Mosquitoes can get bad in Alaska at times. Mosquitoes like wet and damp areas and you are going into some major rain forest areas. Are they as bad as you read about? I don't think so because if they were I don't think the ships would be as full up as they are in that time of year. It wouldn't hurt to have some repellent. They have never really bothered me but then I am use to a lot of mosquitoes because I spend a lot of time in the woods and wet areas.
Late June is a good time to go to watch the salmon runs and I am sure you will have a great time. Just take normal precautions for bugs and you will be just fine.
The mosquitoes in Alaska are no worse than anywhere else. They say its their state bird, but so does Minnesota where I live. Nothing to be worried about.
So I guess you didn't hear about the two mosquitoes flying over Juneau; they spotted a tourist in a kayak and the one mosquitoe said to the other, "should we eat him here or take him to go?"
To start off, we went on the Radiance in mid July 05, and the ship you're going on is really nice. When we went to those three ports the mosquitos and other bugs were not bad at all. We had repellent but never used it.
It can happen but we have not experienced mosquitos when at the port cities or larger cities in Alaska.
They are mainly in grassy damp areas. Early mornings, evenings, and in shady wet areas are the worst.
We have seen millions when in the Yukon!!! The black flys can be even worse than the mosquitos. I've seen people bitten and then get very swollen from them.
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Future cruises:
Star Princess - Dec. 2007-Rome- TA
Crown Princess- May 2008 TA & Baltics
Pacific Princess-Nov. 2008-Holy Land & Egypt
Diamond Princess- Apr. 2009 Asia- Bangkok to Whittier
Past cruises:
Golden Princess-2007-Alaska
Sea Princess-2005 Canada/New England
Diamond Princess- 2005 Mexican Riviera
Star Princess- 2004 x2 Med. Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome
Dawn Princess - 2004 x3- Southern Caribbean
Grand Princess- 2003 x2 W.Caribbean/ 2004 Panama
Sun Princess- 2003 Mexico
Tahitian Princess- 2003 Tahiti & Cook Islands
Royal Princess- 2003 x2- British Isles / Norwegian Fjords & Iceland
Island Princess- 2003 Panama Canal / 2007 Hawaii
Sky Princess- 2000 China & Orient
Sitmar's Fairwind - 1979 x2- Caribbean/Panama Canal
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HAL-Amsterdam- 2004 Alaska
HAL Ryndam - 2001 x 2- S. America
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Viking Spirit/Pride -2006 Budapest to Amsterdam
I tend to agree with most of the posters suggesting the mosquitos should not be too bad. Take repellent, use it if needed, don't if not. Always better to be prepared than unprepared.
This may be a silly question but I'll ask it anyway: do the mosquitos in Alaska exhibit similar tendencies to those in the lower 48, that is, usually out in the early morning and at dusk? Also, has West Nile hit in Alaska yet?
They must do as you suggest, goin' cruisin', out early morning and late afternoon, because I've never seen any--and I've done kayaking, rafting, hiking, etc. etc.; they must have an agreement with the cruise lines--they leave before the ships dock and don't come out until they leave.
As for West Nile, have not heard anything about it--yet.
I have found garlic to be effective at repelling mosquitos, and I take garlic tablets starting a few days ahead of a time when I'll be exposed to them.
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