alaska cruise from california

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Cheap Alaska Cruises from California

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5 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You want a fun, big-ship cruise with classic nautical motifs
• You love open deck space; this ship has plenty to go around
• You want a variety of window-lined restaurants and lounges
• You want the gadgets found on Royal Caribbean's newer ships
• You think bigger is better and want a Vegas-style experience
• You like scenic cruising; this bright ship is perfect for it
• You appreciate a traditional look with high-tech features
• You want big ship amenities wrapped up in a smaller package
• You're after active diversions like ziplines and surf simulators
• You want nonstop activities and a party atmosphere onboard

11 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You want a classy, big ship experience with lots of amenities
• You are traveling as a family and need a cruise for all ages
• You like having plenty of choice when it comes to food onboard
• You are looking for nonstop, Vegas-style nightly entertainment
• You dislike crowds; disembarking the ship can require patience
• You feel more at home on a smaller and more intimate ship

4 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You are traveling as a family and want a slice of Disney at sea
• You love family-friendly activities and adult-oriented amenities
• You want a ship that can please adults and children alike
• You dislike cruising with large numbers of families and children
• You are budget-conscious and book cruises at the last-minute
• You are looking for an adult-oriented cruise experience
• You want a big ship experience with plenty of onboard choice
• You like a traditional cruise with lots of cutting-edge options
• You value having plenty of open decks to admire the scenery
• You want a ship that's got plenty of action-packed amenities
• You don't want to pay extra for optional purchases onboard

16 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You like having plenty of choices on a classically styled cruise
• You want numerous bars, lounges and specialty restaurants
• You appreciate a laid-back cruise that's steeped in traditions
• You dislike crowds; lines and reservations are inevitable
• You need a cutting-edge ship with the latest technology

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ADVENTURE ON THE WILD SIDE

Alaska cruises.

Adventure comes first on the last frontier.

No vacation in the world delivers once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Alaska. Mark this as your year to cross this bucket-busting destination off your list once and for all. Take off by dogsled across thousand-year-old ice as you soak in otherworldly sights. Trek across the majestic Mendenhall Glacier for breathtaking views of the wildest country. Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears, and whales. And do it all from onboard one of four thrill-filled ships. This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running.

Save Big With These Alaska Cruise Deals

Want more time to plan the adventure of a lifetime? Our 2024 Alaska sailings are now open.

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OF ICE AND MOUNTAINS

Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape. It might seem cold and unforgiving at first glance, but the best Alaska cruises allow you to explore the quiet lakes,  imposing glaciers  and breathtaking mountain views, you'll have only warm impressions of this wilderness. 

JOURNEY INWARD

Exploring the interior of Alaska will give you an entirely different perspective on this vast and rugged state. Take an Inside Passage cruise and gaze upward at the sky that is as blue as the lakes below. Hop on the Alaskan Railroad near Anchorage and see the spruce-lined, mountainous landscape whir by from a new perspective.

GLACIERS WILL MOVE YOU

In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve  massive icebergs . Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders.

JOURNEY TO "THE GREAT ONE"

In the center of the state,  Denali National Park  is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day. An up-close view is more than worth the expedition during your vacation.

FEEL THE RUSH

Alaska is tailor-made for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you sail its icy bays trying to spot huge cold-water whales or fly high above this rough-and-tumble landscape from the vantage of a helicopter, you're sure to come away with memories you couldn't have made anywhere else during your cruise to Alaska. 

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months. Visit Alaska and get the experience for yourself at the  Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Sled Tour . The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill.

WHERE ARE THE WHALES AT?

Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a  whale watching tour . There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water.

Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state. Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape.

RELEASE YOUR WILD SIDE ON THE BEST ALASKA CRUISE

Embark on an unforgettable Alaska adventure cruise and experience the ultimate vacation. Immerse yourself in the thrilling destinations that Alaska has to offer, each brimming with its own unique style and vibe. Discover the wonders of Alaska with the Best Cruise Line for 20 years running.

QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

Quantum of the Seas® heads to the Last Frontier from Seattle . This adventure packed ship offers glacier gazing from the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship and activities you can enjoy in any weather. Edge of your seat entertainment, all weather activities like the fan-favorite Flowrider®* and unparalleled views from every room.

EXPLORE MORE

OVATION OF THE SEAS

Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm . Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. 

BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

Brilliance of the Seas® gets you up close to the glacial giants of The Last Frontier — from the expansive Hubbard to the calving Dawes. You can add once-in-a-lifetime to the itinerary for your wildest week ever. Go wildlife spotting in Juneau, peak-seeking in Sitka , and take-on rugged adventure in Haines. Getting to your coolest getaway yet is easy for the whole family with sails roundtrip from Vancouver

RADIANCE OF THE SEAS

Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®. With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing elevators, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau. And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Alaska Cruises Insider

The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences. This diversity means you need to be prepared for a lot of change while traveling.

The best time to travel to Alaska depends on your priorities. If you're interested in the Midnight Sun, the longest day of the year is June 21, when you can experience close to 20 or more hours of sunlight in some parts of the state. If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder.

No two days will be the same, and you'll need to pack your clothing to prepare for temperature changes throughout the day. Think layers: zip-up sweaters, boots, rain jackets.

The Top Things to Do Onboard Brilliance of the Seas | Royal Caribbean Cruises

March 8, 2024

Brilliance of the Seas makes it impossible to feel bored during a vacation! These top things to do onboard this beloved cruise ship make it a fan favorite for many.

Planning a Trip To Alaska: Land vs. Sea | Royal Caribbean Cruises

When planning a trip to Alaska, many travelers wonder if it's better to explore the state by land or by sea. Here's why travel by cruise ship is best here.

Best Brilliance of the Seas Family Cruises | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas. Start sailing today.

Our Family Alaska Cruise: A Vacation We'll Never Forget | Royal Caribbean Cruises

On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens.

Alaska Souvenirs to Take Home With You So You Never Forget Your Trip | Royal Caribbean Cruises

After traveling somewhere new, you want to bring something back with you to remember all of your fun adventures. Don't miss these Alaska souvenirs.

What to Pack for a Cruise to Alaska | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Take the guess work out of what to pack for a cruise to Alaska with this guide that tells you what to bring and why you'll be glad you did!

Alaska Food: Where to Find the Best Food in Alaska | Royal Caribbean Cruises

The best Alaska food to try on a cruise includes king crab, salmon, fry bread, birch syrup, wild berries and more.

Fun Activities for kids in Alaska | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Fun activities for kids abound on an Alaska cruise. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes.

Dive Into Alaska Traditions on Your Next Cruise | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Whether you're curious about Alaska native culture or other Alaska traditions, here's how to make these an integral part of your trip up north.

What Is the Best Way to See Alaska? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. Here's how to decide the best way to see Alaska.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Port Cities | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Cruising is a wonderful thing. It can bring you to some of the most beautiful port cities in the world.

Why You Should Take an Alaska Summer Vacation Cruise

Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too.

Best Vacation Spots in Alaska in the Summer

Alaska in the summer is a must for adventure travelers looking for wilderness hiking, epic glaciers, dog sledding, and sea kayaking

Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours

Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature? Here is your travel guide for planning the best adventure vacation.

The Most Instagrammable Places in Alaska

Find the most Instagrammable places for your next vacation cruise to Alaska. Come discover the prettiest spots to take pictures with our travel photo guide.

Visiting Scenic Restaurants in Alaska

Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska.

Honeymoon Cruise in Alaska

Planning a honeymoon cruise to Alaska? We’ve curated the ultimate guide to visiting some of the most romantic destinations to vacation for couples.

The Best Craft Breweries in Alaska

For all the beer lovers planning an Alaskan cruise vacation, we’ve curated the ultimate zythophile guide to visiting 5 of the best craft breweries in Alaska.

Must-Sees for Your Once in a Lifetime Alaska Cruise Vacation

Whether you're a history buff or a nature nut, there are numerous bucket list destinations to experience while traveling on your Alaska cruise vacation.

Conquer the World's Longest Zip Line in Alaska

Don’t wait any longer, riding the world's longest zip line in Alaska will be an experience you'll never forget while on your next Alaskan mountain adventure.

Dog Sledding Tours

There's nothing like an amazing adventure during an Alaskan vacation, and if you're looking for things to do then dog sledding is a bucket-list experience.

Top Tips for Planning a Cruise to Alaska

Discover the top tips for planning a cruise to Alaska and uncover the best times of the year to spot Alaskas wildlife, locate must-see attractions, find Alaskan cruise deals and more.

Alaska Helicopter Tours

There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. Take your breath away as you travel above its amazing glaciers.

