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The best cruises in Alaska offer unparalleled experiences that will bring you up close to some of the most unique and awe-inspiring places in the world. From the lush rainforests and tranquil seas of the Inside Passage, to the endless horizon and luminous ice of the Arctic, there’s no shortage of what Alaska offers to cruise enthusiasts. For a lot of cruisers, mid-June through mid-July is the peak season, because of optimum weather and daylight.
The best time to cruise Alaska - The Points Guy
The best time to cruise Alaska.
Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Longer sailings from the West Coast
National park facilities and some tourist businesses will switch to winter hours. September is also a great time to get deals on souvenirs, as merchants sell off this year's goods at the end of Alaska's tourist season. July and August are also spawning season for salmon, so you might spot grizzlies and brown bears near rivers and streams. Unless you booked early, cabin choice could be limited — especially if you are looking for a fancy suite or cheap inside cabin, which tend to be the first categories to sell out. 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.
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If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own. Alaska might be one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it's rugged and can be tricky to get around. Explore the Last Frontier by cruise ship, and you can travel to gold rush towns, glaciers, Alaska Native heritage sites and natural areas brimming with wildlife in comfort, even luxury. The best time to book an Alaskan cruise is the months between April and September.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in September
The Inside Passage is a sheltered waterway between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland that extends north to Alaska. It's known for calm waters and excellent scenery (often including Glacier Bay). A mythic journey along the scenic St. Lawrence River and out to the Atlantic, this Concierge Cruise is a cultural immersion into Québec, Newfoundland and the Maritimes.
Farewell Voyage Set for Carnival-Owned Cruise Ship After 15-Year Career
Alaska’s summer cruise season is a spectacular window of opportunity, with peak popularity between June and August. During these months, the Last Frontier comes alive in all its glory, offering an array of options for visitors. The sheer variety of cruise choices, routes, schedules, itineraries, vessel sizes, cruise lines, on-ship amenities, and price points will make you happy and satisfied. Below, we have outlined why summer is the best time of the year for an Alaska cruise. The main cruise season in Alaska is May through September, though many cruise lines are adding shoulder season itineraries in April and October.
Seasick Prone? Beware and Plan Carefully
Some cruise lines have formal nights where you get to dress up for the evening. Dog sledding is a popular excursion during a cruise through Alaska, as are helicopter tours. Native American history and cultural experiences are a highlight of exploring this region. That could include anything from seeing Formline art in ports to learning about totem poles and local dance performances.
Temperatures are relatively mild, with daytime highs in the upper 40s and into the 50s depending on where you're visiting and cloud cover. However, it’s not necessarily a good idea to pick a cruise based solely on price. While price should definitely be a consideration, it’s important to consider other factors before choosing an Alaska cruise.
Thinking About an Alaskan Cruise? Experience Worth the Time & Money? • Instinct Magazine - Instinct Magazine
Thinking About an Alaskan Cruise? Experience Worth the Time & Money? • Instinct Magazine.
Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Best Time For Avoiding Tourist Crowds In Alaska
You might feel like you aren’t getting the true Alaskan “Midnight Sun” experience this month. That being said, the weather and wildlife in Alaska are notoriously unpredictable. You might take a float plane to see bears and, sadly, not see a single one. They begin migrating from Hawaiian waters in the springtime to feed in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters.
How do you avoid cruise crowds in Alaska?
The vibe onboard these ships is also more personalized due to their limited capacity. If you are cruising in Alaska during the Northern Lights season, note that the Gulf of Alaska is choppiest in September and not recommended for travelers who get seasick. Also, certain sections of the access road to Denali National Park may close in September due to snow, so check your itinerary if that's your preferred Northern Lights viewing spot. While you’re on the boat, you’ll enjoy delicious and local cuisine, with many of our cruises offering fine-dining options.
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. This month brings the warmest weather of the year, the longest hours of daylight and the largest number of tourists.
You can embark on thrilling excursions like sea kayaking, hiking, biking, or ziplining, allowing you to immerse yourself in Alaska’s stunning landscapes. If you’re interested in local history, you can explore museums, cultural centers, and native villages to delve into the state’s rich history and native heritage. With extended daylight hours, you’ll have ample time to experience it all.
Blueberries are in season, with berry festivals following, bears roam the hills, and Seward’s Silver Salmon Derby is the perfect place to cast your fishing rod. Begin planning your U.S. cruise adventure with American Cruise Lines today. From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. If you travel towards the end of the season, you may be able to score some great deals on souvenirs too as many of the local shops run sales to get rid of merchandise before closing for the season. Alaska cruise fares fluctuate considerably depending on a few factors.
A whale watching tour in Seward’s Kenai Fjords National Park, where you’ll also encounter brightly colored puffins and spirited sea otters, is a favorite. A ride on a flightseeing plane will give you an eagle’s-eye view of these cold-weather critters in their natural habitats. And if you’re up for a little exercise, hop in a kayak and paddle into the icy waters of Glacier Bay National Park to watch as mother seals drop their babies off at floating icebergs while they hunt for lunch. This site focuses on small-format cruises and ship-within-a-ship concepts on large cruise ships, including special cruise experiences you can enjoy during your next vacation. Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all Native Alaskan-owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village.
From May to September, the Alaska cruise season is just five months long, although Holland America Line offers Alaska cruises in late April and early October. The beginning of September is much like August, but after the kids go back to school and the family crowd departs, it's shoulder season for cruising and pricing drops. Most cruise ships will have repositioned out of the state by the end of the month. You will experience a change of season, with cooler temperatures (in the 50s or lower) and some rain. After a long winter, Alaska begins to wake up in April, and that includes the wildlife. 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.
Ice calving is both a thunderous warning of climate change and an incredible phenomenon to behold. The best time to view artic-blue ice plunge into the sea is during the warmest months of June, July, and August at active glaciers. Winter, when nights are long, dark, and clear, is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. That said, it is possible but not guaranteed to see them on an Alaska cruise. An Alaska cruise in early April, or late September, close to the fall equinox (September 21), will increase your chances. On clear nights, you could have a chance to spot the northern lights — though they won't shine as brightly as they do in winter.
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