May June July August September Anchorage 54°F 62°F 65°F 63°F 55°F Fairbanks 70°F 70°F 75°F 70°F 64°F Denali National Park 58°F 68°F 70°F 64°F 53°F Juneau 62°F 64°F 64°F 62°F 56°F Ketchikan 56°F 61°F 65°F 65°F 60°F Skagway 57°F 63°F 63°F 61°F 57°F Vancouver 64°F 69°F 74°F 73°F 65°F

Thinking of visiting Alaska early in the Season? Here are some things to know before you go.   1) Wildlife is abundant in the early season!  Two important factors help us see more critters in May: A) new arrivals in the way of cubs, calves and kids and B) the low snowline.  Moose, Bears, Goats, Sheep and even Whales give birth in the mid-spring.  That coupled with animals being concentrated in the lowlands while the mountains defrost have always led to my most memorable wildlife sightings in the spring.  It's a photographer's dream!   2) Natural Vistas are amazing.  Mountain snow, while non-disruptive to guests, allows for amazing topographical contrast with tormented evening shadows.  Mountains are more stunning with snow and May is the best month to experience this while still dressing comfortably without need of parka or mukluks.   3) The daylight will nearly be as long as it gets.  Summer solstice this year is on June 21.  As one incrementally moves away from that date daylight decreases proportionately. This means that Alaska enjoys as much daylight in May as they do in July give or take a few minutes.  The mid-night sun is not a one day occurrence.  Travel early in the season for great values and abundant daylight for explorations and photography. The amount of daylight Alaska depends upon where you are and when you travel. Here are the number of average daylight hours in Alaska/Canada major cities and locations during the Alaska cruise season:   May June July August September Anchorage 18 hrs 19 hrs 18 hrs 16 hrs 13 hrs Fairbanks 20 hrs 21 hrs 20 hrs 16 hrs 14 hrs Denali Park 18 hrs 20 hrs 19 hrs 16 hrs 13 hrs Juneau 17 hrs 18 hrs 17 hrs 16 hrs 11 hrs Ketchikan 17 hrs 18 hrs 17 hrs 16 hrs 11 hrs Vancouver 14 hrs 15 hrs 16 hrs 15 hrs 13 hrs 4) Speaking of daylight... it is only useful when it's not raining.  On average, May is one of the 2 driest, sunniest months of the year no matter what part of the Great Land you visit.  Compared with September, Anchorage only receives a third as much precipitation in the spring.  As a general rule, this is true in every port city and interior village we traverse.  Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must this time of year.  Be prepared!   5) Finally, Alaskans and Yukoners are most upbeat, personable and hospitable in May.  While it is true that some of the staff are still learning their rolls at the local gift shops, Alaskans cherish the spring like no other people we know.  Their months of Seasonal Affective Disorder have passed, the roof made it through another winter and summer sports boost endorphins statewide.  Talk to the locals in May and you'll be amazed at the tales they have of a harsh winter life just past.    A nugget of private railroad history in Alaska There’s lots of history and many companies spotlighting the beauty of rail travel in Alaska today. It all started with the completion of the Alaska Railroad back in 1923. Then Tour Alaska introduced luxury sightseeing in Alaska via rail in the 1980’s followed by Holland America, Princess Tours, and most recently by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Tours. When you look at the consist of the Alaska Railroad today, you will see a long line of fully domed passenger observation cars that offer dining, expert narration, knowledgeable railcar staff members and over 300-miles of one magnificent sight after another. Did you know? The Alaska Railroad track is laid along a National Scenic Byway that stretches from Seward on Resurrection Bay all the way to Fairbanks just 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle. It crosses the Continental Divide, spans 300-foot deep Hurricane Gulch, hugs the Million Dollar Curve and passes through more than 500 miles of glacier-carved mountains and river-cut valleys penetrating deep into Alaska’s vast Interior. Taking Home a Piece of Native Culture Native art and culture flourishes in Alaska due to the large population of Native Alaskans. Pacific Northwest Indian tribes are the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. Athabascans live in the Interior. Coastal waterways of southwestern Alaska are home to Yup’ik Eskimo and the Inupiat Eskimo reside above the Arctic Circle. The Unangan Aleut live in the Aleutian Islands. Visitors looking for the perfect souvenir will find crafts using local materials like gold nuggets, precious stones and porcupine quills. Carvings -- of animals, spirits, masks and traditional activities -- are typically of wood, antler or aquatic ivory (walrus or narwhal). Clothing can be made from a wide variety of pelts, skins and furs. Insider’s Tip: The Made in Alaska symbol indicates that a resident artist, craftsperson or manufacturer made the article in Alaska. The Silver Hand emblem guarantees that the article was hand crafted by an Alaskan Native. Wherever possible, these items have been made with Alaskan materials. Gold Fever in the Yukon — the Rush is On! The country was reeling from a depression. Then steamships carrying tons of gold from the Klondike arrived on the west coast. Within days, over 100,000 men and women dropped everything to join the stampede. The first 26 miles of the Chilkoot Trail from Dyea, one of seven routes to the Yukon, became the most notorious strip of up-and-down real estate in the world. It was a super-human effort to transport a ton of goods up that narrow, slippery, rocky trail — 200 pounds at a time. And the struggling travelers