What Is The Best Time of Year to Go On An Alaska Cruise? (2024)

FAQs

What Is The Best Time of Year to Go On An Alaska Cruise? ›

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska for Wildlife: Springtime (late-May through mid-June) Though summer is the most popular time to cruise Alaska, springtime may be ideal for travelers who prefer fewer tourists, slightly cooler temperatures, and more regular daylight hours, with no midnight sun to contend with.

Alaska basks in gorgeous 24-hour daylight during two months of the year surrounding the summer solstice. This is when Alaska residents get their outdoor activities in, including 2:00 am hikes, dog walks, and beach volleyball. Mid-May through mid-July are the best months to cruise to Alaska to soak in the midnight sun.

The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark. These finnicky ballerinas prefer the hours between midnight and 4:00 a.m. and favor crystal-clear skies.

For both cruising and land-based tours, May and September are the “shoulder” seasons in Alaska, with better deals and fewer crowds. Cruise prices during those times may be lower, perhaps by a couple hundred dollars per person. Selected shore and land excursions can also be 20% cheaper.

Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World's Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line.

The average price for a 7-day Alaskan cruise can range from $1,300 to $3,500 per person, depending on the cruise line, type of cabin, and time of year.

Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

Passport Requirements - US Citizens

If you are a U.S. Citizen and your Alaska cruise begins and ends in the same US port (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles) you are not currently required to travel with a passport to Alaska. All cruise lines and WMPH Vacations highly recommend you carry a valid passport.

A recommended time-frame is 6-12 months in advance.

Alaska Cruise Temperature by Month

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.

Where do cruises to Alaska leave from? ›

Typically, this is a round-trip cruise from Seattle or Vancouver, then back to the same port, with stops at three or four port towns, such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and either Sitka, Haines, or Victoria, B.C. These 7-day cruises usually spend a day in Glacier Bay or another glacier area, and two days at sea.

One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.

Most Alaska cruises are 7 days and are either Alaska Inside Passage Cruises that sail roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver; or, 7 Night Alaska Glacier Cruises sailing south from Anchorage or North from Vancouver.

The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer months. While our summer season is short, it is the driest, warmest time to visit. Starting mid May and ending mid September you are sure to see the best the State of Alaska has to offer...

Best Times to Visit Alaska for Lower Prices

The shoulder seasons (May through early June and late August through mid-September) offer the best value for travelers on a budget.

If you want to view Alaska's natural splendors, but don't have more than a week or so consider seven-day cruises that depart Seattle or Vancouver and return to the same spot. Watch silvery skyscrapers fade into the distance and say hello to fjords, rugged coastlines and blankets of lush temperate rain forests.