Table Of Content
See our monthly Alaska weather tips and travel advice above to find your best time to take an Alaskan cruise. The guide below is one piece of the puzzle to help you determine the best month to visit Alaska. We outline Alaska weather by month and answer questions such as “When is summer in Alaska? ” But our firsthand experience and one-on-one conversations can fill in the gaps. 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.
What is the best time to cruise Alaska?
Our team provides some insights on what you can expect to see and what to pack for your voyage to The Last Frontier. Ice calving is both a thunderous warning of climate change and an incredible phenomenon to behold. The best time to view artic-blue ice plunge into the sea is during the warmest months of June, July, and August at active glaciers. The most temperate Alaska weather is in July, then June and August when it’s warmer (though again, not near tropical) and drier. When it comes to May vs. September, May is slightly cooler, but gets significantly less rainfall.
Build a ReportBuild your own weather report and choose the ports of call you would like.
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month - Cruise Critic
The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month.
Posted: Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
You will find the best prices of the year on small boat tours of Alaska as well at this time. For many people, the answer to the question “When is the best time to go to Alaska? With wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska’s warmest average temperatures, July can be the best month to visit Alaska. This translates into a busy time for The Great Land, with a swell of visitors.
Best Alaska Glacier Tours
We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing. Despite having the best weather, Alaska’s weather in July is very unpredictable. You’ll want to pack for all kinds of weather and wear a lightweight rain jacket. It’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so there’s no harm in reading articles and watching YouTube videos to help you prepare for your Alaska cruise. Nonetheless, it’s helpful to know the basic rules of photography before setting sail.
When’s the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska for Salmon Fishing?
If prices are lower, or if there’s availability on a tour that’s sold out on the Cruise Planner, there’s no harm in booking through a third party. Speaking of excursions, it isn’t necessary to book excursions through Royal Caribbean. While booking shore excursions on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website is convenient, you might find more options (or lower prices) by booking through independent tour operators. Whether you’re confused about what to pack or overwhelmed with the dozens of shore excursion offerings, the planning process can quickly seem more stressful than enjoyable. For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dogsled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau.
Gastro Outbreak Hits Luxury Cruise Ship
Stressing over making it to the airport in time is not worth it; instead, the general rule of thumb is to avoid booking flights before noon. More often than not, flight prices will increase significantly as your travel date approaches. Waiting to see if the price drops almost always results in paying more for your flight, so it’s important to get your flights booked to avoid wasting money. In Sitka, for instance, you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the Sitka National Historic Park, which comes at no extra cost and is within walking distance from the town center. Likewise, you could take a shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau for $45 roundtrip, which is much cheaper than excursions booked through the cruise line.
Weather & Packing for Alaska Travel
July and August are prime time for viewing glacier calving on an Alaskan cruise. With lows in the 50s, you don’t need to pack a winter coat and hat, but be sure to include warm, wicking layers to keep your temperature steady. July is filled with opportunities to see the stunning wildlife of Alaska while enjoying milder temperatures. Although it is getting darker earlier, solar activity is not at its peak in the summer, so your chances of viewing the Northern Lights in July are slim to none. The average July temperature in Juneau is 64 degrees, with an average low of 51 degrees.
Best Alaska cruise ports
Best Time to Visit Alaska in 2023 When Is the Best Time to Go to Alaska? Trusted Since 1922 - Reader's Digest
Best Time to Visit Alaska in 2023 When Is the Best Time to Go to Alaska? Trusted Since 1922.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its native cultures and Gold Rush history. It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. To help you select the ideal time for your trip, the following guide will introduce you to weather and attraction differences between the months. While this Alaska by Month guide is a valuable resource for planning when to go, wildlife and weather can never be fully predicted, especially in a land as powerful as Alaska. Life in Alaska is greatly affected by latitude variances, as slight latitude shifts can result in big seasonal and light changes. The nature of small ship cruising is to be flexible and nimble, and this ethos should be applied to any trip in Alaska, by land or sea.
Land tours, averaging 5-8 days, set you up to thoroughly enjoy some of Alaska’s best national parks during this ideal month. If you are planning travel to Alaska in July, then plan ahead and book early. Small Alaska cruise ships begin plying Alaskan waters as early as mid-March, with most early spring departures running regularly starting in mid-April. Early spring offerings center on Alaska Inside Passage cruise itineraries, with most spanning a week. During this time, you can also consider a longer cruise, traveling with small ships positioning from Seattle, Washington up to Alaska. Nights are still long enough to possibly see the northern lights, while days are getting longer and animals are beginning to stir.
You might see bears that are continuing to fatten up before hibernation. Humpback whales have yet to begin their migration to warmer waters, so you will still be able to see them, especially in early August. 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. The loss of daylight does mean you could see the Aurora Borealis while cruising to Alaska in late August.
Temperatures are relatively mild, with daytime highs in the upper 40s and into the 50s depending on where you're visiting and cloud cover. Stephanie Yrungaray grew up in gorgeous Eagle River, Alaska and now calls Utah her beUtahful home. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband and five kids any way she can, from cruising to RV camping and everything in-between! When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her writing about travel, finances and parenting as well as gift ideas on her website, Not only is the cracking sound shocking, but the calving also produces a giant wave of water and captivating icebergs.
In Alaska, on the other hand, you will want to lower your expectations when it comes to weather. It’s challenging to predict whether your cruise will encounter sunny skies and 70 degrees, or seven days of straight rain. Sure, booking your cruise in June usually results in better weather compared to one in September, but weather conditions are never guaranteed. Search for shore excursions on websites like GetYourGuide.com and ShoreExcursionsGroup.com, and compare them to what you see on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner.
Layers are essential for a comfortable Alaska vacation, using fast-drying wicking materials. A raincoat and rain pants are also must-haves, as is a warm hat and gloves. Why is mid-June through mid-August on an Alaskan cruise the best time to see whales?
In Seattle, for instance, you’ll want to research the best way to get from the airport to your hotel, and from your hotel to the cruise port. In most instances, a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is the most convenient option. However, your hotel may also provide a shuttle, or you could even take the light rail from the airport to downtown. Because you will arrive in your embarkation city the night before your cruise, remember to book your hotel stay sooner rather than later. When booking a hotel in Seattle or Vancouver (or Anchorage/Seward for one-way itineraries), you will want to book a hotel in a convenient location. Therefore, booking a flight too early in the day could cause you to miss the flight if you encounter delays.
No comments:
Post a Comment