Alaska Cruises
Discover towering glaciers, remarkable wildlife and unforgettable landscapes on an Alaska cruise through one of the world's great wilderness regions.
Alaska Cruises with Paramount Cruises
An Alaska cruise brings you remarkably close to some of North America's most dramatic landscapes. Sail between forested islands, snow-capped mountains and immense glaciers, with opportunities to spot whales, bears, bald eagles and other wildlife as you explore Alaska's spectacular coastline.
Many itineraries follow the famous Inside Passage, combining scenic cruising with ports including Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Choose a round-trip sailing from Vancouver or Seattle, travel one way between Canada and Alaska, or extend your holiday inland to discover Denali, Anchorage and the Canadian Rockies.
Alaska Cruises in 2027 & 2028
There is an excellent choice of Alaska cruises in 2027, with itineraries ranging from classic seven-night Inside Passage voyages to longer sailings featuring Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier and Alaska's more remote coastal communities. Departures are available from Vancouver, Seattle, Whittier and Seward, making it easy to find an itinerary that suits the way you want to explore.
Planning further ahead? Alaska cruises in 2028 are also now on sale with a growing choice of ships and itineraries. Booking early can give you more choice of balcony cabins, suites and preferred departure dates, particularly if Glacier Bay, a particular ship or an extended Alaska and Canada holiday is important to you.
Why Cruise to Alaska?
In Alaska, the journey itself is every bit as memorable as the ports you visit. Scenic cruising days can take you deep into fjords and glacier-filled bays, with spectacular views unfolding directly from the ship. You might spend the morning watching a glacier from deck before stepping ashore in a historic frontier town that afternoon.
Cruising also connects Alaska's coastal communities without the need to repeatedly change hotels or arrange long journeys between them. Choose a round-trip Inside Passage cruise for a straightforward introduction to the region, or a one-way sailing if you want to continue inland and explore more of Alaska before or after your cruise.
Popular Alaska Cruise Highlights
Alaska cruises combine remarkable natural scenery with historic towns and some of North America's most memorable wildlife experiences. While every itinerary is different, these are some of the places and experiences worth looking for when comparing cruises.
Glacier Bay National Park
Sail through an extraordinary protected wilderness of mountains, fjords and immense glaciers, with opportunities to watch for seals, whales and other wildlife along the way.
Juneau
Alaska's state capital combines mountain scenery with superb wildlife experiences, including whale watching and excursions to the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier.
Skagway
Discover a town shaped by the Klondike Gold Rush and ride the famous White Pass & Yukon Route railway through dramatic mountain scenery towards the Canadian border.
Ketchikan
Explore colourful waterfront streets, discover Alaska Native culture and see impressive collections of totem poles in one of the Inside Passage's best-known ports.
Inside Passage
Cruise between forested islands, fjords and mountain scenery along one of the world's great coastal routes, with wildlife and spectacular views often visible directly from the ship.
Hubbard Glacier
Experience scenic cruising at one of Alaska's most impressive tidewater glaciers, where vast walls of blue ice create one of the region's most memorable glacier-viewing experiences.
Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
The main Alaska cruise season runs from May through September, with each part of the season offering a slightly different experience. Long daylight hours make the summer particularly well suited to scenic cruising and exploring ashore, while weather in Alaska can change quickly at any point in the season.
Alaska Cruises in May & June
May and June bring long days, snow still visible across many mountain landscapes and the beginning of Alaska's busy summer season. These months can be an excellent choice if dramatic scenery is high on your list, particularly on glacier and Inside Passage itineraries.
Alaska Cruises in July & August
July and August are at the heart of the Alaska cruise season, with some of the longest daylight hours and typically the mildest temperatures. There is a huge choice of ships and itineraries, making these months particularly popular for families and anyone wanting the widest selection of departures.
Alaska Cruises in September
September brings cooler conditions and a change in the landscape as Alaska begins to move towards autumn. Daylight hours become shorter, but late-season cruises can offer a different atmosphere and, when conditions are right, the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
When Should You Book an Alaska Cruise?
Where you begin your Alaska cruise can shape the itinerary considerably. Vancouver and Seattle are the principal gateways for round-trip cruises, while Whittier and Seward feature prominently on one-way voyages that can be combined with time exploring Alaska on land.
Main Alaska Cruise Departure Ports
Alaska cruises depart from several key ports along the west coast of North America, each offering different itineraries through the Inside Passage and beyond.
Seward
Set on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Seward is another important gateway for one-way cruises to and from Vancouver and works particularly well with Denali, Anchorage and Alaska land tours.
Cruise Lines Sailing to Alaska
Alaska attracts a broad range of cruise lines, from ships packed with restaurants and entertainment to smaller, destination-led vessels. The right choice depends on whether the ship itself, glacier access, family facilities or time spent exploring ashore matters most to you.
Alaska Cruises & Rocky Mountaineer Holidays
An Alaska cruise can become an even bigger adventure when combined with Rocky Mountaineer and the Canadian Rockies. Travel through mountain passes, forests and river valleys aboard one of the world's most celebrated rail journeys before continuing to Vancouver and setting sail for Alaska.
Our Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska packages combine the First Passage to the West route with time in destinations such as Banff and Lake Louise, followed by an Alaska cruise from Vancouver. It creates a memorable contrast between the mountains of Western Canada and the glaciers, fjords and wildlife of Alaska.
Explore our Rocky Mountaineer cruise packages to discover this unforgettable travel experience.
Alaska Cruises – Frequently Asked Questions
If you are planning an Alaska cruise, these quick answers cover some of the most common questions about sailing to this remarkable destination.
There is no single best month for everyone. May and June offer long days and impressive snow-capped scenery, July and August are at the heart of the season with the widest choice of cruises, while September brings cooler conditions and changing autumn landscapes. The right month depends on your preferred weather, itinerary and travel dates.
Glacier Bay National Park is one of Alaska's most impressive scenic cruising destinations and is well worth considering when comparing itineraries. However, it is not the only reason to choose a particular cruise. Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord and Endicott Arm can also provide spectacular glacier experiences, so compare the complete itinerary rather than focusing on one name.
Both are excellent gateways. Vancouver is particularly well positioned for Inside Passage itineraries and one-way voyages towards Whittier or Seward, while Seattle has an extensive choice of convenient round-trip cruises. Your preferred cruise line, ship and itinerary are usually more important than the departure city alone.
Seven nights is the classic length for an Alaska cruise and gives you time to combine several ports with scenic cruising. Longer itineraries can visit additional destinations or spend more time exploring the region, while cruise-and-land holidays extend the experience inland to places such as Denali, Anchorage and the Canadian Rockies.
Layers are essential because conditions can change considerably throughout the day. Pack comfortable footwear, waterproof outerwear and warmer layers for scenic cruising and excursions. Sunglasses and binoculars are also useful, particularly for glacier viewing and wildlife spotting from the ship.
Yes. One-way Alaska cruises are particularly well suited to adding time in Anchorage, Denali and other parts of Alaska before or after sailing. Cruises from Vancouver can also be combined with the Canadian Rockies and Rocky Mountaineer, creating a longer rail, land and cruise holiday.
Alaska Cruise Deals
Explore our latest Alaska cruise deals for 2027 and 2028, with live availability across a wide choice of cruise lines, ships and itineraries. Compare Inside Passage cruises, glacier voyages, round-trip sailings and longer Alaska holidays to find the itinerary that suits you.