alaska cruises on celebrity

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2023 Alaska Cruises

Our 2023 season in Alaska continues to excite world travelers with iconic experiences found only in The Last Frontier. The rugged beauty of this untouched wilderness sets the stage for every unforgettable moment. From up-close, breathtaking views of glaciers—you just can’t imagine how majestic they are until you’re right beside one—to the native wildlife, including whales, bears, bald eagles, and moose (just to name a few). This corner of the world not only offers stunning natural beauty, but there’s so much to learn about the history and cultures of Alaska—from the native people who’ve lived here for centuries to the more recent gold rush days that brought adventurers and fortune seekers to the wilds of Alaska.

Returning to Alaska for our 2023 season is the revolutionized ship Celebrity Millennium®, and two of our Solstice Series® ships, Celebrity Solstice® and Celebrity Eclipse®. These award-winning ships set sail from Seattle, Vancouver, and Seward and offer a wide variety of 7-night itineraries that visit incredible places, including Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka. No matter which sailing you choose, you’ll sail the ever-popular Inside Passage—one of the most popular experiences on any Alaska vacation—as well as visiting Hubbard Glacier or Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Want an even more in-depth exploration of Alaska? Choose an immersive Cruisetour that combines the best of the coastline on a 7-night cruise along with an exciting land tour that takes you deep into the heart of the wilderness. Ride trains, boats, deluxe motorcoaches, and possibly even planes to get deeper into the wilderness. Stay in the finest lodges and savor local flavors along the way. These land and sea vacations introduce you to everything this region has to offer for exciting and unforgettable adventures. Our 2023 Alaska sailings are open for booking now. No matter which cruise or Cruisetour you choose, you’ll discover the majesty of The Last Frontier is more impressive than you ever imagined.

Departure Ports

Seward, Alaska

Vancouver, British Colombia

Seattle, Washington

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Ships visiting alaska.

Celebrity Eclipse

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Juneau, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

Victoria, British Columbia

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

Hubbard Glacier

Alaska Cruisetours

On an Alaska Cruisetour, you’ll make your way through the breathtaking wilderness to Denali National Park aboard our glass-domed train that offers incredible views along the way. On your journey, you and your dedicated Tour Director may visit some of the most popular towns in Alaska, including Talkeetna, Alyeska, and the city of Fairbanks—with plenty of time to discover the distinctive history and personality of each place. As you make your way through the wilderness, you’ll stay in cozy lodges and savor the authentic flavors of Alaska. On both your cruise and land tour, you’ll have the opportunity to experience excursions that will have you watching for whales, hiking Denali National Park, mushing sled dogs, and even trekking a glacier

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Celebrity Cruises Alaska Cruises

Celebrity Cruises Alaska cruise vacations include everything from scaling mountains to Iditarod-like expeditions, and you can be a part of it all. You can see the wildness of nature as it was meant to be seen. Get a feeling how small you really are as you gaze up at the glaciers in Juneau, or board a high-speed aircraft to see herds of caribou running free in their natural habitats. Learn about the history of the region while spending time in an authentic lodge, and top it all off with a relaxing bath in some hot springs. Cruise to Alaska with Celebrity Cruises for an unforgettable experience.

Explore more of Alaska with an immersive cruisetour (cruise plus land tour) from Celebrity Cruises. CLICK HERE to learn more about Celebrity Cruises’ Alaska Cruisetours , featuring a premium Alaskan glacier cruise combined with an extended land tour deep into Alaska or the Canadian Rockies.

Things to Do on an Alaska Cruise with Celebrity Cruises

Mush with huskies, soar over Glacier Bay National Park and bike ride along the rugged landscape for a view of Mendenhall Glacier. These are just some of the varied experiences awaiting you in Alaska with Celebrity Cruises.

• Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau, Alaska Bike ride through the west side of the valley for the opportunity to see tremendous views of the massive Mendenhall Glacier. Explore the famous glacier and its wilderness and waters.  

• Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan (Ketchikan, Alaska) This spectacular natural creation is one of Alaska’s finest attractions. Take in the beautiful peaks, valleys, lakes and remarkable waterfalls via floatplane.  

• White Pass Scenic Railway (Skagway, Alaska) Travel the most scenic railway in the world and experience the original Klondike Trail, where thousands passed through in seek of gold in 1898. The panoramic view of the mountains, gorges and waterfalls attract visitors from all over the world.  

• Alaska Sled Dogs & Musher’s Camp (Juneau, Alaska) Experience a sled ride of a lifetime as a team of huskies pull you through the Tongass National Rainforest. The trainers who handle and train these huskies will also teach you about the sport and the dogs. Don’t forget to play with the husky puppies before you head back to your Celebrity cruise ship!  

• Glacier Bay Flightseeing (Icy Straight Point, Alaska) Fly high above Glacier Bay National Park to see exciting passages along the park, like Point Adolphus where whales come to feed. Take your camera to capture the park’s scenery of great lakes, glaciers and waterfalls.  

• Kenai Fjords Cruise (Seward, Alaska) Cruise through Resurrection Bay where the alpine glaciers surround you and the bay glows with marine life. Family-friendly guides will capture your attention as they educate you on the whales, sea otters and sea lions on the bay.  

Top 10 Celebrity Cruises Alaska Cruises

• Celebrity Solstice 6 NIGHT ALASKA EXPERIENCE CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2024)
• Celebrity Summit 7 NIGHT ALASKA NORTHBOUND GLACIER Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2024 - Aug 2025)
• Celebrity Edge 6 NIGHT ALASKA DAWES GLACIER Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2024)
• Celebrity Solstice 7 NIGHT ALASKA DAWES GLACIER Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2024 - Sep 2024)
• Celebrity Edge 7 NIGHT ALASKA DAWES GLACIER Departing From Seattle, Washington (May 2024 - Sep 2024)
• Celebrity Summit 7 NIGHT ALASKA SOUTHBOUND GLACIER Departing From Seward, Alaska (May 2024 - Sep 2025)
• Celebrity Solstice 7 NIGHT ALASKA HUBBARD GLACIER CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2024 - Sep 2025)
• Celebrity Edge 7 NIGHT ALASKA DAWES GLACIER CRUISE Departing From Seattle, Washington (Sep 2024 - Sep 2025)
• Celebrity Solstice 7 NIGHT ALASKA DAWES GLACIER CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2025 - Sep 2025)
• Celebrity Edge 7 NIGHT ALASKA DAWES GLACIER CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2025)

Celebrity Cruises Alaska Departure Ports

Learn more about each of the possible departure ports for an Alaska cruise with Celebrity Cruises. Your Celebrity Cruises Alaska cruise could depart from any of the following cities:

Known as The Emerald City, Seattle is a beautiful, luscious city with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay. The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Seward, Alaska

The beautiful small coastal town of Seward, which is most known for its picturesque scenic views and many visitors’ attractions, is a perfect addition for your next Alaska cruise.

