Alaska Cruise : Large Ship Classic Itineraries
Alaska cruises are one of the most famous—and popular—ways to see our great state. Cruises are just easy: You only have to unpack once. Meals and entertainment are taken care of. Your only job is to relax while sailing through some of the world’s most magnificent coastal scenery.You’ll call on 2-3 small coastal towns in Alaska’s Inside Passage, have 1-2 glacier experiences, enjoy 24-hour dining, and have at your disposal all the amenities of a floating resort: casinos, gyms, lavish shows, spas, huge restaurants. Big ships are ideal for families and grandparents-and-grandkids trips. If you’re interested in taking a conventional cruise, here are some things you should think about:
Alaska Shore Excursions
Did you know you can book your shore excursions independently? These are our recommendations for the best tours in each port
View Tours
Two Little-Known Limitations
Two Itinerary Choices
Gulf Of Alaska
These cruises usually sail northbound or southbound between Vancouver and Anchorage via the port towns of either Whittier or Seward. You'll likely hit many of the same stops that an Inside Passage cruise does, but because it's one-way, you may also get to experience Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord on your cruising day.
- Potential downside: You might spend more on airfare, since it’s one way, and you’ll have to fly home out of a different city.
- It's for you if: You want to add a land tour before or after your cruise. This means you can visit places like Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. Some Cruises have complete "Cruisetours" that will bring you to to those spots as an extension of your cruise. Or, you can book the experience independently and drive or take the Alaska Railroad.
Inside Passage
Sailing round-trip from Seattle, Vancouver or San Francisco, you'll typically stop at three or four port towns, such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and either Sitka, Haines, or Victoria, B.C. These cruises usually spend a day in Glacier Bay or another glacier area and two days at sea.
- Potential downside: It’s round-trip, you won’t cover as much ground.
- It’s for you if: You just want to sit back and take in the scenery, or if you want to take advantage of round-trip airfare.
Cross Gulf
From $899
6 Nights / 7 Days
Ports of Call: Whittier, Haines, Gustavus, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Southeast / Inside Passage, Vancouver
Cruise Ship Type: Large Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Holland America, Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line
This is the classic cross-gulf Alaska cruise. It departs from Whittier, stops in the major port towns along the Inside Passage, and terminates in Vancouver. This southbound cruise provides the opportunity to add a land tour prior to your cruise.
From $899
7 Days
Ports of Call: Seward & Kenai Fjords, Valdez, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver
Cruise Ship Type: Large Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Celebrity, Royal Caribbean
This is the same route as the Northbound Glacier Discovery Cruise, but in reverse. This one starts in Seward and goes to Vancouver.
From $979
7 NIghts 8 days
Ports of Call: Vancouver, Skeena-Queen Charlotte C, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Gustavus, Valdez, Seward & Kenai Fjords
Cruise Ship Type: Large Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Celebrity, Royal Caribbean
Depart the picturesque city of Vancouver, British Columbia and begin your exciting cruise through the Inside Passage. You will get acquainted with the Inside Passage communities and see the history of Alaska unfold before you in these scenic ports-of-call.
From $849
6 Nights / 7 Days
Ports of Call: Vancouver, Southeast / Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Valdez, Whittier
Cruise Ship Type: Large Ship Cruises
Ship Name: Holland America, Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line
This is the classic northbound cross-gulf Alaska cruise. It departs from Vancouver, stops in the major port towns along the Inside Passage, and terminates in Whittier, Alaska. This northbound cruise provides the opportunity to add a land tour after your cruise to visit places like Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks.