Alaska Cruises

Hubbard Glacier in Alaska is a rebel. Nicknamed “the Galloping Glacier,” it’s advancing, while most are receding. At six miles wide, covered in bright blue ripples, Hubbard amazes with spectacular calving.

College Fjord is lined with Ivy league Alaskan glaciers, named during the Harriman Expedition with John Muir and other scientists. There’s a spot in the fjord where you can see eight glaciers at once.

Tracy Arm dazzles with snow-capped peaks rising from emerald waters. Spot bears shuffling along the shore and chubby seals chilling out on ice floes.

Get to know the real Alaska. In Glacier Bay National Park, rangers and members of local tribes give engaging presentations, answer your questions and point out areas of interest.

Fresh-caught salmon, Alaskan craft beer, and special events, such as Port to Table cooking demonstrations and FOOD & WINE® tours fill each day of your Alaska cruise with frontier flavor.

Have a richer, more meaningful experience with dynamic and informative talks from those who know Alaska best. Examples of EXC® Talks on Alaska cruises include: We Are Alaska, Alaska’s Iconic Whales, Iditarod: The Last Great Race.

The Great Land’s incredible coast and thundering glaciers are best experienced by boat, but many parents wonder if an Alaska cruise with kids is as convenient and enjoyable as it sounds. The answer is yes! It takes some extra planning and patience but creates great memories. Kid-friendly cruises are the most convenient way for the fam to experience the Last Frontier. Multi-generational Alaska cruises with grandparents are growing in popularity.

The best time to cruise to Alaska is a matter of personal preference. The "best time" could be different for a solo traveler who dreams of photographing bears than it is for a parent who wants a family vacation in the great outdoors. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. The Alaska cruise season is just five months long, from May to September, although Holland America Line offers Alaska cruises in late April and early October.

Alaska glaciers are emblems of climate change and at the same, vestiges from centuries ago. They are nature’s Michelangelo, sculpting deep fjords. They have a profound impact on landscapes, wildlife, and people. There are many ways to experience Alaska glaciers on Alaska cruises. Hike a glacier. Helicopter onto one. Carve it up on a dogsled. Learn the fascinating science behind Alaska glaciers, where to see the best glaciers in Alaska, and get an overview of all the opportunities for icy adventures that await you on an Alaskan cruise.

There are things to do in Alaska that you cannot do anywhere else. Helicopter onto a glacier. Spend a day pulling in Alaskan king crab or watching grizzlies snap fish from a river. Ride along a steep cliff in an old-fashioned railcar. Sit on a deck and soak in the arctic air. Of course, any list of the top things to do in Alaska is subjective …there are all kinds of Alaska attractions to keep at the top of your Alaska cruise itinerary, from heart-pounding adventures to contemplative outdoor activities.

Alaska is a vast wilderness that’s steeped in history and dotted with rustic outposts. It’s an incredible region, a true bucket-list destination from the shimmering glaciers to Denali, the Great One. When it comes to finding the best places to visit in Alaska, start with what appeals to you the most. Here are some of our favorite places to go in Alaska drawing from nearly 75 years of experience.

Nothing compares to viewing an animal in its natural habitat. It is a humbling experience, especially when it comes to whales, one of the more entertaining Alaska creatures to spy on. When you go whale watching on an Alaska cruise, you could see a humpback breach or an orca pod on a hunt. Alaska waters are known to host eight different species of whales inhabiting or migrating through its seas and fjords.