Ultimate Alaska Cruise Guide: Best Alaska Cruise Tips, Planning and Excursions
Table of Contents For this post:
What is the Best Month to Cruise to Alaska?
Which cruise line is the best for Alaska?
How far in advance do I need to book?
How many days do you need for an Alaska Cruise?
What is the Most Popular Alaska Cruise Itinerary?
Booking Shore Excursions for Less
How much time do we spend in port and at sea?
What is the Best Part of an Alaska Cruise?
Is Alaska Cruise All-Inclusive?
What's included in the price?
What is the average cost of a 7-day Alaska cruise?
Is it Worth Getting a Balcony on an Alaska Cruise?
What side of the ship is better?
Do you see the Northern Lights on a cruise to Alaska?
What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Checklist?
Do People dress up for dinner?
What not to pack for an Alaska cruise?
Ultimate Alaska Cruise Guide
If you're dreaming of glaciers, whales, majestic mountains, and charming frontier towns, then an Alaska cruise is one of the best ways to explore the Last Frontier.
I had the joy of taking a 5-week back-to-back cruise in Alaska during July and August, and I absolutely loved it. Ever go on a vacation and say to yourself, "I could live here." Well, I know I say that a lot, but definitely felt it when I fell in love with the beauty of Alaska.
This Ultimate Alaska Cruise Guide covers everything from the best month to cruise to Alaska, to what to pack, and whether or not it's worth splurging on a balcony cabin. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or planning your second adventure north, this guide will help you plan the best Alaska cruise experience possible.
Hey, y'all, I'm Tiffany!
I am a travel enthusiast and have been helping others for over 15 years, cruise and travel affordably!
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What is the Best Month to Cruise to Alaska?
The Alaska cruise season typically runs from late April through early October. The best month to cruise to Alaska depends on your priorities:
April, May, and September: These shoulder-season months offer fewer crowds and potentially lower prices. You may also catch the Northern Lights in September.
June through August: These are the most popular months, offering the warmest temperatures (averaging 60°F), extended daylight hours, and optimal wildlife viewing.
If you're after the best Alaska cruise weather, aim for July. If you're trying to score a deal or beat the crowds, May or September might be the way to go.
The peak season to cruise to Alaska is June and July. We sailed during July and August, and the peak season is also when the majority of Alaska cruises are booked.
Which Cruise Line is the Best for Alaska?
The best cruise line for Alaska depends on what kind of experience you want. When we cruised to Alaska, we sailed on the Carnival Luminosa and loved it!
Here is a list of cruise lines that cruise to Alaska and a little of what to expect with each cruise line.
Tip: If you like the big mega cruise ships, you won't find those sailing to Alaska, as most of the cruise ships that sail to Alaska are the smaller ships to get in and out of the fjords.
Let's start with the top two: Holland America and Princess Cruises. According to U.S News, these two are the most popular Alaska Cruise Ships.
However, their list did not include Carnival, but I added it because that was the cruise line I cruised to Alaska on, and for me I loved it. Another one that did not make the list was Disney Cruise Line. I was a little shocked by this, while typically a pricy cruise, they are known to be a great family-friendly cruise environment.
Best Alaska Cruise Ships
Holland America Line:
Cruise Ships: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, Zaadam.
Departure Cities: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Whittier, Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia
Great for scenic cruising and glacier viewing. Appeals to a mature crowd with enrichment programs. Holland America has been cruising to Alaska longer than any other cruise line and offers more voyages to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
Princess Cruises:
Cruise Ships: Grand Princess, Sapphire Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Discovery Princess, Coral Princess, Caribbean Princess
Departure Cities: Anchorage, Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia, San Fransico, Los Angeles
Often considered the expert in Alaskan cruising, with a strong presence and exclusive rail and lodge packages.
Best Alaska Cruise for Families
Royal Caribbean:
Cruise Ships: Radiance of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas.
Departure Cities: Seward, Alaska, Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia
A good pick for families with kids or multigenerational groups. If you are looking for non-stop entertainment, then Royal Caribbean is the ship for you. Plus, they offer some great family-friendly shore excursions as well.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL):
Cruise Ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Jade
Departure Cities: Whittier, Alaska, Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Offers flexibility with freestyle cruising and newer ships. Norwegian offers one of the longest Alaska cruise seasons, sailing from April to October. If you are looking to sail in the shoulder months, this could be the cruise for you.
Carnival Cruises:
Cruise Ships: Luminosa, Legend, Spirit, Miracle
Departure Cities: San Fransico, Seattle
Offering a variety of activities for families and couples to enjoy. While the cruise line is mostly known for sailing the Caribbean, and isn't as upscale as Holland America, their Alaska cruises offer the uniqueness of an onboard naturalist providing amazing insights of the beauty of Alaska.
Best Alaska Cruise for Couples
Celebrity Cruises:
Cruise Ships: Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Solstice
Departure Cities: Seward, Alaska, Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle
Modern luxury, great for couples or those wanting a premium experience. Couples can find lots of adult-focused activities and entertainment with luxurious places to relax.
Price Compare your Alaska Cruise on Expedia.
How Far in Advance do I Need to Book?
If you want the best Alaska cruise itinerary, cabin choice, and price, it's wise to book at least 6-12 months in advance. Balcony cabins and popular sailing dates (like June and July) fill up fast. Booking early can also help you snag flight deals or cruise line promotions.
The most popular time to book any cruise is during Wave Season (January - March). Wave Season is when the majority of cruises and hotels for travel are booked, and when you can typically find a better deal.
Don't forget to look at Black Friday (November) or, as I like to call it, Black November, because cruise lines will often run deals off and on for the entire month of November for Black Friday.
I have actually found some amazing deals on Alaska cruises in November.
Can I book Last Minute?
A last-minute cruise is considered within 90 days of sailing, and it can be noted that you can find great deals both by looking last minute or in advance.
However, booking an Alaska cruise last minute may not be a great idea if you want a balcony or a specific shore excursion, as these may already be booked.
How Many Days Do You Need for an Alaska Cruise?
The majority of Alaska cruises are 7-day roundtrips from Seattle or 7–10-day one-way trips between Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier or Seward).
While 7 days is the standard, 10–14-day land and sea packages offer deeper exploration into Alaska’s interior, like Denali National Park.
For most people, 7 to 10 days is a great amount of time to see glaciers, go on excursions, and relax.
Some cruise lines do offer 3- and 4-day Alaska cruises. However, if you don't live near the area and this is a bucket list cruise for you, I don't recommend anything shorter than a 7-day cruise.
If 7 days is long enough for you and you want some extra time to explore the ports for another week, look into doing a back-to-back cruise.
We actually did a 5-week back-to-back Alaska cruise. And to your next question, which most people ask me, how could we afford that? Well, we booked them all through casino cruise offers.
What is the Most Popular Alaska Cruise Itinerary?
The most popular Alaska cruise itinerary is the Inside Passage, which typically includes stops in ports like:
Juneau: Alaska’s capital city, only accessible by boat or plane.
Ketchikan: Known for totem poles and salmon fishing.
Skagway: A gold rush town with a scenic train ride.
Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier: Scenic cruising days where the ship sails by massive tidewater glaciers.
Some cruises also include Sitka or Icy Strait Point. Roundtrip cruises from Seattle are the most convenient for U.S. travelers, while one-way cruises offer more in-depth exploration.
What to do in Juneau, Alaska
Juneau, Alaska, offers a unique blend of culture and wildlife, making this port an absolutely beautiful place to visit. I did not get bored visiting Juneau five times throughout my cruise.
Juneau is the place for whale watching excursions. Here in Juneau, the tour guides will guarantee you will see whales, but it depends on how many on the time of year you are visiting. (If visiting during the summer months, you are more likely to see lots of wildlife, including whales.)
If you are staying at the cruise port in Juneau, I suggest checking out Tracy's King Crab Shack. Oh, my goodness, they have the best crabs!
For more things to do in Juneau, check out my Top Things to do in Juneau post.
What to do in Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is not only known for its breathtaking views, but also its historical tours and Salmon. If you love salmon like I do, this is the place to go to have some amazing salmon or even do some salmon fishing here.
If you are staying in port, I highly recommend walking over to Creek Street. Not a far walk, you will find cute little shops, eateries, and if you're lucky enough, you might see sea lions and salmon swimming upstream.
What to do in Skagway, Alaska
If staying at the port, you can find lots of shops and eateries here in Skagway. I recommend checking out the Skagway Brewing Company, along with historical walking tours through the town.
Even if you are not taking a trip on the White Pass Railway, you can still see it there in the town.
For more things to do in Skagway, check out my Top 10 Things to do in Skagway.
