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Regardless of the time you choose to cruise Alaska, be sure to pack a pair of binoculars to enhance your whale-watching experience. As you plan your Alaskan cruise, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is the timing of your voyage. Alaska’s charm varies with each passing month, and your choice of when to set sail can greatly impact your experience. The chance of rain during this month is over 50%, so you’ll want to pack plenty of waterproof gear – including waterproof shoes and wool socks.
What Are The Best Ports To Visit On An Alaskan Cruise?
There are definite ebbs and flows to demand and crowds in the ports you will visit depending on which month you sail. Many ports, like Ketchikan and Sitka, offer insights into native Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. Consider visiting cultural centers, attending local dances, or taking tours led by indigenous guides. It’s less crowded, fares can be cheaper, and you can witness spring in full bloom. Alright, so you’ve got a grasp on the seasons, wildlife patterns, and special events.
Excursions and Activities
Fall is also mating season for wildlife, so expect to see some friskiness. Family favorite Disney Cruise Line offers 13 itineraries over the summer, including a seven-night itinerary from $3,467 per person. Norwegian Cruise Line kicks off the 2024 Alaska cruise season when Norwegian Bliss sets sail on a weeklong, roundtrip itinerary from Seattle; she will be the only ship sailing in Alaska the first two weeks of spring. Balcony cabins are still available on the season’s inaugural sailing at a discounted fare of $1,029 per person. Keep an eye out for seabirds and songbirds, seals, Steller sea lions and humpback whales.
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Alaska Port Cities Worth Exploring
If spotting wildlife is a priority for you on an Alaska cruise, pick your sailing date carefully. June, July, and August are fantastic times to cruise Alaska to view wildlife, as these months bring the highest chances of spotting whales, bears, and salmon. By cruising in May, you can beat the rush and enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful experience. You can also take advantage of the lower rates offered by the cruise lines during the shoulder season, which can help you save money.
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Humpback whales can be found in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and are some of the most frequently spotted, though you may also see orcas and gray whales as well. A September cruise has its benefits, including less crowding and cheaper prices. However, a cruise this time of year will also slightly decrease your chance of viewing wildlife and make for sleepier ports of call because most summer workers return home for college. For major cruise lines, the Alaska cruise season runs between May and late September, including Viking and Disney. Just as Norwegian Cruise Line kicks off the 2024 Alaska cruise season in April, it’s the last cruise line to set sail in the state, and the only one to sail in October.
This period is especially spectacular at the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, which hosts the world’s largest gathering of bald eagles. Located along the Chilkat, Klehini, and Tsirku Rivers, the preserve becomes a prime spot for viewing these birds as they fish and rest near the waterways. As school returns to session, cruise prices dip and provide travelers with last-minute bargains to take an Alaskan cruise. June is one of the best months for wildlife sightings, with caribou, black bears, mountain goats, moose calves, and even polar bears out and about. The warm weather makes it one of the best times to witness the calving of glaciers. The Alaska cruise temperature is warmer in June, with lows of 45 and highs in the low 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to Expect on an Alaska Cruise
Alaska food festivals, marathon races, dances, art exhibits, and so much more are offered year-round, but especially during cruise season. Ketchikan holds a Gigglefeet dance festival in late July or early August each year. See local residents show their best moves, then dance to music old and new. During the land portion of your vacation, your tour guide will make sure you have everything you need and will arrange comfortable transportation from one site to the next.
Trip Planning Tips
Not only is the cracking sound shocking, but the calving also produces a giant wave of water and captivating icebergs. July and August are prime time for viewing glacier calving on an Alaskan cruise. Warmer weather in Alaska also has an unexpected bonus for cruisers in the form of glacial calving. In August, the wildlife can sense that winter is on its way, and activity picks up to prepare for the months of cold, snow, and darkness.
Weather
The minimum age is 18, and the ship is designed for a luxurious and tranquil experience, so you can truly get away from it all. 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. Juneau, being the capital city, offers a wide array of shopping options, from souvenirs to Alaskan jewelry. The Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, paint the sky with colors from late September to early April. However, spotting them does require a bit of luck, clear skies, and the absence of artificial light.
Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days. Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities. Book a fishing trip to try your hand at catching salmon or halibut, or go out crab fishing for a glimpse into that type of work.
The average July temperature in Juneau is 64 degrees, with an average low of 51 degrees. If you have an exterior room and are sensitive to light while sleeping, a sleeping mask will help you rest during these long days. You’ll also have more hours to look for wildlife from your room window or veranda. While temperatures are warmer and the snow is typically gone at lower elevations, the highs in Juneau average in the low 60s, with lows in the upper 40s. Expect less activity and fewer shop openings in some smaller port towns in May since most summer workers are in college and won’t arrive until June.
For instance, Disney Cruise Line focuses on family-friendly adventures, while Holland America Line often caters to an older demographic with enriching onboard programs. While the Northern Lights are most visible from September to April, the chances of seeing them during a typical cruise season (May to September) are lower. While you’re on the boat, you’ll enjoy delicious and local cuisine, with many of our cruises offering fine-dining options.
Hatcher Pass typically opens up in July, depending on the specific Hatcher Pass weather conditions. Mt. Denali is another option for cruisers, but be sure to check on the Mt. Denali weather with your cruise line. If you're on a budget, stick to interior rooms and look for the big cruise ships, which tend to have more inventory. Some attractions and shops will be closed for winter, though your cruise line will still operate a full roster of shore excursions. On the plus side, you will experience southeast Alaska towns as they are most of the year, sans tourist crowds.
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. When planning your cruise, the weather should be a consideration for many shore excursions. For example, flightseeing via fixed wing or helicopter is a popular way to see glacier fields and spectacular mountain vistas, but small aircraft are sensitive to weather conditions.
