Is an Alaska Cruise Worth It? Your Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises (When to Go, Routes, Cruise Lines, Ports, Costs and Tips)
Second Star Wishes is a boutique travel agency that plans Alaska cruises and cruisetours for families, couples, and multigenerational groups. This guide covers when to go, which route and cruise line fit you, where you'll see glaciers, the best ports and excursions, real 2027 costs, the documents you need, and when to book.
By Andrea Napiontek, Founder and CEO | Last Updated: November 2026 | 2027 ships and homeports checked against Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, and Disney Cruise Line announcements; Glacier Bay rules checked against the National Park Service; Juneau ship limits checked against City and Borough of Juneau reports; fares and extras checked against published 2027 price guides, November 2, 2026
Get Expert Travel and Cruise Guidance First on Google
In This Guide
Alaska Cruise Quick Facts
When's the best time to go? June through August for the warmest days and the most wildlife. May and September have the most economical fares and fewer crowds.
How much does it cost? Most 7-night Alaska cruises start around $600 to $1,000 per person for an inside stateroom, and around $1,100 to $2,500 per person for a balcony, depending on the month (2027 fares as of November 2026).
Do I need a passport? For a round trip from Seattle, U.S. citizens can sail with a birth certificate and photo ID. For anything starting or ending in Vancouver, you need a passport book. We recommend a passport for everyone.
Jump to: When to go | Costs | Cruise lines
Is an Alaska Cruise Worth It?
Yes, for almost everyone who's ever dreamed of seeing glaciers, whales, and mountains that drop straight into the sea. An Alaska cruise is one of the easiest ways to see the state, because most of coastal Alaska has no roads connecting its towns. The ship IS the road.
"Is an Alaska cruise worth it, or is it just a lot of rain and cold?" We hear this one a lot. Here's what surprises most people: the scenery from the ship is half the trip. You'll sail past glaciers, snowy peaks, and tiny fishing towns while you sit on deck with a hot chocolate. Then you step off in a new town most mornings for whale watching, a train ride into the mountains, or a floatplane over the fjords.
You unpack once. Meals are covered. And you see more of Alaska in a week than most road trips could show you in two.
It's a great fit if you:
Love scenery, wildlife, and nature more than beach days
Want an easy first trip to Alaska with no long drives
Are traveling with grandparents, kids, or both (there's something for every age)
Want to add Denali National Park on land before or after the cruise
It might not be the right fit if you:
Want hot weather and pool time every day (look at the Caribbean instead)
Hate any chance of rain (Southeast Alaska is a rainforest)
Get seasick easily AND only want a one-way route across the open Gulf of Alaska
Bottom line: if you want jaw-dropping views with all the planning done for you, an Alaska cruise is one of the best trips in the world. And yes, a lot of our clients book it again.
When Is the Best Time to Take an Alaska Cruise?
The best time for most families is June through August, when days are longest and wildlife is most active. Alaska cruises run from late April to early October, and each month feels a little different.
Alaska cruise season, month by month
Late April and May: Most economical fares, fewest crowds, and May is usually the driest month. Highs in the mid 50s. Lots of daylight (about 17 hours by mid-May). Snow still on the mountains...gorgeous for photos. Gray whales and humpbacks are around; bears are just waking up.
June: Longest days (about 19 hours of daylight), highs around 60, and more ships to pick from. Fares climb. Mosquitoes start showing up on land.
July: Peak season. Warmest weather (mid 60s), the most wildlife, and the highest fares. It's also the busiest month in port, so book early.
August: Still great for whales and bears (salmon are running and berries are ripe). Fares dip a little from July. Rain picks up, so pack your rain jacket.
September: Most economical fares, fewer families (school is back), and fall colors. It's the rainiest month, days get shorter, and the open Gulf of Alaska can get rough. Late September sailings that go far north might even catch the Northern Lights.
TIP: if your crew wants the best mix of weather and value, look at late May or early June. You'll get long days and snowy peaks without peak July rates.
Here's the part that trips people up: weather in Alaska changes by the hour. A rainy morning in Ketchikan can turn into a sunny afternoon in the fjords. Plan for layers every single day, no matter the month.
Which Alaska Cruise Route Should You Pick?
Most first-timers pick a 7-night round trip through the Inside Passage from Seattle or Vancouver. That's the easiest option. But there are three main route types, and the right one depends on your time and what you want to see.
Inside Passage round trip (Seattle or Vancouver)
Usually 7 nights, starting and ending in the same city, so flights are simple.
Sails mostly through protected waters between islands, so it's calmer for anyone sensitive to motion.
Typical ports: Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and sometimes Sitka or Icy Strait Point, plus a day of glacier cruising.
