Alaska Cruise Weather in May While it can be freezing cold at times, the weather can also be pleasantly cool. The low temperatures typically range from the mid-thirties to the low forties Fahrenheit, but the highs can get up to the upper fifties.
Is May a good time to cruise in Alaska?
Alaska is a thrilling cruise destination no matter which month you choose to sail. Look to the early and late sailings of the season if you are a bargain seeker. Choose a May or June sailing for drier weather and fewer mosquitos; the summer is the best time to cruise to see abundant marine life and birds.
What is Alaska cruise like in May?
Alaska Cruise in May
Average highs are in the mid-50s with lows in the upper 30s and lower 40s. Hours of Daylight in May: By mid-May you can expect around 17 hours of daylight in Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan). As you travel farther north, the days will be even longer.
Is it warm on a cruise ship to Alaska?
Even during the prime cruising months of June, July, and August, temperatures are generally fairly mild during this time, with average highs in the 60s and lows in the high 40s and 50s. Ketchikan receives the most rain, with weather conditions becoming progressively drier the farther north you go.
Is May or September better for an Alaskan cruise?
Traditionally, July and August have been considered the best time to cruise to Alaska, as these months offer warm sun, long days, and abundant wildlife.
What wildlife will I see in Alaska in May?
In May, migratory songbirds begin to arrive and seabirds start to gather at southcentral nesting colonies. Spring is also the best time to see walrus, seals, bowhead whales, and other animals as the ice pack recedes along western Alaska.
What clothes to wear in Alaska in May?
Waterproof/resistant clothing is essential for Alaska’s climate and should always be the top layer. For cooler days, wool/fleece sweaters and socks work well in layering and are very warm. Clothing Quick Tip: In May, you wear a waterproof jacket, water-resistant shoes, and waterproof pants on most days in Alaska.
Can you see the northern lights in May in Alaska?
Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage – but not in the summer. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Views are best from September to April.
Are Alaskan cruises rough seas?
Rough Waters: The majority of sailing on an Alaska cruise is done in the protected waters of the Inside Passage, but ships sailing to Seward, Whittier or Anchorage must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which is much rougher. Cruise staffers say the gulf gets especially bad after Labor Day, in the shoulder season.
What is the best time to visit Alaska on a cruise?
Alaska.org, a website run by local Alaskans that offers travel advice and recommendations, points to late May and early June as the best time to see bears on a cruise, as mothers and cubs roam the shoreline. If you’re venturing ashore, however, peak bear season is typically mid-June through the end of August.
Are Alaskan cruises cold?
Temperatures range on average between fifty and sixty degrees with mostly cool afternoons and evenings and chilly mornings and mid-day hours. The late nights and early mornings can be very cold, but these are also the hours when most people are asleep in their cabins.
Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise?
“It really limits the claustrophobia that sometimes comes with small cabins on a cruise ship,” Matos says. “(It’s) great to be able to sit outside late at night with a glass of wine, looking at the sea and stars.”
What is the rainiest month in Alaska?
August is the wettest month in Alaska.
Are bears active in Alaska in May?
May – The long Alaskan winter/spring officially comes to an end and we gently transition into the summer months. Many of the best Alaska bear safaris and wildlife tours occur between mid-May until mid-September.
Will I see whales in Alaska in May?
Gray whales are the first to arrive, typically in April when they’re often spotted off of Seward. By May, we start to see more orcas, then humpback whales come June. Alaska’s peak whale season is considered to be May through September, and it’s during this time that the boat tours operate.
What is weather like in May in Alaska?
Alaska Weather in May:
Coastal temperature in Alaska in May: 40-55 degrees & 16 hours of daylight. Interior temperature in Alaska in May: 30-55 degrees & 18 hours of daylight. Arctic temperature in Alaska in May: 15-24 degrees & 22 hours of daylight.
Is Alaska hot in May?
Alaska Cruise Weather in May
Thanks to the modest daytime temperatures and refreshing evening climates, May is peak season for many of Alaska’s most cherished wildlife. Weather typically ranges from the 30s to a high of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
What should you avoid in Alaska?
20 Things Everyone In Alaska Should Avoid At All Costs
- Farmed seafood. Flickr/fs999.
- Or buying fish in general.
- Even feeding your dogs farmed fish.
- Eating hot dogs.
- Camping without a view.
- Snacking on chips from the lower 48.
- Shopping at big corporate box stores.
- Drinking wine that isn’t from Alaska.
Do I need hiking boots for Alaska cruise?
So, a pair of rain boots or waterproof hiking shoes will be essential. Some options include Sperry duck boots, Merrell hiking shoes, or Hunter rain boots.
What month is best to see northern lights in Alaska?
BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ALASKA
The northern lights occur all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between August and April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies.
Do you need a passport to go to Alaska?
Do I need a passport to go to Alaska? United States residents do not need a passport to go to Alaska, but soon they will need a REAL ID. Beginning May 3, 2023, U.S. citizens aged 18 and up traveling by air within the United States will need REAL ID-compliant identification to go through airport security checkpoints.