By Uf Tukel, Co-President & Founder | December 23, 2019 (
Every summer, the hot beating rays of the Caribbean appeal to most cruise-goers. But after taking several Caribbean cruises and/or coping with the melting temperatures of your home state, you're probably looking for a change of pace - your own icy getaway.
Or maybe you've grown accustomed to your hometown's snow capped mountains and zipping up your winter coat. But you've always dreamed of getting close enough to see the Northern Lights and the fascinating wildlife that roams even farther north.
Regardless of where you live and where you've cruised (or if you've cruised), you'll likely find your own pocket of serenity when you cruise Alaska in 2020.
From awe-inspiring glaciers to up-close views of wildlife to quaint neighborhoods and towns, Alaska won't just become another destination to tick off your bucket list - it'll create memories for a lifetime.
But before you book that cruise, you're probably wondering what the best month is to cruise Alaska in 2020. That answer depends on what intrigues you about America's Last Frontier.
To cruise Alaska in 2020, you won't be able to book your cruise for just any time in the year. Because of the cold weather creating an abundance of ice on the waterways in the winter season, cruises travel to the state during the warmest months of the year (which are still fairly cold).
There are cruises that run during the peak season from the middle of June through the middle of August which is thought to be the best months to cruise Alaska in 2020 due to the warmer weather, longer hours of daylight (have you heard of the Midnight Sun?), steadier waters, calving glaciers, and timing of the year when children are on summer break.
But there are also benefits to cruising in the colder months of the shoulder season in May and September, because you have a greater chance of viewing the Northern Lights (in the fall), more opportunities to see wildlife (migrating wildlife and baby animals in the spring, mating wildlife and animals preparing for hibernation in the fall), less chance of getting caught in a crowd because school is in session, and great deals on cruise prices.
Regardless of what month you cruise Alaska in 2020, a cruise line tends to visit the same destinations throughout both cruise seasons. Do not cruise Alaska in 2020 though with the hopes to visit a specific destination, even if it is listed on the itinerary. Safety comes first and if the waterway has too much ice on it, you may not get to see the particular glacier you were anticipating.
Regardless of when you cruise Alaska in 2020, there will be plenty of sites to see and most of the popular activities to do in Alaska such as dog sledding, hiking, and visiting the towns are available year-round. The primary reasons to book in one season vs. another is the temperature, the hours of daylight, your availability, the price, and what you're most likely to see at that time of year.
So you've decided what month you'd like to cruise Alaska in 2020. Just as important as knowing when you want to cruise Alaska though is knowing when to book your cruise.
The peak summer months book fast as this is the busiest time of year with school out for the summer. So if you're planning to book a family cruise to Alaska in 2020, now is the time.
Just because the shoulder seasons aren't as popular for cruising as the peak season though, doesn't mean that they'll stay available for booking until the last minute. As we kick off the New Year, book your cruise to Alaska in 2020 now to start off the decade in a way you'll always remember.
If you want to cruise Alaska in 2020, contact us today to book your Alaska cruise!
Check out our recent blog post on which cruise lines will cruise Alaska in 2020.