Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Alaska cruises in April
The first ships arrive at the very end of April or in early May, often on short repositioning sailings up from California. Expect snow down to the waterline, swollen waterfalls, days in the 40s and 50s °F and a few attractions not yet open. Gray whales pass the outer coast on their northward migration, and fares are the lowest of the season.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 46°F
- 14 hrs daylight
Photo: Pat W. Sanders, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alaska in April: Shoulder season
The first ships arrive at the very end of April or in early May, often on short repositioning sailings up from California. Expect snow down to the waterline, swollen waterfalls, days in the 40s and 50s °F and a few attractions not yet open. Gray whales pass the outer coast on their northward migration, and fares are the lowest of the season.
Across Alaska cruise ports, April brings average highs around 46°F (8°C) and lows near 37°F, with about 5.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- Late April to early October; warmest and busiest June to August.
- Average high / low
- 46°F / 37°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 5.9 in
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights; 10 to 14 days with a Denali land tour
What to pack: proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How April compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: No regular sailings
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: No regular sailings
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Alaska weather in April
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 362 | 362 | 405 | 468 | 5412 | 6016 | 6519 | 6518 | 5915 | 5010 | 405 | 373 |
| Low °F (°C) | 29-1 | 28-2 | 31-1 | 373 | 457 | 5111 | 5613 | 5613 | 5010 | 426 | 331 | 30-1 |
| Rain in (mm) | 10.4263 | 7.0178 | 6.4163 | 5.9149 | 5.1130 | 4.7120 | 5.2132 | 7.2183 | 9.0230 | 11.0280 | 10.6269 | 10.6270 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
April weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | 42°F | 34°F | 7.5 in | 14 h |
| Ketchikan | 49°F | 38°F | 7.5 in | 14 h |
| Skagway | 43°F | 31°F | 4.1 in | 14 h |
| Glacier Bay National Park | 42°F | 38°F | 10.4 in | 14 h |
| Sitka | 46°F | 41°F | 5.6 in | 14 h |
| Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) | 46°F | 38°F | 5.7 in | 14 h |
| Hubbard Glacier | 41°F | 29°F | 4.2 in | 15 h |
| Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm | 44°F | 34°F | 6.9 in | 14 h |
| Seattle | 58°F | 43°F | 3.7 in | 14 h |
| Vancouver | 54°F | 43°F | 5.7 in | 14 h |
| Victoria | 54°F | 45°F | 2.7 in | 14 h |
| Seward (Anchorage) | 40°F | 33°F | 6.6 in | 15 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in April
Alaska in April: FAQs
Is April a good time to cruise Alaska?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. The first ships arrive at the very end of April or in early May, often on short repositioning sailings up from California. Expect snow down to the waterline, swollen waterfalls, days in the 40s and 50s °F and a few attractions not yet open. Gray whales pass the outer coast on their northward migration, and fares are the lowest of the season.
What is the weather like on a Alaska cruise in April?
Across Alaska cruise ports, April brings average highs around 46°F (8°C) and lows near 37°F, with about 5.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Alaska cruise in April?
Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Alaska?
Late April to early October; warmest and busiest June to August.. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in April?
April is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.