Alaska is one of the few places you'll experience more on a cruise ship than staying on land. Many destinations on the Inside Passage are inaccessible via car, meaning they're easier to visit on a ship.
The Last Frontier is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, and history. Though you might associate cruises with tropical weather, you should give Alaska a try at least once!
No two Alaska cruises are alike, either. If you took a one-way cruise from Seward to Vancouver, there's more to explore on a round-trip sailing from Seattle. Ports also have tons of different activities to keep cruisers entertained time and time again.
In this Alaska cruise guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to choose and plan the perfect Alaska cruise vacation.
Best Alaska cruise itineraries
There's no right answer. Generally, most people want to see as much of Alaska as possible in one sailing.
The Inside Passage cruises are the most popular option, and they sail roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver, perhaps with a stop in Victoria, B.C., and explore Southeast Alaska, never reaching Anchorage. They stop at the big, tourist-focused Inside Passage ports.
One-way cruises travel between Vancouver and Whittier or Seward in Alaska. These cruises typically visit several Inside Passage ports but swap Victoria for a more northern Alaska stop, such as Sitka. They take cruisers through the Gulf of Alaska to Southcentral Alaska, close to Anchorage.
Note that if your cruise begins or ends in Canada, you must carry a passport to board. If you're taking a closed-loop cruise from Seattle or San Francisco, a birth certificate and state-issued ID will suffice; however, I recommend a passport, anyway!
Should I book a one-way or roundtrip Alaska cruise itinerary?
The benefit of a roundtrip cruise is that it is much simpler and cheaper to get to the departure ports. You won’t have to book one-way flights or deal with the longer transit time to/from Anchorage. In other words, it's easier to plan a roundtrip cruise from Seattle.
However, a one-way cruise is ideal for those who want to tack on extra vacation time on land to visit Denali National Park or the Kenai Peninsula. Plus, one-way Alaska itineraries are often more port-heavy since there's less distance to cover than on a roundtrip cruise.
Moreover, most cruise lines also offer a cruise tour add-on for one-way sailings, which combine a 3- to 7-night bus tour through Alaska with a weeklong cruise. These options are ideal for travelers who want their entire itinerary planned out for them, rather than booking their own lodging, transportation, and activities pre- or post-cruise.
Small, adventure-oriented ships offer alternative Alaska cruise itineraries that focus on lesser-touristed ports. These expedition sailings depart from Alaskan ports, such as Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan, and explore remote islands and wilderness areas.
This type of cruise is best for travelers who want to spend their time hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and visiting scenic destinations. Of course, they are the most expensive Alaska cruise option.
Best Alaska cruise line
Nearly every major cruise line sails to Alaska, so you have your pick of price points and onboard personalities. Among the big-ship lines, Holland America and Princess are known as the Alaska experts.
These offer the largest selection of cruises and cruise tours and schedule Alaska-specific special events onboard, such as Princess’ Puppies in the Piazza (featuring baby sled dogs) and Klondike Festival. They even have their own train cars and hotel properties in Denali and Fairbanks!
However, if other lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Norwegian, suit your family’s needs and budget better, you will still have a wonderful cruise vacation in Alaska.
Read more: Should I cruise on Princess to Alaska? I booked a sailing to see for myself
You might find that these lines offer more competitive pricing, your preferred onboard activities (think Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class North Star towering over Alaskan glaciers), or more robust kids’ programming, making them the best Alaska cruise line for your family's needs.
Travelers looking for luxury should consider upscale lines such as Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Silversea. These cruise lines offer more intimate ships, inclusive fares, and attentive service, but won’t have as many onboard attractions or as expansive kids’ facilities or activities as the bigger ships.
Choose expedition cruise lines, such as UnCruise Adventures, American Cruise Line, or Alaskan Dream Cruises, for intimate, adventure-focused ships that sail off the beaten path.
Alaska cruises are family-friendly
I'd suggest looking into cruise lines with more activities for children, such as Disney, Norwegian, Carnival, or Royal Caribbean because you won't find yourself by the pool as often as you might on a Caribbean itinerary.
