Alaskan cruise prices through the season

[mum2fourkids]

Hello everyone!

We just sailed with Disney for the first time (first time on any cruise actually lol) early December. We live in Australia and the disney cruise line is not advertised here, so many Aussies don't even know it exists!

We enjoyed our days on the Dream so now are considering an Alaskan cruise probably 2017. I have looked at the 2016 prices and notices that the prices went up as the months went on. For example May was approx lower $4000' June/July was higher $4000 and by August the prices were above the $5000 mark.

Question is...why the price changes? Is it more popular to sail in late July/august? Better weather? More wildlife? Will we be missing out on something if we sailed earlier in the year?

Thank you so much, like I said it's very early stages of planning and trying to educate myself to make the best decision for us

 

[Ofinn]

Peak season is late June to mid August. All schools are out then. Some schools get out late May go back early August, but a lot don't get out to late June and go back in September. I think a lot of people like to escape the Summer heat of July and August where they live, and it's also supposed to be the warmest in Alaska. We will go in May because I always cruise when it's the cheapest. The Wonder usually stays in Alaska to the first week of Sept, and the last cruise of the year is usually a good price. The Wonder is finishing early this year because of the dry dock.

 

[SnowWhite2]

And it is anyone's guess which ship will go to Alaska in 2017.

 

[Pens Fan]

The earlier in the summer season you sail, the greater the chance of not being able to get all the way into Tracy Arm. There may be too much ice to safely make it to the glacier. Also, a lot of the bear watching excursions are only offered late July or later as they are usually timed to the salmon runs.

Honestly, IMHO Alaska is so amazing it doesn't matter when you go, but if one of the things I mentioned is important to you, it might be worth paying the premium for mid to late summer.

 

[princessmommyx3]

It seems to me that the prices tend to reflect the school calendars in the US. The weeks when all parts of the country are out of school are usually much more expensive than the weeks when almost none/very few parts of the country are out of school.

 

[xlxo]

Peak season is late June to mid August. All schools are out then. Some schools get out late May go back early August, but a lot don't get out to late June and go back in September. I think a lot of people like to escape the Summer heat of July and August where they live, and it's also supposed to be the warmest in Alaska. We will go in May because I always cruise when it's the cheapest. The Wonder usually stays in Alaska to the first week of Sept, and the last cruise of the year is usually a good price. The Wonder is finishing early this year because of the dry dock.

Weather is a big reason for me... statistically...

• May is cold.... It's been discussed that ships have problems getting all the way in Tracy Arm for glacier viewing (Sawyer) due to ice congestion
• May to July is the driest months in Alaska. July to August is driest in Vancouver. I like July for good dry weather excursions and will be my preferred month.
• August is the start of the wet season, but some say you see more wildlife feeding for winter. You can also see salmon.
• September is wet and best for storm chasers, ports can have a higher frequency for being closed.. Thus the lower prices.

 

[anricat]

We decided to pay extra to book August for many of the above reasons. DH's only motivation was to escape August in Texas.