Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Alaska Cruises: A Cheat Sheet to Planning the Perfect Adventure

alaska cruise in august

So, pack mostly summer clothes; lightweight pants or shorts, t-shirts, and good walking shoes. Bring a bathing suit because most ships have indoor pools if it isn’t warm enough to use the outdoor one. If hiking to higher elevations or take a helicopter excursion to a glacier, extra layers may be necessary to compensate for various types of Alaska weather. Cruising in early August can also experience vastly different temperatures than the end of August.

The Complete Guide to Alaska Glacier Viewing

Master frontier flavor with regional cooking demonstrations on board. Choose from seven refreshingly uncrowded ships for a front-row seat to Alaska's splendor. With more than 20 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing excursions, we bring you closer to creatures great and small. An Alaska whale-watching cruise is one of the best ways to see the world’s largest mammals in their natural habitat. If you’re about to embark on your dream vacation and don't know what to pack for an Alaska cruise, here is the ultimate Alaska cruise packing list. Sail one-way between Vancouver and Seward or Vancouver and Seattle, and you’ll see a stretch of Alaska’s forested coastline against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and lichen-draped forests.

Alaska Cruise in September: Alaska Temperatures Start to Drop

I have seen them in trees, on poles near harbors, or trying to catch dinner during salmon runs. The Bering Sea Tour in Ketchikan provides an up close and personal experience, and a tour I would do again. The ABC Islands (Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof) are home to Alaskan brown bears. Brown bears are a cross between grizzly bears and polar bears, which you tell from their size. Cruise passengers stopping in Icy Strait Point may see humpbacks from the shoreline. I saw one breach multiple times during my visit as if performing for us tourists.

Alaska Cruise Weather by Month

Birds also haven’t started their migration, so you can spot both songbirds and seabirds as you cruise along the coast. Warmer weather in Alaska also has an unexpected bonus for cruisers in the form of glacial calving. Not only is it your best shot for warmer weather, but you’re also sure to see a good amount of the wildlife Alaska is famous for. You also might see fuzzy harbor seal pups and sea lion pups (born in June and July) warming themselves on rocks with their mothers. Add high-powered binoculars to your Alaska packing list to ensure that you get to see all of the wildlife possible. Juneau gets about 17 days of rain in August, so a high-quality raincoat is essential.

Only an hour and a half from the cruise port of Whittier lies the largest city in Alaska – Anchorage. Visit the Chugach National Forest, the second largest national forest in the United States. Or visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and see brown bears, moose and bison living in a protected habitat that perfectly emulates the wild. Situated on the Kenai Peninsula overlooking the Kenai River, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® is surrounded by mountains, rivers and wilderness inviting you to explore. Adventure through Chugach National Forest, cruise past Kenai Fjords National Parks’ glaciers or fish along the Kenai River. Take in the sights of this natural masterpiece at a leisurely pace only on an Alaska cruisetour.

25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic - CruiseCritic.co.uk

25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:08:06 GMT [source]

Depending on the area, some towns receive ten days of rain in August. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Tour a working Alaska homestead and learn how the Great Land’s residents have become so self-sufficient. Or land in a helicopter on a glacier beneath the tallest peak in North America on your Alaska cruisetour.

alaska cruise in august

Revel in the beauty of Mother Nature’s masterpiece and listen closely as the scenery whispers secrets of times long ago during your cruise to Alaska. Whether served up in jams, candies, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. After traveling somewhere new, you want to bring something back with you to remember all of your fun adventures. If your itinerary includes stops in Anchorage, Seward, or Whittier, you might experience rougher seas as you cross the Gulf of Alaska in September.

What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April

alaska cruise in august

With glass-domed railcars, our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail service takes you into the heart of Alaska without juggling multiple tickets or confusing transfers. Enjoy convenience and comfort from ship to train and then directly to your Princess Wilderness Lodge in the Denali-area. We’ve taken care of everything on your Alaska cruisetour, so you can spend less time worrying and more time exploring.

Best Alaskan Cruises

If you're interested in the Midnight Sun, the longest day of the year is June 21, when you can experience close to 20 or more hours of sunlight in some parts of the state. If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder. Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm.

Weather, ocean conditions, and limited sunlight make winter cruising to Alaska impossible. Since I grew up in Alaska, I’m a fan of just about everything in the Land of the Midnight Sun. I also know that your experience can vary widely depending on the month you choose to visit Alaska. Weather in Alaska in August may keep some cruisers away, but there are still many excursions and experiences to enjoy. With changing weather, tour operators may choose to discontinue their excursions early, and those that run may be subject to cancellation.

See our blog post to learn more about the best time to cruise to Alaska. The Alaska cruise season is a little over six months long, but choosing the best time to cruise Alaska is surprisingly not that simple. This is the peak of the green season, and a great time to see nature’s northern colors before the weather begins to cool again. Get up close to Alaska’s majestic wildlife and natural splendor with an unforgettable whale-watching tour. Take the family on a zip-lining adventure as you soar over the trees, taking in sweeping ocean and mountain views. Go for a mountain biking trek along forest trails to enjoy the crisp yet pleasant late summer weather.

Look out for bald eagles perched in the trees, steller sea lions spread out on rocks, and cute sea otters bobbing in the water. To search for the Big Five—grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, and moose—extend your vacation with a Cruisetour and a visit to Denali National Park. Kayak silent fjords on your journey along the coast of the Last Frontier. Let Celebrity’s award-winning ships take you to the most dazzling locations in the 49th state, from bustling Juneau to pretty Ketchikan. Or extend your stay with one of our Alaska Cruisetours to explore Alaska’s interiors. Head deep into the wilderness of Denali, immerse yourself in the exciting contemporary culture of Anchorage, and spend time in quirky, arty Talkeetna.

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