Departing from early May to late September, Alaska cruises are popular for those wanting to see the 49th State. A cruise to Alaska is a bucket list item for many. It is one of the best ways to escape the heat in the rest of the U.S., too. Each cruise line usually departs from Seattle, Vancouver or Steward. Here are the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
15 Best Alaska Cruises 2026
MSC Cruises
Holland America Line
Royal Caribbean International
Princess Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines
Regent Seven Seas
Oceania Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard Line
UnCruise Adventures
Windstar Cruises
Should You Take an Alaskan Cruise?
An Alaskan cruise is the easiest way to explore the rugged wilderness of the national parks in Canada and the U.S. Then, add a bucket list of excursions like dog sledding, flightseeing and helicopter glacier tours, you have a trip to remember.
Most cruise lines offer the popular one-way format with departures from either Vancouver, British Columbia, or Seward, Alaska (near Anchorage). For an overland adventure, add a pre-cruise or post-cruise tour to your trip to explore Denali National Park.
The typical ports of call include cruising the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and cruising a Glacier. Additional ports-of-call include Icy Strait Point and Tracy Arm Fjord or the Endicott Arm.
Larger Cruise Ships
With cruise ships that carry 2,000+ passengers, the activities and amenities are nearly endless, like water slides and dedicated kids’ areas. However, finding a quiet corner to read might be harder on a large cruise ship.
Most larger ships are a la carte cruises, so airfare, specialty restaurants, beverage packages, including soft drinks and bottled water, and excursions are not included. Though shows, kids’ club and in-room dining are typically included.
MSC
A new cruise line in Alaska, starting May 11, 2026, the MSC Poesia will set sail out of Seattle for a 7-night Alaskan cruise. Ports of call will include Ketchikan, Icy Straight Point and Juneau in Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It will also sail through Tracy Arm Fjord with the Sawyer Glacier.
This will be the first season for MSC Alaskan cruises. Its other ports include Miami, Port Canaveral, New York and Galveston. For those new to MSC, it is an Italian cruise line that offers a range of cabins, from interior to its exclusive Yacht Club, a small ship cruise feel with larger ship amenities.
MSC Cruises offers a sophisticated European feel with cozy comforts. Its ships offers an expansive outdoor pools and activities decks; perfect for families. Its restaurants range from Sushi to Mexican and Italian (you have to try its pizza), plus more.
Cruise Review: MSC Seascape
Holland America Line
Holland America offers lots of options for cruisers. It sails from Seattle, Seward, Whittier and Vancouver. Holland America offers 7-day, 10-day, 11-day one-way cruises as well as 12-day and 14-day round-trip cruises. Also, there’s an option of adding a selection of post-cruise excursions to Denali, Fairbanks and the Yukon. This is one of the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
Holland America Line is one of the few concessionaires authorized to sail into Glacier Bay National Park. Look for special itineraries that include Glacier Bay, including park rangers who board the cruise ships.
Holland America offers several similar ships to cruise Alaska, like the Eurodam, the Koningsdam, the Nieuw Amsterdam, the Westerdam and the Zaandam. All ships include inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies, and suites.
Find similar amenities like a main dining room, casual dining room, specialty restaurants like a grill and Italian venue, and burgers. Find two lounges along with the Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard, World Stage, along with movies and a casino. Also find two pools, a spa, a fitness center, adult enrichment classes and a kids club.
Most itineraries include Ketchikan, Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park and Skagway. However, some itineraries include Victoria, Icy Strait Point and Sitka. Find overland excursions on scenic railroads and on motorcoaches.
Royal Caribbean International
With departures from Vancouver, Seattle and Seward, Royal Caribbean offers 7-night and 8-night one-way cruises, along with longer round-trip cruises. Also, there’s an option of adding a selection of post-cruise excursions to Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage. This is one of the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
Royal Caribbean sails the Anthem of the Seas, the Radiance of the Seas, the Ovation of the Seas and the Serenade of the Seas. Find interior staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies, and suites. Find 10 dining venues plus room service, seven bars or lounges, a spa, a fitness center and specialty classes.
Royal Caribbean International ships offer a kids club with age-appropriate activities for 6-month-old babies until 12-year-olds. Find a teen disco and hangout too. The ships include three pools (one for the kids with a beach and slide), a rock wall and mini-golf.
