Wednesday, May 1, 2024

When Is The Best Time To Cruise To Alaska

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Democratic Rep Henry Cuellar Wins Texas 28th District Defeating Cassy Garcia

Best and Worst Time to Cruise Alaska

Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar is the winner in Texas 28th Congressional District, NBC News projects, returning to Congress for a 10th term.

With 77% of the vote reporting, Cuellar had 56.9% and Republican Cassy Garcia had 43.1%, according to the NBC News Decision Desk.

Garcia was one of three Republican Latinas running in South Texas congressional races hoping to cut into the regions Latino support for Democrats.

Cuellar, a centrist Democrat, has long been further to the right of his party, but he has said he reflects his district, which is heavily Hispanic but more conservative on issues of abortion, the border and guns.

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.

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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The Best Months For An Alaska Cruise For Good Weather

The weather in Alaska can, and will, change multiple times per day, but you will find the warmest months to be June, July and August.

The median months will see higher temperatures and longer days for touring, and it represents the limited summer that Alaska enjoys. However, July and August tend to also have higher levels of precipitation.

Here’s a look at the average temperatures in Southeast Alaska:

  • May: average high 54 degrees and average low is 39 degrees

If you do book a cruise during summer, be sure to plan your shore excursions well in advance to avoid tours selling out.

If you are willing to trade warmth for less precipitation, then go for May. In fact, the end of May and early June offers some of the best weather in the region throughout the year.

If you want to see snow on the ground, April or early May is the best month for that.

Most cruise passengers tend to avoid the early season because of the school calendar and cooler weather. By going in the summer months, many people get to enjoy Alaska when things are in full swing and of course the warmer weather.

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How Do I Know If Im Getting A Good Deal When I Book

The Best Time to Take a Cruise to Alaska

Regardless of when youre booking a cruise, youll want to know if the fare youre paying for your vacation at sea is a cheap deal, average or overpriced. Sadly, the best way to know that is to do your research.

Tracking prices allows you to watch the rise and fall of cruise fares over time, so when the fare drops, youll recognize the price as a deal and be able to pounce on it. This strategy is best if you plan to book early and arent as concerned about the ship selling out right away.

Dont forget to watch for value-added promotions, as well. For example, Norwegians Free at Sea promotion includes five booking perks this year. Its recent Memorial Day sale upped the number to seven possible perks, including buy-one-get-one-free airfare and $250 off a $500 CruiseFirst certificate .

If that sounds like too much math homework for you, I recommend you call up a travel agent. A cruise-knowledgeable travel advisor can help you with trip planning and also determine if the current pricing is good or if you should hold out for a deal.

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Taking An Alaska Cruise In September

Youve now reached the other shoulder!

The kids are back in school and the end of cruise season is near, meaning youve got your best chance to catch a sweet last-minute deal on an Alaska cruise in September. Things will be relatively quiet and cool, and September will often be just as rainy as August.

The nights are longer, days are shorter, and the weather getting colder, but its not all doom and gloom for September! Especially not if youre a moose or caribou, as September is the mating season! You might even catch them in the act right out in the open.

Early autumn is also a great time to spot bears near berry patches and salmon streams. At this time, gray, bowhead, and beluga whales will be migrating back south along the Alaskan coast.

But what brings most people out for an Alaska cruise in September is a chance to spot the Northern Lights. Youll likely need your waterproofs and some heavy layers, but if you are lucky enough to catch a clear night up near Fairbanks, youll give yourself the best chance to catch a glimpse of the aurora. This chance alone is often enough to bring people out for a September cruise.

This monthly break down should give you a better idea of what you can expect during the Alaska cruise season. However, if youd prefer to search in terms of certain attractions, continue reading below.

What Are The Best Months For Wildlife & Activities

Spotting wildlife is always unpredictable in Alaska, but your best bet of getting pics of wildlife ashore is probably late May and early June, when mothers and their calves or cubs tend to be out and about. One exception: If you want to do a bear-watching shore excursion, prime bear season is not until late June or early July.

Denali: If you want to do a land tour that includes the national park, dont come during the May shoulder season. Denali National Park doesnt open up until mid-May.

Want to fish ashore? Fishing is good during any monththere are just different species of salmon that peak as the weeks go by.

Summer berry-picking on shore is best late in August or early September.

If you want to see fall foliage ashore, wait until the first week of September. It remains good through the third week of September.

Hate mosquitoes? If youre doing a land tour, come during either shoulder season

See a full calendar of Alaskas natural events.

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What Is The Best Time Of Year To Book A Cruise

I could say that winter is the best time of year to book a cruise because that would cover the late-fall Thanksgiving week sales plus the wave season promotions. I can guarantee that your cruise line will offer some promotion during the winter, but that doesnt mean its the best time to book.

If you want to book a solo or family cabin on a Mediterranean cruise in July, you likely want to book much earlier than January for the most availability and the best prices. And as I said earlier, great sales and deals can pop up year-round, including on other holidays such as Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

Best Time To Cruise Alaska

Alaska Cruise Tips. 6 Need To Knows Before You Go

The Alaska cruising season begins in March and ends in October. The peak season with best weather and wildlife occurs during summer months. Its then that travelers will find the best combination of long days, good weather and abundant wildlife, including greater numbers of whales that congregate in predictable feeding pods putting on quite a show. But spring, when Alaska awakens from a long winter, is also another favorite time to cruise Alaska. Snow is present in the mountains, driving hungry bears down to the coast for a meal. Small ships, which can sail close to the shore, take advantage of these springtime encounters. April and May are the driest months along Alaskas coast and there are fewer crowds in both town and on the water. You will find the best prices of the year on small boat tours of Alaska as well at this time.

