Thursday, April 11, 2024

The Best Time of Year for an Alaska Cruise A Complete Guide

best time for cruise in alaska

We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations. Fortunately, any time during the Alaska cruise season is good for salmon fishing. Fortunately for us, whales are a common sight along Alaska’s coastline from May to September. Peak cruising months, July and August, are the best time of year to cruise to Alaska. During these months you will have the warmest weather and the greatest chance to see wildlife.

The best time to see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise

In Alaska, on the other hand, you will want to lower your expectations when it comes to weather. It’s challenging to predict whether your cruise will encounter sunny skies and 70 degrees, or seven days of straight rain. Sure, booking your cruise in June usually results in better weather compared to one in September, but weather conditions are never guaranteed.

Regent Seven Seas

In Seattle, for instance, you’ll want to research the best way to get from the airport to your hotel, and from your hotel to the cruise port. In most instances, a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is the most convenient option. However, your hotel may also provide a shuttle, or you could even take the light rail from the airport to downtown.

best time for cruise in alaska

Best Shore Excursions On An Alaskan Cruise

The worst months to cruise to Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog

The worst months to cruise to Alaska.

Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

A cruisetour is a vacation that combines a full-length cruise (seven nights or longer) with an escorted tour on land before or after the cruise. Dreading transporting your luggage from the cruise terminal to the airport check-in desk? Royal Caribbean and the Port of Seattle offer a luggage valet service, which allows you to bypass standard airport check-in. One of my favorite Alaska cruise “hacks” is to utilize Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s luggage valet service. Whether you’re cruising with an elaborate mirrorless camera or just your cell phone, it’s hard to take a bad photo of somewhere as beautiful as Alaska.

Should I cruise on Princess to Alaska? I booked a sailing to see for myself - Cruise Blog

Should I cruise on Princess to Alaska? I booked a sailing to see for myself.

Posted: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

As your ship sails away from each port of call in Alaska, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Inside Passage, and you won’t want to miss sailaway each evening. However, sailaway times often overlap with the early dining time, meaning you’ll miss these scenic sailings if you're in the Main Dining Room. If so, you can almost always expect warm temperatures and, aside from a chance of rain, pleasant weather conditions.

Alaska cruise in June: Summer without the biggest crowds

While booking shore excursions on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website is convenient, you might find more options (or lower prices) by booking through independent tour operators. Read on for the best times to visit Alaska for the northern lights, wildlife viewing, snow sports, cruises, and good deals on flights and hotels. Nature is in full bloom during cruise season in Alaska, but what you’ll see depends on the time of year and location.

Best Months to Cruise to Alaska for Specific Activities in Alaska

Icebergs float off the coast, creating the perfect habitat for unique wildlife you won't find elsewhere in the country. Late May and early June are the best possible times to view a momma moose and her calves in Alaska. If you do see these majestic creatures hulking around, stay far back (at least 50 feet) and never disturb a lone calf, as mom is somewhere nearby. Matt started Royal Caribbean Blog in 2010 as a place to share his passion for all things Royal Caribbean with readers. He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis.

While you can purchase packages once onboard, the cost may be significantly higher than what you could have booked ahead of time. Plus, because you can cancel add-ons for a full refund up to 48 hours before your sailing, you have flexibility in case you change your mind on these purchases later on. Cheap cruises are never a guarantee, but one trend we have noticed in the past few years is that Alaska cruises in the shoulder season are often heavily discounted at the last minute.

There are a large number of cruisers who visit Alaska specifically for the sport of salmon fishing. The smaller boats used by whale-watching tour groups allow you to encounter the whales closely. And the tour guides love to share interesting facts about the species and whale pods in the area. Sitting on the top deck searching for whale sightings is one of my favorite activities while cruising in Alaska. If you’ve never visited Alaska, you’ll be happy to know that a cruise ship is the best way to explore America’s Last Frontier.

If your cruise is a one-way itinerary that starts or ends in Seward, Alaska, transportation logistics require more pre-planning. The closest major airport to Seward is Anchorage, which is over two hours away by car. Due to this, you might want to consider taking a Royal Caribbean shuttle or the train from Seward to Anchorage, which must be scheduled in advance. Because you will arrive in your embarkation city the night before your cruise, remember to book your hotel stay sooner rather than later.

If you are traveling on a budget, cruise in May to take advantage of the discounted rates. While some people prefer the reduced crowds and whale-watching opportunities of midsummer, others might value the warmer weather and greater options for excursions you get in the late summer months. An additional perk of opting for a shoulder season cruise, particularly in September, is that it is also the best time to cruise Alaska for Northern Lights. The darkening skies offer a chance to view the Northern Lights from the deck of your cruise ship. It’s a remarkable bonus to an already unforgettable Alaska cruise experience.

Booking reservations for earlier in the week ensures you have wiggle room in case of an unanticipated schedule change. When booking entertainment reservations, we recommend sticking to shows earlier in the week. If, for instance, a show is offered on the second, fifth, and last evening of the cruise, try to book the first day available. On my Alaska cruise last June, it was nearly 80 degrees on several port days—I spent the day sweating while walking around Skagway. Having packed only long sleeve shirts and pants for my Alaska cruise, I regretted not bringing more lightweight clothing.

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