Cruising in Alaska

Alaska’s the kind of place that makes you stop and stare. Towering mountains still capped with snow in the middle of summer, glaciers slowly carving their way through quiet valleys, and wildlife everywhere: whales breaching, bears fishing, bald eagles circling overhead.

There’s a lot of history packed into this part of the world. Stories from the Gold Rush days, coastal towns that haven’t changed much in decades, and Indigenous communities whose culture goes way back.

Cruising here gives you front-row seats to all of it. Smaller cruise lines can get you closer to the action: tighter waterways, tucked-away ports, more time off the beaten path. If you’re after something a bit different (more nature, more space, fewer crowds), an Alaskan cruise is hard to beat.

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Planning Your Trip

There’s no bad time to start thinking about an Alaska cruise, especially if you’re planning one for the upcoming season. The earlier you get your head around it, the smoother things will go.

First up: timing.
1. The cruise season runs from May to September, which lines up nicely with Australia’s cooler months if you’re trying to escape winter.
2. May and June are a bit quieter and great for spotting wildlife.
3. July and August bring warmer days (well, Alaska-warm), and September’s got those stunning autumn colours, though you might catch a bit more rain and the days are shorter. 

Next, you’ve got to figure out where you want to sail from. Seattle and Vancouver are solid picks if you’re after a round-trip. If you’re leaning more towards a one-way route that gets you deeper into Alaska, Seward’s a good shout. It just depends on how much time you’ve got, and how keen you are to explore inland.

Now for the fun bit: excursions. This isn’t the kind of cruise where you go dog sledding on a glacier, kayaking past chunks of floating ice, or hiking trails with views that don’t even look real. These activities book out quickly, so it’s worth locking them in early.

And finally, packing. Don’t overthink it, but do pack smart. Layers are your best friend. You’ll want good walking shoes, a waterproof jacket (Alaska’s weather can be moody), and a decent pair of binoculars, because when that whale breaches, you’ll want a proper look.

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Choosing the Right Cruise Ship

Picking a cruise ship for Alaska is about how you want to experience the place. Some people are all in on the luxury, others just want a comfy bed and good coffee between adventures. 

If you’re after something more high-end, there are ships with spas, fine dining, and suites that feel more like boutique hotels than cabins. 

Smaller ships are worth considering, too. They’re usually a bit pricier, but they can get into tighter spots that the big ships can’t. Plus, you get fewer people and more space.

Cruise lines are also getting better at adding those little extras that make a difference: things like decent Wi-Fi, local Alaskan seafood onboard, or even craft beer tastings. Some offer cultural talks or native art workshops too, which is a great way to connect with the place beyond just sightseeing.

And if you’re big on activities, make sure to check what’s available onboard. Some ships have dedicated wildlife-viewing decks, others bring naturalists or cultural experts along for the ride. It’s worth doing a bit of digging before you book.

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Destinations and Itineraries

Alaska’s one of those places that lives up to the hype. Whether you’re here for the glaciers, the wildlife, or the little towns that feel like they’ve been pulled out of another era, an Alaskan cruise is really about where it takes you. And every stop is a chance to see something you won’t forget in a hurry.

1. Glacier Bay National Park & Hubbard Glacier

Glacier Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and once you’re gliding through its still, icy waters, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and towering glaciers, it’s easy to see why. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot humpbacks surfacing nearby or sea otters drifting past on their backs like they haven’t got a care in the world.

There’s also Hubbard Glacier, a massive, wild, and striking spot in nature. When chunks of it break off and crash into the sea, the sound echoes for miles. Some ships offer excursions that get you even closer, or you can just find a good spot on deck and enjoy. 

2. Dawes Glacier & Other Highlights

Dawes Glacier is a bit more tucked away, sitting at the end of the Endicott Arm fjord. The journey there is half the experience, with sheer cliffs, waterfalls running straight into the sea, and  the odd seal hanging out on an ice floe. Once you reach the glacier, you’ll enjoy blue ice walls and total silence.

The towns along the way are just as much a part of the story. Juneau might be a capital city, but it still feels like a small town with a big backyard. Ketchikan’s full of totem poles and stories, and Sitka’s got this fascinating mix of Russian and Indigenous history. All three are great for wandering, chatting to locals, and picking up a bit of the local flavour.

And if you’ve got the time, a land tour up to Denali is well worth it. Massive snow-capped mountains, moose crossing the road like they own the place, and landscapes that just go on forever. It’s a good way to see a different side of Alaska, one that’s wild in a whole new way.

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Wildlife and Nature

If you’re heading to Alaska for the nature, you’re in for a treat. This place isn’t just scenic, it’s very much wild. You don’t need to squint to spot the animals here. One minute you’re sipping coffee on the deck, the next you’re pointing at a humpback whale breaching in the distance.

Bald eagles are everywhere. You’ll see them perched on poles, gliding over the water, or just casually showing off above the treetops. Onshore, you might spot a grizzly lumbering along the riverbank or a black bear fishing for salmon. You’ll also observe sea lions, probably sunbathing on the rocks or barking at each other from floating docks.