As Alaska small ship cruise experts, we advise clients that the best time to cruise Alaska is May 15 through September 1. If we had to choose one, the best month for an Alaska cruise is July.

Typically, there are no scheduled cruises from mid-October through February, but special Alaska charter cruises can be arranged during this time with advanced notice. Families typically visit mid June through mid August. View the best Alaska cruises for families. See our monthly Alaska weather tips and travel advice above to find your best time to take an Alaskan cruise.

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Wildlife Viewing During Alaska Cruise In June

One of the highlights of an Alaskan cruise in June is the possibility of witnessing a Moose giving birth to a calf.

To increase your chances of seeing a herd of Caribou you can book a float trip down one of the rivers in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Fairbanks.

If you are interested in birds, June offers a chance to see not-so-common birds such as Asian accidentals etc.

Michigan Passes Measure To Expand Early Voting Access

Michigan voters passed a ballot measure to expand voting access in the state, NBC News projects.

Proposal 2 changes voting policies in Michigan, including requiring nine days of early voting, authorizing absentee ballot drop boxes and allowing voters without photo ID to sign an affidavit verifying their identity.

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The Best Time To See The Northern Lights On An Alaska Cruise

Few places allow for viewing of the aurora borealis, and the best time see the Northern Lights is in September.

Of course, temperatures during September will be lower than other times of the year, but the opportunity to see the Northern Lights is a real treat.

As mentioned in this article, not only does September provide the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, but you will also enjoy less crowds and likely lower prices on a cruise.

Read more: Top 10 tips for planning your Alaska cruise

When Is The Best Time To Cruise Alaska: Ultimate Guide

Alaskan Cruises Group Cruising

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.

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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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Republican Monica De La Cruz Flips Key South Texas House District Becoming The First Hispanic Woman To Win The Seat

McALLEN, Texas Republican Monica De La Cruz is the winner in Texas 15th Congressional District race, NBC News projects, defeating Democrat Michelle Vallejo in an open South Texas district that had once been solidly blue.

Her win means Republicans flipped a traditionally Democratic seat in the predominantly Latino Rio Grande Valley. Cruz is the first Hispanic woman elected to represent the district.

Praise God! De La Cruz said amid cheers at the Radisson Hotel McAllen, where about 200 to 300 supporters had gathered, anxiously waiting for results.

My win is not just a win for Republicans. It is a win for all South Texas, De La Cruz said.

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Mccarthy At Gop Victory Party: We Will Be In The Majority

Shortly before 2 a.m. ET, House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy appeared at his Take Back the House victory party and vowed that Republicans would be in the majority soon as races continued to be called through the night.

When you wake up tomorrow, we will be in the majority and Nancy Pelosi will be in the minority, McCarthy, R-Calif., told a cheering crowd of dozens of young GOP staffers at the Westin hotel in Washington, D.C.

While Republicans failed to knock out a number of vulnerable Democratic incumbents Tuesday night, McCarthy celebrated GOP pickups across the country, from New York and Virginia to Florida. He took particular pleasure in noting that Republicans had ousted Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, the head of the Democratic campaign arm known as the DCCC.

We defeated the Democrat campaign chairman, which will be the first time in over 40 years a DCCC chair lost his re-election, said McCarthy, who was joined onstage by Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the Republican National Committee.

McCarthy is the favorite to be speaker of the House next year, although a narrow GOP majority could complicate his path to obtaining the speakers gavel.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Alaska To Avoid Crowds

How to Choose the Best Alaska Cruise

Shoulder season is also the best time to go on an Alaska cruise if you prefer fewer crowds while exploring the historical and cultural aspects of Alaskan cities and towns.

Shore excursions are easier to book, so take full advantage of roomier whale-watching cruises and less crowded restaurants.

Schools are still in session in May and September, so fewer families are traveling. Also, many cruise passengers prefer to travel to Alaska in the warmer weather, so crowds on both sea and land tend to thin out.

Read: Alaska Cruise Tips to Make the Most of Your Vacation

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Here Are The House Lawmakers Who Lost Their Re

While a majority of House incumbents have fended off their challengers in races called by NBC News, several lost their re-election bids. Here are the ones who won’t be returning to Capitol Hill when the new Congress is sworn in next year.

  • Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria, who built a national profile as a member of the House Jan. 6 committee, was defeated by GOP challenger Jen Kiggans in Virginia.
  • Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski, a U.S. diplomat during the Obama administration who was first elected to Congress in 2018, was ousted by Republican Thomas Kean Jr. in New Jersey.
  • Republican Rep. Mayra Flores, who won a special election this year, lost to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez in Texas.
  • Democratic Rep. Al Lawson, who faced difficult odds after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fought to have his district redrawn to favor Republicans, lost his race to Republican fellow incumbent Neal Dunn.
  • Longtime GOP Rep. Steve Chabot lost to Democrat Greg Landsman in Ohio.

Dozens of House races had not been called by NBC News at 2:10 a.m. ET.

When Is The Best Time To Book A Cruise

The best time to book a cruise is when youve done your planning, picked a ship and found a cruise fare that fits your budget and offers good value. But that doesnt stop vacationers from wondering if theyd find a cheaper price if they wait to book tomorrow, next week or next month.

Id love to give you a magic date to circle in red on your calendar, so youd know for sure that was the best time to book a cruise. The truth is theres no one best day, but knowing a few things about how cruise lines price cabins and when they tend to run promotions will help you identify high-value deals. When you see one, youll know its as good a time as any to book your next cruise vacation.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter.

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