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Choose a May or June sailing for drier weather and fewer mosquitos; summer is the best time to cruise to see abundant marine life and birds. Keep an eye out for seabirds and songbirds, seals, Steller sea lions and humpback whales. Marine life is so prolific that some small-boat shore excursions guarantee you will see animals.
Explore Alaska by Land and Sea
Sail to the Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, or both, depending on your itinerary, and admire nature at its most awe-inspiring. Finding the right Alaska cruise and time to go depends on your preferences. If it’s your only time to Alaska, you want to pick a time to enjoy that bucket list shore excursion. Also, you might want to try to “do it all,” if that’s even possible.
Related Itineraries
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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. 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. While early May often carries a chill in the air, by the end of the month, you might encounter temperatures in the 60s.
What type of onboard entertainment can I expect?
Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship. Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures.
Alaska National Parks
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A few lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line, offer 10-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver. Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s.
GLACIERS WILL MOVE YOU
Whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive multi-day Alaska cruise package or simply a day cruise to see wildlife and glaciers, there are many options to choose from. Seattle is known as "The Emerald City" thanks to its green forests and lush surroundings. Pike Place Market buzzes with merchants while coffee shops house locals drinking espresso in America's coffee capital. Climb the Space Needle and enjoy the Seattle skyline, or explore the history of Pioneer Square, the city's oldest neighborhood — only when you cruise to Alaska from Seattle. In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights. The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports.
Of course, you need to be completely confident in your own expertise before picking your own mushrooms, as some are poisonous. But what’s interesting is to go out with a local and learn about the deep connection Alaskans feel to the land. You could see the salmon run in rivers around Juneau and Sitka, as well as Talkeetna and the Kenai River. And where there are salmon, there’s always a good chance that there will be bears. You also stand a good chance of spotting other popular Alaskan animals such as coyotes, red fox, lynx, wolverines, marmots, and otters on your Denali adventure. Or head up the Mount Roberts Tramway from Juneau and look down on the vast expanse of the Tongass Forest, stretching away beneath you.
If you're a photographer, you may be interested in a fall foliage photo tour. It might surprise many, but July and especially August are rainy, so don't expect endless sunshine. That said, you are in Alaska at a time for festivals and other special events, and frontier towns really come alive.
In the center of the state, Denali National Park is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day. An up-close view is more than worth the expedition during your vacation. You can’t do a land tour – Denali National Park and tours in Denali typically close for visitors around mid-September. Snow – As the month progresses, the chances of snow increase at higher elevations.
Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs. Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders. Every cruise to Alaska with Celebrity includes opportunities to see some of the state’s mightiest glaciers. These massive rivers of ice move slowly, great chunks of blue-white ice calving off with a thunderous roar where the glacier meets the sea.
With clear skies, you could see mountains frosted with snow, giving the landscape a majestic appearance. So, think about comfort and warmth when packing for this itinerary. Although, since the Norwegian Sun offers a 10-day itinerary, it completes the last Alaska cruise on October 30th. While the weather in Alaska in June brings out the flowers and even greener scenery, expect mosquitoes to be biting. Alaska temperatures can be unpredictable, so come prepared with the proper wardrobe.
These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists. Attractions and shops will switch to peak-season hours at the end of the month; Denali National Park & Preserve switches into summer mode in May. 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.
Named "Best for Great Dining & Diverse Destinations," you will enjoy a vast entertainment selection on board. Stop into iconic destinations and cruise Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. This isn’t to say that the peak summer months are especially problematic when it comes to mosquitoes, but you will need to use insect repellent then. From Skagway, for example, the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad runs a full schedule in September, clattering up the White Pass and across the mountains, over spindly bridges and through long tunnels. Icy Strait Point, as an example, is owned by the 950-strong Tlingit community. Most of the guides here are Tlingit, and if you join them for a tour, you’ll most likely learn how they forage and fish.
Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens. Little kids will adore meet-and-greets with beloved characters onboard Disney cruises, or hanging with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival. Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and NCL ships. You can also find one-way repositioning cruises between Southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa).
These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises. Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises. Travel the Inside Passage on 10 or 11-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco and allow the natural landscapes to inspire your day’s adventures. Begin by sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and along the Pacific Coast.
The price typically includes all on-board expenses such as food, room, and on-ship activities. 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.
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