The Best Alaska Cruises

Your Guide to the Best Cruises From Alaska. Learn more about the most stunning destinations you can visit on an Alaska cruise from Seattle or Vancouver.

Alaska is not a formal place; people even wear jeans to the opera. Focus more on comfort when deciding what clothing to pack.

Cameras, binoculars, rain ponchos and jackets are useful, but add these to the souvenirs you'll be picking up and soon your bag will be too heavy to tote around. Bring along a quality day pack to make it easier to hold your necessities.

Learn a few words in Alaska's local lingo: The "Alcan" is the Alaska-Canada Highway, for example, and "fish stories" are the local version of tall tales — unreliable yarns of mythological proportions, often told by fisherman.

ALASKAN CUISINE WILD IS THE WAY 

Alaskan food focuses on locally sourced ingredients that reflect the state's rugged terrain and the vast oceans surrounding it. These nutrient-rich waters serve up some gorgeous fish and shellfish, from super-fresh salmon to huge Alaskan King Crabs that can feed a crowd, while game meats and berries from the wilderness form a perfect marriage of flavor.

SALMON IS CENTRAL

Fresh-caught wild salmon is served up at backyard BBQs and the finest restaurants. For something different, try the sweet and savory treat Indian Candy, salmon that is sweetened and smoked till hard.

SOURDOUGH WON'T LET YOU GO

Sourdough is such an important part of Alaskan culture that long-time Alaskans are actually called sourdoughs in local parlance. Try a sourdough bread bowl filled with salmon chowder for a hearty lunch.

GO WILD FOR BERRIES

Alaskan wild berries are sweet and pack a powerful punch of flavor. Whether served up in jams, candies, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats.

RELATED PORTS

Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, the towns along Alaska's inside passage provide a variety of adventurous activities. Alaska cruise ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks.

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska

Alaska Inside Passage, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Inside Passage, Canada

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Alaska

Skagway, Alaska

Glacier Bay (Cruising), Alaska

Haines, Alaska

Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska

Seward, Alaska

Related Destinations

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7 best Alaska cruises from San Francisco in 2024 and 2025 + SF to Alaska cruise tips for Carnival and Princess

San Francisco is one of the cruise ports that offers cruises to Alaska.

Start your cruise by sailing under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy lots of days at sea as you make your way to the stunning glaciers of Alaska!

Really, there are a lot of sea days on a cruise from San Francisco to Alaska!

1. 22-Day Ultimate Alaska Solstice with Glacier Bay National Park in June 2025 on the Ruby Princess

Why choose this cruise? The most epic Alaska cruise from San Francisco is a 22-day cruise in the summer of 2025! This cruise not only goes to the most popular Alaska cruise ports, but it also goes to other smaller cruise ports that cruise ships typically don’t visit. It also has a whopping 4 glacier sea days, which doesn’t happen on the vast majority of Alaska cruises. This is a very special Alaska cruise, and it’s starting from San Francisco!

📆 When is this cruise? The Ultimate Alaska Solstice cruise is in June 2025 .

🛳 What is the passenger capacity of the Ruby Princess? 3,080 passengers at double occupancy.

🛳 What class cruise ship is the Ruby Princess? The Ruby Princess is a crown class cruise ship in the Princess fleet. Other crown class cruise ships include the Crown Princess and Emerald Princess.

🛏 What type of cabins does this cruise ship have? Stateroom categories include suite with balcony, family suite with interconnecting cabins, mini-suite with balcony, balcony, oceanview, and inside.

🏔 What glacier sea days does this cruise have? This cruise goes to Endicott Arm for Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park .

⚓ What Alaska cruise ports does this cruise go to? The Ultimate Alaska Solstice cruise goes to the most well-known cruise ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Seward . It also goes to the less common cruise ports of Wrangell, Haines, and Valdez .

🌊 How many sea days does this cruise have? There are 11 sea days on this cruise, including the 4 scenic cruising glacier sea days. You have 2 sea days to start the cruise and 2 sea days to end the cruise.

🇨🇦 What Canada cruise port does this cruise go to? This cruise goes to Victoria .

🇺🇲 How many national parks can you go to during this cruise? You will go to Glacier Bay National Park without even stepping off the cruise ship. You can go to Kenai Fjords National Park when you are in Seward. While you won’t physically be in the national park, you can SEE Wrangell St Elias National Park when you see Hubbard Glacier from the cruise ship, because Hubbard Glacier is in Wrangell St Elias National Park! So, you can experience 3 national parks during the Ultimate Alaska Solstice cruise!

⚓ How much time do you get in port? The port times for this cruise are great. You have at least 10 hours in almost every cruise port. You’ll arrive to all Alaska cruise ports in the morning, and you’ll stay until early evening or late evening depending on the port.

• Ketchikan: 9am to 9pm
• Wrangell: 7am to 5pm
• Haines: 7am to 8:30pm
• Icy Strait Point: 7am to 5pm
• Valdez: 7am to 5pm
• Seward: 7am to 5pm
• Sitka: 8am to 5pm
• Juneau: 8am to 9pm
• Skagway: 7am to 8:30pm
• Victoria: 3pm to 12am

Cruise ports and port times can change! Check the cruise itinerary carefully before booking… and after booking! It can change any time, and you probably won’t be notified.

2. 10-Day Alaska on Carnival Legend in 2025

Why choose this cruise? You might love doing an Alaska cruise on a Carnival cruise ship if you want to also cruise to Mexico or Hawaii! This Alaska cruise doesn’t go to Glacier Bay National Park (which some people say is a MUST). But the big reason to choose this Carnival Alaska cruise from San Francisco is if you want to make it an epic cruise to Alaska and Mexico in one OR an epic cruise to Alaska and Hawaii in one! You can choose your Alaska cruise dates so that they line up to be able to do a back-to-back cruise that goes to Mexico or Hawaii!

📆 What months can you go on this cruise? May, June, July, August, September

🛳 What is the passenger capacity of the Carnival Legend? 2,124 passengers at double occupancy

🛳 What class cruise ship is the Carnival Legend? The Carnival Legend is a spirit class cruise ship in the Carnival fleet. Other spirit class ships include the Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Miracle, and Carnival Luminosa.

🛏 What type of cabins does this cruise ship have? Cabin types include ocean view balcony grand suites, ocean view suites, ocean view balcony, ocean view window, and inside cabins .

🏔 What glacier sea days does this cruise have? This cruise goes to Tracy Arm Fjord . Carnival cruise ships do not go to Glacier Bay National Park.

⚓ What Alaska cruise ports does this cruise go to? This cruise goes to Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan .

🇨🇦 What Canada cruise port does this cruise go to? This cruise goes to Prince Rupert .

🌊 How many sea days does this cruise have? There are 5 sea days on this cruise, including the scenic cruising sea day. You have 2 sea days to start the cruise, 2 sea days to end the cruise, 1 Tracy Arm Fjord scenic cruising sea day.

⚓ How much time do you get in port? The port times for the Carnival Legend are pretty good. You have a full day in port . You do get to Juneau in the early afternoon , but you are there until very late evening, so it’s like you have all day there too, especially since the sun doesn’t set until later in Alaska in the summer!

Time in port:

• Juneau: 2pm to 11pm
• Skagway: 7am to 8pm
• Ketchikan: 9am to 6pm
• Prince Rupert 8am to 4pm

Cruise ports and port times can change!

🇲🇽 Cruise to Alaska and Mexico ! In the summer of 2025, the Carnival Legend alternates cruises throughout the summer, doing a 10-day Alaska cruise followed by a 4-day Mexico cruise, and then repeats. You can make it a 14-day cruise from San Francisco to Alaska and Mexico in May, June, July, and August! You would book these cruises separately, and you would be doing what’s called back-to-back cruises.

🌴 Cruise to Alaska and Hawaii ! In September 2025, the Carnival Legend does a 15-day cruise to Hawaii from San Francisco round trip, which follows a 10-day Alaska cruise. So you can make it an epic 25-day cruise from San Francisco to Alaska and Hawaii ! (You’ll need to like sea days, though!) Similarly, you would book these cruises separately and be doing back-to-back cruises.

3. 11-Day Inside Passage with Glacier Bay National Park in 2024 on Crown Princess

The best Alaska cruise out of San Francisco in 2024 is the 11-day Alaska cruise with Glacier Bay National Park on the Crown Princess. There are cruises like this throughout the summer, along with spring and fall.

🛳 What is the passenger capacity of the Crown Princess? 3,080 passengers at double occupancy.

🛳 What class cruise ship is the Crown Princess? The Crown Princess is a crown class cruise ship in the Princess fleet. Other crown class cruise ships include the Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.

🛏 What type of cabins does this cruise ship have? Stateroom categories include suite with private balcony, mini-suite, balcony, oceanview, or inside .