Whether it’s your cruise destination or a launching point, Vancouver is a beautiful destination in itself with a sophisticated downtown and lots of natural elements to explore.

Photo Gallery for Celebrity Cruises Alaska Cruises

Browse our photo gallery of Alaska cruising photos from Celebrity Cruises. Remember, this is only a taste of the experiences waiting for you on a Celebrity Cruises Alaska cruise vacation.

Celebrity Millennium cruises past glaciers

Guests enjoy the view of Alaska

Couple enjoying a helicopter tour

Family playing with puppy huskies

Group of friends looking over Mendenhall Glacier

Whale breaching in Kenai Fjords

White Pass scenic railway train in train depot

Misty Fjords National Monument

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Everything you need to know about an Alaska cruise on Celebrity Eclipse

01/29/2024 By Traveling Canucks 37 Comments Categories: Alaska British Columbia North America Travel Stories Travel Tips Trip Ideas United States

Alaska cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship

There’s a lot to consider when booking an Alaska cruise vacation. The cruise ship you choose can make or break your experience, so it’s wise to do your research. We had trouble finding content about the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship, so this post will address the questions we had prior to booking. 

This cruise departs from Vancouver and sails north to the magnificent Hubbard Glacier in Alaska (pictured above), the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It’s a 7 night Alaska cruise that includes visits to Icy Strait Point , Juneau and Ketchikan before returning to Vancouver . 

This is a very long blog post with lots of photos from our time aboard the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship. Use the table of contents below to skip ahead to a specific topic of interest.

• Watch our video about the Celebrity Eclipse here . 

Before we get started, we feel it’s important to let you know that we did NOT work with Celebrity Cruises and we did NOT receive any perks or compensation. Not even free wifi. 

Alaska Cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse

Table of Contents

Celebrity Eclipse Veranda Stateroom 

Before we take you a tour of the Celebrity Eclipse, let’s begin with an overview of our veranda stateroom. Veranda means covered balcony (I did not know this prior to booking). Our stateroom was located on the 6th floor of the ship, starboard side near the stern.

The room number is 6242, in case you’re researching the Celebrity Eclipse deck plan . 

The balcony stateroom is cozy and comfortable. It comes with a queen sized bed and a couch that converts to a single bed. The couch in the stateroom has a trundle bed underneath. Scroll down to see photos.

Some staterooms have a bunk bed set-up, where the top bunk folds up during the day. We prefer the trundle bed over the bunk bed system. We were nervous about our boys falling from the top bunk if the ship ran into a big swell. The trundle bed works well for us.

Bathroom in the veranda stateroom is quite spacious.

We’ve been on a few cruise ships and this bathroom is the biggest. The shower is quite large and roomy. Hot water is always available. Standard toiletries are included and replenished every day (soap, shampoo and lotion). A hair dryer is also included in the bathroom.

Staterooms have a mini-fridge.

The mini fridge is stocked with typical mini-bar items, like beer, spirits and soda. These items have an additional charge that is automatically added to your stateroom bill. 

It’s nice having a mini-fridge in the room. Our youngest boy has a dairy allergy, so we bring rice milk and vegan butter when we travel. 

Housekeeping service happens twice per day.

Rooms are cleaned and replenished in the morning, typically when you go for breakfast. And again in the evening, typically when you’re at dinner.

If you have special requirements, let your housekeeper know on your first day. They can’t help you if they don’t know what you need.

The television in your stateroom is interactive.

You can view room charges and order room service directly on the television. It also has on-demand movies and shows which is a nice feature. We’ve been on cruises where the television channels are not available while at sea, which doesn’t really help. In the evenings, our boys would watch a movie while we sat on the balcony with a glass of wine. It’s a nice way to end the day.

See video footage from our stateroom here . 

We stayed in room 6242. We circled the room in red on the deck plan image above.

Bathroom in the veranda stateroom on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship.

Travel tips for Alaska Cruise vacation

• Bring a multi-plug USB charger. The room only has a few power outlets, including a European outlet, but no USB ports. We always bring this wall charger because we have several devices that need charging at the same time. 
• You can bring wine with you. Guests are allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine per stateroom. We packed one bottle of wine in our carry on bag. You have to claim this after you pass through security. 
• Don’t double tip – check your bill before signing. Gratuities are often automatically added to your bill when purchasing alcohol. Don’t tip twice! Look at your bill and ask the bartender if gratuities are built into the price. 
• Ask for the high quality bathrobes. Staterooms come with two bathrobes that are small and thin. Ask your housekeeper for the better quality robes. You’ll be glad you did because they are much softer and warmer. They are ideal for walking to and from the pools. Remember, you’re in Alaska, not the Caribbean.
• Room service is available – use it! Staterooms do NOT come with coffee or tea. If you like coffee or tea in the morning, and you don’t want to wander around the ship before your morning shower, take advantage of this included service. 
• Use packing cubes for your clothes.  If you’re not already using packing cubes , we highly recommend. Especially if you’re traveling with kids. We use these packing cubes – see photo above. They keep your clothes organized and store easily in overhead compartments.
• Bring clothes that do not wrinkle easily. Staterooms do NOT come with an iron or ironing board. 
• Don’t forget to switch your cellphone to airplane mode. The ship will cross international boundaries while at sea. Prevent unexpected data roaming charges by switching your phone to airplane mode. 

Is it worth getting the balcony on a cruise?

Yes. The balcony on a cruise ship is a must, in our opinion. It’s nice to have the additional space and fresh air, especially when sharing a room with two young boys. 

We enjoy spending our mornings on the private balcony. Watching the beautiful landscapes pass by while breathing the fresh sea breeze is a highlight from our Alaska cruise.

There’s a high probability you will see whales and dolphins on an Alaskan cruise. We witnessed at least a dozen whales and dolphins from our stateroom veranda. Scroll down to see some of the photos.

Before having kids, we went on a cruise and stayed in an inside cabin with no window or balcony. While we did save money on the room (inside cabins are less expensive), it was not ideal. I cannot imagine sharing an inside stateroom with kids. It would feel far too claustrophobic for my liking.

In the evening, the trundle bed is pulled out from under the couch. Each boy has their own single bed. 

Watch our Alaska Cruise video tour of Celebrity Eclipse here . 

Obstructed views in Celebrity Eclipse Cabins

Our veranda stateroom is classified as having an obstructed view. We paid less for this room, so we were concerned about how much of our view would actually be obstructed. Sometimes cruise lines will call these rooms with restricted views.

We did not mind the obstructed views from our stateroom on the Celebrity Eclipse.

