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Deciding on the finest Alaska cruise in 2025 is no easy feat, regardless of whether the voyage is your first or tenth vacation. There is a solid reason Alaskan cruises have been a favourite among cruisers for so long: coastal travel offers a fantastic opportunity to experience the wonders of the Great Land, from breathtaking glacier views to up-close encounters with wildlife.
While the long-standing incumbents in the cruise industry are always adding new routes, facilities, and excursions to their fleets, it seems like every summer a new line enters the Alaskan market. Many first-time Alaska tourists—even seasoned cruisers who have settled major matters like favourite ship class and cruise company— might get confused when faced with what appears to be an infinite smorgasbord of choices.
Best season for Alaska Cruise
Alaska cruises are most popular from May through September, although many companies also offer voyages in April and October during the off seasons. May and June are ideal for whale viewing, while July and August are the sunniest months overall. However, regardless of where you go, during cruise season you will be treated to breathtaking vistas of landscapes and wildlife.
You've made your decision. Where does the trip start?
Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, or Seward are the most common departure points for cruises to or via Alaska. Most seven-day Alaskan cruises depart from the Vancouver area and travel through the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, and Glacier Bay National Park. Shorter cruises may also cross the Gulf of Alaska to end in Whittier, Seward, or Anchorage, though the exact routes taken can vary from one cruise line to another based on length and destinations visited.
Sitka, Hoonah/Icy Strait Point, and Haines are among the many other ports that many cruise lines visit. Cruisetours, a programme offered by Princess Cruises, removes the hassle of organising shore excursions by creating magnificent itineraries for long luxury cruises around the world. CruiseTours, a program offered by Princess Cruises, removes the hassle of organising.
How long should your Alaskan cruise be?
Some trips are longer than others; for example, the 28-day Holland America Alaska Arctic Solstice Cruise departs from your port and arrives at the Arctic Circle. Starting in Seattle, the route continues across Prince William Sound, the Inside Passage, and eventually reaches Anchorage. Thereafter, you'll go to Kodiak Island, Dutch Harbour, the Aleutian Islands, Nome, and finally, the Arctic Circle. You can take advantage of fly-in options offered by some cruise companies to explore distant parts of Alaska before or after your trip. For example, you can depart from Fairbanks and reach the Arctic Circle.
Need some ideas on planning your itinerary? We’ve got you!
- A round trip through the Inside Passage and a one-way Gulf tour are the two most common kinds of itineraries for cruises in Alaska. Each route offers unique opportunities to see both glaciers and wildlife, with specifics depending on the season.
- Popular ports of call on seven-night Inside Passage cruises include Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, and the ships usually set sail from Seattle or Vancouver. Many offer a beautiful cruise through the stunning Glacier Bay National Park. For those wanting more exploration, one-way Gulf trips feature the attractions of the Inside Passage route but also sail closer to the Arctic Circle. Such routes often begin or terminate in Whittier or Seward, near Anchorage.
- For an all-inclusive Alaskan experience, several cruise companies combine Gulf voyages with pre- or post-cruise personalised trips. Included in these packages are the world-famous train rides, excursions to Denali National Park, and the choice to spend the night in either Fairbanks or Anchorage.
- Kodiak Island and the Aleutian Islands are two examples of the isolated places that may be included on longer Alaskan cruise itineraries, particularly on small ships or adventure companies.
Want some recommendations for cruises? Here are the top choices!
Oceania Cruises
Oceania's Riviera will make her debut in Alaskan waters in 2025 with some very remarkable itineraries. In addition to the well-known Inside Passage, this 12-day itinerary visits less-travelled ports such as Kodiak, Homer, and Wrangell. It even makes a port call at the newly opened cruise terminal in Klawock, Prince of Wales Islands, where guests can enjoy forest-set cuisine, go whale watching, and discover the sleepy fishing towns of Klawock and Craig, which are home to only a few hundred people each. On board, the culinary adventures continue with various included-in-the-fare speciality restaurants and a purpose-built demonstration and teaching kitchen where passengers may attend intimate cooking sessions supervised by a professional chef. This is truly one of the best Alaskan cruises!
Alaskan Dream Cruises
Sitka's Alaskan Dream Cruises is the sole indigenously owned cruise line in Alaska. They provide small-ship tours of Southeast Alaska, specifically to the inlets and crannies that bigger ships can't reach. On this weeklong voyage from Juneau to Sitka, guests will visit remote villages like Petersburg, which was founded by Norwegian fishermen, and Pelican, a town of barely 70 year-round residents. After a day of sightseeing in Glacier Bay National Park, guests will dine at the company's own Orca Point Lodge.
Princess Cruises
In a break from the ordinary, this Princess voyage leaves from San Francisco, offering guests a few more sea days to enjoy the ship before it dives into 11 destinations on this 22-day itinerary. This voyage will occur on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. On this day, the sun will shine for about 24 hours throughout much of Alaska. The schedule includes visits to Endicott Arm, Dawes Glacier, Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, and College Fjord, in addition to a variety of intriguing ports including Valdez, sometimes called the "Switzerland of Sitka”, a town with an intriguing blend of Indigenous Łingit and Russian traditions.