When is Alaska Cruise Season
Find out when Alaska cruise season truly begins and ends, and why the timing matters for glaciers, wildlife and your wallet.
Wildlife Viewing in Alaska
The short answer
Alaska wildlife viewing on cruises offers bears, whales, and eagles in their natural habitat.
Alaska wildlife viewing is a major draw for many cruise passengers, with the opportunity to see bears, whales, and eagles in their natural habitat, and with typical cruise prices ranging from $800 to $2,000 per person for a 7-night sailing, it's an experience that's within reach for many travelers. The best time for Alaska wildlife viewing is during the summer months, when the weather is warmest and the days are longest, typically from June to September. During this time, many cruise lines offer special wildlife-themed cruises, with onboard naturalists and guided shore excursions to help passengers make the most of their wildlife viewing experience. The Inside Passage is a popular route for Alaska cruises, with its narrow waterways and stunning scenery, and it's also a great place to see wildlife, with frequent sightings of humpback whales, orcas, and sea lions.
This article will cover the best ways to experience Alaska wildlife viewing on a cruise, including the best cruise lines and ships for wildlife enthusiasts, the top ports and shore excursions for seeing bears, whales, and eagles, and some tips for making the most of your wildlife viewing experience, such as bringing binoculars and dressing in layers for early morning wildlife watching. We'll also discuss the trade-offs between different types of cruises, such as smaller ships vs larger ships, and the benefits of taking a cruisetour, which combines a cruise with a land-based tour. Whether you're a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or just looking for a unique and exciting vacation experience, Alaska wildlife viewing on a cruise is an unforgettable experience that's sure to leave you with lifelong memories.
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Compare prices →Choosing the Right Cruise Line for Alaska Wildlife Viewing
When it comes to Alaska wildlife viewing, not all cruise lines are created equal, and some offer more opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts than others, with typical prices for a 7-night wildlife-themed cruise ranging from $1,200 to $3,000 per person. For example, Holland America Line is known for its expertise in Alaska cruises, with a variety of wildlife-themed shore excursions and onboard naturalists to help passengers make the most of their experience. Princess Cruises is another popular option, with its signature North to Alaska program, which features a variety of wildlife-themed activities and excursions, including a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where passengers can see bears, moose, and caribou up close.
Other cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, also offer Alaska cruises with a focus on wildlife viewing, but may not have as many onboard naturalists or guided shore excursions, and prices may be lower, ranging from $800 to $2,000 per person for a 7-night sailing. However, these lines may offer more onboard amenities and entertainment options, such as water parks and Broadway shows, which can be a trade-off for some passengers.
- Holland America Line offers wildlife-themed shore excursions
- Princess Cruises features a signature North to Alaska program
- Norwegian Cruise Line offers more onboard amenities
Best Ports and Shore Excursions for Alaska Wildlife Viewing
One of the best ways to experience Alaska wildlife viewing is through guided shore excursions, which can range in price from $50 to $200 per person, depending on the length and type of excursion. For example, a guided whale-watching tour in Juneau can cost around $100 per person, while a bear-viewing excursion in Ketchikan can cost around $150 per person. Some popular ports for Alaska wildlife viewing include Juneau, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point, where passengers can take guided excursions to see humpback whales, bears, and eagles in their natural habitat.
Other great ports for wildlife viewing include Skagway, where passengers can take a guided hike to see moose and caribou, and Glacier Bay, where passengers can see sea lions and puffins on a guided boat tour, with prices ranging from $80 to $250 per person, depending on the length and type of tour. It's also a good idea to look for cruises that offer scenic cruising in places like Tracy Arm Fjord, where passengers can see glaciers and wildlife from the comfort of the ship, and prices may be lower, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per person for a 7-night sailing.
- Juneau is a great port for whale-watching
- Ketchikan is home to bear-viewing excursions
- Icy Strait Point offers eagle-viewing excursions
- Skagway is a great port for hiking and wildlife viewing
Tips for Making the Most of Your Alaska Wildlife Viewing Experience
To make the most of your Alaska wildlife viewing experience, it's a good idea to bring binoculars and a camera with a good zoom lens, as well as dressing in layers for early morning wildlife watching, when the temperatures can be cool, even in the summer months. It's also a good idea to take a guided shore excursion, which can provide a more in-depth and educational experience, with prices ranging from $50 to $200 per person, depending on the length and type of excursion. Additionally, consider taking a cruisetour, which combines a cruise with a land-based tour, and can provide a more immersive experience, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per person for a 10-night tour.
Another tip is to be patient and flexible, as wildlife viewing can be unpredictable, and some days may be better than others, depending on the weather and the time of year. It's also a good idea to stay on deck during scenic cruising, when the ship is passing through narrow waterways or visiting glaciers, as this can be a great time to see wildlife, such as whales and sea lions, and prices may be lower, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per person for a 7-night sailing.
