Anyways, my 2 sisters-in-law have decided that they want to go on an Alaskan cruise next year. We have been trying to talk them into going on a cruise with us, and are starting to hash out the details.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the best month to go would be? I am under the impression that either June, July, or August would be the best temperature-wise, but which month is the best overall? Is there a time when insects are/are not a problem? Is there a time when the water is calmest (one of my sisters-in-law gets seasick easily and that is a concern of hers)?

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated!

[ 07-26-2005: Message edited by: RuthPerk ]

Personally I’d be happy to go anytime, but a later month is probably considered better?

[ 07-25-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

I have cruised Alaska 5 times, twice in late-May, three times in very late August and Very early September, and on vessels small to large ranging from around 15,000 to 90,000 tons. For a first-timers trip to Alaska I would highly recommend something on the larger side to make it more comfortable.

Both of my trips in May found late Winter snow storms that left the glacers and surrounding mountains covered with a blanket of snow down to the waterline leaving any mountain/glacier detail to your imagination. Wildlife was near non-existant as it was still too early in the season. On one trip in mid-late May we saw NO wildlife at all. None. In the glacier areas of College Fjord and Glacier Bay it was brutally cold and the melting glaciers calved off so many growlers (baby icebergs) that we could not go in to these areas but so far, then turn around. On one trip it rained almost the entire 7 days. Low cloud cover and a constant rain made it really feel like 'Alaska', but you dont go to Alaska for the weather then, do you? :-)

The trips in late Aug. Very early Sept. Were pleasantly mild, the glacier areas totally accessable (but still quite cold), and wildlife was considerably more than abundant. Short pants were in order while walking around Juneau/Ketchikan. It did rain once in Ketchikan to the extent of a torrential downpour that lasted all day. Always take a rain parka and umbrella.

The waters of the Inside Passage stayed remarkably calm on all five voyages. There is a bit of 'open ocean' north of Vancouver Island, and between Glacier Bay and College Fjord that can offer a bit of a ride sometimes, but all in all I have never experienced rough seas there.

Alaksa is quite unpredictable, and the weather can change at the drop of a hat. May can be as nice as September, depending on the preceeding Winter months that Alaska has endured. A mild Winter = better weather early in the season that will last until late-September.

The panhandle of Alaska seems to have little problems with mosquitos, the interior of Alaska between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks is were the mosquitos tend to floursih.

Alaska offers a wide variety of Shore Excursions, some expensive, but the single BEST way to bring back fond memories of this great and magnificent wonderland. For a slow paced experience that will not be difficult I can easily recommend:

Skagway:
Liarsville Salmon Bake (Hot Cider and the BIGGEST Husky you have ever seen that LOVES to get petted)
White Pass and Yukon Railroad (scenic, afternoon tour is best, slow and relaxing)

Juneau:
Mendenhall Glacier and City Tour
Mt Roberts Tramway (for scenic views of surrounding area)

Ketchikan:
Saxman Indian Village and Totem Tour
Creek street (Self-tour) and best place to see Salmon swimming up stream

And if you LOVE photography like I do, take a BUNCH of film. I always came back with 40-50 rolls of film!

Even though I have been 5 times already, I love Alaska and plan to go back again!

[ 07-25-2005: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
If you depart from Vancouver, I would add at least 1-2 extra days there as it is a beautiful city to explore.

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Totally agree. A pre-cruise package to see Seattle and Vancouver is a good way to slip into a nice Alaska cruise. On one of my last cruises I flew into Seattle, took a hotel downtown and did the tourist thing for a day or so, then took the Amtrak 'Cascades' to Vancouver and the Pan Pacific ocverlooking the Vancouver harbour. Stayed there for 2 days, then boarded the Volendam.

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
For a first-timers trip to Alaska I would highly recommend something on the larger side to make it more comfortable.

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As big ships go, RCI's 'Radience of the Seas' is a wonderful ship and has surprisingly tasteful decor. She will be operating in Alaska in 05 and 06.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

As big ships go, RCI's 'Radience of the Seas' is a wonderful ship and has surprisingly tasteful decor. She will be operating in Alaska in 05 and 06.

Of course there are plenty of other lines and ships to choose from, to.

