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For most travelers, Southeast Alaska means cruising—and cruising in September offers just as much of a gamble as a land tour. You still have that increased chance of rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the coastline could be shrouded in fog. On the other hand, if you get a nice day, your experience will be crisp and crystal clear.
What kind of power outlets are on the ship?
Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season"). You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help. Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway.
Alaska Cruises from Vancouver
The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler - The Points Guy
The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler.
Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The midnight sun means many hours of daylight, especially on June 20, the longest day of the year — when you'll have to stay up late to see any darkness at all. As someone who has cruised Alaska many times, I love cruising in May when the weather is dry and locals are emerging from their winter cocoons, embracing the sunshine. 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. The majority of cruise ships cruising to or throughout Alaska depart from Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, Canada; Whittier, Alaska; or Seward, Alaska. When it comes to cruising in Alaska, you’ll be spoiled for choice as no other state has more coastline to explore.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT Alaska Cruises
Disney Cruise Line set sail in 1998 with its first three- and four-night trips to the Bahamas and made its way to Alaska in the spring of 2011. The cruise line, which is celebrating its Silver Anniversary at Sea, offers 23 five-, seven-, eight- and 9-night round-trip Alaskan itineraries aboard the Disney Wonder, all of which depart from Vancouver. Shore excursions range from adventures like zip lining, hiking and rafting to seaplane exploration, photo safaris and high teas. Adults can enjoy themselves on an Alaskan Disney Cruise, too, with adult-exclusive dining; an adult-only pool and hot tub; fitness center; and Senses Spa & Salon.
Princess Cruises is an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park. If you're interested in the Midnight Sun, the longest day of the year is June 21, when you can experience close to 20 or more hours of sunlight in some parts of the state. If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder.
Are there laundry facilities onboard?
If you’re looking for a unique Alaskan experience, you’ll find plenty of them in October. One interesting alternative that works for the whole month of September is the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System (check their page for more details). It’s great for independent travelers, and most of its routes continue through September. But, to be fair, those cruises and buses are less crowded than they were in June, July, and August.
Alaska September Cruise: Your Ultimate Guide!
One of the biggest highlights of an Alaskan cruise is the ability to not just see, but also learn about this fascinating state, its people, its culture, and its deep connection with wild nature. However, if you plan your bucket list cruise to Alaska and visit once, pass on the discounted late-season cruises and choose a warmer month instead. I’ve done several 7-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver that visited both Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier, or Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. Fewer Crowds – As ships start repositioning to other areas, you’ll enjoy ports with fewer people. With fewer visitors, getting a taxi or rideshare will be easier, should you need one. Better cabin choice – With cruises not sold out, you’ll have a better pick of staterooms.
The Top Things to Do Onboard Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises
You may get upgraded – With ships sailing with empty cabins, you could get upgraded. While some lines give complimentary upgrades, others offer a chance to bid on an upgrade. End of season sales – Some stores in Alaska only operate for Alaska cruise season. As the season winds down, you can load up on gifts from Alaska for family and friends. Cruises at the start of the season in April and May also offer discounted rates.
June
Look out for the telltale blow of beluga, bowhead, and gray whales, or spot orca and humpbacks. You could book a whale watching tour to get up close to these majestic mammals, with many options available in ports like Ketchikan, and along the journey through the fjords of the Inside Passage. 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. Most cruise ships have a medical center onboard staffed with qualified medical professionals.
I hope you are able to plan and fulfill all of your fantastical travel dreams! Feel free to click around my site to discover more exciting destinations and itineraries. English is the primary language spoken onboard most Alaska cruises.
While that may not matter to some, if you’re cruising with family and want adjoining rooms, that won’t happen on near sold-out cruises in the summer months. Since most guests avoid the cold weather, cruise lines struggle to fill cruises, especially in the later weeks. Since you’ll spend the bulk of your cruise in southeast Alaska, those wet days may put a damper on your shore excursions. Weather varies by region and will get colder the further north you go. In Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and southeast Alaska towns, expect average temperatures of 54F and lows of 43F. Being the shoulder season, you should expect colder and wetter weather on a September Alaska cruise.
The beginning of September is much like August, but after the kids go back to school and the family crowd departs, it's shoulder season for cruising and pricing drops. Most cruise ships will have repositioned out of the state by the end of the month. You will experience a change of season, with cooler temperatures (in the 50s or lower) and some rain. The cruise season beefs up in June, with the number of ships growing and the season in full swing by the end of the month.
Learn why our ships are uniquely designed for the best glacier experiences. Experience Alaska’s premier attractions glaciers and wildlife, from two very different vantage points, by land and by sea.... The landscape and views you’ll experience on an Alaska cruise will be unforgettable, so be sure to pack your binoculars and your best camera to capture the incredible sights to share with friends and family.
With the largest collection of tidewater glaciers in the world, your scenic Alaska cruise through the fjord will make a lasting memory. Alaska cruisetours combine our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with three to ten nights on land exploring Denali National Park. Travel aboard our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® train and unwind at Princess Wilderness Lodges®. Every year Princess introduces more people to Denali National Park than any other cruise line. Ketchikan, Alaska is one of the best spots along Alaska's Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian.
Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road.
