The Best Time of Year for an Alaska Cruise A Complete Guide

Table Of Content

• Alaska Cruise Lines: From Holland America and Royal Caribbean to Small Ships like Silversea
• IF YOU WANT TO DITCH THE CROWDS
• When is the best time to cruise to Alaska to see whales?
• Alaska Tours – Your One-Stop Shop for Alaska Cruises and Tours
• The 6 Cruise Ports in Florida: Choosing The Right One!
• Planning a cruise is an exciting experience that offers endless possibilities for adventure and relaxation.
• The best time to see wildlife in Alaska

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. 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. With the school year coming to a close, many families take advantage of the opportunity to travel together during the summer months. Alaska offers something for everyone, with activities and experiences that appeal to all ages. Whether you want to hike in the wilderness, go whale watching, or learn about Alaska's history and culture, there is something for everyone.

Alaska Cruise Lines: From Holland America and Royal Caribbean to Small Ships like Silversea

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. For those planning to take an Alaskan cruise, consider booking a balcony cabin. As you plan your Alaskan cruise, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is the timing of your voyage.

IF YOU WANT TO DITCH THE CROWDS

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. If you’re hoping to spot some famous Alaska wildlife, you have the highest chances in late summer and early fall. Toward the end of summer and early fall, bears are highly active as they prepare for winter hibernation.

When is the best time to cruise to Alaska to see whales?

Going on a cruise to Alaska is an extremely popular kind of cruise, because it offers an easy way to see so much in a compact amount of time. The Alaska cruise season runs between May and September, which happen to be the most temperate times of the year in the 49th state. 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.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

A whale watching tour in Seward’s Kenai Fjords National Park, where you’ll also encounter brightly colored puffins and spirited sea otters, is a favorite. A ride on a flightseeing plane will give you an eagle’s-eye view of these cold-weather critters in their natural habitats. An additional perk of opting for a shoulder season cruise, particularly in September, is that it is also the best time to cruise Alaska for Northern Lights. The darkening skies offer a chance to view the Northern Lights from the deck of your cruise ship. It’s a remarkable bonus to an already unforgettable Alaska cruise experience.

Alaska Tours – Your One-Stop Shop for Alaska Cruises and Tours

While late spring and early summer might offer pleasant weather in the lower American states, Alaska’s far north latitude means that temperatures are still cooler. If you choose to cruise Alaska during this time, bring water-resistant clothing and plenty of warm layers. This period also seems to have longer daylight hours than earlier stretches. This means you have more time to stroll the deck of your ship and look out onto Alaska’s stunning landscapes and glaciers. If you plan to book a whale watching excursion or want to see bears, you may be left disappointed if you cruise to Alaska at the very end of the season.

The 6 Cruise Ports in Florida: Choosing The Right One!

If humpbacks are your favorite, book an Inside Passage cruise during late June, July, or August. Overall, Anchorage is the least expensive city to stay in and has the most identifiable seasonality curve, with midsummer being the most expensive time to go. Prices stay relatively flat all year in Seward and Healy but see a slight decrease between October and December. Bears tend to stock up on food in preparation for the winter, so your best bet for spotting one will be near a salmon stream or berry patch.

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]

Luxury cruises to Alaska on smaller ships can be a great option for those looking to pair remote wilderness with a bit of pampering. Your best high-end bets are Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar. On clear nights, you could have a chance to spot the northern lights — though they won't shine as brightly as they do in winter. Rather than stay up all night, see if your ship or pre- or post-cruise hotel has a sign-up sheet for people who want a wake-up call should the lights appear.

The larger crowds can add to the atmosphere and make for a lively and enjoyable vacation. 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 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'll need to set aside a good chunk of money to spend on shore excursions when you're in Alaska. They can be incredibly expensive when compared to experiences in the Caribbean or Mexico. An Alaska cruise costs anywhere from $500 to $8,000 or more during high season. Cheaper fares can be usually found on mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean and NCL, while Cunard, Disney and Seabourn will be more expensive. Your overall best bet for whale watching in Alaska is May through September.

September also increases your wildlife sighting opportunities, as animals across the state begin migrating, foraging for hibernation and engaging in courtship rituals. Cruise bookings can be difficult to come by in July, but with some careful planning ahead, you can secure cabins on either large or small ships. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you plan the ultimate cruise vacation, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.

To witness the majestic bald eagles in Alaska, timing your visit can make all the difference. While the summer months offer a good chance to see eagles tending to their nests, the best time is actually during the chillier seasons of autumn and early winter. When planning your Alaska trip, you’ll find endless activities to choose from that will let you view the wildlife up close.

Additionally, many passengers prefer the warmer summer weather for their Alaskan vacation. 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. Multiple major cruise lines offer sailings in Alaska, but mainly during the Spring and Summer months. Princess Cruises is one of the main operators, with seven ships sailing the northern region.