Destination

Alaska

When to sail, where you leave from, which ships go, and one call to book.

May-September 5 home ports 30 ships

What to expect

Glaciers, whales and green-mountain fjords on a tight May-September window. Choose a round-trip (usually from Seattle or Vancouver) or a one-way Gulf cruise that pairs with a land tour.

Best time to sail

May-September.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Where you sail from

SeattleWA

VancouverBC

SewardAK

WhittierAK

San FranciscoCA

These are the US and Canada home ports ships depart from for this region, drive or fly in the day before. Photos are illustrative.

Typical ports of call

Juneau

The capital, reachable only by sea or air, Mendenhall Glacier and whale-watching.

Ketchikan

Totem poles, salmon runs and the Misty Fjords.

Skagway

Gold-Rush town and the historic White Pass railway.

Glacier Bay

A national park of tidewater glaciers seen by scenic cruising (no dock).

Icy Strait Point

Native-owned port near Hoonah, whales and the world's longest zipline.

Sitka

Russian-Alaskan history on the wilder outer coast.

Hubbard Glacier

A huge, actively calving glacier visited by scenic cruising.

Exact stops vary by ship and sailing, a specialist matches the itinerary to what you want to see.

Ships that sail here

🚢 Royal Caribbean 4

🥂 Celebrity 3

⚓ Holland America 11

👑 Princess 10

Island Princess

2003

View ship →

Every ship above sails this region on its own published itinerary. Availability by date changes constantly, one call confirms what's open for you.

Which line fits this trip

🚢

Royal Caribbean

Big-ship resort

Big, activity-packed ships for families and first-timers. Guide →

🎉

Carnival

Fun & value

Casual, fun-first cruising at an approachable pace. Guide →

🥂

Celebrity

Premium modern

Modern, adults-leaning ships with a refined feel. Guide →

⚓

Holland America

Classic premium

Classic, destination-focused cruising. Guide →

👑

Princess

Relaxed premium

Relaxed premium sailing with strong itineraries. Guide →

Documents & practicalities

On most round-trips that start and end at the same US port (closed-loop), US citizens can sail on a birth certificate plus government photo ID, but a passport is strongly recommended and is required for any cruise that starts or ends abroad, and for flying home if you miss the ship. Confirm requirements for your exact itinerary and nationality before you book.

See all the cruise facts that cost you money →