TravelingEA Posted August 30, 2017 #26 Share Posted August 30, 2017 We have gone 3 times - always has been in May. The only downfall was the Salmon run had not yet started., However, we still did see quite a few bear. The last time was May 2016 and we did get into Tracy Arm on the small boat excursion - all the way to Sawyer glaciers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akeasley Posted August 30, 2017 #27 Share Posted August 30, 2017 My second time in Alaska was the week of Labor Day and it was great! Hardly any kids on board and really good weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncleah Posted August 30, 2017 #28 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Before we went on our first Alaska cruise, we asked several crew members on another cruise what they thought was the best time to do Alaska. The consensus was the end of July - beginning of August. They were right. The first time we went, the cruise line was taking photos of the ship in Glacier Bay to use in their advertising. Crew on the ship said it was the best weather they had all season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridgerunner51 Posted August 31, 2017 #29 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We did a CruiseTour June 13 - 25, 2012. The weather was so perfect we could not believe it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieMac67 Posted August 31, 2017 #30 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We would love to do a cruise to Alaska, but being Brits have no idea when the best time of year would be. Could any of our cruise critic friends help? Any replies much appreciated. I lived in Alaska most of my life, end of May and June is usually the best weather. Not always, but mostly. Plus you will be able to experience 20 hours of daylight each day. It is the reason I go back to Alaska every summer, after living in Alaska since 1954 I now live in Arizona. So we are snowbirds now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted August 31, 2017 #31 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We've only sailed to Alaska one time and it was in early June. Absolutely fantastic weather. Temperature in the 60's (F) the entire week with not a cloud in sight. Glacier Bay with a clear blue sky was picture perfect breathtaking. Like a postcard. We learned that the following week after we sailed, the forecast for most of Alaska was overcast, rainy and cold with temperatures dropping in the 40's (F). As others said, plan your trip for when it's convenient for you. We went in early June simply because that's what worked for the 14 people in our group and because pricing was considerably cheaper than going later in the season. You won't know what the weather will be like during your specific week until it's actually here. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted August 31, 2017 #32 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We actually went on one of the very last cruises to Alaska; September a number of years ago. We had glorious weather. We were allowed into one of the inlets in Glacier Bay that is usually closed to cruise liners as it was the very end of the season. On the other hand we missed Ketchikan as there was a gale for 2 days. We did have virtually no children on the cruise as it was after school had started in both Canada and the States. The bargains in the shops were fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilant Posted August 31, 2017 #33 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We would love to do a cruise to Alaska, but being Brits have no idea when the best time of year would be. Could any of our cruise critic friends help? Any replies much appreciated. MAY! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted August 31, 2017 #34 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thanks for the replies, rain doesn't bother us (if it did we'd emigrate)!!!storms don't just include rain.... winds are a factor where ports can be skipped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnieBear Posted August 31, 2017 #35 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We go in 3 weeks time. I really hope none of our ports get skipped. 10 days for around the same price of 7 due to it being the last sailing. Really can't wait! Sent from my GT-I9505 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 31, 2017 #36 Share Posted August 31, 2017 I love the end of May and early June. Historically - less rain during this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise-Crazzy Posted August 31, 2017 #37 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We were informed by an Alaska Resident that May and early June is the best weather. We went to Alaska late may early June and the weather was wonderful. Little rain, but warm. Had a great view of Denali. Take a land tour along with the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdisney Posted August 31, 2017 #38 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Not sure there's a 'bad' time to go to Alaska...but the weather can be pretty unpredictable as many have said. Going earlier in the season is nice, but if there's still snow pack you may not be able to do certain things. As an example, in Juneau there's some nice trails with overlooks at the top of Mount Roberts. The one time we cruised there in June, the trails up there were snowed in and mostly inaccessible. Granted it was really beautiful with the snow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieforme Posted August 31, 2017 #39 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We have been to Alaska two times. Both cruises were in mid August. We heard that July can be bothersome with mosquitoes. August is also the month that the salmon run. Weather can be great or lousy. You just never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted September 1, 2017 #40 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Never, it's the most over rated cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hapster85 Posted September 1, 2017 #41 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Never, it's the most over rated cruise. Can't agree with that at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-Rev Posted September 1, 2017 #42 Share Posted September 1, 2017 We went July 15 a few years ago and it was gorgeous. