cruises from vancouver canada to alaska

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Alaska Cruises from Vancouver

Take in the scenic inside passage on a roundtrip alaska cruise from vancouver.

Uncover treasures in the Great Land on an Alaska cruise from Vancouver. Relive Gold Rush history, experience Native Alaskan culture and come face-to-face with some of Mother Nature’s greatest masterpieces. On a roundtrip Inside Passage cruise, enjoy quicker access to Alaska while also exploring the friendly ports of British Columbia.

Itinerary Ports

When you cruise to Alaska from Vancouver, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty.

• Endicott Arm
• Glacier Bay National Park
• Hubbard Glacier
• Icy Strait Point

Endicott Arm is a jewel in Alaska’s crown. This 30-mile waterway is surrounded by cliffs, valleys and dozens of waterfalls. Icebergs and harbor seals decorate the water below while Dawes Glacier soars into the sky above. Revel in the beauty of Mother Nature’s masterpiece and listen closely as the scenery whispers secrets of times long ago during your cruise to Alaska.

When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park.

The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface. See it for yourself on an Alaska cruise with Princess.

Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history. The nearby Spasski River Valley holds one of the world’s largest populations of brown bears, who are often found hunting for salmon in the rivers. Zipline over the wilderness, watch a tribal dance or kayak in coastal waters to see the wildlife up close during your Alaska cruise vacation.

Juneau is unlike any other city in the United States. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise.

Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. Cast your rod into a sea of opportunity on a cruise to Alaska.

On an Alaska cruise, take your pick of attractions in the port of Sitka. See how bald eagles and local bird populations receive first-class treatment at the Alaska Raptor Center. Encounter wildlife in their natural habitat at the Fortress of the Bear. Or experience the culture of Russian Alaska on a visit to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, and relive Native history at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training.

Canada's third largest city feels like a North American metropolis mixed with a small European town. Explore the rainforest within Vancouver, B.C. — Stanley Park — and visit the continent's second largest Chinatown during your Alaska cruise vacation. Soar above the city's lush natural environment in a sky gondola for panoramic views, or get up close to the local sea life at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Why Choose This Itinerary?

Discover the top reasons to cruise to Alaska from Vancouver.

• Glacier Viewing  — Alaska’s glaciers were meant to be admired. That’s why every Alaska cruise from Vancouver includes at least one glacier viewing experience to either Glacier Bay National Park or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
• Three Historic Ports of Call  — Fish for salmon in Ketchikan, pan for gold in Skagway or fly over snow-capped mountains in Juneau. Relive Alaska’s greatest tales in these spirited ports of call on an Inside Passage cruise.
• Convenient Roundtrip Air Travel  — On a roundtrip cruise to Alaska from Vancouver, enjoy easier travels to and from your cruise vacation with the opportunity for even more adventure before you set sail or after your trip ends.
• A Visit to Vancouver  — From Chinatown to Stanley Park, uncover old-world history amidst new-age living in Vancouver before or after your Alaska cruise.

Ships on this Itinerary

Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from our smaller vessels to large ships. From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your Alaska cruise.

Caribbean Princess®

Coral Princess®

Grand Princess®

Ruby Princess®

Sapphire Princess®

Alaska Cruise Experience

We have a 50-year legacy of sharing the best places and experiences with our guests. On an Alaska cruise, unpack once and explore glaciers, wildlife and national parks.

Alaska Glaciers

One of the biggest reasons people visit

Glaciers feel alive. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier.

Alaska Wildlife

Untamed, just like Alaska

Alaska is home to a rich array of wildlife, from the famous Big Five animals that live in Denali National Park — grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep and caribou — to bald eagles and humpback whales that migrate through the Inside Passage. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights.

Alaska Mountains & National Parks

National treasures

With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay National Park has over 2,000 square miles of glacial coverage. Along with Wrangell-St. Elias and Kenai Fjords, a world of natural wonders awaits on an Alaska cruise or cruisetour.

Alaska excursions

Don't just visit this famous land, live it on Alaska excursions. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience.

Alaska Cruise Onboard Experience

Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land.

Alaska Seafood

Fresh and bountiful, like Alaska itself

Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises.

Meet Local Alaskans

Real Alaska from local Alaskans

Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique. Watch lumberjacks in action, learn from Glacier Bay National Park rangers and craft with a Native totem pole carver. Or listen to harrowing Tales from the Deadliest Catch fishermen and climbers who have summited Denali during your Alaska cruise.

Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences

Great experiences from the great land

Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Or savor tree-inspired bites at our very own Sappy Hour. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska.

Alaska Cruise Articles and Videos

Read about Alaska’s must-see attractions, signature cuisine, and how to prepare for a wild adventure into the heart of The Great Land.

Discover Alaska with Princess in 2024-2025

The best cruise line in Alaska just keeps getting better! From top-rated cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park to scenic rail travel and exclusive Princess lodges, you will find a seamless Alaska experience with Princess.

Best Dishes to Try on Your Alaska Cruise

No one does seafood quite like Alaska—which is why we brought the best of the Great Land on board, so you can experience it all with Princess.

Top Alaska Cruise Destinations

From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise.

Inside Passage Alaska Cruise

From exploring historic gold mines to venturing in the footsteps of early explorers, learn about Alaska’s Inside Passage and discover the wonders awaiting you.

Alaska Ports of Call

From the sweeping mountains of Juneau to the fish-bearing seas of Ketchikan, discover our Alaska cruise ports and set sail into the adventures that await you.

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise

Check out our helpful checklist so that you know exactly what to pack for an Alaska cruise with Princess.

Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Princess EZair® Flights

Stress-free airfare

Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.

EZair flight quotes are available on our cruise search result details pages.

Airplane to Ship Transfer

We get you where you need to go

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax

Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

Need help planning?

Princess Cruise Vacation Planners are a dedicated resource to help you every step of the way through the planning process of your cruise vacation. And the best part is, they are absolutely FREE!

Cruise deals & promotions

Find our top sales, deals, partnerships and promotions for our destinations all in one place. We run promotions throughout the year and sometimes run sweepstakes where you could win prizes!

#PrincessCruises Alaska Connection

See Alaska through our guests' eyes.

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Alaska and British Columbia – Inside Passage, Bears, and Aleutian Islands (Northbound)

18-day expedition cruise from Vancouver to Alaska, taking in spectacular scenery, diverse cultures, and Neolithic history

Wild Alaska

Discover the pristine coastal wilderness in Misty Fjords National Monument and visit remote islands on this extraordinary expedition cruise. Keep an eye out for black and brown bears on famous Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park. Along the way, scout for whales, fur seals, and rare seabirds.

Fascinating heritage

Encounter Indigenous Tlingit and Aleut cultures, hunt for petroglyphs in Wrangell, and follow in the footsteps of gold prospectors and explorers. Visit the picturesque ghost town of Unga and uncover ancient stories on mossy totem poles at Chief Shakes Tribal House.

Your expedition begins

Further explore Vancouver and launch your adventure.

Your expedition cruise starts in Vancouver, a bustling and beautiful seaport set among steep mountains.

Vancouver’s various neighborhoods buzz with world-class, farm-to-table cuisine. Don’t miss Gastown, Vancouver’s Victorian neighborhood. Here you’ll find the Vancouver Lookout, standing at an altitude of 553 feet. It offers a perfect panoramic view over the city.

MS Roald Amundsen awaits you at the pier. Settle in and take your time to get to know the ship. Locate the Science Center, gym, and restaurants.

If you have time, we recommend arriving a few days early to take a luxury train trip on the famous Rocky Mountaineer through the beautiful landscape of the Rockies with our special optional Pre-Program. What better way to begin your adventure?

Inside Passage

See sublime scenery as we sail the Inside Passage.

The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long. Unlike other cruises that pass through at night, you’ll be able to view the sublime scenery in all its glory during the day.

Our smaller expedition ship allows us to reach areas that larger vessels can’t, meaning that you can explore the breathtaking scenery of lesser-traveled channels. Keep your cameras and binoculars close at hand to spot dolphins, porpoises, orcas, and humpback whales.

Unspoiled Misty Fjords

Discover a wilderness where wildlife thrives.

Misty Fjords is part of the Tongass National Forest. It is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. The revered naturalist writer John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.

Weather permitting, join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small boats (RIBs) or kayaks.

Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. Scan for mountain goats, bears, and moose as you explore. The waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, sea lions, harbor seals, orcas, and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and bald eagles.

Wrangell’s petroglyphs

Visit one of Alaska’s oldest harbor towns

We will continue cruising the Alaskan islands to Wrangell. Only a mile out of town, the incredible Petroglyph Beach is where you can see ancient rock carvings among the sand.

Visit the local museum to learn more about Wrangell’s fascinating past. Now part of the United States, it was once governed by Britain, Russia, and the Tlingit people. Cross to Shakes Island, where the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the story of the Indigenous Tlingit people.

Hikers will enjoy the nature trails, surrounded by alluring scenery at the mouth of Stikine River, along with the foot of Mount Dewey, sitting at the edge of the rainforest.

Blended cultures of Sitka

Take in Sitka’s views and a unique mix of cultures.

Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea or air. Get out on deck for stunning views of the Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe Volcano.

Discover Sitka’s fascinating history with our Expedition Team. Inhabited by the Tlingit people for 10,000 years, it was occupied by Russia in 1804 before being sold to the US after the Crimean War. Today, Sitka blends all three cultures.

Visit the Russian Orthodox cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House. Admire ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park—it’s a real treat. You can also enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.

The glaciers of Icy Bay

Wildlife watching in glacier-fed waters

Today, experience a fantastic expedition day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall – regularly calve into the bay. If conditions allow, explore it in our small boats (RIBs) or by kayak, immersing you in the area’s remarkable beauty.

Wildlife abounds in the Gulf of Alaska, offering unrivaled photography opportunities. In these waters, you can often see humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals loafing on floating chunks of ice.

Across the Gulf of Alaska

A day of wellness and birdwatching at sea

Your cruise continues across the Gulf of Alaska. It’s the ideal time to enjoy onboard facilities such as the infinity pool, hot tubs, and sauna. Go for a run, hit the gym, or enjoy a massage in the spa.

In the Science Center, join the Expedition Team for lectures about the region’s wildlife, geology, glaciology, history, and culture.

Relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar and share a drink with your fellow guests, or just sit back and enjoy the view. See if you can spot all three species of North Pacific albatross. The Laysan and black-footed albatross are often sighted, but the short-tailed albatross is harder to spot.

Kodiak’s Brown Bears

Explore the home of the Alutiiq people.

Kodiak Island got its nickname, the ‘Emerald Isle,’ due to its spruce forests and grasslands. It’s the second-largest island in the US, meaning there’s plenty to see.

Discover the island’s rich Indigenous heritage at the Alutiiq Museum, or visit the 1808 Kodiak History Museum, housed in the oldest-standing building in the state. You can also visit Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park, with its strategic World War II naval fort and bunkers from 1939.

The island’s most famous inhabitants are Kodiak brown bears. Around 3,500 of them live in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which covers two-thirds of the island.

Brown bears in Katmai

Brown bear spotting in Katmai National Park

Your adventure continues in the four million acre Katmai National Park, which has over a dozen active volcanoes. Katmai is home to more than 2,000 protected brown bears, the largest concentration in the world.

Accompanied by an experienced bear guard, we’ll safely scout for bears from the deck or in our small boats (RIBs). They might be foraging for berries, digging for clams, or catching fish in the stream.

Depending on conditions, we might visit Geographic Harbor, Kinak Bay, or Kukak Bay. Keep your eyes open for sea otters, seabirds, and humpback whales.

