Cruise Tips For Alaska Weather: Month By Month
If youre thinking about planning a summer cruise, Alaska may be the perfect destination for you. The Alaskan cruise season lasts from May to September, and the warmest months for travel are typically June, July, and August. Alaskan cruises may seem suited only for people who like extreme weather, but the truth is that the weather in Alaska varies widely based on the region.
Most itineraries cruise the Inside Passage, a section of the state that runs alongside Canada, and avoid the main territory. These cruises go nowhere near the Arctic zone, so you likely wont need your snow gear. Heres what you can expect each month on your upcoming Alaska cruise along with what you really need to pack. ;
When Do Cruises Go To Alaska
Since ships dont stay in Alaska year-round, they come from different parts of the world to cash in on the over one-million passengers annually that embark to see the final frontier.
The first cruise ships typically begin plying the waters of Alaska the last week of April or the first week of May.;The full Alaska-based fleet arrives by mid-May or so.
Then at the end of the season, cruise ships begin repositioning from Alaska the first week of September, with the last cruises usually sailing by September 15.
Once the Alaska season is over, the ships are dispersed back to different regions of the world, including Asia, Australia, the Mexican Riviera, and the Caribbean.
Late Summer And The Fall Season August & September
What you can Explore:;
Activities: This is the best time to visit all the national parks where all the wild animals are out in their areas. The most fantastic animals like the sea lions, wild beers, and forest dogs are seen on the jungle safari roads and tracks. This is the best time of the entire year if you are fond of wild animals and want to have their sightseeing or watch them closely.
You will be having a good experience of fishing with the silver and the pink salmons. Sometimes the travelers and the fishermen have experienced the Dolly Vanden Trout jumping on the boats and ships.
Pack your bags with: ;not forget to carry raincoats and warm clothes that keep you both dry and warm.
Weather: in these two months, you will experience rainfall and cold at contrasting times. The highest temperature will go to 63 degrees, and the lowest temperature will fall to 41 degrees.
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Looking For The Best Time To Visit Alaska This Is It
An Alaska adventure belongs at the top of your bucket list. Nows the best time to start planning.
Americas Last Frontier is a land of endless new discoveries, breathtaking landscapes, and off-the-beaten-path trails that lead to bucket list adventures. From glacier gazing and wildlife watching to catching a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights, youll find plenty of ways to fill your days with awe-inspiring thrills. But like many of the worlds most incredible destinations, figuring out the best time to visit Alaska depends a lot on which experiences interest you. And with cruise itineraries that run from spring to the start of fall, getting there is easy.
The Best Way To Travel Alaska
Alaska happens to be the largest and the biggest state in the country. If you focus on the country map, you will realize it is surrounded by water, and there are hardly any roads to travel through the wildest parts of the trip.;
Thus, the best way to reach Alaska and travel the beauty of the country is by ship. Even the localists have stated, traveling to places is easier by sea instead of the lands. It is more convenient and less time-consuming.;
Now the choice is yours, will you like to travel by other means, or would you like to flow with the water through the beautiful places of Alaska?
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Timing & Latitude In Alaska
While this Alaska by Month guide is a valuable resource for planning when to go, wildlife and weather can never be fully predicted, especially in a land as powerful as Alaska. Life in Alaska is greatly affected by latitude variances, as slight latitude shifts can result in big seasonal and light changes. The nature of small ship cruising is to be flexible and nimble, and this ethos should be applied to any trip in Alaska, by land or sea. After all, the surprise in what you experience while in Alaska is a big part of the fun.
Featured July Cruises To Alaska
Choose a longer vacation that lets you soak up the warmer weather that July is known for in Alaska. The Grand Heartland Adventure Cruisetour combines a 7-night Alaska cruise with seven days of touring the inland area of Alaska through Denali National Park and up into Fairbanks. You can also choose tours tailored to your interests during your .
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Are The Seas Rough On An Alaskan Cruise
Rough Waters: The majority of sailing on an Alaska cruise is done in the protected waters of the Inside Passage, but ships sailing to Seward, Whittier or Anchorage must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which is much rougher. Cruise staffers say the gulf gets especially bad after Labor Day, in the shoulder season.
So When Is The Best Time To Visit Alaska
Considering everything stated above, we advise travelers that June 15 through August 15 is the best time to go to Alaska. But not everyone can schedule their trip during this time and as weve noted, each season has its benefits. If you plan your trip during the peak season, then plan ahead and book early as these are the dates that sell out first.