🏔 What glacier sea days does this cruise have? This cruise goes to Glacier Bay National Park , which many (most?!) will say is a must!

⚓ What Alaska cruise ports does this cruise go to? Most cruises have an itinerary including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway . There is one cruise in September that goes to Sitka instead of Ketchikan .

🇨🇦 What Canada cruise port does this cruise go to? Most cruises have an itinerary that includes Victoria . There are a few cruises that go to Prince Rupert instead of Victoria .

🌊 How many sea days does this cruise have? There are 6 sea days on this cruise, including the Glacier Bay scenic cruising sea day. You have 2 sea days to start the cruise, 2 sea days to end the cruise, 1 Glacier Bay sea day, and then one more sea day before Canada which is on your way back to San Francisco.

⚓ How much time do you get in port? Most cruise ports have long days in port so you will have time to do something in the morning, go back to the ship for lunch, and then go back out to do something in the afternoon! Some cruises do leave Ketchikan earlier in the day , so be sure to look out for that.

In May, June, July and August:

• Ketchikan 7am to 2pm in May OR 9am to 6pm in June, July, and August
• Juneau 8am to 9pm
• Skagway 7am to 8:30pm
• Victoria 2pm to 10pm OR Prince Rupert 7am to 4pm

In September:

• Sitka 7am to 3pm OR Ketchikan 7am to 2pm
• Prince Rupert 10am to 6pm OR Victoria 2pm to 10pm

4. 11-Day Alaska Inside Passage in 2024 on Crown Princess

Another Alaska cruise from San Francisco is the 11-day Alaska cruise without Glacier Bay National Park. Most Alaska cruises have at least one glacier sea day, and on this cruise the glacier sea day will be at Endicott Arm to see Dawes Glacier. There are cruises like this throughout the summer, along with spring and fall.

📆 What months can you go on this cruise? May, June, July, August

🏔 What glacier sea days does this cruise have? Most cruises go to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier for the glacier scenic cruising day. There is a cruise in July that goes to Tracy Arm as the scenic cruising day. Unless you are on an early to mid May cruise, there is likely a wilderness excursion offered on the glacier sea day, which is a small boat ride directly from the cruise ship that will take you closer to the glacier! These excursions tend to sell out quickly.

⚓ What Alaska cruise ports does this cruise go to? All cruises go to Ketchikan . Most other cruises have an itinerary with either Juneau OR Skagway , not both. The only cruises that go to all 3 (Ketchkan, Juneau, and Skagway) are in May and August. For cruises that don’t go to all 3, the itinerary includes Sitka or Icy Strait Point instead . There is a cruise in July that doesn’t go to Juneau or Skagway, and instead goes to Sitka and Haines .

🇨🇦 What Canada cruise port does this cruise go to? Most cruises have an itinerary that includes Victoria . There are a couple of cruises (June and August) that go to Prince Rupert instead of Victoria .

🌊 How many sea days does this cruise have? There are 6 sea days on this cruise, including the glacier scenic cruising sea day. Typically, you have 2 sea days to start the cruise, 2 sea days to end the cruise, 1 glacier sea day, and then one more sea day before Canada which is on your way back to San Francisco. But there is also a cruise in June with 3 sea days to start the cruise.

⚓ How much time do you get in port? Most cruise ports have all day in port so you will have time to do something in the morning, go back to the ship for lunch, and then go back out to do something in the afternoon! There is a cruise in which Ketchikan leaves earlier in the day , so be sure to look out for that.

Port time in May, June, July, August:

• Ketchikan: mostly 8am to 5pm, sometimes until 6pm. In May, there’s a cruise that is 7am to 2pm. In August, there’s a cruise that’s 10am to 6pm.
• Sitka: 8am to 6pm
• Haines: 8am to 8:30pm
• Victoria: 9am to 10pm
• Prince Rupert: 7am to 4pm

5. 11-Day Alaska on Carnival Miracle in 2024

The best Alaska cruise on Carnival is an 11-day Alaska cruise. You can go to 4 Alaska cruise ports, in addition to having a scenic cruising day in an Alaska fjord.

🛳 What is the passenger capacity of the Carnival Miracle? 2,124 passengers at double occupancy

🛳 What class cruise ship is the Carnival Miracle? The Carnival Miracle is a spirit class cruise ship in the Carnival fleet. Other spirit class ships include the Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Luminosa.

🛏 What type of cabins does this cruise ship have? Cabin types include ocean view balcony grand suites, ocean view balcony suites, ocean view balcony, ocean view window, and inside cabins .

⚓ What Alaska cruise ports does this cruise go to? This cruise go to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway . There is also an additional port of Icy Strait Point or Sitka .

🇨🇦 What Canada cruise port does this cruise go to? This cruise go to Prince Rupert .

🌊 How many sea days does this cruise have? This Carnival Alaska cruise has 5 sea days . You will have 2 sea days to start the cruise and 2 sea days to end the cruise, along with 1 scenic cruising day.

⚓ How much time do you get in port? The port times for the Carnival Miracle are pretty good. You have a full day in port . You do get to Juneau and Icy Strait port in the early afternoon , but you are there until very late evening, so it’s like you have all day there too, especially since the sun doesn’t set until later in Alaska in the summer!

• Ketchikan: 8am to 6pm or 4pm
• Juneau: 7am to 10pm / 9am to 9pm / 10am to 10pm / 8am to 9pm
• Skagway: 7am to 7pm or 9pm
• Icy Strait Point: 2pm to 11pm or 8am to 5pm
• Sitka: 10am to 6pm
• Prince Rupert: 8am to 4pm or 9am to 5pm

6. 11-Day Inside Passage with Glacier Bay National Park in 2025 on Ruby Princess

The best “normal” Alaska cruise from San Francisco in 2025 is the 11-day Alaska cruise with Glacier Bay National Park. There are cruises like this throughout the summer, along with spring and fall.

⚓ What Alaska cruise ports does this cruise go to? All cruises have an itinerary including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway .

🇨🇦 What Canada cruise port does this cruise go to? Most cruises have an itinerary that includes Victoria . There is a cruise in May that goes to Prince Rupert instead of Victoria .

⚓ How much time do you get in port? Most cruise ports have long days in port so you will have time to do something in the morning, go back to the ship for lunch, and then go back out to do something in the afternoon! There is one cruise in May that has a shorter port time in Juneau , so be sure to look out for that.

In May, June, July, August, and September:

• Ketchikan: usually 7am to 4pm. There is a cruise in May that is 10am to 6pm.
• Juneau: usually 10am to 9pm. There is a cruise in May that is 7am to 4pm
• Skagway: usually 7am to 8:30pm
• Victoria: 3pm to 12am. There is a cruise in May that goes to Prince Rupert instead, and time in port is 7am to 4pm.

7. 11-Day Alaska Inside Passage in 2025 on Ruby Princess

Another “normal” Alaska cruise from San Francisco in 2025 is the 11-day Alaska cruise that goes to Endicott Arm. These cruises are in the summer.

📆 What months can you go on this cruise? June, July, August

🏔 What glacier sea days does this cruise have? Most cruises goes to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier as the glacier scenic cruising day, and there is at least one cruise that goes to Tracy Arm Fjord . There’s a good chance a wilderness excursion will be offered, which is a small boat that you take directly from the cruise ship to get closer to the glacier! This excursion tends to sell out quickly.

⚓ What Alaska cruise ports does this cruise go to? All cruises go to at least 2 out of the 3 of the main ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway . All itineraries also include a 3rd cruise port in Alaska, which will be Haines, Sitka, or Icy Strait Point .

🇨🇦 What Canada cruise port does this cruise go to? All cruises have an itinerary that includes Victoria .

🌊 How many sea days does this cruise have? There are 6 sea days on this cruise, including the Endicott Arm scenic cruising sea day. You have 2 sea days to start the cruise, 2 sea days to end the cruise, 1 Endicott Arm sea day, and then one more sea day before Canada which is on your way back to San Francisco.

⚓ How much time do you get in port? Most cruise ports have all day in port so you will have time to do something in the morning, go back to the ship for lunch, and then go back out to do something in the afternoon!

15 tips for choosing San Francisco as your Alaska cruise departure port

Should you choose San Francisco as your Alaska cruise departure port?

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, of course there is nothing that beats the convenience of cruising out of your home port!

Whether you’re flying in or you’re local, there are some things to keep in mind about cruises from San Francisco.

Are Alaska cruises from San Francisco good or bad? Whether these things will make it or break it for you will be highly individual!

When can you do an Alaska cruise from San Francisco?

You can do an Alaska cruise from San Francisco that starts in the months of May, June, July, August, and September. Of these months, September is the worst month to cruise to Alaska because you have the greatest chance of bad weather.

