Alaska Cruises In June
The cruise season is officially in full swing this time of year. And with the midnight sun, youll have many hours of daylight. Its a great time to take advantage of exciting shore excursions.
Most cruise ships like Disney Cruise Line offer numerous excursions. See glaciers, take city tours, and experience dog sledding and riding in a seaplane among many other excursions. Seward offers a scenic location to explore the rugged Alaskan landscape before or after your cruise. Its also the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park.
When Is The Best Time To Cruise Alaska: Ultimate Guide
If you are thinking about taking an Alaska cruise vacation or have already booked your trip, youll be happy to know that a cruise ship is the best way to explore Americas Last Frontier. If you havent taken an Alaska trip before, you may be wondering when is the best time to cruise Alaska?
Alaska is a unique cruise destination, unlike the typical Caribbean or Mediterranean getaways you might have sailed in the past. The remote location, picturesque landscapes, and abundant wildlife provide memories unlike anywhere in the world.
The long, cold winters and short summers mean that cruise ships only have a short window to sail the Alaskan waterways safely.
Alaskas cruise season is five months long, from May to September. Youll find noticeable differences in wildlife, weather, pricing, and crowds from one week to the next.
Whether youre looking to spot wildlife, catch a king salmon, or hope to see the northern lights, well help you find the best time to book your cruise to Alaska.
Whats The Best Time To See Whales On An Alaska Cruise
Gray whales, humpback whales, orca, beluga whales Alaska has them all. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise.
- Humpback whales: June and July are the best months for seeing these giants of the deep. Over 500 humpback whales spend summer within the Inside Passage, so select a cruise that passes through this route and visits the Barren Islands.
- Beluga whales: You can spot belugas in Turnagain Arm from mid-July through August, just south of Anchorage. September is also a good month for belugas, as long as your cruise passes Nome.
- Gray Whales: April and May are ideal for gray whales, as they feed around Kodiak, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Seward.
- Orca : The ideal time for orca spotting is between early May and early June when you can find these colorful behemoths feeding in Resurrection Bay and along cruise routes going between Seattle and Alaska.
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Types Of Cruise Ships That Sail Alaska
There are several different types of cruise experiences in Alaska: smaller, more adventure-focused ships and larger, traditional cruise-liners.
Large cruise ships, from Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line, are ubiquitous in Alaska.
The lines traditionally sail seven-night cruises from either Vancouver, Seattle, or Anchorage, stopping at the three primary ports Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway with a stop for glacier viewing typically included.
The experience onboard these ships is comparable to what youd expect in the Caribbean or Europe, and youre sailing with a few thousand other passengers.
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Smaller expedition ships, like those from UnCruise Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, and American Cruise Lines host, at most, a few hundred cruisers, and often much fewer than that, making for a more intimate, personal cruise experience.
But most importantly, these expeditions sail unique itineraries in Alaska, stopping at smaller ports, cruising closer to the shore for wildlife spotting, and offering more adventure-focused excursions and activities.
In the middle, youll find luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, Windstar and Silversea Cruises.
Alaska Cruise In October
Alaska Weather in October: Alaska’s October temperatures aren’t the coldest of the year, but you should expect a chill in the air. Temperatures in Southeast Alaska, where most October itineraries will sail, are similar to late April and May. Expect highs in the 40s and possibly 50s, with lows in the 30s. , so prepare for low clouds and rain.
Alaska Cruise Prices in October: Depending on your cruise style, prices will range widely, though than summer months for cruising to Alaska. A 7-night cruise averages around $1,000 without inclusions or extras.
Hours of Daylight in Alaska in October: You can expect an average of 10 to 11 hours of daylight in Southeast Alaska during October, though that will vary depending on how far north you travel. Later in the year, the majority of the day passes in darkness.
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Lindblad Expeditions Exploring Alaskas Coastal Wilderness
- Cost: From $7,340 per person
Many of the sailings to Alaska center on the states major ports of call, like Juneau and Sitka. Theres nothing wrong with those itineraries, but they do tend to focus more on touristy downtowns and less on the great outdoors. While this Lindblad sailing does start and end in those cities , the days in-between are adventure packed. Multiple times a day, guests are invited to disembark for a closer look at the true wilds of Alaska. That could entail going kayaking among bobbing bits of glacial ice in Tracy ArmFords Terror Wilderness, or going for a Zodiac ride in Frederick Sound to view whales up close. Another option includes trekking on lesser-known forest trails and getting an explainer on tide pools along smaller islands. While Lindblad has a general idea of where the vessel will stop each day, itineraries are not set in stone and the crew is not afraid to mix it up if it means having a locale to themselves or if theres a stellar animal encounter to enjoythis is an expedition ship, after all.
