Visiting Alaska is one of the most memorable experiences you can have! I remember going for the first time at age 10 with my whole extended family, and that trip has stuck with me for life. I was blessed enough to go back to Alaska this past week, and want to share some of my best Alaska insights with you all!
Here are best Alaska cruises for 2026, the top cruise lines, the most beautiful destinations, and the best tips for planning your Alaska vacation!
Cruises are the best way to see Alaska!
Alaska cruises are perfect because you can see more by sea than you ever could just by land!
Some of the benefits of cruising Alaska include:
- Massive glaciers and dramatic fjords
- Whale watching and wildlife viewing
- Scenic cruising through the Inside Passage
- Charming frontier towns
- Easy access to remote landscapes
1. Princess Cruises — Voted Best Overall Alaska Cruise
Princess Cruises is widely considered one of the top cruise lines for Alaska. The company has decades of experience sailing the region and offers extensive Glacier Bay itineraries.
Why It’s One of the Best
- Excellent Glacier Bay access
- Strong enrichment programs and naturalists
- Great viewing decks and scenic cruising
- Convenient one-way and round-trip itineraries
Best For
- First-time Alaska cruisers
- Couples and multi-generational families
- Travelers wanting classic Alaska scenery
Popular 2026 Itineraries
- Voyage of the Glaciers
- Glacier Bay sailings from Vancouver
- Denali Cruisetours
2. Holland America Line — Best for Glacier Bay & Scenic Cruising
Holland America Line was the first ever cruise line to go to Alaska, and it is still my personal favorite. In fact, I just got off their ship – the Noordam – yesterday, and had the best 7 day cruise to Alaska!
What Makes It Special
- Glacier Bay National Park permits
- Strong onboard Alaska programming
- Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities
- Relaxed atmosphere focused on scenery
Best For
- Cultured travelers
- Elegance
- Nature lovers
- Scenic-focused cruises
3. Royal Caribbean — Best for Families & Entertainment
Royal Caribbean offers some of the most family-friendly Alaska cruises.
Why Travelers Love It
- Large ships with entertainment and activities
- North Star observation capsule on Quantum-class ships
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Seattle and Vancouver departures
Best For
- Families with kids
- Active travelers
- First-time cruisers wanting lots of onboard entertainment
Royal Caribbean highlights ports like Juneau, Skagway, and Hubbard Glacier on its 2026 itineraries.
4. Norwegian Cruise Line — Best Flexible Alaska Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line offers flexible Alaska itineraries with multiple sailing lengths.
Highlights
- Freestyle dining
- Variety of itinerary lengths
- Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier sailings
- Modern ships with lots of entertainment
NCL’s 2026 itineraries include sailings ranging from 7 to 16 days.
Best For
- Casual travelers
- Families
- Travelers wanting flexible dining and nightlife
5. Seabourn — Best Luxury Alaska Cruise
Seabourn Alaska Cruises delivers one of the most luxurious Alaska cruise experiences.
What Makes It Exceptional
- Smaller luxury ships
- Fine dining and premium service
- Access to less crowded fjords
- Intimate glacier experiences
Best For
- Luxury travelers
- Couples
- Travelers seeking quieter ships
Seabourn’s smaller vessels allow access to scenic areas and narrow fjords larger ships cannot reach.
6. Cunard — Best Traditional Luxury Experience
Cunard Alaska Cruises combines classic luxury with Alaska scenery.
Highlights
- Elegant atmosphere
- White Star service
- Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising
- Traditional ocean-liner experience
Best For
- Couples
- Luxury travelers
- Classic cruise fans
7. Expedition Cruises — Best for Adventure Travelers
For travelers wanting a deeper Alaska experience, expedition cruises are incredible.
Top expedition operators include:
What to Expect
- Small ships
- Zodiac excursions
- Kayaking and wildlife encounters
- Expert naturalists onboard
Best For
- Adventure travelers
- Wildlife photographers
- Nature lovers
Expedition cruises offer a more immersive experience than large cruise ships.
Best Alaska Cruise Destinations
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is considered one of the top highlights of any Alaska cruise.
Juneau
Juneau is famous for whale watching and glacier excursions.
Skagway
Skagway offers Gold Rush history and scenic railway adventures.
Sitka
Sitka is one of the most unique Alaska cruise ports because it blends Native Alaskan, Russian, and American history with incredible wildlife and scenery.
What Makes Sitka Special
- Whale watching and sea otter sightings
- Historic Russian architecture
- Dense rainforest and mountain scenery
- Smaller, more authentic atmosphere
Top attractions include:
- Sitka National Historical Park
- Alaska Raptor Center
- Fortress of the Bear
- Mount Edgecumbe viewpoints
Sitka was my favorite stop on our cruise! We got to go kayaking and spotted bald eagles, sea lions, mink, and otters!
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is one of the most visited Alaska cruise ports and is famous for its colorful waterfront, Native culture, and rainforest scenery.
What Makes Ketchikan Special
- Totem pole parks and Native heritage
- Floatplane tours over Misty Fjords
- Salmon fishing and seafood
- Rainforest hikes and wildlife tours
Must-see attractions:
- Creek Street
- Totem Heritage Center
- Misty Fjords National Monument
- Lumberjack shows
Ketchikan is often called the “Salmon Capital of the World” and receives over a million cruise visitors annually.
We walked around the old town and got to see the lumberjack show which was a lot of fun!
Icy Strait Point
Icy Strait Point is one of the most exciting and adventure-focused Alaska cruise stops.
Located near the Tlingit village of Hoonah, Icy Strait Point offers a more remote and wilderness-oriented Alaska experience.
What Makes Icy Strait Point Special
- Excellent whale watching
- Brown bear viewing opportunities
- Tlingit cultural experiences
- Outdoor adventure excursions
Popular activities include:
- ZipRider (one of the world’s largest zip lines)
- Whale watching tours
- Kayaking excursions
- ATV and wilderness tours
Icy Strait Point is known for having some of the best whale watching in Alaska.
The destination also offers cultural experiences connected to the local Tlingit community.
Best Time for an Alaska Cruise in 2026
- May: Lower prices and snow-capped scenery
- June–July: Peak wildlife and long daylight
- August: Warmest temperatures
- September: Fall colors and fewer crowds
Whale watching is especially popular in mid-to-late summer.
Alaska Cruise Tips for 2026
- Book early — many 2026 sailings are filling quickly
- Choose Glacier Bay itineraries if possible
- Consider balcony cabins for glacier viewing
- Pack layers and waterproof gear
- Bring binoculars for wildlife spotting
Let me know if you have any comments or questions, and I hope you enjoy your cruise to Alaska as much as I did!