Cruising to Alaska in May - what's the weather going to be like?

Answer 1

cool but nice along the sea. mountain areas could be chilly.

A heavy sweatshirt and a medium jacket should give you enough flexibility if you're not mountain-climbing.

Answer 2

Very early springish...

In the higher mountainous areas, it might just snow yet. Depending on how early, the trees may not be leafing out, most of the plant life, flowers and such, haven't even thought of sprouting. Many of the mountain lakes and rivers will still be frozen, or at least have ice still in them.

As previously mentioned... Layer up and a wind breaker should suffice. I would at least have a Gore-Tex shell; it tends to rain a bit in Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Ketchikan).

I always recomend to my clients to invest in a polar fleece vest or jacket, then a shell. LAYERING is the word of the day for Alaska.

When you are sailing past the glaciers of Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier, the wind will cut right through you; but the scenery... WHOA!

Leave yourself plenty of Shore Excursion opportunities, and make sure you include one flight seeing venue. To truly appreciate Alaska, you have to see it from the eyes of an Eagle above.

Camai!