Thread: Which month is the *BEST* month?

Those of you who've cruised to Alaska ... which is the 'BEST' month? I know there are a lot of variables, but I'd like to hear some opinions from veterans of Alaska cruises.

If we love our round-trip Alaskan cruise in June, we're thinking about a one-way or cruise tour in September 2007.

LL

Yay! Another Alaska question!

Ok, my personal opinion is that end of June - mid August are the best times to sail to Alaska. That is when weather is at its best. But keep in mind that weather in Alaska is constantly changing, so best still may mean some cold temps and some rain and fog. But it also means some great clear sunny days as well. During this time period, ice conditions are also at their best. Meaning that your likelihood of getting iced out of your glacier viewing day is slim. Also the fog clears pretty early and doesn't hang around, meaning that for those who want to take a helicopter trip, the liklihood that your trip is cancelled due to weather conditions is slim.

If you like wildlife, this is a great time period to travel to Alaska as well as the wildlife are active. In August the salmon really are spawning and the bearks are really out and foraging for food.

Of course, having said all of this, its also the peak of tourist season there and when the kids are out, so the deals for cruises there are few and far between during this time period.

Hello ... just giving this thread a little bump this evening ... hoping to get a few more opinions ... more insight for us!

Well so far I like the first part of September but I'll let you know after I sail in July if anything changes.

I think I read somewehere that some of the places/excursions start to close down after labor day? Is weather more of an issue in September? We are looking at September 2007 for a one-way on a Radiance class...

LL

Spetember can be as slow as May in Alaska. We have gone twice in late June and seem to beat the hordes of tourists while having very pleasant weather. Alaska has a very definite tourist season from June tthru August and the shoulder months of May or Sept. things are just starting to open up or close down.

Originally Posted by Lightsluvr

I think I read somewehere that some of the places/excursions start to close down after labor day? Is weather more of an issue in September? We are looking at September 2007 for a one-way on a Radiance class...

LL

If you want to do dog sledding, then going in September, most likely you won't be able to do it. Depending on weather conditions for the year, the dog camps start to close down around the end of August. The snow has just melted too much and the conditions aren't good for sledding.

Other than that, the other excursions should be ok.

Also some of the shops start closing down in September.

Yes, weather is more of an issue in September. But then again weather can be an issue at any time. Generally speaking though in September it is cooler and rainer. Ice conditions can be less that perfect therefore making it harder to get close to the glaciers on glacier viewing day. Additionally ice conditions may not be great. There tends to be more fog and less sun. And the days start to get shorter.

We did a Princess land/cruise tour in 2002 at the end of May. We did the land portion first with our only trouble being ice flows on rivers causing trouble with the train from Fairbanks to Denali. Princess used buses that were very comfortable but of course did not have a dining car where I wnated to try reindeer chili!

The weather was beautiful--clear--Mt McKinley was visible for the 3 days we were in the region. Guides said that in the summer the air currents lead to more clouds forming at the higher elevations.

The animals were just awakening from hibernation so they were sparse but it was neat to see the leaves opening as we traveled south from Fairbanks. I would like to go again in the summer and see the different flowers, etc.

For our land and sea the temps were warm enough to only need a sweater or at most a leather jacket. (It was 80 in Anchorage when we were there for lunch. We were also lucky and we had no rain except for just a few drops in Ketchican.

We know people who have not been that lucky in the summer so I guess it is a roll of the dice. However, it is an incredible trip that I do want to repeat--after I do Italy and Australia!

It all depends on what you want to do most...
May is the driest and least variable month. It's also shoulder season, so things won't be as crowded. King Salmon fishing is just picking up in late May and early June.
June, July and August are peak seasons for a few reasons. Daylight is longest, temps are warmest, fishing is at its most active, everything is open, etc...
Late August and September can have the most unpredictable weather of the summer, but don't let that discourage you...

No matter when you come, bring the layers and dry socks. I used to say "when you come to Alaska you WILL get rained on", but last year I had a customer send me a picture of his sunburn just to prove me wrong - we had about 10 days of 80-90 degree clear weather.

As for the ice, the smaller boats have better luck getting into Tracy Arm in May and June (also, the seals are pupping then!)... by July and August it can be quite ice-bound on many days.

-Case