When to cruise Alaska?

[PoohBears#1fan]

We’re just 2 adults so looking to avoid peak season, we can’t decide between May/June or September.

many pros or cons please? We’re aware it’ll be colder but we’re ok with that.
Thank you

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

We sailed in May. We got lucky with weather- it was mostly sunny and temps were in the 60s - 70s. We chose May, in part, because we’re from CT so the temps weren’t likely to be far off from what we were experiencing at home, so no shock to the system. You’re unlikely to see bears that early. On the plus side, the helicopter/glacier excursions may be canceled due to weather, but not because of melting, which is a risk later in the season. More daylight hours in May, too. Good luck deciding. It’s a fantastic sailing - our favorite to date!

 

[wendypooh22]

We sailed in mid August and got lucky with warmer weather and only a couple days of rain. We didn't do any of the extreme excursions, but we did do a post cruise land tour for a few nights that ended at Denali. We were blessed with great weather, but not so much wildlife. I am guessing it was due to the time of year?? The reason why we went at that time of year is because we went with my Aunt/Uncle and that is their preferred time to go to Alaska.

 

[Cheburashka]

We’re just 2 adults so looking to avoid peak season, we can’t decide between May/June or September.

many pros or cons please? We’re aware it’ll be colder but we’re ok with that.
Thank you

September will likely be more rainy than May/June. May/June will also likely feature some snow on the mountains, which is pretty. We sailed in early June and thought it was perfect.

 

[happycamper47]

We went in May, June and July and the May trip was the best. The June trip was 50/50 and July was rain most of the time which caused numerous Port Adventures to be cancelled. As was also mentioned, having the snow still there made for great train ride out of Skagway in May.

 

[anjuan]

We went the last week of May and had great weather. We saw a lot of wildlife as well.

 

[belle032]

We are 2 adults and just sailed last month-dates were 9/14-9/22. We had fantastic weather for the most part. Only rained in Ketchikan (which is pretty much the norm for any day) and I know we were very lucky. It was mostly fall-ish weather. I wore lots of fleeces and leggings. Our coldest day was sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord and that was mainly because we were on deck/our balcony most of the day. We were allllll bundled up for that.

I would easily sail again in September!

 

[tvguy]

Two cruises to Alaska, both in June. Both times we some how missed rain and caught a "heat wave".

 

[KVH]

September, AFTER school starts, will almost always cost less. Sometimes a lot less. Yeah, not the best reason to choose but saving money never hurt. Based on not going during busy season, the question is really whether the saving is worth possibly dealing with a little more rain. This year, for example, early fall was VERY dry. Could be be the same or soaking wet next year. Small gamble.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I went end of May and early June. Both times were great and considered not bear season, but we saw bears both times. September is probably lowest season and I think it's considered a rainier time to go.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We have sailed twice to Alaska, opening week at the end of May and closing week in October. May had much nicer weather, still cold (we're from New Mexico) but great for exploring with plenty of snow still on the ground in the higher elevations. October was half-n-half sunny and rainy days but great shopping at the ports with the tourist shops closing up and all the Alaska items on the ship were greatly reduced $$$. We will probably do May/June again next time.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you want to do something like mush on a glacier or even land on one, it's got to be early season. Most of the glacier camps are shutting down by mid-July these days.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We’re just 2 adults so looking to avoid peak season, we can’t decide between May/June or September.

many pros or cons please? We’re aware it’ll be colder but we’re ok with that.
Thank you

We've cruised Alaska in both May/June and September.

Weather for both times was comparable - low to mid 60s most days and often drizzly.

June you'll have longer daylight hours compared to September.

September you'll find many shops start closing up for the season, but you'll find those that are open are having pretty good sales.

Other than that either times are good (in my opinion) to go.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

We did the first cruise of the season in May 2014. We had spectacular weather for the cruise, it was even in the high 70s or low 80s in Sitka (10 day cruise) We are hoping for good weather again in May 2022z

 

[KVH]

Another thing to check is hotel prices, especially the Pan Pacific (highly variable). By the time May rolls around, Vancouver is starting their tourist season with pricing accordingly changed. September may get you getter rack rates or even a deal.

 

[Colo17]

Sailed 4 times, all in September. Took inland tour (train and bus) twice, the other was a B2B from Vancouver. Weather was great (cold in Glacier Bay, as usual). Had one helicopter trip to glacier in Juneau cancelled due to fog. Four whale watching trips in Juneau, with one superpod of more than 50 orca. Lots of bear in Neets Bay (floatplane trip for big $$). At this time of year there are fewer tourists and prices are great in shops as they prepare to shut down for winter. Only a few ships in ports. Eagles are out and bears are eating heavily for winter. We saw snow once, and it was while riding train to Denali.

The one trip to Fairbanks had 72 degree weather and locals were frying.

Early season can have ice in some of the bays, restricting where ships can go. Late season can have fewer humpback whales.

 

[happycamper47]

Another thing to check is hotel prices, especially the Pan Pacific (highly variable). By the time May rolls around, Vancouver is starting their tourist season with pricing accordingly changed. September may get you getter rack rates or even a deal.

For anybody considering an ALASKA CRUISE, Southwest will be flying into Bellingham WA starting in November and it's only a little over a 2 hour bus ride (Quick Shuttle) to the port. The money saved is well worth the extra time in my opinion. It was even a money saver coming from Seattle only a longer ride.

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Thank you so much everyone, really useful information

 

[overdisney]

We sailed Holland America 2 weeks in June the first day in port it rained and was cold and damp. The rest of the cruise was absolutely beautiful weather If you are into fishing we did a salmon and halibut fishing trip fantastic caught fish and had them sent home did it on my birthday best birthday ever, Saw more eagles than I could count