Most Alaskan cruises will explore the ‘panhandle’ or southeast tip of Alaska. Below are some key highlights of an Alaskan small-ship cruise.
Sailing the Inside Passage - shaped by glaciers that carved it millions of years ago, the Inside Passage stretches from Puget Sound, Washington, through British Columbia, and into the Gulf of Alaska. The Inside Passage offers stunning, ever-changing scenery. Home to whales, bald eagles, sea lions, and porpoises, the Alaskan Inside Passage spans more than 500 miles and includes over 1,000 islands.
Glacier Bay National Park - Marvel at the awe-inspiring scenery as you cruise Glacier Bay, the world's largest UNESCO-protected biosphere. With a bit of luck, you’ll see brightly colored puffins, mountain goats, eagles, bears, and sea lions, all set against a stunning backdrop and the amazing sounds of nature.
Chichagof Island & Baranof Island - Just a couple of the many Alaska Islands
Tracy Arm - Prepare for breathtaking scenery as you cruise Tracy Arm. Located 45 miles south of Juneau, Tracy Arm is a narrow fjord that stretches over 30 miles. With over a quarter of the area covered in ice and home to some of Alaska’s largest glaciers, Tracy Arm offers views of stunning waterfalls and sheer rock walls over a mile high, and it's also home to hundreds of harbor seals, mountain goats, eagles, and passing whales.
Ketchikan - Known as the ‘Salmon Capital of the world,’ Ketchikan is a history-rich city. The area began with a fish saltery, then a salmon cannery, followed by copper and gold mining, and even supplying timber for the construction of WWII airplanes. Now, Ketchikan’s main industry is tourism. It's easy to see why, with museums, libraries, restaurants, and amazing wildlife sightings, including mountain goats, black bears, sea otters, humpback whales, orcas, and seals.
Sitka - Another city rich in history, Sitka, on the southern part of Baranof Island, is where the Russians lowered their flag, and the US raised its flag after the US purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867.
Best time to cruise Alaska
The best time to cruise Alaska is April through September, with the high season in June and July, mainly because of warmer weather and longer days. Early April and late September are typically the low season but offer the best chance to see the Northern Lights because of the shorter days. April and May also offer stunning scenery, with the mountain peaks still covered in snow.
Mid-April to the end of August offers the best time to see whales, particularly Orcas and humpbacks. However, whether you choose April or September, amazing wildlife sightings are a given, whether it’s mountain goats, black bears, harbor seals, sea otters, or bald eagles. Couple that with the stunning Alaska landscape, and you’re sure to have an adventure cruise to remember.
Where Alaska cruises depart from
The departure port for your Alaska cruise varies depending on the itinerary, but the most common departures are below;
Ketchikan, on Revillagigedo Island, Alaska Airlines provides daily flights from Seattle. You can also reach Ketchikan by sea via the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), which has connections from the US and Canada, though the trip from Washington to Ketchikan takes about 3-4 days.
Juneau - You can get to Juneau by air or sea. Alaska Airlines offers daily flights year-round from Seattle or Anchorage, and Delta Airlines offers seasonal flights from Seattle to Juneau. The other option is the state-run ferry, the AMHS.
Petersburg - Alaska Airlines offers twice-daily flights from Washington, Seattle, and Anchorage, and you can also get to Petersburg via the AMHS.
Sitka - Alaska Airlines offers daily flights to Sitka from Seattle, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan. You can also go by ferry, which takes 3-4 days.
Seattle - As a major US city, Seattle offers numerous ways to get there, from planes and trains to trams.
Check your itinerary beforehand, as different routes offer different departure/arrival options. Itineraries range from round-trip departures, such as Juneau to Juneau, to one-way trips, such as Seattle to Juneau and Sitka to Ketchikan. Your choice can depend on whether you plan to add land-based options at either end of your trip. Also worth considering is a (re)positioning cruise where the boats move from one area/country to another, offering a unique trip not normally part of regular itineraries. No matter your route, we recommend arriving at your departure location at least 1 day early to be ready for your Alaska small-ship adventure cruise.
Alaska cruise tips
Before you head off on your amazing Alaska Small Ship cruise, below is some general advice and tips to ensure your trip runs smoothly;
What to expect on an Alaskan Cruise - Alaskan cruises generally promise adventure, excitement, and the beauty of Southeast Alaska. On board, you can expect comfortable rooms, fine Alaskan cuisine, and new friends for life. Days will generally start with a hearty breakfast to set up your day, followed by hiking, whale watching, bird-watching along coastal river trails or meeting the locals. Enjoy a hot chocolate or hot toddy to warm you up throughout the day, and relax in the evening with a glass of wine at dinner. Most Alaska cruises are casual, so no need to dress up for dinner.
Plan ahead - Most Alaska cruises sell out 6-9 months in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment and guarantee your space. Mid-April to early May and late August to mid-September offer the most affordable time to go to Alaska, where you can save $400+ compared to traveling in June or July.
Arrive early - As mentioned earlier, arriving a day early helps ensure you’re on your cruise on time. Since most Alaska cruise ship departure ports require a short flight, allow time for delays.
Choosing the right trip - The best trip depends on personal preference, but all Alaskan cruises offer a great experience in this remote region. Most boats have put a lot of effort into scheduling the itineraries, so no matter which one you pick, you will have a memorable experience. Alaska itineraries are usually 7, 8, or 10 days, depending on the trip you choose. Various boat sizes are available for cruising Alaska; see our Best Small Ship Cruises in Alaska page for more information.
What to pack - The Alaskan cruise season runs from April to September, leading into and out of the summer months. Are cruises cold? The average temperatures are between 55f-65f (12-18 °C) and can drop by around 5 degrees at night, so clothing appropriate to these temperatures is required. Rainfall can be heavy in Southeast Alaska, so a waterproof jacket is also a good idea. Many Alaska cruises involve hiking, so bring a comfortable pair of hiking shoes or boots, and sunglasses are a must during the summer months, especially to protect your eyes from the glare off the water. Most Alaska cruise ships have binoculars available, but if you have your own, bring them so you don’t have to wait for a pair to free up or share.
Alaska Travel Advice: Alaska is a US state, so if you’re traveling from outside the US, you will need a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining. If you’re not a US passport holder, you will also need the correct visa to enter the US. Please check the latest visa requirements before making any travel plans.
