What is the Best Time To Cruise to Alaska?

Table Of Content

• Advantages of Visiting Alaska in June
• September Alaska Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in August

The dark and cold winters are not ideal for cruises because travelers aren’t able to enjoy the wonders of the state of Alaska. If you are hoping to travel during peak Alaskan cruise season (July and August), you should plan on booking your Alaskan cruise at least one year in advance. The farther in advance you can book your Alaskan cruise, the more options you will have for cruise dates, itineraries, and cabin amenities. The warmer the weather, the better your chance to view a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence called “calving.” This is when a large chunk of the glacier separates in a giant icy landslide.

Advantages of Visiting Alaska in June

If you plan to book a whale watching excursion or want to see bears, you may be left disappointed if you cruise to Alaska at the very end of the season. Weather can get fairly warm in June, July, and August, which can make port days more comfortable. It’s not uncommon for the weather to be nice enough for t-shirts in the summer as opposed to the raincoats and down jackets you may have to wear in early spring or fall. There are advantages of cruising in each of the summer months, including when prices will be higher or lower.

September Alaska Cruises

Big-ship cruise lines such as Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean ramp up their operations in May, as do Disney Cruise Line and small-ship and luxury lines. With more than 75 years of experience in Alaska—the longest of any cruise line—Holland America knows the state inside and out and presents you with lots of ways to enjoy it, from both the sea and land. Not only do they feature the most Glacier Bay itineraries, but they’re also the only way to see the Yukon in combination with a cruise. You’ll get to stay at Holland America’s Westmark Hotels and their beautiful McKinley Chalet Resort at the entrance to Denali National Park, enabling you to get closer to wildlife and explore more of Alaska on land.

Princess Cruises

These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. You may also find one-way repositioning cruises between southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa).

September also increases your wildlife sighting opportunities, as animals across the state begin migrating, foraging for hibernation and engaging in courtship rituals. Cruise bookings can be difficult to come by in July, but with some careful planning ahead, you can secure cabins on either large or small ships. This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list.

When Is The Best Time To Go To Alaska To See Eagles?

In August, the wildlife can sense that winter is on its way, and activity picks up to prepare for the months of cold, snow, and darkness. July is filled with opportunities to see the stunning wildlife of Alaska while enjoying milder temperatures. If you are an angler, there is nothing like hooking and reeling in a King.

Then we’ll wrap up by answering some frequently asked questions about Alaskan cruises — the best time to see whales and northern lights, the best time for salmon fishing and similar queries. The cruise season in Alaska is short (just May-September), but what this state lacks in winter tours it makes up for in stunning summer vistas, exciting wildlife and a travelogue of iconic land excursions. Tell a sun-worshiper that you’re taking an Alaska cruise and they’ll raise an eyebrow. On average in July, Alaska boasts high temps in the mid-60s, but occasionally climbs into the 70s and 80s. However, if you prepare for Alaska’s chill and damp weather, no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll have a great time.

Bring a jacket, gloves, and scarves, along with waterproof gear, and sunscreen. Read how to pack for an Alaska cruise to stay comfortable in changing weather. Finally, you'll find some San Francisco round-trip itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snow-capped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN WILDLIFE VIEWING

The cruise season beefs up in June, with the number of ships growing and the season in full swing by the end of the month. The midnight sun means many hours of daylight, especially on June 20, the longest day of the year — when you'll have to stay up late to see any darkness at all. Another time to book is during the “Wave Season” during the first two months of the year, when cruise deals abound for all destinations. Last-minute deals are also most common on large-ship lines, including Cunard, Celebrity, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. While the tourism season in Alaska doesn’t really kick in until June, many small cruise ships start running tours in May.

Carnival has 14-day Alaskan cruises departing from Seattle and Long Beach in late April. Weather, ocean conditions, and limited sunlight make winter cruising to Alaska impossible. To find the best Alaska cruises, we followed expert recommendations and read hundreds of user reviews and ratings. Because I’ve been on several Alaska cruises alone, with my family and with my husband, I also based my choices on my own personal experiences. After combining all that information, we came up with this guide to the best Alaska cruises. The good news is that no matter which month you choose, your Alaskan cruise will reward you with incredible experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

In addition to the favorable climate and wildlife encounters, summer offers various on-shore activities for cruise ship passengers. Alaska’s port communities, including Ketchikan, Haines, Sitka, Skagway, and Juneau, are buzzing with activity during the summer cruise season. Alaska has something to offer whether you’re an adventure seeker or a history buff. You can embark on thrilling excursions like sea kayaking, hiking, biking, or ziplining, allowing you to immerse yourself in Alaska’s stunning landscapes. If you’re interested in local history, you can explore museums, cultural centers, and native villages to delve into the state’s rich history and native heritage. With extended daylight hours, you’ll have ample time to experience it all.

Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage. Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations may include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road.

How to Make your Alaska Cruise Travel Easier: Tips - Royal Caribbean Blog

How to Make your Alaska Cruise Travel Easier: Tips.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:23:24 GMT [source]

During the low season, especially November and January, room rates are at their lowest, according to Kayak. Tuesdays are the cheapest nights to stay, and Thursdays are the most expensive. In general, booking around 75 days before your stay allows you to find the best deals. Alaska is busiest from mid-June through mid-August, which is also when you will likely experience the best weather. If you're worried about crowds, your best bet is to visit in April through May and September.

Whether you’re a novice or an avid angler, Alaska’s rich waters provide an unforgettable salmon fishing adventure. Whales, including the majestic humpbacks and orcas, make their way to Alaskan waters during this season. Numerous bird species, some journeying from as far as Antarctica, fill the skies. Bears emerge from hibernation, foraging for berries and roaming the landscape. Glaciers also get in on the summer action, calving massive chunks into the waters below.

Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dogsled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers.

High summer is when most people visit Alaska, and with good reason— temperatures are warmer, the days seems to never end, and the land is blanketed with colorful wildflowers. Keep in mind though that higher demand means you’ll have to book your onshore activities much further in advance, plus share the beauty with lots of other fellow travelers. And while Alaska’s too big to ever truly feel crowded, maybe you crave the quiet tranquility of empty streets and unoccupied trails. If you’re looking for a more chill escape and don’t mind chillier weather, think about visiting before mid-June or after mid-August. Considered Alaska’s “shoulder season,” it’s a great time to take advantage of easier access to top attractions and lower prices— many local spots offer shoulder season discounts of 10-25%. As the summer sun peaks over the snow-capped mountains, beloved wildlife reawaken from their winter slumber and the Great Land comes to life.

Best Alaska Cruise 2023 Best Time to Cruise to Alaska

Table Of Content

• Other Posts You May Enjoy:
• Bears Feeding On Salmon
• This Is the Cheapest Time to Cruise to Alaska
• The Best Months For An Alaska Cruise For Low Prices
• Travel with AAA
• Juneau

Keep in mind, the closer your starting port is to Alaska, the fewer days you will spend at sea. That being said, while the shoulder season in Alaska may lead to cooler temperatures and more rain, packing appropriately will keep you dry and warm when exploring Alaska’s ports. On average, more than half the days in the month of August experience rain. This may seem like a reason to skip an Alaska cruise in August, but it's still a great time to take in lots of activities around the state. If you are looking for the months with the lowest crowds in Alaska, try for May or September. These are the "shoulder season" months, which is when the season begins and ends, and is when you will find less people vying for a cruise.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

They can navigate narrower waterways and get closer to shorelines, which allows for enhanced wildlife sightings and access to smaller, off-the-beaten-path ports. To maximize your chances of experiencing this spectacular natural phenomenon, plan your Alaska trip during these months when darkness prevails, enhancing the visibility of the northern lights. As you plan your Alaskan cruise, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is the timing of your voyage. Alaska’s charm varies with each passing month, and your choice of when to set sail can greatly impact your experience. According to data based on annual price trends provided by the travel search engine Skyscanner, we can determine the cheapest times to travel to Anchorage from a few major U.S. airports. Flights from New York are generally cheapest in August, but flights from Los Angeles or Atlanta may be cheaper in April.

Bears Feeding On Salmon

By aligning your travel with the activities that most captivate your imagination—be it wildlife, fishing, or glacier viewing—you can ensure that your Alaskan cruise becomes the unforgettable adventure of a lifetime. Yes, an Alaska cruise can be a fantastic option for families, including those with young children. Many cruise lines offer family-friendly amenities such as kids’ clubs, family cabins, and activities tailored to younger passengers, like educational programs about wildlife and nature. During these months, the weather in Alaska can be quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from 40° to 53° Fahrenheit. You’ll want to bring plenty of layers to wear while you’re on the ship and when you stop at ports.

Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north - The Points Guy

Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT [source]

This Is the Cheapest Time to Cruise to Alaska

Rainfall slows down a bit in June, with about 13 days of the month having some precipitation. Since I grew up in Alaska, I’m a fan of just about everything in the Land of the Midnight Sun. I also know that your experience can vary widely depending on the month you choose to visit Alaska. It might surprise many, but July and especially August are rainy, so don't expect endless sunshine.

If you are along the coast of western Alaska, you may also spot a bowhead whale, seal or walrus. Travelers visit Alaska in search of adventure, stunning scenery and solitude — all of which you can experience year-round. The winter months deliver some of the best skiing and riding in North America, while the summers often promise warm and clear days. In the summer, Alaska basks in the magic of the Midnight Sun, with approximately 20 hours of daylight each day.

If you want the best weather…

Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help. Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all native Alaskan owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. The port is set on Chichagoff Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its native cultures and Gold Rush history.

Travel with AAA

The sheer variety of cruise choices, routes, schedules, itineraries, vessel sizes, cruise lines, on-ship amenities, and price points will make you happy and satisfied. Below, we have outlined why summer is the best time of the year for an Alaska cruise. Breathe in the tranquility of the shoulder season when you sail to Alaska in May or September. With fewer crowds in May, take a step inside Alaska’s finest fisheries and taste fresh king salmon — a local delicacy — as they’re plucked from the cool waters. Revel in the rousing vibrations of May sunlight and lookout for humpback whales as they make their first appearance of the year.

As someone who has cruised Alaska many times, I love cruising in May when the weather is dry and locals are emerging from their winter cocoons, embracing the sunshine. The wildlife is doing the same, and you might spot bears with their cubs, moose with their calves and humpback whales returning from their winter home in Hawaii. A great choice for fans of smaller, more intimate ships, Seabourn’s Odyssey holds 450 passengers and treats them to a personal, all-inclusive luxury experience. Princess has been cruising to Alaska for more than half a century, and they continue to lead the industry by bringing more guests to the state than any other cruise line. In fact, they introduced a generation to the idea of cruising via the hit TV show The Love Boat, which was set on a Princess ship and featured many episodes in Alaska! To help you select the ideal time for your trip, the following guide will introduce you to weather and attraction differences between the months.

The town itself is rich in history, with several museums and restored buildings that tell the stories of the thousands who flocked here in the late 1800s seeking gold. Hiking trails and tours also offer a deeper look into the scenic landscapes and historic sites around the area. This period is especially spectacular at the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, which hosts the world’s largest gathering of bald eagles. Located along the Chilkat, Klehini, and Tsirku Rivers, the preserve becomes a prime spot for viewing these birds as they fish and rest near the waterways. However, if you’re looking for the best overall weather and want to enjoy a bit of everything Alaska has to offer, late June to early September is ideal.

Alaska’s summer cruise season, from early May to late September, boasts several cruise ship options. Whether you prefer a small luxury ship for a premium experience or a large, family-friendly vessel with plenty of amenities, you’ll find the perfect fit for your cruise adventure. Cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries catering to different interests and budgets. With many choices, you can select a cruise that aligns perfectly with your preferences. America’s Last Frontier is a land of endless new discoveries, breathtaking landscapes, and off-the-beaten-path trails that lead to bucket list adventures. From glacier gazing and wildlife watching to catching a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill your days with awe-inspiring thrills.

With more than 250 miles of trails, this charming Northern capital is a mountaineer’s dream. The average temperature for an Alaska cruise in September is in the mid-50s and lows in the low-40s. It's also very likely to encounter rain, as September is an even rainier month than August.

Many cruise lines also have limited early cruise ships departing for Alaska in April. Norwegian Cruise Lines has the first departures of the season in early April from Seattle. For major cruise lines, the Alaska cruise season runs between May and late September, including Viking and Disney. Most cruise passengers will head to Alaska between Memorial Day in late May and Labor Day in early September when temperatures range from slightly chilly to warm during the long daylight hours.

The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world.

However, a cruise this time of year will also slightly decrease your chance of viewing wildlife and make for sleepier ports of call because most summer workers return home for college. Temperatures are pleasant — in the 60s and sometimes higher, with wildflowers in bloom and glaciers calving. Anglers will find opportunities to reel in halibut along with king and sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. In addition to humpbacks, you might also spot belugas and seals with their pups as you sail. With that in mind, Alaska is still a dynamic destination—no one snapshot of time during the year is guaranteed to encompass all this state has to offer.