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
Inner Reaches Eastern Coves cruise in Alaska
Awe-inspiring glaciers, wildlife, and rainforests in Alaska
From
£2309 to £3465
8 days
ex flights
Inner Reaches Western Coves cruise in Alaska
Some of southern Alaska's iconic destinations by small ship
From
£2691
8 days
ex flights
Glacier Bay and wildlife cruise in Alaska
Glaciers, Humpbacks, grizzlies and mountains - Get up close
From
£3075 to £4609
8 days
ex flights
Alaska's Islands cruise, whales & glaciers
Wild Alaska on one of the world's smallest cruise ships
From
£3448 to £3749
8 days
ex flights
Southeast Alaska cruise
Spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife in remote Alaska
From
£5175
11 days
ex flights
Inside Passage, Seattle to Juneau cruise, Alaska
The classic Inside Passage cruise from Seattle to Juneau
From
£5135 to £5585
15 days
ex flights
South East Alaska sailing adventure
Whales, black bears and spectacular scenery
From
£6249
14 days
ex flights
Alaskas Glacier Bay small ship cruise
Get close up to Alaska where the big ships can't go
From
£2849 to £3149
8 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
Inner Reaches Eastern Coves cruise in Alaska
Awe-inspiring glaciers, wildlife, and rainforests in Alaska
From
£2309 to £3465
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 6 Apr, 11 May, 18 May, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 28 Sep
2019: 6 Apr, 11 May, 18 May, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 28 Sep
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.
Cruising in Alaska, month by month
More about Alaska cruising
This Alaska cruising holidays travel guide takes you on a journey around the archipelagos, coves, glaciers down the Pacific Coast of Alaska.
Our Alaska cruising map and highlights is packed with archipelagos, whales, coastal forests and an all round labyrinth of littoral loveliness.
The Eastern Coves are the most popular route to explore Alaska’s southeast coast, the Alexander Archipelago, Misty Fjords National Monument and Fords Terror.
The Western Coves route is not only west of Juneau, the port of embarkation, but also north into Glacier Bay National Park. One gigantic wilderness.
So many bears, bald eagles, whales and dolphins to see. Thankfully small ship cruises in Alaska are in the season when the sun hardly sets.
From what to pack to some favourite spots to visit, read on for plenty of tips and advice from our Alaska cruising experts.
The biggest responsible tourism tip on an Alaska cruising holiday is think small, think slow and think sustainable. Read on for more details.
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