But it’s not just about the animals. Alaska’s landscapes feel like it’s something out of a movie with massive glaciers, deep blue fjords, and mountains so dramatic they don’t look real.

For something even more up close, you can head out on a kayaking tour in Kenai Fjords National Park. The water’s cold and clear, the glaciers are massive, and there’s wildlife around every bend. Or hop on a whale-watching excursion and follow the humpbacks as they feed, dive, and slap their tails like they know you’re watching.

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Cruise Lines and Options

There’s no shortage of ways to cruise through Alaska, but the trick is picking the one that suits you.  If you’re keen on a cruise that feels like a floating resort, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are solid picks. 

Royal Caribbean has ships like Quantum of the Seas with things like skydiving simulators, surf machines, and all kinds of entertainment, great if you’re travelling with kids. Celebrity Cruises, on the other hand, leans a bit more grown-up. Think fine dining, sleek design, and a bit of quiet luxury without going overboard (pun intended).

If you’re the type who’d rather trade the crowds for quiet fjords and remote inlets, smaller lines like UnCruise Adventures or Windstar Cruises are worth a look. These ships are a fraction of the size, which means they can slip into places the big guys can’t, so you’ll get closer to the wildlife and the glaciers.

You don’t need a luxury budget to have a great time in Alaska. Cruise lines like Norwegian and Princess offer a more affordable way to see the same incredible places. Still comfy, still scenic, just without the extra price tag. And Princess, in particular, has been doing Alaska cruises for decades, so they know their way around.

It’s worth taking the time to compare your options. Check the itineraries, onboard stuff, shore excursions, and what’s actually included in the price. Some lines are all about adventure, some are better for families, and some just know how to do a good spa day with glacier views.

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Onboard Experience

The main draw of an Alaska cruise is usually what’s outside the ship, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be bored when you’re on board.

You’ll find plenty of the usual perks: solid Wi-Fi for when you need to check in, craft beers on tap, and restaurants that take food seriously. Some ships go big with multi-course fine dining, others keep it casual with local seafood and panoramic views. 

There’s also a surprising amount of brain food onboard. A lot of cruises bring in naturalists and local experts to give talks about the region its history, wildlife, and Indigenous cultures. Some even run small group sessions or cultural performances.

And when you need a breather, you’ve got options. Soak in the hot tub while glaciers drift by, head to the spa for a massage, or just kick back on the pool deck with a drink in hand and a mountain on the horizon.

Evenings are far from quiet, either. Passengers get to enjoy live music, theatre shows, comedy acts, or just a quiet whisky bar. 

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Day Alaska Cruises

If you’re not doing a full-blown cruise, or you’ve got extra time before or after one, Alaska’s day cruises are a solid way to get a quick hit of the scenery and wildlife. 

In places like Seward and Whittier, you can hop on a catamaran and spend the day weaving through Kenai Fjords National Park or Prince William Sound. Glaciers, sea otters, puffins, and the odd humpback are all part of the experience. Some of these tours last four hours, others go for eight. 

Juneau’s another hot spot, especially if you’re chasing whales. You’ll head out on a smaller boat with a local guide and spend a few hours tracking pods of humpbacks and orcas through the channels.

There’s also Ketchikan, where you can explore the Misty Fjords by boat or even floatplane if you’re feeling fancy. It’s all towering cliffs, waterfalls, and the kind of stillness you don’t get many other places.

So, no, there aren’t full-sized cruise ships doing one-day Alaska trips, but if you’ve got a free afternoon and want to make it count, these day cruises are absolutely worth your time.

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Ports to visit in Alaska

Ketchikan

This is the southernmost point for most ships, a town that sprawls along the coast of Revillagigedo Island for several kilometres and has the distinctively shaped Deer Mountain to its south. Ketchikan prides itself on being the salmon capital of the world, so fishing is the big thing here, along with Misty Fjords, which is America’s newest monument and a great snapshot of Alaska’s unspoilt wilderness. The Totem Heritage Center is the place where dozens of original Tlingit totem poles have been salvaged and restored to their original condition.

Juneau

Alaska’s state capital, Juneau, is the dominant destination in the northern half of the Inside Passage. A small, picturesque city perched on the Gastineau Channel, it is a dramatic spot where towering mountain peaks cascade down to the sea. The tramway up Mt Roberts provides great views across the city, the mountaintops, and the Inside Passage. Mendenhall Glacier, with its blue ice, is Juneau’s main attraction; it’s a short drive away and can be viewed up close. Other tours include glacier walking, dog sledding and fishing.

Skagway

At the northern end of Lynn Canal, Skagway was born during the great Klondike gold rush. Its reputation as the ‘roughest town on earth’ was well founded. As with most of Alaska, the best wildlife can be found out in the water and mini-cruises can get you close to whales, sea lions and otters, along with other marine mammals and birds and possibly bears on land. Hiking tours are also popular around Lower Dewey Lake and Reid Falls, which is near the Gold Rush Cemetery.

