Alaskan Cruise in May or June?

[helenk]

My husband and I are looking to do an Alaskan Cruise next year. The cost in May is quite a bit cheaper but we are wondering if we should wait for June instead?
Will the weather be nice enough to enjoy Alaska, or will waiting a month make it a bit warmer?

 

[erionm]

The first 2015 DCL Alaska Cruise that's open to the general public is not until June 1st. The one May sailing was chartered by the Disney Vacation Club as a Member Cruise.

 

[helenk]

We are not going on a Disney cruise, I guess I should have mentioned that. I know this is the Disney cruise boards but I since I am on the DIS so much this was the best place to get an answer about the weather.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We are not going on a Disney cruise, I guess I should have mentioned that. I know this is the Disney cruise boards but I since I am on the DIS so much this was the best place to get an answer about the weather.

We cruised Alaska in May and in June, and the May cruise was actually warmer. It obviously varies from week to week and year to year. It's been said that if you don't like the weather, wait 15 mins and it will change.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

We cruised the first Alaskan DCL this summer, 5/24-6/2. For the most part the weather was great. We weren't wearing shorts around, but we didn't freeze to death either. Spent most the cruise on our verandah. My 9 yr old spent a good deal of his at sea days in the steamy pool!

From some of the posts I've seen throughout the summer sounds like we had less rain than many. I think the weather in Alaska is really hit and miss so best to just go with what works for your schedule.

The only thing I will say is the chances of seeing bears in May are much smaller than in August so I'd wait until July/August if that is really important to you. We didn't see any, but there were a few on our cruise that saw them in Sitka (our cruise was the only cruise that stopped in Sitka, it was the 9 nighter).

 

[xlxo]

I vote May to save money and if you are happy to stay on the boat....

I vote June if you plan to spend your time off the boat exploring the ports and want dry weather for the excursions.....

After two Alaskan trips... I'm going in July for future trips for dryer weather so it's not so depressing.

Here's some links that may be of interest...

1. Juneau May temperature
   http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/juneau-ak/99801/month/331728?monyr=5/01/2014
2. Juneau June temperature
   http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/juneau-ak/99801/june-weather/331728?monyr=6/1/2014
3. Average Skagway rainfall
   http://average-rainfall.findthebest.com/l/24032/Skagway-Alaska
4. Average Ketchican rainfall
   http://average-rainfall.findthebest.com/l/13539/Ketchikan-Alaska

With the money you save going in the wetter month... I guess you can afford an umbrella.

 

[Ofinn]

They had record rainfall this June, and I have talked to people that have gone in July and have had lots of rain. My mom has gone twice in September, and had great weather. My inlaws have gone in May, and loved it. I agree with pp I would go with the best rate, and what fit's your schedule. I don't think you can look at past weather charts to determine future weather. Alaska weather seems to be all over the place, and changes by the hour.

 

[SnowWhite2]

We were on the June 9th sailing this year and it rained for 1 hour, one day. That was it. It wasn't warm - we wore jeans and long sleeve shirts but Alaska is not really warm. It is a crap shoot on weather. Book the best time for you and enjoy.

 

[tvguy]

Alaskan weather is so unpredictable. We cruised in early June and caught a heatwave and it was 80 in Juneau! May and early June and September tend to be less expensive because the weather tends to be cooler, but not always.

 

[helenk]

Thank you all for your replies.
I think we may just stay with May, maybe go towards the end of the month. I'll just make sure we pack accordingly.
Of course now there may be a clink in my plans. My brother would love to do an Alaskan Cruise and is going to see if he wife would be interested as well. They have 2 children in school so if they tag along we would go in June. But of for now I will plan on May