Pros/Cons of June vs. July vs. August for Alaska

[jaimeadk]

We are wanting to book Alaska as soon as 2015 dates are released. I've researched the best time to go without a lot of luck. Can you guys hit the highlights of the pros and cons of the three months?

 

[kate2961]

When we went in 2011, I chose the last cruise in July through the first week of August.

I chose that time based on the following:

Available excursions (some change based on time of year) - I wanted to be sure to see whales and also bears during the salmon runs
Weather - warmer but not too much rain; My research showed that later in August through September had more rain

True again. I just checked and the weather for the next week looks great in Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau.

Good luck on your cruise. Ours was amazing.

Kate

 

[Spwhoney]

Been to Alaska first week of June and last cruise in Sept. It seems to me that there isn't a real big change from June to Sept. June was the best weather. It would rain until we came into port and than clear up to blue skys. Sept. was more rainy the whole time. I think the weather would be hit and miss. Temps seemed the same to me. I guess July August might be a little warmer, but it might still rain. That's why its so green up there,

 

[fredandkell]

Been in June...it was cool, not cold, and little rain. Loved it!

 

[shburks]

Been in June...it was cool, not cold, and little rain. Loved it!

I went in June and it rained every day except the last day (at sea) and was so cold--jeans, sweaters, raincoats! Weather up there can really vary. After my experience, I'd probably never do early June again!

 

[antmaril]

I have cruised to Alaska twice. We went in late August the first time and had perfect weather. Last year, we went in late June and it was cold and rainy every day. You just never know - Alaska is always a gamble. Oh, and it is AMAZING no matter what the weather. Have fun!

 

[jdb in AZ]

A cruise ship captain (not DCL) said, "Alaska doesn't have bad weather; just tourists who are poorly dressed for it."

In August the salmon are running. If you go to the fish hatchery in Juneau you can see them jumping upstream to spawn. We had never seen anything like that. The Alaskan fireweed -- bright pink flowers -- will also be in bloom, signaling the end of summer.

 

[mmouse37]

We went in August and it rained every day in port but we were dressed for it. Every stream we encountered had salmon jumping...it was an amazing thing to see. Never saw so many big fish in streams in my life.

MJ

 

[wdwwishes]

We chose mid July as historically it's the month of least rainfall from what I read. We weren't disappointed. It was cool in the mornings but sunny and upper 60s every afternoon. Our only "bad" weather day was our glacier viewing day when it was breezy, cloudy and upper 50s. Dress in layers and enjoy.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We cruised 6/17-6/24 this year and spent two days in Vancouver prior to the cruise and did not have a single drop of rain the entire cruise

I wouldn't hesitate to cruise the same time when we go back but we might try a different month (July or August) just to try something different.

I think this year is hard to judge by since Alaska has had really warm weather. We had several 70 degree days so it was Warner than I expected but I'm not complaining!

As others said you'll have a fantastic time no matter what month you go!

Heather

 

[stsomewhere]

We went toward the end of August. The salmon were running and we saw bears chasing them in the stream at Menhenhall glacier

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We went the first week of June and had great weather. It was cool and chilly at times, but not cold- and I'm from Southern California. It felt like winter here to me. I wanted to have some cold, to be honest! I also wanted to see a lot of ice in Tracy Arm, and I was not disappointed. I was very happy with the weather. My coworker had been the exact same week the year before, and also had great weather.

We only had rain in Ketchikan, and I guess it's one of the rainiest cities in the country.

It was also a lot less expensive to cruise in the first few sailings. I think the end of the season would be cheaper as well.

 

[Bree]

I'm thinking about booking an Alaska cruise while onboard the Fantasy next year.

Is there a time where it is buggier than others? I've heard that the black flies and mosquitoes swarm you like crazy.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've cruised Alaska five times, including late May, mid-June, early and late-July, early August. Can't say I've really noticed any difference in the bugs.

 

[jaimeadk]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'm enjoying the different viewpoints. Keep them coming. I thought I had my heart set on late August but my family wants the end of June. Sounds like June might actually be less rainy and not really that big of a difference in temps. Eases my mind a little.

 

[Spwhoney]

The earlier the cruise the cheaper. I think all season the weather is hit and miss. Whole season averages in the 60.

 

[shburks]

A cruise ship captain (not DCL) said, "Alaska doesn't have bad weather; just tourists who are poorly dressed for it."

.

I totally think he's correct! I think we were completely unprepared for the weather. Our TA didn't prepare us well and this was (GASP!!) in the days before Internet was widely available and we had no way to really check Alaska weather. (Yes...it's been a few years since I took that cruise!). We were from Georgia. My entire extended family had rarely travelled outside of the south and even had we known how cool or wet it was going to be, our idea of cold weather gear was tennis shoes and jeans with light cotton sweaters! We were unprepared for sure!

 

[ILUVALASKA]

I couldn't care less about the weather in Alaska. I pack layers. I plan my cruises to Alaska based on when I have the best chance of seeing wildlife. You need to go when the salmon are running in order to see bears. You need to be in Auke Bay when the whales are feeding. JUly and August are better for those purposes.