If you are looking to book an Alaska cruise for 2026 – Check out my updated list for next year here! If you are ready to talk through some options, schedule a complimentary call with me.
With so many incredible destinations and options, planning an Alaskan cruise can feel overwhelming—trust me, I get it! That’s why I’ve done the research for you. From finding the best itineraries to recommending ships with amazing observation lounges for glacier viewing, I’ll make sure planning your dream 2025 Alaskan cruise is as stress-free as possible.
Alaska is nothing like a tropical escape—it’s even more breathtaking. Each port offers its own rugged charm, from historic Gold Rush towns to awe-inspiring glaciers. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re looking for a fresh way to explore, I’m here to help make 2025 your most unforgettable Alaskan adventure yet.
Ready to book or want to talk through the options?
When choosing an Alaskan cruise, there are 4 main factors to think about:
- Embarkation Cities and Cruise Length
- How long can you take for your trip?
- Where do you want to start/end? Does it have to be in the same location?
- Land and Sea, or Just Sea
- Do you want all of your nights to be on the cruise ship?
- Would you prefer exploring not only the coast of Alaska, but also some of the interior?
- Amenities Desired While You’re Cruising
- Are big activities like go-carting and waterslides on the ship important to you?
- Are you picking the cruise based on ports only?
- Ports and Glaciers
- What ports are you interested in? What kind of activities do you want to do in each port?
- How many glaciers do you want to see on your cruise? Are there any particular glaciers you want to see?
Our Top Alaska Cruise Recommendations for 2025
7-Day Princess Cruise Leaving from Vancouver
7-Day Norwegian Cruise Leaving from Seattle
11-Day Viking Cruise Leaving from Vancouver
14-Day Princess Cruise Tour Leaving from Vancouver
Embarkation Cities and Cruise Length
When planning your Alaskan cruise, the first thing to consider is where you’d like to start your cruise from and how much time you can spend on vacation. Most cruises last about 7 days, but there are fantastic 10 and 14-day options for a more immersive experience. The main departure cities in 2025 are Vancouver, BC; Seattle, WA; and Seward or Whittier, AK.
Roundtrip Cruises
- Best for travelers who want the convenience of flying in and out of the same city.
- Usually departs out of Seattle, WA or Vancouver, BC.
- Seattle: Offers larger ships with more amenities, like waterslides and go-kart tracks; often spend less time in ports and might skip highlights like Glacier Bay National Park.
- Vancouver: Known for smaller ships and smoother sailing through the Inside Passage.
Great Roundtrip Options for 2025
Princess Cruise
7-day Inside Passage cruise leaving from Seattle. This cruise is on the Royal Princess and includes 4 ports and a visit to Glacier Bay National Park.
Disney Cruise
7-day Inside Passage cruise leaving from Vancouver. This cruise is on the Disney Wonder and includes 3 ports and a visit to Stikine Icecap on its itinerary.
Norwegian Cruise
7-night Inside Passage cruise leaving from Seattle. This cruise is on the Encore and includes 4 ports and a visit to Glacier Bay National Park.
Longer Options for 2025
Princess Cruise
14-day voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure leaving from Vancouver, BC. It includes 4 ports and a visit to Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park on the itinerary.
Holland America
14-day Alaska Roundtrip Collectors’ Voyage cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC. This cruise is on the Nieuw Amsterdam. It includes 8 ports and a visit to Glacier Bay National Park.
Viking
11-day Inside Passage cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC. This cruise is on the Viking Orion and visits 6 ports, as well as a visit to Yakutat Bay and Hubbard Glacier on the itinerary.
One-Way Cruises
- Best for travelers who want to explore more of Alaska’s coastline and don’t mind flying to/from different airports.
- Travels northbound (Vancouver to Seward/Whittier), or southbound (Seward/Whittier to Vancouver)
- Smoother sailing with a smaller risk of seasickness
- Gives you the opportunity to explore interior Alaska after your cruise
- Longer port times
Great Options for a One Way Cruise
Norwegian Cruise
7-day northbound cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC, and ending in Whitter, AK. This cruise is on the Norwegian Jade, which had a major refurbishment in 2022. It has 5 ports, as well as a visit to the Hubbard Glacier on the itinerary.