still had treacherous rapids to face on the Yukon River before reaching the goldfields near Dawson City. Ironically, by the time many arrived the rush was over. Insider’s Tip: There’s still time to book a sensational Alaska tour this season — so don’t miss out on a rollicking good time in Dawson City, the golden heart of the Klondike. You can kick upyour heels at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s, an authentic turn-of-the-century saloon and dance hall on the National Register of Historic Sites. And it’s just one of many restored buildings in this living museum of the Gold Rush. The wild, untamed Klondike is on display in the rough-and-tumble towns of Dawson City, Eagle, Whitehorse and Tok and wildlife and wilderness is boundless in legendary Denali National Park. Appealing extras like the McKinley Explorer luxury rail cars, a Yukon River cruise, the historic Gold Dredge No. 8 and the famed White Pass & Yukon Route Railway make the Alaska a fabulous choice. Summer Celebration Warm, seemingly endless days, maybe an afternoon shower, are par for the Alaska summer. Visitors can see up to 21 hours of daylight, and enjoy temperatures of up near 90°F during July and August. Here are a few other signs that summer has arrived in the North. Flower Power Wildflowers are in full bloom. From tiny blue forget-me-nots, the state flower, to towering purple fireweed and everything in between — chocolate lilies, monkshood, columbine, wild geranium, lupine, dogwood, shooting stars, iris, violets, chiming bells, Jacob's ladder, bog rosemary, larkspur and bluebells. Watchable Wildlife The humpback whales are returning from wintering in Hawaii. Canadian geese are coming back to raise their young and the feisty, screeching magpies are protecting their nests. Bears are fully active and feeding off the numerous salmon runs to bulk up before the winter. Moose and caribou have their calves in tow and are frequently sighted at this time of year. Southeast Alaska Native Culture and Crafts – Made in Alaska!    Much of Alaska’s population is composed of distinct indigenous cultural groups. In Southeast Alaska, Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures take center stage providing visitors with numerous opportunities to interact with the Native Alaskans best known for totem poles, hand-hewn cedar lodge houses, canoes and intricate beadwork and basketry. With their striking designs and colors, totem poles are bold statements of the identities and stories of the people who carved them. A totem pole generally served one of four purposes. Crest poles give the ancestry of a particular family. History poles record the history of a clan. Legend poles illustrate folklore or real life experiences. Memorial poles commemorate a particular individual. Alaskan visitors may encounter totem poles throughout Southeast Alaska, but the most famous collections are displayed in Ketchikan at Saxman Village and Totem Bight and in Sitka National Historical Park. Shopping Tip: Be sure to look for the “Made in Alaska” logo, which indicates an item genuinely produced in Alaska. The Silver Hand logo identifies the item as a Native Alaskan handicraft. Great choices include gold nugget jewelry and items carved from jade. Woven baskets of beach grass, bark or baleen and seal-oil candles, beaded mittens, fur mukluks and hand-carved masks are just a few native offerings.   Alaska Q & A   When is the best time to cruise to Alaska? Anytime between May and September is a good time to visit Alaska, but the warmest and longest days will be in June and July.   Do I need a passport to go to Alaska? If a part of your cruise includes a stop ( or departs or returns from ) either Vancouver or Victoria, Canada, you will be required to provide proper proof of US citizenship before you are allowed to board the ship. For US and Canadian Citizens, this has to be a passport. Please note that it is the passenger's responsibility to provide acceptable proof of citizenship. You will not get a refund if you are denied boarding due to the lack of proper documentation. How long are Alaska Cruises? Most Alaska cruises are 7 days. Choose an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise that sail roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver; or a 7 Night Alaska Glacier Cruise sailing south from Anchorage ( Seward or Whittier ports ) or North from Vancouver. You can add a land tour to the beginning or end of the cruise. Cruisetours explore cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks, and Denali and other National Parks, allowing you to visit such places as Mt. McKinley. Cruise tours can range from three to 16 days in addition to your 7-day cruise vacation.   What is an Alaska Cruisetour? An Alaska Cruise Tour combines an Alaska cruise with an Alaska land tour. These cruisetours give you an opportunity experience both the coast and interior of Alaska. On a cruisetour you can visit Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park. You may travel by deluxe motor coach and/or specially built sightseeeing trains, stay at deluxe lodges and view wildlife in its natural habitat. You can join in adventurous and culturally focused shore excursions.   