Breathtaking landscapes and wildlife await in Alaska and cruising is one of the best ways to discover this wildly stunning part of the world. The ‘Great Land’, as nicknamed by Alaska Natives, will amaze and captivate you, but when is the best time to cruise Alaska? Our travel experts share their top tips for this incredible experience:
When is the best time to cruise Alaska?
Late April marks the start of the Alaska cruise season which continues throughout the Summer and into early October; with June, July and August being the most popular and busiest months to travel.
May and September are considered ‘shoulder season’ which means you might find more choice, better deals and less crowds at the time of travel. This is mainly due to the fact that you are avoiding school holiday season so if you are travelling child-free, we highly recommend it.
Mid-June to Mid-August you will enjoy the warmest temperatures; while the weeks around Midsummer in June enjoy the longest days.
What about the wildlife?
Late May and early June is a great time for spotting certain wildlife as this is when mothers and cubs are out and about; the one exception are bears whose season starts in late June (source: Alaska.org).
Moose, caribou, seals, bald eagles, bears and whales are some of the incredible wildlife you can encounter on your Alaska cruise.
If you are looking forward to visiting Denali National Park, bear in mind the park doesn’t open until mid-June.
Would you recommend combining a cruise and tour package?
Absolutely!
Many cruise lines offer a combination of cruise and land stays in formidable lodges so you can explore further inland and experience the best of Alaska you can’t reach from the sea.
Sailings generally take 6 to 7 nights while cruise tours can take 9 to 13 nights. For instance, Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tours generally last 9 nights. Departing from Vancouver, the experience includes a 7-night cruise northbound from Vancouver to Seward and a couple of post-cruise days staying at a lodge near Denali National Park and exploring Anchorage.
Celebrity Cruises has a selection of both Alaska Cruises and cruise tours ranging from 6 to 13 nights.
Norwegian Cruise Line cruises to Alaska depart from Seattle in the USA and also have various options from 7 to 10 nights.
If you are looking for an ultra luxury experience, Silversea offers extraordinary voyages to Alaska, with 7-night and 14-night itineraries, with small boat activities bringing you to some of the most remote parts of this majestic land.
They also offer pre and post cruise activities such as travelling across the Canadian Rockies aboard the legendary Rocky Mountaineer.
Highlights of your Alaska Cruise
- Beautiful ports cruising along the Inside Passage from British Columbia in Canada to Seward in Alaska include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier.
- Incredible wildlife: from whale watching at the Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward to moose, bald eagles or brown bears, don’t forget to pack your binoculars!
- Unspoilt nature and spectacular landscapes that will blow your mind from glaciers to idyllic forests and snow-capped mountains.
- If you decide to travel inland, an unmissable place is Denali National Park, named after Denali, ‘The Great One’, (formerly known as Mt McKinley) which is the highest peak in North America and can be seen from as far as Anchorage on a clear day.
- Unique native culture and centuries-old traditions.
- Indulge in Alaska’s finest seafood, specially salmon, crab, oysters and scallops.
What to pack
Don’t forget to pack warm clothes as weather can be changeable. Pack hat, scarf, gloves and waterproof coat with hood along with your lighter clothes so you can layer up or down! This is essential. Hiking shoes or boots are also needed. Also add sunscreen, bathing suit and sun protection.
More Tips
We also highly recommend booking excursions well in advance as they do sell out fast.
Air Canada has a direct service from Dublin to Vancouver and Aer Lingus flies direct to Seattle so there are great flight connections from Ireland.
Talk to our cruise travel experts about the best time to cruise Alaska and to book your dream cruise.
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