Alaska Cruise Specialists
From the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage to the glaciers of the Gulf of Alaska, our specialists match you to the right ship, route and season — and to a land-and-sea cruisetour if Denali is calling.
Alaska is a destination where the ship, the route and the timing matter as much as the fare. A one-way Gulf of Alaska sailing pairs naturally with a Denali cruisetour; a round-trip Inside Passage voyage from Seattle or Vancouver is easier on the wallet and the calendar. Our Alaska cruise specialists know which lines hold the best glacier-viewing itineraries, which balconies are worth it, and how to time a July sailing for the long daylight without the peak-August crowds.
Why Use an Alaska Cruise Specialist?
The right route
Round-trip Inside Passage vs. one-way Gulf of Alaska — we match the itinerary to your time, budget and must-see glaciers.
Glacier access
Not every sailing enters Glacier Bay National Park. We steer you to itineraries with the scenic cruising you actually want.
Cruisetours to Denali
Add a rail-and-lodge land tour to Denali and the interior before or after your cruise, coordinated end to end.
Cabin & timing know-how
Which side of the ship, which week of the season, which cabin category — the details that make an Alaska cruise.
Alaska Cruise Lines We Book
Princess & Holland America
The Alaska veterans — the widest choice of Gulf sailings, Glacier Bay permits and Denali cruisetours.
Royal Caribbean & Celebrity
Bigger, newer ships round-trip from Seattle and Vancouver, strong for first-timers and families.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle sailing from Seattle, Whittier and Vancouver, with open dining and flexible shore time.
Small ships & expedition
UnCruise, Windstar and expedition operators for wilderness-first, small-group Alaska.
Popular Alaska Cruise Routes & Ports
- Inside Passage — round-trip Seattle or Vancouver
- Gulf of Alaska — one-way Vancouver ⇄ Whittier/Seward
- Glacier Bay National Park scenic cruising
- Hubbard Glacier & Endicott Arm / Dawes Glacier
- Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway & Sitka
- Denali cruisetours & the Alaska interior
Ready to plan your Alaska cruise?
Tell us your dates, preferred line and whether you want a Denali cruisetour, and we’ll do the rest. Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted Alaska cruise specialists.
Get up to 5 Alaska cruise quotes!Why Smart Traveler?
Smart Traveler is a service of the travel division of Best of the USA, Inc. Entrust your trip to seasoned professionals specializing in cruises, tours, vacation packages, all-inclusive resorts and international airfares. With over 50,000 travel advisors in our growing database, we’re sure to have the experts right for your travel needs!
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Exclusive proprietary rates
Insider access to rates and partnerships unavailable to the average traveler.
Alaska Cruises — Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to cruise Alaska?
The season runs early May to late September. June and July bring the longest daylight; late August and September offer lower fares, fall color and the best chance of the northern lights on interior cruisetours.
Inside Passage or Gulf of Alaska?
Round-trip Inside Passage sailings are cheaper and simpler (no one-way airfare). One-way Gulf of Alaska sailings go farther north and pair with a Denali cruisetour, but need open-jaw flights.
Which cruises visit Glacier Bay?
Only ships with a National Park Service permit enter Glacier Bay. We flag which sailings include it versus Hubbard Glacier or Endicott Arm, so you get the glacier day you expect.
What is a Denali cruisetour?
A cruisetour combines your sailing with a guided land tour by rail and lodge into Denali and the Alaska interior — typically 3 to 7 added nights before or after the cruise.
How do I get an Alaska cruise quote?
Request up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted Alaska cruise specialists and compare lines, cabins, cruisetours and sailing dates side by side.