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Read how to pack for an Alaska cruise to stay comfortable in changing weather. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists. Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer.
Advantages of Visiting Alaska in August
Of course, temperatures during September will be lower than other times of the year, but the opportunity to see the Northern Lights is a real treat. Here is your guide for figuring out the best times to visit for your first (or 50th) Alaska cruise. Fishing is good during any month—there are just different species of salmon that peak as the weeks go by. It might surprise many, but July and especially August are rainy, so don't expect endless sunshine.
Cruises
This can help enrich the overall experience of your Alaskan adventure and give you more of an opportunity to see what it would be like living in the United States’ most inhospitable state. The stretch between late April and late July is often considered to be Alaska’s second most popular time of the year for cruises. The popularity of this period is also why many people consider it the best time of the year to book an Alaskan cruise. To help you plan your perfect trip, we will explain which months are the best for Alaskan cruises.
Alaska Cruise in October: Chilly Weather and Cruise Deals When You Cruise Alaska in October
The median months will see higher temperatures and longer days for touring, and it represents the limited summer that Alaska enjoys. However, July and August tend to also have higher levels of precipitation. The Alaska cruise season runs between May and September, which happen to be the most temperate times of the year in the 49th state. Unless you booked early, cabin choice could be limited — especially if you are looking for a fancy suite or cheap inside cabin, which tend to be the first categories to sell out. You may encounter freezing rain or even snow on your April cruise and should expect to tread through mud.
The best time to see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
We experienced 80-degree temperatures and sunshine in June and cold and rainy days in July. In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights. The best time to book an Alaska cruise is when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance.
You might be surprised with warm days in September or chilly, rainy days in July! 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.
Best Time To Cruise Alaska
You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares. The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages might also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement. Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens. Little kids will adore meet-and-greets with beloved characters onboard Disney cruises, or hanging with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival. Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and NCL ships.
The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Ship Dining
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. The enchanting colours invite you to marvel at the miracles of Mother Nature that so often act as the inspiration for treasured postcards. With only 12 hours of sunlight, temperatures range from around 4 to 10 degrees.
See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also to Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway.
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. Even if you're a seasoned fisherman, we recommend using a local guide to help find you the best fishing spot. June is one of the best months for wildlife sightings, with caribou, black bears, mountain goats, moose calves, and even polar bears out and about.
The Ideal Time to Take an Alaskan Cruise Is Right Now - Thrillist
The Ideal Time to Take an Alaskan Cruise Is Right Now.
Posted: Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
That said, you are in Alaska at a time for festivals and other special events, and frontier towns really come alive. 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.
Definitely pack for rain; consider skipping the umbrella and instead bringing a wide-brimmed waterproof hat, rain jacket, rain pants and waterproof shoes or boots. Top scenic cruising destinations in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Dawes Glacier at Endicott Arm and College Fjord. Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities. Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's also history here that you shouldn't overlook.
