The Best Time To Cruise Alaska? Month By Month Guide

Table Of Content

• When is The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska in 2024?
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau
• What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in September
• August in Alaska
• So, Which Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?
• Month-by-Month Breakdown: Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• The Ultimate​ Guide to Cruise Ship Dining

They are quite an awe-inspiring sight to see as they travel in pods, breech, and feed. The short sailing season and rapidly changing weather conditions mean that each cruise is a completely different experience than the last. The above guide serves to help you find the best time to take an Alaska cruise, whether you’re hoping to see wildlife, avoid crowds, or experience good weather. If whale watching is a must on your Alaska cruise bucket list, you’ll want to visit during peak whale season in June. During this month, you’ll find the largest number of whale species in the Inside Passage and Alaskan Coast. The best time to take an Alaska cruise is in the summer when beauty and adventure instill a newfound sense of wonder into the Great Land.

When is The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska in 2024?

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The spring and summer months are when nearly all cruise ships visit each year. This month brings the warmest weather of the year, the longest hours of daylight and the largest number of tourists. And for good reason, as July in Alaska is ideal for salmon fishing, culture festivals like the Girdwood Forest Fair, bear viewing and memorable trips into the interior. This is but one of the incredible experiences that may be had when visiting Alaska in the “secret season”—springtime.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau

Breathe in the tranquility of the shoulder season when you sail to Alaska in May or September. With fewer crowds in May, take a step inside Alaska’s finest fisheries and taste fresh king salmon — a local delicacy — as they’re plucked from the cool waters. Revel in the rousing vibrations of May sunlight and lookout for humpback whales as they make their first appearance of the year. Or, explore the outdoors on a peaceful boat tour through deep fjords and enjoy a relaxing train ride up the sweeping mountains.

What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in September

Plus, Royal Caribbean will adjust prices according to demand, so if a shoulder season cruise is not selling well, prices may drop until more people book the cruise. By cruising in May, you can beat the rush and enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful experience. You can also take advantage of the lower rates offered by the cruise lines during the shoulder season, which can help you save money. Most cruise passengers tend to avoid the early season because of the school calendar and cooler weather. By going in the summer months, many people get to enjoy Alaska when things are in full swing and of course the warmer weather. Since Alaska cruises are so dependent on outdoor activities, your best chance for sunny days can be opposite of when the best time for crowds are each season.

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. Peak cruising months, July and August, are the best time of year to cruise to Alaska. During these months you will have the warmest weather and the greatest chance to see wildlife. If you are hoping to travel during peak Alaskan cruise season (July and August), you should plan on booking your Alaskan cruise at least one year in advance.

So, Which Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?

Cruise prices during those times may be lower, perhaps by a couple hundred dollars per person. The warming weather even allows cruise ships to penetrate Arctic waters, giving you the opportunity to see polar bears on Wrangel Island. The cruise season in Alaska is short (just May-September), but what this state lacks in winter tours it makes up for in stunning summer vistas, exciting wildlife and a travelogue of iconic land excursions. When traveling from Vancouver in the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, the waters are mostly protected and provide smooth sailing. If ports include Anchorage, Seward, or Whittier, cruise ships must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which has notoriously rougher waters.

Not only are the flowers and plant life awakening from their wintertime slumber, so is its wildlife. The cruise season beefs up in June, with the number of ships growing and the season in full swing by the end of the month. The midnight sun means many hours of daylight, especially on June 20, the longest day of the year — when you'll have to stay up late to see any darkness at all. But the summer season is short, lasting only from late May to September, and this is when it’s peak season, and the cities and glaciers are full of cruise ship tourists. The ideal time to experience the stunning glaciers of Alaska is during the summer, particularly from June through August. During these months, the warmer temperatures melt much of the winter ice, allowing cruise ships to navigate closer into the Inner Passage and Fjords.

Month-by-Month Breakdown: Best Time to Cruise to Alaska

This is why you must pack for all weather conditions if you plan an Alaska cruise. If you want to avoid the cooler temperatures and potential for rain, you may want to choose the late summer to early fall. With that in mind, recognize that you may have to contend with larger crowds and the dreaded Alaskan mosquito swarms. While late spring and early summer might offer pleasant weather in the lower American states, Alaska’s far north latitude means that temperatures are still cooler. If you choose to cruise Alaska during this time, bring water-resistant clothing and plenty of warm layers.

Located along the Chilkat, Klehini, and Tsirku Rivers, the preserve becomes a prime spot for viewing these birds as they fish and rest near the waterways. For bird watchers, especially those keen on seeing eagles, May and June are prime times as the weather is nice and the birds are plentiful. A 7-day cruise from Seattle is perfect for exploring Inside Passage.

This is when you can find grizzly bears fishing along Alaska’s many rivers and streams. The state is home to 15 national parks and 16 state parks, and its federally-protected lands cover an area the size of California. During the month of February, whales begin their migration from the warm waters of Mexico to Alaska. After a long migration along the pacific coast, these magnificent creatures can be first spotted in April – albeit in small numbers. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to spot these majestic creatures throughout the cruising season.

After a long winter, Alaska begins to wake up in April, and that includes the wildlife. A few big ships, such as the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle, begin their season this month with discounted early season pricing. While some people prefer the reduced crowds and whale-watching opportunities of midsummer, others might value the warmer weather and greater options for excursions you get in the late summer months.

If you’re looking to eschew the cruise ship behemoths for something more intimate, this is it—Alaska Dream Cruises’ Alaskan Dream holds only 40 passengers. Meals and activities (including going for high-speed Zodiac rides, kayaking, and paddleboarding) are included. Each part of the season offers something different, so aligning your cruise with these times will maximize your chances of a successful fishing experience. Whether you’re a novice or an avid angler, Alaska’s rich waters provide an unforgettable salmon fishing adventure. The best month to cruise to Alaska largely depends on your preferences; however, July offers the warmest weather and is excellent for wildlife spotting and shore excursions.

Warmer weather in Alaska also has an unexpected bonus for cruisers in the form of glacial calving. You also might see fuzzy harbor seal pups and sea lion pups (born in June and July) warming themselves on rocks with their mothers. Add high-powered binoculars to your Alaska packing list to ensure that you get to see all of the wildlife possible. Juneau gets about 17 days of rain in August, so a high-quality raincoat is essential. After the Summer Solstice in June, Alaska begins losing daylight with each passing day.

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The state’s climate varies considerably from month to month and by region, affecting everything from visibility to outdoor activities. Being from Arizona, I was specifically looking for cool, chilly weather on my Alaskan cruise. The month of May can often be a great time to sail to Alaska depending on a few factors. The price is often the lowest of the season, so if you are looking for a great rate, May might be your best bet.

The northern lights are mainly seen during the winter months and typically more north. Salmon have a fascinating, beautiful life cycle well worth viewing. When they’re fully mature, millions take a harrowing upstream journey from the ocean to the rivers where they were born. Salmon runs in Alaska start in early May until September, with different species of salmon running at different times of year. A suite that costs $2000 per person in May may cost upwards of $3300 per person in mid-July. Such a large price difference allows you to enhance your Alaska cruise experience in other ways, whether booking a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour or kayaking through fjords.

While gray whales are active in Alaskan waters during the early spring, most species, including belugas, orcas, humpback whales, and blue whales, peak between May and September. This partially explains why this stretch is much busier than other times of year for tourism in Alaska. If you’re hoping to spot some famous Alaska wildlife, you have the highest chances in late summer and early fall. Toward the end of summer and early fall, bears are highly active as they prepare for winter hibernation.