Tiny Chignik

Sample local life in a small Alaskan fishing town.

Chignik is perched on the southern coast of the Unalaska Peninsula and is one of Alaska’s most beautiful small settlements.

Venture ashore to explore the village, where the local fishing community will gladly receive you. Spawning salmon fill Chignik’s rivers throughout the summer months and you may be lucky enough to see the leaping fish as they make their way upstream.

Keep your eyes on the skies, as Chignik’s sheltered conditions and plentiful fish support an abundant bald eagle population. Watch for bear tracks, as these animals can be frequently seen close to the settlement.

The ghost town of Unga

Experience Unga, a deserted Alaskan town

Wild and deserted, Unga Village is an abandoned yet picturesque settlement on the southern end of Unga Island.

It was settled by Aleuts in 1833 but was abandoned in 1969, as subsistence fishing proved insufficient to support living here. Today, the few wooden buildings that remain are the only evidence that people once lived here.

A carpet of pink lousewort, fireweed, and other wildflowers surround the abandoned shacks as nature has gradually taken over. Experience the eerie beauty of this place during a nature landing with our small boats (RIBs).

Discover Dutch Harbor

Soak up history and nature in this fishing hub.

With a volcano as its backdrop, America’s largest fishing port – Dutch Harbor – is a fascinating place to visit. Learn about the local Indigenous Unungan people at the Museum of the Aleutians. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral or tour the World War II museum commemorating the battle that took place here in 1942.

Scout for bald eagles and puffins in the skies. Foxes, lemmings, and wild horses thrive on land and whales, sea lions, and porpoises in the waters. Dutch Harbor is where the reality television series The Deadliest Catch was filmed, following crab fishermen at work under extreme conditions.

Learning and Leisure

Relax and reflect as we cruise along the coast.

Part of being on an expedition cruise is taking time to connect with the sights and sounds of the world around you. A day at sea lets you do just that. Sit back and take in the panoramic views from our Explorer Lounge & Bar, from the infinity pool, or from the outdoor hot tubs.

Keep scanning the seas and skies for puffins, auklets, and murrelets, especially closer to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might glimpse the red-legged kittiwake, only found in this part of the world.

Learn more about the region’s geography, climate, and birdlife from the Expedition Team in the Science Center.

Aleut life in St. Paul

Culture and wildlife on the largest Pribilof Island

The windswept island of St. Paul is home to the largest Aleut community in the US, numbering around 400. You can visit the historical remains of barabaras here, traditional dwellings built half-underground to protect against the sea winds.

St. Paul is also designated an Important Bird Area, and around 300 species of migrating birds use it as a resting point. Scan for horned and tufted puffins, the Pribilof sandpiper, and the rare red-legged kittiwake.

Wild St. Matthew

Experience this wild, remote, and isolated island.

Part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and 200 miles from the nearest village, St. Matthew Island is wild, remote, and isolated. You’ll see traces of abandoned buildings between black-sand beaches and wildflower-dotted tundra. A few hardy souls have tried – and failed – to make a home here.

Today, the only inhabitants are birds, including thousands of puffins, murres, and cormorants. On our nature landing, if you’re lucky you’ll catch sight of the rare McKay’s Bunting, which breeds almost exclusively here. Listen for the sound of the singing vole, named after its unusual warning cry.

Crossing the Bering Sea

Cross the line where tomorrow meets today.

As we cruise the Bering Sea, you’ll have Russia on one side and the United States on the other. This is the international date line, where ‘tomorrow’ rests to your right and ‘today’ to the left.

Natural wonders abound here, so keep an eye out for humpback whales and seabirds wheeling through the skies.

This is your last full sea day, so relax and enjoy your time on board. The Expedition Team will recap the highlights of your Alaskan adventure, and you can continue your journey of discovery in the Science Center.

No place like Nome

Learn about Nome’s golden past.

Prospectors first came to Nome in 1898 and people still hunt for gold here today. You’ll see evidence of the Gold Rush era all around, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines and old railroad tracks, lending the town a unique atmosphere.

Nome was also the end point of three of Roald Amundsen’s great polar expeditions, including an attempt by air to reach the North Pole in 1926.

Naturally, Nome is a fitting place to bid farewell to our own MS Roald Amundsen before flying back to Vancouver, where you will enjoy an overnight stay.

Back to Vancouver

See more of Vancouver or extend your adventure

Your expedition cruise ends in Vancouver, giving you another chance to explore this picturesque metropolis. Take in the café culture of Granville Island or head to Richmond’s famous multicultural night market for tasty treats from the food stalls.

There are plenty of galleries, museums, events, exhibitions, and shows to visit here. If you’d like to take it easy, head for the sands of Kitsilano Beach.

You can also extend your adventure with our optional Post-Program to the nearby mountain resort of Whistler. We’ll stop at Shannon Falls and ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola, which takes you on a panoramic ride almost 3,000 feet above sea level.

• August Aug 5

What’s included

• Flight in economy class from Nome to Vancouver after the expedition cruise Flight surcharge may apply.
• One night of hotel in Vancouver after the expedition cruise, including breakfast
• Transfer from the ship to the airport in Nome

Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Vancouver after the expedition cruise

Expedition Cruise

• Stay in a cabin of your choice
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including beverages* in the Aune and Fredheim restaurants
• Fine-dining À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm is included for suite guests
• Complimentary tea and coffee
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board†
• Complimentary reusable water bottle
• English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and guide activities, both on board and ashore
• Range of included activities

*House beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water

†Please note that Wi-Fi and phone reception are very limited in the remote areas where we travel, and streaming is not supported.

Onboard activities

• In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
• Full use of our Science Center, extensive library, and advanced biological and geological equipment
• The Citizen Science Program allows guests to contribute to ongoing scientific research projects.
• Our onboard professional photographer will give photography tips and teach techniques for capturing landscape and wildlife photos.
• The ship has hot tubs, an infinity pool, a sauna, an outdoor and indoor gym, and a running track
• Join informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings.

Landing activities

• Escorted landings with small boats (RIBs)
• Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment needed for the activities
• Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
• Expedition photographers will be on hand to assist you.
• All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
• Excursions and activities are subject to change
• Please ensure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
• No gratuities are expected

Not included in your voyage

• International flights
• Travel protection
• Baggage handling
• Optional shore excursions with our local partners
• Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
• Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area

MS Roald Amundsen

In 2019, Hurtigruten added a brand new ship to its fleet: the MS Roald Amundsen. The state of the art vessel features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that will reduce fuel consumption and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible.

Read more about MS Roald Amundsen

Related Cruises

• 18-day expedition cruise from Vancouver to Alaska, exploring the North American wilderness
• Explore Katmai National Park near Kodiak Island to look for brown and black bears
• Discover wildlife havens on the rarely visited, isolated islands of St. Paul and St. Matthew.
• You will have a chance to spot the rare red-legged kittiwake.

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Cheap Alaska Cruises from Vancouver

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7 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You want plenty of evening entertainment and production shows
• You don't mind paying extra for some specialty restaurants
• You want plenty of fun options for all ages by day and night
• You're after a more classic, laid-back onboard experience
• You prefer taking part in lectures and enrichment activities
• You don't like paying extra for drinks and other options
• You want a big-ship experience with plenty of classy spaces
• You appreciate good cuisine, wine and beverage offerings
• You enjoy a more upscale cruise experience on a big ship
• You always cruise on ships that are brand-new and innovative
• You want the latest technological advances and features
• You aren’t interested on longer, more unique itineraries
• You want an upscale cruise experience at a decent price
• You like having plenty of options for dining and entertainment
• You appreciate cruise ships with plenty of innovative amenities
• You are looking for a truly all-inclusive cruise vacation
• You typically only cruise on the latest and largest ships

11 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You are a major foodie; Regatta's cuisine is absolutely sublime
• You want luxurious amenities without a luxury price tag
• You're looking for a romantic, adult-oriented ocean cruise
• You're prone to seasickness and want the stability of a big ship
• You want the kind of lavish interiors on Oceania's newer ships

14 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You want a classy, traditional cruise on a feature-rich ship
• You love having plenty of choice, from dining to lounges
• You have kids and want features designed just for them
• You need larger-than-average cabin and suite accomodations
• You like a large pool at the back of the ship for relaxing
• You want plenty of choice when it comes to bars and dining
• You like keeping busy and want plenty of scheduled activities
• You want a ship that's filled with fun but not too busy
• You're looking for Norwegian's newest, most elaborate ship
• You don't like extra costs; there are plenty of those onboard
• You are looking for a big ship sailing exotic itineraries
• You want quality fun for the family at a reasonable price
• You like scheduled activities that aren’t too wild or wacky
• You want to party all night long; this isn’t the right ship
• You want a ship with the latest cutting-edge technology

5 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You want a family-friendly ocean cruise at a moderate price
• You like big ship amenities that don't sacrifice quality
• You want a balcony cabin; Caribbean Princess has plenty
• You are looking for enrichment activities or local cuisines
• You want action-packed nightlife and nonstop diversions
• You are averse to spending money onboard for extra options
• You want the amenities of a big ship on a smaller scale
• You appreciate fine art and elegantly appointed public areas
• You love quiet nooks and spaces to appreciate the sea outside
• You are traveling with kids and need top-notch facilities
• You prefer vibrant nightlife that lasts into the wee hours

4 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You appreciate Princess Cruises' design and venue consistency across the fleet
• You like the line's high-tech Ocean Medallion digital assistant and connectivity
• You seek a wide variety of activity, dining and entertainment options
• You prefer a smaller ship with fewer fellow passengers and larger cabin showers
• You wish to avoid a cookie-cutter ship with little aesthetic innovation
• You appreciate a greater destination focus with an observation lounge
• You want a cruise that harkens to the glory days of travel
• You want a classy cruise on a big ship at a reasonable price
• You don't need a lot of crazy activities during the day
• You want a flashy cruise with cutting-edge onboard diversions
• You prefer a vacation experience with nonstop nightlife
• You expect an all-inclusive product; extra charges abound
• You want a big ship with lots of classy fun for all ages
• You enjoy live music and plenty of enrichment activities
• You're happy with good quality service and a relaxing vibe
• You enjoy strolling on a true wraparound promenade deck
• You miss the more intimate feeling of the line's smaller ships
• You want the last word in lavish, over-the-top luxury cruises
• You appreciate elaborate interiors with sophisticated charm
• You are a discerning traveler who appreciates the very best
• You are on a budget; among luxury lines, this ship is pricey
• You prefer a smaller luxury cruise ship with fewer passengers

10 Night Cruise to Alaska

• You love intellectually stimulating, charming ocean cruises
• You value onboard enrichment, from lectures to live music
• You adore the spa; Viking Orion's thermal suite is top-notch
• You need lots of zany, nonstop scheduled activities daily
• You want to bring children and need dedicated facilities
• You like to gamble on your cruises; there’s no casino onboard
• You enjoy a classic cruise experience with sophisticated touches
• You appreciate evenings with live music, dancing and shows
• You love being out on deck; Noordam has plenty of open space
• You like the more intimate atmosphere on HAL's older ships
• Your kids demand waterslides, splash parks and bumper cars
• You want to channel the great ocean liners of yesteryear
• You want a sophisticated cruise that won’t hurt the wallet
• You enjoy live music, enrichment lectures and afternoon tea
• You dislike formality and dress codes; that's part of the fun
• You prefer wacky pool games to relaxing on deck with a book
• You want a ship that provides a fully inclusive cruise experience

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Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises from Vancouver

If you are considering a trip to the 49th state, our Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises from Vancouver will help with your cruise planning.

