Every year about a million tourists cruise to Alaska from Seattle to explore the “Last Frontier” and its native culture, savor its local cuisine of fresh seafood, and marvel at its vast forests and mountain ranges, expansive glaciers, and diverse wildlife. In addition, the itinerary usually includes a port of call in either Victoria or Vancouver, BC, or both depending upon the cruise line and the length of the cruise.
The Alaska cruise season begins in late April and continues into October. There are more than 215 sailings from piers 66 and 91 in Seattle, and the cruise lines offer a wide variety of ships from smaller and more intimate ships to larger 5,000-passenger ships with an arcade of fun and excitement. As for the most ideal month to cruise to Alaska, there never is a bad month to cruise to Alaska. Each month offers something different. Hopefully, the following comments are useful in deciding when to cruise to Alaska.
May is the driest month in Alaska with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 56°F with a 25 percent chance of rain. However, Alaska weather is notoriously unpredictable, shifting from warm and sunny to windy and raining unexpectedly. Hence, tourists should always be prepared and wear layers of warm, moisture-wicking clothes. Cruising in late April to May offers tourists the following advantages:
• Cruise lines often offer discounts or provide inducements for tourist to travel early.
• Students are still in school. Hence, the ships are less crowded and fewer tourists are at each port of call.
• Because Spring arrives later in Alaska, tourists have a better opportunity to spot birds and other wildlife because trees and shrubs are not in full bloom.
• The spawning season for salmon starts in late May which provides an opportunity to catch Alaska king salmon and enjoy a dinner of a Cooper River King Salmon. This fish is in high demand and short supply because of its rich, moist, and delicious flavor, as well as outstanding health benefits with its extra high omega-3 fat content.
• Harbor seals, and pods of grey and humpback whales are more prominent as they migrate into Alaskan waters.
Weather in June is ideal for cruising. Temperatures range from 40°F to 62°F with low chance of rain, and daylight hours are longer the further North you sail. The advantages of cruising in June are:
• Tourists have more daylight hours (about 19 hours) to enjoy activities and admire the picturesque landscape; however, tourist should carry bug spray as protection against mosquitoes.
• In the Spring, it is optimal viewing of caribou calves, mountain goat kids, bear cubs, moose calves, harbor seal pups, and other wildlife species.
• Fishers can catch sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, and Arctic char as the spawning season continues.
• Species of Asian songbirds and pelagic seabirds migrate to Alaska .
July and August are typically the busiest months for Alaska cruise season, and fares are at their highest levels. Tourist traffic is at its peak with temperatures reaching 65° to 68°F. Advantages of cruising in the summer months are:
• Brown and black bears, bald eagles, and other wildlife are more active.
• Humpback whales, otters, shorebird, seabird colonies are present.
• Local communities are alive with county and state fairs and attractions, music festivals, and street fairs with fresh fruits and local artists.
• Fishers can expect to catch pink salmon, halibut, and rainbow trout.
When schools start in September, the Alaska cruise season starts to wind-down. It is a quieter time with fewer tourists. The weather starts cooling, and rainfall is far more frequent. Despite the weather, it is a suitable time to view wildlife and spot migrating whales. Other advantages to cruise in September are:
• After Labor Day, lower fares and other discounts or upgrades are available.
• Longer nights bring the possibility of viewing the northern lights (aurora borealis).
• Trees turn into explosive fall colors.
• Early snow may dust mountain peaks.
• Repositioning of cruise ships to their next destination offer unique opportunities for tourists to extend their travels at reduced costs.
There is never a bad month to visit Alaska because the changing of seasons offers distinctly different experiences. Also, if time allows either before or after cruising to Alaska, tourists should reserve time to explore the wonderful sights, sounds, and activities in and around Seattle.
Lastly, everyone at ports of call and on ships are there to create a most wonderful and memorable cruise for every passenger. However, a word of advice:
• Tourists must ensure that their travel documents (enhanced driver’s licenses, passports, and visas) are current and comply with immigration laws in United States and Canada. Once the ship enters Canadian waters, all passengers and crew members must have proper documentation. Staying on board is not an option.
• Tourists cannot bring onboard ship any prohibited item. Tourist should review the list of prohibited items. Not all cruise lines prohibit same items. But, typically, drones, surge protectors, irons, illegal drugs, knives, firearms, explosives, flammables, and anything else that can cause serious bodily harm are prohibited. The list of prohibited items is more extensive than what is prohibited on airplanes. Any attempt to bring onboard a prohibited item may result in forfeiture of the item, denial of boarding, and/or arrest.
• Tourists should complete all online boarding requirements prior to day of travel to speed up processing in Seattle.
• Tourists should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departures. Ships will not wait for passengers. Once gangway is closed, it is too late to board ships.
• Tourists should know that maritime law applies when cruising and not the laws of their home country. In deciding what laws govern, it is complicated and convoluted. When ships are in territorial waters of any country, laws of that country govern; but, once ships enter international waters, laws of the ship’s registration govern. If a crime occurs in Canada’s territorial waters, Canada’s laws apply.