For more information on when to visit Alaska, view our How to Choose Your Alaska Cruise guide. If you are still looking for advice on the best time of year to visit Alaska, just give us a call, our experts are ready to help.
This guide on the best time to visit Alaska is amongAdventureSmithExplorations extensive collection of travel guides; the content is regularly updated by our team for accuracy. Visit our Alaska Travel Guidesfor even more resources and inspiration in planning your Alaska trip.
Have a question about the best time to visit Alaska? Use the comments below and well answer ASAP.
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When Is The Best Time To Visit Alaska
Being aware of how your Alaskan experience will vary depending on when you visit is the first step in creating a good vacation itinerary.;
So when is the best time to go to Alaska?; This depends entirely on what theme you want your vacation to have, who youre traveling with, as well as what experiences you hope to have while in Alaska.;
The following sections offer more information on what you can expect month by month during a visit to Alaska.;
WHAT ALASKA IS LIKE IN THE SPRING
Things To Consider When Visiting Alaska
Best Time to Go to Alaska
Bird watching in the spring. State of Alaska/Chris McLennan.
Featured June Cruises To Alaska
Experience the wonders of Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier on the gorgeous Celebrity Solstice on a to Alaska. This popular itinerary sails roundtrip from Seattle, Washington.
Along the way, youll stop in the Alaskan port towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. As you sail through Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier, relax on your private veranda and admire the stunning landscapes.
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When Is The Best Time For Families To Visit Alaska
Summer break, which is peak cruising season, is an ideal time for families to go on an Alaska cruise. Depending on your familys interests, youll want to decide whether to book earlier or later in the season, since there can be a difference in weather and activities between the end of June and mid-August.
Some of the shore excursions you can experience when going on an Alaska cruise with kids include hiking the Tongass forest, whale-watching tours, kayaking, and learning about Tlingit culture.
Aim for the week right after school ends or the week before school begins if youd like to get there just ahead of the most crowded part of peak season. A cruise to Alaska is an unforgettable summer family vacation experience your kids will cherish forever.
Best Weather In Alaska
A foggy start to the day in Sitka, Alaska
One of the many misconceptions about Alaska is that its always cold there. However, the summer months see a temperature range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
It does rain almost every day in mid-summer along Alaskas coast. It surprises some first-time cruisers that the southeast quadrant of the state is actually a coastal temperate rainforest. The wettest month is August.
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Late April to mid-May can be cool, with snow caps still visible on the mountain peaks, though each day it gets warmer.;September is also cooler, but thanks to the rain and daily average temperatures starting to drop, it tends to feel much damper, colder, and less pleasant than earlier in the summer.
Pro Tip: For the best weather to cruise Alaska, youll want to consider mid-May to late July, with the late June to mid-July period being the ultimate choice.
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When To Cruise Sitka
Also rich in history, Sitka is on the southern part of Baranof Island and is known for its role in the US purchase of Alaska. Once inhabited by the Tlingit people, Sitka became a Russian settlement and was then sold to the USA in the 1860s. Transfer celebrations took place there on 18th November; creating what is now known as Alaska Day.
Sitka is a popular start and end point for cruises to the Northern Passages but there is plenty to enjoy at Sitka itself. The Alaska Raptor Center is a highlight for bird fans, whilst history lovers will no doubt enjoy the Sitka National Historical Park. Cruises from Sitka also offer a variety of wildlife spotting and sightseeing opportunities, shore excursions and relaxation time.
Both spring and summer are great times to visit Sitka. For something different, consider visiting in November for Sitkas WhaleFest. This annual unique event celebrates the wonders of the northern ocean with a science symposium, art, wildlife cruises and more.
Better Pricing And More Value
Not only do you get a much better selection of staterooms and itineraries, but most cruise lines offer early booking discounts that are usually coupled with value-adds such as drink packages, onboard credits and free upgrades.Plus, with many cruise lines offering reduced deposits you can lock in the low cruise price and get the cabin that is right for you and a cruise experience you will never forget!
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What Is The Best Time Of Year To Take An Alaskan Cruise
We would like to start planning next year’s vacation. What time of year is best for a cruise. We would like to be on a small ship, not one of the huge ships.
We want to see the wildlife and scenery, and aren’t too into ships that main attractions are the buffets, disco and casino.
Any suggestions?
It depends. We already have tons of light in May which will be somewhat of an oddity to you I am sure, but that is good for activities. In May, many places don’t open until the Memorial weekend. That will not affect you on a cruise. However, if you decide to extend your cruise with some land touring on your own, then you should just know this. May is also a good time, because many visitors don’t arrive yet, so you would not feel the impact of the height of the tourist season . However, the weather will of course be a little cooler than it would in July.