Sitka

Castle Hill is the site where Alaska was handed over to the US and also offers panoramic views of Sitka. The three-kilometre rainforest trail in Sitka National Historical Park is beautiful and is one of the easiest walks in the area. For wildlife lovers, ‘Sea Otters and Wildlife Quest’ is a tour that promises you’ll see a whale, otter or bear, while other cruises take in Silver Ba, which has magnificent wildlife and landscapes, a salmon hatchery and the ruins of the Liberty Prospect Gold Mine.

Seward

Surrounded by half a dozen national parks, national forests and life refuges, Seward is a historic fishing village with an abundance of marine life. Wildlife cruises in Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Fjords area reveal eagles, puffins, kittiwakes, porpoises, whales and otters. There are good hiking trails at Mt Marathon and on the Two Lakes Trail, while Exit Glacier is an easy one-kilometre hike from the car park in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Haines

Because of its abundance of salmon, Haines boasts the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles. The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects the magnificent birds, and the salmon they feed on. Just outside of town is the Kroschel Wildlife Park, which gets you up close to some common and exotic native Alaskan animals including bears, lynx kittens, caribou, moose, fox, red-tailed hawks and snowy owls. But perhaps the main attraction here is Glacier Bay National Park; flightseeing tours of this vast system have to be experienced to be believed.

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Best shore excursions in Alaska

Ride the rails

Steeped in gold rush history, the White Pass railroad trip tops the excursion popularity charts year after year. Following the trail of the 19th century gold prospectors (who did it on foot) from Skagway across the summit of White Pass into Yukon, Canada (take your passport), this narrow-gauge track crosses death-defying trestle bridges above stunning deep ravines and delves into tunnels cutting through mountainous and treacherous terrain.

Bear all

In Alaska, where there’s salmon, you’ll find bears. For a couple of bear viewing excursions that won’t break the bank (or involve a flight), Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is a black-bear hot spot as is the tiny village of Haines for brown bears. Many cruise companies have excursions at Icy Strait Point, part of Chichagof Island where there’s a high concentration of brown bears.

Take a paddle

Kayaking is big in Alaska so what better place to paddle the glassy water of the fjords and hidden coves to catch a glimpse of harbour seals, sea lions, Dall’s porpoises or possibly even humpback whales at eye level. With so many tiny islands, kayaking is excellent in Sitka. You can also take a beautiful trip in Skagway and from Juneau you can paddle out to the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier.

Embrace the culture

Southeast Alaska is a rich tapestry of stories and artwork that includes a range of cultures from the indigenous Tlingit and Haida Indian communities to the Russian and Norwegian influence. Walk through the magnificent Totem Parks in Sitka or Ketchikan to learn why these works of art are important historical records, take an excursion to a native village from Ketchikan or catch a cultural dance in the Tribal House in Wrangell or Sitka.

Take to the skies

With very few roads, float planes and helicopters are the taxis of Alaska. Flightseeing over the Misty Fjords Monument from Ketchikan will literally take your breath away. Towering mountains dip into glassy water surrounded by dense rainforest dotted with cascading waterfalls. Or from Juneau take a flight amongst the majestic glaciers of the Juneau Icefield where you might even be lucky enough to witness a calving. If that’s not enough of a thrill, there’s also an adrenaline rushing ziplining park in Juneau.

Step back in time

Relive the gold rush days and wander through the beautifully preserved village of Skagway. Take a walk with a “madam” to hear tales of the ladies of the night. Here you can even pan for gold in Liarsville Camp (and discover the story behind the name) or take a horse ride through the Klondike Gold Rush National Park. Creek Street in Ketchikan is also a must do heritage experience.

Go mushing

What could be more Alaskan than being on a sled with a team of dogs charging through the snow and ice? With the help of a helicopter you can even have this adrenaline rush in summer or for a slightly more sedate experience many kennels hitch their dogs on sleds with wheels in summer. Either way you’ll get to pat adorable puppies. Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau all have once-in-a-life-time-type of dog-sledding experiences.

Catch a big one

You only have see the number of cool boxes at an airport in Alaska to realise it’s the ultimate fishing destination. Commercial fishing is a major industry, however there’s plenty left for the sporting angler. Salmon will give you a run for your money or try for a monster halibut. Most ports offer fishing excursions, especially Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. If you’re lucky, your itinerary might take in the tiny Norwegian village of Peterborough, home of the big commercial fishing vessels.

Have a whale of a time

The Inside Passage is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. This is where hungry humpbacks gorge themselves in the nutrient-rich waters before migrating to their breeding grounds in Hawaii and Baja, Mexico. Juneau offers brilliant small vessel viewing opportunities and towards the end of the season, Sitka is also an excellent spot. In addition to humpbacks, you may be fortunate enough to see Orca whales that transient these waters.

Shop for souvenirs

Alaska might not be high on your list as a shopping destination, but you’ll be surprised by the treasures to be uncovered. Alaskan made products, especially jewellery and other crafts are creative and highly sought after keepsakes. Villages throughout the Inside Passages all have a quaint shops typifying quintessential Alaska. Look for signs that say the shop is owned and operated by an Alaskan family to ensure authenticity.

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