I can see why Celebrity Cruises reduces the cost for these staterooms. You do have a bright orange safety boat in front of your room, which is a bit of an eye sore.

However, we were able to clearly see the passing landscapes. Most of our time on the cabin balcony was spent either reading or leaning on the railings, watching the scenery. When you stand up and lean on the railings, you no longer have the orange safety boats in view.

As you can see in the above photo, the obstructed views on our balcony is limited. We could clearly see the Hubbard Glacier from our balcony. However, the top of the safety boats is visible. 

Search for the best Celebrity Cruises deals here . 

The above photo was taken from our balcony. This is room 6242 on the 6th floor.

Is there room service on the cruise ship?

Yes. Room service on the cruise is included.

Staterooms on the Celebrity Eclipse do not come with individual coffee makers or kettles. Because of this, you cannot make coffee or tea in your stateroom. This is common on most cruise ships.

We like to have lazy mornings and let our boys sleep in when we’re on vacation. They typically stay up later, so we prefer to take it slow and let the morning dictate our pace. Because of this, we order room service every morning while on a cruise.

Room service is complimentary on the Celebrity Eclipse from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Room service is available 24 hours a day, however late night room service has an additional charge.

No tipping or gratuities are required at the time of ordering or receiving your room service. However, if you’d like to leave a tip, you can either give a cash tip or add gratuity to room service staff. You do not need to sign anything when the food arrives. It’s a very easy process. 

There are 3 ways to order room service on the Celebrity Eclipse:

• order items directly on the interactive television in your stateroom
• complete the room service card that is in your room and hang it on your door before you go to sleep
• call room service from your stateroom

Every morning we ordered a large pot of coffee (see photo above), orange juice, fresh pastries, cereal for our boys (Frosted Flakes, Special K and Corn Flakes), bacon and scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and milk. Almond milk is also available, which was great for us because our youngest boy has a dairy allergy. 

The time of delivery varies. However, our order typically arrived at 7:30 AM.

Amenities on Celebrity Eclipse

The Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship has a lot of amenities and activities to keep guests entertained while at sea. The ship has multiple outdoor pools, an adult only pool, hot tubs, spa, fitness center, arcade, teen club, kids club, outdoor basketball court, bars and lounges, grand theatre, retail shops, casino and a grass lawn on the rooftop observation deck. 

Public areas on the main decks of Celebrity Eclipse:

• Deck 3 – Moonlight Sonata Restaurant, Passport Bar, Eclipse Theatre, Grand Foyer, and Luminae.
• Main Deck 4 – Moonlight Sonata Restaurant (upper section), Cellar Masters, Quasar (Night Club), Fortunes Casino, Martini Bar & Crush, Eclipse Theatre, and Shops on the Boulevard.
• Main Deck 5 – Specialty restaurants – Blu, Murano, Tuscan Grille, Le Petit Chef at Qsine, Sushi on Five, Café al Bacio and Gelateria, as well as Ensemble Lounge, Michael’s Club, Art Gallery and Eclipse Theatre (upper section).
• Deck 12 – Outdoor pools and hot tubs, Canyon Ranch Spa, Canyon Ranch Fitness, Spa Café, Persian Garden and Solarium.
• Deck 14 – Sky Observation Lounge, Mast Grill, Oceanview Café, and Pool & Mast Bars.
• Outdoor / Deck 15 – Fun Factory (kids club), XClub (teenagers club), ShipMates (children aged 3 to 5), The Lawn Club, Hot Glass Class, Sunset Bar, and Outdoor basketball court.

See the Celebrity Eclipse Deck Plan here .

Our boys enjoy playing soccer and basketball on the outdoor court on deck 15

The above photo gives you an idea of the different levels on the cruise ship. Glass elevators offer views of each floor as it travels up and down the ship. It’s amazing how big this ship is. 

This is the Eclipse Sky Lounge. We enjoyed this space and spent a lot of time here.

Hot tubs and pools on the Celebrity Eclipse

In total, the Celebrity Eclipse has six hot tubs and three pools.

The outdoor section, pictured below, has two outdoor pools and four hot tubs. The cruise ship also has an enclosed section with a large pool and two additional hot tubs (pictured above). This area is for adults only, but families are allowed to use it between 4:00 to 6:00 PM each day. 

The pools use fresh water, not salt water. We’ve been on cruise ships that use salt water in the pools, which was a shock to the system the first time you jump in. 

Towels are provided at each pool, so you don’t need to pack a towel. Do not use the towels provided in your stateroom for the pool. 

See the Celebrity Eclipse pools and hot tubs here . 

Outdoor hot tubs and pools on Celebrity Eclipse 

The outdoor pools on Celebrity Eclipse are mostly used by kids. Most adults, including ourselves, prefer to use the outdoor hot tubs instead. 

When the ship is at sea, the outdoor hot tubs are very busy. During peak hours, some hot tubs have up to 12 people in them.

There are plenty of lounger chairs available at the pools. Even though we had great weather on our Alaska cruise, it’s still a little chilly outside. Because of this, the outdoor spaces are mostly empty. It’s breezy when the ship is out at sea, so the pool is not the main attraction, like on Caribbean cruises. 

The above photo was taken in the morning, which is why the pools and loungers are empty. 

If you time it right, you can get the outdoor hot tub all to yourself. Braydon approves. 

The outdoor pools are quite refreshing . That’s my positive spin on the pools being very cold.  

The hot tubs are a nice temperature for kids. Not too hot.

Life jackets are available at the pools

The ship provides life jackets for people who cannot swim. This is a nice feature. We wish we had known this prior to boarding the cruise ship because our youngest boy, Connor, is still learning to swim.

We bring his life jacket vest so he can enjoy the pool. However, it’s bulky and takes up a lot of room in our luggage. Knowing that the ship provides life jackets, we would have left his life jacket at home.

Adult only pool on Celebrity Eclipse

The ship has an enclosed pool and lounge area, which is a nice feature for an Alaskan cruise. Even in the summer, Alaska weather is cool and it rains often. Having an indoor space that is heated and protected from the rain is very nice. We spent time in this Solarium every day. 

Although this space is Adults Only for most of the day, families are allowed to use the pool between 4:00 and 6:00 PM. This is the biggest and nicest pool on the cruise ship, so our boys enjoyed swimming here. 

That said, it’s not advertised that family time is between 4:00-6:00 PM each day.

Therefore, we still got a few stink eyes from uninformed guests who thought we were breaking the rules. It would be nice for staff to inform guests with signage, so that families don’t feel awkward. 

Watch our video tour of the Celebrity Eclipse here . 

Pool inside the Solarium on the Celebrity Eclipse.

Our boys enjoyed the family swim time in the Solarium.