Other than that, any of the months can be a good time to go to Alaska… depending on what you are interested in!

Spring and summer offers something special. In May there are snow-capped mountains, and in the summer you have a better chance of seeing wildlife.

You have a lot of sea days on a cruise from San Francisco to Alaska.

Because you’re coming from “so far away” to get to Alaska, it just takes more time to get to Alaska from San Francisco compared to Seattle or Vancouver.

This means extra sea days compared to northern cruise departure ports.

You will start off your cruise with 2 straight sea days, and you will also end your cruise with 2 straight sea days before you return to San Francisco.

Plus you will have 1 other sea day, along with 1 glacier sea day.

So a typical Alaska cruise from San Francisco will have 6 sea days.

This means half of your cruise is spent at sea.

No problem if you love sea days, but if the idea of so many sea days makes you go no thanks then you are better off doing a one-way cruise between Vancouver and Anchorage !

There are no 7-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco.

Because San Francisco is so far away from Alaska, you won’t find 7-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco.

The San Francisco cruises tend to be 10 or 11 day cruises… which really means it’s at least 12 days since you will arrive back to San Francisco on day 12.

And then if you’re flying in to get to San Francisco, it’s always a good idea to arrive at least a day early to allow for flight delays, so this means you will need at least 13-14 days to do an Alaska cruise from San Francisco.

You have a greater chance of rough seas sailing out of San Francisco compared to Vancouver.

Starting out of San Francisco means that you will be sailing out in the open ocean more than Vancouver or Seattle. This has potential for rougher seas, especially the later in the season that you cruise.

There are Alaska cruises from San Francisco with and without Glacier Bay National Park.

Not all cruises go to Glacier Bay. If this is important to you, be sure to look to see that your cruise itinerary includes it! Many people say that Glacier Bay National Park is a must in an Alaska cruise itinerary.

What glacier sea days can you have on an Alaska cruise from San Francisco?

When you want to do a normal 10-day cruise or 11-day cruise, the scenic cruising glacier sea days that you can choose from are Glacier Bay National Park, Endicott Arm, or Tracy Arm Fjord.

Round-trip cruises from San Francisco are required to stop at a foreign port before returning.

Because round-trip cruises from San Francisco must stop at a foreign port, all Alaska cruises from San Francisco have either Victoria or Prince Rupert on the cruise itinerary. These ports are both in Canada.

What cruise lines go to Alaska from San Francisco?

The cruise lines that have Alaska cruises from San Francisco are Princess and Carnival.

You can do a Princess Alaska cruise from San Francisco in May, June, July, August, and September.

The first Alaska cruise of the season on a Princess cruise ship from San Francisco starts in May. The last Alaska cruise of the season on a Princess cruise ship is in September. The cheapest cruises from San Francisco will usually be around these times.

You can do a Carnival Alaska cruise from San Francisco in May, June, July, and August.

The first Alaska cruise of the season on a Carnival cruise ship from San Francisco starts in May.

The last Alaska cruise of the season on a Carnival cruise ship is in August or September depending on the year.

When is the cheapest time to do a San Francisco cruise to Alaska?

The cheapest months to do an Alaska cruise from San Francisco will be May and September on Princess and May and late August and September on Carnival. Out of these months, September tends to have the worst weather.

This means you should prepare for bad weather in Alaska cruise ports and rough seas on your way there if you cruise to Alaska in September.

If you want to experience Alaska both off the ship and ON the ship, Princess is the best cruise line for Alaska cruises out of San Francisco!

On Princess cruise ships to Alaska, there are also very Alaska-specific onboard cruise activities so you can experience Alaska even more!

You can cuddle with sled dogs in training (aka puppies in the piazza), there might be a former 1,000 mile dog sledding iditarod champion who comes onboard the ship that you can meet, there’s an onboard Alaska nature expert that gives talks and might help you spot wildlife from the cruise ship on glacier days (Princess naturalist), there’s Alaska-inspired food in the dining room, there’s a pop-up Alaska-specialty restaurant, there’s tons of Alaska programming that you can watch on your stateroom TV on demand… and more!

And, the cruise staff also look the part with their Alaskan-style uniform! This type of thing further provides the Alaskan atmosphere onboard the cruise ship!

Do cruise ships go to Glacier Bay National Park from San Francisco?

Princess is the only cruise line that goes to Glacier Bay National Park from San Francisco. Not all Princess cruises go to Glacier Bay National Park though, so you will need to look for that if that is important to you.

You will start your cruise by sailing under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Every cruise from San Francisco starts by sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge!

How to search for Princess cruises to Alaska

You can search for Princess cruises from San Francisco to Alaska at princess.com .

How to search for Carnival cruises to Alaska

You can search for Carnival cruises from San Francisco to Alaska at carnival.com .

Cruise from San Francisco… or Vancouver?!

If you are still undecided about whether or not you want to take a cruise from San Francisco, also look at cruises from Vancouver to Anchorage one-way!

HAPPY CHOOSING A CRUISE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO ALASKA!

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10-Day Alaska Cruise

Fun with a capital F is what you can expect on a Carnival Cruise. With the largest fleet at sea Carnival offers sailings perfect for the whole family.

Tundra expeditions and glacier visions—find your adventure with an Alaska cruise.

On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

• Carnival Miracle - Passenger Capacity: 2,124 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2004 Last Refurbished: 2022

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

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San Francisco, California , Juneau, Alaska , Skagway, Alaska , Endicott Arm, Alaska , Ketchikan, Alaska , Prince Rupert, British Columbia

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10-Day Alaska Cruise sailing on the Carnival Miracle

Departure dates: may 2024 - sep 2024.

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*** All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm your itinerary on the Review page before purchasing your cruise.

Carnival reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel. Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. Government taxes & fees are additional. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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Alaska Cruises

Embark On The Ultimate Alaskan Cruise

Find the Best Alaska Cruise for You

Explore the dynamic glaciers, soaring peaks and captivating history of the 49th state on our award-winning itineraries. Sail Alaska’s serene seas to Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier for a chance to witness ice calving, known as “white thunder.” Extend your Alaska vacation with a cruisetour, a combination of ocean cruise and land tour deep into Alaska’s rugged interior.

Cross Alaska’s massive ice shelves, crystal fjords, and fascinating marine wildlife off your bucket list with itineraries that conveniently depart from Seattle and Vancouver. Enjoy perks such as privileged access to Glacier Bay National Park and prime docking locations that give you a head start on sightseeing.

Our cruisetours combine an ocean cruise with a land tour into Alaska’s interior. Watch northern wilderness views unfold from aboard our glass-domed train, the McKinley Explorer®. Stay up to 3 nights at the McKinley Chalet Resort near Denali National Park. Go into the Yukon with a guide.

Find Your Perfect Cruisetour

On this page, why cruise alaska with holland america.

With us, Alaska travel is personal. We’ve been sharing the wonders of Alaska longer than any other cruise line. See the best of the Great Land’s glaciers, coastal towns and wildlife on board perfectly sized ships offering superior service and exclusive programming.

Alaska Wildlife

Few places can compete with Alaska’s wildlife diversity. With more than 20 animal sanctuaries and sightseeing excursions, we bring you closer to creatures great and small. Learn about the Big Five and other amazing animals you might spot.

White Pass & Yukon Railroad

Hop a train back in time to the Klondike Gold Rush. Built during peak gold fever, this 120-year-old iron trail traverses tunnels, trestles and misty valleys to the White Pass Summit at 2,865 feet.

Alaska National Parks

Like everything else in Alaska, the Great Land’s national parks far exceed expectations. Read about Glacier Bay’s seven tidewater glaciers, Denali’s 6-million acres of undisturbed wilderness, Kenai Fjords' astonishing Exit Glacier and other national parks.

Alaska's Glaciers

Glaciers are more than breathtaking rivers of ice. They are living laboratories that show what the Earth was like thousands of years ago and how it is changing today. Get ready for the ultimate glacier experience.

Northern Lights

Many flock to Alaska every year for a chance to witness the aurora borealis. Did you know they are more likely to display during high solar activity cycles? Find out how to pick the best time to see the northern lights in Alaska.

Alaska Cruise Sneak Preview

Meet Alaska's Giants, Face-To-Face

With 75 years in Alaska, we know every nook, cranny and crevasse. We have more Alaska cruise port departures featuring Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. All Alaska cruises include one or more glacier-viewing days, and you’ll get closer to ‘the giants’ on ships perfectly sized for the Great Land.

Glacier Bay National Park

Cruise To Hubbard Glacier

Read More About College Fjord

Cruises To Tracy Arm, Alaska

Glacier Bay Experts

Alaska cruise itineraries, weekly alaska cruises may to september.

Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures. Enjoy a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries.

Alaskan Explorer

Alaskan inside passage, featured alaska cruise itineraries.

Roundtrip Alaska Cruise from Seattle

A 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle.

Roundtrip Alaska Cruise from Vancouver

A 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver.

Alaska Cruisetours

Cruise to Alaska, explore Denali or Denali and the Yukon.

We Bring Alaska On Board

Experts on board your cruise to alaska, an unrivaled culinary journey, alaska immersion with explorations central™.

Alaska Up Close

Our Alaska Seafood Is Certified Sustainable

Why cruise our mid-sized ships.

Choose from seven refreshingly uncrowded ships for a front-row seat to Alaska's splendor.

Fluid lines, light-filled spaces and a blend of modern elegance and nautical tradition make Koningsdam a sublime ship for Alaska cruises.

Eurodam was named “Best for Great Dining & Diverse Destinations” and features a vast selection of entertainment venues and restaurants.

Nieuw Amsterdam

Cruise to Alaska in high style. Nieuw Amsterdam's exceptional onboard experience earned "Best Cruise Ship Overall" at the Travvy Awards.

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam is fitting for a cruise to Alaska. Museum-quality art outfits this ship, from oils to photographs of music legends. 

An elegant and spacious Alaska cruise ship with fresh floral arrangements and garden-inspired décor. Master frontier flavor with regional cooking demonstrations on board.

Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class Alaska cruise ship.

Classic nautical finishes and a spectacular art collection make the Zuiderdam the ideal sanctuary for your cruise to Alaska.

Best Shore Excursions On An Alaska Cruise

Top 10 alaska shore excursions, great for families, ideal for adventurers, iconic alaska cruise ports & destinations.

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska is one of the best spots along Alaska's Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. Amble historic Creek Street, a boardwalk over a wide creek that fills with salmon during certain times of year.

Skagway, Alaska

Go back in time to the Klondike Gold Rush on cruises to Skagway, Alaska , once the primary gateway to the goldfields. Take a trip on the scenic railroad and still have time to dine and shop.

Convenient Alaska Cruise Departure Ports

Our Alaska cruise departure ports have big personalities and loads of attractions.

Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle

Set out on your Alaska cruise from Seattle’s serene waterfront. Visit its most popular attractions, such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Do as locals do and fuel up at one of the numerous cafes.

Alaska Cruises from Vancouver

Sightsee in this bustling metropolis before gliding the Inside Passage en route to Alaska. Historic neighborhoods and a thriving food scene await.

Alaska Cruises from Whittier

Conveniently located an hour and a half from Anchorage, Whittier is a small town on the shore of the glacier-filled Prince William Sound.

Cruise To Alaska Travel Tips & Articles

• What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
• Planning an Alaska Cruise Itinerary with Kids

• How to Pick the Best Month For Your Alaska Cruise
• The Complete Guide to Alaska Glacier Viewing
• Top Things to Do in Alaska
• Best Places to Visit in Alaska
• Whale Watching on Alaska Cruises

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Best Alaskan Cruises

• Carnival Legend
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• Carnival Spirit

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• Ports of Call

If you’re looking for a cruise vacation that’s a little bit out of the way and a little bit out of the ordinary, make an Alaska cruise your first choice. If your first thought is “Alaska… cool!” you’re on the right track — even in the mild summer season, you should still pack your sweater. Grab it and get up here because Alaska is a natural wonder through and through, and the coastal panhandle region Carnival sails to is perhaps the most stunning. How’s Alaska planning on stunning you? Alaska cruises will do it with quaint seaside towns like Ketchikan and Skagway, and with stunning harbor vistas like Juneau’s. Cruising Alaska will also give you a first-row ticket to the best of nature — including fjords, wildlife and mountains galore. “Oh, mother nature… now you’re just showing off.”

• Get up and go glacier-gazing, big time.
• Follow hiking trails to catch some grand scenery.
• Grab binoculars and whale-watch some big ones.

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California Cruise Guide > Cruises > Alaska

Cruises to Alaska from California

Twenty cruises a year leave from California to explore Alaska. Departures out of San Francisco and Los Angeles are available April to September. Ports of call include Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Scenic cruising of either Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay is also often included.

Alaska is an awe-inspiring destination for a cruise from CA. Most cruises are on Alaska's Inside Passage, a coastal route that weaves through islands. Experience the wildlife, rugged scenery, glaciers, and friendly people.

Juneau is the state capital and can only be reached by boat or plane. Attractions include the shops of South Franklin Street, museums, hiking trails, and Mendenhall Glacier. See the humpback whales that visit the area in the summer.

Ketchikan is the town at the southern tip of the Inside Passage. It's a tremendously rainy place. Many homes and businesses are built on stilts over the water.

Skagway is a popular cruise stop on the Inside Passage. The town was the starting point for Gold Rush stampeders headed for the Yukon. Many of the buildings are part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Take a walking tour of the historic district and see the nearby scenery on the White Pass & Yukon Railway.

14-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from Long Beach to Ketchikan (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Sitka (Alaska) and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: April 21.

12-night cruise to Alaska on Oceania . One-way from Los Angeles to Vancouver (Canada). Visit San Francisco (California), Astoria (Oregon), Sitka (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska) and Ketchikan (Alaska). • 2024 departure: May 1.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Glacier Bay and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: May 4.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: May 13.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Glacier Bay and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: May 15.

10-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: May 24.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Dawes Glacier and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: May 26.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: June 3.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Dawes Glacier and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: June 6.

10-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Haines (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: June 14.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Glacier Bay and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: June 17.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: June 24.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Dawes Glacier and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: June 28.

10-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: July 5.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Glacier Bay and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: July 9.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: July 15.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Dawes Glacier and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: July 20.

10-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Haines (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: July 26.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Dawes Glacier and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: July 31.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: August 5.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Glacier Bay and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: August 11.

10-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: August 16.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Dawes Glacier and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: August 22.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Icy Strait Point (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: August 26.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Glacier Bay and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: September 2.

10-night cruise to Alaska on Carnival . Round-trip from San Francisco to Juneau (Alaska), Haines (Alaska), Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan (Alaska) and Prince Rupert (Canada). • 2024 departure: September 6.

11-night cruise to Alaska on Princess . Round-trip from San Francisco to Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau (Alaska), Skagway (Alaska), Glacier Bay and Victoria (Canada). • 2024 departure: September 13.

Cruises from California to Alaska

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $293 pp not included.

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Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $325 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $310 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $323 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $129 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $503 pp not included.

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Est. tax/fees of $373 pp not included.

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• Cruises from British Columbia to Alaska
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Alaska Cruises

The great land awaits – set sail with princess, the #1 alaska cruise line.

Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect with loved ones, locals and Alaska's wilderness with Princess®.

Learn more about excursions that match your interests with this curated list!

*More guests choose Princess in Alaska than any other cruise line

Alaska Cruises & Cruisetours

Alaska Cruisetours

See denali on an alaska cruisetour.

Alaska cruisetours combine our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with three to ten nights on land exploring Denali National Park. Travel aboard our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® train and unwind at Princess Wilderness Lodges®. Every year Princess introduces more people to Denali National Park than any other cruise line.

Find Cruisetours

Learn more about Alaska Cruisetours

Voyage of the Glaciers

Twice the glaciers.

Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. Spend seven days traveling from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Enjoy two glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, and Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.

Find Cruises

Learn more about Voyage of the Glaciers

Inside Passage Roundtrip Seattle

7-day alaska cruises.

Sail the Inside Passage, a series of channels and waterways formed by the march of glaciers, on your 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle. With an abundance of landmarks and wildlife, take in the sights and sounds of the Inside Passage from the comfort of your ship or on a thrilling excursion ashore. Explore fjords, glaciers and Gold Rush-era towns on weekend voyages out of Seattle.

Learn more about cruises from Seattle

Inside Passage Roundtrip San Francisco

10 or 11-day alaska cruises.

Travel the Inside Passage on 10 or 11-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco and allow the natural landscapes to inspire your day’s adventures. Begin by sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and along the Pacific Coast. As you voyage into the Inside Passage, enjoy one of the best ways to explore the fjords, small towns and natural landmarks with your favorite people.

Learn more about cruises from San Francisco

Inside Passage Roundtrip Vancouver

Alaska cruises that inspire.

Feed your hunger for adventure on a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver, B.C. Wind your way through fjords, by bright-green forests and through quaint Gold Rush-era towns on your way to the wonders of Glacier Bay National Park. Then experience age-old traditions with the locals.

Learn more about cruises from Vancouver

Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure

14-day alaska cruises.

Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our back-to-back Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. Spend 14 days roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Enjoy three glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.

NEW Alaska Long Voyages

New for 2025, we have crafted longer adventures at sea with a 22-day roundtrip voyage sailing from San Francisco that coincides with Summer Solstice and a 17-day roundtrip cruise from Seattle, featuring three days of scenic glacier viewing as well as charming ports like Wrangell and Valdez. For those voyagers seeking to sail from Southern California all the way up the Pacific coast to Alaska, try a new 16-day roundtrip Inside Passage voyage from Los Angeles.

View Cruises

2025 Alaska New Cruise & Cruisetour Itineraries. Learn more

With its roaring glaciers, rugged mountains and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park feels like a dream. With 3.3 million acres to explore, cruise to this world-renowned landmark — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and let the landscapes inspire your next adventure. Princess Cruises is an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park.

Alaska Cruise Experience

Alaska Glaciers

One of the biggest reasons people visit.

Glaciers feel alive. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier.

Learn more about Alaska Glaciers

Alaska Wildlife

Untamed, just like alaska.

Alaska is home to a rich array of wildlife, from the famous Big Five animals that live in Denali National Park — grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep and caribou — to bald eagles and humpback whales that migrate through the Inside Passage. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights.

Learn more about Alaska Wildlife

Alaska Mountains & National Parks

National treasures.

With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay National Park has over 2,000 square miles of glacial coverage. Along with Wrangell-St. Elias and Kenai Fjords, a world of natural wonders awaits on an Alaska cruise or cruisetour.

Learn more about Alaska Mountains & National Parks

Alaska Excursions

Don't just visit this famous land, live it on Alaska excursions. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience.

Learn more about Alaska Excursions

Alaska Cruise Ports of Call

College Fjord

The Harriman Expedition discovered College Fjord in 1899 and named the towering glaciers after the great East Coast universities of the United States, like the Harvard Glacier. With the largest collection of tidewater glaciers in the world, your scenic Alaska cruise through the fjord will make a lasting memory.

View cruises with College Fjord

Endicott Arm

Endicott Arm is a jewel in Alaska’s crown. This 30-mile waterway is surrounded by cliffs, valleys and dozens of waterfalls. Icebergs and harbor seals decorate the water below while Dawes Glacier soars into the sky above. Revel in the beauty of Mother Nature’s masterpiece and listen closely as the scenery whispers secrets of times long ago during your cruise to Alaska.

View cruises with Endicott Arm | View Endicott Arm shore excursions

Glacier Bay National Park

When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park.

View cruises with Glacier Bay National Park | Learn more about Glacier Bay National Park

Hubbard Glacier

The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface. See it for yourself on an Alaska cruise with Princess.

View cruises with Hubbard Glacier | View Hubbard Glacier shore excursions

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history. The nearby Spasski River Valley holds one of the world’s largest populations of brown bears, who are often found hunting for salmon in the rivers. Zipline over the wilderness, watch a tribal dance or kayak in coastal waters to see the wildlife up close during your Alaska cruise vacation.

View cruises with Icy Strait Point | View Icy Strait Point shore excursions

Juneau is unlike any other city in the United States. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise.

View cruises with Juneau | View Juneau shore excursions | Watch video: Juneau port overview

Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. Cast your rod into a sea of opportunity on a cruise to Alaska.

View cruises with Ketchikan | View Ketchikan shore excursions | Watch video: Ketchikan port overview

On an Alaska cruise, take your pick of attractions in the port of Sitka. See how bald eagles and local bird populations receive first-class treatment at the Alaska Raptor Center. Encounter wildlife in their natural habitat at the Fortress of the Bear. Or experience the culture of Russian Alaska on a visit to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, and relive Native history at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

View cruises with Sitka | View Sitka shore excursions

Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training.

View cruises with Skagway | View Skagway shore excursions | Watch video: Skagway port overview

Valdez is situated in Prince William Sound and serves as the gateway to the interior of Alaska. Often referred to as the "Little Switzerland", Valdez is known for its breathtaking panorama of snow-capped mountains and glaciers. It is also well-known for its role in the transportation of crude oil from the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which ends in Valdez. Explore the charming waterfront area and take in the flavors of Valdez through culinary experiences at restaurants such as the Valdez Brewery and the Fat Mermaid.

View cruises with Valdez

Victoria, B.C.

At first glance many mistake Victoria for an English coastal city or northern European town. Full of greenery, pubs and Victorian architecture, it's difficult to believe that this was a tent city full of rough and tumble miners just 150 years ago. On a cruise to Alaska, explore the Butchart Gardens, tour the pub scene and taste some of the local brews or sail the bay for a whale-watching adventure.

View cruises with Victoria, B.C. | View Victoria, B.C. shore excursions

Wrangell is a charming and scenic harbor known for its local fishing industry. It is not as bustling as larger ports in Alaska and maintains its historic charm and offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Explore its historic downtown and learn about the local culture and Native heritage while in Wrangell.

View cruises with Wrangell

#PrincessCruises Alaska Connection

Alaska cruise onboard experience.

Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land.

Learn more about our North to Alaska Program

Alaska Seafood

Fresh and bountiful, like alaska itself.

Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises.

Meet Local Alaskans

Real alaska from local alaskans.

Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique. Watch lumberjacks in action, learn from Glacier Bay National Park rangers and craft with a Native totem pole carver. Or listen to harrowing Tales from the Deadliest Catch fishermen and climbers who have summited Denali during your Alaska cruise.

Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences

Great experiences from the great land.

Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Or savor tree-inspired bites at our very own Sappy Hour. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska.

Alaska Cruise Articles and Videos

Read about Alaska’s must-see attractions, signature cuisine, and how to prepare for a wild adventure into the heart of The Great Land.

Discover Alaska with Princess in 2023-2024

The best cruise line in Alaska just keeps getting better! From top-rated cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park to scenic rail travel and exclusive Princess lodges, you will find a seamless Alaska experience with Princess.

Best Dishes to Try on Your Alaska Cruise

No one does seafood quite like Alaska—which is why we brought the best of the Great Land on board, so you can experience it all with Princess.

Top Alaska Cruise Destinations

From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise.

Inside Passage Alaska Cruise

From exploring historic gold mines to venturing in the footsteps of early explorers, learn about Alaska’s Inside Passage and discover the wonders awaiting you.

Alaska Ports of Call

From the sweeping mountains of Juneau to the fish-bearing seas of Ketchikan, discover our Alaska cruise ports and set sail into the adventures that await you.

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise

Check out our helpful checklist so that you know exactly what to pack for an Alaska cruise with Princess.

See all Alaska cruise articles and videos

Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Airplane to Ship Transfer

We get you where you need to go.

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Learn more about transfers

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax.

Extend your Alaska cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

View Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

You May Also Like

Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience.

Enjoy two glacier-viewing experiences on our top-rated 7-day cruise.

North to Alaska

Immerse yourself in all things Alaska with our onboard program.

Protect Your Trip »

The 13 most affordable alaska cruises for 2024 & beyond.

Book your Alaska cruise during one of the best promotions of the year.

The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises

Courtesy of Holland America Line

There's no better time than now to book your dream vacation to The Great Land. Cruise vacations are more popular than ever, and affordable cruises are getting harder to find – especially for beloved destinations like Alaska.

Cruisers can nab some of the lines' best deals of the year during wave season. This period, which extends from January to March, refers to the "tidal wave" of lower pricing across the cruising industry during this time. Some cruise lines even kick off their sales in December, so it's advisable to begin your search for discounted pricing early.

Below, we've included some of the best Alaska cruise deals available right now for sailings in 2024 and 2025. All quoted prices are per person for double occupancy and were accurate at the time of writing. Keep in mind: Each itinerary may be available on multiple dates; we've listed the date with the lowest starting price to get you the best value.

Read on to explore the top options for an affordable Alaska cruise.

Find your perfect cruise

Holland America Line

Holland America's "Time of Your Life" wave season deal features up to 40% off bookings for select sailings from summer 2024 through spring 2025; the sale ends at the end of February. You can also add the premium "Have It All" bundle. This added perk features a signature drink package , specialty dining, shore excursions and Wi-Fi access. The exact pricing and benefits of the package depend on the length of the cruise. The wave season pricing also features a complimentary stateroom upgrade, reduced deposits, and free or discounted fares for kids.

7-Day Glacier Discovery Southbound

Holland America's seven-day voyage aboard Noordam includes an afternoon cruising in Hubbard Glacier and a full day of sailing through picturesque Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. The ship also calls on the ports of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, with one additional day of scenic cruising on the Inside Passage, before disembarking in Vancouver. Plan to stay an extra day in Vancouver to explore on your own, or opt for a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour with Holland America (complete with luggage service and an airport transfer) before taking a flight home later that evening.

