Alaska Cruise - June vs. August?

[CatandMouse]

We booked the Aug 4, 2014 cruise out of Vancouver but found that the June 16, 2014 is pricing out less. Is there a big difference in the weather? We don't mind it being a bit colder. But are there other factors to consider with the June sailing?

Also - any opinions on whether a Verandah is a "must do" with this itinerary? We have an Oceanview right now and I am considering if the upgrade would be worth it.

Thanks!

 

[mmouse37]

We booked the Aug 4, 2014 cruise out of Vancouver but found that the June 16, 2014 is pricing out less. Is there a big difference in the weather? We don't mind it being a bit colder. But are there other factors to consider with the June sailing?

Also - any opinions on whether a Verandah is a "must do" with this itinerary? We have an Oceanview right now and I am considering if the upgrade would be worth it.

Thanks!

Personal opinion to me was a verandah was not needed (we had Oceanview). My reasoning was that the excursions were so costly and we have had verandahs before that I wanted to use the money saved towards our excursions. The weather in August in Vancouver was beautiful for the 3 days prior to the cruise but we had alot of rain on the August 16, 2011 cruise with temps not getting out of the low 50's. It rained each day in port but it did not stop us from doing what we wanted to do. We had packed appropriate clothing for all weather!

I can't imagine too much difference in weather from June to August. We spent alot of time on Deck 4 on Tracy Arm day. It was very uncrowded while offering great view and so easy to cut through the ship to the other side. We bounced back and forth all day. They provide blankets and we were quite cozy. They also offered complimentary hot cocoa up on the pool deck so we would go and bring it down to Deck 4.

Goofy, minnie and Donald all came by Deck 4 for photos and guest interaction. We loved the Alaska trip. We traveled with a group of 12 and they all loved it.

MJ

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've cruised Alaska mid-May and early August. August was warmer, and the salmon were running. It was fascinating watching the salmon jumping upstream to spawn. Supposedly you'll have a better chance of seeing bears when they fish for salmon but we've never seen any bears on any of our four Alaskan cruises.

I don't "do" cold, but Alaska was warm enough in May that it was fine -- June should be even better. We're going back in early June this year; really looking forward to it.

We definitely enjoy having a veranda because we spend a lot of time relaxing in our room. Weigh the costs of your shore excursions and set your priorities for the $$$$.

 

[CatandMouse]

Thanks for the info! I am thinking that I would rather save money with the Oceanview Room and the earlier sailing - and then spend the money on the excursions like you mentioned. The itinerary sounds amazing! Plus blankets and hot cocoa on deck-- love it!

Extra bonus for the June sailing would be that we get to celebrate our anniversary onboard!

 

[CatandMouse]

It was fascinating watching the salmon jumping upstream to spawn. .

That would be pretty incredible to see. Oh decisions, decisions...

 

[danfromca]

We booked the Aug 4, 2014 cruise out of Vancouver but found that the June 16, 2014 is pricing out less. Is there a big difference in the weather? We don't mind it being a bit colder. But are there other factors to consider with the June sailing?

Also - any opinions on whether a Verandah is a "must do" with this itinerary? We have an Oceanview right now and I am considering if the upgrade would be worth it.

Thanks!

The salmon are running later in the summer. In Juneau we went to the Mendenhall Glaciar where they have wooden walkways around the streams - we saw the salmon and bears (who were having a field day). This summer we're going in early August.
The weather is unpredictable whenever you go.

Some people swear by verandas, but I'm perfectly happy out on deck. Having a veranda (or even a porthole) has a disadvantage - if you don't close the curtains carefully you'll get light at times you don't want it (way too early, or too late).

 

[disneyholic family]

yes, the big difference is the salmon running and therefore the chance of seeing bears.

 

[CruisingDownTheRiver]

In terms of bugs, it doesn't matter if you go in May or later on. The most mosquitoes I've ever seen was in Iditarod dog kennels. DEET didn't even help!

 

[sorceressk]

Personal opinion to me was a verandah was not needed (we had Oceanview). My reasoning was that the excursions were so costly and we have had verandahs before that I wanted to use the money saved towards our excursions. The weather in August in Vancouver was beautiful for the 3 days prior to the cruise but we had alot of rain on the August 16, 2011 cruise with temps not getting out of the low 50's. It rained each day in port but it did not stop us from doing what we wanted to do. We had packed appropriate clothing for all weather!

I can't imagine too much difference in weather from June to August. We spent alot of time on Deck 4 on Tracy Arm day. It was very uncrowded while offering great view and so easy to cut through the ship to the other side. We bounced back and forth all day. They provide blankets and we were quite cozy. They also offered complimentary hot cocoa up on the pool deck so we would go and bring it down to Deck 4.

