May is a compelling month to visit Alaska, but summer is the season for salmon- and whale-watching.
Our family took an Inside Passage cruise aboard the MS Eurodam in early August. We had excellent weather that allowed us to see natural wonders in Glacier Bay National Park.
Here is information to help your family find the best time to go on an Alaskan cruise.
Weather
Much of Alaska’s coast is considered a temperate rainforest: Ketchikan, Alaska (above) receives 150 inches of rainfall in a typical year.
The Alaskan cruise season begins in April and ends in September.
We analyzed the average monthly temperature and rainfall at each of the Eurodam's Alaskan ports of call: Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan (as well as the area surrounding Glacier Bay). Then, we rewarded the months with higher temperatures and lower precipitation.
Here are the best months to cruise to Alaska via the Inside Passage, ranked by overall weather:
July (mosquito season)
June (mosquito season)
August
May (fewer crowds and lower prices)
April (fewer crowds and lower prices)
September (fewer crowds and lower prices; beginning of rainy season)
Crowds
We didn’t appreciate the private cabanas aboard the Eurodam. Many of them were vacant, which increased crowding on deck and blocked the view of Alaska’s natural wonders.
The peak season for Alaskan cruises begins in June and ends in August. This is when ports and ships are likely to be most crowded.
Holland America's Eurodam carries up to 2,104 guests, which isn't a lot compared to other Alaska-bound cruises departing from Seattle. (Nevertheless, the 11-deck Eurodam felt crowded because some deck space is lost to private cabanas and premium restaurants.)
To get a rough idea of how crowded a cruise ship might feel compared to another, divide the number of passengers by the number of decks. For example, the 20-deck Norwegian Bliss holds 4,004 passengers, which is around 200 passengers-per-deck (like the Eurodam).
The 19-deck Ruby Princess holds 3,080 guests, which works out to 162 passengers per deck. In theory, the lower this number, the less crowded a ship should feel.
Pricing
The best deals on Alaskan cruises are usually found in the shoulder season: April, May and September.
Expect prices to run as much as 35% lower than in peak season. Cruise lines are also more likely to offer onboard spending credits and complimentary beverage packages in the shoulder season.
We wouldn't risk a September cruise to Alaska at any price, because rainfall might spoil the trip.
When to Go
The late Spring (especially May) might be the best time to cruise to Alaska. There are fewer crowds and lower prices than the summer months, and rainfall in May is relatively low.
A Spring voyage also offers the chance to see snow-covered mountains and gushing waterfalls. That said, prime season for whale- and salmon-watching is in the summer.
Here is a detailed guide on when to travel to Alaska depending on which sights and wildlife you are most interested in seeing. Happy travels!