- Bring binoculars and a camera with a good zoom lens
- Dress in layers for early morning wildlife watching
- Take a guided shore excursion
- Consider taking a cruisetour
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The Benefits of Taking a Smaller Ship for Alaska Wildlife Viewing
One of the benefits of taking a smaller ship for Alaska wildlife viewing is that it can provide a more intimate and immersive experience, with fewer passengers and a more personalized approach to wildlife viewing, and prices may be higher, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per person for a 7-night sailing. For example, a smaller ship may be able to navigate narrower waterways and get closer to wildlife, such as whales and bears, providing a more up-close and personal experience. Additionally, smaller ships may have more onboard naturalists and guides, who can provide a more in-depth and educational experience, with a focus on wildlife and the natural environment.
However, smaller ships may not have as many onboard amenities and entertainment options, such as water parks and Broadway shows, which can be a trade-off for some passengers, and prices may be higher, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per person for a 7-night sailing. On the other hand, larger ships may have more dining and entertainment options, but may not be able to navigate as close to wildlife, and prices may be lower, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per person for a 7-night sailing.
- Smaller ships provide a more intimate experience
- Smaller ships can navigate narrower waterways
- Smaller ships have more onboard naturalists and guides
The Best Time for Alaska Wildlife Viewing
The best time for Alaska wildlife viewing is during the summer months, when the weather is warmest and the days are longest, typically from June to September, and prices may be higher, ranging from $1,200 to $3,000 per person for a 7-night sailing. During this time, many cruise lines offer special wildlife-themed cruises, with onboard naturalists and guided shore excursions to help passengers make the most of their experience. Additionally, the summer months offer the best viewing for humpback whales, orcas, and sea lions, as well as bears and eagles, and prices may be lower, ranging from $800 to $2,000 per person for a 7-night sailing.
However, the summer months can also be the busiest and most crowded, with more passengers and cruise ships in the area, which can make for a less intimate and immersive experience, and prices may be higher, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per person for a 7-night sailing. On the other hand, the shoulder season, which includes the months of May and September, can offer a more peaceful and serene experience, with fewer passengers and a more relaxed atmosphere, and prices may be lower, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per person for a 7-night sailing.
- The summer months offer the best viewing for humpback whales
- The summer months offer the best viewing for orcas and sea lions
- The shoulder season offers a more peaceful experience
Combining Alaska Wildlife Viewing with Other Activities
One of the great things about Alaska wildlife viewing is that it can be combined with other activities, such as hiking, kayaking, and dog sledding, to create a more well-rounded and exciting vacation experience, with prices ranging from $1,200 to $3,000 per person for a 7-night sailing. For example, a cruise line may offer a guided hike in Juneau, where passengers can see bears and eagles in their natural habitat, followed by a whale-watching tour in the afternoon, with prices ranging from $100 to $250 per person, depending on the length and type of excursion. Additionally, some cruise lines offer dog sledding excursions, where passengers can experience the thrill of mushing through the Alaskan wilderness, with prices ranging from $150 to $300 per person.
Other activities that can be combined with Alaska wildlife viewing include glacier hiking, where passengers can hike on a glacier and see the stunning scenery up close, and flightseeing, where passengers can take a small plane tour over the Alaskan wilderness and see the stunning scenery from the air, with prices ranging from $200 to $500 per person, depending on the length and type of tour. By combining Alaska wildlife viewing with other activities, passengers can create a more exciting and memorable vacation experience, with a focus on adventure and exploration, and prices may be higher, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per person for a 7-night sailing.
- Combine wildlife viewing with hiking and kayaking
- Combine wildlife viewing with dog sledding and glacier hiking
- Combine wildlife viewing with flightseeing and scenic cruising
Key takeaways
- Alaska wildlife viewing is a major draw for many cruise passengers
- The best time for Alaska wildlife viewing is during the summer months
- Smaller ships provide a more intimate and immersive experience
- Combine wildlife viewing with other activities for a more exciting experience
Where to book this cruise
When booking an Alaska wildlife viewing cruise, be sure to compare prices and itineraries across multiple cruise lines to find the best fit for your budget and interests, and consider working with a travel agent who specializes in Alaska cruises. It's also a good idea to book early, as popular cruises and excursions can sell out quickly, and prices may be higher, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per person for a 7-night sailing. Compare current sailings and prices on CruiseDirect before booking to find the best deal.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to see bears in Alaska on a cruise?
The best way to see bears in Alaska on a cruise is to take a guided shore excursion, such as a bear-viewing tour in Ketchikan, which can range in price from $100 to $250 per person, depending on the length and type of excursion.
Can I see whales on an Alaska cruise?
Yes, many Alaska cruises offer whale-watching excursions, such as a guided tour in Juneau, which can range in price from $50 to $200 per person, depending on the length and type of excursion.
What is the best time to see eagles in Alaska on a cruise?
The best time to see eagles in Alaska on a cruise is during the summer months, when they are most active and visible, and prices may be higher, ranging from $1,200 to $3,000 per person for a 7-night sailing.
Can I take a dog sledding excursion on an Alaska cruise?
Yes, many Alaska cruises offer dog sledding excursions, which can range in price from $150 to $300 per person, depending on the length and type of excursion.
What should I wear on an Alaska wildlife viewing cruise?
It's a good idea to dress in layers for an Alaska wildlife viewing cruise, as the weather can be cool and unpredictable, even in the summer months, and bring binoculars and a camera with a good zoom lens to make the most of your experience.
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