An Alaskan cruise offers a spectacular way to experience America's Last Frontier, combining breathtaking landscapes with the comfort of a cruise ship.
Planning is key to making the most of this unique vacation. For travelers looking to book an Alaskan cruise, moving beyond generic advice to understand specific options is crucial for creating a truly memorable trip.
Mainstream lines like Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line operate large ships with thousands of passengers. They offer a wide array of onboard amenities like multiple restaurants, elaborate shows, casinos, and kids' clubs, making them a great option for families and those seeking lots of entertainment.
Expedition lines such as Lindblad Expeditions (partnered with National Geographic), UnCruise Adventures, and Hurtigruten focus on small-ship cruises centered on adventure and education. Onboard life is casual, with an emphasis on getting off the ship for activities like kayaking, hiking, and Zodiac cruising, led by expert naturalists and historians.
Alaskan cruise itineraries primarily depart from Seattle, WA, or Vancouver, B.C. The two most common routes offer very different experiences.
This route is typically a 7- to 10-day roundtrip journey that stays within the calm, protected waters between Vancouver Island and the Alaskan mainland. It's an excellent choice for first-time visitors, offering stunning scenery and stops in popular ports like Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.
This is a 7-day, one-way cruise that travels between Vancouver and a port near Anchorage (Seward or Whittier). It includes the Inside Passage ports but continues further north across the Gulf of Alaska, offering opportunities to see more dramatic glacier systems like Hubbard Glacier. This itinerary is best for travelers who want to combine their cruise with a land tour of Alaska's interior, including destinations like Denali National Park.
Alaska's cruise season runs from late April to September. The best time to go depends on your budget and priorities.
These months offer lower fares, fewer crowds, and a chance to see the northern lights in September. The weather is cooler, and some seasonal businesses may not be fully open, but the trade-offs are often worth it for a more peaceful experience.
These months offer the warmest weather, the longest daylight hours, and the best chance for salmon runs and active wildlife. However, this is also the most popular and expensive time to travel, with higher cruise fares and more crowded ports.
Alaskan weather is notoriously unpredictable. Layering is essential to stay comfortable as conditions change.
While the views from the ship are spectacular, shore excursions are where your Alaskan adventure truly comes alive. The possibilities are boundless: watch for whales in Juneau, ride a vintage train in Skagway, or take a floatplane tour over the dramatic, glacier-carved cliffs of Misty Fjords National Monument. Be sure to research options for each port long before you sail. Popular tours, like helicopter trips that land on glaciers, can sell out months in advance, so book early with your cruise line or a trusted local operator.
The chance to see Alaska's iconic wildlife is a primary draw for many visitors. Keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars ready for breaching humpback whales, pods of orcas, bears foraging on the shoreline, and bald eagles soaring overhead. To enhance your chances, consider booking a dedicated wildlife-watching excursion led by local experts who know the best spots to find animals.
Between captivating ports of call, your ship is a destination in itself. Take time to explore the daily schedule, which on mainstream lines is often filled with live music, engaging lectures, and Broadway-style shows. Your fare includes meals in the main dining room and buffet, but most ships also have specialty restaurants—like steakhouses or Italian bistros—that offer an elevated culinary experience for an extra charge.
Your cruise fare is the foundation of your vacation cost, but it's important to plan for additional expenses. Shore excursions will likely be your largest extra expense, ranging from $50 for a walking tour to over $500 per person for a helicopter or floatplane tour.
Remember to also factor in onboard spending, including automatic daily gratuities for the crew, the cost of alcoholic beverages and Wi-Fi packages, specialty dining, and any spa treatments you indulge in.