North Pacific Passage

[harbourside]

Which way would be the best weather wise, to do the

North West Passage

Japan to Vancouver   End April to May   or

Vancouver to Japan  End August to September.   

Most concerned about the Bering Sea .           Don't expect calm seas but would like to avoid huge seas????

 

 

[Heidi13]

Neither option is the worst months of the year for weather, but also recognise that even in July/August we can get significant storms. However, during my 2 full seasons in Alaska, we had at least 1 storm every September.

 

April/May - Positive is the longer days, especially in May when you transit Alaska. Negative for us is the E'bd transit and 23 hrs days. Another positive is that May can be the driest month and ports are not as busy.

 

Aug/Sept - Positive for us is the 25 hr days during clox, but you do have shorter daylight. Multiple mainstream mega ships make the main ports way too busy.

 

 

[Jim Avery]

As a mariner that also worked those waters, I agree with Andy both with the weather info and the hours on the clock westbound.  

[WestW]

We completed the Vancouver to Hong Kong cruise this past August/September.  We got lucky with the Bering Sea portion where we experienced only one "rough" sea day (3-4 meters - not bad).  The leg was completed on August 25th when we ported in Russia.  A couple of days of light showers in Alaska but nothing unbearable (temps in the 60s).

 

Going west, we enjoyed gaining an hour each evening and, although the days are relatively shorter, we had 15 hours of daylight.  We had no issues with busy ports - only tender in Alaska was in Ketchikan (popular cruise stop for Alaska only cruises).

 

The Japan portion of the cruise may be the more deciding factor - particularly if you are going onward to Hong Kong.  Otaru ( Sapporo) and Tokyo weather was comfortable but the ports south of Tokyo were extremely hot and humid - particularly Osaka.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 6, 2019 by WestW

[sunbrookgal]

Hi,, Left Tokyo this past April for Vancouver. Yup first time for Viking. Crossed the evil Bearing straight. Hmmm calm as glass for 4 days. OK, Ok,, a miracle. But you never know. Ask me,,, prom we ALL were shocked. Great ride... 

[harbourside]

Thanks for your answers.  Still not decided.  I like the idea of Vancouver to Tokyo, as I would prefer to fly  to Vancouver and have a few days before, but the other way (Japan to Vancouver)sounds like it might be a smoother ride.

Probably the Gulf of Alaska will be the worst seas. 

[Heidi13]

I have never been West of Anchorage this far north, as for trans-Pacific we always avoided the high latitudes of the Great Circle routing.

 

However, our son has completed the W'bd re-positioning at least twice and each year experienced a significant storm (70 + kts) West of Kodiak.