When to cruise alaska?

I would suggest May or June. The weather on the coast is the best in late May and June. It's spring in the middle of Alaska, and you usually see the most bears and baby moose that time of year. Any time after the middle of July, you can run into rain.

As experience cruisers, I'm sure that you are looking for a boat that will be comfortable for your daughter, and that you already know how to pace her activities throughout the day, bring a bag of snacks, jacket, etc. And that you will take LOTs of pictures.

Get her a pair of tiny binoculars, so she can look at eagles on the shore, whales, etc.

Other things she might enjoy: totems and Tlingit dancers in Sitka or Ketchikan, walking along the beach in Sitka National Historical Park, playing on the marine mammal sculptures along Sitka's Crescent Harbor, dropping a fishing line off the dock and trying to catch a fish, (kids don't need fishing licenses), Ketchikan's Deer Mountain fish Hatchery, Sitka's Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center's eagles, seeing Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier (before they all melt away with global climate change), riding the tram up Juneau's Mt. Roberts, the Anchorage Zoo, the Exploratorium in Anchorage, the bus ride into Denali National Park, the Carousel at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks, playgrounds and ice cream shops anywhere you can find them.

My first cruise to Alaska was early June. It was a cruise tour and it snowed in Denali National park. In July the state bird comes out(the mosquito), so that is something to think about. This year I will be cruising to Alaska in August and still will be bringing mosquito repellent. Anyways, since all Alaskan cruises start late May and end early Sept, then you are limited. But with that said. anytime is a great time to cruise to Alaska. My favorite shore excursion was taking the white pass railroad. I will do this one again. This is the perfect family shore excursion too.

I have taken 25 cruise & cruise/tours to Alaska. If you are looking for when your daughter will have more kids her age then June, July & August.

As for when you will see wildlife from the ship May threw Sept.

Excursions really depends on what you like. Some of the whale watching are guaranteed so if you do not see a whale you get 3/4 of your money back. The train rides are great for seeing more scenery & a small town. Helicopter rides are nice but, expensive and most only lasts 20 minutes.

I would ask who ever you are going to book your cruise threw to give an excursion booklet or visit their sites like Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and they will lists things of interests & also give you an idea of average temps.

Princess.com or 1-800-Princess is having a great sale now. Also ask them to send you a free DVD of their Great Escapes which will show you what you will see & tour their ships etc.

Enjoy.

I heard July is a good time to go.

It will be fun for a 5 year old IF she enjoys the outdoors.

I haven't been on an Alaskan cruise but was going to go a few years ago so I did research on it.

The excursions vary, you can go shopping, or do really daring stuff, or go whale watching. Alaska is really a good cruise for folks who love being outdoors, it's not that cold in alaska in the summer time, definitely not hot either though lol.