Alaska Cruises
Glaciers, whales, gold-rush towns and the Inside Passage — a summer-only cruise region that rewards early planning.
Get Up to 5 Free Cruise QuotesCruising Alaska
An Alaska cruise is about scenery and wildlife: tidewater glaciers, fjords, humpback whales, bald eagles, bears and sea otters, plus towns such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway with their gold-rush and Alaska Native history. The season is short and demand is high, so the best cabins and cruisetours sell early.
Inside Passage (round-trip)
Usually 7 nights round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver, sailing the sheltered Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with a day of glacier viewing. Easy logistics, one airport.
Gulf of Alaska (one-way)
Usually 7 nights one-way between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier (for Anchorage). Covers more ground, including Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord, and pairs naturally with a land tour.
Cruisetours
A cruise plus 3–7 nights on land: Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Talkeetna, or the Yukon. Holland America and Princess have the largest land programs.
At a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Season | Early May through late September; some lines start in April or end in October. |
| Typical length | 7 nights; 10–14 nights for cruisetours |
| Main homeports | Seattle, Vancouver, Seward and Whittier (for Anchorage); smaller ships from Juneau and Sitka |
| Good for | Nature and wildlife lovers, multigenerational families, first-time and repeat cruisers |
Smart Traveler tips
- May and September are usually the best value; June and July have the longest days — up to about 19 hours of daylight in Anchorage around the June solstice.
- Glacier Bay National Park admits a limited number of ships each day; if it matters to you, choose an itinerary that includes it.
- Foreign-flagged ships sailing round-trip from Seattle must call at a foreign port, usually Victoria, British Columbia.
- Arrive at least a day early, especially for Vancouver, where you also clear customs.
Plan Your Alaska Cruise
Flights
Flights to Seattle and Anchorage · Flights to Canada (Vancouver). Plan to arrive at least a day before the ship sails.Browse Alaska cruise lines, deals and specialists on the Official Cruise Directory: Alaska cruises.
Get Alaska Cruise Quotes
Tell us your dates and budget. Up to five cruise specialists who know this region will send you free, no-obligation quotes.
Get Free Cruise QuotesAlaska Cruise FAQ
Which is better, an Inside Passage or a Gulf of Alaska cruise?
A round-trip Inside Passage cruise is simpler (one airport, often a drive from the Pacific Northwest). A one-way Gulf cruise sees more glaciers and is the natural choice if you want to add Denali, but the airfare is usually higher.
Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise?
Most Alaska cruises touch Canada (Vancouver, Victoria or Prince Rupert). Closed-loop sailings from Seattle may accept a birth certificate and ID for US citizens, but anyone sailing from or to Vancouver, or flying through Canada, should carry a passport.