Known as The Last Frontier, Alaska is an excellent choice for a cruise destination. It’s grown massively in popularity over the last several years which unfortunately can make narrowing down an itinerary pretty tough. When it comes to deciding on the best Alaskan cruises to book, we’ve got your covered.
Explore Alaska’s rugged hills, aqua blue glaciers and abundant wildlife all from the comfort of your cruise ship with these seven picks.
The Best Alaskan Cruises
1. Ms Noordam – Holland America
Holland America’s Ms Noordam sets sail from Vancouver and covers Vancouver, Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Seward. They offer a great variety of different land and sea packages to ensure you have an adventurous cruise with them. Their partnership with BBC Earth also provides you with several learning activities on board.
2. Royal Princess – Princess Cruises
Taking off from Vancouver, the majestic Royal Princess has the following ports: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Whittier. Princess Cruises is known for its traditional approach to hospitality and is a favourite among tourists. The Royal Princess comes equipped with an enormous glass walkway for jawdropping views of the fjords or glaciers making the ship a fan favourite.
Once finished, we recommend taking the scenic rail from Whittier to Anchorage to catch your flight home.
3. Ovation Of The Seas – Royal Carribean
Our next pick ranks as one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Ovation Of The Seas. This massive vessel comes with some unique amenities like a cocktail bar tended entirely by robots and aerial performances for entertainment. Enjoy the many speciality restaurants and entertainment between the ports of Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria.
4. Norwegian Bliss – Norwegian Cruise Line
Start your journey in Seattle and head on to Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point on Norwegian Bliss. This ship boasts an array of features – relax in one of the elegant luxury lounges or take a slip down the waterslides that overhang the deck. One of the other many perks of Norweigian Bliss is that it sails back to Seattle, meaning you can arrive and leave at the same port.
5. Carnival Miracle – Carnival Cruise
Kick-off your trip a little further south in San Francisco on Carnival Miracle’s 10-day cruise. Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Victoria are the ports of call. With a long journey, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the ship’s conveniences. Enjoy a romantic dinner at their steakhouse, then slip away to their lively Bluelguana Tequila Bar.
6. Admiralty Dream – Alaskan Dream Cruises
Adventure travellers, look no further than Admiralty Dream. Alaskan Dream Cruises is wholly run by native Alaskans guaranteeing an authentic atmosphere with a focus on local culture. You won’t find any formal dress nights on board, but you will find gear for excursions and binoculars in your room. Sail from Sitka and have the adventure of a lifetime at these ports of call: Kake, Petersburg, Colt Island and Juneau.
7. Safari Endeavor – Uncruise
This small vessel boasts a big itinerary starting in Juneau and covering Stephen’s Passage, Thomas Bay, Kake, Frederick Sound, Baranof Island, Sergius Narrows, Sitka, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait, Chichagof Island and Haines in 14 days. Safari Endeavor is all-inclusive from start to finish, so you don’t have to fuss with details of transfers or shore excursions while onboard.
Get lost in the great outdoors hiking Tongass National Forest or kayaking through the towering fjords.
