The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: A Month-by-Month Guide

Table Of Content

• What To Expect on a Caribbean Cruise: Ultimate Cruising Tips
• Alaska Cruise in June: See the Sights on an Alaska Summer Cruise
• What Alaska cruise itineraries are available during each month of the cruise season?
• The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Months to Choose
• Travel Is Our Tradition
• So, Which Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?
• Alaska Cruise Weather in September

In addition to cooler temperatures, there is a higher tendency for rain during the late spring. Seattle Washington, the starting point for many Alaskan cruises, is slightly south of Vancouver and shares similar weather patterns. The Canadian city of Vancouver is a popular stop for Alaskan cruises that usually embark from Seattle WA. It averages more than six inches in June and July and 10 inches in August, according to the National Weather Service. 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.

What To Expect on a Caribbean Cruise: Ultimate Cruising Tips

Your views will likely include snowy mountains, but they are gorgeous nonetheless. Choosing to cruise in the early spring of Alaska will impact your experience. Less travelers might sound appealing, but many port towns aren’t fully “tourist operational” until late June when summer workers start to arrive. Orca whales (which are actually members of the dolphin family) are a fairly common site on an Alaskan cruise. “Resident” orcas (who stay near shore and feed on fish) are easy to spot and fun to watch from the cruise ship or on a whale-watching excursion.

Alaska Cruise in June: See the Sights on an Alaska Summer Cruise

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]

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. 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.

What Alaska cruise itineraries are available during each month of the cruise season?

Plus, as prices are cheaper in the shoulder season, it can be an excellent opportunity to upgrade your stateroom category or splurge on add-ons like excursions, dining packages, or beverage packages. The weather in June is usually warmer and more stable than May, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s. The longer days allow for more time to explore the state's natural beauty, and the scenery is simply stunning.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Months to Choose

In fact, June brings maximal daylight with over 18 hours of golden sunshine in the Southeast and Inside Passage regions. Princess travels to Alaska during this season so guests can maximize their time on shore and enjoy the beautiful scenery from their ship. From emerging wildlife to lasting sunlight, early June through late August welcomes some of the most iconic moments known to the Great Land.

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. Temperatures can vary anywhere between 30 to 80 degrees throughout the summer travel months – inviting guests to layer on the sweaters and windbreakers as weather can be unpredictable. So, the best month to travel to the Great Land depends on what you want to do. For the fishing aficionado, consider May when king salmon reach their greatest appearance. If you prefer to explore the lush scenery by foot, wait until June when the sun has overcome the frosty terrain of the Inside Passage and trails are primed for adventures.

In this post, I share a month-by-month guide about the best time of year for an Alaskan cruise. I’ve included tips on the weather, wildlife, daylight, and the general experience you’ll have each month of the Alaska cruise season to determine when to set sail for the 49th state. To help you find the best time to cruise to Alaska, Cruise Critic is breaking down the Alaska cruise season month by month to help you plan your bucket-list trip. Read on for average Alaska cruise prices, things to do in Alaska and everything else you'll need to decide which is the best month to cruise Alaska for you. July is the warmest month of the Alaska cruise season and has the longest daylight hours and minimal rainfall.

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. Since I grew up in Alaska, I’m a fan of just about everything in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Alaska Cruise Weather in September

Whale species that call Alaska home include humpbacks, orcas, grey whales, and minke whales. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. On top of that, you can anticipate significantly less rain and fog, which helps with comfort and visibility. The city has an average high temperature of about 56 degrees Fahrenheit or 14 Celsius in May and September.

For major cruise lines, the Alaska cruise season runs between May and late September, including Viking and Disney. Fortunately, any time during the Alaska cruise season is good for salmon fishing. The northern lights can be visible at any time of the year, but they are harder to spot during the summer because of the long hours of daylight.

Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Temperatures are somewhat chilly at most cruise ports with daytime highs in the upper 50s Fahrenheit.

The good news is that means you can usually score some pretty good deals on Alaskan cruises. The bad news is that you have a high chance of your excursion getting rained out. Wildlife is out in full force, enjoying the lush green forests and flowing waters. So if you want to see eagles, bears, or salmon, then July is your best bet.