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The vibe onboard these ships is also more personalized due to their limited capacity. If you're happy with a couple of historic tours and a guided hike, you could likely budget $500 or less per person for shore excursions in Alaska. But if once-in-a-lifetime Alaska experiences like helicopter rides and flightseeing in Ketchikan are more your speed, you'll need to triple that amount -- or more. 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.
I’m considering an off-season cruise. What should I expect?
Not only is the cracking sound shocking, but the calving also produces a giant wave of water and captivating icebergs. July and August are prime time for viewing glacier calving on an Alaskan cruise. Warmer weather in Alaska also has an unexpected bonus for cruisers in the form of glacial calving. In August, the wildlife can sense that winter is on its way, and activity picks up to prepare for the months of cold, snow, and darkness.
Advantages of Visiting Alaska in August
Alaskan Cruise Costs: What You Can Expect to Pay - NerdWallet
Alaskan Cruise Costs: What You Can Expect to Pay.
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The immediate port area will be filled with tourist shops and eateries. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa).
The best time to cruise to Alaska for good weather
As your ship reaches the Inside Passage, the early morning views outside of your room are breathtaking. One-way Gulf of Alaska itineraries are the best option for Alaska touring, as they begin or end in Alaska. Cruises through Alaska's gulf also tend to pass through the Inside Passage, with typical stops including Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Some will also call on more off-the-beaten-path ports like Icy Strait Point and Haines.
What are nighttime temperatures like in Alaska during the summer?
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Whales can often be spotted from June to August, while bears are most active from July to early September. Alaska is a realm where nature’s grandeur is on full display, where wildlife roams free, and where cultures of the past and present intertwine. Whether you’re gazing at the mesmerizing Northern Lights, watching a humpback whale breach, or merely soaking in the ethereal beauty of the glaciers, Alaska promises memories that last a lifetime. And there you have it – a comprehensive guide to the best time for Alaska cruise adventures! From discerning the best time to embark on this voyage to understanding the seasonal nuances of top ports, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to craft your perfect Alaskan adventure.
Alaska food festivals, marathon races, dances, art exhibits, and so much more are offered year-round, but especially during cruise season. Ketchikan holds a Gigglefeet dance festival in late July or early August each year. See local residents show their best moves, then dance to music old and new. During the land portion of your vacation, your tour guide will make sure you have everything you need and will arrange comfortable transportation from one site to the next. When it comes to transportation and accommodation, you’ll experience luxurious glass-domed trains and stay in high-end hotels and lodges. Schools are still in session in May and September, so fewer families are traveling.
Alaska cruise in August: Rain and high temperatures
Price-conscious travelers will generally find price breaks before Memorial Day or after mid-August, when schools in many parts of the country will be in session. Winter, when nights are long, dark, and clear, is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. That said, it is possible but not guaranteed to see them on an Alaska cruise. An Alaska cruise in early April, or late September, close to the fall equinox (September 21), will increase your chances.
You can embark on thrilling excursions like sea kayaking, hiking, biking, or ziplining, allowing you to immerse yourself in Alaska’s stunning landscapes. If you’re interested in local history, you can explore museums, cultural centers, and native villages to delve into the state’s rich history and native heritage. With extended daylight hours, you’ll have ample time to experience it all. Warmer weather also makes glaciers more active, so it's quite likely to see impressive calving events while cruising in front of Hubbard Glacier, or through the beautiful Glacier Bay National Park. If fishing in Alaska is on your bucket list, July is a good month to book a fishing trip during one of your shore days.
You can also look for a last-minute Alaska cruise deal, though keep in mind that with Alaska's cruise season growing longer, interest in Alaska September cruises is rising. 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.
While you might not be sunning yourself to a stunning shade of bronze on an Alaska cruise, you and everyone on board will want to take in the scenery. That makes having your own balcony a prime piece of real estate, especially near Denali National Park, portions of the Inside Passage or Tracy Arm Fjord. Almost all Gulf of Alaska cruises visit to Hubbard Glacier and spend some time scenic cruising in College Fjord. Alternatively, Gulf of Alaska cruises are typically seven-night, one-way itineraries between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, the gateway ports for Anchorage and northern destinations in the state. An Alaska cruise from Seattle will visit the Inside Passage but tends to favor the open (and frequently bumpier) Pacific Ocean. Sailings from Vancouver tend to traverse more of the Inside Passage and spend a full day sailing this scenic region.
With smaller ships and fewer passengers, this cruise offers a premium and upscale journey through the wonders of Alaska. Another way to save some money is to check out glacier routes that go northbound, which can be slightly cheaper than those heading southbound. If you're looking to avoid the crowds, choose "a sailing that starts mid-week rather than on a weekend," suggested McDaniel. "The best reason to cruise to Alaska is there are things that you can only truly see from the water. It's why it is a bucket list destination for many, many people," said McDaniel. "When you're out on the water, you can do wildlife viewing as well, and it's built into that cruise experience." The last time I was in Alaska — many years ago — I stood on the deck of a cruise ship and watched giant pieces of ice, some seemingly as large as a car, fall off the Hubbard Glacier and into the sea.
Temperatures will be in the 60s, sometimes higher — you might even see 80s in Juneau in July. During long days of light, you'll find hearty Alaskans swimming in the sea and enjoying water sports. At the beginning of the month, you might still be able to find some early season pricing; the peak season for Alaska cruising begins in late June. While early May often carries a chill in the air, by the end of the month, you might encounter temperatures in the 60s.
In addition to humpbacks, you might also spot belugas and seals with their pups as you sail. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.
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