We’ve been showing guests the wonders of Alaska since 1947 — before it was even a state. Now, as we celebrate 75 years in the Great Land, this is the year to join us on an epic journey, create unforgettable memories and discover the Alaska of your dreams. We love Alaska — and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Below is a mere glimpse of what you will experience on our Alaska cruises. Come along to see the real Alaska, one too big for the screen.
Meet Alaska's Giants, Face-To-Face
With 75 years in Alaska, we know every nook, cranny and crevasse. We have more departures featuring Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. All Alaska cruises include one or more glacier-viewing days and you’ll get closer to ‘the giants’ on ships perfectly sized for the Great Land.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay mesmerizes with vivid blue icebergs, rugged coastlines, and massive rivers of ice. On our Alaska cruises, you don’t just see Glacier Bay. You learn its history and ecosystem from tribe members and rangers. Get face-to-face with a frozen giant and wait breathlessly for calving. A true bucket list experience.
Hubbard Glacier 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 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.
Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures. Cruise roundtrip from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries.
ALASKAN EXPLORER
7-day roundtrip from Seattle. Explore Victoria and three iconic Alaska ports: Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. On Saturday departures, scenic cruise Glacier Bay. See Hubbard Glacier on Sunday departures.
7-day roundtrip from Vancouver. Glide calm waters to Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Experience the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and other scenic wilderness areas.
Add a 1-, 2- or 3-night resort stay near Denali National Park to your Alaska cruise vacation.
THE BEST WAY TO GET TO DENALI
Take in seldom-seen backcountry views aboard our domed railcars as you travel between Anchorage and Denali National Park. Every cruisetour includes select rail adventures that begin directly from the ship.
VENTURE INTO DENALI’S WILD HEART
Venture deep into Denali National Park on a Tundra Wilderness Tour, included on 2- and 3-night stays. Keep your eyes peeled for grizzlies, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves.
From culture to food to icy thrills, find options for all interests and activity levels.
Top 10 Alaska Shore Excursions
Adventure among narrow fjords, rugged mountains, and verdant forests in remote outposts that tell the hardscrabble history of Alaska. From Sitka to Ketchikan and Skagway, experience top shore excursions and find out what Alaska truly offers.
With the Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure, start at a floating kayak basecamp and paddle Alaska’s dreamy coastline, looking for whale spouts and brown bears.
Set out on your Alaska cruise from Seattle’s serene waterfront. Visit its most popular attractions, such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Do as locals do and fuel up at one of the numerous cafes.
Get a head start on your day with our prime docking locations in iconic destinations.
SKAGWAY, ALASKA
Go back in time to the Klondike Gold Rush on cruises to Skagway, Alaska, once the primary gateway to the goldfields. Take a trip on the scenic railroad and still have time to dine and shop. Read More
JUNEAU, ALASKA
Cruise to Juneau, Alaska and visit the most remote and most beautiful state capital. This sleepy, misty city boasts countless adventures. Ride the tramway 1,800 feet up for soaring views. Read more
KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
Ketchikan, Alaska is one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. Amble historic Creek Street, a boardwalk over a wide creek that fills with salmon during certain times of year. Read more
Gain an experience—and—perspective not found with any other cruise line. Alaska Up Close, our exclusive Alaska cruise onboard programming gives you a greater appreciation for the Great Land with innovative performances from BBC Earth, expert-led talks, Port to Table cooking demonstrations and more.
BBC Earth In Concert
Watch groundbreaking wildlife footage set to a live orchestra. This innovative performance will keep you on the edge of your seat.
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.
An Unrivaled Culinary Journey
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.
Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam is fitting for a cruise to Alaska. Museum-quality art outfits this ship, from oils to photographs of music legends.
Sink into refreshed suites and a new lounge, plus dining and entertainment venues. Take in Alaska’s evergreen fjords and thunderous glaciers on this Vista-class ship.
An elegant and spacious ship with fresh floral arrangements and garden-inspired décor. Master frontier flavor with regional cooking demonstrations on board.
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Alaska Cruise Travel Articles
What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
Leave the heavy-duty winter coats and boots at home—easily removable, waterproof layers are best. Pack thermal layers that can keep you comfortable in temperatures ranging from 30- to 80-degrees Fahrenheit. Outfitters often provide the special gear for Alaska shore excursions, so no need to load your bags with crampons and waders.
Stick to casual activewear meant for moving about in the great outdoors. Bring a few outfits for formal nights and dinners on ship.
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 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 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 icy adventures you can take.
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, 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.
