If you’ve never visited the 49th state before, you’re probably wondering when is the best time to cruise to Alaska.
The fact that the Alaska cruise season is just five months long, from May to September, makes it important for you to know all the ins and outs of Alaska cruising so you can choose the best time to sail.
Alaska’s location at the far northwestern corner of North America and its two-season weather of long, cold winters and short, intense summers make it a unique cruise destination. Cruise ships have a short window in which to safely navigate through the ice that may still be present in Alaska’s most remote waterways during the first part of the cruise season.
Winter’s long nights turn into long hours of daylight starting in April, making those May through September months the most beautiful time to experience Alaska’s incredible combination of vibrant wildlife, rich culture, and breathtaking glaciers.
The good news is that no matter when you visit, you’ll experience the best way to see Alaska aboard a cruise ship. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about choosing the best time to cruise to Alaska.
Cruising to Alaska Month by Month
May
Weather
Mendenhall Glacier
By mid-May, spring is transitioning into summer, and temperatures are edging toward average daily highs of 56°F. This is one of the driest months of the year, although everything is relative— even in May, you should pack walking shoes and waterproof jackets. Bring gloves and a hat for glacier excursions, too.
What to expect
Alaska’s brief spring, when the snow melts and the trees burst into leaf, is at its most beautiful in May. The deciduous trees are turning a lush green. By the middle of the month, the days are getting really long; Anchorage, for example, sees 17 hours of daylight. However, there will still be snow on the mountains, making for fantastic views, especially against a deep blue sky.
Wildlife
Bear
May in Alaska is a great month for wildlife viewing. Bears are now out of hibernation; their cubs are usually born in winter inside the den, so if you’re lucky, you could see them experiencing the outdoors for the first time. Moose, too, are calving in May.
If you’re into whale-watching, you could spot gray whales, which return to Alaskan waters in early spring. By May, humpbacks and migratory orcas are joining them. In the skies, migratory birds are arriving for the summer, to the joy of birders.
What to eat
If you want to eat locally caught fish—which you should, as it’s delicious—halibut is in season in May as fish come to feed in the Inside Passage. The first salmon runs are beginning, so now’s your chance to enjoy succulent sockeye at a cookout. If you’re in search of something warming on a cool day, you can’t beat a creamy clam chowder or a tasty reindeer sausage.
Good to know
Flightseeing tour
May is still shoulder season in Alaska, and some services may still be getting up and running for summer. Mountain trails can still be slushy, so bring sturdy footwear if you want to hike—and be on the alert for sleepy bears.
This is a great time for visiting Denali National Park and Preserve; with low rainfall and long hours of daylight, you have a good chance of seeing the mighty mountain as the clouds part. The best way to do this is on a flightseeing tour, soaring high above icy peaks and snowy valleys.
June
Weather
Denali National Park
By mid-June, summer in Alaska is well underway. This is the driest month of the year in Alaska, so expect fine weather—with the usual caveat that it could rain at any time—and average daily highs of around 63°F.
What to expect
June brings the summer solstice, and the whole of Alaska celebrates long, bright days. As far north as Anchorage, the sun barely sets. The tundra and mountain slopes are carpeted with wildflowers, and the snow is melting at higher elevations, making this a great time for hiking.
June is usually when the famous Chilkoot National Historic Trail opens, so this is your chance to tackle the route trodden by thousands of gold prospectors and their horses during the Klondike Gold Rush. You can access the trail as an excursion from Skagway.
Wildlife
Humpback whale
Alaskan wildlife is active in June. As the salmon runs intensify, bears head down to rushing streams to pluck lunch or dinner out of the water. Ketchikan, dubbed the “salmon capital of the world,” is a great place to spot this. The migratory whales have arrived for the summer, so this is the ideal time to book a whale-watching excursion.
What to eat
Rhubarb pie
The sockeye salmon run intensifies in June, and you’ll find this meaty, deep red fish on restaurant menus everywhere. Halibut is still a star on many restaurant menus—why not join a fishing excursion from Icy Strait Point to catch your own?
