Best Time to Cruise Alaska?

We are trying to plan an Alaskan Cruise, when is the best time? Are there any excursions you wouldn't miss too? I have never been. Any advise is welcome!

BEST time will depend on your interests. Best weather is usually late May thru June. Lots of snow still in the mountains so it's very picturesque.

If you want bear viewing excursions, you'll want July thru August depending on the location. There are peak periods of time for bear viewing, usually dependent on salmon runs, and those vary by location.

As for as best excursion, again it depends on your interests, budget and physical ability. HUNDREDS to choose from. Look at all the options and decide which sights and activities appeal to YOU.

Look at past trip trip reports (in STICKYS nr the top of this page) to get ideas on the various ships, itineraries, and activities. Many are photojournals with lots of great photos to bring the trip to life. There's a thread called HELPFUL RESOURCES with links to many sites .... it's probably on pg 3 or 4 by now. There are also a few books specific to Alaska cruising ... Ann Vipond has ALASKA BY CRUISESHIP and Fodor has ALASKA PORTS OF CALL.

Have fun with your research and planning !

BEST time will depend on your interests. Best weather is usually late May thru June. Lots of snow still in the mountains so it's very picturesque.

If you want bear viewing excursions, you'll want July thru August depending on the location. There are peak periods of time for bear viewing, usually dependent on salmon runs, and those vary by location.

As for as best excursion, again it depends on your interests, budget and physical ability. HUNDREDS to choose from. Look at all the options and decide which sights and activities appeal to YOU.

 

Look at past trip trip reports (in STICKYS nr the top of this page) to get ideas on the various ships, itineraries, and activities. Many are photojournals with lots of great photos to bring the trip to life. There's a thread called HELPFUL RESOURCES with links to many sites .... it's probably on pg 3 or 4 by now. There are also a few books specific to Alaska cruising ... Ann Vipond has ALASKA BY CRUISESHIP and Fodor has ALASKA PORTS OF CALL.

 

Have fun with your research and planning !

Another vote for May for cheaper prices, lots of baby animals, still some snow on the peaks, and less rain.

Favorite excursions:

Juneau - any whale watching, trekking on Mendenhall Glacier, Taku Lodge Salmon Bake, Tracy Arm

Ketchikan - Crab Fishing on Aleutian Ballad (great eagle viewing), Crab Feasting, Seafood Feasting

Skagway - any train ride, dog sledding

Sitka - Otters, Raptors, and Bears excursion

Victoria - Butchart Gardens

Enjoy your planning

I'm throwing in my vote for May also. There are multiple reasons for me: still snow on the mountains, fewer other tourists, kids are generally still in school, the locals aren't worn out from so many tourists yet, drier weather (statistically...), and it's usually cheaper for the cruise itself.

Cold vs warm vs wet vs dry vs wildlife vs fireworks vs price

• May and September is cheaper, but colder and some excursions are not running. Some like these months as you can do back 2 back cruise getting to/from Alaska.
  
• May can mean ice congestion to some glacier viewing sites like Tracy Arm/Sawyer. Ice in some years can go into July! In 2016.... it was mid-August before ships went to Tracy Arm.
  
• May has cherry blossoms in some ports
  
• May to July is dryer in Alaska, August will see more rain and September will be wettest. If too stormy to dock.... cruise ships will skip the port.
  
• July to August will be dryer in Cascadia
  
• May to August will give you more day light
  
• August and September offer better wildlife opportunities with bears and salmon
  
• August starts to get statistically wet.... with storms more likely in September to fill the Ketchikan rain gauge
  
• I like late-July for weather compromise and wildlife. It's also priced higher. Check out the climate chart on this page... http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/juneau/alaska/united-states/usak0116
  
• some ports offer seasonal opportunities like fireworks and pride celebrations, but can also mean congestion on those popular days.
  
• http://www.alaska.org/advice/best-time-to-visit-alaska => it recommends mid-June to mid-July!
  
• http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2667
  
• Oprah likes July too!
  https://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Resp.action?requestPage=SharetheAdventure_Partnership
  

I like the end of May. Love the temps and the snow on the mountains.