Taking an Alaskan cruise is on most cruise enthusiasts’ bucket lists, and for good reason. Alaska is one of the most ruggedly beautiful, unspoiled locations I have ever visited. However, due to its remote location and large size, exploring Alaska can be a daunting and expensive feat. This is where cruising can help. You don’t want to just book any cruise, of course. They definitely aren’t all the same.
As a frequent cruiser and travel advisor specializing in cruises, I know firsthand the ins and outs of cruising to Alaska. I’m here to help you make the best decision, so your once-in-a-lifetime experience will be everything you imagined.
Cruise lines aren’t a one-size-fits-all situation, so I’ll break this down based on my personal experience and feedback from numerous clients.
Best Budget-Friendly Cruiseline for an Alaskan Cruise
When it comes to budget-friendly family fun on a cruise, you really can’t beat Royal Caribbean. With excellent family entertainment options and plenty to do on the ship, booking Royal Caribbean to Alaska will not disappoint.
Royal Caribbean offers Alaska sailings from Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, BC. Both homeports offer similar itinerary options with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Skagway.
Pro Tip: If you are looking for nonstop action on the ship, book with one of Royal’s larger ships, such as Quantum or Ovation of the Seas (sails from Seattle). If you want a slightly quieter experience, a smaller, older ship like the Radiance or Brilliance of the Seas out of Vancouver may suit you better.
Best Family Cruiseline for Alaska
Disney Cruise Line is hands down one of the very best when it comes to cruising, not just to Alaska, but anywhere. Even if you aren’t a Disney fanatic, you will have an incredible experience on board any of their ships.
Disney offers Alaskan itineraries from Vancouver, BC. If you are a US Citizen and do not have a valid passport, this option won’t work for you, as they don’t sail out of Seattle. With only one ship from their fleet sailing Alaska (the Wonder), sailings are limited, and you’ll want to book early.
On board a Disney Alaskan Cruise, you’ll experience cool character meet and greets, excellent dining and entertainment, an impeccably clean ship, and the best customer service at sea. Disney also offers wonderful child care and kids club experiences so parents can spend adult time without guilt.
Disney has great itineraries with stops in Sitka, Victoria, BC, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as glacier viewing of the Hubbard Glacier and Stikine Ice Cap. Take advantage of the carefully curated shore excursions offered through Disney. They are truly top-notch.
Pro Tip: If you want to save a little money on a Disney Cruise, book a GTY room instead of picking your stateroom. This saves considerably, and you will get a room in at least the category you selected, but sometimes, even an upgrade.
Best Cruise Line for Older Adults Sailing to Alaska
Adults looking for a more upscale experience should consider sailing Celebrity to Alaska. While not an adults-only cruise line, Celebrity has fewer children than other lines. Celebrity is known for its upscale atmosphere, excellent dining options, and gorgeous ship designs.
You can start your Alaska cruise in Seattle or Vancouver or embark from Seward, Alaska, for a reverse cruise ending in Seattle. Celebrity has port stops in Alaska’s “normal” ports, plus a day or two of glacier viewing.
If you have the time, booking a cruise tour through Celebrity is one thing to consider. With a cruise tour, your cruise sails only one direction instead of being a round trip, and at the end of the cruise, you’ll stay in hotels and continue exploring Alaska with cruise-sponsored excursions.
For example, you may board the ship in Seattle, head to Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, and end your cruise in Seward. You’ll debark the ship and spend a few more days on your selected tour, perhaps to Denali National Park, Fairbanks to view the northern lights or even Talkeetna for dog sledding or gold panning.
Pro Tip: You can take a cruise tour in either direction. Check airfare and cruise prices to see which direction would work best for you.
Best All Around Cruise Line for an Alaskan Cruise
Each cruise line above offers something special for cruising to Alaska, but my personal favorite is Princess Cruise Line. While it’s not my favorite line for other itineraries, Princess really does Alaska well.
Princess has good customer service, nice ships, decent food, and advanced technology, such as their medallion program, but where Princess shines in Alaska is their itineraries.
Setting sail from Seattle, you’ll visit the typical inside passage ports of call, such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway (my favorite), but you’ll also get a unique experience that most cruise lines can’t offer: a day in Glacier Bay National Park.
Glacier Bay National Park is a pristine, incredibly beautiful area with narrow passageways, large bays, towering mountains, and some of the most incredible glaciers I’ve ever seen. To keep this area protected and pristine, not all cruise lines are allowed to sail here, which is why I’ll choose Princess repeatedly.
On your visit to Glacier Bay, you will not leave the ship. Instead, the captain will drive very slowly through the area giving guests incredible views from every angle. A park ranger is brought on board and will narrate over the loudspeakers as you explore the park. The ranger points out various landmarks and things to watch for, teaches history and conservation, and keeps an eye out for wildlife. We saw whales, eagles, bears, otters, and the cutest little seal hitching a ride on an iceberg passing by our ship.
The highlight of the day is the impressive Margerie Glacier, which is 21 miles long, 250 feet tall, and reaches 100 feet under the water line. Margerie Glacier is over 4,000 years old and one of the few glaciers still advancing instead of retreating.
The ship slowly moves towards the glacier and then stops. It’s perfectly silent on the ship. All you can hear is the glacier’s creaking and cracking. You’ll sit motionless for quite a few minutes, and then the ship turns in place, allowing guests on the other side to sit and enjoy the view. After everyone has had a chance to witness this marvel, the ship slowly creeps back out of the bay. It takes the full day to navigate in and out of Glacier Bay National Park, and the scenery is incredible.
Princess also offers cruise tours like Celebrity, so it is possible to see Glacier Bay and Denali National Park on the same trip.
Pro Tip: Book a balcony cabin if you can. The views are incredible. On the Glacier Bay day, you can sit in your cabin or out on the balcony and enjoy uninterrupted views. You’ll be able to hear the ranger talk through your TV, so you won’t miss anything. We stayed in our pajamas all day and watched the scenery pass by. We even ordered room service for lunch so we wouldn’t miss anything.
Your Alaskan Dream Cruise Awaits
Sailing to Alaska is truly an experience that every traveler should have at least once. Once you go, you’ll want to return again and again. Choosing the right cruise line for you will elevate your experience, and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.
It is important to remember that no matter which lines you sail, all cruise lines only sail Alaska between May and September. The best weather is late June to early August.
With such a limited amount of time available, Alaska sailings sell out very quickly. I recommend my clients book at least one year in advance to get their preferred ship, itinerary, and cabin. While you can book later, remember you may not get the optimal experience by waiting until the last minute.
