What is the best time of year to go on an Alaskan cruise to see whales?


What is the best time of year to go on an Alaskan cruise to see whales? When is the Best Time of Year for Whale Watching on an Alaska Cruise? You're in luck. April to November is the best time to see whales in Alaska and that nicely aligns with the Alaska cruise season. Like most of us, whales enjoy Alaska in the spring and summer months, when the days are long and food is plentiful.


What months can you see the northern lights on an Alaskan cruise?

The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season.


Do you need a passport for an Alaskan cruise?

Just to recap, you do not necessarily have to have a passport to cruise to Alaska. As long as you are a United States citizen and the cruise is making a close-loop sailing out of a U.S. port, you can cruise as long as you carry the proper alternate identification.


Which whale watching tour is best?

16 incredible whale watching trips in the USA
  • Bar Harbor, Maine. ...
  • Depoe Bay, Oregon. ...
  • Eastsound, Orcas Island, Washington. ...
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia. ...
  • Cape May, New Jersey. ...
  • Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. ...
  • Oak Harbor, Deception Pass State Park, Washington. ...
  • Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii. Kona Snorkel Tours.


Which is the best side of a cruise ship to be on Alaska?

Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.


What is the best cruise line to use for an Alaskan cruise?

Royal Caribbean: Has some of the most feature-filled ships and is suitable for families. Princess Cruises: Offers more Alaskan cruises than most other lines, good for guests with no young kids. Holland America Line: Among the best cruise lines for Alaskan food and culture, good for older cruisers.


What is the best deck to stay on on a cruise ship?

Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much.


Can whales damage cruise ships?

You can see chunks of boat float away. A 2022 study found that out of 49 attacks that year, whales damaged ships in about 73% of interactions. And 25% of those had to be towed back to port.


Are whale cruises worth it?

YES! There are few experiences in life comparable to the extraordinary feeling of seeing gregarious dolphins as they approach from every angle, excited to see our passengers aboard the safety of each of our vessels within our sea-worthy fleet. When asked if whale watching is worth it, our answer is an assured YES!


What if a cruise ship hits a whale?

Collisions with vessels can be fatal. When a whale or sea turtle is hit by a ship or another vessel, these gentle creatures are likely to die or suffer a horrific injury. Ship collisions have been identified as a significant human cause of baleen whales (mysticete) mortality [1].


Do you get wet on whale watching in Alaska?

DON'T be disappointed if it's raining and misty, but DO bring your rain gear! At the very least bring a rain jacket but I would suggest rain pants too. Luckily the humpback whales don't care if it's raining or sunny. It's always wet and cold where they are!


Can you see Northern Lights from Alaskan cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.


What is the best month to see wildlife on an Alaskan cruise?

Denali is another option for cruisers, but be sure to check on the Mt. Denali weather with your cruise line. Alaska Wildlife in July: July is the best month in Alaska for spotting much of the state's incredible wildlife.


Do you see whales from the cruise ship on an Alaskan cruise?

While the ship is sailing through the northern Pacific waters, whales can sometimes be spotted from the ship. This can happen in the open ocean on the way to or from Alaska, or while the ship is sailing through the Inside Passage.


Will I see dolphins on an Alaskan cruise?

At any time during the cruise season you'll certainly see some of Alaska's most amazing animal inhabitants, including whales, dolphins, bears and bald eagles. However, many migratory species are sighted more often during certain times.


What is the cheapest month to cruise to Alaska?

The Alaska cruise season typically runs from late April to late September, and the cheapest months to cruise to Alaska are during the shoulder season months of April, May, and September.


Do you get sea sick on an Alaskan cruise?

Don't be surprised if you feel seasick in Alaska's waters, even if no other cruise has made you feel that way. Cruising through the Inside Passage is generally calm, but the open waters of the Pacific Ocean can be choppy. Even the bays can churn up quickly during summer storms.


Can you see wildlife on Alaska cruise ship?

Land Mammals Along Alaskan Shores Don't forget to look for Alaska wildlife along the shores while you cruise to ports like Skagway, Ketchikan, and the capital city of Juneau. Many land mammals can be seen right from the deck of your cruise ship.


Will I see polar bears on Alaska cruise?

Black bears, brown bears, and polar bears call Alaska home. While polar bears do not migrate far enough south to see while on a cruise, passengers may have the opportunity to spot black or brown bears. The best time to see bears in Southeast Alaska is from July through early September.


What is the best month to see whales on an Alaskan cruise?

When is the Best Time of Year for Whale Watching on an Alaska Cruise? You're in luck. April to November is the best time to see whales in Alaska and that nicely aligns with the Alaska cruise season. Like most of us, whales enjoy Alaska in the spring and summer months, when the days are long and food is plentiful.