The Best Month to Cruise to Alaska

Table Of Content

• Alaska cruise in May: Cheap prices when you cruise in May
• August
• Alaska cruise in August: Rain and high temperatures
• What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in September
• When is the Best Time of Year to Cruise to Alaska?
• Travel Is Our Tradition
• When is the best time to visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights?

And the tour guides love to share interesting facts about the species and whale pods in the area. It jumps to eight inches in August and nearly 13 inches in 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. Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, TripTik maps, and more. Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, travel guides, and more.

Alaska cruise in May: Cheap prices when you cruise in May

The larger crowds can add to the atmosphere and make for a lively and enjoyable vacation. 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. After a long winter, Alaska begins to wake up in April, and that includes the wildlife. A few big ships, such as the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle, begin their season this month with discounted early season pricing.

August

Price-conscious travelers will generally find price breaks before Memorial Day or after mid-August, when schools in many parts of the country will be in session. Anchorage is often the end point for cruises that travel north from Seattle or Vancouver, although it’s not really a cruise port. Passengers often disembark at Seward or Whittier and take a train or shuttle up to Anchorage and then to the airport. These historical averages are simply averages and will vary somewhat from year to year and port to port. But they give cruise planners a general idea of what to expect with weather and what clothing to pack.

Alaska cruise in August: Rain and high temperatures

It rains an average of 18 days in June, 17 days in July and 19 days in August. Juneau averages about four inches of rain in June, five inches in July and eight inches in August. Although the temperatures are the similar from June through August, the rainfall is not. The best month to visit Alaska depends on what you hope to experience during your trip. As August winds down, fall colors explode across the mountains, giving you gorgeous landscapes to explore by ship, train and foot. 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.

What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in September

They begin migrating from Hawaiian waters in the springtime to feed in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters. If you are in port, you’ll get to see how Alaskans take advantage of the Midnight Sun with locals out biking, hiking, and fishing at all hours of the night. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. There are also amazing birds, including bald eagles and land animals like mountain goats, Dall sheep, and brown and black bears. In April, towns along the Inside Passage will have just over 15 and a half hours of sunlight and will be gaining daylight every day. Because of its latitude, Alaska experiences extremes in daylight in the summer and darkness in the winter.

When is the Best Time of Year to Cruise to Alaska?

If your goal is to see the Northern lights, consider a different vacation. Or try to select the earliest sailing date or the latest sailing date (even then it is still extremely rare). For the most Midnight Sun, come 3 weeks before or after the summer solstice and longest day of the year, June 21. However, it’s not necessarily a good idea to pick a cruise based solely on price. While price should definitely be a consideration, it’s important to consider other factors before choosing an Alaska cruise. With school back in session, demand from families drops each week.

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. If you are looking for more of a fall experience, aim your travel plans for the end of August or the beginning of September to see some leaves starting to change color. You’ll also end up paying more for excursions this month and have to book early as they sell out quickly. Another great thing about June is that it is a relatively dry month so your chances of getting rained out of an excursion are much lower.

When is the best time to visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights?

Alaskan Cruises Shut Down In Winter: Here's The Best Way To See The Sights - TheTravel

Alaskan Cruises Shut Down In Winter: Here's The Best Way To See The Sights.

Posted: Sat, 09 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Alaska is known for its outdoor adventure opportunities, and the springtime weather is perfect for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. You can take a guided hike through the wilderness or try your hand at fishing in one of Alaska's many rivers. By cruising in May, you can beat the rush and enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful experience. You can also take advantage of the lower rates offered by the cruise lines during the shoulder season, which can help you save money.

Advantages of Visiting Alaska in June

Temperature is relative, so don’t be shocked if you see an Alaskan sporting shorts and a tank top in June. The 60s can feel downright tropical after winter temperatures in the 20s and 30s. A hat, gloves, and a winter coat would be a good idea to pack for an Alaskan cruise, especially if you depart in April, May, or September. The high temperature in May in the capital city of Juneau, averages in the mid-50s, with lows in the 40s. While the weather in Alaska in June brings out the flowers and even greener scenery, expect mosquitoes to be biting. Alaska temperatures can be unpredictable, so come prepared with the proper wardrobe.

This means you have more time to stroll the deck of your ship and look out onto Alaska’s stunning landscapes and glaciers. Between May and July, Alaska fully thaws from the deep winter freeze. This is when bears have emerged from hibernation and tend to be fairly active. If you hope to spot a grizzly, you might just have your opportunity if you cruise Alaska during this period, along with viewing moose and even a chance to see more calves or cubs running around. To help you plan your perfect trip, we will explain which months are the best for Alaskan cruises.

Humpback whales have yet to begin their migration to warmer waters, so you will still be able to see them, especially in early August. The loss of daylight does mean you could see the Aurora Borealis while cruising to Alaska in late August. The best time to see the Northern Lights is between late August and April, typically peaking in March. 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. That being said, the weather and wildlife in Alaska are notoriously unpredictable.

The average high temperature is 67 Fahrenheit in June and 71 in July and August, according to the Meteorological Service of Canada. September belongs to cruise visitors who don’t mind rain and want cheap cruise line tickets. The best time to cruise to Alaska depends on both warm temperatures and a lower risk of rain. Winter, when nights are long, dark, and clear, is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. That said, it is possible but not guaranteed to see them on an Alaska cruise. An Alaska cruise in early April, or late September, close to the fall equinox (September 21), will increase your chances.

During May and September, Alaska is a bit on the cold side (40 to 53 degrees), so you will want to pack plenty of layers to wear around the ship and at the port. Grizzly bears are one of the most sought-after wildlife sightings. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a bear, eagle, moose, fox, whale, or otter as your ship sails through Alaska’s inside passage.