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Alternatively, birders might want to time their cruise with the Copper River Shorebird Festival, which takes place early in May in Cordova. Check ahead to make sure your itinerary will stop here, as it's usually only featured on longer 14-day cruises to Alaska. At AAA, we offer a wide selection of cruise itineraries to those explorers who want to get up close and personal with Alaskan wildlife, landscape, and culture. The good news is that no matter which month you choose, your Alaskan cruise will reward you with incredible experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Down south, the waters around the southwestern and southcentral regions of Alaska teem with ships visiting Kodiak Island, the Aleutian Islands, Prince William Sound and Katmai National Park. About 30,000 eagles call the Great Land home and they’re more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the United States.
When’s the Best Time to See the Northern Lights on an Alaska Cruise?
Alaska is a special place to cruise because it’s very different from standard tropical cruise destinations. Cruises to Alaska don’t occur during the months of January, February, March, November and December. The dark and cold winters are not ideal for cruises because travelers aren’t able to enjoy the wonders of the state of Alaska. The Official Visitors Guide for Juneau playfully uses a raindrop graphic for every month in the calendar (in Southeast Alaska it’s never a question of whether it will rain, but how much it will rain).
What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April
National park facilities and some tourist businesses will switch to winter hours. September is also a great time to get deals on souvenirs, as merchants sell off this year's goods at the end of Alaska's tourist season. 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. 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. Some adventurous cruisers will board ships when they arrive in Alaska in April to see the remnants of winter.
Advantages of Visiting Alaska in September
The best time to cruise Alaska - The Points Guy
The best time to cruise Alaska.
Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Look to the early and late sailings of the season if you are a bargain seeker. Choose a May or June sailing for drier weather and fewer mosquitos; summer is the best time to cruise to see abundant marine life and birds. A limited number of cruises in October (predominantly on Norwegian Cruise Line) make it possible for cruisers to experience a taste of Alaska in winter without sub-zero temperatures. You will want to bundle up; the average temperature in Juneau in October is 39 degrees. Mid-to-late September is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Alaska. Bears will be hunting for the last of the berries and salmon, and caribou, deer and moose will be mating.
Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. 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. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. You can also find one-way repositioning cruises between Southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa).
New to cruising
Lush green landscapes are sprinkled with delicate, magenta flowers while the horizon dons frosted alps and royal blue skies. Locals gleefully prepare for peak fishing season, and iconic wildlife take their graceful positions among the pristine backdrop. Each summer month brings new and exciting adventures – peaceful hiking trails in June, fruitful fishing expeditions in July and extraordinary flightseeing tours in September.
If you want to avoid the cooler temperatures and potential for rain, you may want to choose the late summer to early fall. With that in mind, recognize that you may have to contend with larger crowds and the dreaded Alaskan mosquito swarms. One of the major drawbacks of spending time in Alaska during the late summer is the significant increase in mosquito activity.
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska - Cruise Blog
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Months to Choose
The best time to view artic-blue ice plunge into the sea is during the warmest months of June, July, and August at active glaciers. With more daylight and improved weather, your options for excursions also increase. 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.
Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. The port is set on Chichagof Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint.
We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. If you want to see fall foliage ashore, wait until the first week of September. Summer berry-picking on shore is best late in August or early September. 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. Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities.
April and May are also the driest months in Alaska, so the chances of rain are slim. When traveling from Vancouver in the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, the waters are mostly protected and provide smooth sailing. If ports include Anchorage, Seward, or Whittier, cruise ships must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which has notoriously rougher waters.
If you’re a last-minute vacation booker, you might be in luck during this time of the year. Any cabins that haven’t been booked at this point are being offered at discount pricing before the end of the season. Being from Arizona, I was specifically looking for cool, chilly weather on my Alaskan cruise. The month of May can often be a great time to sail to Alaska depending on a few factors. The price is often the lowest of the season, so if you are looking for a great rate, May might be your best bet. Most of the cruises to Alaska are on the very southern tip of the state and during the summer months.
However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. It also rains a lot in Alaska; it's drier in the spring than in the summer. You may encounter freezing rain or even snow on your April cruise and should expect to tread through mud. Some tourist facilities — including those at national parks — may still be shuttered for the winter. Family favorite Disney Cruise Line offers 13 itineraries over the summer, including a seven-night itinerary from $3,467 per person. Uncruise’s 12-night “Inside Passage” itinerary departs April 15 with rates starting at $6,300 per person, and Alaska Dream Cruises’ seven-night “Last Frontier Adventure” has starting rates from $3,995 per person.
