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An Alaska cruise is one of the easiest ways to see glaciers, fjords and wildlife without planning a complicated road trip. For most Americans, the trip starts in Seattle, where big ships leave for round trips through the Inside Passage from spring to early fall.
When to go
May and early June
The season opens in May. Prices are often lower, there is still snow on the mountains, and the towns are quieter. Days are already long. It can be cool and rainy, so pack layers.
Late June to August
Peak season: the warmest weather, the longest days and the most families on board. It is a great time for whale watching and excursions, and also the most expensive time to sail.
September
The end of the season brings lower prices, fall colors and sometimes darker nights, but also more rain. If you are flexible, it is worth comparing a September sailing with one in July.
What a typical Seattle route looks like
Most cruises from Seattle are seven night round trips. A typical week includes:
- Sea days cruising north along the coast and through the Inside Passage.
- Juneau, Alaska's capital, with whale watching and the Mendenhall Glacier nearby.
- Skagway, a gold rush town known for the White Pass railway.
- Ketchikan, with totem poles, salmon streams and rainforest.
- Glacier viewing in a fjord or bay, depending on the ship and the week.
- Victoria, British Columbia near the end of the trip.
That last stop is there for a reason: under US law, foreign-flagged cruise ships sailing round trip from a US port need to stop at a foreign port. That is why almost every Seattle Alaska cruise stops in Canada, so bring a passport, and check what ID your cruise line requires.
Seattle or Vancouver?
Both cities are Alaska cruise ports.
- Seattle mostly has round trips, which makes flights easy: fly in and out of the same airport, often for less.
- Vancouver has round trips too, and also one-way cruises that end near Anchorage, which reach farther north but need a one-way flight home and a bit more planning.
For a first Alaska cruise, a Seattle round trip is usually the simplest and often the cheapest choice overall.
Popular things to do in port
Shore excursions sell out in summer, so book the ones you care about early, either with the cruise line or with a local company. Some favorites:
- Juneau: whale watching tours, the Mendenhall Glacier and its visitor center, and the Mount Roberts Tramway above town.
- Skagway: the White Pass and Yukon Route railway into the mountains, and hikes around the old gold rush town.
- Ketchikan: totem pole parks, Creek Street, and floatplane trips to Misty Fjords.
- Victoria: a short evening stop, enough for a walk along the Inner Harbour.
Weather can cancel flights, boat trips and helicopter tours, so read the cancellation terms before you book, and leave some time in each port to simply walk around.
How to save on an Alaska cruise
- Sail in May or September. Shoulder season fares are usually lower than July and August.
- Choose an inside or ocean view cabin. You will spend most of the scenic cruising on deck anyway.
- Fly round trip to Seattle. Round trip flights to one airport are usually cheaper than open-jaw tickets.
- Book excursions selectively. Many ports are walkable, and some of the best views are free from the ship.
- Compare the whole trip. Add flights, one hotel night in Seattle and transfers before deciding.
Getting to the ship in Seattle
Seattle has two cruise terminals: Pier 66 near downtown and Pier 91 a little north. Seattle-Tacoma Airport is about 15 miles away, around 30 minutes by car. Light rail runs from the airport to downtown, close to Pier 66.
As with any cruise, fly in the day before and spend the night downtown. Our guide on where to stay the night before a cruise explains why, and the Seattle cruise port guide shows hotels near the piers with live prices.
Cheap flights to Seattle are on our route pages, for example New York to Seattle, Chicago to Seattle and Los Angeles to Seattle. Airport to pier transfers can be booked ahead with Kiwitaxi.
What to pack
- Layers and a waterproof jacket. Alaska weather changes fast, even in summer.
- Binoculars for whales, eagles and glaciers.
- Comfortable walking shoes for port towns and trails.
- A passport, for the stop in Canada.
Make a few extra days of it
Seattle is worth a day or two before or after the cruise: Pike Place Market, the waterfront and day trips to Mount Rainier are all easy. See hotels in Seattle and things to do in Seattle.
Find your Alaska cruise
Search sailings by month and compare cruise lines: search Alaska cruises, or start from the Seattle port guide for hotels, transfers and flights.
See the Seattle cruise port guide
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best month for an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
- July and August have the warmest weather and longest days. May and September are usually cheaper and less crowded, with cooler and sometimes rainier weather.
- Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
- Most Seattle round trips stop in Victoria, Canada, so a passport is strongly recommended. Check your cruise line's ID rules before you sail.
- How long is an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
- Most are 7 night round trips. Some lines also offer shorter or longer sailings.
- Which is better for an Alaska cruise, Seattle or Vancouver?
- Seattle round trips are usually simpler and cheaper to fly to. Vancouver adds one-way cruises that go farther north but need a one-way flight home.