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If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its Native cultures and gold rush history. It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. No vacation in the world delivers once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Alaska. Mark this as your year to cross this bucket-busting destination off your list once and for all. Take off by dogsled across thousand-year-old ice as you soak in otherworldly sights.
Alaska Cruise in August: Wet, Summer Days When You Cruise Alaska in August
This area is similar to Denali in the sense that many hotels and tours shut down by mid-September—after which things are really shut down. So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. Cruise ships run through September—docking in Whittier and Seward, and with buses and trains departing for Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. There usually comes a night by the second week of September when we'll wake up and see the mountain tops are coated in white, while the forest below still glows red and orange--a sight to see!
Cruise Ports
If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. If you want a more active trip in less touristed areas, a great choice would be a small-ship expedition line, including Alaska specialists such as Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures. On a cruisetour, you'll sail on a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska.
Must-Sees for Your Once in a Lifetime Alaska Cruise Vacation
As you can see, Ketchikan, Alaska’s southernmost city, experiences the warmest temperatures but the most rain. By October, the rainfall increases to almost 20″, contrasting the five inches of precipitation in late June. Further north, Anchorage, Seward, and Whittier have cooler nights of 40F but fall to 30F at the end of the month. However, the northern area benefits from less rain, with 15 wet days a month. While you can cruise later in the year, it’s important to note you can’t do a cruise and land tour after mid-September. If you’ll willing to take an Alaska cruise in October, you’ll benefit from great deals, ships sailing with empty cabins, and fewer cruise passengers in port.
Photographers will love the mesmerizing sight of the first snowfall, especially on a clear day. The white mountaintops scrape a deep blue sky, while the orange and yellow fall foliage on the lower slopes creates the perfect contrast. The phrase was made up by early gold miners, as it means the end of summer and the approach of the harsh winter—and those gold prospectors didn’t stop just because the weather was getting cold. Whether you’re interested in culture and history or are here for the wildlife and spectacular scenery, here are some of the many reasons to take a September trip to the Last Frontier.
But there's still more daylight than many places in the U.S. see during this same time of year, or even during their summer. Unless you booked early, cabin choice could be limited — especially if you are looking for a fancy suite or cheap inside cabin, which tend to be the first categories to sell out. Cruise on the Wilderness Explorer expedition vessel through Misty Fjords, a waterway that ancient glaciers carved out of the rugged landscape.
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises For Every Travel Style
As September progresses, the cruises get cheaper, and it’s possible to find one at rock-bottom prices by the end of the month. So, you could find a 7-day cruise from USD 300 to 500 per person, plus taxes and fees. If you're on a budget, stick to interior rooms and look for the big cruise ships, which tend to have more inventory. Summer Alaska cruises fill up quickly, so always book well in advance. Most cruise lines do not allow pets onboard, with the exception of service animals.
Best Places to Visit in Alaska
Royal Caribbean releases new 2025 Alaska cruises to book - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean releases new 2025 Alaska cruises to book.
Posted: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect with loved ones, locals and Alaska's wilderness with Princess®.
The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). Fall colors in Alaska are beautiful but different from the Lower 48. On the other, the tundra can glow bright red--and smell fragrant beyond words.
Plus, many of the state's famous glaciers are best viewed from the sea. Spend more time sightseeing and less time getting there with our prime Alaska docking locations. Weekend departures give you the option to stretch your vacation and explore the Emerald City. Our 7-day Alaska cruise from Seattle balances natural beauty with historic intrigue. Or sidle up to Hubbard Glacier and watch house-sized icebergs cannon into the sea.
Enjoy a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too. As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens.
If you’re the only ship in port on embarkation day, expect a faster boarding experience. Cruising later in the season may not be the best choice if you’re not a fan of damp weather. While you’re never guaranteed to see the aurora, the shorter daylight hours provide for darkened nights, a requirement to see the northern lights. A waterproof backpack and compact umbrella are recommended if you plan to explore ports on a wet day. Excursions onto glaciers, such as dog sledding and glacier walks require an extra layer of warmth.
Some adventurous cruisers will board ships when they arrive in Alaska in April to see the remnants of winter. A few big ships cruise into mid-October for those who want a peek at what life is like in Alaska towns when all the other tourists have returned home. I’m a Florida-based freelance travel and lifestyle journalist who has embarked on more than a dozen cruises, including several to Alaska. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days.
Follow in the footsteps of the Yukon Gold Rush on an Alaska cruise from Seattle to some of the world’s most scenic wonders. With convenient weekend departures and proximity to the Great Land, a cruise to Alaska from Seattle allows you to leave when you want, and spend less time getting there. Top scenic cruising destinations in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Dawes Glacier at Endicott Arm and College Fjord. You can learn about their history and culture at the Sitka National Historical Park and Sheldon Jackson Museum of Native Alaskan art. Wildlife enthusiasts might want to visit the Alaska Raptor Center, or go bird- and bear-watching. Book a fishing trip to try your hand at catching salmon or halibut, or go out crab fishing for a glimpse into that type of work.
Alaska is, of course, frozen and snowbound in winter, so fall is the time for large mammals to fatten up as much as they can for the lean months ahead. As such, you’ll see caribou and moose gorging themselves, and bears feasting on late salmon and juicy berries. While it’s true that Alaska receives extremes in daylight—barely any in the middle of winter and 18 hours or more in midsummer—you’ll be just fine in September. Juneau, for example, receives 12 to 13 hours of daylight in September, which is plenty for enjoying the great outdoors. Animals begin to prepare for the winter, fattening up on berries and late-season salmon.
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