How To Pick The Best Time of Year to Cruise to Alaska

The best time to cruise to Alaska comes down to personal preference. The "best time" could be different for a solo cruise traveler who dreams of photographing bears than it is for a parent who wants a family vacation in the great outdoors.

Read on to discover the best time of year to cruise to Alaska, based on your personal preferences and the breathtaking experiences you want to check off your bucket list.

Month-by-Month Overview of the Alaska Cruise Season

The Alaska cruise season runs from May to September, with a few sailings in late April and early October. While every month offers something unique, your ideal cruise timing depends on your interests—whether it’s wildlife viewing, warmer weather, or fewer crowds. 

Best Months for an Alaska Cruise With "Good" Weather

Tell a sun-worshiper that you’re taking an Alaska cruise and they’ll raise an eyebrow. Yes, it’s chilly. Yes, even in summer. On average in July, Alaska boasts high temps in the mid-60s, but occasionally climbs into the 70s and 80s. It’s also misty and drizzly. However, if you prepare for Alaska’s chill and damp weather, no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll have a great time. Bring a jacket, gloves, and scarves, along with waterproof gear, and sunscreen. Read how to pack for an Alaska cruise to stay comfortable in changing weather.

The most temperate Alaska weather is in July, then June and August when it’s warmer (though again, not near tropical) and drier. When it comes to May vs. September, May is slightly cooler, but gets significantly less rainfall. Temps can vary greatly depending on where you are in the state.

 

Average Temps and Precipitation in Juneau, Alaska

Best Months to Cruise Alaska for Midnight Sun

The best time to experience Alaska’s midnight sun is from mid-May through mid-July, when daylight stretches late into the night. This natural phenomenon gives visitors more time to explore—perfect for hiking, sightseeing, and making the most of Alaska shore excursions.

Best Time of Year to See the Northern Lights

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. Where you are matters too and the farther north, the better.

Best Time of Year for Glacier Calving

The best time to witness glacier calving in Alaska is during the warmest months—June, July, and August—when active glaciers are most likely to shed massive chunks of ice into the sea. It’s an unforgettable experience, combining dramatic sights and sounds as brilliant blue ice crashes into the water below.

Best Time for Avoiding Tourist Crowds in Alaska

Spring, before school lets out, is the best time to cruise to Alaska with extra elbow room, shorter lines, and peaceful meals. You’ll still see amazing sights, like Dall sheep and other creatures who emerge from the mountains to graze verdant fields. Bonus: there are less mosquitoes in spring than summer.

Best Time to Cruise to Alaska for Wildlife

Bald eagles soaring overhead. Alaskan brown bears scooping up salmon from a rushing waterfall. A pod of orcas spyhopping in the ocean. Nature is in full bloom during cruise season in Alaska, but what you’ll see depends on the time of year and location.

At all times during cruise season, you’ll meet some of Alaska’s wild residents: eagles, whales, dolphins, and bears. Want to get up close and personal? The best and safest way to experience Alaska wildlife is through one of our guided Alaska shore excursions.

Here are some of Alaska’s most fascinating creatures and best the times of year to see them:

Nesting Eagles

About 30,000 eagles call the Great Land home and they’re more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the United States. There’s a good chance you’ll see eagles perched high near the shoreline, in town scavenging garbage dumps, or even feasting off a salmon run. Bald eagles hatch and rear young in April and you can see their mottled fledglings from May through June. Bring binoculars; eagles like to nest high.

Bears Feeding on Salmon

Witnessing bears catch (or try to catch) slippery salmon from a river is one of the most incredible Alaska experiences you can have. The best time to view this dramatic display is mid-July to mid-August, though you can take wildlife excursions to bear hangouts at any time during cruise season.

Salmon Runs

Don’t underestimate fish. Salmon have a fascinating, beautiful life cycle well worth viewing. When they’re fully mature, millions take a harrowing upstream journey from the ocean to the rivers where they were born. The few who make it spawn and die here. Salmon runs in Alaska start in early May until September, with different species of salmon running at different times of year.

Newborn Moose

Fuzzy baby moose, called calves, are as cute as it gets. Late May and early June are the best possible times to view a momma moose and her calves in Alaska. Moose can be dangerous, especially a threatened mom. If you do see these majestic creatures hulking around, stay far back (at least 50 feet) and never disturb a lone calf, as mom is somewhere nearby.

Whale Watching

Alaska has humpback whales, gray whales, killer whales, and a small population of belugas. Though it’s species-dependent, the best time to go whale watching in Alaska is in high summer, when the days are long and the feeding is plentiful. And it all depends on what species you intend to see—humpbacks are in the area year-round, while others like gray whales migrate to Alaska in summer.

Start Your Alaska Cruise Journey

From wildlife encounters to breathtaking glaciers, a cruise to Alaska is an unforgettable experience. Explore our wide range of Alaska cruise itineraries to find the one that’s right for you.

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