Cherries and rhubarb are all in season; look for delicious rhubarb pies on menus and enjoy them with a scoop of ice cream flecked with vanilla.
Good to know
Bring bug spray, as mosquitoes can be a nuisance as the temperatures rise. Also, if you want more of Alaska’s pristine beauty to yourself, travel earlier in the month before peak season kicks in.
July
Weather
Tongass National Forest
July is a wonderful month to visit Alaska, with average highs of 65°F and a full 18 hours of daylight. It is also one of the rainier months—but Alaskans are no strangers to rain. You just need the right gear.
What to expect
Wildflowers are still in bloom, and forests are lush and green; this is a great month for hiking in Alaska. Do be aware, though, that some trails may be closed due to bear activity; the salmon runs are peaking now, and bears congregate around streams for the easy pickings. A hike with a guide is the safest option.
July is peak season in Alaska, so be sure to book your shore excursions well in advance, as activities do fill up. Whale-watching, husky sledding, scenic flightseeing tours, and river rafting are all popular.
This is festival time, too, with activities all over the state. If you’re in Seward for July 4, don’t miss the epic Mount Marathon Race, where runners tackle the steep, challenging slopes of the eponymous mountain.
Wildlife
Moose
July is a great time to spot colonies of seals with their pups and bears with their fast-growing cubs. Look for sea otters, and in Denali, get ready to spot the Big Five: moose, Dall sheep, caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears.
July is also a good time to see bald eagles. These majestic birds hang out in the treetops, watching for the silvery flash of salmon in the water. They’ll also scavenge around rivers where salmon are spawning. Bald eagles are easy to identify as their heads are white, so they stand out against the green foliage.
What to eat
Salmon
July is peak salmon season, and you’ll find all five species available. Berries are ripening; blueberries and salmonberries are beginning to appear, strawberries and raspberries are on the menu, and rhubarb is still in season.
Halibut fishing trips are still on offer. Incidentally, you can feast on king crab at any time in Alaska; the season is in the winter, and the catch is immediately frozen.
Good to know
While July is certainly warm, it can be wet, so pack a light waterproof jacket—and remember that bug spray.
August
Weather
Alyeska
Alaska’s brief summer is already drawing to a close in August, but this is still a great month to visit. The days are still long and daytime temperatures reach the mid-60s.
Evenings, though, are getting cooler—it’s rare, but not unknown for the first snow to fall at altitude as August comes to an end. You should expect a fair amount of rain, too—Juneau averages 17 days in August. The good news is that the cooler weather sees the end of mosquito season.
What to expect
During August in Alaska, trees are beginning to assume their brilliant fall colors. The tundra turns to scarlet, while the trees in the Tongass National Forest are taking on hues of orange and yellow. Fireweed is at its peak now, turning whole valleys into swathes of brilliant magenta. Locals make jelly and honey from the flowers, which, to Alaskans, symbolize the end of summer.
Wildlife
Bear
Wildlife is still very active in August. Bears are busy fattening up for winter, feeding on berries as well as the salmon that continue to force their way upstream. Humpback whales are still present. They usually stay until September, so be sure to book a whale-watching trip. Bald eagles continue to pick off salmon from streams; pink and coho are still running in August.
What to eat
August in Alaska brings the unusual phenomenon of giant, oversized vegetables. After months of around 18 hours of daylight, melons, pumpkins, beets, and cabbages have reached epic proportions. Blueberries are also in season; in fact, there are entire festivals that celebrate them, not least at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. Here, the festival features live bands, blueberry-themed drinks, a pie-eating contest, and, of course, blueberry picking.
Good to know
Fairbanks
August is the first month of the Alaska cruise season when you might see the Northern Lights. To maximize your chances, take a cruisetour north to Denali and beyond; Fairbanks is the best place for a sighting.
Also, as the season is drawing to a close, check out the shops in port for bargains. Vacuum-packed smoked salmon, Native Alaskan art, clothing, and handmade jewelry are all good buys.
