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Although the weather will likely include more rain, you have a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights, which might outweigh this drawback. Gray whales and Humpback whales begin their migration to warmer waters in October and November, so you still have a chance to see them in Alaskan waters in September. Precipitation increases to 19 days of the month, so pack a raincoat with a hood (you’ll be grateful to have it!). Not only is it your best shot for warmer weather, but you’re also sure to see a good amount of the wildlife Alaska is famous for.
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Luxury Travelers
For those looking to save money, the best time of year to cruise to Alaska would be either early in the season (late April to early May) or late in the season (September to early October). However, with this optimal weather comes increased crowds and increased price. Not to mention, popular tours and shore excursions will fill up quickly. A benefit of traveling earlier in the season is the reduced precipitation.
Alaska Cruises: Everything You Need to Know for a Perfect Bucket-List Adventure
Temperatures start to drop around this time of year, but it’s a small price to pay to cross this awe-inspiring natural wonder off your bucket list. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above.
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Longer Alaska Cruises: A Chance to Explore More of the State
If you are in port, you’ll get to see how Alaskans take advantage of the Midnight Sun with locals out biking, hiking, and fishing at all hours of the night. Summer workers (typically college students) begin to arrive for the peak tourist season, and shops and restaurants open for the summer. May is a practical choice for Alaskan cruisers who are on a limited budget but want to have slightly warmer and drier weather and more chances to see wildlife. Your views will likely include snowy mountains, but they are gorgeous nonetheless. Alaska is still gaining sunlight as the Summer Solstice approaches, so you’ll experience longer days during your May cruise.
For photo enthusiasts, an assortment of wide-angle lenses, x-factor lenses, multipurpose lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, and even a tripod can help you capture that perfect shot. 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. The most temperate Alaska weather is in July, then June and August when it’s warmer (though again, not near tropical) and drier.
Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. You can book the transportation on your own or through your cruise line.
In August, the wildlife can sense that winter is on its way, and activity picks up to prepare for the months of cold, snow, and darkness. July is filled with opportunities to see the stunning wildlife of Alaska while enjoying milder temperatures. Although it is getting darker earlier, solar activity is not at its peak in the summer, so your chances of viewing the Northern Lights in July are slim to none. This is also the time of year when King Salmon runs both begin and end. If you are an angler, there is nothing like hooking and reeling in a King. With an average size of 24 to 36 inches and weighing pounds, you’ll finally have a true fishing story worth telling.
Major Cruise lines
For major cruise lines, the Alaska cruise season runs between May and late September, including Viking and Disney. A handful of cruise lines -- mostly small ship and luxury lines like Cunard, Seabourn and Windstar -- offer Alaska cruises ranging from nine to 14 days in length (generally departing from Vancouver). Mainstream lines have also started offering longer cruises to Alaska from southern West Coast ports like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
At Alaska Tours, we’ve been helping travelers explore the Last Frontier for over 30 years, and we can confidently say that summer is the prime season for an Alaska cruise. While less plentiful than we hoped, we did spot a few whales next to our ship and caught a few glimpses of eagles. The weather was still relatively warm and dry, with only one full day of rain each cruise. On the cold end, temps were in the 30’s during the early morning hours but warmed up to the 60’s by afternoon. To avoid the crowds, you should skip cruising in the middle of the season, especially July.
If you are willing to trade warmth for less precipitation, then go for May. In fact, the end of May and early June offers some of the best weather in the region throughout the year. Royal Caribbean also sails to Alaska in early May and into late September or even October, where you can find some great deals. There is a chance you will see some snow, so a winter coat, gloves, and a hat are a smart addition to your packing list. You also might see fuzzy harbor seal pups and sea lion pups (born in June and July) warming themselves on rocks with their mothers.
That being said, while the shoulder season in Alaska may lead to cooler temperatures and more rain, packing appropriately will keep you dry and warm when exploring Alaska’s ports. On average, more than half the days in the month of August experience rain. This may seem like a reason to skip an Alaska cruise in August, but it's still a great time to take in lots of activities around the state. You’ve got about a 50/50 chance of getting rained or snowed on during excursions.
Less rain is good, but the weather also tends to be cooler earlier in the season. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier. Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dog-sled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau.
June through August are the warmest months, while April and October will make for a colder cruise. Some vessels carry 3,000 passengers or more, and others have just 40 guests or less. Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early. Alaska cruises provide plentiful opportunities to learn about Native Alaskan culture. You can get a taste of the gold rush life by trying your hand at panning for gold, attending a salmon bake or visiting a dog-sled camp.
Here is your guide for figuring out the best times to visit for your first (or 50th) Alaska cruise. Stephanie Yrungaray grew up in gorgeous Eagle River, Alaska and now calls Utah her beUtahful home. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband and five kids any way she can, from cruising to RV camping and everything in-between! When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her writing about travel, finances and parenting as well as gift ideas on her website, Not only is the cracking sound shocking, but the calving also produces a giant wave of water and captivating icebergs. July and August are prime time for viewing glacier calving on an Alaskan cruise.
However, if you prepare for Alaska’s chill and damp weather, no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll have a great time. Bring a jacket, gloves, and scarves, along with waterproof gear, and sunscreen. Read how to pack for an Alaska cruise to stay comfortable in changing weather. Most cruise passengers will head to Alaska between Memorial Day in late May and Labor Day in early September when temperatures range from slightly chilly to warm during the long daylight hours. Tourist attractions are in full swing, salmon swim upriver and bears (and humans) have access to fishing. Cruise ships arrive in southeast Alaska in spring, stay the summer and linger only into early fall.
Humpback whales can be found in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska and are some of the most frequently spotted, though you may also see orcas and gray whales as well. 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. When it comes to going on an Alaskan cruise, there is no wrong choice.
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