Alaska Cruises: A Cheat Sheet to Planning the Perfect Adventure
Table Of Content
Cruises through Alaska's gulf also tend to pass through the Inside Passage, with typical stops including Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Some will also call on more off-the-beaten-path ports like Icy Strait Point and Haines. The Inside Passage is a sheltered waterway between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland that extends north to Alaska.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in June
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 bear viewing is high on your bucket list and you are traveling on a bigger cruise ship, look for a float plane excursion that will take you to where the bears feed. While prices in the early season are generally less expensive, your experience during a May cruise will look different from during the high season in July and August. As the month progresses, temperatures rise slightly, and daylight hours increase.
Advantages of Visiting Alaska in May
The summer months are the busiest time for tourists in Alaska, and the ports and attractions can get overcrowded. 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. Hours of daylight range from 14 to 18, with June having the most daylight hours and September having the least. While the tourism season in Alaska doesn’t really kick in until June, many small cruise ships start running tours in May. If having the highest chance of warm temperatures and sunny days is important to you, cruising to Alaska in the peak summer months is your best bet.
Advantages of Visiting Alaska in July
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. Just remember our earlier reminder that you are visiting the world’s largest temperate rainforest and enjoy the lush greenery. While it is possible to see humpbacks during the entire cruise season (April-October), your best bet for whale watching will be the months of June, July, and August. They are quite an awe-inspiring sight to see as they travel in pods, breech, and feed. Because they don’t migrate, you have a great chance of viewing these 1000+ pound, 10-foot-long animals on rocks near the shorelines as you cruise. Just expect cooler weather, fewer wildlife viewing opportunities, and less active ports with some shops that are still shuttered.
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
May is a practical choice for Alaskan cruisers who are on a limited budget but want to have slightly warmer and drier weather and more chances to see wildlife. Your views will likely include snowy mountains, but they are gorgeous nonetheless. You’ve got about a 50/50 chance of getting rained or snowed on during excursions. You’ll be very happy if you purchase a quality raincoat and pack clothing you can add or remove in layers.
Final Thoughts on the Best Time of Year for an Alaskan Cruise
Testing the Waters with Dori: Late Season Alaska Cruising - Travel Market Report
Testing the Waters with Dori: Late Season Alaska Cruising.
Posted: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
McDaniel said the most popular ports to leave from are Seattle and Vancouver, but cruises can depart from as far south as San Francisco or even from places like Seward, Alaska. Keep in mind, the closer your starting port is to Alaska, the fewer days you will spend at sea. If you're intent on a Gulf of Alaska cruise, book a northbound route so you'll cruise the Gulf at the end of the trip when you have your sea legs. If you get seasick easily, also think twice about round-trip cruises from Seattle that spend days cruising in the open ocean.
Alaska Cruise Itineraries: The Inside Passage, Gulf of Alaska and More
Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next. That includes warm days, where even being near a glacier or a passing cloud (or socked-in rain) can make things chilly. Popular destinations include Denali National Park (for wildlife viewing) or Talkeetna (best place for Denali views and cool eats). Cruise tour land packages are also available to spots like Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula and Canada's Yukon Territory.
By the end of August, the sunrise and sunset times in Alaska are pretty close to “normal” times for most states in the USA. You might feel like you aren’t getting the true Alaskan “Midnight Sun” experience this month. With lows in the 50s, you don’t need to pack a winter coat and hat, but be sure to include warm, wicking layers to keep your temperature steady. The average July temperature in Juneau is 64 degrees, with an average low of 51 degrees.
Alaska Cruise Tips for the Perfect Cruise Experience
A downside to visiting Alaska in May is that the interior National Parks are still closed, along with many of the land-based attractions and shops that later cruisers will get to enjoy. 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. 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.
If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings. Be sure to pack high-quality rain gear for excursions along with warm, layered clothing and a hat and gloves. The benefits of cruising in April include less expensive pricing, fewer tourists, and less crowded ports.
While price should definitely be a consideration, it’s important to consider other factors before choosing an Alaska cruise. Ultimately, there is no perfect time to sail to Alaska, as each month offers its own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing when to cruise to Alaska comes down to your preferences. Of course, temperatures during September will be lower than other times of the year, but the opportunity to see the Northern Lights is a real treat. Here is your guide for figuring out the best times to visit for your first (or 50th) Alaska cruise.
If you’re looking to get away from the summer crowds and enjoy an intimate cruise in remote Alaska, then we recommend booking an ocean view cabin on a smaller ship. Smaller boats have access to quieter coastlines, like the Wrangell Narrows, that larger cruise ships don’t have access to. The Yukon, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park — Alaskan cruises offer direct access to the last American frontier. If you’re a first-time visitor, the vast tundra and glaciers of Alaska can feel intimidating.
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. 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.
To minimize joining the masses during high season, consider a shoulder-season sailing (in late April, May or September), or select a ship that embarks midweek. Saturday and Sunday cruise departures tend to be busiest during the summer months, particularly for families with children. Prices correspond with demand during the Alaska cruise season, with July being the most expensive month for cruises.
“Resident” orcas (who stay near shore and feed on fish) are easy to spot and fun to watch from the cruise ship or on a whale-watching excursion. Although the rain isn’t convenient, it is the reason for the lush vegetation you enjoy. Since I grew up in Alaska, I’m a fan of just about everything in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
If you’re hunting the northern lights, then include a land trip to Fairbanks, where you can enjoy Denali Park and hopefully catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. From the Alaska State Fair in the Mat-Su Valley to the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival, there is so much to do in this glorious state in August. Blueberries are in season, with berry festivals following, bears roam the hills, and Seward’s Silver Salmon Derby is the perfect place to cast your fishing rod. The price of an Alaska cruise in August should be cheaper than June or July, especially if you can take a cruise in the latter half of the month.
Comments
Post a Comment