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Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s.
Must-Sees for Your Once in a Lifetime Alaska Cruise Vacation
Norwegian Jewel Itineraries: 2024 & 2025 Schedule (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Norwegian Jewel Itineraries: 2024 & 2025 Schedule (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:16:13 GMT [source]
Alaska cruise ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. If you're interested in the Midnight Sun, the longest day of the year is June 21, when you can experience close to 20 or more hours of sunlight in some parts of the state. If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder. Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape.
Alaska Cruise Ports of Call
Temperatures can reach anywhere from the low 30s to upper 80s depending on your month of travel as well as the port of call. We always recommend that you dress in layers to prepare for whatever weather comes your way. To help you get ready for your awe-inspiring adventure, learn about Alaska cruise temperatures by month.
Trying a Late-Season Cruise Through Alaska on Ocean Victory - Cruise Critic
Trying a Late-Season Cruise Through Alaska on Ocean Victory.
Posted: Tue, 20 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Average Temperature and Rainfall by Alaska Port for October
Enjoy perks such as privileged access to Glacier Bay National Park and prime docking locations that give you a head start on sightseeing. Sourdough is such an important part of Alaskan culture that long-time Alaskans are actually called sourdoughs in local parlance. Try a sourdough bread bowl filled with salmon chowder for a hearty lunch.
It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay National Park has over 2,000 square miles of glacial coverage.
The best time to book an Alaska cruise is when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares. Sitka is as much a working fishing town as it is a tourist destination. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT Alaska Cruises
Gaze at the water’s surface as thousands of bald eagles congregate to enjoy the final salmon of the season. Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises.
The cruise season beefs up in June, with the number of ships growing and the season in full swing by the end of the month. The midnight sun means many hours of daylight, especially on June 20, the longest day of the year — when you'll have to stay up late to see any darkness at all. I cruise to Alaska so many times every year that I’ve started telling people I summer there. However, if Alaska is a one-time bucket list itinerary for you, I’d avoid October (you might get lucky like I did, but the odds are against it). If I only had one shot at Alaska, I’d go in July (maybe August) on either Holland America or Princess on an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay.
The Complete Guide to Alaska Glacier Viewing
From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your Alaska cruise. Juneau gets % more rain in the autumn than in the summer – so your chance of clear days is much better in the middle of the summer season compared with the end of the season. To illustrate how the weather differs at the end of the season compared with the peak season, I’ve pulled data using Juneau as a representative community for the entire Inside Passage. However, it’s worth noting that many communities have more dramatic weather than Juneau, which is relatively sheltered and in the middle of this waterway. If you look at data for communities like Skagway and Sitka, the seasonal changes are even more dramatic (in temperature for Skagway and rainfall for Sitka).
The most disappointing aspect of my October cruise was the lack of park rangers onboard during our day spent sailing through Glacier Bay National Park. Normally 2-4 park rangers board the ship to provide highly enriching commentary and programming, to stamp your national park passport book, and to offer educational resources and souvenir merchandise. By the time our cruise ship arrived in late October, their season was already over. Feel the warm embrace of the summer sun throughout June when the Land of the Midnight Sun experiences the height of its daylight.
It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found. Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway. Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. Popular Inside Passage ports of call include Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway. Go back in time to the Klondike Gold Rush on cruises to Skagway, Alaska, once the primary gateway to the goldfields.
While the days are still longer than those in the Lower 48, they are getting slightly shorter throughout July. My advice is to pack plenty of warm (and waterproof) layers, expect the unexpected, and find joy in whatever experience you get. If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings.
Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park. With its roaring glaciers, rugged mountains and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park feels like a dream. With 3.3 million acres to explore, cruise to this world-renowned landmark — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and let the landscapes inspire your next adventure.
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