had a bigger bag.

I would have packed more clothes. One for shore, one for when you're back on the ship, and a third for dinner and a night dancing are all required on a cruise.

I wanted to buy canned salmon, crafts by indigenous artists, and kitchen towels for my neighbors who were taking care of my cat, but I didn't have an extra bag to hold them all.

I would bring an extra stomach to enjoy more of the food.

There is food on the ship. I would have liked every entree on the menu.

Food and geographic adventures are offered by cruises. One day I was given the chance to try congee, a dish made of rice and topped with a variety of food.

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