What to Pack for Columbia & Snake River UnCruise Adventure
You are confirmed on your UnCruise for this fall, congratulations! Fall 2021 in the Pacific Northwest is going to be like no other. Washington and Oregon’s wild creatures and wild places have rested for a year during the pandemic’s travel pause. You are smart to be grabbing the opportunity now! You chose the perfect itinerary, boat, and cabin for you. You’re fully vaccinated, tested, and raring to go. Now, what’s on the packing list?
For your clothes, think layers. Prepare for adventure time with long and short sleeve options and a thin layer to go under your jeans – like leggings or long underwear. A heavy sweatshirt with a hood is a good idea. Clean dry socks are such a pleasure – also lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to pack! Avoid cotton in general for an active vacation. Clothes made from wicking fabrics or wool do a better job at handling sweat, splash, and rain. You won’t need any fancy clothes or dress shoes – what you wear during the day is just fine for meal times.
There are no laundry services on board for the 7-night cruises, so you will wear the same clothes more than once. And THAT IS OKAY. Nobody is going to look at you funny. We have no dress code other than to dress for the conditions.
You have clothes covered. What else? You will find binoculars, walking sticks, and water bottles to borrow onboard, so no need to pack those. Bring your camera and all of the cards, charging wires, etc. that you need for it. The Pacific Northwest is stunning and you will take some of the best pictures of your life there. If you want to use a laptop computer to store and edit photos, by all means, but be aware that we are UNPLUGGED. Never fear, there are outlets in your cabin. But there is no Wifi and very seldom will you find cellular service. Part of the experience is to connect to the people you are traveling with and to nature. Connect back to the world at large when you get back to port. Instead, bring a good book or a movie to watch before turning in at night.
The most important things to pack take up no space in your suitcase. Bring an open mind and heart. Don’t forget your curiosity, willingness to try new things, and patience. Kindness and respect for the places that we go, the creatures that we see, and the people that we travel with are mandatory.