I would say the peak is the 4th of July week and right around there. If you want to avoid the peak, I’d say come before the 4th and after the 3rd week of July. In August, we start to get into our rainy pattern, then in September it cools off, but is still a great time to come. Again, like in May, many businesses start closing around Labor Day, but most linger to mid-month. It will also be dark at night, unlike in May.
Anytime during this entire period is good on a cruise. I was merely pointing out that the crowds are more of a factor at a certain time of the season. I hope this helps for a start.
Advantages Of Visiting Alaska In August
- Warm weather, with temperatures between 45-65 degrees and 18 hours of daylight.
- Abundant fishing opportunities, as halibut, northern pike, rainbow trout, and salmon are all in season.
- Numerous cruise and land tour packages on offer, giving you access to the breathtaking fall foliage of the Last Frontier.
- As for wildlife, August is peak migration season for songbirds and youll see numerous caribou, bears, beavers, orca, and loons on your adventure.
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What Is The Best Time To Cruise To Alaska
Finding the cheapest time for an Alaska cruise will depend on your vacation budget, how much time you can dedicate to the cruise and weather considerations. To help pick the best time of year to cruise, we have a comprehensive look at what you need to know about taking a cruise to Alaska.
The;Alaska cruise season spans the months of May through September. Nearly all of Royal Caribbean’s cruises are seven nights sailings, although there are land tours you can tack onto the cruise to expand the adventure.
Know The Best Time To Cruise Alaska
So, with this, we come to the end of the blog. And you must have noticed by now that every month and season have its importance and experiences that are worth investing in. Thus, the month from May till late September is the best time to Cruise Alaska. You will have many fun adventures and will be creating a lot of excellent and cherished memories.;;
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You Will Experience Eating The Local Foods Out Of The Ships
The best experience about cruising to Alaska is that you will get to eat many different local foods when you have a stay at the port or a stop. Though I am a sensitive person and cant tolerate local foods from any random place, I tried many different dishes.;
You can explore many traditional and local restaurants and food stalls and enjoy the yummy foods and drinks. Even on the cruise, you will be served, and every single dish is extremely delicious and mouth-watering.;
When Is The Best Time To See Alaskas Glaciers
Alaskas glaciers are magnificent, and Celebritys Alaska cruise itineraries take in two of the most accessible glaciers in Southeast Alaska: Hubbard Glacier and Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
The height of the Alaska cruise season is the best time to cruise Alaska on these itineraries to ensure youll be able to see and enjoy the glaciers on each of the routes.
Cruising during peak season increases the probability that warmer temperatures have allowed more of the winter ice to melt, allowing for smooth sailing through the Inner Passage and the fjords, and the captains ability to get as close as possible to the glacier to give you the most spectacular experience possible.
When sailing the Hubbard Glacier itinerary, your ships captain will slowly turn the ship so that passengers on all sides will be able to enjoy the view and witness any calving that might occur while the ship is in the glaciers vicinity.
Sailing the Endicott Arm fjord toward Dawes Glacier is just as spectacular an itinerary, and this Alaskan glacier is just as magnificent.
For these peak season Alaska cruise routes, its advisable to book early so you get the best stateroom. Booking a veranda stateroom ensures that youll have your own private space to see glaciers during your cruise.
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Various Seasons For Various Cruises
As you may have guessed, are the most popular months because they are the warmest, with highs ranging from the 60s to 70s, if youre lucky. However, July and August also typically bring quite a lot of rain. But this isnt necessarily the worst news, as they are also the best months for spotting wildlife and are the peak fishing months.
The shoulder season months of May and September will offer cheaper rates and fewer crowds but also come with more unpredictable weather. Shore excursions will have a better chance of getting canceled, and snow may even be on the ground.
September, however, is the best chance cruise-takers will get for a glimpse of the Northern Lights, in addition to end-of-season shopping deals. But since the weather can be rougher, you can expect choppy water. So, if you get seasick, forget it!
Featured September Cruises To Alaska
Increase your chances of seeing fall foliage on an Alaska Southbound Glacier Cruise itinerary that sails from Seward, Alaska down to British Columbia. The northern ports youll visit along the way may already be showing signs of autumn, and by beginning in Alaska, you can enjoy a couple of days before your embarks to explore on land when the first signs of the impending Alaskan winter are just starting to show.
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