The best time to cruise Alaska
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A nearby platform provides the perfect viewpoint for photographing the bears. Southcentral Alaska, including Anchorage and Seward, has average temps ranging from 55 F to 70 F. The best way to get to Alaska in July is to either take a cruise or fly into Anchorage, Juneau, or Fairbanks.
July and August
Ketchikan once was a major player in the timber industry and has a sordid past steeped in bootlegging and brothels. Skagway was a jumping-off point for the Klondike Gold Rush beyond Chilkoot Pass and has an old railroad to prove it. I hope you are able to plan and fulfill all of your fantastical travel dreams! Feel free to click around my site to discover more exciting destinations and itineraries. Hiking and camping in Alaska’s wilderness are safe with proper preparation and awareness. Be bear-aware, carry bear spray, store food properly, and always inform someone of your plans.
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Alaska is known for its unpredictable and often erratic weather, so many travelers hesitate over which month to book their sailing. June is one of the best months for wildlife sightings, with caribou, black bears, mountain goats, moose calves, and even polar bears out and about. We’ve put together this Alaska cruise weather guide to help you find the best time to cruise to Alaska. There are dog sledding options in many ports, including Juneau, Skagway, and Anchorage. Each excursion typically includes a helicopter ride and dog sledding on a glacier. Snow and ice at the higher elevations have mostly melted, and Alaska’s landscapes open up for hikers and backpackers.
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Embarking on an Alaskan cruise in July is an exciting and unforgettable experience. The pristine beauty of Alaska’s landscapes, coupled with the unique wildlife and rich cultural heritage, make it a dream destination for many travelers. The Princess cruise ships that are doing these kinds of Alaska cruises in July 2023 are the Grand Princess, Majestic Princess, Royal Princess, and Sapphire Princess. But even if you can’t choose an Alaska cruise with Glacier Bay National Park, other glacier sea days can be the highlight of your cruise too.
Many outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, can be enjoyed well into the evening hours. It allows for more flexibility in planning your itinerary and provides ample time to immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural surroundings. To prepare for all conditions, you should plan for temperatures ranging from the 40s to 70s, both on and off ship.
Tips for Traveling in Alaska in July
Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. Alaska is still gaining sunlight as the Summer Solstice approaches, so you’ll experience longer days during your May cruise. While prices in the early season are generally less expensive, your experience during a May cruise will look different from during the high season in July and August. 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. Because of its latitude, Alaska experiences extremes in daylight in the summer and darkness in the winter.
What To Expect on an Alaskan Cruise: Weather and Wildlife
Hundreds of king salmon grace the majestic waters of the Pacific while freckled lynx bask in the early summer sun. Thanks to the modest daytime temperatures and refreshing evening climates, May is peak season for many of Alaska’s most cherished wildlife. Weather typically ranges from the -1 to a high of around 12 degrees Celsius. May itineraries invite guests to pack jumpers and jackets for easy layering. Weather typically ranges from the 30s to a high of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. May itineraries invite guests to pack sweaters and jackets for easy layering.
What is the best time to cruise Alaska?
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For major cruise lines, the Alaska cruise season runs between May and late September, including Viking and Disney. While early May often carries a chill in the air, by the end of the month, you might encounter temperatures in the 60s. The warmer weather means glaciers begin shedding ice more frequently, so you have a better chance of experiencing the sight and sound of a house-size chunk of ice calving into the sea. There's also the bonus that Alaska's large mosquito population has yet to emerge.
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It’s recommended to bring sleep masks or blackout curtains to help ensure a restful night’s sleep during your cruise. Additionally, if you plan on staying up late to witness the midnight sun, be prepared for potential fatigue and adjust your activities accordingly the following day. Embrace the enchantment of the Midnight Sun and take advantage of the extended daylight hours during your Alaskan cruise. One of the remarkable aspects of visiting Alaska in July is the abundance of daylight hours. Known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” Alaska experiences incredibly long days during the summer solstice, which falls around June 20th.
If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings. Just expect cooler weather, fewer wildlife viewing opportunities, and less active ports with some shops that are still shuttered. Choosing to cruise in the early spring of Alaska will impact your experience. Less travelers might sound appealing, but many port towns aren’t fully “tourist operational” until late June when summer workers start to arrive.
During the summer months, Alaska experiences average temperatures ranging from the 50s to the 70s Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celsius). However, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to drop into the 40s Fahrenheit (4-9 degrees Celsius) in the evenings, especially in more northern regions. While Alaska might be colder than other summer vacation spots, it offers unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. These include sightings of wild orcas, sea lions, and humpback whales and riding one of the world’s longest ziplines.
The dark and cold winters are not ideal for cruises because travelers aren’t able to enjoy the wonders of the state of Alaska. Other adventurous activities, such as hiking trails, open up in the summer months. Hatcher Pass typically opens up in July, depending on the specific Hatcher Pass weather conditions.
The average large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars and produce up to a ton of trash each day. While there can be a positive economic impact on ports of call, a small community visited by 15,000 people per day during sailing season can intrinsically change. You’ll get a snapshot of the Tongass National Forest, glaciers and the occasional whale or bear, but not up close unless you’re on a specific shore excursion. Holland America, Cunard and Viking all have cruises that fit this itinerary. Daylight hours in July are long, with some areas experiencing up to hours of daylight.
For photo enthusiasts, an assortment of wide-angle lenses, x-factor lenses, multipurpose lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, and even a tripod can help you capture that perfect shot. Look to shoulder season sailingsNot only will you often receive a significant discount, you’ll also be able to witness Alaska’s seasonal transitions and fewer crowds at ports of call. Large cruise companies sail Alaska's Inside Passage from Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, and on through the Gulf of Alaska to Seward or Whittier. In between, passengers usually stop in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, and then sail up College Fjord to see glaciers stretching their icy fingers into the sea. You'll see plenty of stunning scenery along the way but not up close – for most cruisers, it's more than enough to satisfy. We are proud to offer the best tours Alaska has to offer with Alaska shore excursions at wholesale prices.
During July, Alaska experiences incredibly long daylight hours, providing an extended window each day for visitors to enjoy the outdoors. While that’s especially true in the northern part of the state, even areas like Anchorage and Denali serve up lots of daylight and only a few hours of darkness. Take advantage by indulging in various adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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