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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. For photo enthusiasts, an assortment of wide-angle lenses, x-factor lenses, multipurpose lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, and even a tripod can help you capture that perfect shot. 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. Although the weather will likely include more rain, you have a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights, which might outweigh this drawback. Gray whales and Humpback whales begin their migration to warmer waters in October and November, so you still have a chance to see them in Alaskan waters in September.
Plenty of Cruise Ship Options
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. Additionally, June, July, and August may come with more crowds, but offer several more hours of daylight compared to in the fall.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska for Wildlife, Northern Lights, and Fewer Crowds
Princess travels to Alaska during this season so guests can maximize their time on shore and enjoy the beautiful scenery from their ship. Take a relaxing ride on Mount Roberts Tramway for an unparalleled view of Juneau’s exquisite features, or journey into the vast waters for a chance to observe 50-foot humpback whales in their natural habitat. From emerging wildlife to lasting sunlight, early June through late August welcomes some of the most iconic moments known to the Great Land. Wildlife tours, for example, popularly sell out of their early morning slots early, as this is an ideal time to see the wildlife before it gets exasperated with the streams of tourist buses and boats. The main cruise season in Alaska is May through September, though many cruise lines are adding shoulder season itineraries in April and October.
Longer Alaska Cruises: A Chance to Explore More of the State
May is one of the driest months in the Inside Passage, but you may still find snow on the ground (which is great for scenic photos, but less ideal for hiking). Your overall best bet for whale watching in Alaska is May through September. The city has an average high temperature of about 56 degrees Fahrenheit or 14 Celsius in May and September. The average high is about 62 Fahrenheit or 17 Celsius from June through August. It averages more than six inches in June and July and 10 inches in August, according to the National Weather Service.
Alaskan Cruise Month-By-Month Guide
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]
On the plus side, you will experience southeast Alaska towns as they are most of the year, sans tourist crowds. Sit in a bar and talk to the locals as they prepare for the long winter ahead. While early May often carries a chill in the air, by the end of the month, you might encounter temperatures in the 60s.
When is the best time to cruise to Alaska for salmon fishing?
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 best month to visit Alaska depends on what you hope to experience during your trip. Gray whales, humpback whales, orca, beluga whales — Alaska has them all. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise. As August winds down, fall colors explode across the mountains, giving you gorgeous landscapes to explore by ship, train and foot.
Alaska Cruise Season
You're also quite likely to see many bald eagles that are also interested in salmon. 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. The best months to catch a glimpse of the amazing fauna that call Alaska home are the months of June and July. Royal Caribbean also sails to Alaska in early May and into late September or even October, where you can find some great deals. Dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off (or add on) slowly as the thermometer dictates. You will want to pack a bathing suit and a very warm fleece jacket -- and you'll likely wear both at different times.
A significant portion of the time spent cruising in Alaskan waters is incredibly scenic. Book on the starboard (right) side of the ship for northbound itineraries, and on the port (left) side of the ship for southbound itineraries. Outside of cruisetour packages designed to funnel cruise ship passengers directly to top attractions, most individual touring in Alaska will begin and end in Anchorage—not in the smaller cruise ports. Round-trip itineraries are also geographically limited to the Inside Passage, while one-way itineraries cross the Gulf of Alaska and offer additional scenic cruising in College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier. Travelers who are interested in touring Southcentral and Interior Alaska by land before or after their cruise should book a one-way itinerary. Alaska is a dream destination for many travelers, and a majority of the state’s annual visitors arrive on a cruise ship.
Just as Norwegian Cruise Line kicks off the 2024 Alaska cruise season in April, it’s the last cruise line to set sail in the state, and the only one to sail in October. The seven- and nine-day itineraries sail roundtrip from Seattle, and a recent search found fares more than 80% off published fares, starting at $499 per person. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge sets sail for the first time in Alaska this year and has four six- and seven-night itineraries in September, starting at $599 per person. For a cruise-tour option, Princess’ 12-day Denali Explorer itinerary blends five days on land with a weeklong cruise with mini-suite rates from $4,008 per person. Fall is also mating season for wildlife, so expect to see some friskiness.
Starting in 2024, Uncruise Adventures will be offering a winter cruise, where winter sports and northern lights viewings are all part of the package! Running February through March, this is a great option for travelers looking to experience Alaska during the winter months. 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.
Itineraries can be customized to fit your specific interests, whether you want to take a glacier hike, immerse yourself in Alaska’s history or eat your way through the state. As for land trips, June sees Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park open, both of which offer stunning floatplane and flightseeing adventures. Alaskan railroad trips are also available, giving you access to interior hiking, cozy lodges and remote wildlife viewing. 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. Experience the wonders of Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier on the gorgeous Celebrity Solstice on a June cruise to Alaska. Celebrity Cruises has roundtrip Alaska cruise itineraries that depart from Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia, and one-way cruises (northbound and southbound) to and from Seward, Alaska.
It’s one of the state’s most lucrative industries, and many cruisers can’t wait to try their hand at it. Get a first look at Juneau with a bird’s-eye view as the Mount Roberts Tramway takes you to the top of Mount Roberts, where you can hike a rainforest, stop at a nature center, see nature films at the theater, and enjoy a snack. In addition to the spectacular scenery and rich native wildlife, you’ll also find the ports of call on your Alaska cruise to be welcoming and full of interesting things to see and do.
Cruising to Alaska in September has many benefits of the peak season (milder weather and good wildlife viewing) with less expensive prices and fewer tourists. 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. Whatever month you choose for your Alaska cruise, though, is sure to bring the opportunity to visit charming towns, explore phenomenal nature, and make memories with family and friends. There’s no right or wrong time to cruise to Alaska, but having an idea of the pros and cons of each season should help decide which time of year works best for you.
If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights on your cruise, the best time to cruise Alaska is the last part of the shoulder season, late September. With days beginning to shorten and the nights getting longer, a September cruise itinerary offers the last possibility of the year. Small ship cruises tend to offer more adventure-focused shore excursions alongside personalized service and luxurious accommodations and amenities. Smaller ships can reach ports of call and destinations that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships, allowing you to explore more remote settings and communities.
This month brings the warmest weather of the year, the longest hours of daylight and the largest number of tourists. And for good reason, as July in Alaska is ideal for salmon fishing, culture festivals like the Girdwood Forest Fair, bear viewing and memorable trips into the interior. April and May are best for spotting gray whales, while humpback sightings are more likely during peak summer months.
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