Alaska: May or September? Help!

[wishiwasindisneyjen]

I want to book 2018 Alaska however I'm torn on which month is better. I could only do May or September. I have pros and cons for each. Those of you who have been, which month is better?

May: Pros: sooner - more daylight - maybe less rain. Cons: less time to save - may be cooler.

September: Pros: More time to save - closer to my anniversary. Cons: may be more rain - hurricane season in Florida (where I live)

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

We went in September 2014. It was wonderful. Got all the way into Tracy Arm. We had just a little rain. We did have some cooler days.

 

[kendall]

We did the week after Labor day last year on Princess - it was gorgeous fall weather. However, I understand the previous week was not as nice and had higher winds and rain. We were comfortable with mid-weight jackets; took hat and gloves which were handy on a couple days. But with the sun, it was pleasant!

May - still a lot of snowpack and ice, so landscape will be more covered, ice might prevent ship entry into some areas as things are yet "open"; most kids still in school depending on when in May you go
September - you can see more significant glacier melt, tree lines; kids back in school so fewer kids on ship; fall colors in Denali

Prior to memorial day and after labor day - check the tour operators and what is being offered, as well as your plans at Denali National Park. We discovered several places closed at Labor Day. This also meant that there were terrific sales in the stores still open.

 

[lorimay]

We did the last cruise of 2013 in September, it was great. We had pretty good weather. The last stop which I **Think** was Ketchikan was hot for Alaska.
We also got all the way into Tracy Arm, it was beautiful.