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An Alaska cruise is a dream of many who wish to enjoy the wonders of Alaska. Everything in Alaska seems bigger than in real life. Scenery, wildlife, culture, history and adventure beckon nature lovers to the Last Frontier. If you are considering a trip to this 49th state, we have our Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises from Vancouver to help with your cruise planning.

Cruising from Vancouver offers many advantages for sailing to Alaska. Ships take the Inside Passage as they cruise to the ports of Southeast Alaska and beyond. The waters are usually calm being protected from the open sea. Passengers may catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming along the ship, with a background of majestic mountains or lush rain forest. Additionally, calving glaciers are a highlight of any cruise to Alaska. Most cruise itineraries of at least one week in duration include a visit to a glacier.

Alaska Cruises From Vancouver Itinerary Options

From Vancouver, there are options to sail both a round-trip cruise and also one-way to Alaska. Doing a one-way trip on a cruise to Alaska allows the opportunity to explore areas of Alaska inaccessible by ship via a land tour add-on.

One of the highlights of many post-cruise land tours is Denali National Park. This may also be done in the reverse direction by flying into Alaska first and returning by cruise ship from Alaska back to Vancouver. With a round-trip cruise, there will be no possibility to extend your stay in Alaska.

A post-cruise tour can be arranged independently or through the ship. Several of the cruise lines have their own lodges, making planning a simple task. Whether you plan to add a land tour or will simply tour by cruise ship, there is no better time to visit Alaska on a cruise from Vancouver.

However, before you even consider cruising from Vancouver – or any other Canadian port for that matter, please review entry requirements if you are not a Canadian citizen. Almost any conviction makes one ineligible for entry into Canada. For example, a DUI is considered a felony in Canada. Do your research in advance .

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Where Do Ships Dock in Vancouver for Alaska Cruises?

Many cruise lines set sail from Vancouver to Alaska each season. The Alaska cruise season generally starts in April and ends in October. Canada Place is the pleasant cruise port for ships in Vancouver. This three-berth terminal can service up to four cruise ships at one time. Further, it is conveniently located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront with nearby hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

If you traveled from Vancouver prior to 2014, you may have sailed from the decommissioned pier of Ballantyne.

Getting to Vancouver

There are lots of options for getting to Vancouver to start your cruise to Alaska.

Some think it’s cheaper to fly to Seattle and take a bus or train. Be sure to account for the additional time – about 4 hours – and the costs when considering these options.

The bus stations are not at Sea-Tac airport, so consider the time it takes to get from the airport to downtown Seattle to catch a bus. Actually, the bus ride from Seattle to Vancouver might take longer than your original flight to Seattle.

It is also possible to take a ferry to Vancouver from Seattle, but that requires several transfers and also takes time.

Remember that you will have luggage with you. One real disadvantage of the bus is having to unload luggage at Customs and Immigration.

How far is Vancouver airport from the cruise port?

Vancouver’s airport is located in Richmond, approximately 15 miles from Canada Place. It takes about about 34 minutes by car to reach the port depending on traffic. The transportation options from the airport include shared rides, taxis, bus, and the popular SkyTrain .

For any of your transportation options, look for the directional signs in the airport. If you need assistance finding your way to your preferred method of transportation, look for the customer care volunteer ambassadors. They are the ones wearing the green vests or jackets.

Getting to the Canada Place from the Airport Using SkyTrain

The SkyTrain goes to the Waterfront Station near Canada Place and takes about 25 minutes from station to station. Trains run about every 7 minutes from the airport. When leaving from the airport, there is an additional $5 surcharge added to the fare. Fares vary depending on the time of day. At non-peak times, the base fare starts at $4.45. Children under 12 travel for free, and there are discounts for seniors. SkyTrain runs from the airport between 5:07 a.m. and 12:56 a.m. Public transit providing services from the airport can accommodate wheelchairs.

From International Arrivals follow the signs. The station is on top of a parking garage. Watch for signs directing you to the Canada Line of SkyTrain. Once you reach Waterfront Station, you will need to walk less than 10 minutes to the cruise ship terminal.

To do that: Go out the main doors of the Waterfront Station. Turn right following Cordova St. Turn right again at Howe St. Turn left onto Canada Place.

Shared Rides from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Cruise Terminal

Lyft, Uber, and KABU are authorized to pick up at three areas at the airport: International Arrivals, Level 2; Domestic Arrivals, Level 2; and South Terminal.

Cruise Line Transport

From the Domestic Arrivals area on Level 2, cruise ship representatives can direct you to the proper boarding area. For guests arriving internationally, representatives will be found in the International Reception Lobby. If you have arranged transport with your cruise line, you will receive information from them with specific instructions.

From the airport, taxis charge a fixed-rate by zone. Canada Place Cruise port is in Zone 9 and the 2023 fare is CA$38. Find taxis on Level 2.

How do you get to the Vancouver Cruise Port from Seattle?

Most buses on the route from Seattle to Vancouver leave from King Street Station or the nearby bus terminal in Seattle. Many buses arrive at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. Some Quick Shuttle routes stop at the Waterfront SkyTrain Station in Vancouver, which is very convenient to the Canada Place Cruise Port.

• Amtrak Thruway Connecting services offers a bus from King Street Station in Seattle to Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. The journey has no stops along the way and takes 3 hours and 15 minutes to reach Vancouver.
• FlixBus departs from several spots in Seattle including Sea-Tac. The buses arrive at two destinations in Vancouver – Pacific Central and Burrard. Depending on the starting point, the journey will take around four to five hours.
• Quick Shuttle leaves from SeaTac and takes between five and six hours. The bus stops at the Canada Place Cruise Port.
• Greyhound also offers service that takes about 4 hours and arrives at the Pacific Central Station.

Amtrak Cascades leaves from King Street Station in Seattle and other stations as it makes its way to Vancouver. The trip takes 4 hours to arrive at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver.

Renting a car and driving to Canada Place is always an option.

This method takes longer and involves several transfers, but for somebody with the time, it’s an alternative for getting to Vancouver from Seattle.

No matter how you arrive in Vancouver, it’s always a good idea to arrive at least a day prior to your cruise departure.

Which Cruise Lines Cruise from Vancouver to Alaska?

The Port of Vancouver welcomes upwards of 900,000 passengers each year as the homeport for many Alaska cruises. Thus, you will find cruise ships from most cruise lines sailing to the region from Vancouver. From larger family-friendly ships to smaller luxury cruise lines, and even adventure travel and expedition ships, the options are vast.

Schedules and itineraries vary from season to season, but this guide is a handy starting point for planning your cruise to Alaska from Vancouver in the next few seasons. (RT= Roundtrip, OW= One Way)

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Best Cruise Ships Offering Alaska Cruises from Vancouver

As you can see, there are a variety of cruise lines sailing from Vancouver. So, depending on your preferences, there is bound to be a perfect Alaska cruise ship for you and your family.

Princess Cruises has three ships sailing from Vancouver, BC offering a variety of one-way and round-trip itineraries, including Sapphire Princess, Crown Princess, and Grand Princess.

Similarly, Holland America Line has several ships with a variety of itineraries. Koningsdam and Volendam offer round-trip cruises from Vancouver stopping at popular ports. Other ships in the fleet, including Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam, sail Northbound and Southbound one-way cruises from Whittier, Alaska and Vancouver.

Disney Wonder is the only DCL ship offering Alaska cruises in 2023. Additionally, Royal Caribbean has two ships sailing from Vancouver in 2023. With Brilliance of the Seas offering round-trip cruises and Radiance of the Sea offering one-way cruises.

Sister brand Celebrity Cruises also offers cruises from this homeport. Celebrity Eclipse sails round-trip from Vancouver, while the newly updated Celebrity Millennium alternates one-way itineraries from Seward, AK or Vancouver.

Other options include one-way voyages on Norwegian Spirit, which recently underwent a major refurbishment. Not to mention, luxury cruisers with extra vacation time can choose from longer voyages on vessels like Viking Orion, Silver Muse, or Seaborn Odyssey.

How Much Do Alaska Cruises from Vancouver Cost?

There are so many variables to consider when trying to determine the cost of an Alaska cruise . Cabin type, cruise line, and time of year factor into the cost. Additionally, Alaska does tend to have higher taxes and fees than other destinations. Good values are often found during the shoulder seasons.

In our analysis, Alaska cruises from Vancouver, BC do not differ meaningfully in price from those departing from Seattle, WA.

Typically, we recommend cruisers budget around $2,000 to $5,000+ per person for total Alaska cruise costs. Keep in mind, some ships might be more desirable than others, and cruises leaving at peak times of the year are more money regardless of the departure point.

How Long Are Alaska Cruises from Vancouver?

Cruises range from 4-night sampler cruises with just one port of call in Alaska to extended cruises of 21 days. However, the most common is a 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver. It’s also possible to lengthen the time and experience in Alaska by adding a land tour to the cruise portion.

Typically, a one-way cruise takes a week from Vancouver to the Anchorage area, where the two nearest ports are Whittier or Seward. Then, three to seven nights is the average length of land tours. If heading to Denali, the land tour will often end in Fairbanks. There are other options for a land tour as well, such as one to the Kenai Peninsula, which would end in Anchorage.

Of course, if you book your land tour independently, you can spend as much time as you like exploring the interior of Alaska. Alaska Railroad and Knightly Tours both offer itineraries for the independent traveler.

Where Do Alaska Cruises from Vancouver Go?

Alaska cruises from Vancouver typically sail the Inside Passage calling at some of the popular ports in Southeast Alaska. Many itineraries include ports like Ketchikan , Juneau , Skagway , and Icy Strait Point . A few cruise lines call at lesser visited, but equally interesting ports, like Haines, Sitka , or Valdez.

Glacier Bay National Park

Cruising to see the glaciers is a highlight of any cruise to Alaska. Some ships cruise into Glacier Bay National Park . Only a few permits are offered on a daily basis to limit the number of large ships in the park. Cruise lines like Holland America and Princess, which have been cruising Alaska for decades get more permits than other cruise lines.

The excursion into Glacier Bay is usually a full-day affair. Park rangers board the ships with displays, books and souvenirs of the experience. They are available to answer questions and also provide commentary.

Other Glaciers

Outside of Glacier Bay, cruise ships do sail to other areas where passengers are able to see glaciers. For example, Dawes and Hubbard Glaciers are popular attractions on Alaska itineraries. Most sailings to Alaska include at least one viewing of a glacier.

Once in viewing range, the captain often will rotate the ship so that everybody gets a chance to view the glacier. The captain always has the last say about proceeding to see a glacier. If conditions are not safe, the captain may turn the ship around.

Should conditions not permit glacier viewing, don’t forget that there are shore excursions that include glacier viewings or even glacier landings. Mendenhall, outside of Juneau, and Exit Glacier, just outside of Seward, are easy to visit.

When to Cruise to Alaska from Vancouver

Alaska is worth cruising anytime during the cruising season. Early in the season, there may be more snow in the mountains giving a totally different experience. Temperatures may be cooler as could be the case in the fall. The weather may also be clearer.

Cruising in the early or late season offers different opportunities: fares may be lower, weather may be clearer, whales may be migrating, and the Northern Lights may be visible.

So, the best time to cruise to Alaska is truly an individual decision based on what you want out of the trip.

What to Pack for a Cruise from Vancouver

Remember the adage that there is no bad weather, just poor clothing. Pack in layers. Be ready to adjust to stay comfortable. Waterproof and breathable materials are recommended. Don’t forget hats and gloves. But, don’t forget clothes for warm weather. Alaska can get hot!

Don’t worry, we have you covered with our complete Alaska cruise packing list .