Outdoor seating on the Alaska cruise 

The Eclipse has a lot of outdoor seating for guests to enjoy the passing landscapes. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a few humpback whales breaching in the distance.

It can get chilly and windy on the upper decks, especially in the evenings. It’s best to bring sweaters and jackets with you. Blankets are also provided.

Many of the outdoor seating areas have glass walls to protect you from the wind. 

Views of the upper deck on the cruise ship. This was captured when the ship passed through the Inside Passage on the way to Juneau, Alaska.

Comfortable chairs on a lower deck. The city in the backdrop is Ketchikan, Alaska . 

Outdoor grass field on the cruise ship

One of the unique features on the Celebrity Eclipse is the grass field on the 15th floor observation deck. They call it the Lawn Club . Our boys loved running and rolling on this well groomed grass field.

Guests are provided complimentary bocce balls to play on the grass field. It’s not every day you get to play bocce ball on top of a cruise ship while it sails between icebergs and fjords. 

Notice what we are wearing in the above photo. Even though we took this Alaska cruise in the middle of August, it can get cold on the outdoor decks. Pack accordingly.

The grass field is also a great place to witness humpback whales breaching.

Fortune Casino on the Celebrity Eclipse

Like most mega-cruise ships, the Celerity Eclipse has a full casino. Fortunes Casino has all of the standard games and tables one would expect, including craps, roulette, blackjack, poker and a lot of loud, bright slot machines. 

We’re not big gamblers but we did play some roulette one evening. It only took us about 20 minutes to burn through our $50 budget.

The house always wins when we play!

Fortunes Casino hours of operation will vary. Generally, casinos open when the cruise ship enters international waters. The casino closes when the cruise ship is in port. 

For Alaska cruises, the age limit to play in the casino is 21+ years old. Kids are not allowed in the casino but it’s fine to walk through the casino. You are not allowed to play games with kids sitting beside you.

Read the Celebrity Cruises Casino FAQ’s page here .

Eclipse Theater and entertainment

Every evening there is live entertainment and performances on the cruise ship. These shows are included, so you do not need to pay extra to attend.

Performances are different each night. Acts range from acrobats to comedians to magicians.

Shows are about an hour long. There are two shows each night. The first one typically starts around 7:00 PM, for guests who are dining at the early seating. The later show typically starts around 9:00 PM.

Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. The Eclipse Theatre is three stories tall, so it’s quite big and there are plenty of seats available. That said, some shows were completely full, so it’s best to arrive 15 minutes before showtime. 

It’s recommended that guests follow the Smart Casual or Evening Chic dress code in the Eclipse Theater for evening performances.

Read the Celebrity cruise ship dress code here .

Live acrobat performance at Eclipse Theatre. 

Celebrity Eclipse Restaurants

There are several restaurants on the Celebrity Eclipse. The main dining area, pictured above, is the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant . It’s a two floor restaurant located on floors 3 and 4. We dined at the Moonlight Sonata every evening and found the food, service and atmosphere quite enjoyable. 

Options for the main dining room are ‘Open Seating’ or ‘Set Seating’. 

The upper section is for guests who have Open Seating (It may also be called ‘Select Dining’). The lower section is for guests who have Set Seating. There are two set dining times – 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

The seating times coincide with the nightly entertainment in the Eclipse Theatre. If you dine at 6:00 PM you can watch the 9:00 PM show. If you dine at 8:30 PM you can watch the 7:00 PM show before going to the dining room.

We chose the flexible ‘Open Seating’ option.

This meant we could arrive at the restaurant at any time. With kids, it’s sometimes difficult to make a set time, so we preferred to have the flexible option. 

The downside to Open Seating is that it’s first come, first serve. So, you may have to wait a while to get a table. To avoid long wait times, you can make a reservation each day by calling the maître d. 

We arrived at the restaurant around 6:30 PM each night. We rarely waited more then 10 minutes. In fact, most times we were seated right away. However, when we left the restaurant, at around 8:00 PM, there was always a long line. It’s a gamble. 

The advantage to Set Seating is that you don’t have to wait for your table. You’re seated right away and you get the same table and same wait staff each night. This gives you familiarity with your dining experience.

You may be required to chose your seating option when you book your Alaska cruise. 

Menu at the Main Dining Restaurant

The menu for the main dining restaurant rotates every day. However, there are a few items that remain consistent – see the timeless entrees on the sample menu above.

The menu has gluten free, vegetarian, no sugar added, and lactose free options. 

Dining on the cruise ship is all inclusive, except for alcoholic beverages.

This means you can order whatever you want off the menu. Typically you would order one appetizer, entree and desert.

However, if you’re having a hard time deciding, you can order multiple items. We typically ordered 2 or 3 appetizers each at dinner. And, if you’re feeling bold, you can also order multiple entrees. 

Scroll down to see photos of the food served in the main dining room. As you’ll see, the restaurant has a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from grilled salmon to prime rib to lobster, and everything in between. 

We were impressed with the food in the main restaurant. It’s not easy serving hundreds of people at the same the time, yet the food was consistently good.

Guests can also visit the main dining restaurant for breakfast and lunch.

Fun facts about Celebrity Cruises 

Below are some stats from a typical 7 day cruise:

• Pounds of beef = 25,545
• Pounds of chicken = 10,242
• Liters of milk = 96,540
• Fresh eggs = 15,200
• Pounds of fish = 22,652
• Pounds of fresh vegetables = 58,659
• Bottles of wine = 18,450
• Liters of beer = 35,000
• Chefs, Cooks and Cleaning staff = 250+ people
• Total Staff working in Dining and Food = 600+ people
• Average number of dishes served PER DAY = 16,000

We went on a kitchen tour of the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant and witnessed the well oiled machine that delivers over 2,800 meals between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM EVERY evening.

Think about that for a moment. 2,800 meals in 4 hours! 

Sample menu of the starters. The menu changes every day, except the Timeless Starters .

Moonlight Sonata Restaurant

We took food photos of the dishes we ate at Moonlight Sonata Restaurant. As you can see, the restaurant offers a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts.

We are impressed by the selection and quality of the food on this cruise ship. It exceeded our expectations.

Unfortunately, we did not take a photo of the menu each day, so I don’t have the formal names and ingredients of each of these dishes. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

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Watch the video tour of the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship.

Hooray for dairy free ice cream! The ship provides a decent amount of dairy free options for Connor.

What is the dress code on Celebrity Eclipse?

The expectation for the Moonlight Sonata main dining restaurant is Smart Casual . 

Women should feel comfortable wearing a skirt, pants or jeans with a casual top. Men should feel comfortable wearing pants or jeans with a short sleeve sport shirt.

Basically, the expectation for Smart Casual is that you make an effort. 