September
Weather
Denali National Park
September in Alaska still brings long days, with 12 to 13 hours of daylight and daytime highs of up to 58°F. You could see the first snow dusting the mountains; this is called “termination dust,” a phrase coined by the early gold miners to signify the transition from warm summer to bitter winter.
September is your best chance to spot the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. You can see the rippling aurora from anywhere in Alaska, but the wide open spaces around Fairbanks, which is much further north than the Inside Passage, are your best bet.
What to expect
Fall has well and truly arrived by September. The aspens and willow trees are sporting dazzling shades of yellow and orange; a trip up the Mount Roberts Tramway in Juneau should provide a front-row seat to this splendor. You could take a flightseeing excursion over Denali National Park, too, where the tundra is a spectacular scarlet.
Wildlife
Humpback whale
Bears are feasting on berries in September, fattening up for hibernation. The coho, or silver salmon, are running, so you could still see bears scooping fish out of the water. There’s an excellent chance of spotting resident dolphins and orcas in the Inside Passage, while humpback whales usually stay around until their migration in November.
September is also when you’ll spot enormous bull moose rutting. Their dramatic antlers have reached peak strength by now in preparation for clashes of dominance to win the attention of the most suitable female. Toward the end of the month, the season over, they will cast their antlers and use their energy to get through the bitter winter.
What to eat
Berry cobbler
September is berry season, and it’s the best time to try berry cobbler topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Locals forage for porcini and chanterelle mushrooms at this time, so you’ll see them on restaurant menus.
Good to know
Good news: mosquito season is over. While mosquitoes aren’t a major pest in Alaska, they are around during the summer. By September, they’ve all died off.
FAQs
When is the best time to cruise to Alaska to see whales?
Whale-watching
Watching a humpback or an orca arc gracefully out of Alaska’s blue-green water is a sight you’ll never forget.
When whale-watching in Alaska, you’ll have the chance to see some of the state’s eight magnificent species that frequent its icy waters. As luck would have it, the entire Alaska cruise season is also prime whale-watching season.
Depending on which itinerary you sail and when you choose to cruise, you can increase your chances of seeing certain species, including humpbacks, orcas, and minke whales. Don’t forget to throw in a good pair of binoculars when planning your Alaska cruise packing list.
Humpback whales
You can spot whales on Alaska shore excursions, such as a safari vessel whale-sighting tour in Stephens Passage, Juneau, or on evening whale-quest cocktail cruises where sighting a whale is highly likely.
You may even catch a glimpse of whales from your cruise ship as you sip morning coffee on your stateroom veranda; it’s just one of the joys of cruising to Alaska.
Humpback whales start making their journey from the warm waters of Mexico and Hawaii in March and April, and by June and July, they’re happily feeding in the waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage.
Seeing a single whale, as they prefer to travel, or in pods, as they like to feed, is highly likely. If humpbacks are your favorite, book an Inside Passage cruise during late June, July, or August.
Kenai Fjords National Park
One of the best places to see orcas is in the waters from the Pacific Northwest to Seward and the Kenai Fjords in Alaska. These incredible black-and-white behemoths are of two varieties: residents and transients.
Transients troll up and down the waters of the West Coast for food, while resident orcas live in family pods and stay in the area feeding on salmon through the fall.
If orcas are on your list of whales to see, it’s likely, though not guaranteed, that you’ll catch a glimpse of them on most of our cruises, particularly Alaska cruises from Seattle during May and early June, round-trip itineraries to/from Vancouver, and one-way cruise itineraries between Vancouver and Seward.
Gray whales are also more commonly spotted earlier in the season, while blue whales are more likely to be seen during July and August.
When is the best time to visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights?
Fairbanks
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of the world’s most amazing sights.
If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights on your cruise, the best time to cruise Alaska is the last part of the season, late September. With days beginning to shorten and the nights getting longer, a September cruise itinerary offers the last possibility of the year.
When is the best time to find special offers on an Alaska cruise?
Endicott Arm
If you have a flexible travel schedule and don’t have a specific stateroom in mind, consider visiting Alaska during shoulder season.
Shoulder season for the Alaska cruise season includes the months of May and September. The weather is still cool during May and is cooling down in September, and with school still in session or just beginning, special offers can be found during these months.
