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It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife.
Juneau
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. If you purchase a balcony cabin, you can take advantage of the long days in the Land of the Midnight Sun. As your ship reaches the Inside Passage, the early morning views outside of your room are breathtaking. When it comes to Alaskan cruises, balcony cabins come at a premium.
New to cruising
July and August are considered peak seasons to cruise to Alaska for good reason. These are the months when all good things combine to create the optimal Alaskan experience. Weather is a pretty big consideration when it comes to booking an Alaskan cruise.
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Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dog-sled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau. The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. The immediate port area will be filled with tourist shops and eateries. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield.
Mosquitos, along with other biting insects, tend to be at their peak during these late summer months. While it may seem counterintuitive that a popular time to travel would mean that cruise fares are lower, the reason is that there are more ships operating at this time. With more options to choose from, you can typically find a good deal if you are booking for the period that stretches between May and June. For those hoping to participate in some of the many excursion options you can enjoy in Alaska, like fly fishing and whale watching, longer daylight hours mean you have more time during the day to do so.
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. But if you are hoping for warmer weather, May is probably not the best for you. 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).
Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. If you book a weeklong Gulf of Alaska voyage, you'll also enjoy exploring parts of the Inside Passage and its ports that could include a mix of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Haines and Icy Strait Point. The good news is that means you can usually score some pretty good deals on Alaskan cruises.
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With that in mind, Alaska is still a dynamic destination—no one snapshot of time during the year is guaranteed to encompass all this state has to offer. If you’re hoping to spot some famous Alaska wildlife, you have the highest chances in late summer and early fall. Toward the end of summer and early fall, bears are highly active as they prepare for winter hibernation. These months are also incredibly popular times for Alaskan cruises, which is why there is some debate over which period is the best between the two. Given the warmer temperatures of July and August, many people who want to avoid the cold will choose to book during these months.
We sailed roundtrip from Juneau, and while I’ve visited the capital city during the busy summer months, I found the restaurants, bars, and shops much less crowded, reliably filled with locals for the most part. On the water, we rarely passed any other ships or boats, aside from fishermen out for their catches. 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. The warmer the weather, the better your chance to view a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence called “calving.” This is when a large chunk of the glacier separates in a giant icy landslide.
So, the best month for an Alaska cruise depends entirely on which excursion you want to embark on during the summer season. If you’re looking to get away from the summer crowds and enjoy an intimate cruise in remote Alaska, then we recommend booking an ocean view cabin on a smaller ship. Smaller boats have access to quieter coastlines, like the Wrangell Narrows, that larger cruise ships don’t have access to. The warming weather even allows cruise ships to penetrate Arctic waters, giving you the opportunity to see polar bears on Wrangel Island. The Yukon, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park — Alaskan cruises offer direct access to the last American frontier. If you’re a first-time visitor, the vast tundra and glaciers of Alaska can feel intimidating.
Because of its latitude, Alaska experiences extremes in daylight in the summer and darkness in the winter. 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.
After the Summer Solstice in June, Alaska begins losing daylight with each passing day. While the days are still longer than those in the Lower 48, they are getting slightly shorter throughout July. The average July temperature in Juneau is 64 degrees, with an average low of 51 degrees.
My (Somewhat) Disappointing Alaska Cruise on the Grand Princess - Upgraded Points
My (Somewhat) Disappointing Alaska Cruise on the Grand Princess.
Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
That being said, the weather and wildlife in Alaska are notoriously unpredictable. You might take a float plane to see bears and, sadly, not see a single one. If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings. May is an excellent cruising month for birdwatchers as migratory songbirds start to arrive in Alaska and seabirds gather in their nesting spots or rookeries. Keep an eye out for my favorite, the ever-adorable puffins, Arctic terns, cormorants, and bald eagles. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities.
There is a chance you will see some snow, so a winter coat, gloves, and a hat are a smart addition to your packing list. 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. Packing-wise, you’ll still want to bring a raincoat, but you can probably leave your winter coat home if you are cruising in June.
Choosing the best time of year for an Alaskan cruise can be challenging. From month to month, the weather, wildlife, and your chances of viewing the mesmerizing Northern Lights vary greatly. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations.
