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Plus, Royal Caribbean will adjust prices according to demand, so if a shoulder season cruise is not selling well, prices may drop until more people book the cruise. Additionally, May is an ideal time to take advantage of the extended daylight hours and enjoy some outdoor activities. 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.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month - Cruise Critic
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month.
Posted: Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
What Are the Best Months for Wildlife & Activities?
Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. 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. Because of its latitude, Alaska experiences extremes in daylight in the summer and darkness in the winter. The benefits of cruising in April include less expensive pricing, fewer tourists, and less crowded ports. Here is a breakdown of other important considerations for an April Alaskan cruise. Another way to save some money is to check out glacier routes that go northbound, which can be slightly cheaper than those heading southbound.
Best cruise lines for extended trips to Alaska
Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: A Month-by-Month Guide
Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, travel guides, and more. Fortunately, you don’t need to sweat too hard about that last one as there’s no bad month to do an Alaska cruise. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip.
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Not only will there likely be more guests onboard during the summer, but in the ports you are visiting as well. If you are looking for a more quiet experience onboard and on shore, consider cruising to Alaska in May or September. 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. These cruises allow you to explore Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its glaciers, wildlife, and unspoiled wilderness. In this guide, we’ll explore why the summer months, from early May to late September, are the best time of the year for an Alaska cruise.
Temperatures are highest June through August, with highs often in the 60s. In August — the rainiest month of the year — the state receives an average of almost 3 inches. 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's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary.
When to visit Alaska for the northern lights
Both the peak season and shoulder seasons offer high-quality excursions, breathtaking scenery and memorable tourist events and cultural festivals. So the “best time to visit Alaska” looks different for each person, as your personal trip preferences are what determine the best month for you. During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food. The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple. It is the rainiest month of the summer season, especially in Southeast Alaska, with Juneau averaging about 16 days with precipitation. Packing a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes is all it takes to make rainy port days enjoyable.
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. October is one of the wettest months in Alaska, so prepare for low clouds and rain. Alaska weather in October is manageable if you pack the right gear and protective clothing.
What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April
With days beginning to shorten and the nights getting longer, a September cruise itinerary offers the last possibility of the year. The "best time" could be different for a solo cruise traveler who dreams of photographing bears than it is for a parent who wants a family vacation in the great outdoors. From May to September, the Alaska cruise season is just five months long, although Holland America Line offers Alaska cruises in late April and early October. 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. This is but one of the incredible experiences that may be had when visiting Alaska in the “secret season”—springtime.
While you might not be sunning yourself to a stunning shade of bronze on an Alaska cruise, you and everyone on board will want to take in the scenery. That makes having your own balcony a prime piece of real estate, especially near Denali National Park, portions of the Inside Passage or Tracy Arm Fjord. Holland America and Princess are the biggest mainstream lines for an Alaska cruise. But you'll also see Alaska itineraries from Carnival, Disney, Norwegian (NCL) and Royal Caribbean, which gives you an array of price points to consider. An Alaska cruise costs anywhere from $500 to $8,000 or more during high season.
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]
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. One downside to July is the price of your cruise will be higher than other months of the year. It's the very peak of the Alaska cruise season, which makes July expensive.
Then, tip back a genuine Southeast Alaska specialty, a spruce tip ale at the Skagway Brewing Company; this unusual ale uses spruce tips instead of hops in its brew. Sitka hosts a summer music festival each year in June, with formal evening concerts, casual cafe concerts, a three-hour dinner cruise with live music, and a Sunday outdoor crab feed fundraiser. Humpback whales start making their journey from the warm waters of Mexico and Hawaii in March and April, and by June and July they’re happily feeding in the waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage. However, it’s not necessarily a good idea to pick a cruise based solely on price.
Temperatures are relatively mild, with daytime highs in the upper 40s and into the 50s depending on where you're visiting and cloud cover. 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. One-way Gulf of Alaska itineraries are the best option for Alaska touring, as they begin or end in Alaska. If you'd like an assist with your outdoor adventures, the Mount Roberts Tramway climbs 1,800 feet above Juneau for gorgeous views. Those who'd prefer man-made experiences can check out honky-tonk at the raucous Red Dog Saloon or dip into any of the microbreweries and distilleries all over town.
Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. Choosing the right time for an Alaskan cruise depends on your personal interests and what you hope to experience in America’s Last Frontier. Additionally, adventure lovers can enjoy activities like zip-lining through the lush forests or kayaking among icebergs. Witnessing these majestic creatures breach the water against the captivating Alaskan landscape is an unforgettable memory you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Walk to Skagway’s historic downtown from the cruise dock and tour the town’s infamous saloons, including the Red Onion.
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. 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. You might feel like you aren’t getting the true Alaskan “Midnight Sun” experience this month.