Exploring Vancouver

Vancouver is a popular destination with many attractions . For nature lovers, there are outdoor areas like Stanley Park with its totem poles. Granville Island has a public market. Richmond Night Market is popular, and neighborhoods like Gastown are worth visiting. Those interested in indigenous culture should visit the UBC (University of British Columbia) Museum of Anthropology.

When sailing away from Vancouver, get on a deck to take in the scenery along the way. The ship will pass by Stanley Park, a lighthouse, and sail under Lions Gate Bridge. From there, you will be on your way to more scenic views and the great state of Alaska. You will soon be enjoying the wonders of the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact rain forest in the world.

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Do you have any other helpful tips to add to this guide on Alaska cruises from Vancouver? Have you sailed to the Last Frontier from this Canadian homeport? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising to Alaska.

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Nice sharing! I and my husband is planning to spend our honeymoon in Vancouver. It must be interesting if I and my husband enjoy beautiful landscape while playing the game cubes 2048 .

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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One-Way Cruises to Alaska

Set sail between Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, Canada on a one-way cruise to Alaska. Discover a variety of fascinating ports in the Last Frontier, like Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau. Witness majestic landscapes as you cruise through the Inside Passage. Explore the art and history of totem poles. Hike through Alaska’s rainforests. Tour Kenai Fjords to see orcas, puffins, Dall sheep, and sea lions.

Arrive a few days early or spend a few days at the end of your trip to enjoy the remarkable cities of Seward and Vancouver. Or make your journey even more unforgettable with a Cruisetour , where you’ll discover the best of inland Alaska and Canada.

Itineraries

Departure ports for one-way cruises to alaska.

Mountains, beaches, rainforest, and a variety of cultures make up this incredible city, one of the most vibrant in North America. Explore the third-largest Chinatown on the continent. Nourish your spirit in the botanical gardens. If you’re adventurous, cross the 450-foot Capilano Suspension Bridge across the Capilano River gorge. Walk among fragrant Douglas firs on a forest canopy walkway and feel the everyday melt away.

Charming and quaint, the intimate size of Seward adds to its appeal. As a gateway to the massive Kenai Fjords National Park, you can sail in a cabin cruiser or a catamaran to see glaciers, orcas, puffins, and bald eagles. Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska’s premier public aquarium and marine life rehab center. Learn all about the intriguing local wildlife from seals, puffins, and salmon to octopus, otters, and moon jellyfish.

Featured Ports

The second-largest city in Alaska is a pristine nature-lover’s dream. Venture down one of the area’s hiking trails to immerse yourself in Alaska’s great outdoors. Explore the city’s bustling downtown and take the aerial tram up Mt. Roberts. Tour Auke Bay by boat for an impressive whale-watching adventure. You can even helicopter up to the Juneau Icefield followed by an exhilarating dog-sledding experience.

In Ketchikan, take a serene kayak ride through the Misty Fjords or an adventurous hike up Deer Mountain. Stroll downtown for amazing restaurants, charming shops, and art galleries. Ketchikan is home to the world’s largest collection of Northwest totem poles, each with its own story to tell. It’s the perfect place to explore local heritage and watch a master totem pole carver at work.

Icy Strait Point

Enjoy unforgettable whale watching, scenic hiking, and a look into the local Tlingit people’s culture in Icy Strait Point. Explore the salmon cannery, built in 1912, that has been fully restored. It now holds a museum, restaurants, and craft shops owned by locals. If it’s an adventure you want, the world’s largest and highest ZipRider is located here, running 5,495 feet with a 1,300-foot drop and top speed of 65 mph.

View All One Way Cruises to Alaska

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Alaska Cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver, a bustling coastal city on Canada's west coast, serves as an ideal departure port for your Alaska cruise, offering a seamless blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. As you prepare to embark on your Alaskan voyage, Vancouver sets the stage with its stunning waterfront, breathtaking mountain views, and diverse cultural scene. This dynamic city perfectly complements the adventure that awaits you in the Last Frontier. Explore a variety of Alaska cruises in 2024 departing from Vancouver , including itineraries from Celebrity Cruises , Crystal Cruises , Cunard Cruise Line , Disney Cruise Line , Holland America Line , Hurtigruten , Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) , Oceania Cruises , Princess Cruises , Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) , Royal Caribbean , Seabourn Cruise Line , Silversea Cruises , and Viking Ocean Cruises , among the most well-known cruise lines. Ships usually depart from the Vancouver Cruise Terminal in the late afternoon, allowing ample time for passengers to check-in and settle aboard their cruise ship.

The best time to take cruises from Vancouver

The best time to visit Vancouver and embark on your Alaskan cruise is during the summer months, from June to September. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions, with mild temperatures and longer daylight hours. It also aligns with the peak season for Alaskan cruises, ensuring optimal weather and a vibrant atmosphere in the city. Explore cruises from that depart in the months of April 2024 , May 2024 , June 2024 , July 2024 , August 2024 , and September 2024 .

Duration of cruises from Vancouver

Cruise Lines offer itineraries from Vancouver that range from 5 to 17 days. You can choose cruises lasting from 5-day cruise , 6-day cruise , 7-day cruise , 8-day cruise , 9-day cruise , 10-day cruise , 11-day cruise , 12-day cruise , 13-day cruise , 14-day cruise , and 17-day cruise , depending on the length of your holiday.

Cruise to Alaska from Vancouver Schedule 2024

The ship schedule for the year 2024 includes numerous exciting voyages from Vancouver, the picturesque capital city of Alaska, to various enchanting destinations across the beautiful state. Embark on an unforgettable journey aboard luxurious cruise ships, and experience the breathtaking natural wonders, rich wildlife, and charming coastal towns that Alaska has to offer. Explore magnificent glaciers, witness majestic humpback whales, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and history of this remarkable region. Whether you're seeking thrilling adventures, serene landscapes, or cultural encounters, the ship schedule for 2024 from Vancouver to Alaska promises an extraordinary travel experience filled with unforgettable memories.

Vancouver, with its stunning waterfront, vibrant cityscape, and rich cultural scene, serves as an exceptional departure port for your Alaskan adventure. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the city, explore its diverse attractions, and savor its culinary delights before setting sail on your voyage through the pristine wilderness of Alaska. From the captivating landscapes of the city to the wonders of the Last Frontier, Vancouver sets the stage for an unforgettable cruise experience.

14-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver

Royal princess, princess cruises.

Date: July 27, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

10-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver

Queen elizabeth, cunard cruise line.

Date: August 30, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Endicott Arm, Skagway, Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Victoria, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Sapphire Princess, Princess Cruises

Date: September 14, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Dawes Glacier, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

7-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver

Date: August 3, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier; View Itinerary

Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Cruise Line

Date: September 27, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Strait, Ketchikan, Sitka, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait, Haines, Juneau; View Itinerary

Disney Wonder, Disney Cruise Line

Date: August 12, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Stikine Icecap, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Brilliance of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Date: August 4, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Sitka, Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: June 10, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Stikine Icecap, Icy Strait, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line

Date: April 28, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: June 16, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier; View Itinerary

Date: September 16, 2024

Ruby Princess, Princess Cruises

Date: June 11, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Juneau, Haines, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Cruises

Date: July 14, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: May 25, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Seven Seas Explorer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Date: June 26, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier, Seward; View Itinerary

Date: August 25, 2024

Date: August 5, 2024

Viking Orion, Viking Ocean Cruises

Date: August 2, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait, Yakutat Bay, Valdez, Seward, Seward; View Itinerary

Koningsdam, Holland America Line

Date: June 29, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: July 20, 2024

Date: April 23, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: July 21, 2024

Date: July 7, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Icy Strait, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: May 13, 2024

Date: May 11, 2024

Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Cruise Line

Date: June 24, 2024

Date: September 15, 2024

Zaandam, Holland America Line

Date: June 5, 2024

Grand Princess, Princess Cruises

Date: August 28, 2024

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Vancouver to Seward

Essential alaska, cruise saved to your profile, 7-day voyage, special offer.

With simply MORE*, our new valuable offer, enjoy 2 for 1 Cruise Fares, Free Roundtrip Airfare and Airport Transfers* plus: FREE $400 simply MORE Shore Excursion Credit FREE Champagne, Wine & More FREE Gourmet Specialty Dining FREE Unlimited WiFi Amenities are per stateroom

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Alaska Explorer Youth Program

For guests who travel with children, this program offers the opportunity for everyone to experience the excitement of exploring the Northwest Coast and Alaska in a meaningful, enriching way.

A limited number of solo staterooms may also be available. Select Plan A Cruise to view stateroom details, pricing and availability.

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7 Night Alaska Inside Passage

Your ship brilliance of the seas.

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7 Best Cruises to Alaska, According to Travel Experts

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While some travelers dream of lounging on a beach in the Caribbean, others might be itching to put on hiking shoes and explore the great outdoors. If glaciers, wildlife and picturesque coastline have long been on your bucket list, consider booking a cruise to Alaska. The northernmost American state offers an activity for everyone's interest and level of adventure. You can take a thrilling helicopter flight to explore a glacier on foot or observe miles of Alaska’s lush scenery and spy whales from a comfortable seat on a boat.

Princess Cruises

A top choice for multi-generational families and larger groups seeking on-board experiences for a wide age range, Princess will sail seven ships to Alaska in 2024 — more than any other line. Princess also offers the most departure cities , potentially saving you money on airfare. Alaska sailings range from 4 to 22 days, though a week is the sweet spot. The line is also only one of seven permitted to enter the magnificent Glacier Bay National Park (shown); check out the tips at the end of the story for details.

Good Housekeeping Contributing Travel Editor Karen Cicero and her daughter recently sailed on Majestic Princess, a Family Travel Awards Winner , and raved about the ship's amenities, especially the Hollywood Pool Club. She described it as “an indoor space with a heated pool, plush loungers, and cabana-like spots that are free for all guests to use.” Cicero was also impressed with the entertainment and activities suitable for all ages, the excellent dining options and a supervised kids’ club for ages 3 to 12. "We saw grandparents and grandkids on the dance floor, at the shows, on the excursions — bonding moments were everywhere," Cicero said.

In 2024, Majestic Princess and Discovery Princess, the line's newest Alaska ship, will both sail roundtrip from Seattle. "You can't beat Princess if you're looking for an experience that will please all ages," said Cicero.

Departure Cities: Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; Vancouver; Whittier, Alaska Cruise Ships: Crown Princess (2024 only); Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess (2025 only), Royal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess (2024 only), Crown Princess, Coral Princess (2025 only)

Norwegian Cruise Line

Passengers are loyal to Norwegian for its beautiful ships, top-notch service and innovative amenities. The cruise line pioneered the concept of “freestyle cruising," which includes a flexible dining time. Flexible cruising continues to be a major selling point , according to our testers who recently sailed roundtrip from Seattle to Alaska on the Norwegian Encore (pictured). "We enjoyed not having to rush back to the ship after an excursion because we had a dinner reservation," said our tester who sailed with her spouse.

They also frequented the Encore’s Observation Lounge, where they were able to cozy up and spend hours searching for marine life from floor-to-ceiling windows. Activities and entertainment, like go-karting, slides and laser tag, are abundant. For a premium experience, consider booking a stateroom in The Haven. The Encore's most luxurious accommodations feature spacious rooms — the bathrooms are nearly double the size of those in standard staterooms — a private sundeck and a concierge.

The variety of sailings to Alaska is also another reason to choose Norwegian. "If Hawaii is also on your bucket list, Norwegian is one of the only cruise lines to offer a 16-day cruise departing from Honolulu that sails through both Hawaii and Alaska so you explore two dreamy destinations on one vacation," said Cicero. She added that Norwegian sails to Alaska until late October — about a month longer than most cruise lines.

