How to Make your Alaska Cruise Travel Easier: Tips

Table Of Content

• Weather In Alaska By Season
• Can I still see glaciers during an Alaska cruise from May to July?
• What is the best time of year to see the northern lights on an Alaska cruise?
• Ultimate Travel Guide: Alaska in June
• Alaska Cruise Weather
• Find Your Best Time to Visit Alaska
• Icy Strait Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search Tour
• Best Alaska Glacier Tours

June is when the Alaska travel season comes into full swing, especially in the latter part of the month, and marks the beginning of the best time to visit Alaska. Must-do activities in June include hiking in national parks, wildlife viewing, glacier tours, fishing, and participating in cultural festivals. Taking a scenic flight or train ride to appreciate Alaska’s vast landscapes from a different perspective is also highly recommended. If you travel up into the hills or mountains on a shore excursion, it’s common to find snow still on the ground.

Weather In Alaska By Season

Daytime temperatures are typically in the mid to upper 60s Fahrenheit (16-20 degrees Celsius). Traveling to Alaska in June offers a unique opportunity to explore the state’s stunning natural beauty under the glow of the midnight sun. By preparing for the weather, respecting wildlife, and planning your itinerary in advance, you can ensure a memorable and enjoyable visit to the Last Frontier. Fishing enthusiasts will do their best cruising in July since most types of salmon are running during this month.

Can I still see glaciers during an Alaska cruise from May to July?

A raincoat and rain pants are also must-haves, as is a warm hat and gloves. You will not encounter bugs on small ship cruises, except when venturing ashore on calm days and even then, they are seldom troublesome. Your packing list should recommend remedies to repel bugs and long-sleeve clothing to keep them at bay when they are encountered. Being equipped for weather and conditions will make your Alaskan experience more enjoyable. Why is mid-June through mid-August on an Alaskan cruise the best time to see whales?

What is the best time of year to see the northern lights on an Alaska cruise?

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. If you cruise to Alaska this month, you can enjoy more shop and restaurant options in port towns but expect things to be slightly more crowded. My advice is to pack plenty of warm (and waterproof) layers, expect the unexpected, and find joy in whatever experience you get.

There are dog sledding options in many ports, including Juneau, Skagway, and Anchorage. Each excursion typically includes a helicopter ride and dog sledding on a glacier. It's a must do in Alaska, but which port you try it in is up to you. I hope you are able to plan and fulfill all of your fantastical travel dreams!

Royal Caribbean cruises in June 2023: What to expect - Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean cruises in June 2023: What to expect.

Posted: Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

You'll find those who work in tourism excited to be back in business, considering that many people in southeast Alaska earn their income from out-of-state visitors. Cruise lines will offer the opportunity to extend your cruise with land tours, which include accommodations, transportation and some meals. 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. Just as Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable in terms of rain and snow, you may also encounter surprisingly warm weather, particularly in the peak summer season.

In fact, most glacier excursions are best done in summer and early fall months, which coincidentally falls between May and July and extends till September. Glacial activities, such as calving, are more pronounced during these periods due to warmer temperatures. Furthermore, May and June bring competitive pricing for cruises compared to the peak season in July. The warmer Alaska weather makes June (and July) the best times to see calving glaciers during scenic cruise days. However, daylight hours in May are a few hours shorter than what you’ll experience if you travel around the spring equinox in late June.

Toward the end of August, you'll see leaves changing to fall colors. July and August are also spawning season for salmon, so you might spot grizzlies and brown bears near rivers and streams. 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. 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.

June is the driest month in Alaska, however it does still rain, especially in the southeast region. There are ways to defend yourself against a June mosquito invasion in Alaska. Use bug repellent, cover your exposed skin with lightweight long-sleeved clothing, and avoid super busy wetland areas during dusk hours. There are a slew of summer solstice parties that happen across the state, big and small.

For many people, the answer to the question “When is the best time to go to Alaska? With wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska’s warmest average temperatures, July can be the best month to visit Alaska. This translates into a busy time for The Great Land, with a swell of visitors.

Mid-to-late September is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Alaska. Bears will be hunting for the last of the berries and salmon, and caribou, deer and moose will be mating. A day might start out sunny and mild, for instance, turn to rain an hour later, and be sunny again in time to enjoy an outdoor lunch. While this Alaska by Month guide is a valuable resource for planning when to go, wildlife and weather can never be fully predicted, especially in a land as powerful as Alaska. Life in Alaska is greatly affected by latitude variances, as slight latitude shifts can result in big seasonal and light changes. The nature of small ship cruising is to be flexible and nimble, and this ethos should be applied to any trip in Alaska, by land or sea.

Since the skies do still get dark during this month, there is a slight chance that you’ll be able to view the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise in April. Locals typically call the months of April and May “break-up” because the snow and ice begin to break apart and melt after the long winter. In April, mountains will still be snowy, and high temperatures will max out in the upper 40s for most cruise ports.

On Winter Solstice (December 21 or 22), the state breaks out of its winter hibernation and begins gaining a few minutes of sunlight each day. By the time Summer Solstice occurs (June 20,21, or 22), travelers to Juneau, Alaska, a common port, will experience a day with 19 hours of sunlight. Many cruise lines also have limited early cruise ships departing for Alaska in April. Norwegian Cruise Lines has the first departures of the season in early April from Seattle. But if you were hoping to throw sandals and shorts in your bag, June would be the first month to do it.

The glaciers along your route will be cracking like mad, so make sure your July cruise swings by Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, or other scenic cruising destinations. Cruise fares in June will be higher than in May but better than in the prime summer months. June is tied with July as the least rainy month, with Ketchikan receiving an average rainfall of less than 7.5 inches. They’re in the summer, so you don’t have to worry about pesky insects while enjoying your vacation.