During May cruises to Alaska, it’s still on the cold side (40°F to 53°F), so you may find the state’s wildlife just emerging. The good news is that May is the state’s driest month, with little to no rainfall.
Look for reduced fares when booking a cruise to Alaska in late shoulder season (September) with the same travel benefits of still fine but changing weather.
When is the best time to cruise to Alaska to avoid crowds?
Denali National Park
Shoulder season is also the best time to go on an Alaska cruise if you prefer fewer crowds while exploring the historical and cultural aspects of Alaskan cities and towns.
Shore excursions are easier to book, so take full advantage of roomier whale-watching cruises and less crowded restaurants.
Schools are still in session in May and September, so fewer families are traveling. Also, many cruise passengers prefer to travel to Alaska in the warmer weather, so crowds on both sea and land tend to thin out.
When is the best time to see Alaska’s glaciers?
Mendenhall Glacier
Alaska’s glaciers are magnificent, and Celebrity’s Alaska cruise itineraries take in two of the most accessible glaciers in Southeast Alaska: Hubbard Glacier and Dawes Glacier.
The height of the Alaska cruise season—June, July, and early August— is the best time to cruise to Alaska to ensure you’ll be able to see and enjoy the glaciers on each route.
Cruising during peak season increases the probability that warmer temperatures have allowed more of the winter ice to melt, allowing for smooth sailing through the Inside Passage and the fjords, and the captain’s ability to get as close as possible to the glacier to give you the most spectacular experience possible.
Hubbard Glacier
When sailing the Hubbard Glacier itinerary, your ship’s captain will slowly turn the ship so that passengers on all sides will be able to enjoy the view and witness any ice calving that might occur while the ship is in the glacier’s vicinity.
Sailing the Endicott Arm fjord toward Dawes Glacier is just as spectacular an itinerary, and this Alaskan glacier is just as magnificent.
For these peak-season Alaska cruise routes, it’s advisable to book early so you get the best stateroom. Booking a veranda stateroom ensures that you’ll have your own private space to see glaciers during your cruise.
When is the best time for families to visit Alaska?
Husky Homestead
Summer break, which is peak cruising season, is an ideal time for families to go on an Alaska cruise. Depending on your family’s interests, you’ll want to decide whether to book earlier or later in the season, since there can be a difference in weather and activities between the end of June and mid-August.
Some of the shore excursions you can experience when going on an Alaska cruise with kids include hiking in the Tongass forest, whale-watching tours, kayaking, and learning about Tlingit culture.
Aim for the week right after school ends or the week before school begins if you’d like to get there just ahead of the busiest part of peak season. A cruise to Alaska is an unforgettable summer family vacation experience your kids will cherish forever.
When is the best time to cruise to Alaska for maximum daylight?
Alyeska
Imagine being able to enjoy Alaska’s incredible natural beauty during days of near-continuous sunlight. With so much daylight, you can enjoy all the best Alaska shore excursions, from biking alongside the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau to hiking in the Tongass National Forest.
If you want to experience the phenomenon of sunlit nights for yourself, the best time to go to Alaska on a cruise is right around the Summer Solstice in the second half of June. This is the time when days are longest in the entire Northern Hemisphere.
When is the best time to visit Alaska via land and sea?
Denali National Park
To explore even more of the natural wonders of Alaska, consider a cruisetour. A cruisetour is a vacation that combines a full-length cruise of seven nights or longer with an escorted tour on land before or after the cruise.
You can do a cruisetour at any time during the season. June is a good month, as it’s the beginning of summer, while August and September are great if you want to see the fall colors and have a chance of spotting the northern lights.
The tour portion can be anywhere from two to six nights long and will take you deep into the Alaskan wilderness, where you’ll explore small towns and Denali National Park and Preserve.
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. You’ll also get ample free time to explore on your own. When it comes to transportation and accommodation, you’ll experience luxurious glass-domed trains and stay in high-end hotels and lodges.
How cold does it get at sea?
