When to go on a small ship cruise in Alaska

My father has a summer solstice birthday and he’d always wanted to celebrate it seeing whales. And we did, for his 70th. I think we saw almost as many whales as he had years.![]()

The skipper always knows the best time to go on a small ship cruise in Alaska, and most head off into the thawing waters around May, docking up for winter around late September. Temperatures range between 12-15°C but reach 20°C in Jun. Peak season for prices is Jul-Aug. Wildlife wise, Jun-Jul are great for humpback whales and May-Jun for orcas. Bears are busy between Jul-early Sep at the mouths of rivers where salmon are taking a chance with destiny in search of spawning grounds. On land, mid Jun-end Jul is pretty bad for mossies, so be prepared.
Our Alaska cruising Holidays
Alaskas Glacier Bay small ship cruise
Get close up to Alaska where the big ships can't go
From
£3999
8 days
ex flights
Inner Reaches Western Coves cruise in Alaska
Some of southern Alaska's iconic destinations by small ship
From
£3149
8 days
ex flights
Alaska Glacier Bay and wildlife cruise
Glaciers, Humpbacks, grizzlies and mountains - Get up close
From
£2999 to £3999
8 days
ex flights
Alaska's Islands cruise, whales & glaciers
Wild Alaska on one of the world's smallest cruise ships
From
£2845
6 days
ex flights
Southeast Alaska cruise
Spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife in remote Alaska
From
£4265 to £6149
8 days
ex flights
Inner Reaches Eastern Coves cruise in Alaska
Awe-inspiring glaciers, wildlife, and rainforests in Alaska
From
£3689 to £4015
8 days
ex flights
Inside Passage, Seattle to Juneau cruise, Alaska
The classic Inside Passage cruise from Seattle to Juneau
From
£4600 to £9700
13 days
ex flights
Alaska Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
-14
-6
29
FEB
-12
-3
24
MAR
-8
0
22
APR
-2
6
16
MAY
4
12
20
JUN
8
16
30
JUL
11
19
55
AUG
9
17
64
SEP
5
13
68
OCT
-2
5
48
NOV
-10
-3
33
DEC
-13
-6
34
Our top Alaska cruising Holiday
Alaskas Glacier Bay small ship cruise
Get close up to Alaska where the big ships can't go
From
£3999
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug
2021: 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Alaska cruising or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.