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Of all the cruise lines I have been on to Alaska (HAL, Princess x 2, Cruise west, Celebrity) I have not done RCI, but think very highly of their Radiance-Class ships. I was in Juneau waiting for my ship to come in (I did a southbound Juneau-Victoria on Cruise West) when the Radiance ulled in. She looked quite beautiful.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

I could not do that! I have a 'rule'.

I can't repeat a cruise destination, until I have cruised everywhere else first.

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Oh now, its hard to believe that you have never taken a cruise that was so incredibally enjoyable that you'd do it over and over again? :-)

Thats kind of sort of what I did, but Alaska stole my heart :-) And I loved the photograhic qualities of Alaska, and believe it or not, each of the 5 trips was completely different from each other.
Plus I got to do dozens of different shore excursions over these 5 trips. That was loads of FUN! Call me crazy but after 5 trips I took over 225 rolls of film. I looooove Alaska.

The NB offered a chance to do the interior of Alaksa post-cruise, the SB actually hit a port I had not been to before (Sitka), two were last minnute 'toward the end-of season' deals for $399 including port taxes (hard to turn down), the Cruise West was the Inaugural voyage of the Spirit of Oceanus to many ports I had never been to (Prince Rupert, Metlakatla, and Petersburg) and I got a TA deal on this all luxury suite ship for less than 1000$ incl air).

And I am actually planning another next year. It will be my first cruise in years!

[ 07-25-2005: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

Malcolm, I'll be the first to admit I have probably seen a lot less than you have. I have this nasty habit of repeating the most enjoyable vacations often. When I lived in Italy I often took rail trips to the same dozen places in Europe every other month. I have done the same routes on Amtrak cross-country MANY times, but it is a pleasant way to relax. Plus I enjoy the familiarity of it all. Come to think of it thats probably why I do repeat vacations.

Plus, the first couple of times to get all the pictures out of the way, the last few times to just enjoy 'sans camera' and totally, truly, and blissfully reeeelaaaaaaax. :-)

[ 07-25-2005: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

with the competitionn for Alaska pretty stiff these days, there will be dozens upon dozens of ships to choose from. As convenient as they are, the Seattle r/t departures kill quite a bit of time just transitting the San Juan Islands, and as nice and scenic as that is, it adds 250 miles of non-Alaska sailing to your limited week. Take the Vancouver r/t cruise but if possible fly into Seattle to avoid in/outbound Customs at the YVR airport. For added convenience add the cruise lines airfare, transfers, and pre-cruise hotel packages. Seattle and Vancouver are worth it. If you are time constricted add a 1/2 day tour of Vancouver post-cruise and a later flight out of Seattle.

From Vancouver you will have many options, but I think RCI's Radiance-class will be great for first timers. Review your options and pick a ship, its itinerary, and its amenities that suite you and your friends best. Price, although most will be about the same, should be a secondary consideration. I have had folks pick because of price but regretted it later because they did not research the ship or its voyage.

Most importantly pay close attention to the AMOUNT of time spent in each port. Some of the ships pull into port after 1-2pm, a bit too late for my taste. Juneau has loads of shore excursions, quirky pubs, and tons of the best shopping to offer, so try and pick a ship that spends at least 10-12 hours there. For time considerations, same goes for Skagway. Ketchikan is what they call a 'drive through port' where the ship does not have to back track down an inlet to get back out. Plus Ketchikan can easily be done in a matter of hours. Cute but not a lot to offer. Some RCI ships hit Ketchikan 1/2 day then proceed to Misty Fjords so its a 2-for-1 kind of day.

Also if the ship goes through Victoria, BC make sure it gives you ample time to not only visit Butchart Gardens (stunning and incredible!) but also shop and have tea downtown. Arrivals after 5pm will not be good for this (as most SEA deaprtures do).

Pack your clothes so that you can dress in layers. Scarfs, hats, gloves, etc. come in very handy.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Sorry RuthPark, I've hijacked this thread. Anymore Alaskan opinions for Ruth, please?

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Oh, I suppose I can forgive you, since all of this has been very informative and gives me ideas for future criuses! Hmmm, Norwegian Fjord's.........