In Alaska, NCL offers passengers countless off-ship activities to choose from.
Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
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Alaska Cruise Weather: July
Pack your sunglasses and sunscreen, and your bathing suit for a top-deck dip after your shore tour. Despite the positive forecast, youll still want to pack light layers and rain gear that you can don for glacier viewing or visits, forested hikes, or the always-possible rain shower.
Fishing enthusiasts will do best cruising in July since the most types of salmon are running during this month. As with June, its an ideal month for wildlife viewing, whether you seek out bears, moose, or Humpback whales. The glaciers along your route will be cracking like mad, so make sure your July cruise swings by Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, or other scenic cruising destinations.
Youll have the full range of cruise tour destinations open to you if you travel in July. But be warned: Cruise fares average the highest this month because the Alaska cruise weather in July is so nice, and more families are traveling because school is out for the summer.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Alaska Via Land And Sea
To explore even more of the natural wonders of Alaska, consider a cruisetour. A cruisetour is a vacation that combines a full-length cruise with an escorted tour on land before or after the cruise.
The tour portion can be anywhere from two to six nights long and take you deep into the Alaskan wilderness, where youll explore small mountain towns and Denali National Park and Preserve.
During the land portion of your vacation, your tour guide will make sure you have everything you need and will arrange comfortable transportation from one site to the next. Youll also get ample free time to explore on your own. When it comes to transportation and accommodation, youll experience luxurious glass-domed trains and stay in high-end hotels and lodges.
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Cruising To Alaska In July
The summer months are also great for those who love hiking and exploring new places on foot or by kayakâand there are plenty of opportunities for both! Once you arrive at your destination, get there as soon as possible dont wait to venture into nature.
Like June, July has many daylight hours, making it great for tourists of all species. Specifically, June and July are the peak times youll spot whales and orcas coming to Alaska to feed and birth their young. In addition, youll find whales breaching right off the bow of your ship as they migrate south to their breeding grounds.
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Best Time To Go On An Alaskan Cruise To See Northern Lights
If you want to see Northern Lights in Alaska, the best time to go on an Alaskan cruise is the month of September.
If you plan your Alaskan cruise in September, besides witnessing one of natures wonders, you may also end up grabbing last minute cruise ticket deals.
For the best sighting of Aurora Borealis, you can visit Fairbanks, which is geographically under the auroral oval, the spot where Northern Lights are seen most frequently.
The best time for seeing the aurora during Alaskas winter is 11:30 p.m.3:30 a.m. so make sure you are out there staring at the sky.
While you will witness the Northern Lights during your Alaskan cruise, you may have to sacrifice some wildlife experience because some parts of Denali National Park close in September.
The Gulf of Alaska is the choppiest during this period and if you tend to get seasick, we suggest you plan your Alaska cruise during the calmer months.
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Advantages Of Visiting Alaska In July
- Looking for warm weather? July is Alaskas hottest month, with daytime temperatures ranging between 50-70 degrees and 18-19 hours of daylight.
- If youre planning an arctic cruise, prepare for cooler weather, as the temperature up north dips down to 33-45 degrees. Also pack an eye mask for sleeping, as arctic cruises enjoy nearly 24 hours of daylight.
- Grizzlies, black bears and mountain goats dot the landscape. In the sea, humpback whales and otters splash about, and overhead you can spot millions of migrating shorebirds.
- For the anglers, July is spawning season for salmon, making it perfect for fishing trips.
When To Cruise Ketchikan
The salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan is not to be missed for the chance to take a fishing adventure cruise, dine on fresh fish, and learn more about the local people of this unique area.
With a fishing history dating back to the 1880s, this history-rich city is a fascinating destination for culture fans. Ketchikan has the largest collection of standing totem poles in the world and an abundance of salmon species for you to try.
There is of course plenty of Alaskan wildlife, plus outdoor pursuits on glacial and forest terrain perfect for working up a good appetite for dinner.
Cruise Ketchikan in April and you can delight in seeing hummingbirds return after their winter away. Whichever month you choose, bear in mind its the fourth wettest place in the world and pack accordingly.
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Alaska Cruise In September
Alaska Weather in September: Temperatures in Alaska start to drop in September, with averages in the mid-50s and lows in the low 40s. On top of that it can be even rainier than August, with up to 20 days ofprecipitation. That could put a few of your excursions at risk of being rained out.