Should I bring the kids? Alaska is an unforgettable family vacation destination full of adventure and educational opportunities. Most cruise lines these days cater to families with children of all ages including toddlers, youth, and teenagers. They have kids programs, special facilities, kids menus and planned activities. Some cabins can accommodate three, four or as many as five passengers in one cabin. Children can cruise at reduced rates when they share a cabin with their parents, making it very affordable for the whole family to visit Alaska. Should I get a stateroom with a balcony? If you're sailing along the Inside Passage or viewing College Fjord, you will have views of the mountains, the wilderness, huge glaciers, and shoreside communities. You may even spot a whale or two. On an Alaska cruise, the ship's decks are packed with hundreds of guests crowding the ship's rail to take a picture. You can enjoy the same view from your balcony, while having a hot drink - without the crowds. And with a balcony, you have floor to ceiling magnificent views of Alaska.   When should I book my Alaska cruise or Cruisetour? Cruise ships sailing to Alaska book up quickly especially for sailings in July and August. Early booking discounts may be on offer so we recommend booking as early as possible. Balcony cabins are very popular and tend to sell out first. Families wanting cabins close together ( adjoining or connecting cabins ) or "quad" cabins sleep 4) should also book early.   What's the best way to reserve my Alaska vacation? Planning an Alaska Cruise Vacation could get very complicated. Planning your vacation of a life time is not like booking an airline ticket, hotel, rental car. There's a lot more to it and given the size of your travel investment we  recommend you take advantage of  the services of a professional Alaska Cruise Advisor to help guide you through the process. With over 380 Alaska Cruise and Cruise Tour options to choose from making the right choice can make all the difference in the world.   Ask yourself these questions..... When do you want to go? ...and for how many days? What kind of Alaska Cruise Vacation do you want? A 7 day cruise or an extended stay Alaska Cruise Tour? What do you want to see? What kind of activities do you enjoy? Viewing Glaciers, Wildlife Wilderness Tours,  Hiking Mountains, learning the local History or participate in an active Adventure? Are you taking kids? How old are they? What's there to do for them?   The number of questions about Alaska could number several pages. What's your question. Just ask us,  800.365.1445 What about Airfare? You may purchase airfare on your own, or you can get it from the cruise line as part of your cruise package. vacation. Unlike buying an airline ticket on your own, when you book your airfare with the cruise line you do not have to pay for your ticket at the time of booking ( placing a deposit ) , you pay for it only at the time of final payment. If you have to cancel your cruise before cruise line cancellation penalties are imposed, you may not be stuck with the cost of airline tickets. Flight schedules, including connections, are assigned at the descreation of the cruise line and neither us nor the cruise line make seat assignments. Can I extend my Alaska Cruise or Cruisetour? If your ship arrives or leaves from Vancouver, consider spending a few days either before or after the cruise to enjoy some of the local sights. Most cruise lines offer pre- and post-cruise hotel programs that give you the opportunity to experience some of the local flavor. Should I purchase travel insurance? We highly recommend purchasing trip cancellation coverage. In the event that your cruise or cruisetour is cancelled due to a medical emergency, you may, subject to a valid claim, recover the non-refundable portion of your cruise costs. What can I see on an Alaska cruise? An Alaska Cruise or Cruisetour gives you the opportunity to see wildlife, and explore Wilderness, Mountains and Glaciers, Alaska's natural beauty, plus a chance to learn about native American culture and the history of the Gold Rush. On most Cruises and Cruisetours you may see - moose, caribou, dall sheep, bears, birds, seals, humpback and killer whales, and eagles. To see Mt. McKinley, North America's largest mountain, you'll need to take a cruisetour that includes Denali National Park. You may also experience rafting trips, salmon bakes, horse backing riding, fishing tours and nature hikes that show you some of the most beautiful and pristine lands in America. Depending on your cruise you will see one or more of these: Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm Fjord, Mendenhall Glacier, or the glaciers of College Fjord. Will I get to see Mt. McKinley? Mt. McKinley, North America's largest mountain at 20,360 feet is located in Denali National Park, in the interior region of Alaska between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Tours in Denali National Park are only available to Alaska Cruisetour guests. Mt. McKinley is so large it creates its own weather, so the conditions are unpredictable and full view of Mt. McKinley is never guaranteed. But when the sky is clear, North America's highest peak is in its full glory.  Truly something to see, photograph and talk about! When's the best time to see whales? If you visit Alaska between June and early September, you may see Humpback, Whales, Orcas, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, and Porpoises. Between June and July, you have your best chance of seeing the Humpbacks. Consider a whale watching tour in search of whale pods. Which side of the ship is best for viewing glaciers? Where possible, book a cabin on the right side of the ship (starboard side) for scenery on a Northbound cruise and the left side (port side) on a Southbound cruise. However, if you have cabin on the "other" side, don't worry, there is scenery on both sides of the ship and when you are entering the fjords to view the glaciers of Alaska, the viewing is likely to be good from either side of the ship. What about fishing? You can book a full- or half-day fishing trip in most of the Alaska ports of call. Fish for King Salmon, Pink & Silver Salmon, Sockeye, Halibut, Rainbow Trout, Char, or Steelhead.