When it comes to excursions, there might be some more adventurous ones that younger children won't be able to attend. However, they are sure to love a wildlife quest in Sitka, Skagway's White Pass scenic railway, a whale cruise in Icy Straight point, or a trolley tour in Ketchikan!
Best time to cruise to Alaska
The Alaska cruise season is short and runs mainly from April to October. During those seven months, the weather varies greatly.
Typically, the best Alaska cruise weather is found in June, when the summer rains haven’t ramped up but the air temperatures are rising. This is when the sun barely sets and it’s light nearly all day! July and August are the rainiest months in Alaska and see the most mosquitos. September is when it starts to get chilly, with rougher waters and shorter days.
May is the best month to see waterfalls and wildflowers, and June is when the salmon start to run—different species will appear and disappear throughout the cruise season. Denali lodges and the park road open in June, so your best bet for visiting the national park is in July and August for full accessibility and wildlife activity. However, if you want to see baby animals, plan your Alaska visit for May or June. May is also advantageous because Alaska's peak whale season runs from May through September.
The best prices are found in the shoulder seasons: April-May and September-October. The biggest crowds and highest cruise fares come from mid-June through mid-August.
Travelers who want the best shot at viewing the Northern Lights should book a cruise at the very end of the season. Even better, tack on a cruise tour up to Denali and Fairbanks for the greatest potential. However, for the best aurora display, you need to visit during the winter on a land-based trip.
Popular Alaska cruise ports
Most Alaska ports offer a mix of history, culture, scenery, and outdoor activities. If the best Alaska cruise ports are the most popular ones, then the top options are the main Inside Passage ports of Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, and Sitka.
Juneau is Alaska's state capital and the largest town visited on Alaska cruises. If you're looking for excursion diversity, you'll find plenty of options in Juneau, ranging from whale watching to Mendellhall Glacier hikes, and rides up the Goldbelt Tramway. If you have time, be sure to try some of the fresh local seafood like king crab, salmon, and halibut!
The southernmost Alaska cruise port is Ketchikan. The waterfront town provides opportunities to learn about Alaska's gold rush and native culture and explore the Tongass National Forest. Popular tours include kayaking, hiking, and attending the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show. However, you can easily plan your own day ashore by visiting Creek Street and the Saxman Totem Park.
Icy Strait Point isn't the most common Alaska port, but what makes it unique is that it's Alaskan Native owned and operated, having been founded by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans in 2004. It's one of the best ports for wildlife viewing. However, you can also venture into the nearby remote town of Honnah.
Skagway is known for being a gateway town into Canada's Yukon territory. As such, one of the most popular attractions is the famous White Pass & Yukon Railroad, where you can enjoy a pleasant ride through a mountain pass while learning about the area's gold rush history.
Sitka was once the capital of Russian Alaska. As such, it's home to a blend of Russian, American, and Tlingit influences. You can explore the remnants of Russian colonial history at the Sitka National Historical Park or visit the Russian Bishop's House to learn more about when the Russian Orthodox Church played a central role in the community. Sitka also has a vibrant arts scene fueled by its diverse population and celebrates Native and European traditions.
What should I do on an Alaskan cruise?
When it comes to planning shore excursions or time in port, you’ll find more things you must see or do on your Alaska cruise than you have time for.
Flightseeing is a popular activity, either by a floatplane that will soar you over beautiful natural areas or a helicopter that will fly up to the top of a glacier. Dogslide rides or visiting a dogsled training center and playing with the huskies are quintessential Alaska activities. To get more of a glimpse of Alaska culture and lifestyle, get tickets to a lumberjack show, attend a salmon bake, or go on a crab fishing tour.
History buffs will want to explore the state’s Gold Rush history, either with a local tour of Skagway or a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. Culturally curious cruisers can visit a totem park or see a performance by native Alaskans.
Animal lovers can sign up for a whale-watching tour, visit a bald eagle preserve, or take a tour to observe bears in their natural habitat or at a sanctuary. Active travelers can work up a sweat hiking, kayaking, biking, zip-lining, and even snorkeling in Alaska’s wilderness. Gentle rafting and float trips are a less intense way to get outside and bond with nature in this cruise destination.
Don’t want to book a tour? Alaska’s cruise ports provide plenty of shopping opportunities for souvenirs and locally made crafts. Grab an Alaskan beer at a historic saloon, or try local seafood at any number of portside restaurants.