There are two nights when the dress code in the dining restaurant is Evening Chic , which is Celebrity Cruises’ term for Formal Night . This is when guests are encouraged to wear a tuxedo or formal gown.

On formal evenings, women should feel comfortable wearing a cocktail dress, or skirt, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top. Men should feel comfortable wearing dress pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweater. Sport coat or blazer is optional.

It’s important to note that T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurants. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours. 

Kids are fine wearing collared shirts and jeans at the restaurants.

Is there a kids menu in the dining restaurant?

Yes. The main restaurant has a kids menu. 

The menu offers standard kids menu items, including mini margarita pizza, mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, spaghetti bolognese (or plain), cheeseburger with fries, and/or filet mignon with mashed potatoes. 

Kids have a few options for appetizers, too. Our boys typically ordered the raw veggies with hummus (pictured above). Braydon also loved the escargots and ordered them a few times.

For dessert, kids can choose between PB&J sundae, ice cream, chocolate mousse, chocolate chip cookies and milk, and fruit. Kids can also order from the adult’s menu.

Do you need to tip on a cruise ship?

Yes, the expectation is that you will tip the wait staff. However, you do NOT need to leave a gratuity each time you dine in the restaurant or grab a drink from the bar.

Every guest is charged a service fee per day. This service fee is meant to cover gratuities for all service staff, including dining staff, sommelier, bartenders, hosts, kitchen staff and housekeeping. 

There is a suggested minimum charge of $14.50 per day, per passenger, however, you can increase the gratuity if you enjoyed the service. You would do this when you settle your bill at the conclusion of the cruise (this would typically happen on the final night, before disembarkation).

If you wish to leave a cash gratuity with your servers, it’s recommended you do this at the end of the cruise.

Typically this would happen at your final dining experience. It’s wise to bring $US currency with you. Bring small bills because you likely will not find change.

We enjoyed the service in the Moonlight Sonata Restaurant, so we gave an additional gratuity to our head waiter, assistant waiter and sommelier. We put an additional $30 USD in an envelope and handed it directly to each of them (3 people in total). This is not required, but it’s much appreciated. 

Note – Gratuities are automatically added to your bill when purchasing alcohol at the bar. Don’t tip twice! Look at your bill and/or ask the bartender if gratuities are built into the price. 

Can you change the minimum gratuity charge?

Yes, you can change the minimum charge for gratuities. To change the amount, you need to go to Customer Service / Guest Relations on the ship and request the change.

It’s recommended to do this at the beginning of your cruise. Lines will get long during the day, so it’s best to do this early morning or late at night.

We decided to remove our kids from the daily minimum charge for gratuities. We only paid for two adults, which amounted to $29.00 USD per day in gratuities (total of $203 USD).

At the end of the cruise, we gave an additional $30 USD to our housekeeper. We handed him cash when we said goodbye on the morning disembarkation. 

Specialty restaurants on the Celebrity Eclipse

The Eclipse has specialty restaurants that offer unique dining experiences. These restaurants have an additional charge. Rates vary depending on the restaurant.

The specialty restaurants on the Celebrity Eclipse:

• Le Petit Chef At Qsine – experience the fusion of entertainment and French cuisine. 
• Sushi on Five – modern luxury take on traditional Japanese fare.
• Tuscan Gille – Italian ristorante and enoteca with a contemporary twist.
• Murano – Classic French dishes with a contemporary twist.
• Blu – inventive cuisine with an extensive list of sustainable and biodynamic wines.

We received one complimentary specialty dining experience.

I’m not sure if this is the standard, though. We were offered this specialty dining experience for the last night on the ship.

We may have been offered this specialty dinner because our parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary (staff were aware of this milestone). Or, it may have been because the specialty restaurants had available seating that was unsold and they wanted to fill the room.

I’m not sure why, but it was a nice gesture and we enjoyed the experience. It was a fun change of pace from the main dining restaurant.

Note – we did not work with Celebrity Cruises, so this complimentary specialty dinner had nothing to do with our travel blog. In fact, Celebrity Cruises wouldn’t even provide us with free wifi to share our experience in real time.

Le Petit Chef At Qsine – 3D Dining

We decided to dine at Le Petit Chef At Qsine because it’s a unique dining experience. Celebrity Cruises describes it as ‘an immersive fusion of entertainment and dining like nothing you’ve ever experienced’. 

Celebrity Cruises was correct. We’ve never experienced a dining experience quite like this.

What makes Le Petit Chef different is that an animated 3D character appears on your plate and prepares each course before the real dish is served. 

The four course meal is created by Celebrity’s Michelin Star Chef. The menu rotates, so you can enjoy this evening multiple times during your sailing. 

In total, the dinning experience takes about 2.5 hours. Guests can choose between two seating times. We chose the early seating at 5:45 PM. The second seating is at 8:30 PM.

Our boys loved the experience. They even had a few LOL moments. There is a kids menu available, though the animated characters only create dishes that are included in the standard four course menu.

Here’s a video that explains the animated dining experience. 

The first course was a delicious tomato, arugula, prosciutto and shaved Parmesan cheese salad. You’ll notice the yellow and pink lines on the plate. It’s difficult to capture photos of this dining experience because the camera picks up the flickering animation.

The second course was a fantastic cheese ravioli dish. This was our favourite dish in the four course meal. At the end of the show, guests vote on their favourite dish. This dish was the winner.

The third course was steak and frites with a hollandaise sauce.

This dish was okay, but not great. It was my least favourite. You can substitute steak for chicken – see the first photo above. The chicken dish was better than the steak dish, in my opinion.

The fourth course was an interesting matcha-wasabi-white-chocolate-cake. I don’t remember the exact name. In the above photo, you can see the animation of the chef preparing this unique dessert.

It’s hard to see him, but the chef is on the boat, wearing a blue suit. Can you spot him? 

Above is a photo of the dessert served at Le Petit Chef. It was good, but not great. I’m not sure wasabi and matcha should be in a cake, but that might just be me.

All Inclusive Buffet on the Celebrity Eclipse

The Oceanview Cafe is where the all inclusive buffet is located. It’s open around the clock, however there are certain times when items are limited due to switching menus from breakfast to lunch, or lunch to dinner.

The buffet gets crazy busy at peak hours. It was difficult to find a table that fit our family of six. In fact, it was difficult to find a table for two people during peak hours. 

The food at the buffet was decent. However, the food in the main dining restaurant was much better. We only ate at the buffet for lunch or afternoon snacks (we ordered room service for breakfast).

The buffet in the Oceanview Cafe offers a wide variety of food, including a carving station, salad bar, variety of sandwiches, fresh pizza, international cuisine (which included Asian, Mexican and Indian cuisine), fresh pasta bar, cheese and fruit platters, ice cream and all kinds of sweet desserts. 

