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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. The Alaska cruise season winds down in October, with only a few ships setting sail. Just as in April and May, you’ll likely have the water to yourself, and even fewer people in the ports you call upon. Along with cooler weather, you’ll also find lower fares that will please your bank account. April and May are also the driest months in Alaska, so the chances of rain are slim.
Small Ship Cruises: adventure & Luxury
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. If spotting wildlife is a priority, consider cruising during the salmon runs, when bears are most active and can be spotted from the decks of the ship. Humpback whales often follow schools of herring and other small fish during the summer and can be seen anytime between May and September before they migrate to Hawaii or Mexico.
Best Time Of Year For Glacier Calving
HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line. The cruise line also offers beloved live music programming, which I got to experience firsthand on a summer 2023 Alaska sailing. King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard (a dueling piano bar), Lincoln Center Stage, and Rolling Stone Rock Room. After our shore excursions, we’d hop back on board the ship for drinks, dinner, and a nightcap at the dueling piano bar to jam out to hits from Billy Joel and Elton John. All of the above make HAL a popular pick among middle-aged and mature couples traveling without kids; however, onboard our summer sailing, I did notice quite a few small children traveling with their parents and grandparents. Alaska’s summer cruise season is a spectacular window of opportunity, with peak popularity between June and August.
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The line’s identical ocean ships offer a sleek Scandinavian design, which only enhances the tranquil atmosphere on board. The luxury adults-only line is also all-inclusive, covering meals, activities, most beverages, Wi-Fi, port taxes and fees, spa access, and one complimentary excursion in every port of call. Cruisers can bask in the mountain and glacier views from the comfort of their private balcony — and, if they’re lucky, they may even spot a whale or two. Finally, in addition to classic ports like Juneau and Ketchikan, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Alaska itinerary also calls on Valdez, which is chock-full of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. 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.
These cruises allow you to explore Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its glaciers, wildlife, and unspoiled wilderness. In the summer, Alaska basks in the magic of the Midnight Sun, with approximately 20 hours of daylight each day. Cruise ship passengers can comfortably explore in T-shirts and shorts, taking in Alaska’s stunning scenery with its vibrant natural colors. You’ll witness lush green forests, snow-capped mountains, and fields of wildflowers in every hue, from pink and purple to yellow. Some attractions and shops will be closed for winter, though your cruise line will still operate a full roster of shore excursions.
Alaska Cruise Lines: From Holland America and Royal Caribbean to Small Ships like Silversea
Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary. See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House.
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north - The Points Guy
Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT [source]
For an even more customized experience, consider a private cruise on smaller ships like yachts and sailboats. Alaska’s summer cruise season, from early May to late September, boasts several cruise ship options. Whether you prefer a small luxury ship for a premium experience or a large, family-friendly vessel with plenty of amenities, you’ll find the perfect fit for your cruise adventure. Cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries catering to different interests and budgets. With many choices, you can select a cruise that aligns perfectly with your preferences.
By the end of September, there are less than 12 hours of daylight in Juneau. Precipitation increases to 19 days of the month, so pack a raincoat with a hood (you’ll be grateful to have it!). That being said, the weather and wildlife in Alaska are notoriously unpredictable.
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. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. 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.
One of the best ways to experience salmon fishing is by booking a shore excursion. Any of the fishing tour companies offer services that package up your catch and ship it back to your home packed in dry ice so you can have a feast, and bragging rights, when you return home. There’s no question that the best time for most cruisers to go to Alaska is during peak season, and alternately in shoulder season. Imagine being able to enjoy Alaska’s incredible natural beauty during days of near-continuous sunlight.
A hike on Chichagof Island is the perfect opportunity to spot bald eagles in the wild. Whales, including the majestic humpbacks and orcas, make their way to Alaskan waters during this season. Numerous bird species, some journeying from as far as Antarctica, fill the skies. Bears emerge from hibernation, foraging for berries and roaming the landscape. Glaciers also get in on the summer action, calving massive chunks into the waters below. The abundance of wildlife in summer creates a captivating spectacle that you won’t want to miss, making it the best time to go on an Alaska cruise.
All excursions are led by experienced expedition teams, who provide all the equipment needed to make the most of your time in Alaska. Alaska cruises first made their debut in 1881, when the Pacific Coast Steamship Company began cruising the Inside Passage aboard its two ships, the Ancon and the Idaho. Today, with over 20 cruise lines and small ships sailing Alaska’s waterways, there are plenty of options for travelers to choose from during the Alaska cruise season, which runs every year from April through October. If you’re planning a bucket list trip, we’ve selected the best Alaska cruises for every type of travel style in 2024, from the adventure-focused to the super luxurious. Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World’s Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years.
Offered by Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, fishing excursions that allow guests to have their catch prepared and served to them onboard the ship also sell quickly. There are days throughout the year when there can be a temperature swing of a hundred degrees on opposite ends of the state—50 degrees Fahrenheit in Sitka and 50 degrees below zero in Fairbanks, for example. May can be one of the finest months across Alaska, as daylight reaches near-summer heights, while June is even nicer, with the last chill of the arctic winter departing for the season.
Add high-powered binoculars to your Alaska packing list to ensure that you get to see all of the wildlife possible. Juneau gets about 17 days of rain in August, so a high-quality raincoat is essential. 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.
May is one of the driest months in the Inside Passage, but you may still find snow on the ground (which is great for scenic photos, but less ideal for hiking). While the weather in Alaska in June brings out the flowers and even greener scenery, expect mosquitoes to be biting. Alaska temperatures can be unpredictable, so come prepared with the proper wardrobe. Temperatures are relatively mild, with daytime highs in the upper 40s and into the 50s depending on where you're visiting and cloud cover.
If you're looking for other surefire ways to save, inside and ocean-view cabins are often much cheaper than balcony cabins on Alaska cruises. Those private verandas are highly desirable, with everyone seeking views of the wilderness, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Royal Caribbean's 20-year-old ship Radiance of the Seas mainly sails weeklong, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, with prices below $100 per person, per night, for inside and outside cabins on many departures. National park facilities and some tourist businesses will switch to winter hours.