Departure Cities: Honolulu; Seattle; Seward, Alaska; Vancouver; Whittier, Alaska (2025) Cruise Ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Jewel (only in 2024), Norwegian Spirit (only in May 2024), Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Jade (only in 2025), Norwegian Joy (only in 2025)

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Disney Cruise Line

Disney lovers will have the time of their lives sailing roundtrip from Vancouver to Alaska aboard the Disney Wonder. "It was the best experience ever," said a mom of two young adults who sailed on the ship in May 2023. "We felt like it was a great combination of Disney and Alaska."

On-board experiences brilliantly align with the destination. For instance, Disney characters are dressed in special outfits for Alaska and are on deck during the days at sea. "We were able to get incredible photos with the glaciers behind the characters," said the mom, who also noted that you can order Mickey Mouse ice cream bars from room service. Cicero added, "Disney has the best kids' and teen clubs of any cruise line. They're enormous, filled with epic activities like superhero training and are a great place for kids and teens to make friends."

If you want an equal dose of Disney and Alaska, this is the cruise for your crew. Sailings range from five to nine nights. All routes head to Stikine Icecap so guests can observe stunning glaciers, cliffs, waterfalls and wildlife.

Departure City: Vancouver Cruise Ship: Disney Wonder

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean doesn’t only sail to the Caribbean. This global cruise line whisks passengers to Alaska from popular ports such as Seattle and Vancouver. You can choose a classic seven-night itinerary or a 13-night land-and-sea getaway.

Cruise enthusiasts at the Good Housekeeping Institute are fans of Royal Caribbean for its state-of-the-art ships, exceptional service and high-quality entertainment. "Royal Caribbean had the first rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink on a cruise ship," said Cicero. "Since then, they've brought so many other epic activities to sea." For instance, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class, which includes Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, offers skydiving, a surf simulator and a robot bar. "This line is an especially good fit for families with tweens, teens and young adults ," said Cicero, who sailed on Royal Caribbean with her teen daughter.

Departure Cities: Seattle; Seward, Alaska; Vancouver Cruise Ships: Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas (only in 2024), Ovation of the Seas (only in 2024), Serenade of the Seas (only in 2025)

National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

For an incredible small-ship experience, look no further than the Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic team-up. The largest of its ships that sail to Alaska can accommodate no more than 138 passengers — just a sliver of the 4,900 or so that Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas can hold. " Being on a smaller vessel means that you’ll be able to sail right up to less frequented glaciers, waterfalls and fjords, " said Cicero.

Of course, an intimate experience comes at a higher price tag — its eight-day Alaskan adventure starts at about $6,200 per person, though you won't need to pay extra for excursions. "Voyages tend to be themed and stress the educational component," said Cicero. For instance, one focuses on coastal wildlife while another explores native cultures. A Good Housekeeping staff member who sailed the line to the Galápagos Islands (a providence of Ecuador) raved, "The ship was beautiful! I was super impressed with the staff and the service felt above and beyond.”

Departure Cities: Juneau, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; Seattle; Sitka, Alaska Cruise Ships: National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Resolution

Holland America Line

Holland America has a well-earned reputation for bringing guests to new destinations for more than 150 years. Its ships tend to be mid-sized — larger than Lindblad's offerings but smaller than the Quantum ships from Royal Caribbean. While Holland attracts an older demographic, its Alaskan cruises are often filled with multi-generational families.

One of the cruise line’s most popular itineraries is the Seven-Day Inside Passage, which takes you through Glacier Bay National Park, the Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Inlet and several must-visit port towns. But for adventure seekers curious to see as much of Alaska as possible, you’ll find tons of extended itineraries including a robust 28-day voyage that crosses the Arctic Circle.

Holland America is the only cruise line permitted to serve glacier ice, using it for cocktails like the Blue Iceberg and Juneau Gin & Tonic. The line also launched a new Alaskan-themed brunch menu offered once per cruise.

Departure Cities: Anchorage, Alaska (for land-sea tours only); Fairbanks, Alaska; Seattle; Vancouver, Whittier, Alaska Cruise Ships: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Zuiderdam, Zaandam

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity is popular with adults and couples looking for a premium onboard experience, including delicious cuisine, luxurious staterooms and a high-end spa . We can’t imagine a better way to rest and relax after spending a day exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Our travel experts suggest choosing one of Celebrity's many Alaska itineraries that sail through the Inside Passage and up to Dawes Glacier or Hubbard Glacier, two of the state’s gems.

Of the three Celebrity ships that sail to Alaska, we recommend the Celebrity Edge for those new to cruising or seeking a more contemporary experience. Launched in 2018, the ship features standout innovations like Eden, a multi-level bar with panoramic views, and the Magic Carpet, a multi-purpose floating space suspended directly above the sea.

Departure Cities: Seattle; Seward, Alaska; Vancouver Cruise Ships: Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Edge

Tips for booking your cruise to Alaska

✔️ Check your itinerary. The itinerary you choose is key on an Alaskan cruise. If you have your heart set on visiting Glacier Bay National Park, make sure that your cruise line has it listed on the schedule. "Only seven lines were awarded the Glacier Bay contract by the National Park Service ," Cicero said. If you're not sure whether the cruise you have in mind will go through Glacier Bay, double-check with the cruise line or your travel agent.

✔️ Book shore excursions well in advance. Alaskan cruises generally sail from April to October. Because of the shorter season, your ship will likely be close to capacity and several ships may overlap in ports. Excursions will book up quickly. To secure your spot, book excursions well in advance or as soon as they're available.

✔️ Focus on family. Alaskan cruises are best for kids who are at least 5 years old. "Keep in mind that cruise lines don't allow kids who aren't potty-trained to be in pools, even if they're wearing a swim diaper," Cicero said. It's also worth noting that most cruise lines don't permit babies under 6 months or pregnant passengers who are 24 or more weeks along. Cicero advises families with school-age children to look for on-ship amenities, such as an indoor heated pool, a supervised kids' club and a variety of family-friendly nighttime entertainment. "Before you sail, you should also find out which non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary," Cicero said. "Many cruise lines charge extra for soft drinks, but milk and juice are usually included." Free room service is another big perk for families, she notes, so see if that's offered on the line you're considering.

✔️ Check your passport. Even if your cruise starts and stops in a U.S. port like Seattle, there's a high chance your ship will dock in Canada at some point throughout your trip. Also, " some of the excursions in Alaskan ports venture into Canada and will require a passport," explained Cicero. For instance, you may take the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway from Skagway into Yukon, a Canadian territory. Your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months following the cruise.

✔️ Pack layers. This is especially crucial if you're traveling in Alaska's shoulder season — May and September. While May tends to be drier, temperatures remain relatively chilly. Likewise, September marks the end of the summer season and welcomes cooler temperatures and more rainfall. Because you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors, it's important to prepare for all weather scenarios, including windy conditions common to sailing cruise ships.

✔️ Book next summer's cruise soon. To get the best staterooms and excursions, start looking for a 2025 cruise in 2024, Cicero said, noting that many ships start to fill up at least 6 months in advance. And don't forget about major sale days. "Last year, cruise lines had fantastic Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals," she said.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Good Housekeeping Institute Writer and Product Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to travel, fitness, outdoor, home and more. Not only does she have years of product review experience under her belt, but she’s also a travel enthusiast who has been on more than 20 cruises (and counting)!

The former travel editor at Parents magazine, Karen Cicero specializes in travel, children's book, lifestyle and food coverage. She manages the experience portion of the Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards. She has sailed on four cruise lines with her family and toured several others. She recently was a featured speaker at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA, Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance and the Family Travel Association.

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The 8 best alaska cruises for families.

Plan your next family vacation to explore the boundless beauty of the 49th state.

The Best Alaska Cruises for Families

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

A cruise to Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime family or multigenerational vacation. With unique opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor adventures that you won't find anywhere else in the world – not to mention scenic cruising days on the ship to spend time together – this special experience will stay with you forever.

For an extended vacation in the 49th state, consider booking a cruisetour. This combined cruise and pre- or post-cruise land tour option is offered by many of the larger cruise lines. The tours visit some of the top attractions in the state , such as Denali National Park and Preserve, and often include picturesque rides into Alaska's remote wilderness aboard the Alaska Railroad. Some tours also head north to Fairbanks and visit Kenai Fjords National Park or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (or both, in some cases). You can choose between fully escorted adventures or laid-back options to explore on your own, depending on what works best for your family.

Ready to book your Alaska adventure? These eight cruise lines offer excellent family-friendly excursions ashore , plus plenty of onboard activities to keep both kids and parents entertained during days at sea.

Find your perfect cruise

Princess Cruises: 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay

Departure city: Vancouver, British Columbia

The 2024 cruise season brings Princess' 55th-anniversary sailing to The Great Land, and the line is offering more than 150 Alaska voyages between April and September. The popular Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay itinerary northbound from Vancouver to Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska , is available on dozens of dates this season on Grand Princess , Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess . The sailing includes stops in the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, as well as scenic cruising in beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord in Alaska. If you prefer a smaller ship, choose Grand Princess or Sapphire Princess, which hold 2,610 and 2,680 passengers (double occupancy), respectively. Meanwhile, Royal Princess accommodates 3,560 guests at double occupancy.

The Princess Cruises North to Alaska program features immersive, family-friendly opportunities to learn about the history and traditions of the 49th state. Guests can sample fresh local seafood and meet famous Alaskans such as Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile Iditarod dog race. In Skagway, families can meet some of the newest sled dogs and their handlers during Puppies in the Piazza on the ship. Younger cruisers and teens can participate in the Alaska Explorers Youth Program in partnership with Glacier Bay National Park and the Discovery Channel, which includes activities like the "Deadliest Catch" Crab Sort Challenge.

The North to Alaska program also partners with Discovery and Animal Planet to feature onboard exhibits about Alaska, as well as curated excursions like the White Pass Rail Bennett Lake & Yukon Adventure in Skagway, which was created by a train historian. Back on the ship, kids and teens can hang out with other young cruisers their age at Camp Discovery's Treehouse (ages 3 to 7), Lodge (8 to 12) or Beach House (13 to 17). In addition, be sure to keep an eye out for Princess Cruises' Alaska mascot: Stanley the Bear. You might even find him during story time at the kids clubs wearing a captain's uniform or destination-themed costumes, such as lumberjack gear in Ketchikan.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Alaska – Dawes Glacier, Juneau & Ketchikan

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Departure city: Seattle, Washington

This seven-day round-trip voyage from Seattle is available on Norwegian Bliss from April to September during the line's 2024 Alaska season. The sailing includes the ports of Sitka, Juneau , Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan (Ward Cove), plus scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier in Alaska. There's also an evening stop in Victoria, British Columbia , before disembarking in Seattle. Norwegian Bliss can carry 4,004 passengers at double occupancy and 4,266 passengers at maximum capacity.

The entire family will enjoy excursions like the Whale Watching & Bear Search tour in Icy Strait Point, while thrill-seekers of all ages will want to book an adrenaline-pumping ride down the mountain on the massive ZipRider zip line. In Ketchikan, take a hike through Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S., where you might catch glimpses of wildlife like black bears or bald eagles. You can also head offshore from Ketchikan aboard the Aleutian Ballad, the famed ship from Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch," to pick up the day's bounty of king crab and search for marine wildlife along Alaska's Inside Passage.

