babygrl121314 Posted January 10, 2017 #1 Share Posted January 10, 2017 When is the best time to cruise to Alaska? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted January 10, 2017 #2 Share Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) Some research on the Alaska board, here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55 would be very beneficial, as well as providing us a definition of what you define as "best". Edited January 10, 2017 by CruiserBruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcity57 Posted January 10, 2017 #3 Share Posted January 10, 2017 We did Alaska for 7nights and left July 14. The weather was perfect. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xeroxme Posted January 10, 2017 #4 Share Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) In my opinion end of June to first part of July because it will be warmer and daylight longer. That's typically the more expensive dates to. If u want to save some money go early or late in the cruise season. Sent from my iPad using Forums Edited January 10, 2017 by xeroxme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted January 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Every one will have their own opinion...mine is mid May...cruise when it works out best for you personally and enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted January 10, 2017 #6 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Every one will have their own opinion...mine is mid May...cruise when it works out best for you personally and enjoy. We've done Alaska in Early June and late September. Loved them both. Next time aiming for mid-July, just to get the whole experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting_Cruiser Posted January 10, 2017 #7 Share Posted January 10, 2017 It depends on what's important to you and what you want to do. For example, this tie I'm cruising in June because I'm hoping to finally catch that elusive King salmon. I've also cruised in August when bear viewing was a priority for that trip... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalspin Posted January 10, 2017 #8 Share Posted January 10, 2017 My takes: June -- Longest daylight hours July -- warmer weather (generally, but heat-waves have been unpredictable in the last few years) August -- usual time for salmon run in Ketchikan September -- least chance of rain (according to some CCers) And May -- best prices? but risk of too much floating ice keeping ship out of glacier viewing areas. May and September -- fewer school-age children So it would depend on what factors are important to you. We have gone twice in June because Summer Solstice! But considering later in July or even August to be able to watch the sea lions/seals and other wildlife catching salmon along Creek Street (i.e. right in town!) for the next trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 10, 2017 #9 Share Posted January 10, 2017 We have done quite a Alaskan cruises. May was cold and rainy. Same thing with end of August and September. JMO -- but we enjoyed Alaska the best from about the 3rd week of June through the first week of August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted January 10, 2017 #10 Share Posted January 10, 2017 There is no bad time to cruise AK, just different experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting_Cruiser Posted January 10, 2017 #11 Share Posted January 10, 2017 There is no bad time to cruise AK, just different experiences. Exactly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequim88 Posted January 10, 2017 #12 Share Posted January 10, 2017 June 11 for sure. :D It's our exact anniversary date. At 12:30 pm PDT (2:30 pm CDT) I anticipate a champagne toast on our balcony waiting to depart. :cool: Kidding aside sometimes special events can be a big factor in planning more so than weather or daylight hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted January 10, 2017 #13 Share Posted January 10, 2017 IMO, mid to late May is the best. Yes, due to climate changes, it could rain (almost always rains in Ketchikan - no matter what month you go), but we have been there three times in May - once the weather was 80+ degrees in two ports. May is also good because the season has just started, everyone in town is thrilled to see the tourists and are extremely friendly. By mid-June, there are bumper to bumper cruise ships - many have to tender instead of dock because there is not enough room for all of the ships. Ports are jammed with thousands of passengers. IMO, that is not a vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xeroxme Posted January 11, 2017 #14 Share Posted January 11, 2017 We have done quite a Alaskan cruises. May was cold and rainy. Same thing with end of August and September. JMO -- but we enjoyed Alaska the best from about the 3rd week of June through the first week of August. Agreed. That's my sentiment as well. I normally try to be there during summer solstice. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted January 11, 2017 #15 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Mid to late September in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcity57 Posted November 22, 2017 #16 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Second week of July. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawagama Posted November 22, 2017 #17 Share Posted November 22, 2017 We went the first week of May--I think we were one of the first ships up the coast. Pros: we were the only ship in each of our ports, so the towns weren't crowded; early spring is beautiful with some snow still on the hills and beautiful bright greens everywhere; good deals on the ships. Cons: cooler weather for sure; some ice still in Tracy Arm, so we bypassed it. We also booked a balcony, but it was hard to use for the most part. It was a bonus in Glacier Bay, however. We were able to avoid the crowds on the decks while the captain did his 360's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted November 22, 2017 #18 Share Posted November 22, 2017 My best Alaskan cruise, out of 4, was the last cruise of the season in September. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new_cruiser Posted November 22, 2017 #19 Share Posted November 22, 2017 We were on a cruise Aug 8 - 16 and followed by a week on land. Only had a bit of rain a couple of days - weather was cool and generally pleasant. Saw whales, salmon running, bear cubs and adults bears. I don't think there's a bad time. Depends what you want to see. I'll be cruising there in May 2018 - looking forward to seeing it in a different season - more snow on the mountains, spring wild flowers. Less people and a fresh cruise season for locals. Down side of going that early is that some tours won't be running yet and some sites in the North aren't open yet. For example, I would have liked to go to Exit Glacier as we didn't get there last time but the road is likely to still be snowed in mid-May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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