I’ve been a Caribbean cruise gal for years. I’m very familiar with the scorching sun and sandy beaches, so I never thought about venturing out into colder climates for vacation. But when my friend recently told me she booked a cruise to Alaska, I was intrigued. What on earth persuaded her to choose this anthesis of a tropical destination, especially for her first cruise destination, especially as her first cruise? As we chatted more about her upcoming excursions of whale watching and stunning views of icy glaciers, I was ready to book my own adventure to the largest peninsula in the Western Hemisphere. If you’re also ready to plan your next vacay, here are the ten best Alaskan cruise lines to check out.
The 10 Best Alaskan Cruise Lines to Set Sail and Watch Some Whales
Glaciers galore
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Published Aug 9, 2024
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Best Alaskan Cruise Lines at a Glance
1
Best Overall
Holland Cruise Line
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2
Best for Glacier Viewing
Princess Cruise Line
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3
Best for Wildlife
Norwegian Cruise Line
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4
Best for Adults Only
Cunard Cruises
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5
Best Route Options
Celebrity Cruises
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Best Overall
I recently came across a Reddit post that asked readers for the best Alaskan cruise line recommendations. As I took time scanning the thread, I found the majority suggested Holland Cruise Line. One commenter raved, “Definitely Holland America…75 years in Alaska and [it] just won the Best Service Award from Cruise Critic.” While the cruise line sails through many destinations, they are known for their Alaskan voyages. Whether you go on a seven-day or two-week cruise, you can explore the glaciers, marine wildlife and national parks. According to their site, they claim to have more port departures than any other cruise line in Alaska. They also offer an Alaska Cruisetour, an ocean cruise that provides a closer look inside the state along a scenic train ride with a three nights at Denali National Park.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Volendam, Westerdam, Zuriderdam
- Departure Cities: Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, Vancouver, Seattle
- Price Range: $809 to $5,514
Best for Glacier Viewing
I had the best experience on a Princess ship, so I can only imagine the Alaskan cruises are just as fun. They give a front-row seat to some of the largest glaciers in the world through their Voyage of the Glaciers cruise. You can spend a week sailing from Anchorage, Alaska to Vancouver, B.C. while popping into three historic ports (Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau). Also, consider adding an excursion to your itinerary, where you’ll get the best views of the ice. One more thing: Princess will be introducing longer voyages (I’m talking 22 days) in 2025, so you can have the full experience of being in the open sea starting in San Francisco.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Sapphire Princess
- Departure Cities: (Anchorage/Whittier) Alaska, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver
- Price Range: $398 to $3,298
Best for Wildlife
My friend picked Norwegian for her first Alaskan cruise and here’s what I learned about her top choice. Yes, the cruise provides spectacular views, but it’s the excursions that have her excited. She’ll have the opportunity to see wildlife in their IRL habitats, from orcas to grizzlies to bald eagles. You can watch them from the ship, balcony stateroom or you can book a closer view and schedule a trip to the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center. Did I mention there’s an excursion around hanging out with dogs at a dog sled camp? Yeah, I’m definitely jealous of my friend.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Spirit
- Departure Cities: Seattle, Vancouver, (Seward) Alaska, Honolulu, (Anchorage/Whittier) Alaska
- Price Range: $731 to $3,981
Best for Adults Only
One of the oldest cruise lines on the list, Cunard Cruises is praised for its Alaskan experience and being a great option for adults. Although it has one ship in its fleet—Queen Elizabeth—it has plenty of activities and amenities. Yes, you can take in the wildlife and open sea, but Cunard takes it a step further by having special guests, like writers, explorers and scientists come on board to teach you about the history and culture of Alaska. One redditor shared their experience writing: “A couple of folks already mentioned Cunard and I would recommend the same as well, especially if you are looking for the quintessential cruise experience. We went there this June [and visited] the Glacier Bay National Park with the rangers on board all day with lectures and Q&A. The food and service are excellent and [the ship has] very few children. Overall, classic and classy.”
