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While brochures wax poetic about how early fall can be the perfect time to visit Alaska, the days are shorter, and it can also be rainy and cooler. With an expedition heritage that dates back to 1896, it’s no wonder Hurtigruten Expeditions found its way to Alaska. Each of the ships features an observation deck, library, science center, hot tub, pool and Explorer lounge, as well as a bar with floor-to-ceiling windows so you never miss a thing. Guests learn about the cultural heritage of remote communities and focus binoculars to spot bears, whales, caribou, moose, deer, wolves, birds and more.
Twice the glaciers
Also, not all berries are edible, so only pick and eat if you’re absolutely sure what you’re doing. Once the mating season is over, a bull moose has no further need for his heavy antlers and needs to conserve strength for the winter. So as the snow falls, moose will cast their antlers, starting to grow a new set when spring comes. What you may notice, especially if you’ve been to Alaska before in midsummer, is shorter evenings, with sunset between 7 pm and 8 pm. So there’s still plenty of time to look for the blow of a whale breaking the still water as the light fades, or to spot Alaskan birds flying home to roost for the night.
Great experiences from the great land
We locals call these early snows Termination Dust, as in signaling the end of summer and that old man winter is just around the corner. With over 27,000 glaciers, Alaska is one of the best places to see these majestic pieces of nature up close. Join an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Aleutian Ballad, as seen on Discovery Channel’s - The Deadliest Catch. For those looking for a couples retreat, Viking Cruises cater exclusively to adults. The minimum age is 18, and the ship is designed for a luxurious and tranquil experience, so you can truly get away from it all. This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars.
Iconic Alaska Cruise Ports & Destinations
Lazy Otter Charters offers small group sightseeing tours into Blackstone Bay through the month of October. Phillips Cruises & Tours operates cruises through the first week of October. Weather pending, you can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the month. Alaska is a thrilling cruise destination no matter which month you sail. Look to the early and late sailings of the season if you are a bargain seeker.
However, you’ll still stand an excellent chance of spotting dolphins, which are here year-round, and resident pods of orca, especially as you explore the forested Inside Passage. The aspens take on a brilliant yellow, while willow trees turn orange. Across the tundra, especially vivid in Denali National Park—one of the best national parks in Alaska—nature throws in deep crimson, too.
Experience the Great Land on a 7-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Seattle
Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.
On a cruise to Alaska, explore the Butchart Gardens, tour the pub scene and taste some of the local brews or sail the bay for a whale-watching adventure. Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history. The nearby Spasski River Valley holds one of the world’s largest populations of brown bears, who are often found hunting for salmon in the rivers. Zipline over the wilderness, watch a tribal dance or kayak in coastal waters to see the wildlife up close during your Alaska cruise vacation. We’ve been sharing the wonders of Alaska longer than any other cruise line.
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
We have more Alaska cruise port departures featuring Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. All Alaska cruises include one or more glacier-viewing days, and you’ll get closer to ‘the giants’ on ships perfectly sized for the Great Land. Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries. Cruises to Alaska in September start in Seward, Seattle, or Vancouver, and sail to exciting ports and through the sheltered natural passages of the Alaskan coastline. Ride a historic railway in Skagway across the mountains that connect Alaska with Canada’s Yukon. Learn about indigenous cultures and pioneer history at the Alaska State Museum in Juneau.
Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience. With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent.
Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. Popular Inside Passage ports of call include Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway. Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau.
Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's also history here that you shouldn't overlook. If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north. Fish species vary according to the seasons in Alaska, but September is a great time to catch halibut, whether you’re an enthusiastic angler or a complete beginner.
Summer is the height of the Alaska cruise season, which means crowds in port towns, especially when several ships are in port at the same time. You might have to wait hours for a table at Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau. Cruise ships arrive in southeast Alaska in spring, stay the summer and linger only into early fall. The 49th state's snowy, cold and dark winters are not conducive to cruising. Cruises are typically offered in three-night, seven-night, and even up to 28-night cruises. On average, a seven-night cruise ranges from $500 to $5,000, depending on the cruise line and state room of your choice.
Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush.
Weather in Alaska in August may keep some cruisers away, but there are still many excursions and experiences to enjoy. If you want to spot herds of caribou, book an Alaska cruise that puts you in range of Denali National Park. And with salmon runs in full force, you can catch fishing bears in the southeast.
See the best of the Great Land’s glaciers, coastal towns and wildlife on board perfectly sized ships offering superior service and exclusive programming. Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm. Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. September is still a good time to spot whales in Alaska before fall, when some species begin their migration south for the winter.
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