Best time of year for an Alaska cruise

[scottmandue]

I hate going on a cruise so I ain't going on a cruise no way no how...
Wife want to do a cruise... so we are planning this cruise.

But seriously, I want to see Alaska so I figure this is a good way to kill two birds with one stone.

I presume we don't want to go in winter because is dark like 20 hours or something like that?

Also, anyone who has done the Alaska cruise and recommendations on ships/route?

Thanks in advance.

[masraum]

I'm not a cruise kind of guy either, but I think one of those Alaskan cruises where you see the whales and glaciers and stuff could be cool. What you'll find if you look into it is that they only occur part of the year. I think it's something like May to Oct or something like that.

[masraum]

There are also Norwegian cruises that hit the fjords and allow you to see the aurora borealis. That might be cool too. I'll be staying away from party boats that flit from beach to beach.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by masraum

There are also Norwegian cruises that hit the fjords and allow you to see the aurora borealis. That might be cool too. I'll be staying away from party boats that flit from beach to beach.

Seeing the aurora borealis in on both our buckler list(s) so it would be great if we could check that off too.

[look 171]

We did it a few years ago. I wanted to see Alaska, but the kids were too small for a road trip. This would be a serious one. They were 1.5 and 3.5 years old so a drive would be out of the question. I hate cruises as there's nothing to do but eat and get fat. it turned out great with the kids. My only complain was not having enoough time to explore ashore. Our trip was in early part of June where things are just thawing out with blacks bears out and about.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Seeing the aurora borealis in on both our buckler list(s) so it would be great if we could check that off too.

I would think that you might have an opportunity to see the lights while checking out Alaska, but I assume it would have to be a strong show, since I doubt the boats get too far north.

Something like this sound pretty cool.

Northern Lights Cruise trip - Fjord Travel Norway

[masraum]

Not a cruise, but this seems REALLY cool, but also, I assume more pricey than a cruise.

Sky & Telescope's 3rd Annual Iceland Aurora Tour | See the Northern Lights!

[masraum]

Here's an article on Norwegian cruises

The best northern lights cruises - Telegraph

[masraum]

I did have an aunt that did an Alaska cruise that really seemed to like it. She said there was even an option (extra $$$) where they would fly you out to a glacier and you could get out and walk on the glacier.

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by masraum

I did have an aunt that did an Alaska cruise that really seemed to like it. She said there was even an option (extra $$$) where they would fly you out to a glacier and you could get out and walk on the glacier.

These guys spent the extra money for the plane ride. They found the mountain.

9 killed in Alaska plane crash - CNN.com

[74-911]

We did an Alaska cruise 3 years ago, we went in late August early Sept., and had a great time. Went on Carnival and we had no complaints whatsoever. Food was good, ship was in very good condition and clean, etc. Have gone on cruises with several other lines and they are all about the same to me ( unless you go with one of the really upscale lines or so I've been told anyway).

As to excursions when you are in a port, limited only by the money you want to spend (and they are not cheap). You can fly out to glaciers, fly out to see Grizzlies, go on whale watch boats, just walk around the towns, go fishing, kayaking, etc. etc. etc.

We are taking our kids and grand kids on an Alaska cruise next year...

and if you didn't catch it on the news, 8 cruise passengers aboard one of the excursion airplanes crashed a day or so ago ,,, no survivors.

[Paul K]

I'm in the same boat (pun intended). Wifey wants to go on a cruise for her 50th, so we're going to see AK in September. Widely regarded as the best time to go. Have fun!

[MRM]

Our family did it about three years ago with our boys aged about 15 and 17. It was awesome. Can't recommend it highly enough. The best time is from June, when the longest days give you almost 24 hour days to August, when the days start to shorten already and the weather is moderate. I wouldn't recommend going later than August but I'm sure some people wil say September is fine too.

There are some tricks. I'll write later when I'm able to write a longer post. There are ships out of LA or Seattle or Vancouver. Some are round trip and some are one way. Most of the trips from the U.S. Are one ways. They waste a lot of time going up the coast. We took an inner passage cruise from Vancouver and it was spectacular even for someone who doesn't like cruising.

Get a cabin that has a window, but don't buy the hype about getting a veranda to see the scenery because you'll always be on deck if there's something To see anyway. Just get a comfortable room on a good ship with good food and you'll be set.

The side trips are unreasonably expensive. Fortunately they are not necessary. The biggest secret on Alaska cruises is that you can do anything on your own better, faster, cheaper annd in more comfort than the cruise line can offer. Get a cruise that maximizes the days in port. Research what to do or see in each port. Then get off the ship as early as possible, walk to the taxi stand (there is one next to every cruise line port) and grab a cabbie. Tell him what you want to do, or ask him what he recommends, and negotiate a day or hourly rate. The cabbie will be surprised and delighted. You'll be treated ole a local and see the best of everything.

When you've walked and seen so much that your feet have swollen up and you can't walk another step, you're back to th ship where you wallow in luxury until you're rested and ready for the next trip.

My wife hates cruises but this one is on her repeat list and we look into another visit every year when we're planning our vacation.

[varmint]

every wife i know who's taken a cruise has loved it. every husband has come off the boat wanting to hang himself.

the whales have already migrated through. and there's only about three hours of darkness now, so not a great time to see the aurora.





i took the marine highway system about ten years back. will get you from prince rupert to dutch harbor. ride or drive your vehicle into the hold, and then take leisurely sail up the inside passage. this is not a "cruise" ship. people sleep on the deck to save money. your only entertainment will be the idiot hippy with a guitar.
but the trip is beautiful. you will see every imaginable kind of wildlife. and when you get to seward or homer you'll roll off the boat and be ready to explore the state.

[varmint]

or just fly up and...


!!!1983 Porsche 944!!!! Obo

1974 Porsche 914

81 Porsche 928

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by varmint

every wife i know who's taken a cruise has loved it. every husband has come off the boat wanting to hang himself.

Thank you for the words of wisdom. I may have to use this quote.

Ian

[LakeCleElum]

Mid July to Mid Sept......I worked there one summer on a fishing boat...........Could go weeks on end and not have a sunny day......

Rain is very common; look at the Ketchikan plane crash photos this week....Some nice scenery, but can go days on end just looking a low, wooded hillsides......Enjoy

[scottmandue]

FWIW the discount cruise link my wife sent me shows an Anchorage to Vancouver cruise. My search on northern lights came up with land based northern lights tours out of Anchorage so flying up early might be an option.

And this would be next years vacation, not sure why my wife has a bur in her saddle about the cruise (I'm guessing one of her friend planted the idea in her head) we haven't even planed out our Thanksgiving "get away" yet.

[afterburn 549]

Just remeber the -The ports they stop at at the shops they let you shop at are just extensions of the boat.
To see Alaska yo need to get off the boat....
Mendenhall Glacier is a must not far from Juneau .

[JJ 911SC]

We did Hawaii, Panama Canal, Australia/Fiji and Alaska (up & down). Alaska is one that I would do again and would do the Land/Sea version.