Feel the Call of the Wild: Discover Alaska by Sea

Do you like the sound of calving glaciers echoing through quiet fjords, bald eagles circling overhead, and whales breaching just beyond your balcony?

That’s what an Alaska cruise feels like, where you can get opportunities in the wild, vast, and unforgettable expanse.

This is nature at its boldest. Towering ice fields, deep green rainforests, snowcapped peaks, and little gold rush towns where time seems to have paused. Whether you’re zip-lining over the treetops, kayaking past sea lions, or sipping hot cocoa as you sail past Glacier Bay, Alaska sweeps you off your feet and into something truly epic.

Where Do Alaska Cruises Go?

Alaska cruise itineraries usually follow one of three routes:

• Inside Passage (round-trip): Calm waters and scenic coastal views. Ideal for first-timers.
• Gulf of Alaska (one-way): Includes Anchorage (Seward or Whittier) and often links to inland tours.
• Expedition-style cruises: Smaller ships, more remote ports, wildlife focus.

Popular ports include:

• Juneau – the only state capital with no roads in or out
• Ketchikan – totem poles, salmon fishing, and rainforest trails
• Skagway – a gold rush town with epic rail rides into the mountains
• Sitka – Russian history meets coastal beauty
• Icy Strait Point – whale watching, bear sightings, ziplining
• Glacier Bay – a National Park only accessible by ship

Departure Ports for Alaska Cruises

Most Alaska cruises leave from these U.S. and Canadian ports:

• Seattle, WA
• Vancouver, BC
• San Francisco, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Seward (for Anchorage), AK
• Whittier (for Anchorage), AK

Round-trip cruises usually last 7 to 10 nights, while one-way cruises pair well with land tours to Denali or Fairbanks.

Cruise Lines That Sail to Alaska

Whether you want cozy and intimate or large and lively, here are the top cruise lines with Alaska itineraries:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Princess Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Seabourn
• Cunard
• Virgin Voyages
• Azamara
• Ponant

Sample Cruise Itineraries to Alaska

There are some sample cruise itineraries based on the past activities and average sailing experiences from popular cruise liners. Here’s a taste of what’s out there when you plan a cruise to Alaska.

• Holland America’s Eurodam – 7-night Inside Passage cruise from Seattle with Glacier Bay
• Celebrity Solstice – 7-night northbound from Vancouver to Seward with Hubbard Glacier
• Norwegian Bliss – 7-night round-trip Seattle with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point
• Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas – one-way cruise from Seward to Vancouver
• Princess Cruises – 10-night cruisetour combining Inside Passage and Denali National Park

Ready to Sail Into the Wild?

An Alaska cruise isn’t just a vacation—it’s a full-on experience. It’s breathing in glacier air, watching moose cross misty trails, and feeling tiny in the best possible way. Check out the best Alaska cruise deals now on Traveloplans and start your journey into the Last Frontier.