When do the Alaskan cruise dates for 2017 become available?

[onesam319]

I have learned on this forum that the best prices come with the earliest booking. I just cruised on Fantasy and won't be able to cruise again until 2017 or later. When do those dates start booking?

 

[ajo]

For our 2016 Alaska cruise, we booked on March 26, 2015, the first day bookings were open to the general folks. If you're gold or platinum, you can book a day early.

 

[xlxo]

"Best prices"? Pay attention to which month you are looking at for Alaska.... there's a reason why some months cost more than others....

• May and September is cheaper, but colder and some excursions are not running
• May can mean ice congestion to some glacier viewing sites like Tracy Arm/Sawyer
• May to July is dryer in Alaska, August will see more rain and September will be wettest. If too stormy to dock.... cruise ships will skip the port.
• July to August will be dryer in Cascadia
• May to August will give you more day light
• August and September offer better wildlife opportunities
• I like late-July for weather compromise and wildlife. It's also priced higher.
• some ports offer season opportunities like fireworks and pride celebrations, but can also mean congestion.
• http://www.alaska.org/advice/best-time-to-visit-alaska => it recommends mid-June to mid-July!

 

[redsonja76]

I heard they might be skipping Alaska in 2017 because of the Wonder's reimagining. I would be so bummed because we are planning that itinerary with a large group of people.

 

[elphie101]

I'm curious to know what people prefer for Alaska between July and August, if anyone has any experience (or hey, if any Alaskans can comment!) I'm a college employee so my summer travel is really restricted to June 30-mid August. We're ideally looking at Alaska for 2017 too, since we could combine it with a Seattle trip.

 

[xlxo]

I vote for July..... August offers more wildlife.... but it's the start of the wet season.

Late July would be a good compromise and you get to see the Wednesday & Saturday fireworks competitions in Vancouver.

 

[xlxo]

I heard they might be skipping Alaska in 2017 because of the Wonder's reimagining. I would be so bummed because we are planning that itinerary with a large group of people.

The problem is once the Wonder is reimagined... it won't fit the current Panama. While the Panama is scheduled to be completed soon.... will there be additional delays?

I assume the strategy is to skip one or two years in the Pacific to minimize booking commitments until the Panama is completed is safer. Then again, will Zika change their minds?