Alaska is the final frontier: the largest U.S. state by land area and a destination known for dramatic mountain ranges, towering glaciers, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. While you might imagine Alaska as a place where it's always cold, the summer cruise season offers a very different experience, with long daylight hours and opportunities to explore its coastal communities and natural wonders.
An Alaska cruise is one of the best ways to experience the state's coastline, with itineraries combining scenic glacier viewing, historic port towns, and excursions into Alaska's wilderness. In this guide, we'll explore the most common Alaska cruise itineraries, the cruise lines that sail there, and what to consider when planning your trip.
What Are the Most Common Alaska Cruise Itineraries?
Many Alaska cruises are seven-night sailings departing round-trip from Seattle, Washington, or Vancouver, British Columbia. These itineraries typically operate during Alaska's main cruise season, from spring through early fall, with the busiest months falling during summer.
Depending on the itinerary, ports of call may include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. Sailings may also feature scenic cruising near spectacular natural landmarks, including Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, or Dawes Glacier.
Not every cruise visits the same ports or glaciers, so comparing itineraries is an important part of choosing your trip. Some sailings focus on the Inside Passage, while others offer different routes and combinations of ports. Your departure city, cruise length, and preferred excursions can all influence which itinerary makes the most sense for you.
What Cruise Lines Sail to Alaska?
Several major cruise lines operate in Alaska, offering different ship sizes, onboard experiences, and approaches to exploring the destination.
Holland America Line and Princess Cruises are particularly well established in Alaska, with extensive seasonal programs and a strong focus on the destination. Both offer a range of itineraries and opportunities to combine a cruise with a land tour.
Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line offer additional options, appealing to travelers who want to experience Alaska while enjoying their respective onboard dining, entertainment, and accommodation offerings.
Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International also sail to Alaska. Their ships and onboard experiences can appeal to travelers who prefer a more activity-focused or contemporary cruise vacation.
For travelers seeking a more upscale experience, luxury and premium alternatives include Viking, Oceania Cruises, and Seabourn. These lines offer different approaches to dining, service, enrichment, and accommodations. Their Alaska itineraries and onboard experiences vary, and fares can be considerably higher than those of mainstream cruise lines.
Ultimately, the best cruise line depends on what matters most to you. It could be the itinerary, ship size, onboard atmosphere, included amenities, or the opportunity to combine your cruise with additional time exploring Alaska on land.
What is an Alaska Cruise Tour?
An Alaska cruise tour combines a coastal cruise with a land-based journey into Alaska's interior. Rather than experiencing Alaska exclusively from the ship and its port stops, travelers can extend their vacation to explore destinations such as Denali National Park and other parts of the state's interior.
Cruise tours are offered by several cruise lines, including Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. Depending on the package, the land portion may include rail journeys, hotel stays, guided excursions, and transportation between destinations.
A cruise tour can be a good option for travelers who want to experience both Alaska's coastline and its inland wilderness. However, these trips typically require more vacation time and a larger budget than a cruise alone. The length of the land portion, destinations visited, and included experiences vary by itinerary.
If you're deciding between a cruise-only vacation and a longer land-and-sea journey, consider how much time you have available and which parts of Alaska you'd most like to experience.
Planning Your Alaska Cruise
Choosing an Alaska cruise comes down to more than selecting a ship. Your travel dates, preferred itinerary, cruise line, and interest in exploring beyond the coast can all shape your experience.
In the Cruising 102: Alaska series, we'll take a closer look at Alaska's cruise season, compare itineraries, explore the wildlife and natural wonders you may encounter, and explain how cruise tours can help you experience more of the state.
Disclosure: Cruise inclusions vary by cruise line, ship, itinerary, and fare. Always compare what is included in the specific cruise you're considering.