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While the end of cruising season brings darker skies, guests can discover the secrets behind the mystifying Northern Lights. Although catching a glimpse of the lights is rare, learning about them is just as enchanting. Traditionally, July and August have been considered the best time to cruise to Alaska, as these months offer warm sun, long days, and abundant wildlife.
Best cruise lines for extended trips to Alaska
That said, the routing of cruise ships away from shore and the light pollution of major cities affords some of the best conditions for northern lights spotting. The best time to cruise Alaska is in May or June, at the beginning of the cruise season. Alaska’s cruise season has always been short, peaking quickly at the height of the summer months and then done by early fall. But as the destination has grown in popularity, the season has extended, and there’s a definite sweet spot to target. In May and June, the days will be at their longest, the weather (although still unpredictable) will generally be its sunniest and driest, and the range of excursions and options at their most plentiful. Breathe in the tranquility of the shoulder season when you sail to Alaska in May or September.
What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April
If you want to avoid the crowds of kids on summer vacation, go as early in June as you can. If you have an exterior room and are sensitive to light while sleeping, a sleeping mask will help you rest during these long days. You’ll also have more hours to look for wildlife from your room window or veranda. Expect less activity and fewer shop openings in some smaller port towns in May since most summer workers are in college and won’t arrive until June. There are exciting marine animals that you can see this early in the Alaskan springtime.
Visiting Grand Cayman Island on a Cruise: Things To Do In Port
The popularity of this period is also why many people consider it the best time of the year to book an Alaskan cruise. On top of that, some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife species tend to be at their most active and visible when the weather cools off towards the end of summer. While this can be incredibly enticing for nature lovers, it can be off-putting for those who do not enjoy the cooler temperatures. To help you plan your perfect trip, we will explain which months are the best for Alaskan cruises. We’ll also discuss factors you may not have considered, such as visibility of the Northern Lights, financial costs, and more. And especially as Alaska is so different compared to your typical warmer cruise destination.
Cruise to Alaska from April to October for an Incomparable Life Experience
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
April, May, and September are considered shoulder seasons for cruising to Alaska. Shoulder season is the time between peak season and off-season when there are fewer cruisers and lower prices. Many cruise lines also have limited early cruise ships departing for Alaska in April. Norwegian Cruise Lines has the first departures of the season in early April from Seattle. Not to mention you’ll have a better chance of seeing humpback whales, king salmon, bears, moose, and bald eagles. During this month, you can expect the weather begins to cool, higher rainfall, and gorgeous fall landscapes.
Attractions and shops will switch to peak-season hours at the end of the month; Denali National Park & Preserve switches into summer mode in May. You'll find those who work in tourism excited to be back in business, considering that many people in southeast Alaska earn their income from out-of-state visitors. Cruise lines will offer the opportunity to extend your cruise with land tours, which include accommodations, transportation and some meals.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska
On top of that, you can anticipate significantly less rain and fog, which helps with comfort and visibility.
The Best Time for Viewing the Northern Lights
Other adventurous activities, such as hiking trails, open up in the summer months. Hatcher Pass typically opens up in July, depending on the specific Hatcher Pass weather conditions. Mt. Denali is another option for cruisers, but be sure to check on the Mt. Denali weather with your cruise line.
Longer sailings from the West Coast
July is an ideal month to visit for salmon fishing, cultural festivals, bear viewing, and small-town exploring. With the popularity of July cruising, cruise prices are at their highest. Many cruise ships begin their summer deployments to Alaska in May before peak season begins in June. As the school season begins and fall approaches, cruise prices start to dip, affording the opportunity to snag a last-minute bargain for Alaska. We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September.
It’s also an excellent time for wildlife viewing if you want to see Alaska’s more iconic marine life, like humpback whales, orcas, and various species of seals. You’ll be able to choose from a huge number of shore excursions from the cruise lines, including cruisetours from Princess Cruises and Holland America Line at Denali National Park. You’ll enjoy wildlife viewing, warmer temperatures, and daylight returns to more typical hours. However, the dry season has ended, so rainfall will begin to increase as the month progresses.
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist - Travel + Leisure
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:11:15 GMT [source]
On Winter Solstice (December 21 or 22), the state breaks out of its winter hibernation and begins gaining a few minutes of sunlight each day. By the time Summer Solstice occurs (June 20,21, or 22), travelers to Juneau, Alaska, a common port, will experience a day with 19 hours of sunlight. For major cruise lines, the Alaska cruise season runs between May and late September, including Viking and Disney. The Alaska cruise weather in June is fairly cool, but it has the least amount of rainfall during the Alaska cruise season. You can expect Alaska cruise temperatures in May to have lows of around 40 and highs of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Summer Alaska cruises fill up quickly, so always book well in advance. Even when the daytime temperatures are well above freezing, nighttime temperatures can dip below 32 °F, even in the summer. This is why you must pack for all weather conditions if you plan an Alaska cruise.
The peak season to view the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is between late August and late April, which unfortunately doesn’t overlap much with the Alaskan cruise season. If the Northern Lights experience is high on your Alaska bucket list, consider a September cruise with more dark nighttime hours and increased solar activity. The abbreviated Alaskan cruising season goes from May to September. To truly enjoy an Alaskan cruise, cruisers can visit from April to October when daylight hours, weather and wildlife are better. Explore Alaskan cruises and learn more about each fun-filled trip to the 49th state. With the warmth of summer breathing new life into the outdoors, May through September continues to be the most popular season to travel to the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters. Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night.
You may be able to find some deals towards mid-August, but expect full fares for the most part. September weather in Alaska may be unpredictable but with the right preparation you can enjoy all the exciting events. Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, TripTik maps, and more. Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, travel guides, and more. Fortunately, you don’t need to sweat too hard about that last one as there’s no bad month to do an Alaska cruise.
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