Alaska Cruises

Alaska Cruises and Alaskan Cruises

Discover some of the best sights of North America by embarking on brilliant Alaska cruises. Alaska boasts remarkable scenery, including snow capped peaks, tidewater glaciers, humpback and orca sightings, and Dall sheep that traverse steep terrain. If you have always wanted a wildlife rich holiday, an Alaska cruise is one of the easiest ways to see more in a week than most land trips manage. We feature a wide selection of 2025 and 2026 Alaska cruise holidays with live availability so you can compare quickly, choose a cabin that suits your budget and lock in the dates you prefer.

Larger ships offer plentiful dining, entertainment and family friendly amenities. Smaller expedition vessels provide a more intimate view of fjords and bays, often with included excursions such as Zodiac rides near glacier faces or guided rainforest hikes for bear viewing. Whether you plan an Alaska cruise from Vancouver departures or sail from Seattle cruises and other West Coast ports, we aim to show you sharp pricing across trusted lines. When you are ready, select your sailing and complete your booking on this page.

When to Cruise Alaska

The main Alaska cruise season runs from early May through late September. June, July and August are most popular thanks to milder temperatures and long daylight. Shoulder periods in May and September can be quieter and often better value. Many itineraries include shore time in temperate rainforest, so brief rain is common even in peak months. Pack a compact rain jacket, lightweight waterproof trousers if you hike, and a warm layer for early mornings on deck. Comfortable walking shoes or boots and insect repellent are helpful for time ashore.

Getting to Your Cruise

Most travellers fly into a departure city, then spend a night or two adjusting before embarkation. Popular embarkation ports include Vancouver, Canada; Seattle, Washington; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; and in Alaska, Anchorage for Whittier, Seward, Sitka and Juneau. From Australia, nonstop flights to Vancouver take around 15 hours, with additional options via the US West Coast. Consider arriving early to explore and to add a buffer for any flight delays. If you prefer to sail round trip from the USA, you can browse Los Angeles departures or San Francisco cruises. For one way itineraries that include the Gulf of Alaska, compare Seward cruises or plan a land component around Anchorage cruises.

Which Cruise Lines Sail Alaska

Many well known lines offer Alaska cruises between May and September. Princess Cruises and Holland America are long time specialists with extensive Inside Passage and one way options. Royal Caribbean cruises and Celebrity Cruises operate multiple ships with family friendly features or elevated modern style, while Carnival Cruises brings a relaxed, value packed vibe with seasonal departures and plenty of fun for families. Beyond the big ship lines, premium and luxury brands add refined service, spacious suites and curated shore experiences. Several lines also offer cruise tour packages that combine your voyage with time on land before or after, ideal if you want to see Denali or explore more of Alaska’s interior.

Choosing the Right Ship and Cabin

Think about what matters most to you on an Alaska cruise. If you want waterslides, kids clubs and varied dining, a larger resort style ship makes sense. If close up wildlife encounters and a slower pace appeal, look at expedition or small ship options. For the views, balcony cabins are always popular, but many ships offer excellent public decks for scenic cruising if a balcony is not essential to your budget. Families often appreciate interconnecting rooms or a mini suite for extra space. If you are planning for school holidays, securing the cabin category you prefer is easier when you book early, especially for 2025 and 2026 peak dates.

Alaskan Itineraries

You will find a spectrum of itineraries from 7 nights through two weeks or longer. The most popular are round trips from Vancouver or Seattle that focus on the Inside Passage and southeast Alaska ports. There are also one way Gulf of Alaska cruises that sail between Seward or Whittier and either Vancouver or Seattle, ideal if you plan a land extension. Expedition cruises may operate one way or round trip on smaller ships with a greater emphasis on nature and Zodiac access.

Inside Passage Itineraries

The Inside Passage is a sheltered network of channels and islands stretching from British Columbia into southeast Alaska. Ships cruise calm waters with mountain backdrops, fjords and rainforest, which makes seasickness uncommon. Ports typically include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, with scenic sailing days past glacier carved landscapes. A classic Inside Passage cruise is often seven nights round trip from Vancouver or Seattle. If you prefer to start in Canada, begin with Alaska cruise from Vancouver ideas and look for itineraries that include both wildlife viewing and dedicated scenic cruising days.

Gulf of Alaska Itineraries

Gulf of Alaska routes connect the Inside Passage with south central Alaska. These cruises usually sail between Seward or Whittier and Vancouver or Seattle and include scenic days as well as port calls such as Sitka and Icy Strait Point. They are well suited to adding a rail or coach journey inland to Anchorage or Denali before or after your voyage. For an easy open jaw plan, compare Seattle departures on the southbound or northbound legs.

