Alaska is one of the most spectacular cruise destinations on Earth: glaciers calving into the sea, humpback whales, bears, eagles and frontier towns like Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. The Inside Passage and Glacier Bay are highlights.
Here are the best Alaska cruise lines, from big ships to small expedition vessels.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Big-ship Alaska
- Smaller ships and expeditions
- Alaska tips
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | Premium ocean | 17 Ships in the fleet | Alaska all-rounder | Main dining, OceanMedallion, Camp Discovery |
| Holland America Line | Premium ocean | 11 Ships in the fleet | Classic Alaska | Main dining, Music Walk venues, Pools & hot tubs |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Mainstream ocean | 20 Ships in the fleet | Flexibility | Main dining, Splash Academy, Theatre & shows |
| Royal Caribbean | Mainstream ocean | 31 Ships in the fleet | Families | Main dining, Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs, Theatre & shows |
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium ocean | 16 Ships in the fleet | Style and food | Main dining, eXhale bedding, Pools & hot tubs |
| Viking | River and ocean | 15 Ocean ships | Adults-only | Wi-Fi, Excursion in every port, Beer & wine at lunch and dinner |
| National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions | Expedition | 23 Ships in the global fleet | Wildlife | All drinks (polar/sail/river fleet), Crew gratuities (polar/sail/river fleet), All activities + shore excursions |
| HX Expeditions | Expedition | Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships | Expedition style | Main dining, Science & lectures, Zodiac landings |
| American Cruise Lines | River and ocean | 20+ US-flag ships | Small-ship Inside Passage | All meals, Drinks at lunch and dinner, Daily shore excursions |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Big-ship Alaska
Princess Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 17 Ships in the fleet
Year-round Alaska programmes and 17 mid-premium ships, with the OceanMedallion wearable and calm, well-organised cruising.
Best for: Alaska all-rounder
Holland America Line
- Premium ocean
- 11 Ships in the fleet
An Alaska specialist with a strong programme and refined mid-size ships, plus more than 150 years of heritage.
Best for: Classic Alaska
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Mainstream ocean
- 20 Ships in the fleet
Alaska voyages including the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay, with Freestyle Cruising and no fixed dining times.
Best for: Flexibility
Royal Caribbean
- Mainstream ocean
- 31 Ships in the fleet
Big-ship Alaska with surf simulators and kids’ clubs on board.
Best for: Families
Celebrity Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 16 Ships in the fleet
Modern premium ships sailing Alaska among all seven continents.
Best for: Style and food
Viking
- River and ocean
- 15 Ocean ships
Adults-only ocean ships of around 930 guests sailing Alaska, with an excursion in every port.
Best for: Adults-only
Smaller ships and expeditions
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
- Expedition
- 23 Ships in the global fleet
Expedition voyages with naturalists and family-suitable departures in Alaska.
Best for: Wildlife
HX Expeditions
- Expedition
- Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships
- 180-530 Guests — boutique to small-ship scale
Expedition ships of 180 to 530 guests sailing Alaska among their polar and remote destinations.
Best for: Expedition style
American Cruise Lines
- River and ocean
- 20+ US-flag ships
- 180 Max guests / ship
US-flagged small ships of around 180 guests on the Alaska Inside Passage.
Best for: Small-ship Inside Passage
Alaska tips
Season: May to September; June to August are warmest, and May and September can be better value. Routes: round trips from Seattle or Vancouver sail the Inside Passage; one-way voyages to or from Whittier or Seward (for Anchorage) can be combined with a land tour to Denali. What to pack: layers and waterproofs, binoculars for wildlife.
How we chose these cruise lines
We featured lines whose own information includes Alaska sailings. Itineraries and seasons change every year, so check the sailings available for your dates, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cruise line for Alaska?
Princess and Holland America are Alaska specialists; Lindblad is excellent for wildlife on smaller ships.
When is the Alaska cruise season?
May to September.
Where do Alaska cruises depart from?
Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier or Seward near Anchorage are common.
Is Alaska good for families?
Yes, Royal Caribbean and Princess are good family choices.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
