when is the best time for Alaska cruises?
May 29, 2012, 10:00 am
#16
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 112
The funny part is I was there the last week in May 2009 and we experienced record highs in every port. I came back home with a sunburn. But if I remember correctly, the last two weeks of May was the only good weather of the entire 2009 season. That's the thing with Alaska, one day may be perfect and the next day may be miserable. Prepare for anything.
I'm hoping we'll be able to have lots of sun and warmer temps next month.
Jun 29, 2012, 12:36 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Idaho
Programs: US Airways, Silver United, Gold Hilton, Platinum Marriott, Gold SPG
Posts: 749
Jul 17, 2012, 2:51 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,081
Another data point- we just cruised from Ketchikan to Juneau July 7-14 and had extraordinarily good weather (other than cold, miserable rain the day we left Ketchikan, but that's normal for Ketchikan). We did need all our layers for trips near the glaciers, but one afternoon I was out paddleboarding in shorts and a light jacket. Bring layers including rain gear, plan for rain and if you get sun you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:22 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 501
Cruise
I would first ask what you would like to experience during the cruise. Theoretically seeing the Mendenhall and other glaciers should be fine anytime during the May-Sept cruise season. Some shore excursion may not be in full force very early or late.
IMHO the best part of our cruise in early August was the excursion via float plane to Anan Creek to see the bears feeding in the river. This was an excursion that we set up privately as only about 60 permits to visit are issued for any day. This was similar to national geographic with salmon "wall to wall" on the river and about a dozen bears happily feeding, including a few cubs. The viewing platform is about 20 feet above the river and a second photo blind platform is about 5-10 feet above the river.
Viewing bears in any location is date specific so you may want to decide if this is for you and chose your travel date accordingly.
IMHO the best part of our cruise in early August was the excursion via float plane to Anan Creek to see the bears feeding in the river. This was an excursion that we set up privately as only about 60 permits to visit are issued for any day. This was similar to national geographic with salmon "wall to wall" on the river and about a dozen bears happily feeding, including a few cubs. The viewing platform is about 20 feet above the river and a second photo blind platform is about 5-10 feet above the river.
Viewing bears in any location is date specific so you may want to decide if this is for you and chose your travel date accordingly.
Jul 28, 2012, 7:20 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: AA, UA, Hilton, Choice, Wyndham
Posts: 415
Roll the dice on the weather, and enjoy your vacation!
Jul 30, 2012, 10:44 am
#22
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,154
You know, I've seen lots of people talk about mosquitos in alaska, but so far, I can't say that was an issue on either of my two alaska cruises, one in june, one in august. Meanwhile, here in michigan, with an exceptionally dry summer, we're still getting clobbered with the things.
Jul 30, 2012, 11:16 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA
Programs: Hilton Gold, DL DIrt Medallion
Posts: 38,267
The funny part is I was there the last week in May 2009 and we experienced record highs in every port. I came back home with a sunburn. But if I remember correctly, the last two weeks of May was the only good weather of the entire 2009 season. That's the thing with Alaska, one day may be perfect and the next day may be miserable. Prepare for anything.
Aug 6, 2012, 12:27 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA, UA, DL, AS, LH, BA, VS, HHonors, Hyatt, Club Carlson, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 833
How's the weather usually like in the fall between Sept/Oct? Is it already cold with ice and snow everywhere and can you still see a lot of fauna (e.g. whales, birds, etc)?
Sep 8, 2012, 10:43 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA 1MM, BA, UA, HH Dia, CC Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 795
We just went the last week of July & first week of August on a B2B and had perfect weather every single day (except ongoing mist in Whittier). It became a running joke on board when the naturalist would comment how "lucky we are to see <fill in seemingly normal sightings>". Everything from sun to calving to wildlife, they were all some of the "best time to be here" days. Hard to believe we were the only ones that were just that lucky.
piper, I think the mosquitos are more of an inland problem, as I've heard those on the land tour portion comment the most; especially in Denali. The only time we experienced them lightly was when we rented a car in Skagway and drove inland to Emerald Lake. There were some at one of the roadside scenic spots.
piper, I think the mosquitos are more of an inland problem, as I've heard those on the land tour portion comment the most; especially in Denali. The only time we experienced them lightly was when we rented a car in Skagway and drove inland to Emerald Lake. There were some at one of the roadside scenic spots.
Sep 9, 2012, 8:17 pm
#28
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
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Posts: 8,729
piper, I think the mosquitos are more of an inland problem, as I've heard those on the land tour portion comment the most; especially in Denali. The only time we experienced them lightly was when we rented a car in Skagway and drove inland to Emerald Lake. There were some at one of the roadside scenic spots.
the mosquitos are not a coastal issue. They are an issue when you get to inland areas that have thawed...like in Denali.
Sep 10, 2012, 10:18 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,154
piper, I think the mosquitos are more of an inland problem, as I've heard those on the land tour portion comment the most; especially in Denali. The only time we experienced them lightly was when we rented a car in Skagway and drove inland to Emerald Lake. There were some at one of the roadside scenic spots.