camper49 Posted August 11, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Thinking of booking an Alaskan cruise in May. Any thoughts? Cold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potstech Posted August 11, 2016 #2 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Just took a May 17 land tour to Alaska this year. Some days were cold, some wet, some both and even some were warm. The weather in Alaska can change quickly and often so prepare for anything. Dress in layers and make sure you have a rainjacket with hood to take everywhere with you. This also means lightwieght enough to carry in a backpack. Fleece is always good to go between a base layer and the rainjacket. Enjoy your cruise when you go. It s worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigGuy25 Posted August 11, 2016 #3 Share Posted August 11, 2016 The weather "average highs" are always colder the earlier in the season and the later in the season that you travel. But, as Potstech said, you can also be rewarded with unseasonably warm days! Really no way to plan for it. Just pack your "layers" and enjoy the experience. Our first time in Alaska was last year ... we leave again tomorrow for our second trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackyfromwyk Posted August 11, 2016 #4 Share Posted August 11, 2016 We are leaving on our second Alaska cruise in 3 weeks. The first one, last year, was also in September. We were told that the glaciers are more "pristine" looking early in the season before the summer melt. We were also told that there is more calving of the glaciers in the spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted August 11, 2016 #5 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Just took a May 17 land tour to Alaska this year. Some days were cold, some wet, some both and even some were warm. The weather in Alaska can change quickly and often so prepare for anything. Dress in layers and make sure you have a rainjacket with hood to take everywhere with you. This also means lightwieght enough to carry in a backpack. Fleece is always good to go between a base layer and the rainjacket. Enjoy your cruise when you go. It s worth it. If you do some reading on the Alaska board, you will see MANY discussions on this exact topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slwmjd Posted August 11, 2016 #6 Share Posted August 11, 2016 How can anyone answer this question as to what's too cold for you ? It's all subjective . Plus Alaska is too unpredictable weather wise anyways Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yehootu Posted August 11, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 11, 2016 We did Alaska May 31st of this year sailing from SFO. Sail out was one of the coldest days. A few drizzles in Juneau, other wise pretty nice. We were cold, but we live in Hawaii and you live in Maine. Growing up, my Mom would come by our windows after jogging to wake me up if I could see her breath, I wasn't going to get up to go to school. Too Cold. A friend went in early May, was cold but little rain. You never know in Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimer Posted August 11, 2016 #8 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Been to Alaska eight times and 7 were in the month of MAY. Weather is what is. We have seen snow to non stop rain and 80's in Juneau. Alaska is great anytime. Also in May, the Kid Factor is only about 20 total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEWLKAT Posted August 11, 2016 #9 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I have done 3 Alaska cruises, and have a 4th set for next summer. All have been in June, I have had both cool days and warm day.s, sunny and rainy Alaska is awesome and I am already waiting on 2018 cruises to post so I can share this wonderful place with my sister who has never been then.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponstad Posted August 11, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 11, 2016 The good news is that there will probably be fewer mosquitos. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towhee Posted August 11, 2016 #11 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Most of our Alaska cruises (we've done over a dozen) have been in May. We've seen temperatures in the high 30's to high 70's. We've seen rain, fog, sun, overcast, and drought. In other words prepare for anything. We always pack layers including long pants, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, sweatshirt or sweater, water resistant jacket, swimsuit, caps, and gloves. Don't forget sunscreen! Both snow and water can be very reflective in Alaska. Enjoy your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted August 11, 2016 #12 Share Posted August 11, 2016 We have had snow in Late July and early August. We have has 70's in late May and pouring rain in September. Alaska weather is alot like Colorado, wait 10 minutes and it will change. The blanket answer is layers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Raider Posted August 11, 2016 #13 Share Posted August 11, 2016 We've been to Alaska 8 times and going again in about a week. All of our cruises have been in Sept except for one time and then one cruise in early May several years back. We had record breaking heat in San Francisco, our port of embarkation on May 7th and it followed us up the coast and while in Alaska, except for Sitka, which was freezing!!! I mean freezing... and