Alaska Cruise Ports: Current & Historic Weather
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June is tied with July as the least rainy month, with Ketchikan receiving an average rainfall of less than 7.5 inches. May tends to be slightly rainier than June and July, with a slight chance of snow earlier in the month. October in Alaska can see lows can be as low as 28° Fahrenheit, and the highs can reach up to 40° Fahrenheit. You can also expect more precipitation, which can result in some snowy weather. Here’s what you can expect each month on your upcoming Alaska cruise along with what you really need to pack.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in April
You might have to wait hours for a table at Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau. Temperatures are pleasant — in the 60s and sometimes higher, with wildflowers in bloom and glaciers calving. Anglers will find opportunities to reel in halibut along with king and sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. In addition to humpbacks, you might also spot belugas and seals with their pups as you sail. The best time for an Alaskan Cruise is May through with September, with the best weather in June and July.
Reserve entertainment ahead of time, and stick to shows early in the week
On a cruisetour, you'll sail a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska. Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. 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.
Final Thoughts on the Best Time of Year for an Alaskan Cruise
The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage. Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations may include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses.
No one enjoys navigating crowds, but it’s almost inevitable when cruising to Alaska. If you want to avoid the highest crowds, we recommend disembarking your ship early on each port day. As your ship sails away from each port of call in Alaska, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Inside Passage, and you won’t want to miss sailaway each evening. However, sailaway times often overlap with the early dining time, meaning you’ll miss these scenic sailings if you're in the Main Dining Room. While you can purchase packages once onboard, the cost may be significantly higher than what you could have booked ahead of time.
Best Time To Cruise To Alaska For Wildlife
In fact, standing on the deck for long periods of time may be out of the question. Helicopter tours close shop early as bad weather affects their ability to take off and fly safely. Large boat tours such as the Misty Fjords Explorer and the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tours also stop offering excursions by mid-September. A September cruise might be a must for some, just for the opportunity to see the aurora borealis. However, here are some reasons others may not like a to go in shoulder season.
Advantages of Visiting Alaska in September
The warming weather even allows cruise ships to penetrate Arctic waters, giving you the opportunity to see polar bears on Wrangel Island. Both the peak season and shoulder seasons offer high-quality excursions, breathtaking scenery and memorable tourist events and cultural festivals. So the “best time to visit Alaska” looks different for each person, as your personal trip preferences are what determine the best month for you. In our opinion the best time to travel to Alaska is in June, July and August. The best month to visit Alaska is July, when travelers will experience the best combination of weather and wildlife. See our breakdown of Alaska weather by month above to learn more about the temperatures, sunlight and wildlife, to find the best time to visit Alaska for you.
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. Just remember our earlier reminder that you are visiting the world’s largest temperate rainforest and enjoy the lush greenery. While it is possible to see humpbacks during the entire cruise season (April-October), your best bet for whale watching will be the months of June, July, and August.
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]
While winter months carry a certain magical allure, most opt for spring or summer trips due to vibrant landscapes, extended daylight hours, and milder temperatures. While Alaska might be colder than other summer vacation spots, it offers unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. These include sightings of wild orcas, sea lions, and humpback whales and riding one of the world’s longest ziplines. The temperatures in September are slightly cooler, with highs of 55 and lows around 40 degrees fair height.
Specialty tours and fishing can attract hearty travelers and custom tours can be arranged. Witnessing bears catch (or try to catch) slippery salmon from a river is one of the most incredible Alaska experiences you can have. The best time to view this dramatic display is mid-July to mid-August, though you can take wildlife excursions to bear hangouts at any time during cruise season. Alaska is a thrilling cruise destination no matter which month you sail. Look to the early and late sailings of the season if you are a bargain seeker.
Passengers Stuck On Cruise Ship Near Arctic Circle - Videos from The Weather Channel - The Weather Channel
Passengers Stuck On Cruise Ship Near Arctic Circle - Videos from The Weather Channel.
Posted: Thu, 14 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruises at the start of the season in April and May also offer discounted rates. So, think about comfort and warmth when packing for this itinerary. Further north, Anchorage, Seward, and Whittier have cooler nights of 40F but fall to 30F at the end of the month. However, the northern area benefits from less rain, with 15 wet days a month. Although since the pandemic, some lines offer cruises as early as late April, and Norwegian offers cruises from Seattle until almost November.
Hundreds of king salmon grace the majestic waters of the Pacific while freckled lynx bask in the early summer sun. Thanks to the modest daytime temperatures and refreshing evening climates, May is peak season for many of Alaska’s most cherished wildlife. Weather typically ranges from the 30s to a high of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. May itineraries invite guests to pack sweaters and jackets for easy layering.
The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. The immediate port area will be filled with tourist shops and eateries. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa).
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. If you want to spot herds of caribou, book an Alaska cruise that puts you in range of Denali National Park. And with salmon runs in full force, you can catch fishing bears in the southeast. In September, the scale now tips towards later sunrises and earlier sunsets in Alaska.
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