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Temperatures are beginning to warm, and vegetation hasn't fully grown in or concealed the best views. Bears, caribou, sheep and mountain goats are all active, and you can find them in easily accessible areas. If you are along the coast of western Alaska, you may also spot a bowhead whale, seal or walrus. While it may seem counterintuitive that a popular time to travel would mean that cruise fares are lower, the reason is that there are more ships operating at this time. 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.
What are nighttime temperatures like in Alaska during the summer?
Although you can find wildlife throughout the year, the best time to see a wide variety is during the summer. During the summer, you’ll often find brown bears fishing for salmon along streams, deer and moose calves along the shore, and a wide variety of birds circling above. Fortunately for us, whales are a common sight along Alaska’s coastline from May to September. This just happens to be the same months as the Alaska cruise season. These ships can also more easily follow aquatic wildlife (within legal limits).
Book Your Cruise to Alaska With AAA Travel
You might have to wait hours for a table at Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau. Temperatures are pleasant — in the 60s and sometimes higher, with wildflowers in bloom and glaciers calving. Anglers will find opportunities to reel in halibut along with king and sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. In addition to humpbacks, you might also spot belugas and seals with their pups as you sail. Temperatures are somewhat chilly at most cruise ports with daytime highs in the upper 50s Fahrenheit. If you’re hoping to spot some famous Alaska wildlife, you have the highest chances in late summer and early fall.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska for Good Weather: Summer (mid-June through August)
This phenomenon appears when highly charged solar wind particles flowing from the sun collide with air molecules in the earth’s atmosphere transferring their energy into light. Few places on earth offer more ways to witness the northern lights than Alaska. Though not as likely as during the winter months, September also offers the opportunity to witness the magic of the northern lights. While winter in Alaska is obviously cold, it can also be good for wildlife viewing.
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. After a long winter, Alaska begins to wake up in April, and that includes the wildlife. A few big ships, such as the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle, begin their season this month with discounted early season pricing. The fall salmon run also attracts bears and other predatory species to the rivers and shorelines, making viewing them from a cruise ship deck much easier. Humpback whales, orcas, seals, and other marine species are also more active during these months. 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.
Shoulder Season Cruises in Alaska
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. Ice calving is both a thunderous warning of climate change and an incredible phenomenon to behold.
Consider an Alaska Cruise Tour
This is when bears have emerged from hibernation and tend to be fairly active. If you hope to spot a grizzly, you might just have your opportunity if you cruise Alaska during this period, along with viewing moose and even a chance to see more calves or cubs running around. 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. Weather can get fairly warm in June, July, and August, which can make port days more comfortable. It’s not uncommon for the weather to be nice enough for t-shirts in the summer as opposed to the raincoats and down jackets you may have to wear in early spring or fall.
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. Some adventurous cruisers will board ships when they arrive in Alaska in April to see the remnants of winter. A few big ships cruise into mid-October for those who want a peek at what life is like in Alaska towns when all the other tourists have returned home. Alaskan cruises are most popular in July and August, partly as a result of warmer temperatures both months. September belongs to cruise visitors who don’t mind rain and want cheap cruise line tickets. July and August are the most active cruise months, followed by June, according to scheduled cruises on major travel booking websites.
Cruise to Alaska from April to October for an Incomparable Life Experience
Alaska is known for its outdoor adventure opportunities, and the springtime weather is perfect for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. You can take a guided hike through the wilderness or try your hand at fishing in one of Alaska's many rivers. By cruising in May, you can beat the rush and enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful experience. You can also take advantage of the lower rates offered by the cruise lines during the shoulder season, which can help you save money.
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. 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. Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises also offer sailings. These months are also incredibly popular times for Alaskan cruises, which is why there is some debate over which period is the best between the two.
Fall is also mating season for wildlife, so expect to see some friskiness. If whale watching is a must on your Alaska cruise bucket list, you’ll want to visit during peak whale season in June. During this month, you’ll find the largest number of whale species in the Inside Passage and Alaskan Coast.
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. The larger crowds can add to the atmosphere and make for a lively and enjoyable 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]
Since Alaska is the most remote and wild state in the U.S., it isn't difficult to escape the crowds even during the busiest times. However, it’s not necessarily a good idea to pick a cruise based solely on price. While price should definitely be a consideration, it’s important to consider other factors before choosing an Alaska cruise. The closer you can get to the end of the month, the less you'll pay as a result of lessening demand and cooler temperatures. Bears in Alaska are still around because they're looking for food, such as berries or salmon. You're also quite likely to see many bald eagles that are also interested in salmon.
Toward the end of summer and early fall, bears are highly active as they prepare for winter hibernation. More hours of daylight on an Alaska cruise means more time to sightsee, whether in port or when sailing through the Inside Passage. Juneau, for example, sees around 18 hours of daylight in June compared to just 12 in September. If a cruise with fewer crowds is important to you, it might be a good idea to avoid Alaska cruises in June, July, and August. Not only will there likely be more guests onboard during the summer, but in the ports you are visiting as well.
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