The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Months to Choose

Table Of Content

• Notable Landscapes and Experiences in Alaska
• Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: Calmer Waters and Big-Ticket Destinations
• Alaska Cruise in August: Wet, Summer Days When You Cruise Alaska in August
• Seasick Prone? Beware and Plan Carefully
• Alaskan Wildlife You Could See While Cruising
• Alaska cruise in August: Rain and high temperatures

The average rainfall in Juneau during the month of April is 2.77 inches. Although the rain isn’t convenient, it is the reason for the lush vegetation you enjoy. However, it’s important to remember that this area is part of the world’s largest temperate rainforest. Holland America Princess, and Royal Caribbean have Alaskan Inside Passage cruises departing from Vancouver at the end of April.

Notable Landscapes and Experiences in Alaska

Also, generally speaking, the longer the cruise, the more money it will be. Keep plastics at a minimum and strive to be an eco-conscious cruiser in a place as gorgeous as Alaska, whose eco-system is fragile and precious. We recommend Stasher bags for cruises, which are great for packing and many uses onboard and while exploring a port. It's even better if your shoes are waterproof or sprayed to be water-resistant! Part of the fun of cruising to Alaska is the potential to see a lot of wildlife.

Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: Calmer Waters and Big-Ticket Destinations

For your on-shore day excursions, be sure to pack layers of clothing and rain gear so that you can be comfortable. Proper footwear is also important and be sure to bring hiking shoes if you plan to enjoy outdoor activities. The majority of cruise ships cruising to or throughout Alaska depart from Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, Canada; Whittier, Alaska; or Seward, Alaska. Nature is in full bloom during cruise season in Alaska, but what you’ll see depends on the time of year and location.

Alaska Cruise in August: Wet, Summer Days When You Cruise Alaska in August

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%.

The Best Time to Cruise in Alaska

Temperatures are warmest in the month of July, so if you’re sensitive to the cold but still want to experience the wild beauty of Alaska, mid-summer might be the ideal time for you to visit. The spring and summer months are when nearly all cruise ships visit each year. If you’re seeking Alaska cruise discounts and excellent value, consider the shoulder seasons of May and September. During these months, as Alaska’s tourism activity begins to wind down, you can often find deals both on and off the cruise ships. Lower prices and fewer crowds can enhance your overall experience, making it an attractive option for savvy travelers.

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]

If you want the best weather…

You might be surprised with warm days in September or chilly, rainy days in July! More hours of daylight on an Alaska cruise means more time to sightsee, whether in port or when sailing through the Inside Passage. Juneau, for example, sees around 18 hours of daylight in June compared to just 12 in September. 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.

Many of the cruises embark from the US cruise port of Seattle, Washington, if leaving from the mainland USA. Canada's port in Vancouver is also a popular Alaska cruise port of embarkation. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found. Sitka is as much a working fishing town as it is a tourist destination. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary.

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. Other adventurous activities, such as hiking trails, open up in the summer months. Hatcher Pass typically opens up in July, depending on the specific Hatcher Pass weather conditions.

If you want to sail to the major cities, a big ship (like Celebrity or Royal Caribbean) will stop at Alaskan cities you regularly hear about. But if you want to sail to some more remote areas of Alaska, consider a cruise on a small vessel. Most of these cruises depart from and return to an area of the Pacific Northwest.

If you are looking for uncrowded observation decks and a quieter experience, you may want to avoid this peak season or try September, when things tend to wind down. In addition to cooler temperatures, there is a higher tendency for rain during the late spring. As mentioned, recommending one specific month that will act as the best time to cruise Alaska can be a little bit difficult. Seeing Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness from the comfort of a cruise ship is a true bucket list item for many people. That said, deciding when to embark on your adventure can significantly impact the overall experience. The landscape and views you’ll experience on an Alaska cruise will be unforgettable, so be sure to pack your binoculars and your best camera to capture the incredible sights to share with friends and family.

Summer is the height of the Alaska cruise season, which means crowds in port towns, especially when several ships are in port at the same time. You might have to wait hours for a table at Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau. Fall is also mating season for wildlife, so expect to see some friskiness. Balcony cabins are still available on the season’s inaugural sailing at a discounted fare of $1,029 per person. To truly enjoy an Alaskan cruise, cruisers can visit from April to October when daylight hours, weather and wildlife are better. Explore Alaskan cruises and learn more about each fun-filled trip to the 49th state.

One of the main advantages of cruising Alaska during the later summer months is the milder temperatures and more predictable weather. During these peak months of the Alaskan summer, daytime temperatures range between 50 and 60 °F, with some days reaching as high as 90 °F. Witnessing bears catch (or try to catch) slippery salmon from a river is one of the most incredible Alaska experiences you can have. The best time to view this dramatic display is mid-July to mid-August, though you can take wildlife excursions to bear hangouts at any time during cruise season. For both cruising and land-based tours, May and September are the “shoulder” seasons in Alaska, with better deals and fewer crowds.

Rather than stay up all night, see if your ship or pre- or post-cruise hotel has a sign-up sheet for people who want a wake-up call should the lights appear. Some adventurous cruisers will board ships when they arrive in Alaska in April to see the remnants of winter. A few big ships cruise into mid-October for those who want a peek at what life is like in Alaska towns when all the other tourists have returned home.

A few lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line, offer 10-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with sales, can be cheaper than you'd think. 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. Plus, many of the state's famous glaciers are best viewed from the sea.

You might see bears that are continuing to fatten up before hibernation. Humpback whales have yet to begin their migration to warmer waters, so you will still be able to see them, especially in early August. By the end of August, the sunrise and sunset times in Alaska are pretty close to “normal” times for most states in the USA.

What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist - Travel + Leisure

What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist.

Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:11:15 GMT [source]

We highly recommend booking Princess Cruises, a cruise line where we enjoyed their MedallionClass and Thermal Spa, The Enclave. Our experience on Celebrity Cruises was incredibly enjoyable as well – if you book with Celebrity Cruises, we cannot recommend The Retreat enough. Smaller ships can go to Alaska's lesser-known ports, including Thorne Bay, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Haines. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also to Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage.