How can you tell someone just got back from an Alaskan cruise? Don’t worry, they’ll show you all 2,000 photos — mostly fog. Wah wah waaaahhh…
I find Alaska to be one of the most fascinating places in the world. Whether it’s glowing under the midnight sun or wrapped in a shroud of mist, its landscapes are always dramatic and unforgettable. The wildlife? Incredible. Whales, dolphins, black and grizzly bears, bald eagles, sea otters, reindeer—if it walks, swims, or flies in the North, you might just see it here. And the history! From the Indigenous peoples and fur traders (both Russian and American), to the gold rush adventurers and modern-day settlers—Alaska’s past is as bold as its mountains.
Back in the day, visiting Alaska was tough unless you had a bush plane or a lot of time. Thankfully, cruises have changed the game. These days, Alaska is accessible, affordable, and yes, even friendly for travelers with mobility challenges.
There are almost too many options, and in this post, I’ll walk you through how to make sense of it all—from choosing your cruise itinerary and ports, to cabins and cruise lines. Think of it as your first-class ticket to choosing the right Alaskan adventure.
Choosing Your Alaska Cruise Itinerary
Let’s start with the basics. The most important part of your Alaskan cruise is the itinerary—what you’ll see, and where you’ll stop. Cruises can be round-trip, open-jaw, or one-way. Here’s how they break down:
Round-Trip Cruises
- Start and end in the same port, usually Seattle or Vancouver.
- Super convenient. We live in Seattle and have done several round-trips right from our backyard.
- Great for those who prefer simplicity—just drive up, park, and board.
Open-Jaw Cruises
- Depart from one port and end in another—often Seattle to Vancouver, or vice versa.
- Slightly less convenient (especially if you’re driving), but good if you want to explore both cities.
One-Way Cruises
- Typically northbound or southbound between Seward/Whittier and Seattle/Vancouver.
- Cover more ground and offer post-cruise land tours (like Denali), but come with more complex travel planning.
Personally, I’m partial to round-trip cruises from Seattle. They’re easy, scenic, and cover enough ground to satisfy most travelers—especially if it’s your first time.
Ports of Call and Glacier Cruising
Once you pick your cruise type, the next step is deciding on your ports of call—and whether the cruise includes a glacier viewing day.
Typical Ports (You’ll See 3 of These):
- Ketchikan: We love the Lumberjack Show and strolling along Creek Street.
- Juneau: Ride the Mt. Roberts Tram, visit Mendenhall Glacier, sip a drink at Red Dog Saloon, or shop on South Franklin Street.
- Skagway: Hop on the White Pass & Yukon Route train, admire the driftwood-covered Arctic Brotherhood Hall, or join a free ranger-led walking tour.
- Sitka: Former capital of Russian Alaska with onion-domed churches and a charming, historic downtown.
- Icy Strait Point: A purpose-built port with great excursions and cultural experiences.
All of these ports are worth visiting—none are “must-skip” and none are universally better than the others.
But here’s my firm advice: Make sure your cruise includes a scenic glacier cruising day. On one of our cruises, we didn’t get that—and it was by far the dullest. The glacier day is a highlight. The sail-in alone, through jade-colored waters and floating icebergs, is like a live-action nature documentary. You might see sea otters lounging on the ice, or seals taking a nap. Then, boom—there’s the glacier, this monstrous river of ice, calving with a thunderous roar. Pure magic.
Popular glacier spots to look for on your itinerary:
- Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier
- Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
- Glacier Bay National Park (trust me, this one’s worth hunting for)
Glacier Bay National Park: Alaska’s Crown Jewel
Glacier Bay isn’t on every itinerary—access is strictly limited by the National Park Service. Only a few ships are allowed in per day, and only select cruise lines are permitted. If you can swing it, choose a cruise that goes here.
You’ll likely see 3 to 5 glaciers in a single day, including the iconic Margerie Glacier, which towers 250 feet over the water and regularly calves into the sea. During our visits, we also saw:
- Johns Hopkins Glacier (though ships often skip it in May for seal pupping)
- Lamplugh Glacier (seen en route)
- Grand Pacific Glacier (more rubble than ice, but historically significant)
- Reid Glacier, Gilman & Rendu Glaciers (bonus sightings if weather cooperates)
Glacier Bay is also a wildlife paradise. On our last visit, we saw a pod of sea otters on an iceberg, eagles soaring overhead, and even a grizzly bear lumbering along the shore (through binoculars, thankfully). Sea otters in particular have made an incredible comeback—from just 5 individuals in 1995 to over 12,000 now. It’s almost impossible not to see them.
Even better? The National Park Service rangers come aboard for the day. They give commentary, lead programs, and make the whole experience far more memorable.
Cruise Line Rankings (From Someone Who’s Done Six Alaska Cruises)
Here’s my no-BS ranking, based on personal experience:
1. Holland America
- They just get Alaska. Period.
- Best lectures and nature talks, tailored to your route
- Naturalist staff available on deck with binoculars to help spot wildlife
- They open the ship’s bow in Glacier Bay and serve hot Dutch pea soup while you’re soaking in the scenery
- Alaska-inspired menus and local beer onboard
- And yes, free room service—a godsend when you’re enjoying your balcony
2. Norwegian & Princess
- Decent experiences overall, but not as detailed or immersive as Holland America
- Princess gets love from Alaska fans, but we found it average. One cruise had the crew pressure washing the deck while orcas were passing by—seriously?
3. Royal Caribbean
- Unfortunately, a big miss for Alaska
- No Glacier Bay access
- Their Quantum-class ships have bad balcony design: lifeboats block the view—even on upper decks!
- I’ve missed seeing dolphins and porpoises multiple times because our view was obstructed
If you care about wildlife, scenic cruising, and learning something along the way—Holland America is the clear winner.
Cabin Selection Tips
For Alaska, I highly recommend a balcony cabin. We’ve cruised in inside cabins to save money on other routes, but in Alaska? Big mistake. You’ll miss spontaneous sightings and those quiet moments when the mist rolls over the mountains.
Here’s What to Consider:
- Midship: Best location for stability and access
- High deck = better views; low deck = closer to water (unless obstructed by lifeboats)
- Avoid guarantee balconies: You could end up with a lifeboat staring back at you—ask me how I know
- Always research your cabin number—there are reviews and photos online for most rooms
When to Go: Picking the Right Month
We’ve cruised Alaska in May, August, and September. Oddly, we had better weather in May and September than August. Go figure.
Here’s the breakdown:
- May & September: Shoulder season = lower prices, fewer crowds, and often surprisingly good weather
- June–August: Warmer temps, more wildlife, but higher prices and more kids
- April or October: Only a few cruises run this early/late, and it’s usually cold, so I don’t recommend it unless you love layering up
Final Word
So what’s my dream Alaskan cruise?
- Cruise Line: Holland America
- Itinerary: 7-day round-trip from Seattle
- Highlight: Glacier Bay National Park
- Cabin: Midship balcony—chosen by me, not assigned
- Timing: May or September
Ports are fun, but they’re not make-or-break. Focus on the glaciers, wildlife, and overall experience. Alaska is unforgettable, even if 1,500 of those 2,000 photos end up being fog. And hey, if that’s the price of adventure—I’ll take it.
Pack your layers, charge your camera, and get ready to fall in love with the Last Frontier.