Here’s a list of restaurants and cafes on Celebrity Eclipse.

Above is a rare moment when the buffet lines were empty. This is not the norm. The buffet restaurant is consistently crowded, making it difficult to find a table during peak hours.

We preferred to eat from the menu at the main dining restaurant.

Above – Salmon Wellington served at the carving station in the Oceanview Cafe.

Cakes and pastries on display at the Oceanview Cafe.

Is the cruise alcohol package worth it?

Yes, we believe the alcohol package on the Celebrity Eclipse is worth the additional expense. Obviously, if you’re not a big drinker, skip the alcohol package.

Having the alcohol package allowed us to drink what we wanted, when we wanted. It was nice to have unlimited wine included at dinner, too. Instead of ordering single glasses of wine, our sommalier gave us full bottles of wine to enjoy. We preferred this.

What is the alcohol package all about?

Alcohol is NOT included in the cruise price. The price per drink on the ship is not cheap (a bottle of Stella is $10 USD). If you plan to have a few drinks in the afternoon and wine with dinner, you should consider purchasing an alcohol package. 

Basically, you pay one price to enjoy a variety of beverages on the cruise ship. Choices include wines-by-the-glass, beers, cocktails, spirits, premium coffees, bottled water, and soda. You can order beverages in the main dining restaurant, specialty restaurants, casual dining restaurants, and all bars and lounges.

Celebrity Cruises has a Standard Package, Classic Beverage Package or Premium Package.

We went with the Classic Package and felt it was good value for our needs. If you like top shelf liquor and/or wines, you may prefer the Premium Package.

The Classic Beverage Package starts at $59 per day

The Classic package allows you to choose from from a selection of beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks and wines by the glass up to $9 per serving.

The images below show the wine and beer that’s included in the Classic Package.

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The Premium Package starts from $69 p/night

The Premium Package allows you to choose from all the classic package items PLUS specialty coffees & teas, craft & artisan beers, spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks, Coca Cola products, premium bottled water and wines by the glass up to $15 per serving.

Here’s the full list of alcohol beverages on the Celebrity Eclipse.

Bars and Night Clubs on the Celebrity Eclipse

The cruise ship has a lot of variety when it comes to bars, lounges and night clubs. 

We spent most of our adult time in the Sky Lounge. The views from the Sky Lounge are fantastic and it has fun trivia games happening throughout the day.

Below are a few photos of the various bars and lounges on the Celebrity Eclipse.

Above is the Ensemble Lounge. It has live music in the evenings. 

The Cellar Masters wine bar on the 4th floor. 

More seats and the bar inside Quasar nightclub.

The futuristic entrance and DJ booth at Quasar nightclub, located on the 4th Floor. 

Above is the ‘World Class Bar’, specializing in diverse cocktails and fancy drinks.

This is the bar inside the Sky Lounge.

A different section in the Sky Lounge. This is where the trivia games are played each day.

The above scene happened every day while on this Alaska cruise. We spotted several whales and dolphins from these comfy lounge chairs in the Sky Lounge.

Celebrity Eclipse Kids Club  

The Celebrity kids club is a great opportunity for your kids to meet new friends and have some parent-free fun on the ship. Our boys really enjoyed the kids club on the Celebrity Eclipse. Each morning we would drop them off at 9:30 AM and pick them up at 12:00 PM. 

The Kids Club has three groups, based on age: 

• Shipmates – for kids aged 3 to 5 years old
• Cadets – for kids aged 6 to 9 years old
• Captains – for kids aged 10 to 12 years old

It’s suggested that on the first day of the cruise, you visit the kids club to sign waivers and register your kids. For this particular Alaska cruise, the open house was from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the first day. It does not take long to complete the paperwork.

This is also a good time speak with staff to ask questions about the kids programs.

Can you move your child to a different kids group?

During the time of this Alaska cruise, our boys were aged 5 and 7 years old. Our youngest boy, Connor, was only one month away from turning 6 years old, which is the cut off for the Cadets group. He really wanted to be with his big brother and join the Cadets group.

The staff was firm with keeping kids in their proper age groups, but they did make an exception for him.

He had to spend the first day with the Shipmates group to make sure the Cadets group was an appropriate fit for him and the other Cadets. On day two, after the staff was able to assess him, Connor was able to join the Cadets group.

Most of the activities in the Kids Club are free.

The activities with extra charges are during lunch (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM) and dinner (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM). They also offer a slumber party from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM. 

One question I had before joining this Alaska cruise was – will there be other kids on the ship? Or is this Celebrity Cruise more geared towards adults? The answer is Yes. There were a lot of kids and families on this cruise. And there are a lot of family friendly activities available on the ship.

Below is a photo of the kid activities on Celebrity Eclipse.

Braydon loved playing Xbox games in the Cadets kids room. We do not have a gaming console at home, so he was excited to play ‘big kid video games’.

He wanted to visit this kids room every day. It’s very possible (and probable) that he enjoyed playing in this room more than seeing the Hubbard Glacier!

Above is a photo of the Shipmates play area for children aged 3 to 5 years old.

Family Bingo on the cruise ship was a fun way to kill an hour. There is always something to keep the kids entertained while the ship was out at sea. 

Arcade on Celebrity Eclipse

The arcade on the Celebrity Eclipse is small but effective. There’s about a dozen games in the room, including air hockey and race car video games. Our boys enjoyed visiting this arcade in the evenings. 

There is an additional fee for each game. It costs about $1 USD per game, so it starts to add up. Games do not take coins or cash. You must use your room card to pay for each game.

If you look at the image below, you will see the Recharge Station. To pay for the games, you will need to add money to your room card via this machine. 

Note – we were double charged multiple times. The machines are unpredictable. It’s annoying because these games are not cheap. We wasted at least 30 minutes trying to rectify the overcharges with Guest Services.  

Connor loved this motorcycle game. It took him to a whole new level in video game play.

Whale watching on the Alaska Cruise

When we booked our Alaska cruise we weren’t sure if we’d see whales from the cruise ship deck. We contemplated a whale watching tour as a shore excursion, but, with a family of four, it wasn’t a budget friendly option.

Fortunately, we had plenty of opportunity to see humpback whales from the cruise ship.

The weather was perfect during our cruise, which made it much easier for whale spotting. The Pacific Ocean was so calm that we could see humpback whales miles away in the distance. We also witnessed several dolphins and porpoises from our cabin balcony. 

If you want to get up close to the whales, booking a whale watching tour is a good idea. You can book shore excursions directly on the cruise ship or you can book ahead of time with local tour operators.  