Seattle round trips always stop in Victoria, British Columbia, usually for a short evening visit. That's because of a U.S. law (the Passenger Vessel Services Act) that requires foreign-flagged ships sailing between U.S. ports to stop in a foreign port.
One-way Gulf of Alaska cruise (Vancouver to Seward or Whittier)
Usually 7 nights, sailing one direction between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier (both near Anchorage).
Adds bigger glacier days, like Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.
You fly into one city and out of another, so flights take more planning and can yield higher rates.
Crosses open water in the Gulf of Alaska, which can feel rougher, especially in late summer and September.
Cruisetour (cruise plus land)
A one-way cruise plus about 3 to 7 nights on land, usually with Denali National Park, Fairbanks, or the Kenai Peninsula.
Princess and Holland America have the most choices, with their own lodges and train service near Denali. Royal Caribbean adds its first Alaska cruisetours in 2027.
Best for travelers who may only visit Alaska once and want to see the interior, not just the coast.
TIP: if you're doing a one-way cruise, fly in at least one day early. Flights into Vancouver, Seattle, or Anchorage get delayed, and the ship won't wait.
Where Will You See Glaciers on an Alaska Cruise?
Every Alaska cruise includes at least one glacier day, but WHICH glacier depends on the cruise line and route. This is one of the biggest differences between itineraries, so look for the glacier by name.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay is the one most people dream about. The National Park Service limits how many big ships can enter (no more than two a day), so only a few cruise lines have permits. Princess has the most Glacier Bay visits in 2027, and Holland America visits on many of its sailings. Ships don't dock. They spend most of the day inside the park, and park rangers come on board to narrate and run Junior Ranger activities for kids. (National Park Service)
Hubbard Glacier
North America's longest tidewater glacier: about 76 miles long, roughly 6 miles wide at its face, and about 400 feet tall above the water. You'll usually see it on one-way Gulf of Alaska routes and some round trips.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
A narrow fjord with towering walls, waterfalls, and floating ice. Disney Cruise Line visits Dawes Glacier on most of its Alaska sailings, and many other lines do too. In 2026, several lines swapped nearby Tracy Arm for Endicott Arm after a large landslide there in August 2025. Not every line has shared its 2027 plans for Tracy Arm yet, so check your itinerary.
College Fjord
A fjord lined with glaciers named after colleges, seen mostly on northbound Gulf of Alaska sailings with Princess and Holland America.
TIP: "Scenic cruising" can mean a lot of things. If Glacier Bay is a must for you, make sure the words "Glacier Bay National Park" are on the day-by-day itinerary before you book.
What Are the Best Alaska Cruise Ports and Excursions?
The big three ports are Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, and most 7-night cruises stop at all three. Each one has a must-do.
Juneau (Alaska's capital)
Mendenhall Glacier: you can get there for about $4 round trip on the city bus, or book a tour.
Whale watching: about $85 to $110 per person. Humpbacks are the stars from May to September.
Helicopter glacier landing: about $275 to $350 per person. Dog sledding on a glacier runs about $500 to $600.
Goldbelt Tram up Mount Roberts: about $35 to $40.
Good to know: Juneau now limits big ships to five a day, with a daily passenger limit starting in 2026 (16,000 people Sunday to Friday and 12,000 on Saturday). Some lines are shifting a few 2027 stops from Juneau to Icy Strait Point.
Skagway (Gold Rush town)
White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad: the classic Summit Excursion is about 2.5 hours round trip, climbing almost 3,000 feet into the mountains. It's about $169 per adult and $84.50 per child age 3 to 12 (published rates as of November 2026), and you don't need a passport for this one. (White Pass and Yukon Route)
Walk Broadway Street's old Gold Rush storefronts, or book a dog sled camp with puppies (kids LOVE this).
Ketchikan (salmon capital of the world)
Misty Fjords National Monument by floatplane: about $250 to $300 per person, and one of the most breathtaking things you can do in Alaska.
Totem poles: Ketchikan has one of the largest collections of standing totem poles in the world, at Totem Bight and Saxman.
Creek Street: a boardwalk of colorful houses on stilts over a salmon stream.
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show: about $35 to $40, and a family favorite.
Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Victoria
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah): owned by the local Alaska Native community, with the world's largest ZipRider, a gondola, and bear and whale tours.
Sitka: Russian and Tlingit history, plus sea otters and the Alaska Raptor Center.
Victoria, British Columbia: a short evening stop on Seattle round trips. Walk the harbor or see Butchart Gardens if your stop is long enough.
TIP: helicopter and floatplane tours sell out first in July and August. Book them as soon as your cruise line opens excursion booking.
Which Cruise Line Is Best for an Alaska Cruise?
The best cruise line for Alaska depends on who's coming and what matters most to you. Here's how the big ones compare for 2027.
