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Destination

Alaska

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

May-September 5 home ports 30 ships
Credentials you can check

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

SeattleSeattleWA
VancouverVancouverBC
SewardSewardAK
WhittierWhittierAK
San FranciscoSan 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

Juneau

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

Ketchikan

Ketchikan

Totem poles, salmon runs and the Misty Fjords.

Skagway

Skagway

Gold-Rush town and the historic White Pass railway.

Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay

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

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point

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

Sitka

Sitka

Russian-Alaskan history on the wilder outer coast.

Hubbard Glacier

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.

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 →

Find your sailing

Ready to see real sailings? Use the finder to line up the ships for this region, then one call books the right one.

Open the cruise finder →

Prefer to just ask? Tell us your dates and party for Alaska, we'll match the ship and you get today's fare on the call.

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Common questions

When is the best time to cruise Alaska?

The season runs May-September.

Which ports do Alaska cruises leave from?

You can sail from Seattle, WA, Vancouver, BC, Seward, AK, Whittier, AK, San Francisco, CA.

Which cruise lines sail Alaska?

5 lines we cover sail this region: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess.

Credentials you can check

Licensed, ASTA member and Bahamas-certified

You are in good hands. We hold recognised travel-industry credentials and the official Islands of the Bahamas certifications. Tap a badge to verify it.

Training and certifications

A principal of BookMeCheapest LLC holds the Certified Bahamas Specialist diploma from The Islands of The Bahamas.

Training completed by individuals at BookMeCheapest LLC, the team that researches and publishes this site. Calls are answered by independent travel companies, not by any cruise line, and not by the people named here. These are professional development courses run by tourist boards and cruise lines for travel professionals. Completing one is a training achievement, not a partnership, appointment or endorsement. We are not affiliated with, authorised by, or an agent of any cruise line or tourist board.

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