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It’s not uncommon for there to be three, four, or even five cruise ships docked in Alaska's ports at once. To ensure you don’t miss out, consider booking a later dinner time, or simply eat dinner elsewhere on the nights the sailaway overlaps with your dining time. The Windjammer buffet can be an excellent place to enjoy dinner in Alaska, as the buffet has floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the venue, in addition to outdoor seating on select ships. Offered by Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, fishing excursions that allow guests to have their catch prepared and served to them onboard the ship also sell quickly. A September cruise has its benefits, including less crowding and cheaper prices.
What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in June
The city has weather patterns that are similar to Juneau, although it is slightly warmer. It rains an average of 18 days in June, 17 days in July and 19 days in August. September belongs to cruise visitors who don’t mind rain and want cheap cruise line tickets. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise. As August winds down, fall colors explode across the mountains, giving you gorgeous landscapes to explore by ship, train and foot. From the Alaska State Fair in the Mat-Su Valley to the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival, there is so much to do in this glorious state in August.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in July
The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024, From Whale Watching to Glacier Tours Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler
The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024, From Whale Watching to Glacier Tours Condé Nast Traveler.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
A limited number of cruises in October (predominantly on Norwegian Cruise Line) make it possible for cruisers to experience a taste of Alaska in winter without sub-zero temperatures. You will want to bundle up; the average temperature in Juneau in October is 39 degrees. 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. This month brings cooler weather and more rain but fails to dampen the high spirits on cruise ships. If you’re looking to get away from the summer crowds and enjoy an intimate cruise in remote Alaska, then we recommend booking an ocean view cabin on a smaller ship.
What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April
If you’re an adventure enthusiast seeking an active cruise experience, the Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise and the Alaska Fjords and Glaciers Cruise, are ideal choices. These cruises allow you to explore Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its glaciers, wildlife, and unspoiled wilderness. In the summer, Alaska basks in the magic of the Midnight Sun, with approximately 20 hours of daylight each day. Cruise ship passengers can comfortably explore in T-shirts and shorts, taking in Alaska’s stunning scenery with its vibrant natural colors. You’ll witness lush green forests, snow-capped mountains, and fields of wildflowers in every hue, from pink and purple to yellow. In this guide, we’ll explore why the summer months, from early May to late September, are the best time of the year for an Alaska cruise.
Are the seas rough on an Alaskan cruise?
This is but one of the incredible experiences that may be had when visiting Alaska in the “secret season”—springtime. Not only are the flowers and plant life awakening from their wintertime slumber, so is its wildlife. Feel the warm embrace of the summer sun throughout June when the Land of the Midnight Sun experiences the height of its daylight. With over 18 hours of golden sun each day, Alaska landscapes kiss the snowy surfaces goodbye and welcome the lush green meadows that bear the fruits of winter’s labor.
First-Timers and Limited-Time Visitors
Humpback whales have yet to begin their migration to warmer waters, so you will still be able to see them, especially in early August. 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. If you are in port, you’ll get to see how Alaskans take advantage of the Midnight Sun with locals out biking, hiking, and fishing at all hours of the night.
Whether it be spring, mid, or late summer, you will witness incredible wildlife, explore spectacular scenery, and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The northern lights, or the aurora borealis, is a display of unbelievable colors that move across the Arctic Sky. 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.
Cruise week report: Couple left behind by cruise ship, cruising essentials you need, the best time to cruise to Alaska ... - Cruise Blog
Cruise week report: Couple left behind by cruise ship, cruising essentials you need, the best time to cruise to Alaska ....
Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska to Avoid Crowds: Late Summer (early September)
Check ahead to make sure your itinerary will stop here, as it's usually only featured on longer 14-day cruises to Alaska. Although the weather will likely include more rain, you have a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights, which might outweigh this drawback. Gray whales and Humpback whales begin their migration to warmer waters in October and November, so you still have a chance to see them in Alaskan waters in September.
Another time to book is during the “Wave Season” during the first two months of the year, when cruise deals abound for all destinations. Last-minute deals are also most common on large-ship lines, including Cunard, Celebrity, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food. The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple.
Luckily, when it comes to Alaska cruises, there is truly something for everyone. See which one sounds right for you, and once you’re booked, get a head start by checking out these hidden cruise features, cruise ship code words and things you can’t do on cruises. During this time, flowers, plants, and forests are just coming to life after a long winter’s sleep. King Salmon runs start and other wildlife is waking up too, as mothers and their calves or cubs can be seen ashore. The spring months are also great for viewing moose, sheep, mountain goats, and black bears who are lured back out to feed on the new vegetation. For those who crave luxury and personalized experiences, the Northern Passage – Glacier Bay Cruise is tailor-made for you.
Gaze at the water’s surface as thousands of bald eagles congregate to enjoy the final salmon of the season. The best time to take an Alaska cruise is in the summer when beauty and adventure instill a newfound sense of wonder into the Great Land. Lush green landscapes are sprinkled with delicate, magenta flowers while the horizon dons frosted alps and royal blue skies.
While you’re on the boat, you’ll enjoy delicious and local cuisine, with many of our cruises offering fine-dining options. And in addition to the glaciers outside, you can stay entertained with phenomenal live music performances featuring musicians from The Juilliard School, B.B. King’s Blues Club Memphis, and other institutions. With more than 75 years of experience in Alaska—the longest of any cruise line—Holland America knows the state inside and out and presents you with lots of ways to enjoy it, from both the sea and land. Not only do they feature the most Glacier Bay itineraries, but they’re also the only way to see the Yukon in combination with a cruise. The first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for solo travelers, they’ve made it easy for singles to cruise to Alaska comfortably and affordably. The Studio Lounge is a welcoming spot to meet other solo travelers so you can join up for meals or shore excursions to places like Dawes Glacier and Icy Strait Point.
During May, you’ll find several whale species along Alaska’s inside passage. By this time of the year, most of the whales will have completed their migration from the warm waters of Mexico to Alaska, where they will spend the summer. May is one of the best times to visit Alaska for dry weather, fewer crowds, and lots of wildlife.
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