posted 13th December 2023
Best Time to Go
Alaska - May to September, Temperatures range from 15-25C, it can be rainy as summer progresses.
West Coast - Mild Winters and warm Summers, reaching high 20's into 30's at peak. Hurricanes are rare on the West Coast but can happen occasionally.
Why Go?
Nature - Alaska runs alive with wildlife, roaming
bears, wolves, caribou and bald eagles, while the North
Pacific's fertile waters offer rich whale-watching with orca,
humpback and many other species, plus sea otters, sealions
and spawning salmon. Around 100,000 Glaciers can be found in Alaska, and with the Canadian Rockies on the door step then it would be rude not to visit.
Rich in cultural history from Gold Rush, logging and Russian Colony history, as well as the Natives.
Top Tips:
1. Take Bug Spray in Summer: The mosquito is often jokingly referred to as the state bird, and for good reason: the ubiquitous little pests are everywhere, and love to take a chunk out of well-fed cruisers primarily at dawn or dusk.
2. What size ship is important: Some ships will have naturalists onboard, particularly in Glacier Bay. Conditions can sometimes prevent ships from reaching the glaciers, particularly in Tracy Arm Fjord. That's especially true of large ships, so consider a small ship cruise to Alaska, like UnCruise or Silversea, if those glaciers are high on your must-see list.
3. Consider Cruise Tour: On either end of your sailing, you can tour on your own or book a cruise tour that combines a cruise and a land tour, which usually runs three to seven nights. Rail or Coach trips available.
4. Get a Balcony: While you might not be sunning yourself to a stunning shade of bronze on an Alaska cruise, you and everyone on board will want to take in the scenery. That makes having your own balcony a prime piece of real estate, especially near Denali National Park, portions of the Inside Passage or Tracy Arm Fjord. This is particularly true on big ships.
5. Weather: Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next. That includes warm days, where even being near a glacier or a passing cloud (or socked-in rain) can make things chilly. Dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off (or add on) slowly as the thermometer dictates. You will want to pack a bathing suit and a very warm fleece jacket -- and you'll likely wear both at different times. Waterproof clothing, from jackets to shoes to trousers, is never a bad idea for combating the Alaskan weather.
