When Is the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska?

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Alaska is a beautiful place known for its wide-open spaces, national parks, northern lights, wilderness, and the Alaskan native culture. Travelers from around the world visit this place every year, making it one of the popular cruise destinations. Knowing the right time to visit this popular spot in advance can help you enjoy your destination without spending too much money on travel. Want to know when is the best time to take an Alaskan Cruise? Continue reading this article to know the best time to cruise to Alaska to see its wildlife, glaciers, and more.

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Towns in Alaska, the largest US state in terms of land area, can only be reached by air or sea. Exploring this state by land is not easy. Visiting Alaska on a cruise ship avoids the need for hotels, ground transportation, and dealing with local airports. Hence, people around the world usually visit Alaska by sea.

When Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska to Avoid Crowds?

May and September are the shoulder seasons in Alaska. It is during these months that there are fewer crowds, thus helping you to get better deals. Families rarely book cruises during these months as it is school time, thus increasing the availability of ships and cabins.

During the spring, just before the schools close for vacation, you see a lower number of crowds in Alaska. There will be fewer mosquitoes and more regular daylight hours with no midnight sun to interfere with your sleeping patterns.

When Is the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska to Visit Wildlife?

Do you want to click the best photos of Alaskan wildlife? How about clicking pictures of mothers and their cubs or calves? Visit Alaska from late May through mid-June. However, not all wildlife can be spotted during this period.

Let’s have a look at what you can see during different months:

Nesting eagles: By the end of June, bald eagles hatch and rear young ones. You can see their fledglings from mid-July through mid-September. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars.

Salmon Runs: Another fascinating sight in Alaska is the salmon runs. You can see large numbers of salmon taking a harrowing upstream journey from the oceans to the rivers. Watching the lifecycle of salmon is very interesting. Salmon runs start in early May and will last until September.

Bear-watching: From mid-May to mid-September, bears actively move around in search of food. You can see bears catching salmon from a river, especially in July. Brook Falls is where travelers usually take pictures of bears catching or trying to catch salmon.

Whale watching: You can see humpback whales from April through November in Juneau, April through October in Seward, and from June through October in Kodiak. Unalaska in the Aleutian Islands is another popular whale-watching spot. If you are lucky, you might see beluga whales or one of the three distinct types of orcas. During your cruise, if any whales are sighted in the distance, you will be informed.

Moose watching: During summer, you can see moose in the wetlands or water bodies either at sunrise or sunset. Whereas, during winter, you can see them in areas where the wind has blown the snow away.

Other wildlife: In addition to these, you can see harbor seals, Stellar sea lions, Dahl sheep, and mountain goats.

Berry-picking: August is the best season for berry picking. Berry-picking in Alaska is legal as long as you are not on someone’s private property or hurting yourself or others.

Visiting the spectacular fall foliage: September is the best month to enjoy fall foliage. As you go farther north, you can see the fall foliage earlier. Denali National Park is one of the best spots to visualize this. Plan your fall excursions properly, as the fall foliage won’t last long.

Confused about what to pack? Here’s the Carnival Cruise packing list!

When Is the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska to Experience Good Weather?

To experience the warmest temperatures, it is best to cruise between mid-June and mid-August. Alaska’s midnight sun phenomenon occurs from the end of April through mid-August. The longest day of the year, the summer solstice, is on June 21.

Alaska’s weather will vary depending on the month and the place you are visiting.

When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?

Most travelers visit Alaska to see the beautiful and colorful bands of light that stretch from horizon to horizon in the dark night sky. Yes, the northern lights or Aurora Borealis. To watch this spectacular event happening in the sky, you need to visit Alaska between mid-August and mid-April when the nights are longer.

Want to view the northern lights at the highest frequency? Head to Fairbanks! Being located under the aurora oval, you can visualize northern lights at the best intensity. Denali National Park and Anchorage are other places to watch the northern lights.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Alaska Glaciers?

Alaska is one of the best places to view glaciers so close. Visit Alaska between May and September to see glaciers. Most cruise lines include glacier viewing in their itineraries. You will be able to visit a tidewater glacier or the glaciers flowing into the ocean. Some of the spots where you will be taken to see glaciers are Glacier Bay, Endicott Arm, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, Prince William Sound, Mendenhall Glacier, and Tracy Arm.

Major Alaska Cruise Lines

Here are some of the major cruise lines that operate in Alaska’s scenic waters:

  • Royal Caribbean
  • Princess Cruises
  • Holland America Line
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line

Bottom Line

Irrespective of the month you visit Alaska, you will have something to explore. However, to make your trip more meaningful, it is best that you have a clear idea of the purpose of your visit before planning your trip to Alaska. For instance, you won’t be able to properly enjoy the Alaskan wildlife if you visit the place during the time of the northern lights. There is a time and season for everything. Find your travel preference and choose the month that best meets your preference.

Nicole Kenney

Nicole Kenney is a seasoned writer with more than five years of experience, and she’s your go-to guide for all things related to cruise travel. Her love for the open sea and for discovering new destinations drives her to write and share insider tips, itinerary suggestions, and everything you need to know to make your next voyage unforgettable. When she's not exploring the world's most beautiful ports, you'll find her curled up with a good book, planning her next adventure, or playing with Jack, her dog.

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