Alaska Cruises
Explore the breathtaking glaciers and abundant wildlife of Alaska on an unforgettable cruise adventure.
Alaska Cruises with Paramount Cruises
Alaska is one of the world’s most spectacular cruise destinations, where vast wilderness, towering glaciers and dramatic mountain scenery create an unforgettable travel experience. Cruising is one of the best ways to explore Alaska, allowing you to journey through the famous Inside Passage while visiting remote coastal towns and wildlife-rich landscapes that are difficult to reach by land.
Many Alaska cruises sail between Vancouver, Seattle and Whittier, offering breathtaking scenery throughout the voyage. Along the way, you may witness calving glaciers, spot whales and bald eagles, and explore historic frontier towns. Many guests also combine their cruise with land experiences across Alaska or Western Canada, creating a remarkable holiday that blends glaciers, national parks and vibrant cities.
Why Cruise to Alaska?
Cruising offers one of the most immersive ways to experience Alaska’s dramatic landscapes and wildlife. Ships sail through the Inside Passage, a protected coastal route lined with fjords, glaciers and forested mountains. Along the journey, you can explore historic gold rush towns, witness glaciers breaking into the sea and encounter wildlife such as whales, bears and sea lions. With spectacular scenery throughout the voyage, Alaska cruises deliver unforgettable natural experiences both on land and at sea.
Popular Alaska Cruise Highlights
Alaska cruises visit some of the most spectacular landscapes and frontier towns in North America. From glacier-filled fjords to historic gold rush ports, each destination offers unforgettable scenery and wildlife encounters.
Glacier Bay National Park
Sail through one of Alaska’s most spectacular wilderness areas, where enormous glaciers calve into the sea and wildlife such as seals, whales and bears thrive in pristine surroundings.
Juneau
Alaska’s capital is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, offering whale watching, scenic flightseeing and access to the impressive Mendenhall Glacier.
Skagway
Step back into the Klondike Gold Rush era in this historic frontier town and ride the famous White Pass & Yukon Route railway through dramatic mountain scenery.
Ketchikan
Discover Alaska’s rich Native heritage and colourful waterfront streets in Ketchikan, known for its towering totem poles and abundant salmon fishing.
Inside Passage
Cruise through the protected Inside Passage, a breathtaking coastal route filled with forested islands, fjords, glaciers and abundant marine wildlife.
Whale Watching
Witness humpback whales breaching and feeding in Alaska’s nutrient-rich waters, one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in the region.
Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
The Alaska cruise season typically runs from May through September, when milder weather and long daylight hours make it ideal for exploring the region. Early season sailings in May and June offer snow-capped mountain scenery and fewer crowds, while July and August provide the warmest temperatures and the best opportunities for wildlife viewing. September cruises can offer dramatic autumn landscapes and the chance to see the Northern Lights as the season draws to a close.
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.
Cruise Lines Sailing to Alaska
A wide range of cruise lines operate voyages to Alaska, offering everything from relaxed family-friendly cruises to luxury expedition-style experiences.
Rocky Mountaineer Rail Journeys
Many guests choose to combine their Alaska cruise with a journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, one of the world’s most famous luxury train experiences. Travelling through the Canadian Rockies, the train offers panoramic views of mountains, lakes and forests from glass-domed carriages.
Combining an Alaska cruise with a Rocky Mountaineer journey creates a remarkable rail and sea holiday, linking the glaciers of Alaska with the dramatic landscapes of Western Canada.
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.
Cruising is widely considered the best way to explore Alaska because ships can access remote coastal regions and glaciers that are difficult to reach by land.
Most Alaska cruises last seven nights, although longer itineraries and land extensions are also available.
Alaska cruises commonly depart from Seattle, Vancouver or Whittier near Anchorage, depending on the itinerary.
Yes. Many Alaska cruises include scenic cruising through glacier regions such as Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier.
Wildlife sightings are common and may include whales, bears, bald eagles, sea lions and otters.
Yes. Many guests combine their cruise with visits to Denali National Park, Anchorage or the Canadian Rockies for a wider Alaska and Western Canada adventure.