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The high temperature in May in the capital city of Juneau, averages in the mid-50s, with lows in the 40s. Dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off (or add on) slowly as the thermometer dictates. You will want to pack a bathing suit and a very warm fleece jacket -- and you'll likely wear both at different times.
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Best Time for Whale Watching
Glaciers also get in on the summer action, calving massive chunks into the waters below. The abundance of wildlife in summer creates a captivating spectacle that you won’t want to miss, making it the best time to go on an Alaska cruise. Silversea has “Door-to-Door” pricing on many of its Alaska cruises, meaning the cruise fare includes airfare, hotels, and all transfers—including transfers from home to the departure airport.
Cruising Alaska Between Late Spring and Mid-Summer (Late April – Mid-July)
The fall salmon run also attracts bears and other predatory species to the rivers and shorelines, making viewing them from a cruise ship deck much easier. Humpback whales, orcas, seals, and other marine species are also more active during these months. In this post, I share a month-by-month guide about the best time of year for an Alaskan cruise. I’ve included tips on the weather, wildlife, daylight, and the general experience you’ll have each month of the Alaska cruise season to determine when to set sail for the 49th state. Although you’ll find the highest number of travelers visiting Alaska during the peak cruising (and fishing) months of July and August, the ideal time for your Alaskan cruise depends most on your personal priorities.
The best time to cruise to Alaska for good weather
We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. If you want to see fall foliage ashore, wait until the first week of September. Late May and early June are the best possible times to view a momma moose and her calves in Alaska. If you do see these majestic creatures hulking around, stay far back (at least 50 feet) and never disturb a lone calf, as mom is somewhere nearby.
Alaskan Wildlife You Could See While Cruising
Back on the vessel, after a gourmet meal and drinks, evening entertainment is viewing the deep fjords, glaciers, and abundant whales that make Alaska so magical. There’s also complimentary Pilates and yoga, a gym, jogging track, spa, observation library, and a slew of bars and restaurants. If you’re looking to eschew the cruise ship behemoths for something more intimate, this is it—Alaska Dream Cruises’ Alaskan Dream holds only 40 passengers. And because it’s 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. Meals and activities (including going for high-speed Zodiac rides, kayaking, and paddleboarding) are included. In late June through mid-August, brown bears and moose come out to feed in ponds, lakes, and along rivers.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska
Bring waterproof rain gear, sturdy shoes, a hat and gloves to stay warm and dry. To discover Alaska’s rich historyYou can’t skip Ketchikan, Juneau or Skagway on an itinerary. Ketchikan once was a major player in the timber industry and has a sordid past steeped in bootlegging and brothels.
With the warmer weather, it is not unusual to see an increase in the number of people looking to enjoy Alaska’s untamed wilderness. This is when bears have emerged from hibernation and tend to be fairly active. If you hope to spot a grizzly, you might just have your opportunity if you cruise Alaska during this period, along with viewing moose and even a chance to see more calves or cubs running around. While the most popular time to travel to Alaska on a cruise is June through August, it's also when it tends to be the most expensive. Instead, McDaniel suggested looking at the shoulder months of May and September, when you can save a little money. She added, "May tends to be a pretty dry month, which makes it appealing."
With that in mind, Alaska is still a dynamic destination—no one snapshot of time during the year is guaranteed to encompass all this state has to offer. When traveling from Vancouver in the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, the waters are mostly protected and provide smooth sailing. If ports include Anchorage, Seward, or Whittier, cruise ships must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which has notoriously rougher waters. A September cruise has its benefits, including less crowding and cheaper prices.
Then we’ll wrap up by answering some frequently asked questions about Alaskan cruises — the best time to see whales and northern lights, the best time for salmon fishing and similar queries. The cruise season in Alaska is short (just May-September), but what this state lacks in winter tours it makes up for in stunning summer vistas, exciting wildlife and a travelogue of iconic land excursions. With the school year coming to a close, many families take advantage of the opportunity to travel together during the summer months. Alaska offers something for everyone, with activities and experiences that appeal to all ages. Whether you want to hike in the wilderness, go whale watching, or learn about Alaska's history and culture, there is something for everyone.
Skagway was a jumping-off point for the Klondike Gold Rush beyond Chilkoot Pass and has an old railroad to prove it. In addition to cooler temperatures, there is a higher tendency for rain during the late spring. For the most Midnight Sun, come 3 weeks before or after the summer solstice and longest day of the year, June 21.
However, the shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) are growing in popularity, thanks to fewer crowds, lower-priced cruises and seasonal attractions like the northern lights. The cruise season beefs up in June, with the number of ships growing and the season in full swing by the end of the month. The midnight sun means many hours of daylight, especially on June 20, the longest day of the year — when you'll have to stay up late to see any darkness at all.
For a lot of cruisers, mid-June through mid-July is the peak season, because of optimum weather and daylight. Orcas tend to migrate to (and concentrate in) Southeast Alaska in May and June, while humpback whales are at their peak in June and July. Beluga whales come later in the summer, following the salmon runs in Southcentral Alaska; the best place to see them is around Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska from mid-July through August.
Not only are the flowers and plant life awakening from their wintertime slumber, so is its wildlife. The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky. 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.
You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s.
Sailings departing earlier in the season will less frequently be sharing berth space in port with numerous other ships, meaning that crowds in the ports will be somewhat lighter. 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. 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.
Plus, as prices are cheaper in the shoulder season, it can be an excellent opportunity to upgrade your stateroom category or splurge on add-ons like excursions, dining packages, or beverage packages. On average, more than half the days in the month of August experience rain. This may seem like a reason to skip an Alaska cruise in August, but it's still a great time to take in lots of activities around the state. One downside to July is the price of your cruise will be higher than other months of the year. It's the very peak of the Alaska cruise season, which makes July expensive. The median months will see higher temperatures and longer days for touring, and it represents the limited summer that Alaska enjoys.
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