This southbound itinerary is also available on May 25, 2025, aboard Nieuw Amsterdam , starting at $679 per person.

7-Day Alaska Inside Passage

This round-trip sailing on Zaandam from Vancouver highlights the Inside Passage with a day of scenic cruising, plus a limited stop in Tracy Arm Inlet for excursions, before reaching the coastal towns of Juneau and Skagway. Then, you'll enjoy another day of scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, followed by a stop in Ketchikan and cruising the Inside Passage before disembarking in Vancouver .

The Tracy Arm fjord features glacier-covered mountains and the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest in the country. It is also home to abundant wildlife, including whales, harbor seals, bald eagles, bears and mountain goats. Book the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer excursion to see the majestic beauty of the Tracy Arm wilderness and the twin Sawyer Glaciers up close. You might even see and hear ice calving into the pristine waters. You'll cruise through Stephens Passage on your way back to meet the ship in Juneau.

Zaandam sails this itinerary in 2025, as well. The lowest fare starts at $629 per person for the voyage on May 14, 2025.

Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises' wave season deals feature up to 40% off cruise prices, complimentary room upgrades, $100 deposits, and free fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom or suite. The advertised fares on the Princess Cruises website are for the line's MedallionClass experience, which includes dining at the complimentary onboard restaurants, entertainment on the ship, fitness facilities, and the youth and teen clubs. You can add optional upgrades, such as a beverage package, specialty dining, shore excursions and Wi-Fi access, either individually or with a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package.

7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Northbound)

Princess' seven-day itinerary aboard Grand Princess features the lowest available fare for the line's 2024 Alaska season. The itinerary starts with a relaxing sea day, followed by stops in three ports of call in Alaska: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. You'll also have two days of scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord before disembarking in Whittier, near Anchorage .

The southbound voyage (which is the reverse itinerary) on Grand Princess departs May 15, 2024, from Anchorage and also starts at $398 per person. Or, you can sail that southbound itinerary on Sapphire Princess on May 18, 2024, for the same price.

In 2025, you can book this itinerary on Caribbean Princess for as low as $467 per person, embarking on May 10, 2025.

7-Day Inside Passage (Roundtrip Vancouver)

This shoulder season sailing in September is available on Grand Princess. The round-trip voyage from Vancouver features two days at sea; one day of scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier; and stops in the coastal towns of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. While on the ship, spend warmer days outdoors relaxing at The Sanctuary, an adults-only venue. You can also experience one of the line's Discovery at SEA enrichment programs on board, or book one of the affiliated excursions ashore.

This Grand Princess itinerary is also available on May 27, 2025, for as low as $547 per person.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian's current "Free At Sea" promotion includes a free unlimited open bar package, free specialty dining, free shore excursions and complimentary Wi-Fi access. You'll also find additional deals like 50% off deposits, free third and fourth guests (or $99 per additional person, depending on the sailing), and free airfare for a second guest. Be sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a Norwegian sailing.

7-Day Alaska: Hubbard Glacier & Skagway

Norwegian's sailing from Seward to Vancouver on Norwegian Jewel features two days cruising through Hubbard Glacier, where you'll be able to book the Hubbard Glacier & Wilderness Explorer excursion for an up-close look at North America's largest tidewater glacier. Afterward, the ship calls on Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan (Ward Cove).

In Ketchikan, reserve a spot for the Alaskan Cultural & Lumberjack Show Experience, which includes an entertaining show, a chance to learn about Alaska Native culture, and a tasting of local food and wines. Alaska also offers some of the best fishing conditions in North America, so anglers may want to consider booking a private excursion to go fishing for halibut or salmon. After several days in port, enjoy one more day of scenic cruising through the Inside Passage before disembarking in Vancouver.

In 2025, the seven-day Hubbard Glacier & Skagway itinerary will sail from Vancouver to Whittier. The lowest fare for this cruise starts at $529 per person aboard the Norwegian Jade on May 5, 2025.

7-Day Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau

This sailing on Norwegian Jewel departs from Vancouver and includes three sea days cruising the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Hubbard Glacier. The itinerary also calls on the ports of Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Juneau and Skagway.

The 13-mile-long Mendenhall Glacier is one of the top attractions in Juneau, and the line offers a variety of excursions to view the impressive ice sheet. For a bucket list adventure, splurge on the helicopter and dog-sledding excursion to Mendenhall Glacier from Skagway. You can also opt for another once-in-a-lifetime trip: a flightseeing tour by floatplane. You'll fly into the wilderness, kayak across a stream and then hike the surface of the Norris Glacier, a remote glacier in the Coast Mountains that's only accessible by plane or on foot.

If you're looking forward to 2025, you can book a similar itinerary from Whittier to Vancouver on April 28, 2025, starting at $499 per person on Norwegian Jade.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's 2024 wave season includes flash sales with offers like 75% off the second guest on nonrefundable deposit rates and a 50% discount with refundable deposit fares. Other deals may include free upgrades, depending on the sailing. Refer to the Celebrity Cruises website for the current promotions, or consult with a cruise specialist for the best deals and pricing.

7-Night Alaska Southbound Glacier

This mid-May itinerary on Celebrity Summit is currently the line's lowest-priced Alaska cruise for the 2024 season. The one-way sailing from Seward includes a day of scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier: one of Alaska's most beautiful natural treasures at 7 miles wide, 76 miles long and an impressive 30 stories high. The ship also calls on ports in Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, with an additional full day cruising the Inside Passage, before disembarking in Vancouver.

For 2025, this same itinerary currently starts at $649 per person for the May 16 sailing on Celebrity Summit.

7-Night Alaska Northbound Glacier

The reverse itinerary of the southbound voyage above, this cruise offers similar ports of call and sea days, except you'll stop in Sitka rather than Skagway. This sailing is also on Celebrity Summit. During your time in Icy Strait Point, consider a whale watching excursion; you are guaranteed to see whales (or receive your money back) on one of the tours departing from their shores. In Sitka, take a guided hike to explore the beautiful Tongass National Forest or a tour to learn about the Tlingit culture. This outing includes a visit to local totem artists and a beer meister, as well as a sampling of regional foods at a popular restaurant.

Or, consider a comparable cruise aboard Celebrity Summit on May 9 or May 23, 2025. Fares start at $649 per person.

Royal Caribbean International

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean's current deal features up to $600 in onboard credit, 60% off the second guest and kids sail free fares . The line offers sales throughout the year, so you can check back to see what promotions are available at a later date, or contact a cruise specialist for additional specials. Below, you'll find the lowest fares currently available for Royal Caribbean sailings in Alaska.

7-Night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier

Royal Caribbean's one-way sailing aboard Radiance of the Seas features scenic cruising along the Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier, as well as stops in the ports of Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Skagway. Consider booking a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route while in Skagway: The historic narrow-gauge railway offers a picturesque ride through Alaska's wilderness, with views of White Pass.

The reverse itinerary, the Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier voyage, is also available on Radiance of the Seas; prices start at $339 per person for the May 10, 2024, sailing. In 2025, the May 30 northbound itinerary aboard Radiance of the Seas currently begins at $680 per person.

7-Night Alaska Experience Cruise

This round-trip voyage from Seattle on Quantum of the Seas calls on Sitka, Skagway and Juneau in Alaska. It also makes a late afternoon stop in Victoria, British Columbia , where you can plan to have dinner that evening. You'll have two days at sea for relaxing or enjoying all the activities and attractions on the ship, including the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, robotic bartenders and live performances with aerial entertainers. You can also take a ride on the FlowRider surf simulator, surrounded by snowcapped mountain views and calving glaciers.

In 2025, this round-trip voyage from Seattle on Quantum of the Seas starts at $840 per person for the Sept. 8 voyage.

Carnival Cruise Line

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

This cruise line advertises limited-time promotional rates and deals throughout the year. You can join Carnival 's VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club to unlock even more deals and additional perks. Current specials include reduced deposits, up to 35% off fares, free room upgrades, onboard credit and discounts for families traveling in the same stateroom.

7-Day Alaska from Seattle

This seven-day voyage on Carnival Spirit sails round-trip from Seattle and features one day to explore the ship while at sea, plus a scenic cruising day in Tracy Arm Fjord. Ports of call include Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as a late evening stop in Victoria before you disembark the next day in Seattle. For your day in Ketchikan, consider booking the award-winning Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour on the famed Aleutian Ballad from the Discovery Channel show, "Deadliest Catch."

This itinerary is also offered on Carnival Luminosa . If you are sailing in 2025, you can book the same seven-day cruise starting at $609 per person for the April 14 voyage on Carnival Spirit.

