Best Months to Travel to Alaska. Alaskan cruise season is May through September with July and August being the highest season attracting the most travelers. Convention holds that the best months to cruise Alaska are July and August when the temperatures are at their highest and the weather is generally sunnier.
Is it better to go on an Alaskan cruise in May or September?
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. September can be a great month to see wildlife.
Is end of May good time to cruise Alaska?
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.
Is it too cold to cruise Alaska in May?
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 September too late for Alaska cruise?
Weighing the Options. If you want to avoid the crowds and take advantage of lower prices, May, early June and September are the best times for an Alaska cruise. In May and early June the weather is drier; in September there are noticeably less mosquitoes than during the height of summer.
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 May too early for Alaska cruise?
So if you want to play it safe, go on your Alaskan cruise during the peak months of July – August, but if you want to avoid some of the crowded ports and see Alaska at her finest you can visit in late May to early June or late August to early September.
Is September a good time to go to Alaska?
September is a very good time to visit Alaska. Especially, the first two weeks of the month are an excellent period, as most tourist destinations and facilities are still open and the weather is mostly pleasant with average high temperatures reaching 62°F (17°C).
What is the cheapest month to cruise to Alaska?
The Alaska cruise season typically runs from late April to late September, and the cheapest months to cruise to Alaska are during the shoulder season months of April, May, and September. Prices tend to be cheaper during shoulder season due to chillier temperatures and the fact that school is still in session.
How cold is an Alaskan cruise in September?
What to pack for an Alaska cruise in September. By the time September rolls in, it’s shoulder season in Alaska, meaning there’s less tourists but chillier weather. Temperatures will continue to drop, with highs only reaching the mid 50s and lows going down to the mid 30s.
Is it rainy in May in Alaska?
May is one of the driest months in Alaska. Sometimes there is a slightly higher chance of rain than in June and July, with a small chance of snow earlier in the month. The average amount of rainy days is below: Arctic Fairbanks area – 4 days.
Is May a good month to visit Alaska?
May is a great value time to visit Alaska, as the hotels and the railroad tend to lower their rates for the first couple weeks of the summer season, which historically starts around May 15th. During this time our days are getting longer; the trees and grass are blooming, and wildlife is on the move after a long winter.
Is there snow in Alaska in May?
Anchorage Weather in May. By May, spring weather has arrived at Anchorage, Alaska. The snow is usually gone, and the temperature seldom goes below freezing. May is also Anchorage’s sunniest month.
Does Alaska have snow in September?
September is the first month it typically snows in Anchorage. Throughout September, in the average 0.3 snowfall days, it receives 0.08″ (2mm) of snow. In Anchorage, during the entire year, snow falls for 59.3 days and aggregates up to 23.5″ (597mm) of snow.
How much daylight does Alaska get in September?
September 2022 — Sun in Anchorage
| 2022 | Sunrise/Sunset | Daylength |
|---|---|---|
| Sep | Sunrise | Length |
| 28 | 7:59 am ↑ | 11:40:22 |
| 29 | 8:01 am ↑ | 11:34:43 |
| 30 | 8:04 am ↑ | 11:29:03 |
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.
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 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.
What is the best month to see whales on an Alaskan cruise?
April to November is the best time to whale watch in Alaska and that nicely encompasses the cruise season. Like most of us, whales enjoy Alaska in the spring and summer months, when the days are long, and feeding is plentiful. Some whales are in Alaska year-round and others migrate to the state during summer months.
Can you see the Northern Lights from a cruise ship in Alaska?
On Celebrity, cruises to Alaska and Iceland just might yield sightings of Aurora Borealis. That said, even if you don’t see the Northern Lights during your cruise, there’s plenty to fall in love with in these exciting destinations, from incredible dog-sledding competitions to hiking along stunning fjords.
Are there whales in Alaska in September?
Alaska’s peak whale season is considered to be May through September, and it’s during this time that the boat tours operate.