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnieBear Posted September 1, 2017 #43 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Never, it's the most over rated cruise. Had a bad experience? Or just trying to keep numbers down for yourself? I've seen enough YouTube videos lately to know you're wrong! Sent from my GT-I9505 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted September 2, 2017 #44 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Never, it's the most over rated cruise. Woah. Alaska was, by far, one of the best cruises I've ever taken. Even though I absolutely love beach destinations, there's not a single Caribbean cruise that can remotely compare to our cruise to Alaska. It was fantastic. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina G Posted September 2, 2017 #45 Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) If you want to see snowy and cold Alaska, you won't see it from a cruise ship. The ships only operate May to Sept. The climate is moderate and wet. You will need sweaters for the evening, and definitely bring a raincoat. You will only be seeing the southern panhandle of Alaska, not the whole state. A fleece or coat is needed on the days you sail near the rapidly melting glaciers. The shore towns you visit will be filled with people who come in for the tourist season to sell you anything. The towns have become very overdeveloped, and there will be as many as 10 huge cruise ships docked at the same time as yours. This is not the authentic Alaska, but you can have a good time and take excursions that are interesting. The whale watching is a must unless you are prone to sea sickness. The scenery along the panhandle is wonderful! The land tours will take you into the state as far as Fairbanks if you choose. Most people want to see Denali National Park, but be prepared to spend hundreds of extra dollars to take a trip far into the park to see wildlife, not just the quick tourist trip. Fairbanks is the city farthest north. There are private companies that will take you to the far north, across he arctic circle, but they are not for the comfort needing people. There are no petrol stations or restrooms as you get to the far north. Nothing except miles of the Alaska pipeline, squishy tundra, and gravel roads. We went as far as the Prudoe Bay area and stayed in trailers built for the oil workers. We were young and adventurous. I wouldn't do it now. We saw amazing wildlife! It really gave us the idea of how huge the state of Alaska is! It would more than cover all of western Europe. Edited September 2, 2017 by Tina G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eclue Posted September 3, 2017 #46 Share Posted September 3, 2017 The best time to go is whenever you go - there will be doubters and others that will condemn and put down every imaginable thing - just go and enjoy it and it will be what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnieBear Posted September 3, 2017 #47 Share Posted September 3, 2017 The best time to go is whenever you go - there will be doubters and others that will condemn and put down every imaginable thing - just go and enjoy it and it will be what it is. I really like this advice. There's good and bad for every season. We'll be the last boat so it'll be much quieter in port, better than sunshine :-) Sent from my GT-I9505 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted September 3, 2017 #48 Share Posted September 3, 2017 The best time to go is whenever you go - there will be doubters and others that will condemn and put down every imaginable thing - just go and enjoy it and it will be what it is. I disagree. Having had awful weather on my first cruise there, I did research and there are definitely better months when your chances of having better weather are higher. There are times when I will not go (mid-September and on is an example). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted September 3, 2017 #49 Share Posted September 3, 2017 I really like this advice. There's good and bad for every season. We'll be the last boat so it'll be much quieter in port, better than sunshine :-) Sent from my GT-I9505 using Forums mobile app I could care less about sunshine. It is extremely wet and foggy weather that I try to avoid when going to Alaska. I could also care less about people in port as I get out of port "to see Alaska". Never have crowds outside of port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnieBear Posted September 3, 2017 #50 Share Posted September 3, 2017 I could care less about sunshine. It is extremely wet and foggy weather that I try to avoid when going to Alaska. I could also care less about people in port as I get out of port "to see Alaska". Never have crowds outside of port. We'll be doing a bit of each but having never cruised or visited the US it'll be nice being able to move around more freely. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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