Celebrity Cruise
7-day southbound cruise leaving from Seward, AK and ending in Vancouver, BC. This cruise is on the Celebrity Summit, an older but recently refurbished ship in the fleet. It has 4 ports and a visit to the Hubbard Glacier on the itinerary.
Princess Cruise
7-day northbound cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC and ending in Whitter, AK. This cruise is on the Sapphire Princess, which is a smaller ship with a great promenade and covered pool area. It has 3 ports and a visit to Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord on the itinerary.
When we booked our Alaskan cruise, we chose a northbound cruise for the longer port times and the smoother ride, as seasickness is an issue for one of us and we wanted the ability to see more of Alaska.
Land and Sea, or Just the Sea?
Cruises are an incredible way to explore Alaska’s breathtaking coast and give you a taste of the state’s rugged beauty and charm, but a cruise tour might be perfect if you want to visit Alaska’s interior. Many cruise lines have options that combine the cruise with a land tour, allowing you to explore places like Denali and Fairbanks. These tours handle things like transfers, accommodations, guided excursions, and even some meals, making it a seamless and stress-free way to experience land and sea!
If you’re looking for a cruise tour, I personally recommend Princess Cruises or Holland America. These two lines are known for their long history in Alaska, giving them unmatched experience in crafting unforgettable land and sea adventures. They work with the same trusted tour companies, own their own lodges, and have a well-organized land tour operation, making it easy to relax and soak in the incredible scenery. It’s truly the easiest way to see the best of Alaska!
Denali News for the 2025 Cruise Season
You cannot tour all of Denali at this time, as there was a landslide that took out a bridge partway up the road. They are working on fixing it, but it will be closed through the 2026 summer season. Instead of going to mile 92, the buses now only go to mile 43, which cuts out a large portion of the park.
Great Choices for a Land and Sea Vacation to Alaska
Princess Cruise
14-day Off the Beaten Path tour leaving from Fairbanks, AK and ending in Vancouver, BC. This tour has the land portion first, visiting the Kenai Fjords, Denali and Mt. McKinley, and ending in Whitter. From Whitter, you will cruise to 3 ports and visit Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier.
Holland America
14-day Yukon + Denali tour starting and ending in Vancouver, BC. This tour has the cruise portion first, visiting 3 ports, Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park. From Whitter, you will have time in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, and Dawson before heading back to Vancouver, BC.
Princess Cruise
12-day Denali Explorer FA4 tour leaving from Vancouver, BC and ending in Fairbanks, AK. This tour has the cruise portion first, visiting 3 ports, the College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park. From Whitter, you will visit Denali, Mt. McKinley, and Fairbanks over the next 4 days.
Ship Size and Amenities Offered Onboard
Cruise ships that have more onboard experiences, such as bumper cars and ropes courses, are bigger and will sail out of Seattle. The bigger ships cannot sail through the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland, so they sail on the outside of Vancouver Island. This means more time at sea and less time in ports, but these big ships are great if you’re looking for more activities onboard!
Check Out These Cruises on Ships with More Amenities
Royal Caribbean
7-night Adventure cruise leaving from Seattle, WA. This cruise is on the Quantum of the Seas and includes 4 ports and a visit to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier on its itinerary. This ship features the North Star, waterslides, bumper cars, and Ripcord by iFLY, as well as specialty restaurants and bars.
Disney Cruise
7-night Inside Passage cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC. This cruise is on the Disney Wonder and includes 3 ports and a visit to Stikine Icecap on its itinerary. This ship features Broadway caliber shows, a water slide, a top-notch area for kids and teens, several bars, and an adults-only specialty restaurant.
Princess Cruise
7-night Inside Passage cruise leaving from Seattle, WA. This cruise is on the Discovery Princess and includes 4 ports and a visit to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. This is a newer ship that features an infinity pool, original productions in their theaters, a sports court, and several specialty restaurants and bars.
If the focus for your Alaskan cruise is on longer times in port, getting closer to glaciers, and cruising the entire Inside Passage, sailing on a smaller ship will be your best choice. There won’t be as many big items, like waterslides and rock climbing, but there are still plenty of activities onboard. A smaller ship also means smaller crowds, which is a nice bonus.
