Cruise to Alaska

[Stockethill]

Has anyone done this cruise in June? We are off in 10 days time and wondered if we need to pack loads of warm clothes. I have googled a couple of sites, but I would be glad of a bit of advice from someone who may have been there. Thanks

[boxtops]

My friend did this a few years back - sorry I can't advise re clothing, but she said it was brilliant. She sailed from Vancouver. Re the clothing - surely your tour operator will offer some advice?

[lardhelmet]

My friends did this a couple of years ago Stock & said the weather was fabulous. Think they packed layers so if it got too hot, they just peeled one off!

[Stockethill]

Thanks for replying boxtops and lardhelmet.

[Meg]

We did it the first week in September and the weather was fantastic, got quite a tan with the sun reflecting off the glaciers. Like most places it's pot luck if the weather is kind to you. It's a wonderful trip, enjoyxx

[jno]

yes, do take lots of layers as weather can be unpredictable even in June. You're a long way north. If you're stopping in Ketchikan, definitely take a brolly. Ketchikan joke: Tourist: 'Does it ever stop raining here?' Local kid: 'I don't know, I'm only seven.'

[sddsddean]

As intimated, the usual summer weather is rain, but when we did ours in June 5 years ago it was dry, but a fairly stiff breeze, so you are probably going to need a windcheater/anorak. I wasn't too bothered in general, but the missus felt the cold. Its a great cruise as the scenery is spectacular and when cruising the Inside Passage, you are only a mile or so from shore. You should easily see bald eagles and a few whales and with a bit of luck a bear or two.

[Clanad]

All appropriate answers... jno's response triggered a memory... a bumper sticker seen in Ketchikan: "In Ketchikan in the Summer You Don't Tan You Rust"...

Having traveled to Alaska zillions of times, I'd second the motion to take some warm clothes... A ship under way will travel at nearly 40 mph and generate an equal amount of wind and that's if the wind isn't also blowing. The wind coming off the sounds are always cool to cold.

June's a good time for whale watching north of Ketchikan and Juneau on the way to Anchorage... Check here: http://www.whale-watc...sttimetoseewhales.php ... enjoy the Orca's!

[Stockethill]

miss meg, Thanks for your info. I'll know to pack the sun tan lotion.

jno, Yes we are stopping in Ketchikan ( my husband enjoyed your joke ).

sddsddean, We'll certainly pack warm clothes, like your missus I also feel the cold.

Clanad, We enjoyed your link on the whales and are getting quite excited now. Luckily we are not travelling with B.A. I only hope the ash doesn't spoil it for us.
( This is a treat for our 50th wedding anniversary )
We are doing the Rockies the first week and the cruise the second.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to answer.