Shorter cruises

A shorter cruise may be an attractive option if you don't have extensive vacation time or you prefer to spend a few days ashore before or after your sailing. If kids are in tow for the adventure – and it's your first time cruising with them – you might also want fewer days at sea to test the waters (literally). See our pick of competitively priced four- and five-night Alaska cruises, below.

Princess Cruises: 4-Day Alaska Sampler

This 2025 cruise aboard Discovery Princess includes one port of call, Ketchikan, and two days at sea between Vancouver and Seattle. This 4-Day Alaska Sampler itinerary is also offered on May 13, 2025, on Royal Princess , with a starting price of $327 per person. The reverse itinerary (Seattle to Vancouver) is offered on May 23, 2025, on Grand Princess; pricing starts at $347 per person.

Princess Cruises: 5-Day Alaska Sampler

If you want to sail with Princess for one extra day, consider booking the five-day sampler cruise sailing round-trip from Vancouver. This early season itinerary aboard Caribbean Princess calls on Sitka and Ketchikan, offering more time ashore to explore these two popular coastal towns along Alaska's Inside Passage. Guests will also have two sea days to enjoy activities and dining experiences on the ship.

How to find the best Alaska cruise deals

Book during wave season.

As previously mentioned, you can take advantage of some of the best deals of the year during wave season. Promotions offered during wave season include lower cruise fares, reduced deposits and onboard credits. You can also find special rates (or free fares) for the third and fourth guests in the same room, making this the perfect time to book a family cruise .

In addition, look for discounts on higher-level staterooms and suites, or even accommodations in exclusive areas of the ship, such as The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line or The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises. These private spaces offer swanky extras like luxurious accommodations, all-inclusive pricing , butler service, a team of attendants and concierge service, as well as private restaurants, lounges and pools. With lower pricing, wave season may be the best time to splurge on a cruise vacation in one of these upscale enclaves.

Promotional pricing beyond wave season

If you miss booking your cruise during wave season, don't panic. Many lines offer special pricing and flash sales throughout the year and advertise lower fares for voyages during Alaska's shoulder seasons, which fall in May and September.

"You will always find the more affordable Alaska cruises toward the beginning and end of the season. This year, the Alaska cruise season begins in April and continues through October," says Chris Gray Faust, executive editor of Cruise Critic. She adds, "The challenge with shoulder season Alaska cruises is that the weather might not be the best – it can snow in Alaska in April and early May – and in the fall, the nights will be longer (although, there is a chance you might see northern lights )."

In addition to giving up the warmer summer weather (and possibly having snow), you may also miss some optimal wildlife viewing opportunities if you cruise early or late in the season. For example, the peak time for bear-watching excursions extends from mid-June to mid-August, which falls during the height of the Alaska cruise season in July and August.

If you're looking for other ways to save money on your cruise, Gray Faust advises that older ships also provide more value when you're looking for deals.

It's important to note that a few of this year's wave deals extend just until the end of February 2024, so you'll need to refer to the individual cruise line websites to see the exact dates for the special offers. You may also be able to find lower prices on some discount and aggregator sites, like Cruise Critic, Cruises.com and Priceline.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship, including the newest megaships, traditional masted sailing ships, river ships in Europe and a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica. She has cruised to Alaska and visited The Great Land in the summer, fall and winter, and journeyed to remote areas by bush plane above the Arctic Circle. She used her knowledge of Alaska cruises and extensive research to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• How Much Does an Alaska Cruise Cost?
• Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
• The Top Alaska Cruise Lines
• The Top Northern Lights Alaska Cruises
• The Top Alaska Shore Excursions

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Alaska Vacations , Budget Travel

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WORLD CRUISE SEGMENT - Alaska offers to curious cruisers the very best of our planet. Mountainous peaks that reach to the heavens, vibrant heritage that dates back centuries and abundant wildlife so diverse, nothing will ever seem the same again. This profound voyage not only delivers one of the last, authentic travel experiences, but is a fitting finale for those who have come from far, to broaden their horizons amid likeminded friends. Due to stipulations set out by the Jones Act, guests must combine this sailing with the previous segment of the World Cruise 2024 or, if travelling on this sole segment, must disembark in Vancouver.

The excursions are provided as a sample of what may be offered on this voyage and are subject to change. We are constantly updating our shore excursion programme with immersive and authentic experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your tour programme choice closer to your sail date. We invite guests to visit my.silversea.com for the most updated information.

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Travel | Alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season

Alaska is home to more than 30,000 grizzlies, but the state’s cruise industry is experiencing anything but a bear market as momentum of last year’s record-breaking season is expected to continue in 2024.

The most-visited Alaskan port, Juneau set a new mark a year ago with 1.65 million passengers descending on the capital city during cruise season, which generally runs from April to late October. That figure from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce is a Denali-sized jump of 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

Coinciding with Alaska’s 65th anniversary of statehood, the upcoming cruise season appears to be just as robust, with 19 cruise lines sending 43 ships to the Last Frontier. Kicking things off for the second straight year is the 4,008-passenger Norwegian Bliss, which docked in rustic Skagway last week. With four mainstream-category ships homeported in either Seattle or Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line  has nearly 100 more after that.

Two competing companies have staked out even larger claims in this modern-day, maritime Alaskan gold rush. Holland America Line is sending seven premium-class ships for 141 total cruises. And at the top of the totem pole is Princess Cruises , which is celebrating its 55th year in these waters with seven premium ships sharing 158 departures.

Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pit stop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparalleled wilderness, wildlife and native culture. In other words, bucket list stuff.

“Alaska is one of those places that draws you in and sets the hook right away,” said Kristi Switzer, destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau. “Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city.”

Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port will have 1.5 million passengers wanting more.

“This magical corner of the world has so much to offer beyond being a checkmark on people’s bucket lists,” she said.

Alaska is a checkmark for about three-quarters of all passengers headed there, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association, and the same can be said for two ships this season.

Starting with a six-day sail out of Vancouver on May 11, the namesake of Celebrity Cruises ’ popular Edge class will make its Alaskan debut with weeklong roundtrips from Seattle through Sept. 13. The 2,918-passenger vessel features a unique “outside-in” architecture that provides more floor-to-ceiling glass on the exterior and expanded outdoor spaces to soak up the Alaskan coastlines.

Edge will be joined by a pair of fleet mates for the season, albeit Summit’s seven-day roundtrips are turnarounds out of Anchorage or Vancouver, and Solstice’s weeklong jaunts are solely based in the British Columbian seaport. Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year.

The other new recruit is Silver Nova, the youngest Silversea Cruises  ship in the luxury fleet to ever service Alaska. Capped at 728 guests, Silver Nova was launched last year and has the goods to do justice to a dreamlike place that captures the imagination of wilderness lovers and history buffs.

“Silver Nova is the ideal ship for Alaska cruising,” said company spokesman Brad Ball. “Her innovative design, which incorporates an unprecedented 4,000 square meters of glass, immerses guests into the incredible scenery of Alaska from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn.”

The ship’s reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — allows unique openness to view spectacular Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Those who want to experience an older and smaller Evolution-class Silversea vessel can book the Silver Muse, which also will sail mostly seven- to 14-day trips between Anchorage and Vancouver.

Because nearly every Alaskan cruise includes the staples — Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage and Denali with a land add-on — some cruise lines like to shake things up with unique itineraries.

Holland America has a roundtrip that makes it easy to visit the 49th and 50th states without a long flight. A new “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise, part of the premium line’s Legendary Voyages collection of journeys from 25 to 59 days, departs on Aug. 31 from Seattle or Sept. 1 from Vancouver aboard the 1,916-passenger Westerdam. The nearly four-weeklong itinerary includes seldomly visited Kodiak and Dutch Harbor before heading down to the tropics to make four calls to three Hawaiian islands.

Seabourn  strives to offer a more tasteful Alaskan cruise and not only because it’s an ultra-luxury cruise line. “Caviar on the Ice” is a savory and swanky soiree on every Alaskan voyage, and when the 450-passenger Odyssey is in Sitka, a town originally built by Russian traders in the early 1800s, Seabourn guests can enjoy a culinary adventure that includes a scenic drive to a taproom for a sampling of local brews and a few eateries to try Siberian-rooted pelmeni dumplings and a hot dog made with caribou that the locals call “reindeer dawgs.” Sorry, vegetarians and friends of Santa, but Blitzen on a bun is da bomb.

Disney Cruise Line  is sending its 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder out of Vancouver for 15 week-long roundtrips, one five-day spin leaving on July 24 and an extended nine-day voyage on July 15.

Other cruise lines showing passengers a whale of a time in Alaska include Crystal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Lindblad/National Geographic, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas and Viking.

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