Question about Alaska Cruise?

[DFD1]

We are looking at an Alaska cruise next year. We have flown to Alaska, but never cruised there.

I know the seas off the west coast of Canada can act up at certain times of the year.For those of you with cruising exerience in that area, are we likely to have a smoother ride in early summer or in the fall?

[Oppgaard]

We went in May and our cruise was absolutely fantastic. Calm seas and beautiful weather. I should have packed a lot more light weight clothes and a lot less heavy clothes. Of course it could have been different that early in the season but it wasn't. We are doing the cruise again in September.

[h2so4]

We went in June - from Seward to Vancouver. Calm sees the entire cruise.

[weluvcruisin']

We've gone in May had calm seas and great weather. We went in July, had a couple days of rough seas and rain.

[jhannah]

We sailed in early August and seas were calm. There generally isn't much disturbance in the inside passage. Our cruise was out of Vancouver. I understand coming out of SFO there is some chop after passing under the Golden Gate.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I agree with the other posters about May. We went in mid May and we were in both the Inside and Outside of the passage. The seas were so calm and the weather wonderful. We actually were disappointed that we did not get the feeling of the ship moving after the cruise ended. I can honestly say it was the calmest but I have heard stories that the seas can get rough. I think it is just the luck of the draw.

[DFD1]

Thanks for the help. I think we'll try for May/June time frame. Probably out of Vancover. Everyone says this is a really beautiful cruise. We're really looking forward to it.

[Bookish Angel]

The seas were calm except for one "rolling" night (which was a hoot, by the way!) and the weather was warm - almost hot in Prince Rupert.

[dinobja]

We went the last week in September and the seas were calm for the entire trip. It rained only one day too!!

[Budget Queen]

Anyway- I have cruised Alaska 10 times and indeed on 3 trips, encountered VERY rough sailing, so the "smooth as glass on the inside passage" is a myth. There also is no way to predict. These 3 cruises were ALL inside passage and different time of year. So bottom line- if prone to seasickness, take precautions. Another consideration to look at is route- Seattle sailings do more outside passage- open ocean, compared to Vancouver, so keep that in mind. The routes are ball park only- I have been on "supposed" inside passage sailings that went outside at the choice of the captain.

[DFD1]

Thanks again, everyone. Interesting experiences all around. We'll sort this out somehow and probably wind up going early to mid summer to get away from the hottest part of the summer here in Tennessee. Thanks again.

[kruzkeen]

The routes are ball park only- I have been on "supposed" inside passage sailings that went outside at the choice of the captain.

This is very interesting. Did the ship depart from Seattle or Vancouver or from a CA port when the supposed inside passage was changed to an outside by the choice of the captain?

[Marie-Claude]

We were in Alaska during the last week of May 2004 and we also had fairly calm seas but for one night - from College Fjords to Glacier Bay National Park.

We did a Southbound from Whittier to Vancouver, and really loved it. If I had to recommend an itinerary, I would recommend this one in a minute (I guess northbound or southbound is up to you). We enjoyed the southbound as seeing glaciers is what is most impressive in an Alaska cruise, and you are anxious to see that. WIth the Southbound, you really get the feel of Alaska right away, and then work your way down to the inside passage where you get to feel the life and scenery of southern Alaska which is also wonderful.
In retrospect I would highly recommend choosing an itinerary that takes you to College Fjords and definitely Glacier Bay National Park - this was the most memorable day of the cruise!

Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll love your cruise to Alaska!

[Budget Queen]

This is very interesting. Did the ship depart from Seattle or Vancouver or from a CA port when the supposed inside passage was changed to an outside by the choice of the captain?



ALL Vancouver.

[robertmartha]

We are sailing this August on the Oosterdam out of Seattle. Thinking of a group cruise for August 06 with friends of ours, We sailed this past August on RC (11 of us) and though we had a great time - we (the 4 of us) are going back to HAL in August!!!!!

For the 11 of us - not sure if HAL is the choice for ALL of us ( 5 kids with us ages 12- 8) BUT would definately want a ship that has a retractable dome over the pool area for the kids/teens. Are HAL ships the only ones that have this? I can't imagine sailing up to alaska on a ship that does not have this - just for those days when it is raining or cool. I read that this year the temps were in the 90's on some days...but that that was not the norm.

THANKS

[Budget Queen]

There are many ships with covered pools sailing Alaska. Research ships of interest for verification.

[slineberry528]

We went in Aug last year and had great weather. 75-90 each day. Cruising in Glazier Bay was cold. Seas were calm. We used Dawn Princess and it only had a canopy over aft pool. Great time was had by all.
Susan

[bkreader]

If you can swing it, try to go so you are in Alaska for the first day of summer(June 21). You can stand outside and watch the sun just barely go below the horizon before coming up again. That made a wonderful trip extra-special for us. The weather that week was really clear and the waters were smooth. You will love this cruise no matter when you go. - Jane

[DFD1]

Thanks, Jane. What a great idea! We haven't booked it yet so we'll see what we can do. I love the long days.

Had the reverse experience several years ago in Ireland. Spent Christmas and New Year's in Donegal. Wonderful and cozy and perfect for Christmas, but the sun almost came up at about 11 am and went right back down again at about 1 pm.

[Slsteph]

We are cruising the last week of June '05. What are typical temperatures at that time of year? Thank you.

[Budget Queen]

We are cruising the last week of June '05. What are typical temperatures at that time of year? Thank you.


You will need a wide range of attire including a lined lightweight jacket, rain gear, 2 pair or walking shoes, layers, knit hat and gloves. No way to predict the unpredictable. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have taken quite a few Alaskan cruises at different times of the year. The best we loved was in July. For the most part the weather was better - less rain - and the glaciers calved more due to warmer temperatures and the sun being higher in the sky and stronger thus causing more calving.

And we always take all kinds of clothing and layer.