Fast Facts
- Ships: Queen Elizabeth
- Departure Cities: Seattle, Vancouver
- Price Range: $1,059 to $1,869
Best Route Options
Celebrity offers three different types of cruises to explore Alaska. Admire the Dawes Glacier, a 600-foot tall wall of ice, as well as visit ports like Juneau and Skagway. Or, experience Hubbard Glacier, the biggest glacier spanning seven miles wide from Vancouver to North America, where you just might spot a whale or two. There’s also a one-way sail option that takes off from Vancouver or Seattle and cruises through ports like Ketchikan and Talkeetna—along with an option to extend your stay to explore even more of the greener areas of Alaska.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Edge
- Departure Cities: (Seward) Alaska, Vancouver, Seattle
- Price Range: $564 to $4,158
Most Luxurious
I said it before and I’ll say it again: Silversea is by far the most luxurious cruise line. If you’re heading to Alaska, expect an all-inclusive package and an intimate setting. Whether you board Silver Moon or Silver Muse, the guest capacity is around 1,000—and that’s guests and crew combined. Expect only suites on board, so you can get your own private viewing of mountains, glaciers, whales and more. Plus, the package you choose includes shore excursions like a trail hike to watch cascading waterfalls and Mendenhall glaciers or a culinary experience where you’ll try Alaska-themed food on a small expedition vessel and hopefully catch a glimpse of a humpback whale.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Silver Moon, Silver Nova, Silver Muse
- Departure Cities: (Seward) Alaska, Vancouver, Seattle
- Price Range: $3,300 to $20, 400
Best Culinary Experiences
Similar to Cunard, this cruise line has only one ship, but it’s all about Alaska. The Seven Seas Explorer features food, entertainment and accommodations that are oh-so luxurious. Take in the Mendenhall Glacier or the Tongass National Forest right from the comfort of your own balcony. Or, get a closer look and join a shore excursion like an ATV expedition, where you’ll drive around a remote island and take in the scenery on land. But if you’re a foodie, the Epicurean Explorer Tours offered by the cruise line combine travel and the culinary arts. One popular attraction is the George Inlet Lodge Crab Cake Expedition in Ketchikan. You’ll watch a chef prepare crab cakes and give you the chance to taste their creation. You’ll also have the opportunity to eat Dungenuss crab, learn about the area’s fishing and crabbing history and take in the surrounding views.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Seven Seas Explorer
- Departure Cities: Vancouver, Seattle, (Seward) Alaska
- Price Range: $5,599 to $12,999
Best for Families
Royal Caribbean is by far the best cruise line for families, so why not take your kiddos on a trip they’ll never forget. The cruise line offers a great view of the landscape, like the Hubbard Glacier and Denali National Park. But it’s the ships themselves that take sightseeing to new heights. Step into the North Star, available on the Quantum of the Seas or Anthem of the Seas, an observation deck that soars 300 feet above sea level and provides a 360-degree view of your surroundings. It’s considered the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship, and as long as you’re at least 42 inches tall, the whole family can enjoy this unique experience.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas
- Departure Cities: (Seward) Alaska, Seattle, Vancouver
- Price Range: $666 to $3,778
Best for Long Voyages
9. Viking
Interested in a longer voyage? Viking has long sail times, so you can take your time exploring Alaska and beyond. While most ships depart from Seattle or Vancouver, Viking is currently offering a Far East & Alaska trip. This cruise leaves out of Hong Kong, China, and makes its way through Japan, before stopping at multiple ports in Alaska. You’ll spend about 37 days in the Pacific, so be prepared to become a world traveler and an experienced explorer by the time you disembark.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Viking Sea, Viking Orion
- Departure Cities: (Seward) Alaska, Seattle, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Australia
- Price Range: $4,799 to $36,495
Best Expeditions
Here’s for the fearless cruisers out there. Uncruise Adventures has all-inclusive expeditions for daredevils. Explore waterfalls at Red Bluff Bay, hike an abandoned coastal cannon at George Island, go brown bear searching in Chichagof Island or kayak in Keku Islands Park. Unlike a regular cruise, their ships host under 100 passengers, so it’s a much more intimate type of cruise. Just don’t forget to pack a good pair of hiking boots or sneakers.
Fast Facts
- Ships: Safari Voyager, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest, Safari Explorer, Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Explorer, Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Legacy
- Departure Cities: Seattle, Alaska
- Price Range: $3,600
Frequently Asked Questions
What Month Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?
According to Travel Alaska, the best time to cruise Alaska is May through September. If you want to narrow it down even further, they report July and August are the sunniest months, while May and June are the best time for whale watching. If you want to explore the Midnight Sun—where you can experience over 20 hours of sunlight during the day—Norwegian recommends booking around June through August. What about seeing the Northern Lights? Consider cruising Alaska in September. Honestly, there’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s all about figuring out what you are interested in checking out.
Where Is the Best Place to Start an Alaskan Cruise?
The most popular places to start an Alaskan cruise are Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. These two locations provide an easy route to get to Alaska quickly. There are also options to start directly in Alaska, specifically Seward, Whittier or Anchorage. Just take a direct flight and start exploring right away.
How Many Days Are Best for An Alaskan Cruise?
Most cruise lines offer seven to 28 day cruises. It really depends on how much you want to pay, how many ports you want to visit and how many excursions you want to try out.
