Although visitors travel to Alaska year-round the Alaska cruise season begins in May and ends in September - creating limited availability. Learn more about when to book your Alaska cruise, and how to choose the best time to visit the 49th state of wonder.
There is no bad time to visit Alaska. No matter when you travel you will be greeted by one of the world's most beautiful and striking landscapes.
Alaska's cruise season is condensed down to May-September, creating limited availability. The earlier you deposit on a cruise or cruise tour, the better.
The climate varies widely. Some months are rainy and some months have dramatic swings in temperature. It is always best when you take a cruise to Alaska to pack layers that you can add or remove throughout the day.
Don't forget your outdoor gear like bug repellent, binoculars, sun hat and rain gear!
Take lots of pictures!
If possible, you want to book early on any cruise vacation. A recommended time-frame is 6-12 months in advance. This is especially true for an Alaska cruise with its short season of May - September.
With a short cruise season comes a condensed and competitive market, so supply and demand rule. Balconies are highly desirable on Alaska cruises due to the ever-changing scenery along the Inside Passage and the chance to view calving glaciers from your own private veranda.
This means that balcony staterooms fill very quickly, and the prices will only rise (particularly during the summer months of July and August) as we get closer to the beginning of the Alaska cruise season. More staterooms with high demand and limited availability include connecting staterooms, handicap accessible and family-friendly staterooms.
Not only do you get a much better selection of staterooms and itineraries, but most cruise lines offer early booking discounts that are usually coupled with value-adds such as drink packages, onboard credits and free upgrades.
Plus, with many cruise lines offering reduced deposits you can lock in the low cruise price and get the cabin that is right for you and a cruise experience you will never forget!
More planning is required for a cruise to Alaska, including airfare and hotel reservations. If you want to gamble and wait until the last minute for the possibility of lower upfront cruise price, any amount you save on the cruise will go directly to the higher cost of last minute airfare. Plus, your preferred hotel may not have the same availability or pricing.
With three distinct time frames to consider, the best time to cruise to Alaska within the cruise season must be determined by the individual and their own particular circumstances.
Considered Alaska's shoulder-season, spring through early summer is a great time to visit Alaska for many reasons.
With the sun making more appearances and drier weather, spring in Alaska offers cruise passengers a chance to see her beautiful wildflowers. The emergence of the sun also melts the winter snow, so the larger animals are able to migrate down into lower elevations giving you a good opportunity to not only see wildflowers, but amazing wildlife.
Another advantage of cruising to Alaska earlier in the season is the evasion of Alaska's well-known and pesky mosquitoes. Night-time frosts are still frequent enough to kill off most of them which means less of an annoyance to you.
Plus, as the term shoulder-season implies, you can find lower pricing and fewer crowds during the months of May and September. Do note: not all shops in town will be open until the beginning of June due to demand. If you are an avid shopper, this is something to consider.
July and August are the warmest months in Alaska with temperatures ranging from 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day depending on your location (Alaska is a huge state!).
Warm weather usually means summer vacation for school-age children, in turn making June through August a very popular time to vacation. Cruise ships and parks will be full, but the warm, long days give you a chance to see calving glaciers, hike, fish, ship and any other outdoor activity you could imagine.
Summer months in Alaska do tend to be 'buggier' and there is a higher chance of rain, as much of coastal Alaska is a temperate rain forest (but that gives you the lush greenery!). So bring mosquito repellent, wear layered clothing such as long pants and shirts, and an umbrella or other rain gear.
This is another shoulder season for cruises to Alaska. Children are back in school, so the ships are not as full, bringing the cost down.
Weather during this later season is fairly unpredictable, temperatures ranging from 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically you will find the days to be warm and the nights chilly, so pack those layers.
Fall tends to come early, changing the colors of the landscape into breathtaking scenery you won't soon forget. The lower elevations are still dry, so you can expect to see wildlife as the larger animals begin feeding in an attempt to pack on as much winter weight as possible.
At this time of year, if heading into the interior of Alaska on an extended cruise vacation, a cruise tour, you may even have a chance to see the Northern Lights!
For more information, or to speak with one of our designated Alaska Cruise experts, please contact us today!
From majestic Mt. Denali to the jagged edge of Glacier Bay, Alaska is unlike any place else in the world. And there's no better way to explore all that Alaska offers than an Alaska Cruise and Land Tour. Read more about Alaska Cruisetours....
AlaskaCruises is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. You may book online or contact us directly. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below:
Please note that all prices on our website are in US dollars, and travel purchases must be completed with a major credit card.Unless you are considering one of our custom cruise itineraries, certain cruise lines prohibit US-based travel agencies from selling to non-US residents.
All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip.
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