Most itineraries include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier and Seward. However, lots of intineraries visit ports like Victoria along with land excursions like Denali National Park.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises, owned by Carnival Corporation, offers the largest selection of Alaskan cruises. It offers the popular 7-day one-way cruises from Anchorage’s Whittier and Vancouver. This is one of the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
The 7-night round-trip cruises from Seattle and Vancouver are popular. Also available are 10-night round-trip cruises from San Francisco and 14-night round-trip cruises from Vancouver. Princess Cruises offers post-cruise excursions to Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Princess Cruises is also one of the few concessionaires authorized to sail into Glacier Bay National Park. So look for special itineraries that include Glacier Bay. Passengers can see five National Park sites on a Princess Cruise.
For its Alaskan cruises, Princess uses a fleet of ships: the Island Princess, Crown Princess, Royal Princess, Emerald Princess, Star Princess and Ruby Princess. The Royal Princess carries 3,500 passengers.
With consistent amenities, find a host of dining options international cafe, chocolate journeys and afternoon tea. Also, find your favorite regional culinary delights in a host of specialty restaurants. Also find a spa, a fitness center, a casino, nightly entertainment, movies under the stars, along with pools and spas. Each ship also includes a kids’ club.
Princess cruise ships feature inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies and suites.
Most itineraries include Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway and a glacier viewing.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian offers lots of departures from Seattle, including a 7-night round-trip cruise and an 11-night round-trip cruise. However, I found 7-night one-way departures from Vancouver and Seward. Norwegian Cruise Line offers the option of adding a selection of post-cruise excursions to Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the few concessionaires authorized to sail into Glacier Bay National Park. Look for special itineraries that include Glacier Bay within their list of itineraries.
For its Alaskan cruises, sail the Norwegian Bliss or Encore with a passenger capacity of about 4,000 people. Highlights included a racetrack, dual water slides, laser tag and specialty restaurants like Texas BBQ and numerous evening shows. The Bliss includes studios (just for solo travelers). All ships include inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies and suites.
Most itineraries include Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Victoria. However, some itineraries include Sitka and Skagway. Holland America is owned by Carnival Corporation. This is one of the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
Disney Cruise Lines
If the kids were in charge of the cruise planning, they’d choose a Disney Cruise. The Disney Cruise Line caters to families, especially Disney-loving families. This is one of the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
Find interior staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies and concierge suites. The 7-night round-trip cruises depart from Vancouver. Ports of call include Glacier Viewing at Stikine Icecap, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska and Ketchikan, Alaska.
Disney Cruise Line sails the Magic and Wonder to Alaska. Find Disney characters, Disney stage shows, kids clubs, tweens club and teens club. Three pool areas, including a splash area for babies and toddlers, a double-looping water slide and an adults-only area. Find three main dining areas, three casual dining areas, and character meals.
Port excursions and extras are not included, like Signature dining experiences (adult only), bottle water, alcohol and specialty drinks and gratuities.
Easy-to-use website, especially for those who’ve planned a Disney Parks vacation before.
How to Earn a Junior Ranger Badge on an Alaskan Cruise
Carnival Cruise Lines
With the red, white and blue whale’s tail funnels, Carnival offers a bargain at sea. Offering 10-day round-trip cruises from San Francisco, along with 6-day, 7-day and 8-day round-trip cruises from Seattle.
For its Alaskan cruises, Carnival sails the Carnival Miracle, Carnival Spirit and Carnival Luminosa, with capacities between 2,000 and 3,000 passengers. Find similar amenities on both, like lots of dining options from burgers to Asian to pizza, along with specialty restaurants like a steakhouse and sushi. Find a waterpark with slides, mini golf, an adults-only retreat and kids, tweens and teens clubs.
The Carnival cruise ships feature inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies and suites.
Most itineraries include Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Tracy Arm, along with Victoria, B.C.
Which Cruise Lines Offer Luxury Alaska voyages in 2026?
With fewer than 1,000 passengers per ship, small ships offer the most space and staff per cruise passenger. The cruise ship interiors feel more luxurious and offer more dining and lounging options.
Many small ships feature all-inclusive options like signature dining at fine-dining restaurants with wine included. Then find your favorite vintages and liquors in the lounges abroad, as well as wine and beer in your suite.
Smaller ships gain access to smaller ports. So, its Alaskan itineraries include ports-of-call like Wrangell, Prince Rupert and College Fjord. Some ports-of-call might require tendering—using a smaller boat from your ship to get to the actual port. Luxury cruises are great for multi-generational trips and might be the best Alaskan cruise with kids for your group.
Regent Seven Seas
With departures from Vancouver and Seward, Regent Seven Seas offers a 7-night one-way cruise for the Alaskan summer season. Regent also offers longer cruises sprinkled throughout the season for those who want a longer cruise and additional ports of call. This is one of the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
Regent offers an all-inclusive cruise and includes free coach round-trip airfare, airport transfers, signature dining, unlimited beverages including wine and premium spirits, unlimited excursions (and you can schedule more than one a day) and WiFi along with gratuities.
What about the kids? Regent loves kids on its Alaskan cruises. It’s a popular option for a multi-generational cruise. Get discount pricing for kids under 17. Onboard, find a kids club for the kiddos, 5 to 12, along with teens.
The Club Mariner Youth Program is staffed with counselors who meet for a few hours a day on port days and twice on sea days. Regent doesn’t feature a kids’ club, and they meet in a card room onboard. Kids play sports and board games, watch movies, decorate cupcakes and even have dinner together during the cruise.
After taking my three kids, 15, 14 and 11, to Alaska on the Mariner in 2018, I was amazed at how a luxury brand can be family-friendly, especially for older kids. I liked the fact that I could let them explore on their own on a small ship.
The Regent Seven Seas sails the Explorer for northbound and southbound 2026 Alaskan cruises with stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Hubbard Glacier. Find five dining venues, five lounges, a coffee shop, an outdoor pool, and a spa, along with a theater, a nightclub and a casino. The majority of suites offer balconies.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania is also owned by the same parent company as Regent Seven Seas—NCL, or Norwegian Cruise Lines. The overall feel of the ships is similar to gourmet dining at sea and a high level of service onboard. This is one of the Best Alaska Cruises 2026.
The main difference between Regent and Oceania Cruises is that Oceania is a la carte cruise. For your cruise, you’ll pay for round-trip airfare, shore excursions and purchase an alcohol package. Get unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, ground transfers, and free WiFi onboard.
Oceania Cruises sails the Riviera for most Alaska cruises. Find inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies and suites. Find a selection of itineraries, including 7-night one-way cruises departing from Vancouver or Seward, or a 13-night round-trip cruise out of Seattle.
For families, Oceania Cruises offers an Alaska Explorer Youth Program for kids 5 to 12. Where the Regents Club Mariner Youth Program is a generic kids program, the Oceania program is Alaska-specific. Both programs include counselors, though they don’t meet in a dedicated space, opting for the card room instead.
The Riviera features several dining venues, five lounges, a coffee shop, an outdoor pool and spa, along with a casino and a nightclub.
Best Alaskan Ports of Call
Silversea Cruises
With departures from Vancouver and Seward, Silversea Cruises offers 7-night, one-way cruises on a luxurious small ship. Enjoy an all-inclusive ship with complimentary premium wines and spirits, signature dining and butler service in every suite. Complimentary airfare and ground transfers are available as well. Silversea Cruises also offers a 14-day Alaskan cruise.
Silversea Cruises sails the Silver Whisper and the Silver Moon, all-suite small ships. These ships cater to adults and don’t offer a kids’ club or special activities. Find numerous dining venues and lounges, and an outdoor pool and spa on each. A pre- and post-cruise land program is also available.
Seabourn Cruise Line
With departures from Vancouver or Juneau, Seabourn Cruise Line offers 7-night one-way cruises with different ports of call in each direction. So you can sail two back-to-back cruises for an extended Alaskan round-trip cruise.
Seabourn also offers other itineraries besides the popular 7-day Alaskan cruise, like the 10 and 11-day cruises. With an extensive list of ports-of-call, stop at Inian Islands, Haines, Alert Bay and Rudyerd Bay. Seabourn is one of the few concessionaires authorized to sail into Glacier Bay National Park.
Seabourne Cruise Line is also an à la carte cruise. So, airfare has to be arranged, and excursions are not included.
For families, the Alaskan cruises offer similar kids club options as Regent and Oceania. Find counselors in a re-purposed card room with kids’ activities, though check in with your travel agent or cruise representative if this will be available for your sailing.
Seabourn Cruise Line sails the Encore in 2026, an all-suite cruise, though not all suites have balconies. Find four restaurants, three lounges, outdoor pools and a spa, along with a theater and casino.
