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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.
Big Ship or Small Ship?
We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September. If you’re ready to book your Alaska cruise, browse itineraries, view stateroom and suite categories, choose which shore excursions you want to do, and even book your airfare all in one convenient place. The Denali Express Cruisetour includes a 7-night sailing with three days of touring up to Denali National Park and back down to Seward. If you have a more flexible schedule, book the optional tour to see the Northern Lights from Fairbanks during your August cruise.
Alaska Cruise Highlights By Month
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. While you might not be sunning yourself to a stunning shade of bronze on an Alaska cruise, you and everyone on board will want to take in the scenery. That makes having your own balcony a prime piece of real estate, especially near Denali National Park, portions of the Inside Passage or Tracy Arm Fjord.
What is the best time of year to see the northern lights on an Alaska cruise?
During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food. The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple. While the tourism season in Alaska doesn’t really kick in until June, many small cruise ships start running tours in May. If you’re looking for dry weather and lots of wildlife, then May is a great time to join a cruise as it’s one of the state’s driest months and features spring migrations and lots of newborn wildlife.
Little ones will be just as happy to see Goofy as they are to see a glacier, making this the best cruise for kids. Luckily, when it comes to Alaska cruises, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re traveling solo or with kids, whether you’re looking for total luxury or a bargain and whether you love giant ships or something more intimate, we’ve found the best Alaska cruises to fit your needs. See which one sounds right for you, and once you’re booked, get a head start by checking out these hidden cruise features, cruise ship code words and things you can’t do on cruises. While you’re on the boat, you’ll enjoy delicious and local cuisine, with many of our cruises offering fine-dining options. And in addition to the glaciers outside, you can stay entertained with phenomenal live music performances featuring musicians from The Juilliard School, B.B. King’s Blues Club Memphis, and other institutions.
Seabourn Cruise Line
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska - Cruise Blog
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise tour land packages are also available to spots like Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula and Canada's Yukon Territory. Alternatively, Gulf of Alaska cruises are typically seven-night, one-way itineraries between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, the gateway ports for Anchorage and northern destinations in the state. You'll need to set aside a good chunk of money to spend on shore excursions when you're in Alaska. They can be incredibly expensive when compared to experiences in the Caribbean or Mexico. September offers the best possibility for cruisers to catch the Northern Lights in Alaska.
The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky. It was on one such day that someone on board spotted a whale breaching. Within minutes it seemed everyone on board had gathered at the railings on deck to watch. The captain of the ship nimbly repositioned us, giving both the port and starboard sides prime viewing, at a safe and respectful distance from the animals. With binoculars, cameras, and phones at the ready, the passengers and crew aboard UnCruise Adventures' 86-guest S.S. Legacy settled in for what turned out to be an hour-long private show by a juvenile humpback who had migrated from Hawaii to spend the summer in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters.
Best Time For Avoiding Tourist Crowds In Alaska
At the beginning of the month, you might still be able to find some early season pricing; the peak season for Alaska cruising begins in late June. Some adventurous cruisers will board ships when they arrive in Alaska in April to see the remnants of winter. A few big ships cruise into mid-October for those who want a peek at what life is like in Alaska towns when all the other tourists have returned home.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in April
Alaska’s faraway geography allows for a cruise season running from April to September, when the days are long and temperatures are at their most welcoming. Depending on your schedule and desires, any of these six months could be considered the best time to take an Alaskan cruise. Glacier Bay National Park, the banner destination for scenic glacier cruising, cannot accommodate all the large cruise ships each season. So, if Glacier Bay is a must, be sure to select a cruise that features it. Specifics vary by company, but in general, cruisetour guests will seamlessly transition between their cruise ship and land, traveling via narrated rail or motorcoach to company-owned lodges.
Juneau averages about four inches of rain in June, five inches in July and eight inches in August. Although the temperatures are the similar from June through August, the rainfall is not. Historically, July has an ideal combination of the two, followed by June and then August. Rainfall is usually lowest in May and climbs steadily until reaching the highest point in September. May is ideal for rain but not for temperatures, which are often quite a bit cooler. Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, TripTik maps, and more.

Small-ship cruise lines such as Lindblad Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures have sailings into the wilderness, where you might spot bears emerging from their slumber and admire huge waterfalls fueled by the snowmelt. A few big ships, such as the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle, begin their season this month with discounted early season pricing. We’ve broken the seasons down for you, including the highlights of each, as well as the best cruise lines and cruise ships to consider so you can make your bucket list dreams come true. Another reason June is a great month for an Alaska cruise is that the ports are in full swing. The peak season for Alaska tourism starts in June, and the ports are buzzing with activity.
By cruising in May, you can beat the rush and enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful experience. You can also take advantage of the lower rates offered by the cruise lines during the shoulder season, which can help you save money. A great choice for fans of smaller, more intimate ships, Seabourn’s Odyssey holds 450 passengers and treats them to a personal, all-inclusive luxury experience. This month brings cooler weather and more rain but fails to dampen the high spirits on cruise ships. Summer break, which is peak cruising season, is an ideal time for families to go on an Alaska cruise.
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