Unknown Survivor

is 'less chilly weather' your only criteria?

one way cruise or RT ?

 

Both time periods have their positives and negatives

Late May is typically drier. Rain increases as the summer progresses. If you're doing one way, be mindful that some activities, vendors, parks, don't open until after Memorial Day so if you have a specific activity in mind, call to be sure they're open or accessible.

Positive ... lots of snow in the mountains, baby wildlife,

 

After mid Aug there can be ugly Fall storms.

Positive .. salmon runs, bear viewing

I am looking at cruises in mid to late May and late August in 2016, leaving/returning out of Seattle. I think chilly is the wrong word, I would love to do a lot of hiking and was looking for a time that it would be more green. I didn't even think about Memorial Day, so thanks for the heads up.

All I can tell you is what factored into our decision when it came to choosing when to do Alaska.

 

1. We love children. But when we travel, we like to go when places are not packed with children. We figured May before school was out or Sept when it was back in session.

 

2. We like good prices. The prices are cheaper on the shoulder seasons of May and Sept.

 

3. We looked for incentives. The explore 4 was offered for certain cruises and there was OBC for booking before a certain date.

 

4. We can't get predict weather a day ahead yet alone months or a year out so we look at what is typical knowing we may get an extreme or a normal and know there is nothing we can do about it. So May might be colder but less rainy. Sept may be warmer but greater chance of storms.

 

July and August can have problems with mosquitos. Decided it would be nice to avoid those months but they were already not at the top of the list due to schools being out.

 

We chose May. We booked in Sept of 2014 for a May 2015 trip. This year it was a great choice. May was not cold. We had sunshine every single day - in fact never saw a drop of rain in Alaska. We saw Denali all three days we were there. The ship was not full and even though it was our first HAL, we got an incredible upsell to a suite.

 

Decide what is important and make your choices accordingly. Make your decisions based on what you can control. And then keep a good attitude if the weather isn't perfect.

I was looking at one in May and one in late August, your advice is helpful and appreciated ... thank you.

I am planning an Alaskan cruise in 2016 and I am wonder when is the best time to go, I am hoping for less chilly weather. I have been looking at dates in late May or perhaps sometime in August?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cindy :)

I am taking a cruise out of Miami in May of 2015 on the Carnival Breeze and I am curious about hotels. I have never been to Miami and I am wondering what hotels would previous cruisers suggest and why?

Cindy

I have been a member of Cruise Critic since 2006 - My favorite thing to read are the reviews (w/pics). I have read yours 3 times. The first time I looked at the photos; the 2nd time I looked at the photos and read your review; the 3rd time I looked at the photos, read your review and read the comments made by other people. I leave on this ship to these same locations on May 10th (in 54 days) - I am sure I will have plenty of time to read this review another couple of times before I go.

May I say this is the best review and photos that I have read/seen since joining Cruise Critic...thank you for the excellent review.

Cindy

I was on the Carnival Pride in October of 2008 and they didn't have the Serenity area (wish they had). I am sailing on one of her sister ships the Spirit in April 2012 and I am hoping they add a Serenity area on that ship...keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway, enjoying this thread and the pics...keep it coming...thanks

Cindy

What a great review...thank you. I loved the pictures...they are always my favorite posts.

Cindy

Mike,

Are your pics in Photobucket public? If yes, where can I find them?

Cindy