nlg

We are in the early stages of planning a cruise to Alaska on Princess Cruises. We want to leave from Seattle. Which month do you think is the best weather wise? We can go anytime June-Sept. Also can you bring your own wine on board? Thanks for your help.

Lionara

You're not asking the money question, and you have the June-Sept super wide vacation range, so I recommend mid summer peak season time (not my money Still, summer means huge crowds (lots of kids for not so intimate vac experiences) - and I personally think Alaska deserves your full attention - with fewer distractions I've never been up there, but this is one of the places I really would like to visit someday - simply because in our action times there are not so many places left so well preserved and yet accessible to do a vacation there. They really care about this region a lot. I recently learned the Gov taxes and port charges there are 3 to 4 times bigger than the Caribbean. And much of this money goes to keep this place pristine. But about the weather - from what I read here http://www.shipcruise.org/when-is-th...ise-to-alaska/ the best time to cruise Alaska as best weather months is in June, but late June - the longest days, Denali Park opens in late June, July is the most expensive month to cruise Alaska, Aug has lots of rains and Sept is one of the cheapest months (shoulder season). In Sept is also very beautiful because of the Fall Foliage, but weather is risky and unpredictable. So probably June is a great time to go cruising in Alaska. You're lucky to have the time and money for Alaska! You guys have a great vacation!

Lionara

btw, you sail with Princess, so I guess noisy crowds won't be an issue even in the high summer - Princess has pretty descent clientele

nlg

Thanks for your reply. We are planning to go on the Alaska cruise for our 30th anniversary. We would like to go when the weather is the best, but don't really like crowds either. As you said, maybe the Princess Cruise won't be too crowded. I am still doing research.

Eschew

Are you looking at 2013 or 2014?

Eschew

Weather: Rain, rain and more rain. 60% chance of rain ad cloud. Best weather is June July and maybe first week of August. Mid August to September will get really cool (cold)

Wine policy is different from cruise line to cruise line. Typical allowance is 1 bottle per person. Beyond that, they charge a corkage fee ranged from $15 per bottle and up, and the consumption of BYOW is in your cabin only, and not in any of the public area or dining room.

We never brought our own wine. I know if people who put wine in plastic bags and sneak them on board.

Wine prices on ships are similar to typical downtown hotels. $7 a glass $30 a bottle for your average $10 wine at the store. For the higher end wine, the mark up is not as high as the hotel or restaurants.

We just came back from Seattle round trip. If this is your one and only time to Alaska, don't depart from Seattle unless you get Glacier Bay as part of the itinerary. Glacier Bay is a MUST of you have never been there.

KVR

When we did our Alaskan Cruise on Princess our only option was September due to my father's job. I had read it was the worst time to go due to cold and rain. We did the Seattle roundtrip. We spent 4 days in Seattle and the did the cruise. We were pleasantly surprised that that week we chose we had the best weather. Mid 60's and no rain. It was perfect and nothing like I had read. But, I understand we were lucky and this was the exception and not the rule. We did the 2nd to the last cruise of the season. Unfortunately, on the last cruise they didn't fare as well weather wise. So you never know.

Since we went at the end of the season most everything in the Alaska tourist shops was discounted to clearance. We found some great bargins.

This ship did not feel crowded and we only saw a handful of children. Most were babies/toddlers.

My brother and his wife did a similar cruise that same year in July and remarked it was much more crowded and more children that what we experienced, but still nothing like what you would see on a Caribbean cruise.

My first choice would have been the end of May before Memorial weekend. Better weather, though still cold, but not as much rain expected and lesser crowds as many schools are still in session. I believe it gets darker later then also. In September, it gets darker earlier.

Cheshirecatt

We went in late May on the Sapphire Princess for the cheaper prices and for less crowds. The weather was great (a bit overcast and a few drizzles, but a couple of days of brilliant blue skies and sunshine too) and I wouldn't hesitate to go in May or June again. The only negative about going May/June is you will not get to see the salmon run. But then, if you want to go July or August you may be paying practically double for everything and fighting the crowds, so it depends what you prefer.

I am finally getting around to posting a travel article about cruise portion of my Alaska trip (with photos) within the next few weeks (so check my site: http://www.dreamhorsemedia.com/travel/ in a week or so if you want to see them.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

KSWILSON

Princess has recently begun to allow each adult cruiser to bring on one(1) bottle of wine ONLY at no charge, as long as it will be consumed IN the cabin, no corkage fee required.

I have been a long time fan of NCL, taking several cruises to Alaska with them, but changed up this past cruise to Princess, and must admit, that when it comes to Alaska, Princess is the way to go imo!

We were on board the Island Princess, and never ever felt crowded, or overwhelmed by others.
We went this last time June 16th through the 24th, and it was actually HOT for much of the trip, my daughter was in her swimmers getting tanned while we were enjoying the views of Glacier Bay!
I too prefer shoulder seasons, as the crowds are nearly nonexistent, and I simply prefer cooler weather. We had hoped to get some salmon fishing in, but alas we were a few weeks too soon. So, if you fish, I suggest a Sept. trip.