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.

My raincoat came in handy when I had drinks on the ship's deck while looking for whales.

I was also glad I had it when we stopped in Ketchikan, Alaska, one of the rainiest parts of the state.

Because I brought my own binoculars, the cruise ship became a whale-watching vessel.

Whales, like humpbacks, can be spotted on sea days and in between ports of call.

I'm not one for swimming in frigid water, but I used my bathing suit while visiting the hot tubs, which were nice and toasty.

On the hottest day of the cruise, when we were in port in Juneau, it was 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

I took the tram up Mount Roberts for some spectacular hikes that had amazing views of the city.

Afterward, I hiked through town, and I was glad I wore a tank top for the warm day.

On the opposite end of the temperature spectrum, I was glad I brought layers, including a fleece, down vest, and light jacket.

The day after Juneau was our coldest day at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The layers came in handy on the deck while going through Disenchantment Bay toward Hubbard Glacier.

I bought a knit hat in one of the ship's stores because I didn't bring one.

I learned it's a must-have to keep warm when you're on the deck whale-watching or taking a dip in the hot tub.

Although the ship offered blankets to guests on deck, they went quickly.

I wish I'd just brought my own so I didn't have to worry about the ship running out.

Even though I had my binoculars, sometimes identifying a whale species can be difficult.

I couldn't find any books aboard the ship, and I wish I had brought my copy of "Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska" by Kate Wynne. It would have been helpful to reference during my trip.

Although I brought my "big" 25-inch suitcase, I wish I had a carry-on or my larger 29-inch bag.

I easily could've packed more clothes. On a cruise, you almost need three outfits a day: One for shore, one for when you're back on the ship, and a third for dinner and a night dancing in one of the cabarets.

I also wish I had an extra bag for all the souvenirs I wanted to buy — canned salmon, crafts by indigenous artists, and kitchen towels for my neighbors who were taking care of my cat.

Food is everywhere on a cruise. I wish I had another stomach so I could've enjoyed every entrée on the menus.

Cruises offer culinary adventures as well as geographic ones. One day I got to try congee, a porridge made of rice, topped with bonito flakes (a type of tuna), chicken, seaweed flakes, and a little Sriracha.