when is the beat time to go on an alaskan cruise?

Question

considering weather and animal sighting.

Answer 1

The best time to go is when you can get the best price. The season is from May to Sept and the weather is generally warmer in June/July and Aug, but it can also be pleasant in May and Sept. When we went a few years ago in May it was shirtsleve weather (70's) in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The odd thing was, it was cooler further south and rainy. It will be cold, like coat, hat and gloves weather when you get close to the Glaciers. Otherwise they would melt. When you pack, think layering of your clothes.



The best prices will be in May and Sept but you will see the same things as other times; the ship itineraries are the same. Check the cruise line web sites for price variations by date.



Your best chance to see animals will be if you do a cruise-tour where you go further north after cruising the inside passage. The only animals you are likely to see in the inside passage is seals.



Princess and Royal Caribbean both run cruise tours which take you by train in domed rain cars all the way to Fairbanks. You can arrange to stop for a night or two in Denali National Park. This will be your best opportunity to see Moose, Caribou, eagle, wolf, and bear. But you really need two days at Denali so that you have time to get one of the Park Service's busses deep into the park. Regular tour busses , cars and campers can only go about 4 or 5 miles into the park. The Park Service runs busses about 17 miles into the park, but you must get to the visitor center very early to reserve a spot on one of their busses. The train stops do not get you there in time or allow enough time for the deep back country busses.



With both Princess and RC you can do the tour part first and then go to Seward or Whittier to get onship for the inside passage part.

Answer 2

There are two seasons for Alaska the Shoulder Season and Peak Season. Shoulder Season is May, the first week of June, the last week of August and all of September. Peak Season is most of June, July and August.



Peak Season tends to cost more because the weather is better and that is when more people can travel. The This is the most likely time for families to take cruises, etc. More people are able to go and more people can go, so prices are higher. During shoulder season you will be able to save some money because the cruise lines are trying to get more people on board. Both seasons are great and just as beautiful as the next. You go at different times and it just a different type of beauty.



As far as when to go anytime between May and September is good. Obviously to save money you would be better going during shoulder season. Spring is absolutely beautiful because all the flowers are blooming, but Fall is also a great time because of the foliage.



If you go in June and July you will have the warmest weather and the longest days. So really, all the months have good points for why you would want to go, so you can pretty much schedule when you are available to go.



If you can, try to do an inside passage cruise. This is my favorite way to go. You will go to more ports this way and see a lot more. There are also cruises where they include a tour at each port, which is a really fun way to go, especially for your first visit. You will learn and see a lot by taking the cruise.

Answer 3

If you don't mind a little cooler weather than in the middle of the summer, and are looking to buy souviniers, take the very last cruise of the year, at the end of September. The cruise ships aren't as crowded, and since the cruise ships are the main source of income for the little towns they stop in, everything is on sale and VERY cheap for the last cruise of the year because all the gift shops are trying to liquidate their inventory.

Answer 4

I went the 1st week of June. It was warm in the day but still cold at night. It was too early to see whales but we still had a wonderful time on the Star Princess Cruise ship. Also rates were much cheaper before whale season.