Alaska Cruise
 

What is the best time of year to visit Alaska? We are planning a tour of from Salt Lake City up through Seattle and Vancouver - then a cruise.

I'm not sure about the "best" time...but we went on our Alaskan cruise late july of 2003 and the weather was MAGNIFICENT...really lovely.

We cruised in Alaska late May/early June and also had terrific weather. It was in the 80's the day we got on our boat in Juneau. I brought a rain suit, and never had to use it.

What kind of cruise are you doing - big ship or small boat?

We went the very end of May/beginning of June. The weather was wonderful and it wasn't crowded.

My sister went on a cruise July/August last year and had a great weather. Her friend went there in June and had a terrible weather. You never know about weather in Alaska or anywhere else but you need to go. Also depends on areas you are going to visit. It may be a great weather in Seward but wet, rainy and foggy in the Passage or it may be not so nice in Seward. Go between May-September. Remember last June in NYC? Rain, rain, rain and more rain. It doesn't mean every June is like this and people still go and have a great time. So go to Alaska whenever your schedule may take you there

Last season's weather was EXCEPTIONAL and not typical. :) If anything Alaska weather at best is unpredictable. So plan when it is good for your interests, price etc. Be prepared for it all, take layers, rain gear, knit hat and gloves, 2 pair of walking shoes.

Accordimg to the Princess cruise website, average weather in May is 47 degrees. I'm hoping for a warm front during my cruise but looking at the cold tepms this winter it doesn't seem too likely :)

According

The ship is Holland American Ms ZAANDAN out of Vancouver. Inside Passage cruise. 1440 passengers. Do you know anything of this ship?

we went in Sept.-great weather-and- all the stores and ship had sales 50-75%off.

This was on HAL Maasdam-Veendam is great, too.!

We did a small boat cruise - Glacier Bay Cruises Executive Explorer. That was wonderful.

No matter when or how you go to Alaska, you will be amazed by the beauty. Have a great trip.

And, Vancouver was great! We only spent 1 1/2 days there. Wish we had more time there.

GandE - could you tell me some of the things you saw in Vancouver? We will be there same amount of time before our cruise to Alaska in July. Thanks.