Alaskan cruise - when?
 

When I told a Fodorite friend I'm looking at the cruises maybe in August-September, she said the best time is earlier in the summer, maybe late spring, as the icebergs melt, as later in the summer the views are not as spectacular.

I can wait and go later, it will be most likely the once-in-a-lifetime cruise, and I want to pick the right month, postponing to 2008 if needed.

So... maybe I can get advices... which month would be the best? Or does it matter? Most likely San Francisco round-trip.

Fainaagain,
If you poll 6 people they will give you 7 responses as to the best month. My personal favorite is late May or early June. The sun stays up longer and you see much more. The sunsets off the ship are remarkable at 11:00 or 12:00 at night. It is a once in a lifetime trip. Plan it well!!

The "best" time for wildlife and weather is the latter part of June.

I have cruised Alaska five times and am going again next year. I would not choose August/September as that is when the average rainfall is higher.

My favorite is mid May to mid June.

I would not go in August or September -- too rainy.

Thank you, everybody! June it is.

We sailed Sept 1-11 2004. We had cool mornings, warming to the 60's- low 70's during the day.We had only one day of drizzly rain in the afternoon in Skagway. You just never know.
May and Sept. are the shoulder seasons...thus cheaper. I am aiming for late MAy next time.

The last time we went was over a July 4th holiday. We were in Juneau on July 4th. It was fantastic. We were there to see Juneau's parade, for which the whole town turned out, almost everyone decked out in 4th regalia including the police, and fire departments. Talk about small town Americana. But it also made it seem even more so patriotic being there on that day. The weather for the trip was great too.

OK, I have been to Alaska 22 times and mid/late August is my favorite and most frequent time to go. I have not run into significant rain, but the salmon is fully running and wildlife is plentiful. Fall colors of interior Alaska are excellent, and I usually get my glimpse of the aurora. Rates are lower too.

So those who have NOT traveled then are best not to just rely on "averages". I also have gone several times in May with Mid/late May my preference, earlier is too early.

Here is a photo sample of August/Sept. travel there in 2005- 19 days. http://community.webshots.com/user/budgetqueen

Thanks for asking this question FainaAgain. I'm also researching a trip to Alaska for 2008 and still trying to decide when is the best time to go.

It does seem like Late May-Late June is the best time.

Thanks so much for sharing those pictures BudgetQueen. Which cruiseline/itinerary is your favourite?