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Depending on your family’s interests, you’ll want to decide whether to book earlier or later in the season, since there can be a difference in weather and activities between the end of June and mid-August. The fact that the Alaska cruise season is just five months long, from May to September, makes it important for you to know all the ins and outs of Alaska cruising so you can choose the best time to sail. You will see plenty of wildlife during your Alaska cruise throughout the cruise season, including whale watching, sea lions, bears, & birds.
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska - Cruise Blog
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The best time to see wildlife in Alaska
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]
This means it's not uncommon to encounter a wide range of weather conditions — from 70 degrees and sunny to subfreezing and snowing — occurring on the same day in different regions. 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.
Cruising Alaska Between Mid-Summer to Early Fall (Late July to Late September)
When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her writing about travel, finances and parenting as well as gift ideas on her website, Not only is the cracking sound shocking, but the calving also produces a giant wave of water and captivating icebergs. July and August are prime time for viewing glacier calving on an Alaskan cruise.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in April
If fishing in Alaska is on your bucket list, July is a good month to book a fishing trip during one of your shore days. Just like June, expect your cruise prices in July to be higher compared to the shoulder season. It’s also an excellent time for wildlife viewing if you want to see Alaska’s more iconic marine life, like humpback whales, orcas, and various species of seals. You’ll be able to choose from a huge number of shore excursions from the cruise lines, including cruisetours from Princess Cruises and Holland America Line at Denali National Park. If you’re seeking Alaska cruise discounts and excellent value, consider the shoulder seasons of May and September.
June Alaska Cruises
With days beginning to shorten and the nights getting longer, a September cruise itinerary offers the last possibility of the year. It is the rainiest month of the summer season, especially in Southeast Alaska, with Juneau averaging about 16 days with precipitation. Packing a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes is all it takes to make rainy port days enjoyable. Mature travelers who'd like a more adult-centered experience often choose to wait until the middle or end of August to cruise, when most kids are back in school. 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.
As someone who has cruised Alaska many times, I love cruising in May when the weather is dry and locals are emerging from their winter cocoons, embracing the sunshine. The wildlife is doing the same, and you might spot bears with their cubs, moose with their calves and humpback whales returning from their winter home in Hawaii. The Alaska cruise season winds down in October, with only a few ships setting sail. Just as in April and May, you’ll likely have the water to yourself, and even fewer people in the ports you call upon.
On the ship itself, there are lots of spots where you can take some Instagrammable selfies with the majestic Alaska scenery behind you. Consider upgrading to The Retreat, Celebrity’s exclusive ship within a ship, for a more private and intimate cruise. Cruising has traditionally been a bit of a challenge for solo travelers because of the single supplement that basically makes them pay the same price for a room as two people sharing a room would pay in total. The first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for solo travelers, they’ve made it easy for singles to cruise to Alaska comfortably and affordably. The Studio Lounge is a welcoming spot to meet other solo travelers so you can join up for meals or shore excursions to places like Dawes Glacier and Icy Strait Point. With lots of outdoor activities and great wildlife sightings, an Alaska cruise is ideal for kids, and not surprisingly, no one does it better for them than Disney.
From singletrack forested trails ideal for novices to challenging, multi-day glacier treks, Alaska has an incredible network of trails for all levels. Glacier-capped mountains are bisected by deep valleys and vast meadows, providing a seemingly infinite amount of outdoor recreational opportunities. Icebergs float off the coast, creating the perfect habitat for unique wildlife you won't find elsewhere in the country. It’s the place where the American flag was first raised in Alaska as the Russian flag was lowered in 1867. Visit the Island Artists Gallery, a cooperative of 25 native artists, and meet artists at work.
You’ll also have more hours to look for wildlife from your room window or veranda. Expect less activity and fewer shop openings in some smaller port towns in May since most summer workers are in college and won’t arrive until June. There are exciting marine animals that you can see this early in the Alaskan springtime.
Big-ship cruise lines such as Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean ramp up their operations in May, as do Disney Cruise Line and small-ship and luxury lines. Uncruise’s 12-night “Inside Passage” itinerary departs April 15 with rates starting at $6,300 per person, and Alaska Dream Cruises’ seven-night “Last Frontier Adventure” has starting rates from $3,995 per person. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier.
The midnight sun also means you'll have plenty of daylight to cram in your outdoor adventures; around the summer solstice, you can expect around 22 hours of daylight in Anchorage. The spring and summer months are when nearly all cruise ships visit each year. The temperature starts to rise, with highs in the mid-50s and lows in the 40s. There aren't as many travelers as the peak season, so if you'd like to avoid the crowds, this is a good start.
Norwegian Cruise Line kicks off the 2024 Alaska cruise season when Norwegian Bliss sets sail on a weeklong, roundtrip itinerary from Seattle; she will be the only ship sailing in Alaska the first two weeks of spring. Balcony cabins are still available on the season’s inaugural sailing at a discounted fare of $1,029 per person. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its Native cultures and gold rush history.
If you have a more flexible schedule, book the optional tour to see the Northern Lights from Fairbanks during your August cruise. Glacier viewing is an all-cruise-season activity, with many ways to get to the glacier depending on your preference while in different ports. Biking alongside the glacier, or taking a helicopter to land on top of a glacier, is a memorable and spectacular way to begin a glacier hike. One of the best ways to experience salmon fishing is by booking a shore excursion.
You’ll want to carefully consider Alaska cruise packages and itineraries as the scenery, price and length of time all vary considerably. The best Alaska cruises manage to combine epic nature with local flavor, and the following options all offer that mix with some variation. Luxury cruises to Alaska on smaller ships can be a great option for those looking to pair remote wilderness with a bit of pampering.
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. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Not only is the weather better, you get more hours in the day in the late summer.
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