Goofy, minnie and Donald all came by Deck 4 for photos and guest interaction. We loved the Alaska trip. We traveled with a group of 12 and they all loved it.

MJ

Aw you're making me want to go to Alaska so bad!!! We are tentatively planning for aug 2014. Can't wait!!

 

[tvguy]

Both our Alaskan cruises were in mid-June. Weather was fine for both.

Actually googling Alaskan Weather, July has the highest average temperatures.

I don't think I would do May or September, that would likely be cold.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Both our Alaskan cruises were in mid-June. Weather was fine for both.

Actually googling Alaskan Weather, July has the highest average temperatures.

I don't think I would do May or September, that would likely be cold.

We've done Alaska in May/June and late September. The weather was pretty much the same, in the mid 50s most days. The only difference was in May/June there was about 18 hours of daylight every day, in September daylight was more like 10-12 hours.

 

[Presley]

I went June 2013 and it was cold. I wanted to go early in the season because I wanted to see more snow/ice. It was absolutely gorgeous.

I've read that late July/August is better for seeing stuff like bears. I did see bears in June, though. There just weren't any bear specific tours during June.

You'll love it either way. We ended up getting Ocean View instead of a Verandah so we would have more money for excursions. It was the right choice for us. There was plenty of room for deck viewing. Also, drinking coffee at Cove cafe had a great view. We saw whales when we were just sitting there drinking our coffee.

 

[ILUVALASKA]

Second and third the AUgust cruise. Salmon are running so you should see more bears and eagles. I have worn shorts each time I sail to Alaska in August. I always see bears for free near Mendenhall on the nature trail (not the wooden platform).

 

[sorceressk]

Second and third the AUgust cruise. Salmon are running so you should see more bears and eagles. I have worn shorts each time I sail to Alaska in August. I always see bears for free near Mendenhall on the nature trail (not the wooden platform).

What's the weather like in degrees in August? Is early aug different than late aug?

 

[wallawallakids]

We booked the Aug 4, 2014 cruise out of Vancouver but found that the June 16, 2014 is pricing out less. Is there a big difference in the weather? We don't mind it being a bit colder. But are there other factors to consider with the June sailing?

Also - any opinions on whether a Verandah is a "must do" with this itinerary? We have an Oceanview right now and I am considering if the upgrade would be worth it.

Thanks!

Did you look at the Aug 18th sailing? We picked that one because it was less then the June 16th. I think the price was still the same last I checked. So maybe look into it if you decide you would like August more then June.

 

[deanimal]

As a lifetime Vancouver resident, I always aim for late July-mid August to do anything outdoorsy in the Northwest region. June can be really awful and we've had quite a few years with really miserable Junes lately. It's such a disappointment to be gradually getting warmer in May, then to settle back into week after week of cool, 12-15 degree (Celsius) days with unrelenting rain. I can only imagine that if its too cold to go outside in Vancouver, it's a lot worse as you go north.

That being said, I've been on two Alaskan cruises and the one in late May was quite pleasant, while the one we booked for mid August to get the best possible weather was freezing and rainy. We have a picture of our nine month old riding around Ketchikan in August in her snowsuit!

 

[Doodles811]

We went on the August 27, 2012 cruise and the weather was spectacular!! We had 65-70 degrees each and every day. We did have a balcony cabin and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Loved sitting out there while sailing Tracey Arm Fjord. Didn't have to worry about anyone while taking pictures although I did hear that deck 4 was almost empty. I guess everyone wanted to be out in the sunshine. Secret deck 7 had a few people on it and Mickey & Minnie were there too! Loved it so much that I booked it again for this year.

 

[KingRichard]

I went June 2013 and it was cold. I wanted to go early in the season because I wanted to see more snow/ice. It was absolutely gorgeous.

I've read that late July/August is better for seeing stuff like bears. I did see bears in June, though. There just weren't any bear specific tours during June.

You'll love it either way. We ended up getting Ocean View instead of a Verandah so we would have more money for excursions. It was the right choice for us. There was plenty of room for deck viewing. Also, drinking coffee at Cove cafe had a great view. We saw whales when we were just sitting there drinking our coffee.

Did you have a time machine?

What will the weather be like June 16, 2014?

 

[CatandMouse]

Did you look at the Aug 18th sailing? We picked that one because it was less then the June 16th. I think the price was still the same last I checked. So maybe look into it if you decide you would like August more then June.

I didn't look at that one because my son starts back at school on the 26th. So it would be home and then start school the next day. But maybe I'll look into it for the price and the better weather (and the salmon and bears )

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am really getting excited about this cruise!

 

[ceparedes]

Definitely June. I live in Alaska. It rains like crazy in August.. and it's cold rain....