June vs Sept?

[Flintstone]

I had originally planned on 6/05 for our 1st Alaskan cruise...but several friends (and even TA) are trying to stear me into early Sept. Anyone have any advise?
Thanks.

9/2000 Carnival Tropicale
12/2001 NCL Norway
9/2002 NCL Norway
10/2003 Disney Wonder
2005...Alaska

[Yukon]

The only advantages to September may be price (both ship and the sales onshore) and better grizzly sightings depending on where you go. There are a lot of disadvatages, though - September weather is worse, and glacier dog-sledding isn't available, for example.

Murray

[cofgren]

we went in late june.it happens to be the dry season.also no problem with insects[I have read on these boards that that is a problem].I thought weather was perfect during our cruise.it did drizzle in ketchican.

[Flintstone]

Someone told me that June is Black fly season. Is that not true???

9/2000 Carnival Tropicale
12/2001 NCL Norway
9/2002 NCL Norway
10/2003 Disney Wonder
2005...Alaska

[CruiseIsGood]

I've been in June twice and didn't have any insect problems at all, although I didn't trudge into the forests. I did take a canoe trip twice. Walked through all the towns. No bugs.

The weather in June will probably be far better than September, but it's always unpredictable.

Denise

[CruiseIsGood]

It would be nice if someone who has had bug problems would post where they had them. They don't seem to be in the normal ship ports. Denali maybe or one of the other land tours?

[Budget Queen]

I have never encountered significant bug problems on the Inside Passage ports. A few mosquitoes maybe. Now Wonder Lake in Denali Park is another story. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] BUT few travelers go there, and any cruisetours don't. I too agree, go June and not Sept or at the very least not past the first few days in Sept.

[Flintstone]

Thank you all. I looked at 2004 rates June vs Sept and the saving only appeared to be $100 per cabin. Like everyone else...still waiting on Princess for 2005 (this is like being in labor) [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Don't see enough difference to warrant giving up my "Anniversary" cruise. The bugs WOULD be a significant reason for me, tho. We're not doing any pre/post land tours due to time restraints this time...and will probably not do any rain forest tours. One black fly bited caused my face to swell up from my eye brow to cheek bone. For days I had no eye to speak of! Definately don't want that to ruin our trip! But will definately plan for the worse and bring a good insect repelent.
Thanks to all who took the time to answer.

9/2000 Carnival Tropicale
12/2001 NCL Norway
9/2002 NCL Norway
10/2003 Disney Wonder
2005...Alaska

[Outhouse]

We are going the first week of September. I see three advantanges. First, you get a holiday via Labor day so you can save vacation days. Second, we got a very good rate on a room on a guaranteed basis and have already been upgraded three levels and third, you would get to meet the wife and I if you take the Princess Diamond!

[merlin123]

We went the first week of September 2003. We had good weather - very warm in Juneau, fine in Sitka and rain in the early morning in Ketchikan (to be expected). It was very cold the day we went to the Hubbard Glacier. Otherwise the days were mild. We had no problems booking the shore excursions we wanted, though were disappointed our float plane trip in Ketchikan was cancelled because of the weather. We saw lots of wildlife on the excursions.

What I learnt from these boards last year is that anything can happen at which ever time you go. You can go in peak season (June) and get rained on everyday and see no wildlife or go the last week in September, have wonderful weather and see everything. I think you just have to go along and realise that there is a probability that it may rain and that some of the wildlife may avoid you. The main thing is to go and enjoy yourself no matter what.

Cheers

Merlin123 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Sea Turtle]

I've been on an Alaskan cruise the first week of June and the first week of September. I didn't plan any differently for those two, and enjoyed them equally. Had some gorgeous and some not so gorgeous days during both weeks and wouldn't hesitate to go again during either of those weeks. The thing about Alaska to me though is even if it's rain vs sunshine it's still a grand day. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Enjoy!

<img src=http://members.hometown.aol.com/bay2baygal/myhomepage/seaturtle.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US>

[zebra]

We went on a cruisetour in the 3rd week of September. We had snow in Denali, but saw so much wildlfe - no bugs!!! When we got to Anchorage we were wearing T-shirts. Kenai was cold and clear (very, very beautiful) and the cruise was marvelous - we only had drizzle on one day - and not the whole day. We also saw the Northern Lights in Fairbanks and then again from the ship the night we left College Fjord. For us it meant a quieter cruise because it was not school vacation time. (We've been there and done that, having had 6 children and only being able to vacation during certain times of the year) We also have our grandkids, who we love dearly, over 2/3 days a week - active boys, 12 and 5 - so it was a wonderful, quiet break for us!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2004;9;6;19;0;00&timezone=GMT+0100[/img]
Until Millenium 9/6/2004 to Europe!

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[qqqsal]

Flintstone,
Sounds like you decided to go in June. Good for you. Personally, I wouldn't be able to wait until Sept. Happy cruising.