Wednesday, April 10, 2024

What is the Best Time To Cruise to Alaska?

best times to cruise alaska

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. As the month progresses, temperatures rise slightly, and daylight hours increase. Orca whales (which are actually members of the dolphin family) are a fairly common site on an Alaskan cruise.

Seabourn Cruise Line

The optimal period for observing glacier calving, which is a dramatic sign of climate change and a remarkable natural event, is during the warmer months of June, July, and August. During this time, active glaciers showcase the view of Arctic-blue ice breaking off into the sea. 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.

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best times to cruise alaska

The only issue with a July Alaska cruise is the rain, as the state averages around 12 inches of rain in the month of July. The Alaska cruise season is quite short, with just six months to choose the best time to cruise Alaska. 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.

The following highlights the list of best Alaska cruises for first-timers:

If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. Choosing to cruise in the early spring of Alaska will impact your experience.

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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. Luckily, when it comes to Alaska cruises, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re traveling solo or with kids, whether you’re looking for total luxury or a bargain and whether you love giant ships or something more intimate, we’ve found the best Alaska cruises to fit your needs. See which one sounds right for you, and once you’re booked, get a head start by checking out these hidden cruise features, cruise ship code words and things you can’t do on cruises.

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. Here is your guide for figuring out the best times to visit for your first (or 50th) Alaska cruise. On clear nights, you could have a chance to spot the northern lights — though they won't shine as brightly as they do in winter.

This Is the Cheapest Time to Cruise to Alaska

While some cruise lines extend their offerings into April and October, these months are less common. The fact that the Alaska cruise season is just five months long, from May to September, makes it important for you to know all the ins and outs of Alaska cruising so you can choose the best time to sail. 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.

Alaska Cruise in June: See the Sights on an Alaska Summer Cruise

We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September. South central Alaska has similar weather, with average temperature highs of 55 degrees Fahrenheit in both May and September; average temperatures range between 62 and 65 degrees F in June, July and August. May, June and July have the most daylight hours (17 to 18), while August averages 16 hours of daylight. The northern lights, or the aurora borealis, is a display of unbelievable colors that move across the Arctic Sky. This phenomenon appears when highly charged solar wind particles flowing from the sun collide with air molecules in the earth’s atmosphere transferring their energy into light. Few places on earth offer more ways to witness the northern lights than Alaska.

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Sit in a bar and talk to the locals as they prepare for the long winter ahead. Temperatures will be in the 60s, sometimes higher — you might even see 80s in Juneau in July. During long days of light, you'll find hearty Alaskans swimming in the sea and enjoying water sports. At the beginning of the month, you might still be able to find some early season pricing; the peak season for Alaska cruising begins in late June. 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.

In comparison, May and September are great for budget-conscious travelers and those looking to avoid crowds. The best time to cruise to Alaska for salmon fishing is during the summer months, specifically from late June through September. This period aligns with Alaska’s salmon runs, when various species of salmon—king, sockeye, coho, pink, and chum—make their way upstream in large numbers. To witness the majestic bald eagles in Alaska, timing your visit can make all the difference. While the summer months offer a good chance to see eagles tending to their nests, the best time is actually during the chillier seasons of autumn and early winter.

One of the biggest advantages of cruising in May is that you get to avoid the peak season crowds. The summer months are the busiest time for tourists in Alaska, and the ports and attractions can get overcrowded. Mid-to-late September is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Alaska.

Mosquitos, along with other biting insects, tend to be at their peak during these late summer months. This period also seems to have longer daylight hours than earlier stretches. This means you have more time to stroll the deck of your ship and look out onto Alaska’s stunning landscapes and glaciers. To help you decide if it’s the right time for your trip, here are some advantages and disadvantages of cruising during the late spring to mid-summer stretch. 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. On average, more than half the days in the month of August experience rain.

Cruise ships have a short window in which to safely navigate through the ice that may still be present in Alaska’s waterways during the first part of the cruise season. Nature is in full bloom during cruise season in Alaska, but what you’ll see depends on the time of year and location. If you’re an adventure enthusiast seeking an active cruise experience, the Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise and the Alaska Fjords and Glaciers Cruise, are ideal choices.

However, July and August tend to also have higher levels of precipitation. It is hard to top the majestic beauty of rugged glaciers, plethora of unique animal sightings, or huge mountains. Going on a cruise to Alaska is an extremely popular kind of cruise, because it offers an easy way to see so much in a compact amount of time. The Alaska cruise season runs between May and September, which happen to be the most temperate times of the year in the 49th state. July and August are also spawning season for salmon, so you might spot grizzlies and brown bears near rivers and streams.

The warmer weather means glaciers begin shedding ice more frequently, so you have a better chance of experiencing the sight and sound of a house-size chunk of ice calving into the sea. There's also the bonus that Alaska's large mosquito population has yet to emerge. Family favorite Disney Cruise Line offers 13 itineraries over the summer, including a seven-night itinerary from $3,467 per person. 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.

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