One Day Olympic National Park Itinerary
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises sails in Alaska. Ships cater to adults, and no one under 18 is allowed. So it’s not one of the best cruises for Alaska with kids. With departures from Vancouver and Seward, Viking Ocean Cruises offers 10-night, one-way cruises. Viking Ocean Cruises are all-inclusive, though notable is the availability of included excursions. Where Regents Seven Seas offers several for each port-of-call, Viking only offers one.
In addition, Viking Ocean Cruises offers many pre- and post-cruise options like the Rocky Mountaineer scenic train, Denali National Park, Vancouver and Anchorage. This is a luxury all-veranda ship with a selection of staterooms.
Find several dining venues on board, along with lounges and bars. With the design clues coming from Scandinavia, there’s a planetarium, thermal suite in the spa with a snow grotto boasting falling snow. Also, find a pool with a retractable roof along with an infinity pool.
Cruise Review: MSC World America
Celebrity Cruises
With three separate ships dedicated to Alaskan cruises, Celebrity Cruises offers departures from Seattle, Seward or Vancouver. It features 7-night or 8-night cruises in one-way and round-trip itineraries.
Celebrity Cruises uses the Edge, the Solstice and the Summit. Find kids’ and teens’ activities on board. Stateroom options include inside stateroom, ocean view stateroom, veranda stateroom and suites. Celebrity Cruises is an a la carte cruise line, so be prepared to pay for a beverage package including soda and barista coffee, photo package and WiFi, along with excursions.
Most itineraries include cruising the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Skagway and glacier viewing.
The overall feel is a bit more upscale than other large cruise ships. Celebrity Cruises is owned by its parent company, Royal Caribbean International.
Specialty Cruises to Alaska
Looking for a different cruise experience, then a specialty cruise might be for you.
Cunard Line
The famed Cunard Line sails to Alaska with a bit of British style, so get a more refined experience, like afternoon tea. With the majority of cruises originating out of Seattle, find the popular 7-night to 10-night Alaskan cruises.
This is the last season for Cunard in Alaska. Cunard is also one of the few concessionaires authorized to sail into Glacier Bay National Park. So, look for special itineraries that include Glacier Bay.
The Queen Elizabeth features inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, staterooms with balconies and suites.
For Cunard’s Alaskan cruises, it sails the Queen Elizabeth with about 2,000 passengers. It offers three restaurants along with specialty restaurants like Mexican and Asian. Also, Alaskan cruises include a formal night, so pack something dressy. And don’t forget to indulge in an afternoon tea. The Queen Elizabeth offers a pool, a spa, along with lectures and nightly entertainment. Cunard is owned by the Carnival Corporation.
Most itineraries include Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Glacier Bay National Park and Victoria. However, longer cruises include Icy Strait Point and Haines.
UnCruise Adventures
Adventure calls, so pack the rubber boots and be prepared to explore. These small ships pull into ports that others sail by. Since the itineraries require hiking and paddling, families with kids 8 and older are welcome, though younger kids are discouraged.
With a fleet of ships from the 22-passenger Safari Quest to the 84-passenger Safari Endeavour to the 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy, each ship is outfitted with kayaks, paddle boards and skiffs. The Wilderness Discoverer is a 76-passenger ship. The Safari Explorer is a 36-passenger ship with just 18 cabins.
Dining on board is chef-created with fresh, local ingredients. So, for Alaska, there is a lot of seafood. The staterooms are basic and don’t feature balconies, though they have ocean views. A few ships offer suites and staterooms that are outfitted with a collection of queen beds and some with twins.
Most ships include at least one hot tub but no pool. Though UnCruise celebrates with a Polar Plunge.
UnCruise offers lots of itineraries in 7-day or 14-day formats. The main ports-of-call include Sitka, Juneau and Glacier Bay National Park. It’s an authorized concessionaire to sail into Glacier Bay National Park. So, look for special itineraries that include Glacier Bay.
Windstar Cruises
With just 312 passengers, Windstar Cruises offers an intimate way to explore the 49th state. In Alaska, Windstar sails the Star Seaker in 2026. An all-suite ship with two dining rooms, a pool area, a spa and a theater. On Windstar Cruises, all meals are included along with non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee drinks. Worth noting, children under 8 are not allowed on Windstar Cruises.
