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For a lot of cruisers, mid-June through mid-July is the peak season, because of optimum weather and daylight. Just as Norwegian Cruise Line kicks off the 2024 Alaska cruise season in April, it’s the last cruise line to set sail in the state, and the only one to sail in October. The seven- and nine-day itineraries sail roundtrip from Seattle, and a recent search found fares more than 80% off published fares, starting at $499 per person. Fall is also mating season for wildlife, so expect to see some friskiness. Family favorite Disney Cruise Line offers 13 itineraries over the summer, including a seven-night itinerary from $3,467 per person.
What Months Can You Sail To Alaska?
This makes January the best time to visit for flightseeing trips over the glaciers and mountains. To be able to plan the ultimate trip to the national parks, and to remote destinations, you’ll need to know the best time to visit Alaska. April, May, and September are typically the cheapest months to visit Alaska. The weather isn’t perfect but it’s not winter and the crowds are a lot smaller. Just note that some activities may not yet be open (or may already be closing). And while there are only a few months of the year where you can hike in the national parks, cities like Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks offer a longer tourism season.
Which month should I book my Alaska cruise?
Another way to save some money is to check out glacier routes that go northbound, which can be slightly cheaper than those heading southbound. If you're looking to avoid the crowds, choose "a sailing that starts mid-week rather than on a weekend," suggested McDaniel. "The best reason to cruise to Alaska is there are things that you can only truly see from the water. It's why it is a bucket list destination for many, many people," said McDaniel.
The best time to cruise Alaska
McDaniel said the most popular ports to leave from are Seattle and Vancouver, but cruises can depart from as far south as San Francisco or even from places like Seward, Alaska. Keep in mind, the closer your starting port is to Alaska, the fewer days you will spend at sea. Temperatures will be in the 60s, sometimes higher — you might even see 80s in Juneau in July. During long days of light, you'll find hearty Alaskans swimming in the sea and enjoying water sports. 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.
An April sail date is one way to save money on your Alaskan cruise. Just expect cooler weather, fewer wildlife viewing opportunities, and less active ports with some shops that are still shuttered. On Winter Solstice (December 21 or 22), the state breaks out of its winter hibernation and begins gaining a few minutes of sunlight each day.
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With more options to choose from, you can typically find a good deal if you are booking for the period that stretches between May and June. Between May and July, Alaska fully thaws from the deep winter freeze. This is when bears have emerged from hibernation and tend to be fairly active.
The bad news is that you have a high chance of your excursion getting rained out. July can also be a very rainy month so you have a higher chance of excursions being canceled. Our dog sledding glacier tour was canceled due to excess fog and that can actually be pretty common in the month of July.
Because they don’t migrate, you have a great chance of viewing these 1000+ pound, 10-foot-long animals on rocks near the shorelines as you cruise. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. Alaska is still gaining sunlight as the Summer Solstice approaches, so you’ll experience longer days during your May cruise.
Best Time For Avoiding Tourist Crowds In Alaska
A downside to visiting Alaska in May is that the interior National Parks are still closed, along with many of the land-based attractions and shops that later cruisers will get to enjoy. Gray whales and Humpback whales begin their migration to warmer waters in October and November, so you still have a chance to see them in Alaskan waters in September. Cruising in September will give you the highest chance of viewing the Aurora Borealis on an Alaskan cruise.
Overland travel is almost non-existent, even in summer, and even less so in winter, of course. Before we go into the month-by-month breakdown, here are a few quick answers if you’re wondering about things like the best month to see Northern Lights in Alaska or the best month to cruise Alaska. Yet, their size limits access to smaller Alaskan ports, which can constrain the range of direct exploration. Also, the large number of passengers can lead to a less personalized experience. However, small ships typically have fewer amenities compared to larger vessels and may experience more motion in rough seas, which could be a concern for those prone to seasickness. They can navigate narrower waterways and get closer to shorelines, which allows for enhanced wildlife sightings and access to smaller, off-the-beaten-path ports.
There are advantages of cruising in each of the summer months, including when prices will be higher or lower. It does get dark enough at night to see them by the second week of September, but it's still not as brilliant as what you’ll see on a winter, land-based Alaska aurora viewing vacation. While you’re on the boat, you’ll enjoy delicious and local cuisine, with many of our cruises offering fine-dining options.
Whether you’re keen on wildlife spotting, seeking budget-friendly options, admiring shore towns, or yearning for the ultimate Alaskan adventure, we’ve got the insights you need. If spotting wildlife is a priority for you on an Alaska cruise, pick your sailing date carefully. June, July, and August are fantastic times to cruise Alaska to view wildlife, as these months bring the highest chances of spotting whales, bears, and salmon. One of the biggest advantages of cruising in May is that you get to avoid the peak season crowds. The summer months are the busiest time for tourists in Alaska, and the ports and attractions can get overcrowded. The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky.
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.
Lush green landscapes are sprinkled with delicate, magenta flowers while the horizon dons frosted alps and royal blue skies. Locals gleefully prepare for peak fishing season, and iconic wildlife take their graceful positions among the pristine backdrop. Each summer month brings new and exciting adventures – peaceful hiking trails in June, fruitful fishing expeditions in July and extraordinary flightseeing tours in September. So, the best month for an Alaska cruise depends entirely on which excursion you want to embark on during the summer season.
To fully experience both the cruise and these land-based events, consider planning an extended trip of at least two weeks (7-day cruise + 7 days by land). Shoulder seasons, typically May and September, are often considered the hidden gems of the Alaska cruise calendar. These months offer a unique blend of advantages that might make them the best time for your Alaskan adventure.
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