Land Mammals Along Alaskan ShoresDon't forget to look for Alaska wildlife along the shores while you cruise to ports like Skagway, Ketchikan, and the capital city of Juneau. Many land mammals can be seen right from the deck of your cruise ship.
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Black bears, brown bears, and polar bears call Alaska home. While polar bears do not migrate far enough south to see while on a cruise, passengers may have the opportunity to spot black or brown bears. The best time to see bears in Southeast Alaska is from July through early September.
At any time during the cruise season you'll certainly see some of Alaska's most amazing animal inhabitants, including whales, dolphins, bears and bald eagles. However, many migratory species are sighted more often during certain times.
Seeing the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise is pretty rare because it doesn't get dark enough. We were on a land tour in May and sunset was at 11pm. May is a completely different situation than September, especially if it's late September.
You'll find whale-watching excursions on offer in every port, but you'll also, with luck, see marine mammals from the ship. The bridge officers keeping extra watch will make an announcement if there's a particularly impressive pod in the vicinity.
Don't be surprised if you feel seasick in Alaska's waters, even if no other cruise has made you feel that way. Cruising through the Inside Passage is generally calm, but the open waters of the Pacific Ocean can be choppy. Even the bays can churn up quickly during summer storms.
Gray whales are the first to arrive, typically in April when they're often spotted off of Seward. By May, we start to see more orcas, then humpback whales come June. Alaska's peak whale season is considered to be May through September, and it's during this time that the boat tours operate.
YES! There are few experiences in life comparable to the extraordinary feeling of seeing gregarious dolphins as they approach from every angle, excited to see our passengers aboard the safety of each of our vessels within our sea-worthy fleet. When asked if whale watching is worth it, our answer is an assured YES!
A cruise isn't a cruise without time in sparkling pools, so don't forget your swimsuit and non-slip boat shoes that provide good traction. You'll want to bring sun protection when you're soaking up rays and splashing around in the Twister Waterslide.
When is the Best Time of Year for Whale Watching on an Alaska Cruise? You're in luck. April to November is the best time to see whales in Alaska and that nicely aligns with the Alaska cruise season. Like most of us, whales enjoy Alaska in the spring and summer months, when the days are long and food is plentiful.
It really depends on the weather. The pools are all outside, and early June can be chilly. There is also often rain on that itinerary. The pools are heated, but are also the standard very small DCL pools, so when the weather is good for swimming, they are people soup.