June is considered by many to be the best month to cruise to Alaska, thanks to long, bright days and generally fine weather. Alaskan summers are a magical time of year, when life is flourishing; meadows are in bloom, and the foliage on the trees is dense. Days are generally warm and dry, with up to 18 hours of daylight to accompany you on any of your adventures ashore. On an Alaska cruise in June, you’ll embark from either Seattle, Seward, or Vancouver, depending on your itinerary, and sail for seven nights.
These scenic summer cruises will take you through unspoiled natural splendor to the mighty Dawes Glacier and Hubbard Glacier, the state capital of Juneau, and much more. Take in the forested islands and rocky shores of the Inside Passage, or fly over the forest by zipline at Icy Strait Point. Ride the vintage railway in Skagway, and visit the salmon capital of the world in Ketchikan. You’ll find adv
Itineraries
Highlights of an Alaska Cruise in June
Summer Salmon Season
June is approaching the peak of Alaska’s salmon spawning season, and this provides incredible opportunities to both see and taste this famous wild fish. Where there are salmon, bears come to feast, so the chances of a bear sighting are better than ever around Alaska’s rivers and creeks. At Ketchikan, known as Salmon Capital of the World, you’ll see rivers dense with silver fish forcing their way upstream. You’ll also find options to visit historic salmon canneries and learn about the intricate economic and cultural ties salmon fishing has within Alaska’s culture.
Maximum Daylight Hours
June is when the days are longest in Alaska, which means you’ll have plenty of time to spend outdoors on excursions, exploring ports, or simply enjoying the sunlight on deck. With up to 18 hours of daylight, this is the optimum time for float plane rides, soaring over vast glaciers and snowy peaks. Wildlife is active, and you could spot seal pups and bear cubs. Denali National Park is fully open and waiting to be explored. Receding snow on the mountains means you can hike higher, and for longer, sailing schedules permitting.
Living History
Though known the world over for its majestic natural splendor, Alaska also offers plenty of incredible historic sites, museums, and monuments to the past. On an Alaska cruise, you’ll walk through living history in preserved pioneer towns like Ketchikan, where you’ll find the largest collection of totems in the world. In Skagway, explore the old railway from the 19th-century gold rush that once brought prospectors from the coast to the Canadian Yukon. Experience Native culture and hospitality at Hoonah, Icy Strait Point, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village.