You can also look for third-party excursions. However, because of Alaska's popularity, tours typically get booked far in advance. Plus, you will be responsible for ensuring you return to the ship on time.
Scenic cruise destinations in Alaska
Glaciers are a must-see in Alaska, and every cruise itinerary features at least one day of scenic cruising. Glacier Bay National Park is the top pick for glacier viewing because of its multiple glaciers and generally passable channels. However, so many cruise lines wish to visit that the national park issues a limited number of day-use spots each year. As such, Holland America and Princess should be on your list because they have longstanding agreements with the park and typically have the best access.
Other scenic cruising sites along the Inside Passage include Tracy Arm with its Sawyer Glacier and Endicott Arm with Dawes Glacier. One-way Alaska cruises that travel to/from Seward and Whittier may also visit the spectacular Hubbard Glacier.
Typically, the big ships will open up all the outer decks for passengers to crowd the railings to watch the glaciers' calve and scan the area for wildlife. If you want to get out on a kayak or small boat to get closer to the glacier or the marine life, you’ll need to book an expedition cruise.
Top Alaska cruisetours
Cruisetours to Alaska’s interior come in various lengths and visit different areas of the state. The most popular visit Talkeetna for views of Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley) and Denali National Park to see wildlife and learn about the park’s history and ecosystem.
Some Alaska cruisetours will give guests a night in Anchorage to explore the city or travel as far north as Fairbanks. Others will swap Anchorage with a stay on the Kenai Peninsula or at the Alyeska Resort in the Chugach Mountains before heading north.
Other cruisetours combine interior Alaska with trips to Canada’s Yukon. Some simply extend the land portion of the trip to include Dawson City or Whitehorse for one epic trip.
Which Alaska cruisetours are the best? That decision is personal, but Holland America and Princess lead the pack for the most diverse tour options, company-owned Alaska railway cars and resort properties, and experience in the region. However, other lines—including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity—also offer them.
In addition to where you want to go on a cruise tour and how much time you can take, you’ll want to think about whether you want to do the land tour or the cruise first. The land tours are more go, go, go than the cruise, with long bus rides and early morning departures; many people prefer to book this more intense travel first and follow up with the more relaxing cruise.
When should I book my Alaska cruise?
There is no better time than now to book your Alaska cruise! In other words, the earlier the better because you'll find the lowest prices and best pick of cabins.
If you want to wait for a last-minute deal, you're risking your preferred stateroom category selling out. However, that doesn't mean you can't find a great deal for shoulder season sailings.
How much do Alaska cruises cost?
The cost of an Alaska cruise varies greatly depending on when you're cruising and what cabin you want to stay in. Some fares start as low as $500 per person for a 7-night cruise in an interior stateroom! However, fares of over $10,000 per person are also common in suites on a luxury ship.
You'll also need to factor in airfare, pre-cruise hotels, shore excursions, and other add-ons to appropriately determine the price of your Alaska cruise.
Here are some sample itineraries for 2 adults and 2 kids to show you the range of prices:
- Serenade of the Seas May 18, 2025–inside cabin: $2,985
- Carnival Spirit June 10, 2025—ocean-view cabin: $3,806
- Celebrity Edge July 18, 2025—infinite verandah: $4,996
- Norwegian Bliss August 9, 2025—inside cabin: $2,756
- Disney Wonder September 1, 2025—ocean-view cabin: $7,204
Packing for an Alaska cruise
Your packing list for an Alaska cruise will look very different from your Caribbean. You’ll want to include the following items, as well as all the typical cruise essentials:
- Rain jacket and other rain gear (boots, pants, umbrella, etc.)
- Warm layers, hats, and gloves for chilly days and glacier viewing
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
- Bug spray for those pesky mosquitos
- Hiking boots if you plan on getting out into nature
- Swimsuit and sunscreen because sometimes it’s warm and sunny
- Camera with wide-angle and telephoto lenses
- Day pack for carrying extra layers, souvenirs, etc.
- Waterproof bags for kayaking or rafting trips
Read more: 20 First time Alaska cruise tips
Erica Silverstein
Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her.