Scenic Cruising Highlights

Many itineraries include designated scenic cruising where the ship slows to view natural landmarks. You might pass Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm or the Sawyer Glaciers. You will not disembark in these areas, yet hours on deck or your balcony provide memorable moments as you listen for cracks in the ice and watch for whales, sea lions or porpoises alongside the ship. Bring binoculars to spot calving fronts and nesting seabirds along steep walls.

Featured Ports

Icy Strait Point
Located on Chichagof Island, Icy Strait Point is owned by Alaskan Natives and showcases Tlingit heritage. The port area includes a museum and locally owned shops. Popular excursions range from the ZipRider to kayak outings, ATV adventures and forest walks. Humpbacks are frequently spotted in season.

Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of many Inside Passage itineraries. There are no roads into the park, so visits are by ship or air. Larger ships often spend a day scenic cruising with commentary from park rangers, while smaller vessels may add Zodiac or kayak adventures where permitted. Wildlife includes bears, mountain goats and moose ashore, and humpback and orca offshore.

Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier in eastern Alaska is famous for dramatic calving events. Captains typically linger to provide wide viewing angles, and it is common to see floating bergs and resting harbor seals. Keep binoculars handy for otters and seabirds.

Juneau
Alaska’s capital is accessible only by sea or air. Helicopter sightseeing provides a bird’s eye view over the Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding peaks. Other favourites include whale watching, sea kayaking and salmon hatchery visits. Glacier dogsledding is sometimes cancelled due to weather, so have a back up plan and go prepared for rain.

Skagway
Near the Canadian border, Skagway blends Gold Rush history with spectacular mountain scenery. Ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway for photogenic views, then explore the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Adventurous options include river rafting, catamaran trips and hikes to Davidson Glacier. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve offers outstanding raptor viewing in season.

Ketchikan
Set within the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan is known for salmon fishing, Misty Fjords flights and a rich totem heritage. If fishing is your goal, this is a great place to cast a line. For scenic touring, choose a floatplane or catamaran into Misty Fjords to admire one thousand foot waterfalls and sheer granite walls. The Totem Heritage Center preserves nineteenth century poles and traditional arts.

Planning for Value

Look for limited time bonuses such as onboard credit, beverage upgrades or reduced deposits, which are often available during seasonal sales. You will also find our Price Guarantee explained on site for added reassurance. If you see an offer you love, lock it in, as Alaska cabins in school holidays and peak wildlife windows can sell quickly. For extra savings, check our current cruise deals and consider a cruise payment plan if it suits your timeline. If you are travelling with extended family or friends, ask about group bookings to explore additional benefits.

How to Compare and Book

This page lets you search live availability, compare prices and view cabin types across lines and dates without leaving the page. Filter by month, length, ship or cruise line to narrow the list. Select any sailing to see the route map, daily schedule and what is included. If you are travelling as a family or a small group, look at interconnecting cabins and ask us to hold a few options while you decide. For tailored advice, contact our Australian based team and return to this page to confirm the exact sailing you prefer.

Travel Styles and Trip Building

Every traveller is different, so use the filters to shape an itinerary that suits you. Families often choose larger ships with multigenerational activities and shorter seven night durations. Couples may prefer balcony cabins on a quiet, modern ship with more time for scenic cruising. Adventurers can look to small ship expeditions with kayaking and hiking led by naturalists. If you want to see more of Alaska’s interior, plan a one way cruise and add a rail or coach tour around Anchorage and beyond. For groups, align everyone on cabin category and dining time early, then secure those preferences before cabins sell out in peak months. If you are comparing 2025 versus 2026, scan a few months in each season to balance price, wildlife timing and school holidays.

What to Expect On Board and Ashore

Mornings often start with mist lifting off forested slopes and a light breeze on deck. Bring your camera, then settle into a café for a warm drink as the ship glides past waterfalls and granite walls. On scenic days, the bridge team positions the ship to maximise viewing, and naturalist talks are common. Shore days bring a mix of gentle walking tours, cultural encounters and higher energy choices such as kayaking, ziplining or glacier trekking by helicopter. Evenings are unhurried, with relaxed dining and time to review the next day’s schedule. If you have a balcony, keep an eye out for whales at dusk when the light softens across the water.

Simple Packing and Practical Tips

• Dress in breathable layers and carry a small backpack for the extra fleece or rain shell you remove at midday.
• Compact binoculars make a big difference for spotting bears along the shoreline or distant spouts at the glacier face.
• If you are sensitive to motion, consider a midships cabin on a lower deck and choose Inside Passage routes for calmer seas.
• Summer daylight is long. Sunscreen and a cap help even on cooler days.
• If time allows, add a pre or post cruise stay to explore further inland.

Stay in the Loop

To hear about last-minute releases and limited offers, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X for timely updates about sales and new itineraries. When you are ready, start your search on this page and our team will help you set sail with everything organised. Prefer to talk? Call us on 13 13 03, reach out via our contact us page, or request a call on the call back form.