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The northern lights can be visible at any time of the year, but they are harder to spot during the summer because of the long hours of daylight. Over 500 humpback whales call Alaska’s Inside Passage home during summer. Over 500 humpback whales migrate to Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska every year.
Best Shore Excursions On An Alaskan Cruise
The Grand Heartland Adventure Cruisetour combines a 7-night Alaska cruise with seven days of touring the inland area of Alaska through Denali National Park and up into Fairbanks. You can also choose tours tailored to your interests during your July cruise. Some of the shore excursions you can experience when going on an Alaska cruise with kids include hiking the Tongass forest, whale-watching tours, kayaking, and learning about Tlingit culture.
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024 - AFAR Media
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in April
One of the best ways to experience salmon fishing is by booking a shore excursion. Any of the fishing tour companies offer services that package up your catch and ship it back to your home packed in dry ice so you can have a feast, and bragging rights, when you return home. The height of the Alaska cruise season (June, July, and August) is the best time to cruise Alaska on these itineraries to ensure you’ll be able to see and enjoy the glaciers on each of the routes. Alaska has humpback whales, gray whales, killer whales, and a small population of belugas.
What’s the Best Time to See Whales on an Alaska Cruise?
If prices are lower, or if there’s availability on a tour that’s sold out on the Cruise Planner, there’s no harm in booking through a third party. In the popular cities of Anchorage, Seward and Healy (near Denali National Park), the most expensive times to book lodging are the second week in June through the third week in August. During the low season, especially November and January, room rates are at their lowest, according to Kayak. Tuesdays are the cheapest nights to stay, and Thursdays are the most expensive. In general, booking around 75 days before your stay allows you to find the best deals.
According to data based on annual price trends provided by the travel search engine Skyscanner, we can determine the cheapest times to travel to Anchorage from a few major U.S. airports. Flights from New York are generally cheapest in August, but flights from Los Angeles or Atlanta may be cheaper in April. Salmon spawn in many of the state's streams, drawing bears and eagles.
Start shopping for cold weather clothing now, as winter gear may be on sale
For all your Alaska shore excursions, you’ll want to dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly. Alaska food festivals, marathon races, dances, art exhibits, and so much more are offered year-round, but especially during cruise season. Ketchikan holds a Gigglefeet dance festival in late July or early August each year. See local residents show their best moves, then dance to music old and new.
Salmon runs in Alaska start in early May until September, with different species of salmon running at different times of year. About 30,000 eagles call the Great Land home and they’re more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the United States. There’s a good chance you’ll see eagles perched high near the shoreline, in town scavenging garbage dumps, or even feasting off a salmon run. Bald eagles hatch and rear young in April and you can see their mottled fledglings from May through June. Read on for the best time of year to cruise to Alaska, based on your personal preferences and the breathtaking experiences you want to check off your bucket list.
You might also see bears fishing on the beaches for razor clams during low tide. Gray whales can be spotted in Ketchikan, Sitka, Kodiak, or Seward during April and May. Don’t forget to add a pair of binoculars to your Alaska cruise packing list.
It averages more than six inches in June and July and 10 inches in August, according to the National Weather Service. Juneau averages about four inches of rain in June, five inches in July and eight inches in August. Although the temperatures are the similar from June through August, the rainfall is not. Juneau is the northernmost major city on the Alaskan coast for many seven-day cruises. Despite temperatures in June that are similar to July and August, June usually has fewer cruises. Historically, July has an ideal combination of the two, followed by June and then August.
When it comes to cruising in Alaska, the weather is a significant factor that can influence your experience. The state’s climate varies considerably from month to month and by region, affecting everything from visibility to outdoor activities. If you’re trying to squeeze in one last summer vacation before the kids go back to school and life becomes hectic again, opt for a shorter tour portion of the cruisetour. The tramway is located just across the pier from the cruise ship dock. Shore excursions are easier to book, so take full advantage of roomier whale-watching cruises and less crowded restaurants.
As the school season begins and fall approaches, cruise prices start to dip, affording the opportunity to snag a last-minute bargain for Alaska. We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September. The Yukon, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park — Alaskan cruises offer direct access to the last American frontier. If you’re a first-time visitor, the vast tundra and glaciers of Alaska can feel intimidating. After all, in addition to figuring out how to respond if you encounter a moose, you’re also worried about the weather and which month would be best to plan your trip.
Alaska is often considered the last American frontier due to its pristine and seemingly endless natural landscapes. This is just part of why Alaskan cruises are skyrocketing in popularity. Weather in Alaska in August may keep some cruisers away, but there are still many excursions and experiences to enjoy.
You should still wear layers when visiting the port, but if you’re planning active shore excursions like hikes or glacier walks, you’ll want to stick with lightweight clothing. Shoulder season is also the best time to sail on an Alaska cruise if you prefer fewer crowds. The shoulder season for the Alaska cruises includes the months of May and September. The weather is still cool (May) or cooling down (September), with school still in session or just beginning.
