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If you’re trying to decide on the best month to cruise to Alaska and thought about taking an end of the season cruise, you’ve come to the right place. As school returns to session, cruise prices dip and provide travelers with last-minute bargains to take an Alaskan cruise. The warm weather makes it one of the best times to witness the calving of glaciers. May is one of the best times to visit Alaska for dry weather, fewer crowds, and lots of wildlife. We’ve put together this Alaska cruise weather guide to help you find the best time to cruise to Alaska. It’s not uncommon to wake up to a hot sunny day, only to find it cold and raining 10 minutes later.
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In May and September, you can anticipate a few extra rainy days and slightly cooler (though still pleasant!) temperatures. Note that the best times for whale watching are mid-June to mid-August, though you can catch them before and after this, too. Keep in mind that Alaska and the Yukon make up an enormous mass of land; in fact, combined they are about half the size of the lower 48 states! As you can imagine, it can be difficult to speak in generalities about the climate for a place so vast.
A Primer on Alaska by Month: When to Go & Why
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. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dogsled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north.
Summer
She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. Instead of getting upset over a cold, rainy day in port, maintain a positive attitude. Find a cozy saloon to enjoy a warm Irish coffee, or bundle up in your rain gear and make the most of the day.
The Yukon, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park — Alaskan cruises offer direct access to the last American frontier. If you’re a first-time visitor, the vast tundra and glaciers of Alaska can feel intimidating. After all, in addition to figuring out how to respond if you encounter a moose, you’re also worried about the weather and which month would be best to plan your trip. A day might start out sunny and mild, for instance, turn to rain an hour later, and be sunny again in time to enjoy an outdoor lunch. A limited number of cruises in October (predominantly on Norwegian Cruise Line) make it possible for cruisers to experience a taste of Alaska in winter without sub-zero temperatures. You will want to bundle up; the average temperature in Juneau in October is 39 degrees.
And while the primary Alaska travel season is short, conditions can vary greatly between spring, summer and fall. Combine all this with Alaska’s notoriously unpredictable weather, and it can be a challenge to determine a single best time to visit Alaska. Alaska has humpback whales, gray whales, killer whales, and a small population of belugas. Though it’s species-dependent, the best time to go whale watching in Alaska is in high summer, when the days are long and the feeding is plentiful. And it all depends on what species you intend to see—humpbacks are in the area year-round, while others like gray whales migrate to Alaska in summer.
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In Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and southeast Alaska towns, expect average temperatures of 54F and lows of 43F. 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. 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.
Ships often sail with empty rooms allowing them to enjoy onboard venues with fewer people. Diminished wildlife sightings – The great humpback whale migration begins in early September. As humpback whales head south, your chances of seeing whales diminish, especially in the second half of the month. Fewer Crowds – As ships start repositioning to other areas, you’ll enjoy ports with fewer people. With fewer visitors, getting a taxi or rideshare will be easier, should you need one. With each passing year, some cruise lines are pushing the envelope of expanding the Alaska cruise season.
If your flight doesn’t arrive until 11PM the night before your cruise, it probably isn’t worth it to travel to the city center. Instead, consider a hotel near the airport so you can simply land and head straight to bed. For those arriving earlier in the day, though, it’s worth it to find a hotel downtown for easy access to tourist sites. Although your cruise itinerary might say you arrive at 6AM on disembarkation day, this does not mean you can get off your ship at 6AM. It takes time for your ship to dock, get cleared by local authorities, and prepare for disembarkation. If all goes to plan, you could start disembarking by 7AM, but unexpected delays could cause a later disembarkation time.
If you’ll willing to take an Alaska cruise in October, you’ll benefit from great deals, ships sailing with empty cabins, and fewer cruise passengers in port. As September progresses, the cruises get cheaper, and it’s possible to find one at rock-bottom prices by the end of the month. So, you could find a 7-day cruise from USD 300 to 500 per person, plus taxes and fees.
The best month to visit Alaska depends on what you hope to experience during your trip. Gray whales, humpback whales, orca, beluga whales — Alaska has them all. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise.
The last thing you want to happen is have your dream excursion sell out, leaving you scrambling to find other plans. Plus, excursions tend to only get more expensive over time, so booking early helps you lock in a lower price. Fortunately, after nearly a dozen Alaska cruises, our staff are well versed in the ins and outs of cruising to Alaska. From booking your pre-cruise hotel to utilizing Seattle’s stress-free luggage service, here are our top 24 tips for an Alaska cruise this year.
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