Best & WORST Times to Cruise Alaska! 

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Late September 2023, cruisers on the NCL jewel saw the northern lights one night about 2 am.

This video was the most super helpful of all "when to go to Alaska" cruise videos out there as you broke it down by month, and why. Excellent! Thank you, it was very helpful!

We went June 29 to July 06 in 2018. We were on the Celebrity Millennium, started in Seward Alaska one way to Vancouver. We found the one way trip gave us more time in port at all the stops. The weather was perfect, 80 degree days and no rain. It was one of the best cruises we have taken out of the 23 we have been on. 🎉

I'm also finding, if you expect the perfect Alaska cruise and only plan to go there once, you'll be the most disappointed. I've been on 3 Alaska cruises-- the first two canceled Juneau, and the first one had a very rainy Ketchikan. I ended up doing my whale watch (we had about a dozen humpbacks show up) at Prince Rupert instead of Juneau. Despite that, I enjoyed all 3 of the cruises.

I'm LOVING all this Alaska content! We leave in ONE WEEK! EEEEK!

We just cruised to Alaska the last week of May, it was AMAZING. Great weather, but crowded, lots of ships in each port. But would do it again in a heartbeat

I'm going for the third time in September. The first time I went in the last week of August; the second time in May. All three times on different lines (Royal Caribbean, Princess, and now Disney); all three from different routes (Seward to Vancouver, Seattle to Seattle, Vancouver to Vancouver). I did notice the really cheap rates in May when I thought about traveling after Vegas was out of the NHL playoffs, but as I had the trip already planned, I elected to do other things. I picked this years dates partly because of the lower prices, and partly because September always has fewer kids (almost non-existent on some cruises after labor day). I'm aware of the irony, but I did enjoy my first Disney cruise as they had a whole mess of activities I liked; probably more than any other line I've been on.

Went in May on Discovery Princess and had a great time! It drizzled in Seattle, Juneau, and Ketchikan but just drizzled so no problem {being a New Hampshire native I have no issues with colder weather or cold drizzle). Saw whales, sea otters, bears, and bald eagles. No mosquitos. Glacier Bay was amazing and it was in the low 40s but the crew was handing out blankets and spiked coffee topside. And cruising the Inside Passage was indescribably beautiful: narrow fjords between snow capped mountains. So I'm all in on recommending a May Alaska cruise.

I'm leaving for Alaska next Saturday (August 31-September 7) and I'm so excited. I have all my layers and really good waterproof jackets/shoes/hats and ponchos ready to go. Bring on the rain 🌧. Hoping for the best but expecting the worst, keeping your expectations realistic is what makes your trip for the better or worse in my opinion, no matter the time of year.

off shoulder season everything is closed up except for a couple restaurants. I'd rather go when everything is open and the salmon are running and bears are feeding on them. Going when everything is closed is like a ghost town unless you like noone around then yes go early.

I went on the NCL Encore to Alaska last year from Oct 22-28th, we were one of the last ships of the season and it was amazing. We got so lucky with sunny weather and calm seas the entire time. And because there were not really any other ships, it wasn't crazy busy either. Plus with all the shops closing up after our departure we got some deep discounts on souvenirs. I'm talking like $25 for three shirts, a necklace, a couple shot glasses, a couple magnets. The store was crowded but worth it! Such a beautiful cruise

You can see the northern lights up in Alaska in late August / early September around Denali about 4-5 hour drive north of Anchorage. But that's way far away from the cruising area. I highly recommend doing an RV trip on your own for a week before or after your cruise. Great Alaskan Holidays is a great local company. It's more affordable than most people think.

Totally saw Northern Lights in May this year 5:29 from the cruise ship. Got so lucky. Went early this year. Saw all the animals since we did land tour too. Some stuff wasn't open yet but no skeeters or crowds was worth it.

Thanks for video. Anyway, temperatures are cold in October, but official weather records of last few years show !! only 4 rainy days !! in average in Alaska.😊 So, I have already booked for upcoming October - cold temperatures and wind don't really bother me (I originally come from Northern Europe). And nice side effect - cruise fare and all booked excursions are really bargain for me (solo traveller). Greetings from Moorea (sister island of Tahiti) in French-Polynesia 🌴 🏖 😎 🇵🇫 🇫🇷 🇪🇺

Excellent Excellent video with fantastic information!!!

If time and budget permit, a land tour including Fairbanks, Denali, and Juneau is wonderful before or after a one-way cruise. The train ride down to Seward was filled with beautiful views.

Thank you for those tips. I am retiring next year around September 25. To celebrate we are taking our 2nd cruise ever on Holland America out of Vancouver in late August. Fully expecting cold and rain. I am a word one I like cold because I have more cloths for cold than cool. I look better in warmer cloths😂 I was hoping to see wales but And maybe the Northern lights but I’ve watch a lot of videos that say don’t get your hopes up for it over the years. We watch and follow a lot of people that live in Alaska so it’s just a gorgeous place. Always wanted to see it with some snow.

Traveling on the Westerdam the end of August

This is so helpful, thank you!

Going in a few weeks, can’t wait! I have to say… I’ve watched THOUSANDS of utube videos about cruising…yours are the BEST! Thanks!

I went to Alaska in May 2017 it was cold and raining. I didn’t saw any wild life.

We have done two cruises both in late May and I don't think I would ever change that. Weather was great I'll be at a little bit rainy but crowds were moderate and the only downside are no Bears or salmon for the most part

This was helpful because we’re cruising to Alaska in early September (last minute decision) and was concerned about weather.

Is that Glacier Bay at 10:15 mark? Very informative video! Thank you!

Great video 😊. We are going to Alaska with NCL next year and I found your comments very helpful 👍. Weather, prices, lots of people on land - it doesn't matter, as long as we get to see a bear 😐. Otherwise, from day to day, my friend's mood will resemble normal winter weather in Alaska - frosty to freezing cold ☃️😂. Kind regards from Berlin, Germany

Thanks for this info

Do tell...where did you see moose?

We found that June 1 - 8th was not great. Mostly cold and wet with no wildlife sightings. Part of the reason was, of course , missing a whole port. This was so disappointing. Princess offered NO compensation. This, to us, was unacceptable. A letter has been written, but alas, I'm sure will not be responded to. We will go straight to Alaska next time and skip the whole cruise thing.

This is so helpful, thank you!