Princess Cruises
Mid-premium cruising with destination-strong itineraries — Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.
Cruise destinations
Alaska Cruises
Glaciers, forested inlets and frontier towns, with whales, eagles and bears often spotted from the deck or on shore.
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Alaska Cruises with Travelisto
An Alaska cruise is all about scenery and wildlife. Ships thread through the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage, past forested islands and snow-capped peaks, and slow down beside tidewater glaciers where ice can be seen breaking into the sea. It suits nature lovers, keen photographers, multi-generational families and anyone who wants a wilderness holiday with the comfort of a cabin to return to each night.
The season is short, running from May to September. May and early June tend to be drier and quieter, July and August are the warmest and busiest months, and September brings autumn colours and fewer crowds. Wildlife is visible throughout the season, with humpback whales, sea otters and bald eagles regularly sighted, and salmon runs drawing bears to the rivers in the later summer.
Most Alaska cruises last 7 nights. Round trips from Seattle or Vancouver focus on the Inside Passage, calling at Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, with a day of glacier viewing. One-way Gulf of Alaska routes sail between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, near Anchorage, and are often combined with a land tour to Denali National Park, creating a trip of 10 to 14 nights in total.
From the UK you will fly to Vancouver, Seattle or Anchorage, and many travellers add a few nights in Vancouver or the Canadian Rockies before or after sailing. Lines such as Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have long specialised in Alaska and offer well-organised cruise and land packages. Our Travel Designers can help you choose between round trip and one-way routes and plan the land section around your cruise.
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Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Refined mid-size cruising with strong Alaska and global itineraries, mid-premium pricing.
Royal Caribbean
Large family-friendly ships packed with entertainment, water parks and waterslides.
Celebrity Cruises
Modern premium cruising with stylish ships, world-class dining and global itineraries.
NCL Norwegian
Freestyle American cruising with no fixed dining times — flexible and family-friendly.
American Cruise Lines
USA-flagged river and coastal cruising — Mississippi, New England, Pacific Northwest, Alaska.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | First-timers who want an Alaska specialist and easy cruise-and-land packages. |
| Holland America Line | Travellers who want a long-established Alaska line with a calm, classic style. |
| Royal Caribbean | Families who want big-ship facilities alongside the glaciers. |
| Celebrity Cruises | Couples who want a modern premium ship and good dining. |
| NCL Norwegian | Travellers who like flexible dining and a relaxed, freestyle approach. |
| American Cruise Lines | Anyone who prefers a small ship that can get closer to the coastline and smaller towns. |
Alaska ports and scenic cruising at a glance
- Juneau
- Alaska’s capital, reached only by sea or air, and a base for whale watching and the Mendenhall Glacier.
- Ketchikan
- Known for its totem poles, salmon and seaplane trips over the Misty Fjords.
- Skagway
- A Gold Rush town and the start of the White Pass railway into the mountains.
- Glacier viewing
- Most itineraries include a scenic day near a tidewater glacier, such as Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier or Tracy Arm, depending on the route.
- Seward and Whittier
- The ports for Anchorage on one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises, and the starting point for land tours to Denali.
How to plan an Alaska cruise
Start by choosing between a round trip and a one-way cruise. Round trips from Seattle or Vancouver are simpler to book and focus on the Inside Passage. One-way cruises cover more of the coast and pair naturally with a land tour, but need an open-jaw flight.
A land tour adds Alaska’s interior, with Denali National Park and the chance to see the wildlife and scale of the landscape away from the coast. Many travellers also add a few days in Vancouver or the Canadian Rockies.
Excursions are a big part of an Alaska cruise, from whale watching and glacier walks to helicopter and seaplane flights. The most popular ones can fill early, so it is worth planning them well ahead. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and binoculars: the weather can change quickly and wildlife is often seen from the deck.
Inside Passage or Gulf of Alaska?
- Inside Passage round trip
- Usually seven nights from Seattle or Vancouver, with sheltered waters, three or four ports and a day of glacier viewing. Simple return flights and a good first Alaska trip.
- Gulf of Alaska one-way
- Sails between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, covering more of the coast. Ideal if you want to add Anchorage or Denali.
- Cruise and land tour
- Combines a one-way cruise with several nights inland, often including Denali National Park and a scenic rail journey. The fullest way to see Alaska.
- Small-ship cruising
- Smaller vessels can visit quieter inlets and smaller communities, with a more expedition-style feel.
FAQ
Alaska Cruises: your questions answered
When is the best time to cruise Alaska?
The season runs from May to September. May and June are often drier, with long daylight hours and fewer visitors. July and August are the warmest and most popular months, especially for families. September is quieter, with autumn colours and a chance of seeing the Northern Lights later in the month, though the weather is more changeable.
Should I choose a round trip or one-way Alaska cruise?
Round trips from Seattle or Vancouver are simpler to arrange and focus on the Inside Passage. One-way Gulf of Alaska cruises cover more distance, usually reach more glaciers, and finish near Anchorage, which makes it easy to add a land tour to Denali. One-way trips need open-jaw flights, which we can arrange for you.
What wildlife can I see on an Alaska cruise?
Humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions and bald eagles are commonly seen from the ship or on boat excursions. Black and brown bears can be spotted on shore, particularly when salmon are running in summer. Booking a whale-watching or bear-viewing excursion in ports such as Juneau or Ketchikan improves your chances considerably.
What should I pack for an Alaska cruise?
Layers are essential, as temperatures vary between sunny port days and chilly glacier viewing on deck. Bring a waterproof jacket, a warm fleece, a hat and gloves, comfortable walking shoes and a good pair of binoculars. Smart-casual clothes are fine for evenings on most ships, with a dressier outfit for any formal nights.
Is it worth adding a land tour to an Alaska cruise?
For many travellers it is, especially on a first visit. A land tour lets you see Denali National Park, the Alaskan interior and towns such as Fairbanks, which you cannot reach by ship. Packages usually add three to six nights. If time is limited, a few days in Vancouver before or after sailing is a good alternative.
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