Alaska in June: Endless Daylight & Epic Adventures FULL GUIDE
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Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, travel guides, and more. If you get close to a glacier on land or in the water, the air cools quickly. Although viewing the glacier from the helipad is just amazing, cutting winds can entice you back inside before you’re ready. The two base layers provide additional warmth and are often sufficient when the outer layer is removed. Depending on the month and temps, insulate with a fleece or sweater, then cover with a rain jacket.
If you haven’t booked shore excursions yet, book them ASAP
Best time for Active Glaciers Cruise in Alaska 2024 - Best Season - Rove.me
Best time for Active Glaciers Cruise in Alaska 2024 - Best Season.
Posted: Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The last thing you want to happen is have your dream excursion sell out, leaving you scrambling to find other plans. Plus, excursions tend to only get more expensive over time, so booking early helps you lock in a lower price. Many travelers incessantly check the daily weather in Alaska as their trip approaches.
Alaska Port Cities Worth Exploring
Weather, ocean conditions, and limited sunlight make winter cruising to Alaska impossible. June is a fantastic month to go for a hike, but you might still see some snow at higher elevations. See our hiking trails page and narrow down your favorites by destination. If you’d enjoy the company and knowledge of a local expert guide, browse our list of guided hikes. And while every summer activity is available in June, remember that because of the brightness, you won’t see northern lights. I have a summer packing guide that covers everything you’ll need specifically for Alaska (no fluff).
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We were able to see humpback whales breaching and splashing in the water, and it was an unforgettable experience. Orcas are also common in the Pacific Northwest, so you have a good chance to see them nearby. The best time for an Alaskan Cruise is May through with September, with the best weather in June and July. In May and September, you can anticipate a few extra rainy days and slightly cooler (though still pleasant!) temperatures. Note that the best times for whale watching are mid-June to mid-August, though you can catch them before and after this, too.
You can attach it to yourself easily and enjoy a bug free zone. If you plan to be outside near lakes or marshes in the wilderness (fishing, hiking, etc), I’d recommend grabbing a cheap mosquito net as well. For this reason I always recommend layers; t-shirt/tank, long sleeve (I usually wear a light zip up), and a jacket that’s at least water resistant.
Alaska cruises sell out because cruise lines operate fewer ships than in other areas like the Caribbean. The best time to plan an Alaska cruise is at least a year in advance, two if you can. Not only do you find lower prices, but you get the opportunity to choose the perfect room and location. Alaska’s waters are cold and not known for their beach breaks, but some cruise ships have heated pools and hot tubs. For swimming, pack your favorite swimsuit, flip flops, of course, and cover-up.
I’ve watched humpback whales breech from the beach in Seward (at Lowell Point) and Orcas hunt sea lions at the same beach (although the locals said this was a rare sight!). In Seward, you can have a similar experience that takes you to Godwin Glacier, which would also provide fantastic views and dog sledding high up on a glacier. If you plan to visit the Arctic Circle or any areas north of Fairbanks, there could still be active snowfall in June. It can warm up pretty quickly once the sun comes out, so I usually have a sun shirt and some lights pants. These relatively inexpensive Baleaf pants are some of my favorites, but I also love almost anything from Kühl.
Outside of clothing, there are other essentials you should pack for an Alaska cruise. While not required, bringing items like motion-sickness medication, binoculars, and cabin essentials like outlet adapters are helpful to have handy. One of my favorite aspects of cruising to Alaska is the pre-cruise stay in Seattle or Vancouver. Not only do both of these cities offer breathtaking natural scenery, but they boast an impressive amount of things to do within the city, too. In addition to airfare, you’ll also want to figure out transportation logistics on land, which can vary from one embarkation city to another.
Unofficial blog about Royal Caribbean cruises - Royal Caribbean Blog
Unofficial blog about Royal Caribbean cruises.
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Ketchikan averages 16 hours of daylight in May; you’ll get even longer days as you travel north to Anchorage and still more if you take a cruise tour up to Fairbanks. As the school season begins and fall approaches, cruise prices start to dip, affording the opportunity to snag a last-minute bargain for Alaska. We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September. As for land trips, June sees Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park open, both of which offer stunning floatplane and flightseeing adventures. Alaskan railroad trips are also available, giving you access to interior hiking, cozy lodges and remote wildlife viewing.
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. 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. Alaska is still gaining sunlight as the Summer Solstice approaches, so you’ll experience longer days during your May cruise.
Don’t forget to bring important accessories, such as a swimsuit, hat, gloves, and sunscreen, and other necessary items like toiletries and electronics. When being outside during nighttime, your hands can feel like icicles. Juneau is the best port for whale watching, because seeing whales is 100% guaranteed. Icy Strait is also a good choice for whale watching, because whales are abundant (though not guaranteed).
Absolutely yes, an Alaska cruise is a fantastic vacation that provides a unique educational opportunity for kids. Several cruise lines sailing to Alaska offer facilities and services for families with children of all ages. On an Alaska cruise, you will see wildlife, wilderness, mountains, and glaciers, as well as experience Native American culture and Gold Rush history unique to the area. The sights you see will depend on the cruise and tour you choose, of course.
Additionally, modern cruise ships have advanced stabilizing devices. If you do experience motion discomfort, there are over-the-counter remedies like Bonine, Mecklizine, Dramamine, Transderm Scope Patches, and Seabands. Check with your physician or pharmacist before taking any medication.
Look to our dedicated page on northern lights cruises for tips and best places to spot the aurora. August is a popular time to visit Alaska and marks the end of the high travel season. Increased moisture improves the vibrancy of an already verdant landscape. Midway through August, colder temperatures encourage brilliant fall foliage, especially in the interior and Denali National Park. Wildlife remains in abundance and all Alaska small ship cruises and Alaska tours are operating on a regular basis. As the month winds down, so do the number of travelers to Alaska, with a shift in weather that signals fall has arrived.
Some attractions and shops will be closed for winter, though your cruise line will still operate a full roster of shore excursions. On the plus side, you will experience southeast Alaska towns as they are most of the year, sans tourist crowds. Sit in a bar and talk to the locals as they prepare for the long winter ahead.
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