Alaska's spectacular natural scenery and its staggering size help make it one of the most attractive and awe-inspiring places on Earth. From the state's majestic glaciers and mountain peaks to its charming coastal towns and abundant wildlife, there's a lot to see and do – and an Alaska cruise is the most convenient and affordable way to experience it all. Set sail for Alaska and you'll enjoy amazing amenities and plenty of creature comforts while you're at sea and an array of one-of-a-kind adventures when you come ashore. Highlights include Alaska's Inside Passage, one of the planet's most picturesque waterways; Denali (née Mt. McKinley), the tallest summit in North America; and whale watching via Kenai Fjords National Park.

 

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Princess Cruises

 

• Crystal Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

June and July are the busiest months for Alaska cruising, and voyages are priced accordingly. If you're flexible, you'll want to look to the season's "shoulder months" (e.g. May, September) for the very best deals, when you can often save hundreds of dollars per person. Regardless of when you want to set sail, however, you'll want to book your Alaska cruise as early as possible: Alaska's popularity, combined with its relatively short sailing season, means that most Alaska cruises will sell out months and months in advance of departure.

Cruisers will find the greatest number of ships and sailings available during the summer, but competition for these voyages can be fierce (with school out, many families will be traveling together); as with pricing, it pays to book early. You'll also want to remember that cabins with a view are always in high demand – Alaska's breathtaking landscapes are its major draw, after all – so you'll need to plan ahead if you're interested in an oceanview stateroom or a balcony stateroom.

The weather in Alaska can change rapidly – hot to cold, damp to dry, and calm to breezy – so it's important to pack accordingly; clothing you can layer, including waterproof gear, is essential. That said, you'll find the most beautiful weather (and the most daylight) on offer between May and July, with the likelihood of rain increasing as you move into August and September. The end of the season is generally the best time for viewing wildlife: salmon runs, which peak in middle/late August, bring out the bears, and a wide variety of whale breeds begin to migrate along the coast. Cruisers sailing to Alaska in September are also more likely to catch a glimpse of the famous Northern Lights.

The vast majority of Alaska cruises depart from ports of call located along the western coastlines of the U.S. and Canada; most likely, you'll set sail from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia. Depending on the itinerary you select, your Alaska cruise will travel either northbound or southbound; you'll enjoy an amazing experience regardless of which direction you choose, but many experienced cruisers prefer the northbound option because the scenery grows increasingly dramatic as you make your way north.

Cruises to Alaska from Seattle are typically roundtrip sailings, a major convenience for travelers who'll need to book flights to and from the city. On average, your Alaska cruise from Seattle will last seven nights, and your itinerary will likely include visits to popular ports of call like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.

Cruises to Alaska from Vancouver will visit many of the same ports of call as a cruise that departs from Seattle, but these are overwhelmingly one-way sailings, traveling northbound, that conclude in either Seward or Whittier, so you'll need to make arrangements once it's time to head home. Set sail from Vancouver, however, and you'll spend more time cruising through, and alongside, some of Alaska's most extraordinary natural environments (e.g. the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay).

Shore excursions are an essential part of any Alaska cruise, but you'll want to secure your space well in advance of departure, as the best and most popular excursions always fill up quickly. From the relaxing (e.g. a salmon bake) to the rugged (e.g. a glacier trek), you'll find something for passengers of all ages and ability levels; few, if any, cruise destinations offer passengers a greater number of options.

• Four Glaciers by Helicopter + Dog Sled Adventure (Juneau)
  Take to the skies for an exhilarating aerial adventure above Juneau's enormous Icefield. You'll soar over four of the region's most prominent glaciers before touching down on Norris Glacier, where you'll visit an authentic mushing camp and take part in an Iditarod-style ride aboard a dog sled powered by hearty Alaskan huskies.
• Saxman Native Village (Ketchikan)
  No visit to Alaska would be complete without at least a little appreciation for the state's native history and culture, and the Saxman Native Village is both a fun and authentic place in which to find it. Saxman's colorful totem-pole park, and the shed/studio where the poles are carved by hand, are among the village's many highlights.
• White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (Skagway)
  This scenic railway traverses the same route taken by prospectors during the frenzy of Alaska's first Gold Rush. Traveling in comfort, you'll ascend nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of the White Pass, and the sights you'll see along the way – steep and narrow gorges, intricate trestle bridges, cascading waterfalls, and more – are truly amazing.

For most people, a visit to Alaska will be the vacation of a lifetime. So why not make the absolute most of it by booking a cruisetour? A cruisetour offers travelers the best of both worlds: an unforgettable Alaska cruise combined with a multi-night journey inland that you can enjoy either before or after you've cruised. It's the most comprehensive Alaska experience imaginable, allowing you to access key destinations – Anchorage, Denali National Park, and other locations – that simply can't be reached by cruise ship alone. Best of all? The land component of your cruisetour fare includes deluxe motorcoach and/or deluxe rail transportation, overnight stays in some of Alaska's finest hotels and lodges, select meals/excursions, and more.

Several of your favorite cruise lines offer Alaska cruisetours including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises. They're almost infinitely customizable, but cruisetours may only be booked by phone; contact our cruisetour experts today for complete details.