nmsk5 Posted August 17 #1 Share Posted August 17 What is your preferred month to cruise to Alaska? How early in May is too early weather wise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted August 17 #2 Share Posted August 17 If you look around the board, there are dozens of threads on Alaska weather. In summary, May will be about the driest time of the season, but cooler. September will be wetter...but perhaps a little warmer, AT TIMES. There can also be significant storms in September. The number 1 rule...the weather in Alaska is quite variable, often changing a couple of times each day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted August 18 #3 Share Posted August 18 I prefer May because there is lingering snow, especially up on the mountains and hills, by September it is all gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peety3 Posted August 18 #4 Share Posted August 18 What are your cruise goals? Example: "I want to see bears" well, May is out and September is a maybe; mid July to mid August are your best bets. We've done April (just Ketchikan on a 4-day), May, July, August, and September. Our September was unseasonably dry and warm; everyone was falling asleep on the WPYR train as they had the furnaces going. July was far better for evening whale watching in Victoria than August due to sunset time (can't believe I was stupid enough to not think ahead for that). Whale watching has been great out of Juneau every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted August 18 #5 Share Posted August 18 10 hours ago, peety3 said: What are your cruise goals? Example: "I want to see bears" well, May is out and September is a maybe; mid July to mid August are your best bets. We've done April (just Ketchikan on a 4-day), May, July, August, and September. Our September was unseasonably dry and warm; everyone was falling asleep on the WPYR train as they had the furnaces going. July was far better for evening whale watching in Victoria than August due to sunset time (can't believe I was stupid enough to not think ahead for that). Whale watching has been great out of Juneau every time. I actually have seen bears on each and every one of my May cruises. They were not expected and they were not on bear tours. I agree, bear tours run mid-July and on. Though - one can definitely see bears in May. I have had excellent whale watching in May compared to July (my experience) though I haven't gone in Victoria. Mostly Juneau and Hoonah. I actually love May. Neve gone in September. I love the snow on the mountains and better chance of dryer weather and less storms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare karatemom2 Posted August 19 #6 Share Posted August 19 We have cruised in Alaska every summer month from May to August and our two May trips were beautiful - little rain and maybe a little colder on a couple of days, but overall lovely. One thing of note is that we saw the least amount of wildlife other than eagles on our two May trips. No bears, very few whales, and of course no salmon. But the scenery with the snow still quite low and frozen lakes, was beautiful. We are taking our first September trip in a couple of weeks, so I’ll report back on how I found it when we return. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean-lynd Posted August 19 #7 Share Posted August 19 This may help 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzaholic41 Posted August 20 #8 Share Posted August 20 May is my favorite time to cruise Alaska. Typically dry weather and less crowds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MileHighAko Posted August 20 #9 Share Posted August 20 I've cruised Alaska in May, June, July, August, and September. My favorite is September because it's cooling down, there is fall colors to see, and still plenty of wildlife to view. My second favorite is July because it's sunny and warm and TONS of wildlife viewing, but days are long which is nice on one hand, but I miss the stars at night in June/July. And mid-summer is crowded. My least favorite is May. I do love the snow capped mountains and the nice weather although still a bit chilly. But there is a distinct lack of wildlife in early May. For me, the wildlife makes the trip, so thats why I recommend either summer or fall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougH Posted August 22 #10 Share Posted August 22 I prefer mid May to mid June. Overall cooler but dryer. I like the long daylight hours. In September by the time you sail it's dark and you miss half the scenery. I've sailed every month and prefer early season. I sail next May for my 35+ time to Alaska 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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