Here are a few Alaska whale watching tours:

• Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier
• Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier and Tracy’s King Crab Shack Combo Tour
• Whale Watching & Wildlife Viewing Excursion
• Misty Fjords Seaplane Tour from Ketchikan
• Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour from Ketchikan

Travel tip – bring a pair of binoculars with you ( here’s a recommended model ). We contemplated purchasing binoculars at the cruise ship terminal in Vancouver but decided not to. In hindsight, we should have brought binoculars with us. Our neighbour let us borrow her binoculars and we were able to clearly see the humpbacks breaching.

This humpback whale surfaced right beside the cruise ship. It was incredible!

A humpback whale waves goodbye as it descends under water. See more photos here .

Professional photos on the cruise ship

Every evening professional photographers will have makeshift studios set up around the ship. Usually they are located near the restaurant and lounges. This is a great opportunity to take a family photo while every one is dressed nice. 

You don’t have to pay to get your photos taken, so there’s no harm in striking a pose.

We had our photos taken 2 or 3 times every evening, with different backdrops (see photos below). The backdrops change each day, as does your clothing, so it gives you a variety of photos to choose from.

Purchasing a photo package on the cruise ship

One way to remember your Alaska cruise is to buy a photo package. You can purchase the package before you board the ship or while you’re on the ship. 

When we purchased our cruise, Celebrity Cruises had a special where on-board credits were given to us. We opted to pre-purchase a photo package using these on-board credits.

We used $187 CAD of our cruise credits for the photo package. That gave us 12 professional images, which equals about $15 CAD for each image. To purchase photos on the ship it costs $25 USD per image. Purchasing your photos ahead of time will save you money.

There are two options for a photo package – digital copies or printed copies. We opted for the digital copies because we wanted the ability to print unlimited photos in different sizes. If you chose the original prints you would take the actual photos that are given to you on the ship.

How does the digital photo package work?

On the final day of our Alaska cruise, we sat down with someone who works in the photo gallery (pictured above). We looked at all the pictures and selected our favourite 12.

About 2 weeks after returning from the cruise we received an email to download our photos. We also have the option to purchase other photos, too. 

Compare prices for Alaska Cruises here .

The backdrops are cheesy, but it’s still fun to get family portraits.

Packing list for Alaska Cruise

Confused about what to pack for an Alaska cruise? There’s a lot to consider. Even though you are cruising to Alaska in the summer months, it can still get quite cold and windy. It also rains a lot in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, so you want to prepare for the worst weather and hope for the best.

Below is our recommended Alaska cruise packing list.

Alaska cruise packing list for men:.

• Warm, windproof and/or rainproof jacket 
• Sweater or hoodie
• Hat or toque 
• 2 x pairs of jeans
• 1 x dress pants for dinner and shows
• Belt for dress pants (ideally a reversible belt with two colours)
• 4 x collared shirts for dinners (2 x short sleeves)
• Nice sweater for dinners (in case it’s cold)
• Dress shoes for dinner and shows
• Blazer or sport coat (optional)
• 2 x shorts 
• 5 x comfortable T-shirts
• 1 x sweat pants for shore excursions 
• Running shoes for the fitness center
• 2 x workout clothing (shorts and t-shirts)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Flip flops for the pool and hot tubs
• 7 x underwear and socks
• Swim suit for the hot tubs and pool
• Backpack for when you get off the ship and explore

Alaska Cruise packing list for women:

• 2 or 3 warm sweaters
• 1 pair of jeans
• 2 pairs of leggings
• 2 wrinkle free dresses
• 4 x blouses or nice shirts for dinners 
• Dress shoes/heels for dinner and shows
• 2 x shorts or skirts
• 5 x shirts for day wear
• 2 x workout clothing (shorts and shirts)
• Swim suit for the hot tubs and pool 

Alaska Cruise packing list for kids:

• Warm robe to wear at the outdoor pools (see photo above – this one is similar )
• 2 x swim suits each
• 2 x jeans / pants for dinners 
• 4 x collared shirts for dinners
• Nice pair of shoes for dinners
• Running shoes 
• Crocs or flip flops for the pool
• 4 x sweat pants / comfortable pants
• 5 x t-shirts each
• 2 x sweaters each
• 8 x underwear and socks each (1 per day with one back-up)
• Windproof, rainproof jacket
• Touque / warm hat for when you reach the glacier (it’s cold outside)
• Carry on luggage (get a sturdy one with 4 wheels, like this one )

Misc travel items we recommend:

• Travel first aid kit 
• Sunglasses, hats,  sun block / sunscreen
• Binoculars for whale watching from the cruise ship
• Children’s Tylenol and ibuprofen
• Night light or flash light (the rooms get very dark when blinds are closed)
• See sickness patches and/or wristbands (good to have in case of bad weather)
• Packing cubes to keep your clothes organized
• Dry bag for shore excursions (this came in handy for our sea kayaking excursion)
• Multi-plug USB charger
• Waterproof action Camera (we use GoPro Hero 11 )
• Camera with telephoto lens for wildlife watching (we currently use this camera )
• Tablets for kids entertainment ( our boys use this model because it’s inexpensive)
• Charging cables for your devices
• Extra memory cards for your camera (you will take lots of photos!)

A few Alaska cruise packing hacks:

• Don’t use an over-sized luggage. You need to slide the empty luggage under your bed. 
• Leave your hair dryer at home (staterooms come with a hair dryer)
• Umbrellas are provided in each stateroom
• Shampoo, soap and lotion are provided, no need to bring with you
• Robes and slippers are provide in each stateroom
• Life jackets are available at the pool – leave your kid’s life jacket/water wings at home 
• Stay organized – use  Packing cubes
• Rooms have limited power outlets and no USB – bring a multi-plug USB charger
• You can bring two bottles of wine with you

Don’t forget the most important travel items!

• Drivers license
• Credit cards
• Travel insurance
• Government documents or visas (if applicable)
• $US currency
• Don’t forget your medication 

Boarding the Cruise ship in Vancouver

The boarding process is organized and easy. The Vancouver cruise ship terminal can get quite busy, especially on the weekends, so it’s best to arrive early. 

There will be long lines for the embarkation process. Most of the cruise ships that port in Vancouver hold 2,000+ passengers. If two or three ships are departing the same evening, that’s a lot of congestion.

Note – long lines does not always mean long wait times.

The process moves at a good pace. It took us about 60 minutes from start to finish.

Cruise ships usually start boarding 4 or 5 hours before the scheduled departure time, typically around 12:oo PM. We started the check-in process at around 1:00 PM and were drinking a Corona on the ship by 2:00 PM.

Reminder – even though you depart from Vancouver , Canada you will enter the United States in Alaska. Depending on where you are from, you may need to have at least 6 months left on your passport before it expires. 

