so how cold is it really on the Alaska cruises?

[Jareds_mommy]

we are tossing around going the end of Aug, so as a comparison
we are from Canada lol its 14C here today (57F) and that's shorts t-shirt BBQ weather.
How will the cold compare on the ship?

 

[DisneyMomJen]

We did the Alaska cruise in Mid August and it was COLD. We were not prepared. I had read many trip reports where everyone said it was warm so I was hopeful. Most people had winter coats, hats, Uggs, etc on the ship. We wound up buying warm coats in Alaska since we were not prepared.

 

[stlouismickey]

I think it depends on what you consider cold. We have gone to Disney World in December and been in shorts and short sleeve shirts and other people in the park have long pants and coats on.

We are going to Alaska in July and I plan on bringing a jacket but will dress in layers. I think I am more concerned about rain.

 

[MouseMomx2]

If you think of 57F as shorts weather you'll be fine! You will, however, want to pack some long pants, some long sleeved shirts and clothes that can be worn in layers. As others have said, cold is relative to where you come from. As Canadians, I don't think you'll have much trouble on the Alaskan sailing.

On our Alaskan, which was the last of the season, we had temps in the 50s and low 60s (F). It was definitely comfortable, but it was not warm/hot. We were able to use the pools and hot tubs, as they are heated, but you wouldn't want to stay around long in your wet suits after getting out.

All that said, the Alaskan sailing was amazing. It was one week of our summer so we still had plenty of time to experience the warmth at home. We loved the cruise so much we're doing it again next year.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

It was unseasonably warm last year (we cruised middle of June) and we were warm. It was in the high 50's as the low and low 80's as the high. Typically it was around 70 degrees which was awesome, but much warmer than we expected.

We did not have a drop of rain either!

Heather

 

[algae]

It's not so much the temperature, it's the wide range of possibilities and the uncertainty. It's not like it is cold all the time, it just can be quite different one day to the next.

On deck during Tracy Arm day zipping through the glaciers, it can be cold due to the wind chill of a moving ship. Then, it can be 80F in some ports with no clouds in the sky to overcast and raining in the next port. That's what we had to deal with during the 4th of July 2 years ago. Just pack a lot of layers and you'll cover most conditions. It's always cold on the glaciers, though.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

 

[bumbershoot]

It's not so much the temperature, it's the wide range of possibilities and the uncertainty. It's not like it is cold all the time, it just can be quite different one day to the next.

On deck during Tracy Arm day zipping through the glaciers, it can be cold due to the wind chill of a moving ship. Then, it can be 80F in some ports with no clouds in the sky to overcast and raining in the next port. That's what we had to deal with during the 4th of July 2 years ago. Just pack a lot of layers and you'll cover most conditions. It's always cold on the glaciers, though.

YES!


Our honeymoon was on the second to last sailing of the season in '03 (on Royal). We scoured the earth for good coats (it was really hard to find back then, even REI was only carrying summer stuff) and found 3-in-1 coats for layering. We brought wool socks and jeans and warm shoes. And we brought lighter clothing, too.

Leaving Vancouver it was sunny and windy and breezy and basically nice. The day we approached the glacier it was FREEZING out on deck. We had omitted gloves and hats from our list, and regretted it. We thought it would take far less time to get to the glacier, and stayed outside on the bow (as you can/could do on Radiance) for far too long.

In Skagway it was perfectly lovely. In Juneau we had the 3-in-1s on and yet unzipped. I don't remember what we wore in Ketchikan, we were off the ship for an hour then went back onboard.

It was a wide variety of weather and temperature. Take everything.

 

[mmouse37]

We went August 16th and we had rain in each port but we were prepared. I had an LL Bean jacket with hood, waterproof hiking boots and a thin fleece. that I wore over my clothes. We had temps in the high 40's-low 50's. I did not find it too cold at all and weather was pretty much what I expected.

On deck it was breezy but one day we went in the pool for a bit and then right in the hot tub!!

Loved having a warm beverage in the upper part of Cove Café and watched the world go by!! Loved our Alaska cruise!!

MJ

 

[DisneyMomJen]

There was no way anyone could swim on our cruise. It was that cold. I would just be prepared for any kind of weather.

 

[SeattleSuz]

When we went in mid-June, it was very rainy in Juneau, sunny and 60s and 70s every other day, except for one day, when it was rainy and cold (40s). But if 50s is shorts weather, then I think you will be fine!

 

[jetskigrl]

Well, if you were to go on the August 11th cruise this year, you would be guaranteed to get really warm weather. That is because I bought cold weather (layering) items plus waterproof boots for all of us. After making all those purchases, I've pretty much jinxed us into having the warmest Alaska weather ever

 

[ILUVALASKA]

August will be warm. I wear shorts! Southeast Alaska is in a temperate zone, not like the Arctic!

 

[Jareds_mommy]

it snowed last week and my kids still wore shorts to school lol to them any thing above 0 is shorts weather, I did have to put my foot down one day when the oldest tried sneaking out in shorts in -35 this winter, he tried to tell me it was warmer out then it looked

 

[holula]

If 57 is BBQ weather the most you will have to worry about is the wind! It was 50s on Tracy Arm day for us in late May and the wind chill made it feel so much colder. The other days were in the 60s and pleasant.

 

[wendydarling33]

Also be prepared for the possibility for rain. We went first week of July and it rained every day at least a little. The pirate party had to be held inside.

 

[bumbershoot]

it snowed last week and my kids still wore shorts to school lol to them any thing above 0 is shorts weather, I did have to put my foot down one day when the oldest tried sneaking out in shorts in -35 this winter, he tried to tell me it was warmer out then it looked

How about when it's windy, like if they are on a ship speeding along the open water?

 

[Donna3271]

We were on the Aug 26th '13 cruise. It was so warm. We were sweating in Ketchican (kids were swimming). We has one 1/2 rainy day in Juneau.

It was beautiful…. but I guess it is hit and miss. I am well-traveled, and that was one of the best trips I have been on. Go for it.

 

[AMB1]

We were on the July 7th cruise. We never needed anything more than our fleece and/or shell. Our kids swam several times. We didn't need hats or mitts.

We are from Toronto, but I've spent plenty of time in Alberta. You will be fine. The weather changes quickly, just like in Calgary. If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. It is like spring weather.

 

[snarfieca]

Fellow Canadians here. We've cruised twice to Alaska in late Aug. We didn't wear shorts; just jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. When we were on shore, we had on a rain jacket; good for rain and stops the wind. We generally didn't spend much time out on the deck; when we started getting chilly we went back inside; so we didn't wear jackets.

On Tracy Arm days, we spent most of the day outside. The first time was quite chilly and we laid on the lounge chairs and wrapped up in blankets and watched the beautiful scenery go by. We also had to wear mittens. The next time was nice and warm and sunny, we didn't need blankets. We just enjoyed the day. The boat does not move fast so there is hardly any wind. That's a great part od the trip.

We also spent time in and by the pool on our second cruise. Not wrapped up in blankets. It was strange being there in bathing suits while lots of people were walking by in parkas.

Brenda
from MB