Great Options for Smaller Cruise Ships to Alaska
Celebrity Cruise
7-night Hubbard Glacier cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC and ending in Seward. This cruise is on the Celebrity Summit, which is a smaller ship with great dining options and plenty to keep you busy while at sea. It has 4 ports and a visit to the Hubbard Glacier on the itinerary.
Holland America
7-day Inside Passage cruise starting and ending in Vancouver, BC. This cruise is on the Zaandam, which offers great live music venues and cooking demonstrations. It also has some great dining options. It includes 3 ports, as well as a visit to Tracy Arm and Glacier National Park on the itinerary.
Norwegian Cruise
9-day cruise starting and ending in Seattle, WA. This cruise is on the Norwegian Joy, which features great dining options, a racetrack, and an expanded thermal spa. It has 6 ports and a visit to Glacier Bay on the itinerary.
Port Visits and Glacier Choices
The last thing to consider when making a plan for an Alaskan cruise are the Alaskan experiences you want to include. Are glaciers important? Is seeing Glacier Bay National Park the most important thing? Do you want to ride a train in Alaska or see the totem poles?
Glaciers to Consider When You Plan an Alaskan Cruise
Only four cruise lines have access to Glacier Bay National Park, so if visiting this park is a priority for you (as most people say, it is a must-see), then consider Princess Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Cunard, or Holland American Cruise Lines. When visiting Glacier Bay National Park, you will remain on board the ship throughout the day. A park ranger will board the ship upon entering the park and will be present for the entire visit, providing informative presentations, answering questions, and offering narratives about the views you will encounter.
This was a highlight for us on our Alaskan cruise! It was amazing to spend all day sailing in Glacier Bay!
Alaska is home to many other glaciers, and all cruises include at least one glacier visit. Other frequently included glaciers are Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Endicott Arm Fjord/Dawes Glacier. Keep in mind that weather conditions can impact how close the ship can get to each glacier, but the exact proximity will only be determined on the day of the visit.
Alaskan Cruise Glacier Information
| Glacier Name | Highlights of Glacier |
|---|---|
| Glacier Bay National Park | It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the cruise ship must have a permit to enter. You will usually spend the whole day cruising through while a park ranger gives presentations and answers questions. When you visit, you will see multiple glaciers, mountains, and maybe some wildlife. This is the quintessential cruise stop on an Alaskan cruise. |
| Hubbard Glacier | It is known for its beautiful blue color and the way it rapidly advances, sometimes moving multiple feet a day. This creates plenty of calving (when ice chunks fall off the glacier), which is a highlight of the visit. The drawback of visiting this glacier is it can sometimes be unsafe for the ship to get close due to weather. |
| Tracy Arm Fjord | This is a long narrow fjord that ends at the Twin Sawyer Glaciers and only smaller ships can navigate. Sawyer Glacier is known for its deep blue hues and seals that are often in the area. The views of the tall fjord are beautiful, and waterfalls often can be seen coming down the cliffs. |
| College Fjord | Located in the Prince William Sound, it contains multiple glaciers, including 5 tidewater glaciers and 5 valley glaciers. This is the only place in Alaska where you will be surrounded by glaciers. |
| Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier | This is part of the same wilderness area Tracy Arm Fjord is located in, with Dawes Glacier at the end of the fjord. The spectacular views are similar to those of Tracy Arm Fjord, filled with waterfalls and wildlife. |
Ports to Consider When You Plan an Alaskan Cruise
When selecting an Alaskan cruise, it is important to consider the ports and excursions offered in each port. If riding a train through the Alaskan wilderness is a priority, make sure to choose a cruise that includes a stop in Skagway so you can ride through the Yukon, where the Klondike Gold Rush occurred. If seeing totem poles is important to you, select a cruise that stops in Ketchikan. For wildlife encounters or the opportunity to interact with sled dogs, Juneau is the port to explore.
