Best time of year to go on Alaskan Cruise?

Lara

Has anyone been on an Alaskan cruise?
Are all the Cruise ships more or less the same for this type of trip?
What time of year is best?
Many thanks .

chriseeboy

Hi,

Just read your post.

In 1998 I went on a cruise for two weeks up and down Alaska with P & O Cruises on the Sun Princess ship.

I don't know about other cruise lines but I do know that most P & O ships that go there are of a similar size.

I went for 14 days commencing 8th September. I was very lucky with the weather and had sunshine for most of the time and even had one or two t-shirt days but for the most part you needed a jumper and a jacket.

I learned that cruises in Alaska end around late September which I guess is a weather/seasonal thing.

Don't know if this is useful and lets face it, with global warming things can sometimes just come down to luck. What I will say, this holiday was a freebie for me, (a friends and family arrangement with P & O) and had no choice over the destination so as I flew out to meet the ship I went with mixed blessings. It turned out to be one of the best places I have ever been to for natural beauty and I travel a lot! Every port/town offers something different and definately budget for some whale watching and glacier observing excursions. They are worth it! Think twice about bear observing excursions, they can be hairy, (excuse the pun).

All the best.

Lara

Thanks chriseeboy - that's what I wanted to hear. I have heard you can do it cheaper by flying to Vancouver and going from there. However we don't want that sort of hazzle just in case!

I thought a week would be enough but obviously from your post you didn't find 14 days too much. Definitely whale watching and the glacier's on our list! Thanks again

alanrowell

I was going to say a few things but this link says it all

Lara

alanrowell wrote:

I was going to say a few things but this link says it all

Excellent! Thank you !

chalky_bertie

We had a brilliant time in June and cruised from Seward in Alaska down to Vancouver. Most of them just do a round trip from one port of call but there are a few that down North / South or vice versa. Most of the ships are much of a muchness but you don't really spend that much time on them as your are in port quite a few days. TRY THIS WEBSITE which is dedicated to cruising and Alaska. They were very helpful when I used it.

Lara

Thanks very much chalky_bertie. I can't get into that link atm -v v slow and then clicks me out. I'll try again later.