The Best Months to Go on an Alaskan Cruise

Ranking the best time to travel via cruise to Alaska by weather, daylight hours, animals, and cost. Your cruise will likely visit the inside passage region, information will vary slightly if you’re traveling to other regions.

Weather*

May 38-55 degrees, 17 days of rain

June 45-60 degrees, 15 days of rain

July 48-64 degrees, 17 days of rain

August 47-62 degrees, 18 days of rain

September 43-55 degrees, 20 days of rain

Summary: you can’t escape the rain but June is the driest month. Coolest weather in May and September, warmest in July. Rounded up my favorite rainy and cold weather gear here.

Source: alaska.org

*temperature in Fahrenheit 

Daylight

May 16.5 hours, sunset at 9:15 pm

June 18.1 hours, sunset at 10 pm

July 17.3 hours, sunset at 9:45 pm

August 15.2 hours, sunset at 8:30 pm

September 12.4 hours, sunset at 7:15 pm

Summary: most daylight hours in June, shortest day in August and September. Getting kids to sleep when it's still light outside can be tricky, but there are ways to manage this! The privacy curtains are great at blocking out light, or you could opt for an inside stateroom.

Source: alaska.org

Animals 

Bears: Mid august to end of September 

Whales: May - October, whales are pretty consistent in Alaska. A lot of whale tours guarantee a whale siting, and will give you a refund if not. 

Eagles: May- July, in August they start retreating to the woods to gorge on salmon swimming upstream.

Salmon: June-September

Summary: If you cruise in June, you’ll be able to see eagles, salmon, and whales. If you cruise in August or September, you’ll see bears, whales, and salmon. 

Source: Ketchikan Expeditions

Cost*

Prices seem to be lower at the tail ends of the season, and more expensive from mid June to mid August

Summary: This is where you have to choose the best option for you, balancing your budget with weather, daylight, what animals you want to see, and schedule limitations. For example If you have your heart set on seeing bears and are prepared for less daylight and lots of rain, a mid to end of September sail date could save you some funds.

*Disney Cruise Line was used as a reference. Be on the lookout for GT staterooms (guaranteed, Disney picks your stateroom # for you). These cabins are priced at a 25%+ discount and are usually announced around 120 days before a sail date.

Overall: I'd go in June or July, unless you are really wanting to see bears. Early June would give you a lower cost cruise with decent weather and lots of daylight.

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