Horrible weather does not mean you won’t have a good cruise

We have sailed three times on Alaska cruises. The first two times we had amazing weather and the cruise crew even joked they wanted to keep us on because it was so good.

However our most recent cruise, it rained a lot and was very cloudy. We almost couldn’t see anything in Glacier Bay nor saw many of the mountains that are normally visible along the route. The only days we had good weather was before departure in Vancouver and in Skagway. In Seward, it was raining and very low clouds.

For the full trip report see this link https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2647072

But we still had a lot of fun. We did kayaking and saw a lot of wildlife (and only got a little wet). We saw bubbles net feeding right from our balcony while in port in Ketchikan. We saw an amazing pod of orca whales in Juneau. We went into the Yukon and did a dogsled ride. We saw many types of wildlife including bears and moose.

Fortunately, when we got into the Denali area the weather did improve and we got to see Denali as well as take a number of other adventures there.

It would have been even more amazing if we had better weather for sure, but we all agreed when it was over, it was one of the best vacations ever.

Thanks for posting this. We are doing our 2nd Alaska cruise in September. When we went in 2004, we had to buy t-shirts on the ship because it was so hot. I am hoping for cooler weather, but as you say, even if it is cold and rainy, I still plan to have a great time!

Alaska has weather. All types of weather. Ya gotta get out and enjoy things no matter what the weather is. As a local, it's what we do.

You also may need to adjust your definition of "horrible" weather. Rain and clouds are not necessarily horrible. When we took a float plane to Misty Fjords, it was overcast and drizzling. The pilot said that it was better than having hot, sunny weather. You get more of the "mist" when it's rainy, and people tend to get more motion sickness when it is sunny due to a bumpier ride. Also, when glacier viewing, it is better to have cloudy weather because it brings out the blue in the glaciers.

For me, "horrible" weather would only be such that it prevented me from doing things I really wanted to do, like having flights canceled. We have done plenty of tours in the rain, including whale watching and river rafting. We still enjoyed it. Horrible weather would also include having seas rough enough to make everyone sick.

In 10 cruises to Alaska, I have yet to encounter "horrible" weather. I have had only one cruise where the weather was what some would call "perfect" - sunny and hot the whole time - but that was almost TOO hot, so not really perfect either. Take what you get and enjoy yourself no matter what!

I will admit to using "horrible" to be a bit dramatic, but the point being what you have said, make do what you get.

The one disappointment was that the star of an Alaska cruise, namely Alaska itself remained hidden for a lot of the trip. We got a few moments which offset all of the rest, but the examples below comparing our previous 2 times in Glacier Bay make the point I think,

and similar in Juneau but that was where we saw the pod of Orcas so not complaining about that!

Thanks for sharing! I've been incredibly nervous about cruising in early September. It was the only time we could go, and I previously cruised in mid May. I had fantastic weather last time.

But you should have a Plan B.

This past week on our Alaskan cruise, bad weather meant our float plane tour was canceled in Ketchikan. Luckily, I had something else planned for our group. And it was the only disappointment of our cruise, so I cannot complain.

Always remember: a rainy day out of the office is worth any day in it.

Always remember: a rainy day out of the office is worth any day in it.

Agreed....

Alaska weather in September is not all bad on the White Pass & Yukon RR:

We didn't have great weather during our trip in mid-June. Just one sunny day. However we saw the most wildlife on the rainiest days! The worst weather was in Skagway and we saw two bears, two lynx and a hare that day.

I know this thread was meant to be encouraging, but those pictures have me totally bummed out. We are headed out to our cruise the day after tomorrow (9 of us) and our forecast looks like rain virtually the entire trip...and our excursions are heavily glacier and scenery focused: tracy arm, helicopter to glacier, white pass train, ziplining, glacier bay, etc. I am half tempted to cancel some of the (expensive!) excursions just to salvage some of the cost. Majestic Alaska doesn't strike me as that majestic when it is just a cloud / fog bank. This is made all the worse by the fact that I planned the whole thing for my family, talked up the excursions, etc. Sorry, I know I'm in a bit of a pity party at the moment, but having lived in Alaska for 3 years as a child, I was really hoping they would get to, um, SEE it...ugh!

...I am half tempted to cancel some of the (expensive!) excursions just to salvage some of the cost...

I would wait. For example, if the weather is bad enough, your helicopter tour will be canceled. Maybe the weather will be okay!

I think you’re having pre-cruise jitters. I bet you’ll all wind up loving your cruise. Best of luck!

I would wait. For example, if the weather is bad enough, your helicopter tour will be canceled. Maybe the weather will be okay!

 

I think you’re having pre-cruise jitters. I bet you’ll all wind up loving your cruise. Best of luck!

Agreed, the forecast for the week with the clear weather comparison pictures was also rain and clouds.

We also considered a week out canceling our midnight sun ATV ride because we didn’t want to ride in the rain.

It was our favorite.

I know this thread was meant to be encouraging, but those pictures have me totally bummed out. We are headed out to our cruise the day after tomorrow (9 of us) and our forecast looks like rain virtually the entire trip.

Don't get too discouraged by the forecast. It's not necessarily accurate, and even if it does rain, that doesn't mean that it will rain 24/7. You may get showers here and there and nothing more. The chances of getting heavy rain the entire trip is pretty slim, and even if you do, that doesn't mean that your excursions will be canceled or that you won't be able to see things. Just go with a good attitude (and good rain gear!) and don't let the rain get in your way.

We went June 25th - July 2nd and the forecasts beforehand had me worried too but we had great weather. There were some showers and fog but nothing that stopped us having a great time. We just made sure we were dressed for it.

Well, we got back from our trip (Vancouver to Vancouver round trip on HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam) last Saturday and did indeed have some mixed weather. The worst of it was, as feared, on our Juneau (Tracy arm and Helicopter to glacier excursions) and our Glacier Bay cruising day. Even with the rain, IT WAS AWESOME!

Indeed, afterwards I told my family "Great...how the heck are we ever going to top this trip!?!". A few pics:

A few from Tracy Arm (Rainy Day - still great)

And a few more of Tracy Arm:

And the Helicopter excursion:

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing! So glad the weather didn't hinder your trip.