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King Salmon runs start and other wildlife is waking up too, as mothers and their calves or cubs can be seen ashore. The spring months are also great for viewing moose, sheep, mountain goats, and black bears who are lured back out to feed on the new vegetation. 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 Best Months For An Alaska Cruise For Low Prices
In September, the scale now tips towards later sunrises and earlier sunsets in Alaska. By the end of September, there are less than 12 hours of daylight in Juneau. Precipitation increases to 19 days of the month, so pack a raincoat with a hood (you’ll be grateful to have it!).
What Is The Best Month To Cruise Alaska For Good Weather?
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]
Add high-powered binoculars to your Alaska packing list to ensure that you get to see all of the wildlife possible. Juneau gets about 17 days of rain in August, so a high-quality raincoat is essential. After the Summer Solstice in June, Alaska begins losing daylight with each passing day.
What Are the Best Months for Wildlife & Activities?
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. During the land portion of your vacation, your tour guide will make sure you have everything you need and will arrange comfortable transportation from one site to the next. When it comes to transportation and accommodation, you’ll experience luxurious glass-domed trains and stay in high-end hotels and lodges. Imagine being able to enjoy Alaska’s incredible natural beauty during days of near-continuous sunlight.
Featured July Cruises to 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. Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. Each part of the season offers something different, so aligning your cruise with these times will maximize your chances of a successful fishing experience. Whether you’re a novice or an avid angler, Alaska’s rich waters provide an unforgettable salmon fishing adventure. Longer cruises, like the Holland America Alaska Arctic Solstice Cruise spans 28 days, and will take you from your port to the Arctic Circle. The course begins in Seattle and leads through the Inside Passage, Prince William Sound, and up to Anchorage.
Offered by Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, fishing excursions that allow guests to have their catch prepared and served to them onboard the ship also sell quickly. There are days throughout the year when there can be a temperature swing of a hundred degrees on opposite ends of the state—50 degrees Fahrenheit in Sitka and 50 degrees below zero in Fairbanks, for example. May can be one of the finest months across Alaska, as daylight reaches near-summer heights, while June is even nicer, with the last chill of the arctic winter departing for the season.
Mountain goats, deer and Dall sheep all rut in the late fall before the snow gets too deep. Winter is also a great time to practice your footprint identification skills. Most visitors head north to Alaska in the summer, between May 10 and Sept. 15.
Here is your guide for figuring out the best times to visit for your first (or 50th) Alaska cruise. The best month to visit Alaska depends on what you hope to experience during your trip. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise. As August winds down, fall colors explode across the mountains, giving you gorgeous landscapes to explore by ship, train and foot. From the Alaska State Fair in the Mat-Su Valley to the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival, there is so much to do in this glorious state in August. Blueberries are in season, with berry festivals following, bears roam the hills, and Seward’s Silver Salmon Derby is the perfect place to cast your fishing rod.
Alaska cruise in August: Rain and high temperatures
There’s no question that the best time for most cruisers to go to Alaska is during peak season, and alternately in shoulder season. During May cruises to Alaska, it’s still on the cold side (40 to 53 degrees), so you may find the state’s wildlife just emerging. The weather may also play a role in your cruise ship’s route, as some areas may still be unpassable with ice. Depending on which itinerary you sail and when you choose to cruise, you can increase your chances of seeing certain species, including humpbacks, orcas, and Minke whales. Don’t forget to throw in a good pair of binoculars when planning your Alaska cruise packing list.
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist - Travel + Leisure
What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:11:15 GMT [source]
During these months, the warmer temperatures melt much of the winter ice, allowing cruise ships to navigate closer into the Inner Passage and Fjords. These cruises offer the benefits of a wider range of itineraries, shore excursions, departure dates, and availability and take you to all of the must-see stops along the way. They feature a wide range of amenities including multiple dining options, on-board entertainment, fitness centers, pools, different room types to choose from, and plenty of room to spread out and explore. Another reason June is a great month for an Alaska cruise is that the ports are in full swing. The peak season for Alaska tourism starts in June, and the ports are buzzing with activity. The shops, restaurants, and attractions are all open and ready to welcome visitors, offering a wide variety of experiences to choose from.
On average in July, Alaska boasts high temps in the mid-60s, but occasionally climbs into the 70s and 80s. However, if you prepare for Alaska’s chill and damp weather, no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll have a great time. Bring a jacket, gloves, and scarves, along with waterproof gear, and sunscreen. Read how to pack for an Alaska cruise to stay comfortable in changing weather. Many cruise lines also travel to additional locations such as Sitka, Hoonah/Icy Strait Point, and Haines. Programs like Princess Cruises' Cruisetours take the stress out of planning on-shore excursions and curate incredible itineraries for extensive, luxurious travel across the state.
Cruise ships have a short window in which to safely navigate through the ice that may still be present in Alaska’s waterways during the first part of the cruise season. Nature is in full bloom during cruise season in Alaska, but what you’ll see depends on the time of year and location. The majority of cruise ships cruising to or throughout Alaska depart from Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, Canada; Whittier, Alaska; or Seward, Alaska. Cruises are typically offered in three-night, seven-night, and even up to 28-night cruises. On average, a seven-night cruise ranges from $500 to $5,000, depending on the cruise line and state room of your choice.
To maximize your chances of experiencing this spectacular natural phenomenon, plan your Alaska trip during these months when darkness prevails, enhancing the visibility of the northern lights. 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. Experience the wonders of Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier on the gorgeous Celebrity Solstice on a June cruise to Alaska. In addition to the spectacular scenery and rich native wildlife, you’ll also find the ports of call on your Alaska cruise to be welcoming and full of interesting things to see and do.
The state is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, moose, caribou, and whales. In July, the whales are usually in full migration, making it an ideal time for whale watching. Visitors can take a whale watching excursion to see humpback whales, orcas, and other marine life up close. The salmon are also in full run during this time, which attracts bears and eagles, making it an excellent time to spot these animals in their natural habitat. With the school year coming to a close, many families take advantage of the opportunity to travel together during the summer months.
Fishing is good during any month—there are just different species of salmon that peak as the weeks go by. Even if you're a seasoned fisherman, we recommend using a local guide to help find you the best fishing spot. Seas in Alaska are choppiest on Gulf of Alaska itineraries where waters are open. Alternatively, Inside Passage cruises in Alaska tend to be calmer as the waters are protected. Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next. That includes warm days, where even being near a glacier or a passing cloud (or socked-in rain) can make things chilly.
