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Most cruise passengers tend to avoid the early season because of the school calendar and cooler weather. By going in the summer months, many people get to enjoy Alaska when things are in full swing and of course the warmer weather. Since Alaska cruises are so dependent on outdoor activities, your best chance for sunny days can be opposite of when the best time for crowds are each season. The Alaska cruise season is quite short, with just six months to choose the best time to cruise Alaska. Many cruise lines also travel to additional locations such as Sitka, Hoonah/Icy Strait Point, and Haines.
Longer sailings from the West Coast
If a cruise with fewer crowds is important to you, it might be a good idea to avoid Alaska cruises in June, July, and August. Not only will there likely be more guests onboard during the summer, but in the ports you are visiting as well. If you are looking for a more quiet experience onboard and on shore, consider cruising to Alaska in May or September. The weather in June is usually warmer and more stable than May, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s.
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If you are cruising in Alaska during the Northern Lights season, note that the Gulf of Alaska is choppiest in September and not recommended for travelers who get seasick. Also, certain sections of the access road to Denali National Park may close in September due to snow, so check your itinerary if that's your preferred Northern Lights viewing spot. Due to unpredictable weather, though, there’s a risk of shore excursions being cancelled -- especially boat and helicopter tours. The cost of an Alaskan cruise, of course, rises during high season and will be less expensive before and after those months during shoulder season. Some attractions and shops will be closed for winter, though your cruise line will still operate a full roster of shore excursions.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska for Wildlife: Springtime (late-May through mid-June)
Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway. On a cruisetour, you'll sail a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska. Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park. 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.
In the summer, Alaska basks in the magic of the Midnight Sun, with approximately 20 hours of daylight each day. Cruise ship passengers can comfortably explore in T-shirts and shorts, taking in Alaska’s stunning scenery with its vibrant natural colors. You’ll witness lush green forests, snow-capped mountains, and fields of wildflowers in every hue, from pink and purple to yellow. One of the major drawbacks of spending time in Alaska during the late summer is the significant increase in mosquito activity. Mosquitos, along with other biting insects, tend to be at their peak during these late summer months. With more daylight and improved weather, your options for excursions also increase.
For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list. Top scenic cruising destinations in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Dawes Glacier at Endicott Arm and College Fjord. If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's history here you shouldn't overlook. Other than May, September is the best month for an Alaska cruise if you're looking for a deal.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Read on for the best time of year to cruise to Alaska, based on your personal preferences and the breathtaking experiences you want to check off your bucket list. Fishing is good during any month—there are just different species of salmon that peak as the weeks go by. Seas in Alaska are choppiest on Gulf of Alaska itineraries where waters are open.
The best time to cruise Alaska - The Points Guy
The best time to cruise Alaska.
Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
While price should definitely be a consideration, it’s important to consider other factors before choosing an Alaska cruise. The closer you can get to the end of the month, the less you'll pay as a result of lessening demand and cooler temperatures. Bears in Alaska are still around because they're looking for food, such as berries or salmon. You're also quite likely to see many bald eagles that are also interested in salmon.
Which cruise lines operate in Alaska?
Choosing the best time of year for an Alaskan cruise can be challenging. From month to month, the weather, wildlife, and your chances of viewing the mesmerizing Northern Lights vary greatly. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Under the Midnight Sun, with the latest updates about new multi-day tours and day trips from Alaska Tours. For those who crave luxury and personalized experiences, the Northern Passage – Glacier Bay Cruise is tailor-made for you.
In this post, I share a month-by-month guide about the best time of year for an Alaskan cruise. I’ve included tips on the weather, wildlife, daylight, and the general experience you’ll have each month of the Alaska cruise season to determine when to set sail for the 49th state. Although you’ll find the highest number of travelers visiting Alaska during the peak cruising (and fishing) months of July and August, the ideal time for your Alaskan cruise depends most on your personal priorities. To help you select the ideal time for your trip, the following guide will introduce you to weather and attraction differences between the months.
For the most midnight sun, travel 3 weeks before or after June 21, the summer solstice. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.
Marine life is so prolific that some small-boat shore excursions guarantee you will see animals. Bears will be fishing; in late August, they will be looking for blueberries, which also become a featured item on restaurant menus. Each month has its advantages, not the least of which is discounted pricing in the spring and fall shoulder seasons.
April, May, and September are considered shoulder seasons for cruising to Alaska. Shoulder season is the time between peak season and off-season when there are fewer cruisers and lower prices. 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.
That makes having your own balcony a prime piece of real estate, especially near Denali National Park, portions of the Inside Passage or Tracy Arm Fjord. An Alaska cruise from Seattle will visit the Inside Passage but tends to favor the open (and frequently bumpier) Pacific Ocean. Sailings from Vancouver tend to traverse more of the Inside Passage and spend a full day sailing this scenic region. Embarking and disembarking in Seattle or Vancouver can make air travel easier and cheaper than one-way Alaska cruises, which require flights to smaller, more expensive airports in Alaska. An Alaska Inside Passage cruise typically lasts seven nights, embarking and returning to Seattle or Vancouver. It's one of the most popular and common itineraries for Alaska cruising.
You'll likely encounter the highest chance of rain if you take an Alaska cruise in August, but it's also when you can expect to find the most comfortable outdoor temperatures. The weather in May is usually mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-60s. As mentioned in this article, not only does September provide the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, but you will also enjoy less crowds and likely lower prices on a cruise.
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