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If you’re unsure what to pack for an Alaska cruise, check out our comprehensive packing list. Regardless of where your cruise starts and ends, it’s always better to plan transportation logistics ahead of time to avoid any surprises and confusion upon arrival. In Seattle, for instance, you’ll want to research the best way to get from the airport to your hotel, and from your hotel to the cruise port. In most instances, a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is the most convenient option. However, your hotel may also provide a shuttle, or you could even take the light rail from the airport to downtown.
Ketchikan
Keep in mind that Alaska and the Yukon make up an enormous mass of land; in fact, combined they are about half the size of the lower 48 states! As you can imagine, it can be difficult to speak in generalities about the climate for a place so vast. However, we’ve broken down the weather in Alaska by season and area, with advice on what to expect, so you can choose the best time to cruise to Alaska. Cruise season in Alaska is just five months long, running from May to September, although Holland America Line offers Alaska cruises in late April and early October.
Alaska Cruise in October: Chilly Weather and Cruise Deals When You Cruise Alaska in October
If you want to spot herds of caribou, book an Alaska cruise that puts you in range of Denali National Park. And with salmon runs in full force, you can catch fishing bears in the southeast. As the month progresses, temperatures rise slightly, and daylight hours increase.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in June
Therefore, booking a flight too early in the day could cause you to miss the flight if you encounter delays. Stressing over making it to the airport in time is not worth it; instead, the general rule of thumb is to avoid booking flights before noon. More often than not, flight prices will increase significantly as your travel date approaches.
And best of all, the land is bursting back to life after the long, cold winter months. Flowers are blooming, bears are rousing from their slumber, and a sense of renewal permeates the land. So, don’t scratch spring off your calendar just because Alaska’s climate may not be ideal. One of the best ways to experience salmon fishing is by booking a shore excursion. Any of the fishing tour companies offer services that package up your catch and ship it back to your home packed in dry ice so you can have a feast, and bragging rights, when you return home. Summer break, which is peak cruising season, is an ideal time for families to go on an Alaska cruise.
When is the best time to find special offers on an Alaska cruise?
Those craving a luxury Alaska cruise need not look further than Silversea, says Goldring. The line’s Door-to-Door All-Inclusive fares cover private airport transfers, economy flights, business-class upgrades or air credits, and shore excursions. This World’s Best Award-winning cruise line combines the best of expedition-style and luxury cruising, making it a popular pick amongst well-heeled, adventure-seeking travelers.
Alaska Tours – Your One-Stop Shop for Alaska Cruises and Tours
Orca whales (which are actually members of the dolphin family) are a fairly common site on an Alaskan cruise. “Resident” orcas (who stay near shore and feed on fish) are easy to spot and fun to watch from the cruise ship or on a whale-watching excursion. From month to month, the weather, wildlife, and your chances of viewing the mesmerizing Northern Lights vary greatly.
Op-Ed: Seattle Advocates Rally Against Polluting Cruise Ship Industry as Alaska Season Launches - The Urbanist
Op-Ed: Seattle Advocates Rally Against Polluting Cruise Ship Industry as Alaska Season Launches.
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The cruise season in Alaska is short (just May-September), but what this state lacks in winter tours it makes up for in stunning summer vistas, exciting wildlife and a travelogue of iconic land excursions. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season"). You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours.
During these months, as Alaska’s tourism activity begins to wind down, you can often find deals both on and off the cruise ships. Lower prices and fewer crowds can enhance your overall experience, making it an attractive option for savvy travelers. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists.
April, May, and September are considered shoulder seasons for cruising to Alaska. Shoulder season is the time between peak season and off-season when there are fewer cruisers and lower prices. As someone who has cruised Alaska many times, I love cruising in May when the weather is dry and locals are emerging from their winter cocoons, embracing the sunshine. The wildlife is doing the same, and you might spot bears with their cubs, moose with their calves and humpback whales returning from their winter home in Hawaii.
Seattle's 2024 Cruise Season Kicks Off 25 Years of Sailing to Alaska - portseattle.org
Seattle's 2024 Cruise Season Kicks Off 25 Years of Sailing to Alaska.
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The state's southeast region, where cruises visit, is dotted with picturesque towns and gorgeous landscapes. Southeast Alaska has very few roads connecting its destinations, making a cruise an ideal way to visit the region. On clear nights, you could have a chance to spot the northern lights — though they won't shine as brightly as they do in winter.
If you are cruising in Alaska during the Northern Lights season, note that the Gulf of Alaska is choppiest in September and not recommended for travelers who get seasick. Also, certain sections of the access road to Denali National Park may close in September due to snow, so check your itinerary if that's your preferred Northern Lights viewing spot. From the sweeping mountains of Juneau to the fish-bearing seas of Ketchikan, discover our Alaska cruise ports and set sail into the adventures that await you.
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