The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024

Table Of Content

• Best Time For Avoiding Tourist Crowds In Alaska
• Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• How To Enjoy Seattle Before a Cruise
• What To Expect on a Caribbean Cruise: Ultimate Cruising Tips
• Month-by-Month Breakdown: Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• When’s the Best Time to See the Northern Lights on an Alaska Cruise?
• The Best Months for an Alaska Cruise for Low Prices

It’s not uncommon for the weather to be nice enough for t-shirts in the summer as opposed to the raincoats and down jackets you may have to wear in early spring or fall. The median months will see higher temperatures and longer days for touring, and it represents the limited summer that Alaska enjoys. However, July and August tend to also have higher levels of precipitation. It is hard to top the majestic beauty of rugged glaciers, plethora of unique animal sightings, or huge mountains.

Best Time For Avoiding Tourist Crowds In Alaska

During the late Alaska cruise season, the sun sets sooner in the day than summer, providing a better opportunity to see the aurora borealis. Mid-to-late September is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Alaska. Bears will be hunting for the last of the berries and salmon, and caribou, deer and moose will be mating. 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.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska

To be prepared for varying conditions, pack versatile attire and include a lightweight rain jacket in your luggage to ensure your Alaskan cruise is comfortable and enjoyable. However, if you’re looking for the best overall weather and want to enjoy a bit of everything Alaska has to offer, late June to early September is ideal. While some travelers embark on a cruise simply for the joy of cruising, many of you are undoubtedly setting sail to Alaska with the aim of immersing yourselves in the state’s untamed beauty. If you’re considering adding a land tour, plan for a more extended trip—ideally at least two weeks.

How To Enjoy Seattle Before a Cruise

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. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys.

However, most of Alaska's tastiest fruits and vegetables aren't on offer until later in the summer. Over 500 humpback whales call Alaska’s Inside Passage home during summer. Over 500 humpback whales migrate to Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska every year.

Month-by-Month Breakdown: Best Time to Cruise to Alaska

You won’t want to miss this indescribable sight, so watch for clear night skies and set an alarm to go on deck (or on your balcony) for potential middle-of-the-night Northern Lights shows. Not only is it your best shot for warmer weather, but you’re also sure to see a good amount of the wildlife Alaska is famous for. You might see bears that are continuing to fatten up before hibernation. Humpback whales have yet to begin their migration to warmer waters, so you will still be able to see them, especially in early August.

Shoulder season is also the best time to sail on an Alaska cruise if you prefer fewer crowds. The shoulder season for the Alaska cruises includes the months of May and September. The weather is still cool (May) or cooling down (September), with school still in session or just beginning. With the warmth of summer breathing new life into the outdoors, May through September continues to be the most popular season to travel to the Land of the Midnight Sun. That said, the best time for an Alaska cruise during these months depends on what experiences you’re looking to have.

Take those, then spend your time soaking up the enchantment of this place. The news, the email correspondence and your Instagram followers can take a back seat until you're back home. Once you're on board your ship, it's time to put all the stress of planning and packing behind you. You've made it, and you don't want to let anything get in the way of enjoying your cruise. Start with thin, base-layer undergarments that won't bulk up your clothes and are comfortable even if the day turns out warmer than expected.

The best time to cruise to Alaska

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. 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. If you are looking for uncrowded observation decks and a quieter experience, you may want to avoid this peak season or try September, when things tend to wind down. July and August can be extremely busy months for the Alaska cruise industry.

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. Alaska’s cruise season is seven months long, from April to October. During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food.

A September cruise has its benefits, including less crowding and cheaper prices. However, a cruise this time of year will also slightly decrease your chance of viewing wildlife and make for sleepier ports of call because most summer workers return home for college. Just remember our earlier reminder that you are visiting the world’s largest temperate rainforest and enjoy the lush greenery. You’ve got about a 50/50 chance of getting rained or snowed on during excursions. You’ll be very happy if you purchase a quality raincoat and pack clothing you can add or remove in layers.

The best time to cruise to Alaska is a matter of personal preference. The "best time" could be different for a solo cruise traveler who dreams of photographing bears than it is for a parent who wants a family vacation in the great outdoors. 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 Alaska cruise season begins in mid-May, but it doesn’t reach full swing until after Memorial Day. 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.

On the other hand, large ship cruises come with a variety of amenities, including multiple dining options, diverse entertainment, and expansive fitness centers, making them a bustling hub of activity. These ships are more stable in rough waters, providing a smoother journey. The area is also renowned for whale watching, with numerous tours available that offer the chance to see humpback and orca whales in their natural habitat. Regardless of the time you choose to cruise Alaska, be sure to pack a pair of binoculars to enhance your whale-watching experience.

However, the largest number of whale species in the Inside Passage and Alaskan coast can be found during peak whale season in June. To maximize your chances of spotting whales, consider booking your Alaska cruise during this prime time. Cruising in Alaska offers several opportunities to witness the beauty of whales in their natural habitat. Numerous species, such as humpbacks, orcas, grey whales, and minke whales, inhabit Alaska’s waters during the prime whale-watching season from May to September.

As the driest month of the year, May provides optimal conditions to experience the great outdoors. While temperatures cool off in September, witness schools of halibut glisten beneath the Alaska waters and try your hand at casting a reel. Or, strap into a dog sled and venture over frosted terrains that make for an unforgettable ride.

Alaskan Cruises Shut Down In Winter: Here's The Best Way To See The Sights - TheTravel

Alaskan Cruises Shut Down In Winter: Here's The Best Way To See The Sights.

Posted: Sat, 09 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The cooler weather may also limit the availability of port destinations, as some areas may be unpassable with ice. But, if you’re willing to brave the cold, autumn and early winter offer the best opportunity to see bald eagles in large numbers. Often, passengers can see whales breaching from the deck of the ship. Sitting on the top deck searching for whale sightings is one of my favorite activities while cruising in Alaska.