What to do in Victoria, British Columbia
Now, Victoria, British Columbia, is not mentioned on the previous top itineraries, but I wanted to touch on this port. If you are cruising out of California or Seattle, chances are you will hit Victoria on your way back.
This is due to the Jones Act, or actually the Passenger Vessel Services Act, which, in short, basically means if the cruise ship is leaving the U.S, it must visit a foreign country.
Some itineraries allow for an all-day port in Victoria, British Columbia, while others only give a few hours in the evening before heading back to the U.S.
We got to visit Victoria 5 times on our sailings, both during the day and at night, and absolutely loved this gorgeous city.
How Much Time do We Spend in Port and at Sea?
On a typical 7-day Alaska cruise, you'll visit 3 to 4 ports and have 1 to 2 full sea days plus a scenic glacier viewing day. Time in port is usually around 6 to 9 hours, which is enough for popular excursions like whale watching, dog sledding on glaciers, or ziplining in the rainforest.
When we went, we almost always had 8-9 hours at port and got to view Tracy Arm Fjord and Endicott Arm, which can technically be sea days with a lot of views!
Tip: If you are booking your shore excursions through a third-party, such as Viator or Tripadvisor (I only book through them), you will have plenty of time to go on your excursion and get back in time to board.
What is the Best Part of an Alaska Cruise?
The best part of an Alaska cruise is hard to choose, but for many, it's the:
Glacier viewing days, where you can see calving ice and hear the thunderous roar.
Wildlife sightings, including whales, bears, eagles, and seals.
Breathtaking landscapes that change daily from snow-capped mountains to lush rainforests.
For me, it was all of the above! I loved the beautiful scenery and always seeing wildlife from the ship or at the cruise port. It's such a breathtaking cruise!
Need help with packing and planning checklists for your Alaska cruise? Check out my Free Ultimate Cruise Checklists
Is an Alaskan Cruise
All-Inclusive?
An Alaska cruise is not fully all-inclusive, though some items are included. Cruise pricing can be misleading at first glance, so it’s important to understand what your fare does and doesn’t cover.
Many travelers are surprised to learn that shore excursions, drink packages, and Wi-Fi usually come at an extra cost. However, cruise lines often offer bundled perks or promotions that can make your trip feel more all-inclusive, depending on how you book.
Tip: Book in advance to find promotions and deals that include or offer discounts on excursions, Wi-Fi, and drink packages.
What's Included in the Price?
Most cruise fares for an Alaska cruise include:
Accommodations and onboard meals
Entertainment and activities
Basic beverages like coffee, tea, and water
Access to pools and hot tubs
What's not included:
Excursions (which are a big part of the Alaska experience!)
Alcohol and specialty dining
Gratuities (usually $14–$18 per person, per day)
Wi-Fi and onboard photos
Some cruise lines offer bundled packages that include drink packages, excursions, and Wi-Fi, but they’ll cost more upfront.
Note: When booking your cruise, you will pay the taxes, port fees, and cruise fare before boarding (many cruise sites now show this total cost before you go to book). You can choose to pay this at the time of booking or pay a deposit and make monthly payments till 30 -45 days out from your cruise.
Gratuities do not have to be paid in advance, as you can choose to have them charged to your onboard account by the day while sailing.
What's the Average Cost of a
7-Day Alaska Cruise?
The average cost of a 7-day Alaska cruise can vary widely depending on the cruise line, cabin type, and time of year:
Here is the average cost of what you can expect:
Interior cabins: $500–$1,200 per person
Balcony cabins: $1,200–$2,500 per person
Excursions: $100–$500+ per port
Flights to port: $300–$700
Overall, expect to spend $2,000–$4,000 for two people once you include excursions and extras.
How to find a Cheap Alaska Cruise?
As I mentioned earlier, Alaska cruise costs are going to widely vary, but there are some ways you can expect to find cheap cruise deals when sailing to Alaska:
Booking in advance: More than 6 - 12 months out to find deals and request adjustments to your cruise fare if it goes down after booking
Wave Season: (Jan - March) when the majority of cruises are booked and cruise lines and other cruise sites offer discounts
Black Friday: (November) Finding limited-time offer discounts on cruises
Book Last Minute: (2-3 months from sail date), possible up to 50% off cruises
Shoulder Season: (April, May, Sept, & Oct) Sailing before and after peak season, prices are usually cheaper
When to book your Alaska Cruise?
