Alaska in May

[disneymagicgirl]

2018 Alaska has been on our to-do list and the day is almost here...

There are 6 of us, so it is always expensive to vacation, of course. That said, I try to cut corners where possible. I want connecting verandahs b/c my TA said there are no interior rooms across the hall from verandahs that sleep 5 on the wonder. So my next thought is take the first sailing of the season...5/21/18. It is right after school gets out. Is that a terrible time to go? I realize it isn't the best time. Would the labor day sailing be better?
Any advice is appreciated. This isn't likely to be a once in a lifetime trip to alaska since everyone says how wonderful it is. We will prob go again 5-10 years down the line.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Some years are warmer than others. We cruised in May and it was really cold but they had had record-breaking heat just the week before. Some Mays it's difficult to get into Tracy's Arm because of ice in the water. That shouldn't be a problem in September.

 

[tnshsms]

We cruised in May and had great weather but we went down endicott arm instead of Tracy Arm. BUT that was last season and from what I could tell, everyone went down Endicott arm. What is your hesitation about May? Maybe I can help if I know why you are unsure of May....

May will be cheaper as you said and you won't see Salmon running because that doesn't start til July (or so I've read).

 

[cruisehopeful]

May is a beautiful time if you want to see more snow and ice. Last year, I took the May 30 sailing and was told on the train in Skagway that the week before, all of the water was frozen. It melts fast. If you like the idea of snow/ice in Alaska, going earlier in the season is best. You do have a much smaller chance of seeing bears, though. So, if you want bears, you really want July.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Ok thank you! All good advice! We will see how the prices compare btwn may/July/sept and decide if the premium is worth it for this trip.

 

[xlxo]

I vote for May for Alaska over Labour Day. mid-July is great with warm weather, that's why it cost more. After mid-August.... Alaska starts to get wet before the September storms.

If you want savings advice.... consider hotel rooms a few blocks away from the cruise terminal for multi-day stay in Vancouver. Lots to do at your bonus port. Vancouver is better explored post-cruise where attractions have less people on weekdays.

May 21, 2018? I think that's a long weekend in Vancouver.

• Pre-cruise Hotel and flights will cost more. Then again, you may still be saving as you are booking so far in advance.
• Pre-cruise at attractions will have more congestion.

 

[dclpluto]

Nothing wrong with Alaska in may. I was on DCL first Alaska cruise may 3 2011. Weather wasn't terrible sweatshirt on most days was fine. Remember you are going to southern Alaska in may. But bring a jacket You will probably need it a couple of days

 

[Pooh2]

We went on the first cruise of the season May 2016.
We had fantastic weather!
It only rained on Glacier day and a hour or so at Ketchikan.

We could not get into Tracy Arm and went to Endicott Glacier instead. Not sure if we missed anything but Glacier day was fantastic.

Our Mendenhall Glacier excursion was in shirt sleeves.
There were several days that the kids pool was pretty busy.

We just dressed in sweatshirts with a windbreaker over and walked the upper deck throughout the day.
We saw lots of eagles, baby seals hanging out on chunks of ice, a small bear on our Skagway excursion and whales off in the distance.

The May excursion was much cheaper than going on our official anniversary two weeks later (though still not a cheap trip by any means!).

 

[xlxo]

Weather in May vs September? Click on this link to check out the climate chart from month to month..... As mentioned... it gets statistically wetter approaching September....
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/juneau/alaska/united-states/usak0116

On that chart... it's almost 3 times wetter in September.

 

[ajo]

Another vote for May. We went on the May sailing last year and had fantastic weather. Really, it could not have been better. We dressed in layers (like an "onion" according to Captain Gus) and just took them off or put them on as needed. We had a great time and saw whales, seals, bald eagles, and a bear in Skagway.