Are you thinking of an Alaska Escape?
Here's some of our thoughts on when to go, what you will see and top tips.
Alaska is one of the worlds' most popular cruise destinations. People flock year after year to Alaska, for the wildlife, captivating scenery and to witness glaciers up close while we can.
As your expert cruise advisor, it's a great idea to get in touch early so we can have our pick of the various different styles of cruise, and dates to suit you. We start with some of the basics:
When to go?
What is the key element you are wanting to see or do on your cruise?
The Alaska season runs each year roughly April to October. This is because once winter sets in, the picturesque small towns close their doors and hunker down.
Looking for the Northern Lights? If you are happy to stay up to the early hours, the lights may put on a show, best months are April or August.
For whale watching, the Gray whales are the first to arrive, and often spotted off Seward. The Orca’s come in May, and the humpbacks round out the arrivals in June. For bears, July to early September is best. Don’t expect to see moose on your cruise.. for moose consider adding on a Denali National Park extension (Princess Cruises and Holland America Line do fabulous Cruise Tour options) to make the most of your adventure.
Our top tips for Alaska cruising
* Earlier or later in the season you will find cruise fares cheaper than peak summer months. Being so popular, regardless of actual dates, be prepared that many cruise ships will be in port on some days and the towns will be busy.
* Pack layers.. while its spring – autumn cruising, any weather can take place, so light, warm layers will be your friend. Don’t forget super comfy and strong walking shoes, especially for adventure shore excursions
* Add on Denali National Park for a more immersive Alaska experience. These include rail and usually an extra 4 – 5 nights on top of your 7 night cruise
* If sailing from Vancouver, pre/post accommodation can get expensive, so the key is to book early with us! Canada Place is where the majority of the cruises depart from, so downtown Vancouver is perfect for a quick cab ride away. However now many options exist to sail from Seattle, which opens up a whole new adventure in Washington State.
* There are all different types of Alaska cruise lines to take.. Princess Cruises is very popular, as is Holland America Line for large ship options, that are generally cost effective. If you are after something smaller, look towards Oceania Cruises, where exceptional onboard value includes drinks, shipboard credits and free WiFi. For the more hands on, adventure style, talk to us about Un-Cruise. Like the name suggests, Un-Cruise provide a comfortable cruise experience, but this is one where going ashore on hikes and canoeing adventures is the key focus. From Seattle, Norwegian Cruise Lines dominate here with a large ship, modern experience.
