Discover Alaska cruises

Set sail for the Last Frontier like never before

Alaska is home to some of the most stunning scenery and wildlife in the world. From awe-inspiring glaciers to rustic seaports, bustling central hubs to wildlife refuges and beyond, Alaska cruises offer you a taste of it all – all while staying in comfort and style. Alaska cruises offer you a glimpse of the extraordinary up close and personal. Explore Mount Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, and unlock the magic of The Inside Passage, which offers the ultimate blend of breathtaking scenery, calm waters, wildlife-watching, and a taste of Alaskan history.

Best of all, your favorite cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Lines all sail to Alaska during their brief spring and summer season. If luxury is more your style, guests can enjoy sailings aboard Seabourn, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, and more. Sailing primarily during the spring and summer cruise months, you'll see Alaska in all its glory – and long to return.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska

Alaska's peak season for sailings runs from late April through early September. However, many cruisers will say that the best time to sail is during the summer cruise months of mid-June through mid-July because you'll enjoy both optimal weather and daylight hours. What makes one month better than another to cruise though?

• Price

  – When considering both cruises and cruise tours, May and September are considered your "shoulder" seasons in Alaska. Visitors will usually experience better deals, as well as fewer crowds. On average, cruise prices may be a couple hundred dollars less per person, and tours may be up to 20% off.

• Availability

  – May and September often offer guests a larger variety of ships, staterooms, and cabins with availability, as well. Why, you ask? Fewer families tend to book these months, simply because school is often in session during this timeframe.

• Weather & Nature

  – If you're looking for the most favorable temperatures for your Alaskan cruise, you'll want to cruise between mid-June and mid-August. If Midnight Sun is what you seek, you'll want to visit 3 weeks after the summer solstice, June 21, which is the longest day of the year. However, if you want fall foliage and berry-picking, you'll want to opt for the later months of August and September.

Popular Alaska Cruise Ports

• Juneau

  – Widely regarded as America's most unique state capital, it's the only central state hub with no roads leading into or out of the town. The city offers the most remarkable blend of urban environments completely surrounded by nature including towering mountains and the chilly waters of the Gastineau Channel. Visitors will delight in this inspiring little hub where you can enjoy everything from a whale-watching expedition, indulge in a one-of-a-kind Alaskan salmon bake, climb Mt. Roberts, on the tramway, or beyond.

• Inside Passage

  – Visitors to Alaska never cease to rave about the serene waters of the Inside Passage. It's the perfect blend of scenery, ranging from sprawling barrier islands to towering forests so thick you can't see through them. The real beauty, however, is that the scenery constantly changes, offering you a true glimpse of Alaskan life and culture. Visit a Native Alaskan village and unlock the history of Alaska's Gold Rush, or take a dogsled adventure. The choices are endless.

• Tracy Arm

  – Located just 45 miles south of Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord is known for its incredible waterfalls, mammoth glaciers, rugged terrain, and mountainous regions. Your cruise will get you up close and personal so you can witness the natural splendor that Alaska has to offer. Soak in the sight of the translucent Sawyer Glaciers, which emit a bluish glow, and you might just be lucky enough to see chunks of ice break off and plunge deep into the waters below – something you won't soon forget.

• Ketchikan

  – The self-proclaimed "Salmon Capital of the World" lives up to its reputation where its mainstays are fishing and tourism. Guests will delight in walking up Creek Street, a quaint neighborhood built along the creek, which offers a host of shops, restaurants, and trinkets for tourists. Or, make your way to City Park where you'll find a myriad of totem poles reminiscent of Alaskan days long gone, as well as a fish hatchery you won't want to miss. Best of all, take in a lumberjack show, something that the whole family will enjoy.

Departure Ports for Alaska Cruises

Your Alaska cruise will set sail from the West Coast of the U.S. from which it will either sail north or southbound. The two main departure ports are Seattle, Washington, or Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. While there are several other ports that feature Alaska cruises, they're used far less frequently, and your favorite cruise line will likely sail from either Seattle or Vancouver.

• Seattle Departures

  – Alaska cruises departing from Seattle tend to average around 7 nights and sail roundtrip. Most feature popular ports of call including Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau. They're often very popular because of the convenience of booking flights in and out of Seattle.

• Vancouver Departures

  – Most Alaska cruises departing from Vancouver are one-way northbound sailings ending in either Seward or Whittier, though roundtrip voyages are available. They tend to offer more glacier and wildlife viewing, as well as more time in the Inside Passage.

Enjoy a Cruise Tour Experience

Cruise tours are an increasingly-popular way of enhancing your Alaska cruise experience. Offering you the perfect blend of land and sea journeys, a cruise tour gives you the chance to go beyond the ship like never before. You'll have the unique opportunity to go beyond the seaside towns your cruise makes port and venture to the heart of more inland Alaska. It's the ultimate combination of a world-class cruise experience and a multi-night land tour, letting you see (and savor) Alaska in a way you might not have ever known possible.

Popular cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Holland America Line all offer cruise tours, which gives you even more options than ever before. Interested in enhancing your Alaska voyage with a cruise tour?

Call to book and learn what you can see and do.

Popular Cruise Tour Attractions




• Anchorage

  – Make your way to Anchorage where you can dive deep into the history of Alaska. The Anchorage Museum offers a fantastic exhibit in partnership with the Smithsonian, making it the perfect stop for history buffs. Or, enjoy the Alaska Native Heritage Center, just a short drive away. It's complete with an eye-opening look at the careful balance of tradition and modernity that Alaska features. Consider taking a trip on The Alaska Railway to see the sights in style.

• Denali National Park

  – One of Alaska's top two attractions, Denali National Park offers a picturesque and up close look at some of Alaska's most impressive scenery. Take a Tundra Wilderness Tour, or delve into the natural history of the area with a guided exploration. Stay a couple nights in a rustic, well-appointed local venue, and see Alaska like the locals do – complete with incredible views of Mt. McKinley.

• Fairbanks

  – With winter nights spent in near total darkness, the summers are even more stunning, giving locals and visitors nearly 20 hours of complete sunlight. You may be lucky enough to witness the aurora borealis – the Northern Lights – when the sun does set. Enjoy a riverboat discovery to explore local traditions and cultures, and visit the former training headquarters of Iditarod champion, Susan Butcher. Or, stop by the University of Alaska to delve into 2,000 years of Alaskan art and living. The opportunities are endless.

Popular Alaska Shore Excursions

Alaska plays host to the perfect blend of nature and culture, offering visitors a truly one-of-a-kind cruise experience. The shore excursion options are endless and, more often than not, fun for the whole family. From adventure to food, shopping to shows, there's something for everyone.

• Whale Watching in Juneau

  – Maximize your time in Juneau and see the sights the locals so often are lucky enough to see. Your intimate whale watching tour will give you an up close and personal look of humpback and orca whales breaching, pods connecting, and unrestricted views of maritime life.

• Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau

  – Mendenhall Glacier is located just 12 miles outside of downtown Juneau and can be visited by taxi, car, or bus on your excursion. Have your camera on hand to trek the series of well-maintained trails where you can see bears, salmon, and even bald eagles.

• Totem Bight State Historical Park in Ketchikan

  – Witness 14 Native American totem poles, a Clan House, and breathtaking views of Ketchikan's beautiful waterfront. The unique series of totem poles feature bright colors, indigenous art, and a unique look at local native life.