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Alaska end of Sept.

jandj1224

By jandj1224,
in Alaska

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mapleleaves

mapleleaves

Posted
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weather in the Pacific NW/Alaska is unpredictable. For instance in Seattle I've experienced 80 and sunny, OR, wind, rain and 50. Shorts or a coat. It can go either way or somewhere in between.

Personally I wouldn't consider anything after the first week in Sept ... if a fall storm blows in, you can be absolutely miserable onboard. Plus it gets dark by 7/7:30. If you're trying to economize, May is a better choice than Sept. JMHO after living 30 yrs in the PNW.

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Budget Queen

Budget Queen

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If you truly mean "end" of Sept, no, I do not recommend it. Way too much potential for foul, cold weather. Already mentioned is the lack of daylight, which at the end of Sept, it will be dark by 7pm. Some tours will not be running.

 

I used to pick these cruises up as the 2nd/3rd cruise of the season for me, when they were given away for $199. Now in my opinion, the discounts are not near enough. :)

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Lizzie68

Lizzie68

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I'm planning an Alaska cruise for the end of August/early September, but haven't decided which cruise line yet. I see some of them do Tracy Arm and others do Glacier Bay. I'm a bit confused as to what to book, and when:confused: I posted on the Ask a Question board and got directed to this one - lots of good info, but I think there are too many choices and decisions now, ha ha.

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Nancyquilts

Nancyquilts

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I'm planning an Alaska cruise for the end of August/early September' date=' but haven't decided which cruise line yet. I see some of them do Tracy Arm and others do Glacier Bay. I'm a bit confused as to what to book, and when:confused: I posted on the Ask a Question board and got directed to this one - lots of good info, but I think there are too many choices and decisions now, ha ha.[/quote']

 

If you want to see a glacier, Glacier Bay is a much better choice. Ships don't always get to the end of Tracy Arm to see Sawyer Glacier, but turn around half way there. Tracy Arm is very pretty in itself, but rather chancy for a glacier.

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Budget Queen

Budget Queen

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I'm planning an Alaska cruise for the end of August/early September' date=' but haven't decided which cruise line yet. I see some of them do Tracy Arm and others do Glacier Bay. I'm a bit confused as to what to book, and when:confused: I posted on the Ask a Question board and got directed to this one - lots of good info, but I think there are too many choices and decisions now, ha ha.[/quote']

 

You need to determine which is your preference between Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. Look for more information to help you, they are very different areas. With Tracy Arm, I highly recommend as "necessary" the add on cruise ship tour. Grossly superior to the cruise ship sailing.

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travelbug11

travelbug11

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You need to determine which is your preference between Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. Look for more information to help you, they are very different areas. With Tracy Arm, I highly recommend as "necessary" the add on cruise ship tour. Grossly superior to the cruise ship sailing.

 

Don't forget - beautiful Hubbard Glacier.

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varoo

varoo

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I am considering a cruise to Alaska for the end of September with our 2 children 4 and 6. Any thoughts on weather if you have travelled at the time and if it would be too cold to enjoy with kids. !
What we disliked the most about taking an Alaska cruise in September was not the weather and not the cold, but that it got dark so early.

 

It really bugged us and was very frustrating knowing that we were cruising through those great scenic areas in the dark and being unable to see anything.

 

If we had never taken an Alaska cruise before, maybe it would not have bothered us nearly so much as we would not have been aware of how much we were missing.

 

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Budget Queen

Budget Queen

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One nice thing about Sept cruises - fewer children aboard.

 

While I love my 3 kids and 4 grandkids, I do enjoy the quieter times on a cruise that comes with fewer kids.

 

DaveOKC

 

Alaska is certainly a family destination, but I have not found large numbers of kids on Alaska cruises, compared to the Caribbean. :)

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DougH

DougH

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What we disliked the most about taking an Alaska cruise in September was not the weather and not the cold, but that it got dark so early.

 

It really bugged us and was very frustrating knowing that we were cruising through those great scenic areas in the dark and being unable to see anything.

 

If we had never taken an Alaska cruise before, maybe it would not have bothered us nearly so much as we would not have been aware of how much we were missing.

 

 

I totally agree. To me the point is to watch the scenery go by and on a Sept cruise this just won't happen. Late May to mid June is my first choice for good weather and long daylight hours.

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janniebabe

janniebabe

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Sounds like a song doesn't it? Oh well, this will be us in 193 days and guess we will have to take our chances on weather, early dark, etc. My parents didn't live to see Alaska and it was always on their bucket list so this trip is dedicated to them. Would hate to think that there were only negatives to taking a trip this late, but I'm sure we will be impressed anyway :)

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DaveOKC

DaveOKC

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Sounds like a song doesn't it? Oh well, this will be us in 193 days and guess we will have to take our chances on weather, early dark, etc. My parents didn't live to see Alaska and it was always on their bucket list so this trip is dedicated to them. Would hate to think that there were only negatives to taking a trip this late, but I'm sure we will be impressed anyway :)

 

Just think of the positives - much lower cruise fare, fewer crowds and great sale prices in the ports and onboard!

 

DaveOKC

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Old As Dirt Mom

Old As Dirt Mom

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Sounds like a song doesn't it? Oh well, this will be us in 193 days and guess we will have to take our chances on weather, early dark, etc. My parents didn't live to see Alaska and it was always on their bucket list so this trip is dedicated to them. Would hate to think that there were only negatives to taking a trip this late, but I'm sure we will be impressed anyway :)

 

Yes, you will be so impressed you'll want to come back, so start saving now for that return trip in May! :) It's late September that's so iffy, early September is better.

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debnjoe1438

debnjoe1438

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Sounds like a song doesn't it? Oh well, this will be us in 193 days and guess we will have to take our chances on weather, early dark, etc. My parents didn't live to see Alaska and it was always on their bucket list so this trip is dedicated to them. Would hate to think that there were only negatives to taking a trip this late, but I'm sure we will be impressed anyway :)

 

Hoping you have a wonderful trip. :)

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Putterdude

Putterdude

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There is no question that the latter part of September will have less hours of daylight than say June 21st. There a strong likelihood that it is going to be cooler and damper than July or August but if you go with that knowledge and are comfortable with that, then by all means go. Off setting the negatives are the fact that you are likely going to get a better fare than high season and there will be lots of bargains in the shops. Plus for some people, their jobs may dictate this the only time they can get away on a vacation.

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roudy1

roudy1

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Sounds like a song doesn't it? Oh well, this will be us in 193 days and guess we will have to take our chances on weather, early dark, etc. My parents didn't live to see Alaska and it was always on their bucket list so this trip is dedicated to them. Would hate to think that there were only negatives to taking a trip this late, but I'm sure we will be impressed anyway :)

 

We did mid September a few years ago and it was sunny all the way...in low to mid 70s needed t-shirts.

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  • 4 months later...
janniebabe

janniebabe

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I believe we may be on the same cruise (Sept 22) and we're really looking forward to the experience. Don't mind it being dark because on other cruises, we are at dinner, a show, or the casino so haven't seen evening scenery anyway!!

 

Ours leaves the 15th so we will warm the ship up for you :)

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