Plenty of family activities and entertainment options are offered on this Norwegian Cruise Line ship, including the Bliss Speedway, a two-level racetrack at sea; laser tag; mini-golf; an interactive aqua park with waterslides that zip above the side of the ship; a video arcade; and live entertainment. You'll also find kids clubs designed for younger children and teens , as well as adults-only escapes like Vibe Beach Club and Spice H2O. When it comes to dining, there's no shortage of casual fare for hungry kids at venues like the Garden Café buffet, American Diner and The Local Bar & Grill.

Disney Cruise Line: 7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver

Matt Stroshane | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

This seven-night itinerary aboard Disney Wonder departs round-trip from Vancouver on several voyages throughout the 2024 Alaska season, which runs from May to September. The weeklong Disney Cruise Line sailing includes glacier viewing along the Stikine Icecap and stops in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. Plus, you'll enjoy plenty of Disney fun on board, with character meet-and-greets, Broadway-quality shows, and entertaining activities and venues for kids and adults alike.

Many of the ship's nautical-themed staterooms are designed with families in mind and feature a "split bath" concept and extra under-bed storage for suitcases. Disney Wonder can hold 1,750 passengers at double occupancy and 2,700 passengers at maximum capacity. The ship's unique rotational dining venues include an "under the sea" adventure at Triton's, a dinner show with Disney characters at Animator's Palate and Southern specialties with jazz music at Tiana's Place. For a night out sans kids, adults can savor a quiet evening with northern Italian cuisine at Palo or nosh on casual pub fare at Crown & Fin Pub. Younger sailors will find age-appropriate spaces at Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab, tween venue Edge, and teen club Vibe.

Disney's excursions also offer family fun ashore – especially in Skagway. Try panning for gold with Disney characters like Donald Duck, then feast on baked Alaska salmon at Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp. You can also take an extended six-hour tour by boat into Alaska's deepest fjord, Lynn Canal, then hike through the rainforest to reach your canoe for a wilderness safari at Glacier Point. For a bucket list splurge, reserve a spot on the helicopter flightseeing tour that includes dog mushing on the Denver Glacier with a team of Alaska sled dogs.

Holland America Line: 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Holland America's Koningsdam will sail the line's seven-day Inside Passage itinerary more than 20 times between April and September in 2024. This round-trip voyage embarks in Vancouver and includes multiple days of scenic cruising. You'll sail through the Inside Passage for two days; through Tracy Arm Inlet, where you can disembark for a shore excursion; and through Glacier Bay, where the Junior Ranger Program is a highlight for kids. The ports of call on this itinerary are Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan in Alaska.

Koningsdam features dedicated family staterooms with beds for up to five guests, two bathrooms and extra closet space. The ship carries 2,650 guests at double occupancy and 3,194 passengers at maximum capacity. A wildlife expert on the ship helps guests spot Alaska's incredible marine and land animals through announcements and during daily programs. Keep an eye out for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, moose, brown bears and other wildlife. While in the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, you'll want to take the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer excursion to explore glacier-covered mountains, jagged cliffs and the largest temperate rainforest in the U.S. surrounding the fjord. On a high-speed catamaran, you'll get up-close views of the Sawyer Glaciers and have potential sightings of harbor seals, bears, mountain goats and more.

Back on board, Holland America Line 's kids club offers supervised, age-appropriate activities for young cruisers ages 3 to 17 – including children who may need certain accommodations. You'll also find plenty of family-friendly options for dining on Koningsdam, including Lido Market, New York Pizza and the poolside Dive In grill. During the cruise, look for themed evenings in the Lido Market like salmon bakes or seafood boil pop-up dinners, which are in line with Holland America's commitment to serving certified sustainable and traceable Alaska seafood. An Alaska brunch is also offered once during the voyage in the main dining room; you'll enjoy dishes highlighting ingredients from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Royal Caribbean International: 7 Night Alaska Adventure Cruise

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Hop aboard Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas for the seven-night Alaska Adventure Cruise, sailing round-trip from Seattle . This itinerary is available on several dates between May and August 2024 and features stops in the towns of Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau, plus scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier in Alaska. There's also an afternoon call in the Canadian city of Victoria. While there, book an off-roading excursion through the coastal rainforest that includes a zip line adventure. Or, take a self-guided tour through Victoria's famed Butchart Gardens and the tropical Butterfly Gardens filled with wildlife.

Quantum of the Seas – which holds 4,180 passengers at double occupancy and 4,905 passengers at maximum capacity – is one of the two larger Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska in 2024 (Ovation of the Seas is the other). As such, it offers abundant activities and entertainment for families at sea. On board, guests can experience Ripcord by iFly (the only skydiving simulator at sea) and take in snow-capped mountain views from the FlowRider surf simulator or atop the ship's rock climbing wall. Other onboard activities include bumper cars, an escape room, an arcade, pickleball and The Silent Party (a dance party where everyone wears headphones).

At mealtime, kids will have plenty of choices for casual and quick bites, from carefully crafted hot dogs at the Dog House and specialty pies at Sorrento's Pizza to around-the-clock snacks at Café Promenade and grab-and-go fare at The Café@Two70. When the little ones want to play or chill out with kids their age, Adventure Ocean offers activities for children 3 to 12 years old. Meanwhile, teens can meet other 13- to 17-year-olds at the Hideout Hangout.

Carnival Cruise Line: 7-Day Alaska from Seattle, WA

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Departure city: Juneau, Alaska

Carnival's 2024 Alaska season runs from May to September, with the 7-Day Alaska from Seattle itinerary available every month during that time. The round-trip sailing aboard Carnival Luminosa stops in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. You'll enjoy scenic cruising in Victoria and through Tracy Arm Fjord. You'll also have one "fun day at sea" to check out the activities and entertainment on the ship, which offers a double occupancy capacity of 2,260 passengers and a maximum capacity of 2,826 passengers.

Younger sailors ages 2 to 11 can join in on ocean-themed games, songs and programming at Camp Ocean, while tweens and teens (ages 12 to 17) can participate in destination-focused activities at See the World. Club 02 is a designated space for guests ages 15 to 17 to watch movies, play sports and video games, and more. Families can enjoy Dive-In Movies together at Carnival Seaside Theater and watch live musical productions at Playlist Productions. When it comes to dining on Carnival , families will have a choice of several casual restaurants to satisfy finicky eaters, including Pizzeria del Capitano, The Carnival Deli, Lido Marketplace and Swirls for soft serve ice cream. For a special night out, make reservations at the Steakhouse, which costs extra but offers reduced prices for children 11 and younger.

When going ashore, Juneau offers many family-friendly excursions – some of which you may not have the chance to experience anywhere else in the world. The Taku Lodge Feast & 5-Glacier Seaplane Discovery takes guests airborne by bush plane over the five glaciers in the Juneau Icefield. After the ride, you'll land in the Taku River at the historic Taku Lodge, which sits across from Juneau's largest glacier, the Taku Glacier. At the lodge, you'll feast on a bountiful meal featuring homemade side dishes and one of the best-known local seafood specialties, Alaska king salmon.

Celebrity Cruises: 7 Nights Alaska Hubbard Glacier

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's seven-night Alaska Hubbard Glacier itinerary is available on nine voyages between May and September 2024. The Celebrity Solstice (which holds 2,852 guests at double occupancy) sails round-trip from Vancouver and stops in the ports of Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Ketchikan in Alaska. You'll have two days of scenic cruising in the Inside Passage and around Hubbard Glacier. While in Icy Strait Point, book a guided nature walk excursion along the "Trail of the Bears" in the bush country of the Spasski River Valley. During your search for Alaska's coastal brown bears, you'll also learn about the Tlingit culture and community in Hoonah, and perhaps even see Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles.

Back on the ship, Celebrity's Camp at Sea program entertains children, tweens and teens ages 3 to 17 with four different age-appropriate programs: Shipmates (ages 3 to 5), Cadets (ages 6 to 9), Captains (ages 10 to 12) and Teens (ages 13 to 17). The customizable activities change every cruise and are based on the interests of the participants. Celebrity also offers autism-friendly activities and services for families on board.

When it comes to dining options on the ship, families will find kid-friendly selections on the in-room dining menu and at the main restaurant. For quick casual fare, head to the buffet-style Oceanview Café or to the Mast Grill for burgers and other grab-and-go bites. If you want healthier dishes, the Spa Café offers homemade energy bars, acai bowls, turkey wraps and other light choices.

UnCruise Adventures: Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

If you prefer a small-ship cruise experience without the bells and whistles of some larger vessels, UnCruise offers adventure-style cruises to Alaska on its fleet of safari- and expedition-style ships. With these intimate cruises, you and the kids (ages 8 and older) can get up close to glaciers, wildlife and Alaska's vast wilderness directly from the ship via Zodiacs and kayaks. You may even see wildlife from a short distance away along the shoreline, as UnCruise vessels are able to sail into smaller waterways that are inaccessible to larger ships.

The line's Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise features two full days in pristine Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve aboard the Wilderness Discoverer, which holds a maximum of 76 passengers. Here, guests can hike along remote coastlines amid old-growth forests, view sea life up close and go birding at South Marble Island. You'll also have the opportunity to see several tidewater glaciers, go kayaking in the Keku Islands and explore Neka Bay on Chichagof Island. Another highlight is a visit to Glacier Bay Lodge at Bartlett Cove, the only hotel accommodations in the 3.3 million-acre national park. The seven-night itinerary departs round-trip from Juneau and is offered between April and September 2024.

The full itinerary includes stops in Icy Strait and Neka Bay; Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve; Chichagof Island (which boasts the world's largest population of brown bears per square mile); Frederick Sound; and Tracy Arm and the Sawyer Glaciers. During the weeklong cruise, you'll have narration by expert onboard guides and embark on some of the most memorable adventures your kids will ever have in Alaska's remote wilderness.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship, including the newest megaships, traditional masted sailing ships, river ships in Europe and a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica. She has cruised to Alaska and visited The Great Land in the summer, fall and winter, and journeyed to remote areas by bush plane above the Arctic Circle. She used her knowledge of Alaska cruises and extensive research to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
• The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises
• The Best Alaska Cruise Lines
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

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The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024

R oughly 1.5 million people visit Alaska on a cruise ship each year, according to the Cruise Line International Association Alaska . With more than 2,500 islands, mountainsides that tickle coastal waterways, a robust seasonal whale population (as well as the opportunity to spot moose, bears, and eagles, among other wildlife), and rich cultural traditions in truly remote communities, some only accessible by water, it's easy to see why so many travelers decide to sail in Alaska.

Each summer, scads of ships cruise Alaska's coastal waterways, ranging from 12-person expedition-style sailings to mega-ships with passenger numbers into the thousands. Some stick to a manageable six-day itinerary within the popular and more easily accessible southeast region, while others head out on epic three-week sailings that cross multiple time zones. Some are as rugged as the 49th state, and others are pure opulence.

That's all to say: There is probably an Alaska sailing that will match your travel style and budget. Here are eight of the best Alaska cruises to consider.

How much do Alaska cruises cost?

Alaska cruises can cost anywhere from $500 to $7,500 per person for a five-night sailing , but total costs will depend on the size of the ship, length of the trip, and other factors like whether onshore excursions and food and beverage are included in the base rate.

Generally speaking, the larger the ship, the cheaper the initial price tag. Mega-cruises (with cruise lines such Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, and Holland America) can go for as little as $100 a night (so roughly $600 per person for a six-night sailing). These resorts at sea, however, are often not all-inclusive, so be sure to check the fine print before putting your credit card down. Passengers frequently have to pay extra (and usually at a premium) for things like specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, and off-boat activities. It's also worth factoring in onboard features that cost extra like the spa and gift shop.