Princess Cruises: the Alaska heavyweight, with 8 ships in 2027 and the most Glacier Bay visits. Its own lodges and rail cars make Denali cruisetours easy. Great for first-timers and grandparents.
Holland America Line: 6 ships in 2027 and 80 years in Alaska. A calmer, more classic feel, Glacier Bay on many sailings, and Denali cruisetours. Great for couples and multigenerational groups.
Royal Caribbean: 4 ships in 2027 (Quantum and Voyager from Seattle, Serenade from Vancouver, and Anthem one-way to Seward). Rock climbing, big pools, and lots of kid and teen fun. Great for active families.
Celebrity Cruises: modern, stylish ships (Celebrity Edge, Solstice, and Summit) with excellent food. Great for couples and adults who want a resort-style feel.
Norwegian Cruise Line: 4 ships in 2027 with flexible dining and no set dinner times, plus Norwegian Jade one-way to Whittier. Great for groups and travelers who like options.
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sail from Vancouver in 2027, with characters in cold-weather gear, Dawes Glacier, and Disney's famous kids' clubs. Read our Disney Cruise Line guide and ship comparison for more.
Carnival Cruise Line: fun and casual, with 7-night sailings from Seattle and longer trips from San Francisco.
Luxury and small ships: lines like Viking, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, and Seabourn include more in the fare (often drinks and tips). Small expedition ships, like UnCruise and Lindblad, add kayaking and skiff rides and get into tiny coves big ships can't.
Bottom line: there's no single best line. A family with a 6-year-old and a couple celebrating their 40th anniversary will love very different ships. That's exactly the kind of personalized recommendation your Travel Specialist makes.
How Much Does an Alaska Cruise Cost?
Most 7-night Alaska cruises start around $600 to $1,000 per person for an inside stateroom, and balconies usually run about $1,100 to $2,500 per person depending on the month. These are 2027 cruise fares as of November 2026, and they change often.
Typical balcony fares by month (7 nights, per person)
May: about $1,100
June: about $1,650
July: about $2,450 (peak)
August: about $2,100
September: about $1,200
What's usually NOT included in the cruise fare
Taxes and port fees: about $250 to $400 per person.
Daily crew gratuities: about $16 to $20 per person, per day, depending on the line (for example, Princess about $18, Holland America about $17, Royal Caribbean $18.50, Celebrity $19.50, Norwegian $20).
Shore excursions: from about $35 for a lumberjack show to $500 or more for dog sledding on a glacier.
Drink packages: about $60 to $130 per person, per day on most lines.
Wi-Fi: about $20 to $45 per day.
Flights: about $300 to $800 per person, more for one-way routes.
Pre-cruise hotel night: about $150 to $400 in Seattle or Vancouver.
Travel insurance: strongly recommended.
Here's what surprises most people: excursions can add as much as the cruise fare itself, especially for a family of four. A floatplane trip for four people can cost more than a week of inside staterooms. So budget for the experiences, not just the ship.
TIP: inside staterooms are a smart way to save in Alaska, since you'll spend so much time on deck anyway. But if anyone in your crew wants quiet views of the glaciers in pajamas, a balcony is worth every penny on this trip.
Do You Need a Passport for an Alaska Cruise?
It depends on your route. A passport is the safest choice for everyone, but here are the rules for U.S. citizens:
Round trip from Seattle (closed loop): adults can sail with an original birth certificate plus a government photo ID, or a passport card. Kids 16 and under need a birth certificate.
Starting or ending in Vancouver (or any one-way cruise): you need a valid passport book.
Flying to your cruise: adults need a REAL ID or passport at TSA. Since February 1, 2026, TSA charges a $45 fee to travelers 18 and older without one.
Why we still recommend a passport for a closed-loop cruise: if you ever need to fly home from Canada because of an emergency or a missed ship, you'll need a passport book to board that flight.
What Should You Pack for an Alaska Cruise?
Pack layers and rain gear. Summer days are usually in the 50s and 60s, and it can be sunny and 70 one day and chilly and drizzly the next.
A waterproof rain jacket with a hood (skip the umbrella...it's windy on deck)
Layers: t-shirts, a fleece or sweater, and a light puffer
Waterproof shoes or boots for excursions
A warm hat and light gloves for glacier day (it's MUCH colder near the ice)
Binoculars, one pair per person if you can (you'll be sharing less and spotting more whales)
A camera with zoom, and extra phone storage
An eye mask, since it can stay light until 10 p.m. or later in June
One nicer outfit for formal or dressy nights, if your line has them
Motion sickness remedies, especially for one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises
TIP: which side of the ship? On a northbound one-way cruise, the starboard (right) side usually faces the coast. Southbound, it's the port (left) side. On round trips, it evens out, so don't stress about it.
