Cruising northern latitudes in mid-May to early June

[luxurysailer]

My wife and I will be celebrating our 45th anniversary next May and are looking to take a cruise to celebrate. Although we have cruised Alaska previously, a repeat is not out of question. We are also considering the Norwegian fjords.

For those of you who have been there, I would appreciate what you think about cruising these two areas at that time of year, particularly in relation to insect problems and weather.

Any advice will be appreciated.

[Essiesmom]

Chilly no matter how you slice it. We did Norway: Geiranger, Flaam, Stavanger, Oslo in Early August, and it was max 60, expect rain. I think I would drop that at least ten degrees for May...EM

[dwbias]

May is a wonderful time to visit Alaska....good weather, very little rain, and the mosquitos haven't, as yet, grown their full six inches.

[Ine]

My wife and I will be celebrating our 45th anniversary next May and are looking to take a cruise to celebrate. Although we have cruised Alaska previously, a repeat is not out of question. We are also considering the Norwegian fjords.

For those of you who have been there, I would appreciate what you think about cruising these two areas at that time of year, particularly in relation to insect problems and weather.

Any advice will be appreciated.

We cruised Norway in first part of May 2007. No problems with insects, but it was chilly. We really needed pullovers, jackets etc.
We were lucky with the weather, it was sunny, it only rained for 1 day.
However weather in that region is unstable, so you never know.
Sailing the fjord was beautiful, still snow at the mountaintops.
For detailed weather check www.wunderground.com (http://www.wunderground.com)

[Druke I]

I think Alaska late May or early June is great. Usually much less crowded, and often costs less than "high season".

We did the Norwegian coast, on the Hurtigruten ship Nordnorge, but that was in July. Very interesting, but we think Alaska is prettier.

[sassyredhat]

We cruised Alaska in early May--the first ship in of the season.

It was cold (we did alot of layering), but enjoyable. We had drizzle in Juneau, sun in Ketchican, and alot of wind in Skagway.

We were able to do all our tours. Personally, it was sort of relaxing for me. I didn't have to worry about my hair. :rolleyes: :p Everyone was wearing knit caps, and no one cared.

We are planning Alaska again, and will probably go again in May or early June. Oh yes~~~~~NO insects or mosquitos.

Pat

[RuthC]

I've cruised several times (7, I think; I lost count :rolleyes:) in Norway, but the cruises were always in June-August. Even then, I needed a sweatshirt or jacket at least some of the time. I would expect it would be even cooler, more often, in May. If you go then, bring gloves. :D
But I bet it would be gorgeous with the sun on the snow and ice! :)

[MightyQuinn]

My wife and I will be celebrating our 45th anniversary next May and are looking to take a cruise to celebrate. Although we have cruised Alaska previously, a repeat is not out of question. We are also considering the Norwegian fjords.
We have cruised to Alaska & to Norway in early June. In both regions, we experienced cool temps & rainy days as the norm. If you're prepared with appropriate clothes/rain gear/umbrellas, I think it's a great time to go.

As someone wiser than me once said.....there's no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. :cool::cool:

[SabreSailor]

We cruised Alaska in mid-May and had some heavy seas and rain, except in Ketchikan, which if I recall has the highest average annual rainfall in SE Alaska. Temps were 40s-low 50s, except in Glacier Bay, which felt like someone left the fridge door open....

We cruised Norway in mid-June - a lot of clouds and some rain, except in Bergen, where it was beautiful - yet Bergen I recall gets the most rain in Norway - go figure.

Both Alaska and Norway are beautiful - Norway's a lot less crowded, but you had at the time only one cruise available on HAL. If you've seen Alaska, try Norway - I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

[Bill S]

We've cruised to Alaska 5 times, and four of those in May. After our first May cruise, we decided May is a great month to see it: lots of snow down low on the mountains; decent weather, albeit on the cool side; fewer ships/crowds than after schools get out; and, generally better fares. Also, the wildlife, except for the salmon, is still great.

On the other hand, we cruised a bit in Norway this summer and it was just plain stunningly beautiful. We didn't observe much wildlife, but the scenery was pretty impressive. We did have great weather, too--that was a real plus.

Tough choice!

[luxurysailer]

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and advice. Sounds as if May is a good time to go to Alaska. We had been told that there was a severe insect problem at that time of year, but none of you apparently thought that was significant. Nevertheless, if I go I will go prepared with Avon Skin So Soft Expedition insect repellant. I may smell like a harlot's handbag, but the insects won't bother me.

[Bill S]

We have never experienced an insect problem during our May cruises to Alaska. Maybe, inland there might be such a problem, but at Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau and Skagway, the mosquitos have been noticeably absent in early to mid-May during our visits. Take the repellent though, just in case! :)

[gooselace]

We cruised Norway in first part of May 2007. No problems with insects, but it was chilly. We really needed pullovers, jackets etc.
We were lucky with the weather, it was sunny, it only rained for 1 day.
However weather in that region is unstable, so you never know.
Sailing the fjord was beautiful, still snow at the mountaintops.
For detailed weather check www.wunderground.com (http://www.wunderground.com)

Just had to switch to the Eurodam's May cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, because TA said the July one is a total charter. Turns out it's a gay charter, mostly male, and while the website said females were welcome, my cruise buddy and I decided we couldn't fake it. Would rather take plenty of parkas, rain jackets, wool hats, and gloves.

I'm considering packing some older warm clothes that I can leave behind, and buy a great jacket in Copehagen or Oslo that I can use on annual winter trips to visit relatives in Chicago and Nebraska, where I grew up. I remember cold - that's dozens of straight days (no pun intended) below zero.