While small-scale operators have fewer dining and entertainment options onboard, they do have an edge over larger ships: better chances of seeing wildlife. The larger ships are often relegated to port towns due to their sheer size, but smaller ships can more easily navigate and visit remote areas for hiking and kayaking excursions. Because they're not hurrying to get to a port on time, their schedules are looser than those of large-scale ships, so if a pod of orcas is spotted, they can idle and watch them a little longer. Some of the smallest boats hold between 12 and 100 passengers, and many of them are all-inclusive (or at least inclusive of almost everything except alcohol). That more intimate experience commands a higher nightly rate-anywhere between $250 and $1,500 a night.

The best time to cruise to Alaska

The best time to cruise in Alaska is generally between May and September.

The Alaska cruise season, like the 49th state's summer , is all too brief. The vast majority of sailings, particularly those along the Inside Passage (the island-filled coastal waterway in the southeast portion of the state), occur somewhere between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That being said, there are some shoulder-season departures in April, May, September, and October.

The best time to visit also depends on your tolerance for the cold and for other travelers. Those shoulder-season trips are chilly (there's a good chance you'll see snow in places and will need to bundle up more), but there are significantly fewer tourists to do battle with during shore excursions. However, the peak season (July and August) is divine. The sun hardly sets, the landscapes (save for the glaciers) are verdant, and the waterways are choked with playful whales getting their fill before winter.

Best Alaska cruises to book

1. alaska dream cruise's "glacier bay & island adventures".

• Cost: From $4,895 per person
• Days: 8 days
• Departure port: Sitka, Alaska
• End port: Juneau, Alaska

What makes Alaska Dream Cruises so special is the fact that it's the only Indigenous-owned cruise company in the United States-and that heritage presents itself in an authentic way throughout the sailings. One subtle example of this: At the top of daily dining menus are Tlingit phrases, like Xáanaa atxá gaawú áyá, meaning "it's dinner time." On a larger scale, the sailings are usually the only ones to visit and get a lesson on the Glacier Bay National Park Huna Tribal House (a traditional gathering place for Tlingit peoples). And because the ships are Alaska Native–owned, they're able to go to remote, tribally owned corners of the Inside Passage that non-Indigenous companies simply aren't allowed to, like Hobart Bay. Other items on the agenda include exploring the pristine west coast of Chichagof Island, visiting the Tlingit community of Kake (site of the world's tallest totem pole), and visiting a slew of tidewater glaciers.

If you're looking to eschew the cruise ship behemoths for something more intimate, this is it-Alaska Dream Cruises' Alaskan Dream holds only 40 passengers. And because it's so small, passengers can weigh in on the daily itinerary, perhaps opting to skip a hike in favor of more time photographing the face of a glacier or watching juvenile humpback whales learn to breach. Meals and activities (including going for high-speed Zodiac rides, kayaking, and paddleboarding) are included.

2. HX's (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) "Inside Passage, Bears, and Aleutian Islands"

• Cost: From $9,614 per person
• Days: 19 days
• Departure port: Vancouver, Canada
• End port: Vancouver, Canada (this same itinerary is also offered in reverse)

Now that it has a couple of seasons in Alaska under its belt, HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) is not holding back. In 2024, the company is offering a 19-day sailing that starts in Vancouver, Canada, before working its way past the fjords, glacier-filled straits, and Indigenous villages of the Inside Passage. Unlike most other sailings that stay within the southeast, from here, the ship hangs a hard left and chugs along to Kodiak, an island community known for humongous brown bears and prolific crab fishing. Though it's the second-largest island in the entire United States, it's rare that cruise ships visit, mainly because it lacks the infrastructure for big ships.

Then it's onward to the even less-visited Aleutian Islands (a chain of islands, 14 of which are volcanic, in southwestern Alaska), where guests visit the uninhabited St. Paul and St. Matthew islands and Unga Village (a ghost town), before crossing (and recrossing) the International Dateline, sailing through the Bering Strait (between the Pacific and Arctic oceans, separating the Russian Far East from Alaska), and eventually docking in Nome, the far-flung city best known as the finishing point for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. From there, guests are flown back to Vancouver, where their itinerary ends.

Perhaps as interesting as the itinerary is the fact that the vessel, the 528-passenger MS Roald Amundsen , is battery hybrid-powered. In addition to being a model for cruising sustainably, the MS Roald Amundsen features an observation deck, science center, three Nordic-style restaurants, an infinity pool, and hot tubs. In other words, it's definitely a place you wouldn't mind spending 19 days.

3. Lindblad Expeditions' Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

• Cost: From $6,286 per person
• Departure port: Juneau, Alaska
• End port: Sitka, Alaska (this same cruise is also offered in reverse)

Many of the sailings to Alaska center on the state's major ports of call, like Juneau and Sitka. There's nothing wrong with those itineraries, but they do tend to focus more on touristy downtowns and less on the great outdoors.

While this Lindblad sailing does start and end in those cities (since most Alaska cruise passengers fly to the state to begin their sailing journey, it's most convenient to embark in a large port near a major airport before heading to more remote destinations), the days in-between are adventure packed. Multiple times a day, guests are invited to disembark for a closer look at the true wilds of Alaska. That could entail going kayaking among bobbing bits of glacial ice in Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, or going for a Zodiac ride in Frederick Sound to view whales up close. Another option includes trekking on lesser-known forest trails and getting an explainer on tide pools along smaller islands. While Lindblad has a general idea of where the vessel will stop each day, itineraries are not set in stone and the crew is not afraid to mix it up if it means having a locale to themselves or if there's a stellar animal encounter to enjoy-this is an expedition ship, after all.

Because Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic, there's always a professional photographer onboard to help travelers best capture their trip, as well as naturalists and expert guides to put what passengers see on the voyage into a more informative context. Both the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture make the sailing. The sister ships were purpose built to sail the North American coast and feature 50 rooms each, all with windows or portholes, private bathrooms, climate controls, and a TV, plus Wi-Fi connection.

4. Maple Leaf Adventures' "Alaska Supervoyage"

• Cost: From $8,471 per person
• Days: 12 days
• End port: Vancouver, Canada

The Inside Passage is popular for a reason. Here you'll find remote islands dappled with stately spruce trees, dreamy fields of pink fireweed, and long stretches of undisturbed, rocky beaches. But if you motor a bit further, there's a good chance you'll be greeted by electric-blue icebergs, dizzying fjords, and dramatic, millennia-old glaciers. And, sooner or later, you'll also meet communities of hardy locals. What's appealing about this Maple Leaf Adventures itinerary is that it's a good mix of Alaska's natural landscapes and coastal cityscapes. Visits to bustling port towns like Sitka and Ketchikan are balanced with days spent entirely in the wilderness of Endicott Arm and Misty fjords.

Holding just 12 guests, the ship is one of the smallest sailing commercially in Alaska, so it's able to tuck into areas the mega-ships can't. And it's a unique ways to spend 12 days-the Swell is a converted tugboat.

5. Norwegian Cruise Line's Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau

• Cost: From $619 per person
• Days: 9 days
• Departure port: Seattle, Washington
• End port: Seattle, Washington

If we were to pick one mega-ship operator to see Alaska on, it would be Norwegian Cruise Line . If your idea of a good time includes loads of onboard amenities (like over-the-top spas, nightly theater productions, go-kart tracks, and a water park), this is the sailing for you. It's also one of the more family-friendly lines sailing in Alaska, with kids clubs and programming specifically geared at youngsters.

Over the course of nine days, this sailing on the 1,976-passenger Norwegian Sun visits seven ports, including Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria (in British Columbia), and spends a full day puttering around the otherworldly beautiful Glacier Bay National Park. All in all, the sailing is affordable, and travelers can customize the land part of their itineraries to fulfill their Alaska wish list (at an added cost), by opting for excursions that include kayaking to the face of a glacier, going on a flightseeing tour to see brown bears feast on salmon, meeting sled dogs, shopping for Indigenous handicrafts, marveling at totem poles, and visiting local breweries and distilleries. Onboard, Wi-Fi, bar drinks, and specialty dining are free, but activities like the spa cost extra.

6. Ponant's "Alaska, nature on a grand scale"

• Cost: From $13,230 per person
• Days: 13 days (11 nights onboard)
• Departure port: Seward, Alaska
• End port: Vancouver, Canada (this cruise is also offered in reverse)

Another itinerary that focuses on lesser-visited ports is French line Ponant's 13-day trip starting in Seward, a fishing port town two hours from Anchorage. As the boat pulls out of the harbor, guests are invited to bring their binoculars to the deck to check the landscape for whales, which come to the food-rich waterways each summer to bulk up for their winter calving season. The first full day on the water is spent sailing around Prince William Sound where islets and icebergs are abundant, followed by a day at Tsaa Fjord in the captivating (and appropriately named) Icy Bay for glaciers. Next it's off to Sitka, a former Russian colony that now has one of the largest totem pole collections in the world. From there it's the little-visited Elfin Cove and Point Adolphus, two dreamy locations known for their rugged coasts and wildlife spotting opportunities. After a few more days in the Inside Passage communities of Skagway, Kake, and Petersburg, the sailing culminates in Vancouver.

These sailings take place on the 264-passenger Le Soleal , a high-end expedition-style ship that boasts a theater, gym, spa (with hammam), panoramic lounge, and pool.

7. Silversea's Vancouver to Seward

• Cost: From $3,650 per person
• Days: 7 days
• End port: Seward, Alaska

What Silversea does well is creating an onboard experience that is luxurious and one-of-a-kind but doesn't distract from the real star of the show: Alaska.

By day, the Silver Nova visits buzzing, historical port towns including Ketchikan, Skagway, and Sitka, where guests are invited to disembark and participate in an activity of their choosing , like leisurely bopping around the downtown area or getting spine-tinglingly close to brown bears on a flightseeing tour. Back on the vessel, after a gourmet meal and drinks, evening entertainment is viewing the deep fjords, glaciers, and abundant whales that make Alaska so magical. Spacious suites accommodate 728 guests. There's also complimentary Pilates and yoga, a gym, jogging track, spa, observation library, and a slew of bars and restaurants.

What's particularly convenient about this sailing is that it ends in Seward, making it easy to continue your Alaska vacation (a visit to Denali National Park and Preserve, anyone?) by road or rail.

8. Uncruise Adventures' "Wild, Woolly and Wow"

• Cost: From $4,400 per person

Cruise vacations often have the reputation of being not very active. However, this UnCruise Adventures sailing is aimed at those who want an more heart-pumping immersion into some little-visited areas of the 49th state, like South Baranof Island Wilderness Area and Chichagof Island.

One day might involve kayaking in Patterson Bay followed by a brisk snorkeling session. Another could see guests hiking to a glacial lake or going for a skiff tour among icebergs. And another could involve biking in an area known for its healthy population of brown bears (if you dare).

These sailings take place on the intimate 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy , with cozy but comfortable cabins and unlimited activities and beverages.

This story was originally published in January 2023, and was updated on March 27, 2024, to include current information.

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You can sail from Vancouver on an ultra-luxury cruise to Japan that visits Alaska

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Vancouverites can cruise through Alaska and cross the Pacific to the Land of the Rising Sun on a luxury vessel for a steal.

If you associate ocean cruises with huge crowds, boisterous guests, and massive ships, this cruise line may sound like a luxurious breath of fresh air. Not only is their guest capacity significantly lower — try 596 passengers rather than 1,500 to 6,000 on medium and large ocean liners — but their guest-to-crew ratio is also much lower.

For those 596 passengers, there are roughly 408 crew members on board. This means guests are afforded the highest, most attentive level of service, with the crew anticipating their every need. 

