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You will see plenty of wildlife during your Alaska cruise throughout the cruise season, including whale watching, sea lions, bears, & birds. 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. Along with cooler weather, you’ll also find lower fares that will please your bank account. To truly enjoy an Alaskan cruise, cruisers can visit from April to October when daylight hours, weather and wildlife are better. Explore Alaskan cruises and learn more about each fun-filled trip to the 49th state.
Trip Planning Tips
However, most flight departures from Anchorage for destinations further than the U.S. West Coast are in the early morning (too early for cruise ship arrivals) or around midnight, leaving a full room-less day in the city. Conventional wisdom for Alaska cruises is to book a year in advance—particularly for travelers who want the best selection of sailing dates and cabins during the June/July peak season. Bargain hunters who are more flexible can often snag deals during the “Wave” booking season in January and February, when cruise bookings for all destinations peak; last-minute deals can also be found as late as June. When planning your Alaska trip, you’ll find endless activities to choose from that will let you view the wildlife up close. 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.
Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: Calmer Waters and Big-Ticket Destinations
Family favorite Disney Cruise Line offers 13 itineraries over the summer, including a seven-night itinerary from $3,467 per person. 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. Cruising to Alaska in September has many benefits of the peak season (milder weather and good wildlife viewing) with less expensive prices and fewer tourists. Many cruise lines also have limited early cruise ships departing for Alaska in April.
North America Travel Guide
Those who cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage marvel at calm waters and spectacular scenery as the ship glides through protected waterways. Along the way, you may see whales, orcas, dolphins, and a host of other marine life from the comfort of your deck chair. For a lot of cruisers, mid-June through mid-July is the peak season, because of optimum weather and daylight. As the school season begins and fall approaches, cruise prices start to dip, affording the opportunity to snag a last-minute bargain for Alaska. We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September. Orcas tend to migrate to (and concentrate in) Southeast Alaska in May and June, while humpback whales are at their peak in June and July.
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]
For those embarking on their first Alaska adventure or with limited time, we recommend two outstanding options. The Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise and the Spring Wildlife Alaska Whale Watching Cruise in Ressurection Bay provide an excellent overview of Alaska’s breathtaking scenery and wildlife. These cruises are perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their limited time in Alaska. For departures from West Coast gateways, it’s easier to arrive the day of departure and go straight to the ship, but it’s almost always a good idea to fly in the night before to account for the possibility of delays. Arriving in West Coast ports is much easier than arriving in Anchorage, as there are typically flights available throughout the day. With a few exceptions, large-ship Alaska cruises typically operate one-way from Whittier or Seward to Vancouver, or round trip from the West Coast ports of Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.
Whale Watching
In Anchorage and the northern part of the state, the rain often turns to “termination dust”—i.e. 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. July and August are also spawning season for salmon, so you might spot grizzlies and brown bears near rivers and streams. 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.
The best time to cruise to Alaska for good weather
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. Some adventurous cruisers will board ships when they arrive in Alaska in April to see the remnants of winter.
To maximize your chances of spotting whales, consider booking your Alaska cruise during this prime time. When it comes to cruising in Alaska, you’ll be spoiled for choice as no other state has more coastline to explore. The best cruises in Alaska offer unparalleled experiences that will bring you up close to some of the most unique and awe-inspiring places in the world. From the lush rainforests and tranquil seas of the Inside Passage, to the endless horizon and luminous ice of the Arctic, there’s no shortage of what Alaska offers to cruise enthusiasts.
Try to book or reserve your onshore activities as far in advance as possible. As for land trips, June sees Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park open, both of which offer stunning floatplane and flightseeing adventures. Alaskan railroad trips are also available, giving you access to interior hiking, cozy lodges and remote wildlife viewing. 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.
The average July temperature in Juneau is 64 degrees, with an average low of 51 degrees. My advice is to pack plenty of warm (and waterproof) layers, expect the unexpected, and find joy in whatever experience you get. If you have an exterior room and are sensitive to light while sleeping, a sleeping mask will help you rest during these long days. You’ll also have more hours to look for wildlife from your room window or veranda. While temperatures are warmer and the snow is typically gone at lower elevations, the highs in Juneau average in the low 60s, with lows in the upper 40s. 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.
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. Warmer weather in Alaska also has an unexpected bonus for cruisers in the form of glacial calving. In August, the wildlife can sense that winter is on its way, and activity picks up to prepare for the months of cold, snow, and darkness.
Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage. Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations might include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.
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