There are so many options when deciding which Alaskan cruise to take. How do you choose?!
Type of Cruise Line
All types of cruise lines and ships sail to Alaska. Dreaming of a mega ship with all the amenities? No problem! Want a boutique ship with a limited number of passengers and included adventure activities? There’s multiple to choose from! And everything in between.
In general, the larger the ship, the more limited the port options due to docking requirements…but the lower the fare per passenger. Smaller ships can dock more varied places and some may include complimentary excursions…but these tend to command a premium price.
One Way or Round Trip?
One of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you want to take a one-way or a round trip cruise. Round trip cruises make travel to and from your departure port simple to plan. One-way cruises tend to have longer port times and are convenient for adding on additional land-based Alaskan sightseeing before or after your cruise.
Departure Port
Vancouver and Seattle are common departure ports for round trip Alaskan cruises. A few cruise lines also have Alaskan cruises that depart from San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Vancouver, Seward, and Whittier are common departure ports for one-way Alaskan cruises. (Check out these blog posts on how to get from Anchorage to your cruise port! Anchorage–Seward and Anchorage–Whittier)
Cruising the Inside Passage
When a ship says it cruises the ‘inside passage,’ it generally means that it will sail along the east side of Vancouver Island. Due to the close proximity of land on either side, this is a scenic cruise on calm water. However, only smaller ships are able to navigate this route. Larger or less maneuverable ships will sail in the open ocean to the west of the island.
When to Sail
The Alaskan cruise season typically runs between April and September. Of these, June and July are the busiest months…particularly for family travel. Glacier access may be limited in April and September due to ice. August and September generally tend to be more rainy (though rain is always likely in southeastern Alaska!).
Common Ports
Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway are the most common ports for Alaskan cruises.
Ketchikan: Ketchikan is a small town surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. Totem poles are one of the most popular attractions here along with fishing and (in the late summer/early fall) bear viewing. The beautiful Misty Fjords is only a short distance away and can be reached by boat or plane. (Check out this blog post on things to do in Ketchikan on a port day.)
Juneau: Juneau is the capital of Alaska and only reachable by boat or plane. Popular activities here include whale watching, Mendenhall Glacier, visiting a gold mine, dog sled tours, and flightseeing over glaciers. Tracy Arm Fjord is only a short distance away and can be reached by boat or plane. (Check out this blog post on things to do in Juneau on a port day.)
Skagway: Skagway was once the gateway to the Yukon for miners during the gold rush. Some of the most popular activities here include riding the White Pass Railway, venturing into the Yukon, and exploring the exhibits of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. There is also easily accessible hiking for all levels. (Check out this blog post on things to do in Skagway on a port day.)
Other potential Alaskan ports include:
Haines: Haines is a small Alaskan town that strictly limits the number of visiting cruise ships to preserve the town’s atmosphere. From here you can access the Bald Eagle Preserve along the Chilkat River as well as explore Chilkoot Lake. Haines is only 45 minutes away from Skagway via the fast ferry.
Icy Strait Point: Icy Strait Point was developed exclusively as a cruise ship port near the small town of Hoonah. This is an excellent location for whale watching.
Sitka: Situated within the Tongass National Forest, Sitka was once the capital of Alaska and is the location where the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States took place. Popular activities include visiting the Alaska Raptor Center and the Sitka National Historical Park.
Seward: Seward is a common starting/end point for one-way Alaskan cruises. Popular activities include the Alaska SeaLife Center, Exit Glacier, dog sledding activities, and cruising Kenai Fjord. (Check out this blog post on things to do in Seward before or after your cruise.)
Whittier: Whitter is a common starting/end point for one-way Alaskan cruises. Popular activities include cruising Prince William Sound where you can watch for wildlife and get up close to a number of tidewater glaciers.
Victoria, BC: Round trip cruises out of Seattle (and other US ports) will usually make a stop in Victoria, BC to comply with the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Note that often this is a very short stop (and can occur during the evening hours). If you happen to be docked for a good length of time during the day, you can enjoy the area’s Victorian architecture, gardens, and outdoor activities.
Glaciers and Scenic Cruising
Almost all Alaskan cruise itineraries include at least one day of scenic cruising. Some common options include:
Glacier Bay: Glacier Bay is actually a National Park! Park Rangers will board your ship as it enters the bay to provide narration and educational seminars during your visit. The number of visiting cruise ships is strictly limited and only a few cruise lines hold Glacier Bay permits (including Princess, Holland America, and Norwegian among the mainstream companies). Glacier Bay is the most reliable glacier viewing and is minimally impacted by weather. Most ships are able to view a couple glaciers during their time in the park.
Tracy Arm Fjord: Tracy Arm Fjord offers views of the Sawyer glaciers. Access is often weather dependent.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier: The Endicott Arm offers views of the Dawes Glacier. Access is often weather dependent.
Hubbard Glacier: Hubbard Glacier is an impressive 7 miles wide! Access in early and late season is often prevented due to ice.
The Ship
For most people, an Alaskan cruise is more about the destination than the ship itself. But…there are still a few amenities to consider that will make your Alaskan cruise more enjoyable! Given that weather in Alaska can be unpredictable, consider what indoor viewing areas a ship offers. You don’t want to miss out on the beautiful scenery just because it’s raining outside! Also, some ships feature on board naturalists who will provide commentary and give lectures about Alaska during your sailing.
Should you take a cruisetour?
Cruisetours combine a land-based tour along with a cruise. In Alaska, these are often centered around visiting Denali before or after a one-way cruise. The main advantage of a cruisetour is that everything is taken care of for you. The cruise line (through a second party) will take care of the itinerary as well as manage your transportation and luggage every step of the way. Unfortunately, taking a cruisetour also means that you’re limited to the tour’s set itinerary. If you’d like a bit more freedom, consider planning your own land-based portion.
Comparing Itineraries (2025)
Check out this document which compares the 2025 Alaskan itineraries for some of the most popular mainstream cruise lines!