The 23-night sailing on the Silver Muse departs from Canada Place on Sept. 2 before sailing up the inside passage to Ketchikan, Alaska. The cruise will make a stop in Endicott Arm before overnighting in Juneau on Sept. 5. 

The next Alaskan stops on the voyage include Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Haines before it spends some time cruising past the awe-inspiring Hubbard Glacier. The cruise will also stop in Valdez, Anchorage, Kodiak and Dutch Harbour before crossing the Pacific on Sept. 16. 

Guests will spend six days at sea crossing the ocean — and the International Dateline — before arriving in Kushiro, Japan on Sept. 22. The ship will then stop in Hakodate and Miyako before it disembarks guests in Tokyo on Sept. 26.

Vancouver cruise: Silversea Cruises experience 

Headquartered in Monaco, Silversea Cruises offers all-inclusive luxury cruising experiences. Guests enjoy 24-hour room service, open dining at an array of restaurants, and beverages in their cabin and throughout the ship. This includes champagne, selected wines, and premium spirits, too. 

To complete the pampered cruising experience, each guest has a personal butler on board. 

In addition to a low guest-to-crew ratio, the ship for this itinerary, the Silver Muse, boasts the most dining options of any luxury ship. This means you'll have a wide range of dining options and won't sacrifice gourmet quality. There is a jogging track, fitness centre, swimming pool, showroom, dancing area, casino, and five bars/lounges.

Prices for a Superior Veranda Suite start at $34,400 or $17,200 per person. The price includes all of your meals and premium alcohol, entertainment, luxury accommodation, transportation, and butler service for the entirety of the cruise.

For comparison's sake, a one-night stay at a luxury hotel generally costs more — and that's without any food, entertainment, butler service, or alcohol. 

Guests can also pay a couple thousand more for the "door-to-door" all-inclusive package, covering travel from their homes to when they return from the trip. They include tickets in economy class seats, transfers to the ship, and more.

Travellers generally want to spend a few nights in Tokyo at the end of their cruise. Thankfully, flights back from the Japanese capital are a steal thanks to Zipair's ultra-low-cost direct option from Narita. Tickets start at under $400, including all taxes and fees on several dates at the end of the month (see slide four). 

• Related: Everything Vancouver travellers need to know about visiting Japan
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Alaska Cruises From Vancouver

Get closer to awe-inspiring wildlife, charming coastal towns and magnificent glaciers on Alaska cruises from Vancouver. Find one-way and roundtrip cruises to Alaska with convenient weekend departures from Vancouver’s dazzling waterfront. Explore Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier on our Inside Passage cruises. Take a Glacier Discovery voyage to glide several of Alaska’s most dramatic icescapes. Or go to the seldom-visited Kodiak Island, home of the famous Kodiak bears on our Great Alaskan Explorer. Continue the exploration on ship with local insights and onboard programming. Read on to plan cruises from Vancouver to Alaska and beyond.

Featured Alaska Cruises From Vancouver

See the World From Your Doorstep

Things to do in vancouver.

Find the best things to do before or after your cruise from Vancouver.

Stanley Park

Vancouver Aquarium

More details about cruises from vancouver, vancouver at a glance.

• When was Vancouver founded?  April 6, 1886 
• Where is Vancouver located?  Located in the southwest corner of British Columbia, Canada. 
• What is the population of Vancouver?  631,486 according to the 2016 Canada Census 
• What language is primarily spoken?  English 
• Vancouver, BC, Canada is GMT/UTC - 8h during Standard Time
• Vancouver, BC, Canada is GMT/UTC - 7h during Daylight Saving Time
• What currency is used in Vancouver, BC, Canada?  CAD (Canadian Dollar)

Travel Tips for Vancouver

How do I book a flight to Vancouver?  At Holland America we offer cruise travelers low prices on their flights. Please see more information on our  Flight Ease program here .

Where should I stay when cruising from Vancouver? We offer hotel packages to our already booked guests. For more information, visit our  hotel packages and pre- or post-travel arrangements .

What are some of the top places to see in Vancouver?  Visit our  Vancouver Port page  for more information on our top travel recommendations.

Port Information

What should I expect boarding to like for my cruise departing Vancouver, BC, Canada?   Please visit our  cruise preparation FAQ  for information on how to access or print boarding passes, how to check in online, and to see if you need a passport.

Can I book an airport shuttle to my cruise?   Book an airport transfer from the airport to your ship after you book a cruise with Holland America Line. We make getting to and from your cruise comfortable, convenient and hassle-free. For more information on EXC City Stays & Overland Tours, please visit:  https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/pre-post-travel-cruise.html .

Are you an already booked guest with Holland America Line? For booked guests, please see our  travel planning  details on how to book an airport transfer.

Curious about learning more about cruising or want more information?

Please visit our most  frequently asked questions page  on cruise preparation, transportation, safety and security, and more.

Other Cruises Out Of Vancouver

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Holland America Line Flight Ease® offers specially negotiated low prices, a convenient and worry-free way to book air travel, late-arrival protection, and the freedom to change your flights with no change fees.

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Find exceptional City Stays & Pre/Post Overland Packages, which offer a seamless experience ashore to add to your cruise.

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Frugal Traveler

Standby Cruising: A New Option for Bargain Seekers

Are you a flexible traveler? Holland America’s standby cruises may be for you. The cost: $49 a day, excluding fees, taxes and extras. The catch: It might be a hair-raising, last-minute scramble.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

In February, Barb McGowan took a seven-day cruise on Holland America Line, visiting the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic for just $343, or $49 a day, excluding taxes, port fees and extras. By comparison, Holland America currently lists a seven-day Caribbean itinerary in October from about $700.

The catch: She had just 48 hours’ notice.

Ms. McGown, a 64-year-old from Naples, Fla., who runs a restaurant franchise, took one of the line’s new standby cruises , which are aimed at travelers who live near departure ports and intended to fill ship vacancies.

“I look for deals, and this was an especially good experience,” Ms. McGowan said, praising the food and entertainment. “I was impressed enough to put down a deposit on a future cruise.”

A way to keep ships full

Holland America introduced its standby program last August to maximize ship occupancy, knowing that cancellations are inevitable. So far, the rest of the cruise industry has not followed its lead.

“If cancellations are within a week or two of sailing, it’s difficult to resell that space in the open market,” said Dan Rough, the vice president of revenue management at Holland America.

In the same way that airlines oversell seats, cruise lines may compensate for cancellations by overselling staterooms. Filling in with standbys, however, reduces Holland America’s reliance on overselling, which runs the risk of bumping passengers to distant departures or potentially offering generous cash incentives to coax volunteers to cancel.

Though the company does not heavily promote the new practice, it has attracted a following among the thrifty by dangling a bargain rate — $49 a person, whether sharing a cabin or traveling solo, before taxes and fees — on a web page that lists available departure dates to attract flexible travelers. Standbys should expect an inside cabin, according to the company, though ocean-view and veranda cabins have been assigned. (The company declined to say how many standby cabins it has offered.)

“Forty-nine dollars per person, per day is pretty exceptional,” said Colleen McDaniel, the editor of CruiseCritic.com , a website that reviews cruises, noting that the price covers all meals and entertainment. “You can’t find a cheaper rate at a land resort for what’s included.” (In 2023, the average nightly rate for a hotel room in the United States was nearly $156, according to STR, a data analytics firm that monitors the hospitality industry.)

To participate, travelers choose an itinerary from the standby list on the website — current embarkation ports include Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Montreal; Quebec City; San Diego; Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Whittier, Alaska — and pay for the trip in advance by calling Holland America or booking through a travel adviser.

There are no refunds for standby cruisers who want to back out. However, if the gamble fails to pay off, and the cruise line cannot offer a cabin to someone on the standby list, it issues a refund.

The company says standby offerings are added on a rolling basis and usually lists itineraries within two to three months of departure. Current offerings include seven-day sailings in Alaska’s Inside Passage from April through September and seven-to-11-day trips cruising the coast of New England and Canada’s Maritime Provinces between May and October.

Proximity is a bonus

Standby cruisers don’t learn of their acceptance or denial until a week to two days before departure, complicating transportation arrangements.

“Last-minute airfare could offset the savings on a cruise,” wrote Crystal Seaton, the owner of Road to Relaxation Travel , a travel agency based in Raleigh, N.C., in an email. Though she has not booked a client on a standby sailing yet, she surmised that it is intended for travelers who can drive to a port.

“We were lucky; we found out Tuesday we were going on a Friday 3 p.m. sailing,” said Sheila Valloney, 66, of Clermont, Fla., who with her husband spent nine days aboard a Holland America ship in the southern Caribbean in February by going standby.

Before being cleared, she reserved a parking spot near the ship dock in Fort Lauderdale, which would have set her back about $6 if she canceled. She also kept their vacation clothes ready to go at the last minute for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to port.

Booking a refundable airline ticket — or at least one that guarantees a credit in loyalty points or cash in the event of cancellation — is one way travelers who must fly can take advantage of the deal.

For her standby sailing, Ms. McGowan drove 90 minutes from her home to the ship in Fort Lauderdale. But her travel companion was coming from Indiana, so when she joined the standby list a few months before the departure date, she booked her friend a Southwest Airlines flight using frequent flier points that would be refunded if the last-minute cruise didn’t come through.

Avoiding extra charges

Once on board, charges for extras like cabin upgrades, Wi-Fi, alcohol and shore excursions can inflate the bill, though the thriftiest travelers try to avoid them.

Ms. McGowan sprang for the $17.50-a-day charge for an upgraded drink package (basic nonalcoholic drinks are included in the cruise) and took one shore excursion, focused on coffee growing, which she deemed a good value at $89.

On their Caribbean cruise, the Valloneys asked around for recommendations for good beaches, where they went to relax on port days, and waited until they were on land to check emails, in order to avoid paying for Wi-Fi on the ship.

“We didn’t miss it at all,” Ms. Valloney said. “For beverages, we would wait until happy hour, when it was buy one, get one free.”

Will other companies follow suit?

To date, no other cruise lines have adopted standby programs.

Princess Cruises said it did not plan to offer cabins on a standby basis, but noted that it already offers last-minute deals , which tend to run about $50 to $60 per passenger per day. For example, a seven-day Alaska sailing from Vancouver to Anchorage departing on May 8 is listed at $399 a person in a double-occupancy cabin.

Several other major cruise lines did not respond to inquiries about potentially adopting standby programs, though operators like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line also offer last-minute deals on their websites.

“We would be surprised to see many mainstream cruise lines begin to adopt a similar model” to the standby system, wrote Kimberly Coyne, the head of sales and content strategy for Cruiseline.com , a cruise review site, in an email. She said the standby fares might be financially unsustainable for cruise lines and cited the potential that travelers might become too accustomed to late-booking deals.

More ways to save

With the recent surge in cruise bookings, companies are discounting less, said Ms. McDaniel of CruiseCritic.com.

She identified more reliable ways to get a deal compared with going standby, such as booking during “ wave season ,” a sales period that generally runs January through March, or taking a repositioning cruise, in which a ship relocates from one region to another seasonally. A repositioning itinerary might sail in the fall from Alaska to the Caribbean via the Panama Canal.

“It’s not unusual to see a repositioning cruise at less than $75 per night,” Ms. McDaniel, said, noting that other expenses such as an airline itinerary into one city and returning from another may cost more than a standard round-trip ticket.

Repositioning cruises tend to stop at fewer ports and add more shipboard enrichment programs, such as lectures and activities like cake decorating classes and craft spirits tastings.

“For a lot of people the ship is the destination and this is the perfect activity for people who like to be on the ship,” she said.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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