Is it Worth Getting a Balcony on an Alaskan Cruise?
Yes—a balcony is worth it on an Alaska cruise. Here’s why:
Alaska is all about the scenery, and you’ll have a front-row seat from your room.
Great for viewing wildlife, glaciers, and port arrivals.
Offers privacy and a cozy way to enjoy the cold climate.
Sit on your balcony during the fjord day and soak up the beauty in privacy
An Alaskan cruise is nothing like a Caribbean cruise; there is always something to see! Plus, if you are cruising during the summer months, you will have longer days to enjoy the scenery.
Expect around 18 hours of daylight from mid-June to July. This can throw off your sleeping pattern as it did me, so I suggest bringing a sleep mask, as sometimes the balcony curtains don't always close completely.
Tip: Book early for a better chance at receiving a balcony cabin.
Which Side of the Ship is Better?
If you’re on a roundtrip cruise from Seattle or Vancouver, both sides of the ship will get scenic views at different times. However:
Northbound cruises: Starboard (right) side is often better.
Southbound cruises: Port (left) side may offer better views.
Regardless of your side, you can always enjoy public viewing decks during glacier days.
Is Alaska Cold on a Cruise?
Alaska cruises are not as cold as you might think, but it’s not tropical, either. Average temperatures during the cruise season range from 45°F to 65°F, but it can feel colder with wind or rain.
Layers are key. Pack waterproof gear, gloves, and a warm hat. Some days may feel like spring, while others feel like early winter.
What is the Weather like in Alaska?
April - Upper mid-40s and 50s
May - Upper mid-40s and 50s
June - Upper 60s but still lows in the 40s
July - Upper 60s to low 70s and reaching upper 40s for a low
August - Low 60s to mid-40s for a low (this month is the transition to fall)
September - Mid 50s to low 40s
Any month you choose to cruise, you could experience some chilly and rainy days. While I cruised in July and August, the weather fluctuated from the low 40s to the mid-70s one afternoon.
However, as the afternoon felt warm and sunny, the evening cooled off quickly.
Do you see Northern Lights on an Alaskan Cruise?
You can see the Northern Lights on a cruise to Alaska, especially if you sail in September or take a land extension further north. The lights are more visible away from city lights, so a clear night at sea can be perfect.
However, sightings aren’t guaranteed due to weather and solar activity.
If you want to see the Northern Lights, you might want to look at booking during the Shoulder season, as September is the best month for visibility with fewer daylight hours.
The peak time for viewing the Northern Lights, if they are visible, is around 12:30 am - 4:30 am.
What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise Checklist
Packing for Alaska is all about layers and waterproof gear. Here's a quick checklist:
Dressier outfits for dinner (at least one or two)
Binoculars and a camera
Daypack for excursions
Swimsuit/ Flip Flops (for the hot tubs and pool!)
For more Alaska cruise packing ideas, be sure to check out my Alaska Summer Packing Essentials and Alaska Cruise Outfits to Wear.
Download your Free
Ultimate Cruise Packing & Planner Checklists!
Do People Dress Up for Dinner on an Alaskan Cruise?
Yes, but it depends on the cruise line. On most ships:
Casual attire is fine for most dinners
Smart casual or resort wear is expected in the main dining rooms
You can expect two formal nights on a 7-day cruise
When I was on the Carnival Luminosa, many people didn't dress up for dinner, especially after a long port day. However, as I mentioned, this varies depending on your cruise line you choose.
On cruises, such as Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity, you will see people dressing up, but still typically not as dressy as they would on a Caribbean cruise.
Alaska cruises tend to be a bit more relaxed than Caribbean ones, but it's still fun to dress up a little.
What Not to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise
Avoid overpacking bulky items. Here’s what to leave behind:
High heels (not practical for ports)
Umbrellas (a waterproof jacket is more useful)
Too many formal outfits
Large suitcases (cabin space is limited)
Focus on function over fashion, especially for excursions.
Always check with your cruise line for prohibited items not to pack, plus be sure to check out my full list of cruise essentials of what to pack and what not to pack.
Planning the best Alaska cruise takes a bit of research, but the rewards are unforgettable: glaciers, bears, fishing for salmon, whale watching, and some of the most scenic cruising on earth.
An Alaskan cruise has been my favorite cruise thus far, and I highly recommend it!
Ready to plan your cruise? Be sure to grab your free Alaska cruise checklist and start packing for the adventure of a lifetime!
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