When to visit Alaska?

[revsgirl]

What are the best months to do an Alaskan Cruise?

[CruiserBruce]

Depends what you mean by "best".

 

Lots talk about weather, but Alaska weather is tricky...drier in May/June, warmer July/August, but wetter.

 

Less crowded in May/early June (for obvious reasons), more crowded but more general activity options during summer months.

 

If you look aroun d the board you see many discussions on this and related topics. Personally, the only bad months, in my opinion are later September into October.

[rkacruiser]

I have cruised to Alaska during the months of June-July-August.  Weather is a wild card whenever one visits.  One has to pack for unusually warm to unusually cool; from wet to dry.  Every season has its own advantages as to scenery.  Because of I have relatives who live in Alaska, I have been there in December.  Beautiful--just magnificently beautiful--but, "Baby, it's cold outside!".  But, that allows one to do something that most of us never get to do:  drive on a frozen lake and, if one wants to do so, ice fish.  

[nini]

This has been asked and answered many times. Basically, May is drier and less crowded. September is also less crowded and wetter. However, Mother Nature does not necessarily pay attention to the calendar. We have gone in September twice, and encountered all kinds of weather.

As above from @CruiserBruce, I would not want to venture into late September or October.

[Northern Aurora]

And to slightly further expand the discussion -- there will be more daylight in June.  In late August and September the skies will be dark at night which allows for possible aurora viewing.

[Dancing Shoes]

We picked mid-August because we wanted to take an excursion up Tracy Arm and knew there would be no problem with ice.  Earlier in the season it could be an issue.

 

We lucked out last time, and are going again mid-August.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Dancing Shoes

[Ashland]

We have always preferred mid/late May but due to a scheduling factor in 2022 we've opted for Sept 18th. Oh well...still looking forward to this extended family cruise.

[Gardyloo]

Are you looking at round-trip cruises to SE Alaska (from Vancouver or Seattle) or one-way cruises to/from Whittier/Seward from/to Vancouver? The latter would mean you're thinking about some touring in Alaska before or after the cruise, in which case the "when to go" question becomes significantly more important, since there are numerous climate zones in the big state.  In some areas (and in most years) early summer can be wetter than late summers and the bugs more prevalent.  In places like Denali National Park, autumn (with great fall color but also shorter and cooler days, and maybe wetter ones) can start in August.  

 

So let us know your plans for a more complete response.

[Coral]

I am in the mid-May - June time frame. There is usually less rain during this period. I also like with more snow on the mountains. Makes it more beautiful. 

[travelbug11]

I love going in May for the best weather. Also September for the autumn colors.  Also, less little ones running around.

[gerig]

On 12/2/2021 at 10:37 PM, travelbug11 said:

I love going in May for the best weather. Also September for the autumn colors.  Also, less little ones running around.

We are doing a land trip up near Fairbanks before our cruise and hoping to see the northern lights.

[Coral]

23 hours ago, gerig said:

We are doing a land trip up near Fairbanks before our cruise and hoping to see the northern lights.

Probably not in May.

[gerig]

1 minute ago, Coral said:

Probably not in May.

Early September

 

[Coral]

5 minutes ago, gerig said:

Early September

 

You have a chance then 🙂

[gerig]

7 minutes ago, Coral said:

You have a chance then 🙂

 

7 minutes ago, Coral said:

You have a chance then 🙂

I know there is a chance we are spending 5 nights in and around Fairbanks

 

[Anyislandwilldo]

Our cruise was middle of May and we were lucky to see snow still on the mountains on the train ride in Skagway.  We had cooler temps but nothing freezing one day it was misting.  Still, an awesome adventure in Alaska!

[donaldsc]

On 12/15/2021 at 5:52 PM, gerig said:

We are doing a land trip up near Fairbanks before our cruise and hoping to see the northern lights.

 

If aurora viewing is really important, forget cruising and go to Fairbanks and points north in Feb or March.  I spent about about 10 days there once at that time including 3 days at Chena Hot Springs and had great intense aurora every night.  

 

DON

[CruiserBruce]

Notice the OP has never come back...months now.

[Ashland]

21 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Notice the OP has never come back...months now.

There up looking for the lights no matter when or how that will be.