Cruise Tips for Alaska Weather: Month by Month NCL Travel Blog

Table Of Content

• Summer at Crystal Mountain Is Filled with Adventure
• Can I still see glaciers during an Alaska cruise from May to July?
• Advantages of Visiting Alaska in September
• Best Time to Visit Alaska
• Alaska Cruise Weather by Month
• Expert Tips for Photographing Alaska's Wildlife
• My Experience with Alaska in June
• Alaska Weather in June: The Ultimate Guide

If you have an exterior room and are sensitive to light while sleeping, a sleeping mask will help you rest during these long days. You’ll also have more hours to look for wildlife from your room window or veranda. Expect less activity and fewer shop openings in some smaller port towns in May since most summer workers are in college and won’t arrive until June. There are exciting marine animals that you can see this early in the Alaskan springtime. There are also amazing birds, including bald eagles and land animals like mountain goats, Dall sheep, and brown and black bears. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip.

Summer at Crystal Mountain Is Filled with Adventure

For dinner, ladies can bring nice blouses and skirts or pants, dresses, or jumpsuits. That’s why we didn’t add special pants to the packing lists in this article. Sneakers/trainers, sandals, boat shoes, and other casual footwear are appropriate for onboard activities. Juneau only averages about 2.3” inches of rain in June, compared to 7.5” inches in September.

Can I still see glaciers during an Alaska cruise from May to July?

The good news is that no matter which month you choose, your Alaskan cruise will reward you with incredible experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Gray whales, humpback whales, orca, beluga whales — Alaska has them all. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise. From the Alaska State Fair in the Mat-Su Valley to the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival, there is so much to do in this glorious state in August. Blueberries are in season, with berry festivals following, bears roam the hills, and Seward’s Silver Salmon Derby is the perfect place to cast your fishing rod. Fortunately, you don’t need to sweat too hard about that last one as there’s no bad month to do an Alaska cruise.

Advantages of Visiting Alaska in September

Some adventurous cruisers will board ships when they arrive in Alaska in April to see the remnants of winter. A few big ships cruise into mid-October for those who want a peek at what life is like in Alaska towns when all the other tourists have returned home. This isn’t to say you won’t see glaciers and snow capped peaks, but rather you’ll see so much more! Our team provides some insights on what you can expect to see and what to pack for your voyage to The Last Frontier. Doing research will help you pack correctly, plan your travel logistics without any issues, and book that once-in-a-lifetime excursion you’ve dreamed about for years. No one enjoys navigating crowds, but it’s almost inevitable when cruising to Alaska.

Best Time to Visit Alaska

Most first-time passengers make the mistake of not packing enough layers. If I had been able to fly and land on the glacier as planned, I would have needed hiking boots or something more substantial than walking shoes. I went on a zodiac tour, so the wind and temperature varied greatly. It was chilly and uncomfortable on the boat, but when we arrived at the island for a hike, it was warm enough that I removed my coat and sweatshirt. You should always dress warmly with extra layers when going on a boat tour.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide - Condé Nast Traveler

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Alaska Cruise Weather by Month

The Best Month Of The Year To Cruise To Alaska, And Why - TheTravel

The Best Month Of The Year To Cruise To Alaska, And Why.

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Instead of getting upset over a cold, rainy day in port, maintain a positive attitude. Find a cozy saloon to enjoy a warm Irish coffee, or bundle up in your rain gear and make the most of the day. If your cruise is a one-way itinerary that starts or ends in Seward, Alaska, transportation logistics require more pre-planning. The closest major airport to Seward is Anchorage, which is over two hours away by car.

Expert Tips for Photographing Alaska's Wildlife

It isn’t necessary to bring cold weather gear on an Alaskan cruise, but travelers should keep in mind that they’ll be visiting a rain forest. Sitka has an average daytime temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit or nine Celsius in June. Nighttime temperatures average 48 degrees Fahrenheit or nine Celsius. The average rainfall is three inches, and it rains 16 days on average. Alaska cruise weather in June at all of the major ports has an average daytime temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 Celsius.

My Experience with Alaska in June

There are also unofficial midnight hikes, like the popular one to Flattop where there’s usually drinks and sometimes even a band. Parking can be scarce, so I recommend taking an Uber or getting there early. When the salmon runs enter the streams and rivers in Alaska, the bears come to life. With all the fish activity in June, this means that June is one of the best times for bear watching. King Salmon are also entering the water for their saltwater phase and peak around June 15. Homer also has King Salmon and is known for it’s halibut and rockfish as well.

Although it is getting darker earlier, solar activity is not at its peak in the summer, so your chances of viewing the Northern Lights in July are slim to none. The average July temperature in Juneau is 64 degrees, with an average low of 51 degrees. They begin migrating from Hawaiian waters in the springtime to feed in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters. If you are in port, you’ll get to see how Alaskans take advantage of the Midnight Sun with locals out biking, hiking, and fishing at all hours of the night.

New small ship cruises, adventure trips, ships & the best deals at your fingertips. Stick to the broad guidelines above and as previously stated, follow the advice of your packing lists. Checking the weather before your Alaska trip will only serve to frustrate your preparations and offers little insight into what conditions will be like when you arrive.

You get the opportunity to see Alaska’s most popular National Park, Denali, and the beautiful landscape surrounding it. It was foggy and rainy when I rode the tram up to the mountain peak in Juneau. I didn’t bring an umbrella because my coat was waterproof and had a hood to pull over my head. Most people avoid the outdoor decks of cruise ships in colder climates because the wind can reach 25 mph. During June on an Alaska cruise, it’s not uncommon to have a brief rainstorm sneak up on you or for the entire day to be foggy and overcast.

The average nighttime temperature is about 48 Fahrenheit or nine Celsius. As Alaska cruises have grown in popularity, the crowds have grown as well. It’s not uncommon for there to be three, four, or even five cruise ships docked in Alaska's ports at once. To ensure you don’t miss out, consider booking a later dinner time, or simply eat dinner elsewhere on the nights the sailaway overlaps with your dining time. One of the best ways to become acquainted with Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships is to watch a full tour of the ship on YouTube.

Alaska’s unpredictable weather in June is no match for our carefully curated packing tips, designed to keep you cozy and dry no matter the conditions. You’ll be ready to embrace the diverse adventures that await you with our recommendations for layered clothing, versatile outerwear, and essential rain gear. Though weather can be hard to predict, especially in Alaska, there are trends that’ll help you know what to expect during your summer cruise. So, check the weather before you pack, but these will give you a guesstimate. Daylight hours in Alaska during June are extensive due to the midnight sun, especially in northern regions.

With large crowds being pumped into the state, small towns turn into city hubs and all the tour companies and open and ready to accommodate. Here’s a list of some of the best things to do in Alaska in June. The Nalukataq Whaling Festival is held in Utqiagvik (Barrow) honors the seasons successful subsistence whale hunting season. There’s lots of dancing, singing, blanket tossing, and eating of muktuk (whale blubber). If you’re looking for an authentic Alaskan experience, this is not to be missed.