Itineraries include the 11-night Vancouver to Seward cruise, including stops at Ketchikan, Misty Fjords, Wrangell, Juneau, Haines, Tracy Arm fjord, Sitka and Kenai Fjords National Park. Or consider the 15-night Vancouver to Fairbanks cruise that includes a land tour of Tulkeetha and Denali. There’s a cruise that also disembarks in Japan.
Popular Ports of Call on an Alaskan Cruise
Seward, Alaska
As a frequent point of disembarkation, Seward offers a scenic location to explore before or after your cruise. Located in the shadow of Mount Marathon and on Resurrection Bay, get a dose of rugged Alaskan landscape.
The historic downtown offers a gateway into Alaska’s past. And Steward is a gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. So find the visitor center in the center of town or arrange a visit to Exit Glacier.
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
As the largest tidewater glacier in North America, it boasts a 400-foot face, it’s 76 miles long and 1200 feet deep. As your cruise ship sails into Disenchantment Bay, use binoculars to view the marine life and birds.
Juneau, Alaska
As the capital of Alaska, it’s a small city. A trip to Mendenhall Glacier is worth the effort (a tour will be required as it isn’t within walking distance). Since it’s not on the water, it’s considered a mountain glacier. It’s a National Forest site and offers hiking trails and a National Forest Junior Ranger Badge.
Sitka, Alaska
Most first-time cruisers don’t know about Sitka’s Russian heritage. So stop by the Sitka National Historical Park visitor center to watch a short interpretive film or walk among their collection of totems. Or visit the separate building, Russian Bishop’s House.
Skagway, Alaska
This restored mining town is home to the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. The narrow-gauge scenic train trip is a stand-out for cruisers, not just families. As a bonus, the train depot is a short walk from the cruise ship port.
The Gold Rush swaggered into Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory during the 19th century. Then, a tiny town busted with lawlessness as it turned into a boomtown. Head to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park along the main street. Watch the interpretive film to learn about the gold rush and how would-be miners climbed the treacherous White Pass Trail.
Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Learn about the rich heritage of native Alaskan culture at a tribal dance. Or visit nearby Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village. And Icy Straight Point boasts the ZipRider, the longest zip line in the world.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan offers the official visitor center for the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S. It runs along the Alaska Panhandle and includes two ice fields, Stikine and Juneau. So visit Tongrass National Forest’s Southeast Alaska Discovery Center on Ketchikan’s Main Street.
Or arrange a flightseeing tour to witness the majesty of the Misty Fjords National Monument. As you walk the streets of Ketchikan, learn about the symbolism used on the totems , like the plants and animals of the temperate rainforest. Or better, arrange for a hike in the rainforest to see its animals, like the black bear.
Ketchikan is the canned salmon capital of the world.
Cruising the Inside Passage
All Alaskan cruise itineraries include at least one sea day. Spend the day on a deck using binoculars to catch glimpses of lighthouses, bald eagles or fishing boats at work.
Sailing in the Inside Passage is unique since glaciation made a deep channel between the mountains. The deep waters allow for deep-draft vessels to sail close to the mountains.
And a bonus for first-time cruisers, the waters of the Inside Passage are relatively calm compared to open ocean cruising.
Victoria, British Columbia
Stroll the charming streets with English-inspired architecture. Or enjoy an afternoon tea at the celebrated Empress Hotel.
Vancouver, British Columbia
As a large port for western Canada, it offers cultural influences from around the Pacific Ocean. So sample the rich and diverse food scene with tastes of Asia, like Chinese dim sum or Japanese ramen.
Walk through the Museum of Anthropology to learn more about the region. Or head to the Capilano Suspension Bridge to walk over an old-growth fir forest.
What Cruise Ships Sail into Glacier Bay National Park
A highlight of Alaskan Itineraries, sailing into Glacier Bay National Park offers views of the Fairweather Mountains along with up-close views of tidewater glaciers.
Since the National Park Service regulates the number of large cruise ships, this is a factor for would-be Alaska cruisers. Most itineraries start at Icy Strait, and the NPS park rangers board the ships for interpretive programming for adults and kids. Cruising Glacier Bay for at least 8 hours, cruisers see marine life, like bald eagles and seals.
Be prepared for cold and rainy weather even during the height of the summer cruising season. However, high season (late June and July) will bring sun and short-sleeved weather.
A winter coat with a waterproof shell for glacier exploring or viewing
Quick-dry hiking pants for rainforest hiking
A fleece layer for most days
Hiking boots, preferably waterproof
Waterproof, packable rain jacket
Fleece hat and gloves
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