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You’ll especially want to have a warmer jacket (like a lightweight puffer), hat, and light gloves for early morning tours or any tours on the water or a glacier. Alaska is known for its unpredictable and often erratic weather, so many travelers hesitate over which month to book their sailing. Many major highways in Alaska are not maintained in the winter so travel on them is not advised from October through April. The State Department of Transportation (511.alaska.gov) has all the information for when the Alaska highways reopen. With the amount of daylight in May, it is not the best time to view the Northern Lights in Alaska.
What to Pack for an Alaska Disney Cruise - WDW Magazine
What to Pack for an Alaska Disney Cruise.
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The only down side is that some of your Glacier days may be hampered by too much ice. We love to cruise to Alaska in May for all of the reasons people have mentioned (weather, price, crowds, etc). You will miss some things (such as salmon runs) but IMO it is worth it. If they are coming from UK - they probably want to see Alaska.
Alaska Cruise Weather: July
The best time to see the Northern Lights is between late August and April, typically peaking in March. If you cruise to Alaska this month, you can enjoy more shop and restaurant options in port towns but expect things to be slightly more crowded. Small-ship Alaska cruise lines like American Queen Voyages and Uncruise can go further into narrow passages and get closer to shoreline wildlife like Dall sheep and bears. That being said, the weather and wildlife in Alaska are notoriously unpredictable. You might take a float plane to see bears and, sadly, not see a single one. If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings.
Northern Lights
Alaska’s Stellar sea lions are an impressive sight for cruisers. Because they don’t migrate, you have a great chance of viewing these 1000+ pound, 10-foot-long animals on rocks near the shorelines as you cruise. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. The benefits of cruising in April include less expensive pricing, fewer tourists, and less crowded ports.
And with fewer ships cruising Alaskan waters, guests could find a better itinerary that could include Glacier Bay National Park. In fact, I prefer to cruise in May for this and other reasons. However, I prefer to travel in May, because I experience the awakening of the region. With the snow melting, the rainforests come alive, the wildlife welcomes new offspring, and the great migration begins. While some parts of Denali National Park may still be closed due to snow and seasonal road closures in May, visitors can still explore parts of the park accessible by road or on foot. Check with the park service for updated information on road and trail conditions.
Families tend to cruise in July or August when the kids are out of school. In Skagway, journeys by train or vehicle into the Yukon in British Columbia will still have plenty of snow cover. The road trip to Emerald Lake may experience a significant temperature change, so dress accordingly. On my Hubbard Glacier cruise in May, the surrounding mountains were white with thick snow. The white landscape blended with the glacial ice to provide picture-perfect photos.
Early May seems to still be early for whale season, so I wasn’t even sure if I’d have a chance to see whales. Before I left for my early season Alaska cruise, I had gotten the impression from reading things online that you actually have a better chance of better weather in May. This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found.
HAPPY CRUISING ALASKA IN MAY!
During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food. To help you find the best time to cruise to Alaska, Cruise Critic is breaking down the Alaska cruise season month by month to help you plan your bucket-list trip. Read on for average Alaska cruise prices, things to do in Alaska and everything else you'll need to decide which is the best month to cruise Alaska for you. As temperatures continue to rise, relish in the warmest month of the year when Alaska’s wildlife comes out to play. In Icy Strait Point, find regal brown grizzly bears roaming through streams in search of fresh salmon.
Mosquitoes begin to emerge in May, particularly in wet and wooded areas. While they may not be as prevalent as later in the summer, it’s still advisable to bring insect repellent and protective clothing, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors. Dress in layers, including a waterproof outer layer, to stay comfortable in Alaska’s changing weather. Be prepared for cool mornings and evenings, and potentially warm afternoons.
With lows in the 50s, you don’t need to pack a winter coat and hat, but be sure to include warm, wicking layers to keep your temperature steady. They begin migrating from Hawaiian waters in the springtime to feed in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters. Packing-wise, you’ll still want to bring a raincoat, but you can probably leave your winter coat home if you are cruising in June. While temperatures are warmer and the snow is typically gone at lower elevations, the highs in Juneau average in the low 60s, with lows in the upper 40s. Summer workers (typically college students) begin to arrive for the peak tourist season, and shops and restaurants open for the summer. Orca whales (which are actually members of the dolphin family) are a fairly common site on an Alaskan cruise.
Consider the specific activities you plan on participating in and pack accordingly. With the right footwear, you can enjoy your Alaska cruise comfortably, regardless of the weather conditions. An Alaska cruise in May offers a stunning experience with beautiful scenery, icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife. However, the weather in Alaska can be unpredictable and volatile, especially in May. Therefore, it is crucial to pack the right clothing items to ensure comfort and safety during your trip. Peak cruising months, July and August, are the best time of year to cruise to Alaska.
When packing for an Alaska cruise in May, one crucial item to consider is rain gear. The weather in Alaska can be quite unpredictable, and rain is a common occurrence, even during the summer months. Therefore, it is highly recommended to bring rain gear with you on your cruise to ensure that you are prepared for any kind of weather. Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals.
We have never sailed to Alaska but are thinking of booking an Alaskan cruise in the next couple of years. I’ve spotted the one below in May 22 on the Sapphire Princess. Hoping any Alaska cruise connoisseurs might be able to comment on whether cruising in Alaska right at the beginning of May is a good idea. It’s also offered in mid-September 22 but on the Grand Princess. I understand that May and September are the shoulder months so less busy and cheaper but are they best avoided for weather etc.? Dress to spend hours outdoors, and you’ll see humpback whales swimming along the shorelines making their way north for their summer feast.
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