When Should You Book an Alaska Cruise?
Book as early as you can, ideally 12 to 18 months ahead. 2027 Alaska cruises are open now, and Princess, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean have already opened 2028 sailings.
July and August balconies, family staterooms, and Denali cruisetours are the first to go. Book these by early 2027 for summer 2027.
Special offers often show up around Black Friday and in "wave season" (January through March), when cruise lines run their biggest sales of the year.
Shore excursions open after you book, and the most popular ones (helicopter, floatplane, and whale watching) can sell out 60 to 90 days ahead in summer.
Already booked? Many cruise lines will adjust your fare if a better offer comes out before final payment. That's one more thing your Travel Specialist watches for you.
What Are the Most Common Slip Ups We See?
Assuming every cruise goes to Glacier Bay. Many don't. Check the itinerary by name.
Flying in on cruise day. One delayed flight and you're watching your ship leave from the airport.
Bringing only a birth certificate on a Vancouver cruise. You need a passport book.
Waiting too long on excursions. The best helicopter and floatplane tours sell out in summer.
Packing for summer instead of Alaska. You'll want a rain jacket, layers, and a warm hat.
Picking the open Gulf of Alaska in September if you get seasick. An Inside Passage round trip is calmer.
Forgetting to budget for excursions. They're the heart of the trip, so plan for them from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Cruises
What is the best month for an Alaska cruise?
July has the warmest weather and the most wildlife, but also the highest fares. For great weather with more economical fares, try late May or early June.
How many days do you need for an Alaska cruise?
Seven nights is the most popular length and covers the main ports and a glacier day. Add 3 to 7 nights on land for a cruisetour if you want to see Denali.
Is an Alaska cruise good for kids?
Yes. Kids love whale watching, dog sled puppies, and the Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay. Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, and Carnival all have kids' clubs on board.
Will I get seasick on an Alaska cruise?
Most Inside Passage cruises are calm because the ship sails between islands. One-way cruises cross the open Gulf of Alaska, which can feel rougher, especially in late summer. A lower-deck, midship stateroom helps.
Can you see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise?
It's possible on some late-season sailings in September, but not likely in summer because it barely gets dark. For a real chance, add a winter trip to Fairbanks.
Is a balcony worth it on an Alaska cruise?
For many travelers, yes. You can watch the scenery in private, out of the wind. An inside stateroom plus a bigger excursion budget is also a smart choice.
Do you need a passport for an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Not always. Round trips from Seattle accept a birth certificate and photo ID, or a passport card, for U.S. citizens. We still recommend a passport book in case you need to fly home from Canada.
Which Alaska cruise goes to Glacier Bay?
Princess has the most Glacier Bay visits in 2027, and Holland America visits on many sailings. Small expedition ships do too. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney, and Carnival usually visit other glaciers instead.
How Can a Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist Plan Your Alaska Cruise?
We plan Alaska cruises from start to finish, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the view.
Looking for an Alaska cruise travel agent? That's us. Your Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist plans Alaska cruises and cruisetours for families everywhere from our home base in Daphne, Alabama, on the Gulf Coast.
We match you with the right cruise line, ship, and route for your crew (and tell you honestly when one isn't the right fit)
We compare the full cost, including tips, excursions, and flights, not just the fare
We help you pick the stateroom and side of the ship for the best views
We plan pre-cruise hotel nights, flights, and Denali land days
We book the must-do excursions as soon as they open
We watch for new special offers and stay just a text away during your trip
Tell us when you'd like to go, who's traveling, and the one thing you most want to see, whether that's whales, glaciers, or Denali.
Some of our Travel Specialists also offer a Concierge Planning Package for travelers who want extra hands-on help, like booking shore excursions the moment they open, planning pre-cruise hotel nights, and a custom day-by-day plan. Ask your Travel Specialist what's included.
Dreaming about a different kind of cruise? See our guide to Christmas market river cruises in Europe.
Let us turn your Alaska wishes into reality!
📧 info@secondstarwishes.com
☎️ 800-365-3130
About the Author: Andrea Napiontek, CTA
Andrea is the founding owner and CEO of Second Star Wishes, a boutique travel agency she founded in 2016 in Daphne, Alabama. She has been a Travel Specialist since 2015. She's a Certified Travel Associate (CTA), a Magellan Award recipient, and an ASTA member and mentor, with specialist training in Disney destinations, Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. Before travel, she worked in education and counseling, which is why every plan starts with really listening. Home base is the Gulf Coast with her husband and three kids...when she's not off on a new adventure. She has been featured in Travel Weekly and Parade.
Meet Andrea | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn
Get Expert Travel and Cruise Guidance First on Google
Add Second Star Wishes as a preferred source, and Google will show our newest travel and cruise updates higher in your search results.