Hubbard Glacier
Alaska cruises tend to focus on the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage, which is protected by hundreds of forested islands. As such, you shouldn’t feel any colder when the ship is sailing than you would when it’s in port.
As the ship glides along the network of channels, there’s no better time to bundle up warm and stand on your veranda with a steaming mug of hot chocolate as you look out for whales.
How far in advance should you book an Alaska cruise?
Tracy Arm Fjord
If you want to travel in peak season, which is June, July, and the first part of August, you should plan your Alaska cruise well in advance. Demand is high then, as schools are on vacation and Alaska is a great family destination. For travel during peak season, it’s important to book shore excursions in advance as they will fill up.
If you want to travel in May, late August, or September, the pressure to book early is less intense, as these months fall in the shoulder season.
When is the best time to cruise to Alaska for salmon fishing?
Alaska Salmon Bake
Salmon fishing isn’t just a popular pastime in Alaska. It’s one of the state’s most lucrative industries, and many cruisers can’t wait to try it.
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 enjoy a feast and bragging rights when you return home.
You’ll find salmon throughout the Alaska cruise season, but if it’s the in-demand King Salmon, also called Chinook Salmon, that you’re after, the best time to visit Alaska is between May and mid-July when King Salmon are doing their runs through the coastal waters of Alaska.
What shore excursions are available in Alaska throughout the cruise season?
Flightseeing tour
Many of Alaska’s most popular activities can be done anytime from May through September, depending on the port of call.
Glacier viewing is an all-cruise-season activity, with many ways to get to the glacier depending on your preference. Biking alongside the glacier, or taking a helicopter to land on top of a glacier, is a memorable and spectacular way to begin a glacier hike.
Other popular Alaska shore excursions include sea kayaking, rafting, craft beer tasting in town, attending a salmon bake, visiting museums to learn about Alaskan culture and history, and going on local hikes you can access from town.
For all your Alaska shore excursions, you’ll want to dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly.
What Alaska cruise itineraries are available during each month of the cruise season?
Dawes Glacier
Celebrity Cruises has round-trip Alaska cruise itineraries that depart from Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia, and one-way cruises northbound and southbound to and from Seward, Alaska. Cruises are available from May to September. Check out the wide range of cruisetour itineraries, too.
Featured May Cruises to Alaska
Get to Alaska right when the cruise season begins on an Alaska Northbound Glacier Cruise that departs in May from Vancouver, British Columbia. You’ll see something new every day, from sailing the Inside Passage to visiting Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Hubbard Glacier before ending your cruise in Seward, where you might even be able to see some snow on the ground.
Featured June Cruises to Alaska
Endicott Arm
Experience the wonders of Endicott Arm Fjord and the mighty Hubbard Glacier on the gorgeous Celebrity Solstice on a June cruise to Alaska. This popular itinerary sails round-trip from Vancouver, Canada.
Along the way, you’ll stop in the Alaskan port towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, as well as Icy Strait Point. As you sail through Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier, relax on your private veranda and admire the stunning landscapes.
Featured July Cruises to Alaska
Choose a longer vacation that lets you soak up the warmer weather that July is known for in Alaska. The Grand Heartland Adventure Cruisetour combines a seven-night Alaska cruise with seven days of touring the inland area of Alaska through Denali National Park and up into Fairbanks. You can also choose tours tailored to your interests during your cruise.
Featured August Cruises to Alaska
Denali National Park
August is another great month for a cruisetour. If you’re trying to squeeze in one last summer vacation before the kids go back to school and life becomes hectic again, opt for a shorter tour portion of the cruisetour.
The Denali Express Cruisetour includes a seven-night sailing with three days of touring up to Denali National Park and back down to Anchorage.
Featured September Cruises to Alaska
Increase your chances of seeing fall foliage on an Alaska Southbound Glacier Cruise itinerary that sails from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. The northern ports you’ll visit along the way may already be showing signs of autumn, and by beginning in Alaska, you can enjoy a couple of days before your cruise embarks to explore on land when the first signs of the impending Alaskan winter are just starting to show.
Book Your Alaska Cruise Vacation
Endicott Arm
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