Alaska is a bucket-list cruise for good reason: you’ll thread through the Inside Passage, watch tidewater glaciers crackle and calve, and spot whales, bald eagles, and bears—all while only unpacking once. Most sailings run May through September, with roundtrips from Seattle or Vancouver for convenience, and one-way itineraries to or from Anchorage (Whittier/Seward) that pair easily with land tours to Denali. Shoulder months (May, September) tend to be quieter and often better-priced; midsummer brings warmer temps and long daylight
Princess Cruises remains a classic choice, especially if “maximum glaciers” is your priority. Its signature 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers runs between Vancouver and Whittier and builds in two glacier-viewing days—typically Glacier Bay National Park plus either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. Onboard, the award-winning North to Alaska program brings local seafood, park rangers, and cultural experiences aboard. If you want time inland, Princess also runs seamless cruisetours with its Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail and stays at Princess Wilderness Lodges near Denali. (Cruise Vacations)
Viking targets travelers who prefer an adults-only, culture-forward vibe. Its Alaska & the Inside Passage itinerary is typically 11 days between Vancouver and Seward, sailing on all-veranda small ships (~930–998 guests). Expect no casinos, no children, a slower pace, and an included shore excursion in every port—plus lectures and destination-focused dining. It’s a strong fit if you value quiet shipboard atmosphere and scenic days spent out on deck. (viking.com)
Royal Caribbean is the go-to for families and anyone who wants big-ship amenities with Alaska on the side. Quantum-class ships such as Ovation of the Seas sail mostly roundtrip from Seattle and feature the North Star® glass observation capsule that rises ~300 feet for sweeping glacier and mountain views, along with iFly® skydiving simulators and lively entertainment. Look for itineraries that include scenic cruising at Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, and consider a Cruisetour add-on to reach Denali after a one-way voyage. (Royal Caribbean)
Holland America Line has deep Alaska roots and great access to Glacier Bay. The line notes it holds more Glacier Bay permits than any other, and every Alaska cruise includes a dedicated glacier day (options include Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Hubbard, or Dawes). HAL also shines with comprehensive Denali and even Yukon cruisetours and classic, mid-sized ships that feel purpose-built for scenic sailing. (Holland America Line)
Celebrity Cruises blends modern design with robust Alaska coverage. You’ll find both roundtrip itineraries (like Dawes Glacier from Seattle or Vancouver) and northbound/southbound routes that feature Hubbard Glacier—often with a naturalist narrating from the bridge as you approach. Celebrity also offers Denali Cruisetours if you want to pair the coast with the interior. (Celebrity Cruises)
If you want the most glacier time and easy Denali add-ons, start with Princess or HAL. Prefer an adults-only ship with inclusive touches and a slower pace? Viking is your lane. Traveling with kids or craving bigger thrills and headline entertainment? Royal Caribbean is tough to beat. If you like chic, contemporary ships and a balance of Hubbard/Dawes routes plus naturalist commentary, consider Celebrity. Whichever line you pick, compare whether your itinerary features Glacier Bay, Hubbard, or Endicott Arm—each offers a distinct glacier experience—and consider splurging on a balcony for the sail-ins and calving.
Alaska’s story stretches from millennia-old Indigenous cultures—Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Iñupiat, Yup’ik, and Athabaskan peoples among others—to Russian colonization and the 1867 U.S. purchase for $7.2 million, long nicknamed “Seward’s Folly.” The late-1890s Klondike Gold Rush funneled stampeders through ports like Skagway and Dyea, leaving trails and boomtowns whose remnants you can still visit. After decades as a territory, Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959. Modern Alaska pivoted again with the 1968 Prudhoe Bay oil discovery and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which first carried oil in 1977, even as tourism and fishing grew into pillars of the economy. It’s also home to Denali—North America’s tallest peak at 20,310 feet—and remains the largest U.S. state by area, a scale that explains the outsized glaciers, wildlife, and wilderness you’ll see from the rail, road, and, of course, the ship’s rail.
Bottom line: Alaska isn’t just another cruise—it’s a front-row seat to raw nature. Choose the line that matches your style, decide between a roundtrip “sampler” or a one-way paired with Denali, and then build in time to simply be on deck. The ice, the wildlife, and the midnight-sun light show will do the rest.