Popular Activities and Facts About the Alaskan Ports
| Port Name | Facts About the Port |
|---|---|
| Juneau | Juneau is the capital city of Alaska and has the most activities. You can hike the Mendenhall Glacier, interact with sled dogs, walk around town, and go on a whale watching tour. |
| Skagway | Skagway is home to the White Pass & Yukon Gold Railroad that takes you up into the Yukon Territory. It also has a rich history centering around the Klondike Gold Rush and has museums and buildings you can check out from that time. From shopping to hiking, this port has plenty to do. |
| Ketchikan | Called the first city because it is the first city you come to in Alaska, this rainforest area is known for its beautiful scenery, Totem Heritage Center, and salmon. There is plenty to do here, including ziplining and kayaking. |
| Icy Strait Point | Icy Strait Point is a more recent port, and the area is only open when cruise ships are in port. They have ATV tours, zipline tours, as well as a gondola you can ride to see the amazing views of the area. |
| Sitka | This port is full of Russian influences, which you can see in some of the architecture around the town. There are multiple historic sites you can visit, as well as plenty of hiking and shopping. The Fortress of the Bear and the Alaska Raptor Center are also in this port. |
Our Pick for an Alaskan Cruise 2025
So, what would we pick for an Alaskan cruise in 2025? Our pick would be a northbound cruise with Princess cruise line that stops at Glacier Bay. The top reasons for this were for the glacier viewing (Glacier Bay and College Fjord), extra time in ports, and the one-way itinerary because of seasickness.
This ship has some great amenities for relaxing after a busy day exploring ports and tasty food options. This itinerary also has 2 days of cruising through glaciers and fjords, which is such a great experience. I highly recommend a balcony for this itinerary so you don’t miss any animal sightings! A glacier cruise in Whitter and taking the train up to Anchorage would be an epic way to end your Alaskan adventures. I would love to help you plan an Alaskan cruise today, so contact me and we can get started on your journey!
Our Top Pick for a 7-Day Roundtrip Out of Seattle
Norwegian Cruise
7-night Inside Passage cruise leaving from Seattle. This cruise is on the Encore and includes 4 ports and a visit to Glacier Bay National Park on the itinerary.
Our Top Pick for a Land and Sea Cruise
Princess Cruise
14-day Off the Beaten Path cruise leaving from Fairbanks, AK and ending in Vancouver, BC. This tour has the land portion first, visiting the Kenai Fjords, Denali, and Mt. McKinley, ending in Whitter. From Whitter, you will cruise to 3 ports and visit Glacier Bay National Park, as well as Hubbard Glacier.
Our Top Pick for a Longer Cruise with More Ports to Visit
Viking
11-day Inside Passage cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC. This cruise is on the Viking Orion and visits 7 ports, with a visit to Yakutat Bay and Hubbard Glacier on the itinerary. Viking’s service and amenities are impeccable, giving you a luxurious experience of Alaska.
Our Top Pick for a One-Way Cruise
Princess Cruise
7-day northbound cruise leaving from Vancouver, BC and ending in Whitter, AK. This cruise is on the Sapphire Princess, which is a smaller ship with a great promenade and covered pool area. It has 3 ports and a visit to Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord on the itinerary. The port times and docking locations are great and it’s easy to add time in Alaska after your cruise.
Having chosen the best itinerary and cruise line for your Alaskan cruise, you still need to make decisions like when to go and what to do while you’re there. Check out our recommendations below for what you can do in Alaska, as well as our packing list for your cruise.
Let us know in the comments if you have a favorite 2025 Alaskan cruise you are looking at. If you are ready to book your 2025 Alaskan adventure, schedule an appointment with me today!
Related Posts
Now that you’ve booked your perfect Alaskan cruise, let’s look at some amazing excursions to make your trip even more memorable. From spotting majestic whales to exploring glaciers, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences waiting for you. Here are some of the best options to consider!
Explore Juneau Cruise Excursions
Juneau is where stunning scenery meets unforgettable adventures. From exploring the iconic Mendenhall Glacier to spotting humpback whales in their natural habitat, this Alaskan gem has so much to offer.
Best Excursions in Skagway
Skagway is a charming town with a big dose of adventure. Whether you’re soaking up the Gold Rush history or taking in breathtaking views on a scenic train ride, there’s something here for everyone.
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