Sometimes, fun in the sun at the beach, theme park visits, and a sail around the Caribbean  don’t sound appealing when considering vacation options.

If sweating and tan lines aren’t your style, that’s totally okay — we’ve got you covered. If that is what your typical vacation looks like, and you just want to switch things up, this post is for you as well! Today, we’re gonna talk about another popular vacation option: an Alaskan cruise! With Alaska’s extremely cold climate, it can be difficult to pinpoint the best time to visit while also coordinating schedules with the people in your travel party. We’re here to provide you all the information you need to decide on the best time of year for your cruise.

So, when is the BEST time to cruise Alaska? Well, there isn’t exactly a short answer. It truly depends on what you’re hoping to experience, as well as the cruise line you’d like. For example, you’ll need to assess available dates for each cruise line to determine which works best for your schedule and travel party. Further, the activities and excursions you’ll choose from will depend heavily on the weather and climate of Alaska.

So… who’s ready to plan an Alaskan cruise? Here are the best times to do it!

April

Alaska spends a large portion of the year covered in snow and ice. April is when it all starts to thaw, however you should still expect the possibility of freezing rain or snow. Unfortunately, this means lots of mud! When planning excursions and the shoes you’ll be packing, consider that detail.

You can also expect the weather to change pretty rapidly throughout the month. In early April, the weather might be a crisp 30º, while late April might bring dry weather and temperatures well into the 60s.

Due to lower temperatures in early April, some tourist facilities and National Park offices might still be closed for the winter seasons. However, for places that are open, you might be able to find some early season deals on excursions and merchandise.

May

May is when most cruise lines will get into the full swing of Alaskan tour season. Toward the end of the month, most of the attractions and shops will switch to peak-season hours.

Excursions and tours at Denali National Park and Preserve will be in full swing for the summer season as temperatures will steadily creep into the high 60s.

June

By this time, Alaskan cruising season is in full swing. Most excursions and shops should be open for season at this point. This is also when you’ll get to experience Alaska’s midnight sun — which is the term used for the extensive amount of daylight that the upper northern hemisphere sees in the summer.

The amount of daylight peaks on the night of the summer solstice — June 21st — where you probably won’t see much darkness at all. June is also when schools are released around the nation, so you’ll see many families vacationing during this time.

July and August

These are the bittersweet months of Alaskan cruise season. At this time, prices will be the highest for tour season. Further, crowds and mosquitos will be at an all-time high, so you’ll have to plan accordingly.

What might make all that worth it is the display of flora and fauna that will be at its peak throughout the Pacific Northwest.

September

September marks the slow end of cruise season as kids will start to go back to school and the temperatures will make their way back down. Mid-to-late September is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Alaska, so keep that in mind when planning, as well.

The selling point for an Alaskan cruise in September is often the Northern Lights — which will start to become visible early in the month. Since cruises typically take place under the midnight sun, the Northern Lights aren’t visible. As less daylight occurs in early fall, the Lights start to become much more visible.

Now, you see why there isn’t exactly an easy answer as to when is the best time to cruise Alaska. It all depends on what you want to see and experience! With these tips and details, we hope you can find a cruise that allows you to have the Alaskan vacation of your dreams!

 Click here for more cruise advice!

Have you ever cruised Alaska? Tell us about it in the comments below!