windy, too!! Friends of ours left a few days later, also out of San Francisco (on a different cruise line) and they reported really cold and rainy weather throughout their entire trip. What was funny is that our only port where we met up with them was in Sitka. All the other days had us sitting out on our balcony in shorts and t-shirts. We've found that only once did we have what some would call bad weather and that was one of the Sept cruises. We ran into a lot of wind, cold and rain (more like sleet that stung when it hit your face). Yet, this will go down as one of our favorite cruises of all times. It was just that special!! So, the weather in Alaska (and SF for that matter) is fickle. But, it is a cruise and you will be in one of the most amazing places on earth!! I wouldn't hesitate to book May, especially if it means you can save a little money. PS -- this will be our first time ever going in a summer month. Wonder how that is going to work out ... who knows, we might be hooked. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Raider Posted August 11, 2016 #14 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Most of our Alaska cruises (we've done over a dozen) Over a dozen times in Alaska ... you are my hero!! :D My favorite itinerary!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted August 11, 2016 #15 Share Posted August 11, 2016 We did the Alaska once in May. it was not too cold for us from the northeast. But as other posters suggest, layers is advisable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camper49 Posted August 12, 2016 Author #16 Share Posted August 12, 2016 How can anyone answer this question as to what's too cold for you ? It's all subjective . Plus Alaska is too unpredictable weather wise anyways Sent from my iPhone using Forums I realize Alaska weather can be very unpredictable (we did a carnival Alaska cruise in August 2009) and we had rain...cold..etc. I was just interested in what others had experienced .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKman2495 Posted August 12, 2016 #17 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Thinking of booking an Alaskan cruise in May. Any thoughts? Cold? As someone who has lived in Alaska for 40 years, May is often a transition month. THat said, we've just come off one of the warmest springs in years. So, May was more like summer (for us). Typically, May is cold in the beginning of the month and they it warms up quickly. The last 2 weeks often have great weather. But, as always, it depends. It can be sunny or rainy, warm or miserable and cold. So, you should pack for all possible conditions from thr 50's and rain t osun and 70's. Then you will not go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterty Posted August 12, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 12, 2016 What? It rains in Alaska? Never seen that. Guess I have been lucky. Twice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoRoy218 Posted August 13, 2016 #19 Share Posted August 13, 2016 We booked a May 2017 Alaskan cruise tour last month and I was shocked to see after a few weeks, remaining cabins all booked. Not sure if you'll find any availability but good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted August 13, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Thinking of booking an Alaskan cruise in May. Any thoughts? Cold? Plenty cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted August 13, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 13, 2016 How can anyone answer this question as to what's too cold for you ? It's all subjective . Plus Alaska is too unpredictable weather wise anyways Sent from my iPhone using Forums Very true good answer. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandi07054 Posted November 22, 2016 #22 Share Posted November 22, 2016 My husband and I are looking into cruises to Alaska for next year. This will be our first time. You seem to have a lot of experience with many Alaska cruises. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thinking of flying into Seattle. We set from NJ. Only cruised once with Princess to carribean quite some time ago. Thanks so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted November 23, 2016 #23 Share Posted November 23, 2016 We also took the 7day Alaska cruise from Seattle roundtrip. We had an inside cabin and just went to the topmost deck to view 360 degree the Glacier Bay. We also brought binoculars and we enjoyed the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfaaa Posted November 23, 2016 #24 Share Posted November 23, 2016 3 For Free promo on 5/2017 Alaska cruise right now. Good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare donswife Posted November 23, 2016 #25 Share Posted November 23, 2016 My husband and I are looking into cruises to Alaska for next year. This will be our first time. You seem to have a lot of experience with many Alaska cruises. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thinking of flying into Seattle. We set from NJ. Only cruised once with Princess to carribean quite some time ago. Thanks so much What kind of tips are you looking for? I sailed the round trip Seattle in August on the Crown. The ocean view cabin on the Plaza deck was comfortable, convenient to the international cafe, and easy to go up 2 flights to the promenade deck to be outside quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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