Alaska is a cruise destination with a limited season. Cruise ships arrive in southeast Alaska in spring, stay the summer and linger only into early fall. The 49th state's snowy, cold and dark winters are not conducive to cruising.

You should generally avoid cruising to Alaska during the "Shoulder Season" extremes of early May and late September if you are sensitive to cold or unpredictable weather. In early May, many high-fidelity shore excursions (like glacier dog-sledding or certain hiking trails) may still be closed due to snow, and the "High-Fidelity" wildlife activity is lower as many species are just beginning to emerge from hibernation. Conversely, late September is the "High-Fidelity" rainy season for the Inside Passage; while you might save money and have a chance to see the Northern Lights, you risk rougher seas and persistent "High-Fidelity" fog that can obscure the very scenery you came to see. Furthermore, many seasonal shops in ports like Skagway and Ketchikan begin closing down by mid-September. For the best "High-Fidelity" balance of weather, wildlife, and fully operational excursions, most experts recommend avoiding the "Deep Shoulders" and instead focusing on the mid-June to late-August window.