Alaska Cruise Prices in September: Prices for average around $1,000 for a seven-night itinerary. Cruise season starts to wind down in September and children head back to school, leading to less demand. You can also look for a last-minute Alaska cruise deal, though keep in mind that with Alaska’s cruise season growing longer, interest in Alaska September cruises is rising.
Hours of Daylight in September: Expect 12 hours of daylight during September in Alaska.
Windstar Cruises Islands & Inlets Of The Inside Passage
- Cost: From $4,999 per person
The Inside Passage is popular for a reason. Here youll find remote islands dappled with stately spruce trees, dreamy fields of pink fireweed, and long stretches of undisturbed, rocky beaches. But, if you motor a bit further, theres a good chance youll be greeted by electric-blue icebergs, dizzying fjords, and dramatic, millennia-old glaciers. And, sooner or later, youll also be met with communities of hardy locals. Whats appealing about this Windstar Cruises itinerary is that its a good mix of Alaskas natural landscapes and coastal cityscapes. Visits to bustling port towns like Juneau and Ketchikan are balanced with days spent entirely in the wilderness of Endicott Arm and Misty fjords.
The ship is also on the smaller size , holding just over 300 guests, so its able to tuck into areas the mega-ships cant. And its a luxurious way to spend 11 daysall of the rooms aboard the Star Breeze are suites.
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When To Cruise The Alaska Islands
Alaskas long and winding coastline has over 2,600 named islands with diverse landscapes and attractions for a variety of interests. An Alaska Islands cruise will take you to explore a number of these islands, where you can immerse in wildlife spotting, photography, shore excursions and more.
Chicagof Island is a nature lovers paradise. With its plunging fjords, porpoises, whales and the largest population of bears per square meter in the world, its ideal for nature photography.
The Brothers Islands also offer some of the best Alaska Islands wildlife spotting, with more whales, porpoises, sea lions and numerous birds. Be sure to also visit Baranof Island to experience remote communities, hiking and bathing in blissful hot springs.
Whats The Best Time To Take An Alaska Cruise
I have taken Alaska cruises during all the major seasons and can promise you that no two are alike, from the weather to the wildlife to the cost of tickets.
Most Alaska cruises run between late April and early September, with peak season in June and July.
Here is what you can expect from each cruising season.
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Alaska Dream Cruises Remote Alaska Adventure
- Cost: From $8,600 per person
What makes Alaska Dream Cruises so special is the fact that its the only Indigenous-owned cruise company in the United Statesand that heritage presents itself in an authentic way throughout the sailings. One subtle example of this: At the top of daily dining menus are Tlingit phrases, like Xáanaa atxá gaawúáyá, meaning its dinner time. On a larger scale, the sailings are usually the only ones to visit and get a lesson on the Glacier Bay National Park Huna Tribal House . And because the ships are Alaska Nativeowned, theyre able to go to remote, tribally owned corners of the Inside Passage that non-Indigenous companies simply arent allowed to, like Hobart Bay. Other items on the agenda include exploring the pristine west coast of Chichagof Island, seeing the summer fishing camp of the Tlingit people at Klawock , and walking a rain forest path to the natural hot spring pools of Baranof Warm Springs.
If youre looking to eschew the cruise ship behemoths for something more intimate, this is itAlaska Dream Cruises Kruzof Explorer holds only 12 passengers. And because its so small, passengers can weigh in on the daily itinerary, perhaps opting to skip a hike in favor of more time photographing the face of a glacier or watching juvenile humpback whales learn to breach. The vessel was once a Bering Sea crab fishing boat, but its since been turned into a comfortable expedition vessel. Meals and activities are included.
Things To Do In Alaska In September
Alaska Events in September: If your Alaska cruise is in early September, there’s a chance that you might be able to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights on your cruise to Alaska if you can get to Fairbanks or points farther north. Time and weather conditions play a major role, but it’s a highlight of cruising to Alaska at the end of the summer.
Alaska Wildlife in September:According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, mating season for moose, goats, caribou and muskoxen begins in the fall . Despite the weather, it’s also a great time for seeing moose and other animals at Denali National Park, and bears can be seen near berry patches and streams with salmon. There will still be whales in Alaska’s seas in September, though numbers will start to decrease later in the month.
Alaska Fishing in September: Silver salmon and halibut seasons run through September in Alaska for anyone hoping to add a fishing adventure to their cruise.
What to Eat in September: September is mushroom season in Alaska. Check out the Cordova Fungus Festival, which takes place every September. You can expect lots of locally sourced food, expert talks and — of course — plenty of mushrooms.
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