Dmwnc1 - thank you for all of your input! It sounds like I will need to buy a bigger memory card for my camera! I am also guilty of taking tons of pictures on all of my vacations!

Lasuvidaboy - I never thought of needing an umbrella!
Do you have any suggestions as to what we definitely need to see if we sail from Vancouver?

Jonathan - sounds wonderful! It's supposed to be 95 here today. I could really go for a high of 66 right now!

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Originally posted by RuthPerk:
...and gives me ideas for future criuses! Hmmm, Norwegian Fjord's...

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Ruth, the problem with Alaska is that passengers may be expecting to see a wilderness, but each morning at all of the major ports, six cruise ships arrive, which equals 10,000 people or more! For example Skagway was like Times Square when I was there.

Although the buildings look quaint, most contain T-Shirt shops, with logo’s which say ‘My friend has been to Alaska, but all they brought me back was the crummy T-shirt’.

You need to take the excursions to get a real glimpse of Alaska’s remoteness and vastness.

In contrast, most of the Norwegian ports of call are still undeveloped and unspoilt (no T-shirt shops) and only accommodate a few ships at most.

If you want to see fascinating city after fascinating city, try the 'Baltic States' itineraries. As well as British cruise lines, most of the American ones offer Fjord and Baltic cruises.

It's a big world!

[ 07-26-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

I have been there mid June and end of August. Saw a lot more ice flows mid June '88 than in August '02 - most had melted by that time.

Yes, Ruth, you will definitely need an umbrella.

Poured rain in Ketchikan and Juneau on my last trip, but then that's nothing new. Skagway we were in shorts in the afternoon. You have to layer your clothes because you can start the day in 40-50 degree weather and by the afternoon it's in the high 70's.

We've been to Alaska a number of times and I would recommend going in late June or July. The crowds aren't as big and the weather is usually good. It's been warm enough for shorts on most days during our trips.

I also recommend taking the Southbound trip from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, BC because
1) the trip home is shorter, and
2) as you move South, the 24-hours of daylight gradually gives way to longer periods of darkness (which makes it easier to sleep).

If you are going all the way to Alaska you should also consider spending a few days up there prior to the cruise. You can rent a car and drive north towards Denali National Park and see all sorts of interesting things. Alaska reminds me of Key West in that it attracts a lot of - how should I put this -"extreme values".

We have always had a great time on HAL - the size of their ships seem to be a good fit with the area. Feel free to email if you have more specific questions.

Alaska is great and it don't matter to me that it is raining. It controbute to the surroundings and great mystic view over here.

Greatings Ben.

p.s. the Explorations cafe is great fore relax reeding a book listen to some muziiek and to go on internet. And the coffee is great very very good.

Greetings frome the m.s. Zaandam a real ship amongs those monsters today.

I don't know how that translates into passengers but I assume it is substantial. Debarkees must have been stepping all over each other! I would be tempted to bail out and board the White Pass and Yukon and head inland immediately, if it was possible.

There is no bad time to go to Alaska - the weather will either be perfect or variable, and it does not matter for scenery or wildlife. Layer up or down!

Some of the ports are so small that one or two ships make them feel crowded. Don't worry - because if you hang around town you are missing all the good stuff. Take a good excursion and get out of town for most of the day - and Alaska will work its magic quickly enough.

There's a good way to figure out what excursions are best - ignore everybody else thinks and do what inspires you; if you have a group, it's even better if you all choose to do different things - it makes for wonderful story-sharing back at sea. Forget penny-pinching this time - everyone should do a helicopter landing on a glacier once if they wish.

Just go! Don't try to see everything - you'll be back.

Very well put!

Here is my photo of Mercury and Galaxy at Skagway.

That's a maximum of 5262 passengers. However cruise ships have got bigger since I took this image!

[ 07-27-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by Cambodge:
Skagway is not a big place. In fact, it is a small place. Maasdam's report of three big and one medium ships there at one time boggles the mind!

I don't know how that translates into passengers but I assume it is substantial. Debarkees must have been stepping all over each other! I would be tempted to bail out and board the White Pass and Yukon and head inland immediately, if it was possible.

The Chinese souvenir totem-pole carving industy must be working overtime.

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