rain and more rain

[cruzinbabes]

We sailed on a 14 day ultimate Alaska cruise a few years ago the last week of June and first week of July. We had torrential rains and high winds alternating with dense fog for 12-1/2 of those days. We had been to Alaska several times before that, so we knew the beauty hidden behind the dreary weather. We really felt sorry for those who were doing a "once in a lifetime" trip to Alaska, and had to rely on postcards and pictures to see the beauty.

 

The bus windows in port were fogged up on the inside, so we really couldn't see much even on the excursions.

 

The cruise was still fun, but I doubt we would spend the kind of $$$ HAL charged for that balcony cabin again...we could only see past our balcony rail for 1 -1/2 days out of the whole trip!

 

On the other hand, we've been on several Alaskan cruises where the weather was perfect...you just never know.

[azevedan]

When wearing a backpack in the rain, remember to zip it such that the zippers don't meet at the top of the backpack (where rain can get in through the gap) but rather on the side. Also, make sure the fabric meant to cover the zipper is doing so.

[Disneynerd]

Last week we were in Juneau and Sitka. Rained both days. Foggy both days. Sitka was probably the worst - it was that sleeting rain that just made walking around miserable. I got splashed twice while walking on the sidewalks from traffic. It's tough enough figuring out where you are going when you've never been there before in good weather but in bad weather it just makes you want to get out of the rain! Probably the thing that got the wettest was our map!

 

That being said - we had waterproof jackets (mine kind of sort of :)) and waterproofed our shoes. We did ok. It never got really cold but we did take a backpack with ponchos (we never used them) and a change of socks (never used them). We took two pairs of walking shoes (never used the second pair as our feet never really got that wet).

 

I hated the rain and fog but we still had a great time despite having to change our plans when excursions got cancelled.

[PC168]

Just came back a week ago. We were very lucky. It didn't rain at all for the entire week. Crew was saying it rained the last 4 weeks before us in Juneau.

They call this Liquide Sunshine.:)

[kennicott]

Yes, very difficult predict the weather along the southern and central Alaskan coast. When it does rain it most often comes in the form of almost constant light drizzle. Growing up in Cordova on Alaska's Prince William Sound, (Some areas in the vicinity of that corner of the North Pacific are regarded to be among the wettest on earth, although no gauge stations there.) as kids we didn't know any difference and played outside all the time. Always wondered why the adults were moaning about the rain until we moved to relatively dry Anchorage and began spending time in Hawaii.

 

You never know though, the coast might have a very horrid wet stretch of weather (Southeast has been breaking some day precipitation records this summer.) but then things turn and nothing but sun for weeks on end, even through the Autumnal Equinox when it generally gets the wettest. In 2010, for the heck of it we flew down to San Fran and boarded the Seven Seas Navigator for a two week cruise back home, that was in late May, the only bad weather in Alaska we encountered was a rainy day in Valdez, throughout the remainder of the voyage the weather was beautiful, especially at Hubbard Glacier where some temperatures along the coast that day hit 72 degrees. I got a pretty good sunburn then from standing on the deck too long at the face of the glacier.

 

Weather forecasting has gotten better in recent years than it used to be. But forget worrying over long range forecasts. Here is a good link: http://www.arh.noaa.gov/

[EatSleepCruise]

While it seems like just yesterday, we have been back from our Alaskan Cruise on the Celebrity Solstice for over two weeks! We got very lucky with the weather and only got rain in Ketchikan, and a little bit on Day 6 at sea. All the other days were mostly sunny, with mild temperatures in the 50s.

 

We have started a detailed review of the entire trip, including Seattle, in the Celebrity Fourm for anyone who is interested. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2106806

[donaldsc]

sailing on the 14th and it looks like there will be rain in every port for 12 days.

 

It isn't called a temperate rain forest for nothing.

 

DON

[agabbymama]

Just another mention to PROTECT YOUR CAMERA. If it is pouring rain, don't even take the camera out.

 

I had one camera ruined from just the humidity in Australia, and another ruined from the rain in Alaska. The photos more than like won't turn out anyway if you are in a torrential down pour.

 

The insides of the cameras rusted, and the cameras would never work properly again, even after getting them cleaned/repaired at home.

 

Cameras can be expensive items, so maybe purchase a rain sleeve if you really want to take photos.