When is The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska in 2024?

Table Of Content

• What Are the Best Months for Wildlife & Activities?
• Cruising Alaska Between Mid-Summer to Early Fall (Late July to Late September)
• When is the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska for Salmon Fishing?
• September Alaska Cruises
• Best Time Of Year For Glacier Calving
• Celebrity Cruises
• Alaska cruise in August: Rain and high temperatures

Even if you're a seasoned fisherman, we recommend using a local guide to help find you the best fishing spot. On dry land, bears are more common in May, though not as frequently spotted as they are in peak summer. Alaska provides a unique experience for cruise guests that is completely different than traditional Caribbean sailings. The state is home to 15 national parks and 16 state parks, and its federally-protected lands cover an area the size of California.

What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist - Travel + Leisure

What to Pack for An Alaskan Cruise: A Complete Checklist.

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What Are the Best Months for Wildlife & Activities?

Having explored Alaska multiple times, both by land and sea, Chris and I bring firsthand experience to this guide. Our last cruise took us through the Inside Passage at the cusp of August and September. Glacier viewing is an all-cruise-season activity, with many ways to get to the glacier depending on your preference while in different ports. Biking alongside the glacier, or taking a helicopter to land on top of a glacier, is a memorable and spectacular way to begin a glacier hike. Although your cruise itinerary might say you arrive at 6AM on disembarkation day, this does not mean you can get off your ship at 6AM.

Cruising Alaska Between Mid-Summer to Early Fall (Late July to Late September)

Alaska’s cruise season coincides with a variety of local festivals and events that can add a unique flair to your trip. For instance, the Midnight Sun Festival in Fairbanks takes place in June, while the Alaska State Fair occurs in late August to early September. These events offer a glimpse into Alaskan culture and traditions, enriching your cruise experience. We can speak to this firsthand, having journeyed through Alaska multiple times and still finding new wonders to explore.

When is the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska for Salmon Fishing?

The fall salmon run also attracts bears and other predatory species to the rivers and shorelines, making viewing them from a cruise ship deck much easier. Humpback whales, orcas, seals, and other marine species are also more active during these months. Whales, including the majestic humpbacks and orcas, make their way to Alaskan waters during this season.

However, if you prepare for Alaska’s chill and damp weather, no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll have a great time. Bring a jacket, gloves, and scarves, along with waterproof gear, and sunscreen. Read how to pack for an Alaska cruise to stay comfortable in changing weather. Likewise, while weather should be colder during the shoulder seasons of May and September, Alaska’s weather is quite unpredictable. You might be surprised with warm days in September or chilly, rainy days in July! If having the highest chance of warm temperatures and sunny days is important to you, cruising to Alaska in the peak summer months is your best bet.

Best Time Of Year For Glacier Calving

Itineraries can be customized to fit your specific interests, whether you want to take a glacier hike, immerse yourself in Alaska’s history or eat your way through the state. At AAA, we offer a wide selection of cruise itineraries to those explorers who want to get up close and personal with Alaskan wildlife, landscape, and culture. We bring you not just authentic Alaska itineraries and insider tips but also a treasure trove of our own photos and first-hand experiences from the places we've explored and activities we've relished. Cruises to Alaska typically operate from May through September, with some cruise lines offering voyages in late April and early October as exceptions. While some travelers embark on a cruise simply for the joy of cruising, many of you are undoubtedly setting sail to Alaska with the aim of immersing yourselves in the state’s untamed beauty. By understanding these key factors, you can better decide on the best time of year for an Alaska cruise that aligns with your interests.

The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky. It was on one such day that someone on board spotted a whale breaching. Within minutes it seemed everyone on board had gathered at the railings on deck to watch. The captain of the ship nimbly repositioned us, giving both the port and starboard sides prime viewing, at a safe and respectful distance from the animals.

Celebrity Cruises

The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple. In this post, I share a month-by-month guide about the best time of year for an Alaskan cruise. I’ve included tips on the weather, wildlife, daylight, and the general experience you’ll have each month of the Alaska cruise season to determine when to set sail for the 49th state. While the tourism season in Alaska doesn’t really kick in until June, many small cruise ships start running tours in May. If you’re looking for dry weather and lots of wildlife, then May is a great time to join a cruise as it’s one of the state’s driest months and features spring migrations and lots of newborn wildlife.

The closer you can get to the end of the month, the less you'll pay as a result of lessening demand and cooler temperatures. Other than May, September is the best month for an Alaska cruise if you're looking for a deal. Bears in Alaska are still around because they're looking for food, such as berries or salmon. You're also quite likely to see many bald eagles that are also interested in salmon. The price of an Alaska cruise in August should be cheaper than June or July, especially if you can take a cruise in the latter half of the month. The best months to catch a glimpse of the amazing fauna that call Alaska home are the months of June and July.

Fall is also mating season for wildlife, so expect to see some friskiness. Every time we’ve sailed in Alaska, we’ve always spotted at least one whale from the deck of our cruise ship. And trust me, watching a humpback whale breach the water against the beautiful Alaskan landscape is a sight you’ll never forget. When traveling from Vancouver in the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, the waters are mostly protected and provide smooth sailing. If ports include Anchorage, Seward, or Whittier, cruise ships must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which has notoriously rougher waters. The peak season to view the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is between late August and late April, which unfortunately doesn’t overlap much with the Alaskan cruise season.

If you’re on a budget (or would simply prefer to explore without a large group), research which activities are offered in each Alaskan town. Generally speaking, June through July are the best times to hike, with less rain, fewer muddy trails to negotiate and optimal wildlife viewing. The midnight sun also means you'll have plenty of daylight to cram in your outdoor adventures; around the summer solstice, you can expect around 22 hours of daylight in Anchorage. It is the rainiest month of the summer season, especially in Southeast Alaska, with Juneau averaging about 16 days with precipitation. Packing a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes is all it takes to make rainy port days enjoyable. Mature travelers who'd like a more adult-centered experience often choose to wait until the middle or end of August to cruise, when most kids are back in school.

This is when bears have emerged from hibernation and tend to be fairly active. If you hope to spot a grizzly, you might just have your opportunity if you cruise Alaska during this period, along with viewing moose and even a chance to see more calves or cubs running around. The stretch between late April and late July is often considered to be Alaska’s second most popular time of the year for cruises. The popularity of this period is also why many people consider it the best time of the year to book an Alaskan cruise. For those who crave luxury and personalized experiences, the Northern Passage – Glacier Bay Cruise is tailor-made for you.