Celebrity Cruises Check in Process

First – drop off your luggage. There are signs and cruise staff that will point in the right direction.

Then proceed to the Celebrity Cruise check-in counter. You must have your travel documents, credit card, driver’s license and passports with you. You will have your photo taken.

A personalized photo id card is created for each person.

This is your boarding card and it is the most important item on the cruise. This boarding card is your room key and it is required to get on and off the cruise ship at the various ports.

Once you have checked in and you have your boarding card, head to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This is the part of the process with the longest wait time. Make sure you enter the correct line. US and Canadian citizens are typically grouped together. International passports will have a different line. When in doubt, ask for help. 

Once your passports and travel documents have been cleared, follow the signs to passenger screening. Similar to airport security, you and your luggage pass through a screening gate. 

Follow the signs for your cruise line and make your way to the ship.

Depending on when you arrive, your stateroom may not be ready yet. We arrived around 2:00 PM and our room was ready. It’s best to check your room first. If your room is not ready, head to a restaurant or lounge and check back about 30-60 minutes later.

Here’s an overview of the boarding process at the Vancouver cruise ship terminal.

How does baggage work on Celebrity Cruises? 

Prior to your cruise, you need to register all passengers online with Celebrity Cruises.

You will be asked for your passport information and, once registered, Celebrity Cruises will provide you with check in documents and baggage tags. You need to print these documents at home and bring them with you when you check in at the cruise ship terminal.

Your baggage tags will be a specific colour. They will also have your room number on them.

You print off (in colour) as many copies as you need and attach them to your luggage with either tape or staples (see photo above – we stayed on the 6th floor at the back of the boat).

When you arrive at the cruise ship terminal, the first thing you do is drop off your luggage. Signs and cruise staff will point you in the right direction.

Your luggage will be checked (just like air travel) and porters will deliver it to your cabin. It may take a few hours for your luggage to arrive, so it’s wise to pack a day bag with important items.

When we arrived to our room later that afternoon, we found our luggage sitting outside the stateroom. This confused us. On previous cruises, our luggage was left inside the cabin, so I’m not sure if this is the norm for Celebrity Cruises? It may have been that the porter did not have access to our room?

Needless to say, we were not thrilled to have our luggage left in the hallway. 

Getting off the ship at Alaska ports

Getting off the cruise ship at Alaska ports is very easy. You must bring your boarding card and a piece of identification (driver’s license is fine).

You don’t need to bring your passport with you. It can be left in the safe in your stateroom. 

To get off the ship, you will head to the disembarkation floor. The disembarkation floor will be different depending on the port. On the Celebrity Eclipse it was either Floor 2, 3 or 4. 

Before you get off the ship, you will show your boarding card to cruise security. This lets cruise staff know who has left the ship. When you return to the ship, you present your boarding card again. Don’t lose your boarding card!

You will pass though a screening gate when your return to the ship. You cannot bring alcohol back on the ship. If you decide to purchase alcohol, you will need to check it with cruise staff and pick it up at the end of the cruise. It’s not worth the hassle. 

Don’t forget to bring US currency and a credit card with you.

Disembarkation from the cruise ship

We prefer to walk off the ship with our luggage. It saves time and the hassle of having to find your baggage at the port. If you have an early flight, Celebrity suggests you keep your luggage with you.

The other option is to pack your bags the night before and put them outside your room. Celebrity wants your luggage placed outside your cabin door by 10:00 PM. During the night, porters will pick up your luggage and take it off the ship in the morning.

There are typically long lines to get off the ship early in the morning.

If you don’t have a flight to catch, we suggest you enjoy one final breakfast at the buffet and then depart at your cabin’s normal debarkation time. This is typically between 9:00 and 10:00 AM.

Cruise staff need to prepare the ship for the next departure, so they want you out of your room by 8:30 AM and off the ship by 10:00 AM.

When is the best time for an Alaska Cruise?

Alaska Cruise season runs from May to September, when the weather is warm. The best time to take an Alaska cruise is July or August. This, of course, is also when you will pay the most money for your cruise. 

Because July and August are the best time to cruise to Alaska,they are also the busiest. You will want to book several months in advance to ensure you will get the cabin you want.

These cruises tend to sell out, so it’s not easy to find last minute deals on Alaska cruises .

Our Alaska cruise from Vancouver round trip departed on Sunday, August 11. We had very good weather and very calm seas. In fact, it was the calmest we’ve ever seen the Pacific Ocean.

We are happy we paid a more for an August departure because the weather was perfect.

Shoulder season, the months of May and September, provide the best Alaska cruise deals but it also means you are likely to experience more rain and colder temperatures. It’s a gamble.

Sometimes it pays off and the weather is great in May and September – but the odds are against you.

Regardless of when you decide to cruise Alaska, expect a few rainy days. Plan for cold evenings and windy afternoons on the outdoor observation decks.

What is the best Alaska Cruise?

We took our time researching the different Alaska cruise options. There are several cruise lines that sail to Alaska from Vancouver, so you’ve got options.

The other big cruise lines that sail from Vancouver to Alaska are Royal Caribbean , Princess Cruises , Holland America Line , Norwegian Cruise Lines and Disney Cruise Lines.

Prices for Alaska cruises are generally the same, so what you want to research is the actual cruise ship and its amenities, as well as the Alaska ports you want to visit.

Find the right ship and itinerary first, then start looking for deals.

Alaska Cruise Inside Passage

We decided to cruise the Alaska Inside Passage because we wanted an opportunity to see wildlife and the beautiful Alaskan landscapes. 

Inside passage cruises typically stop at Juneau, Ketchikan and either Icy Strait Point, Petersburg or Skagway. Most Alaska cruises will visit either the Hubbard Glacier , Glacier Bay National Park, Dawes Glacier and/or Endicott Arm Fjord Glacier.

Another option is to cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage one way.

You would then fly back to Vancouver or Seattle. Or, you can fly up to Anchorage first, spend a few days exploring the region, then cruise south to Vancouver. 

You can also take an Alaska cruise from Seattle, Washington or Victoria, British Columbia. 

Search and compare Alaska cruise prices here . 

About the Celebrity Eclipse

The Celebrity Eclipse is a Solstice-class cruise ship, operated by Celebrity Cruises. She is the sister ship of Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Silhouette. 

The ship began cruising in April 2010. It has an occupancy of 2,850 passengers.

Read Celebrity Eclipse reviews here .

Things to do in Vancouver before your Alaska Cruise

Vancouver is a beautiful city with lots of amazing things to see and do. You’ll want to spend time exploring this vibrant waterfront city. Plan to arrive two days before your cruise departure. Or, add a few days after you return to Vancouver. 

Here are a few posts about Vancouver

• 25 FREE Things to do in Vancouver
• 25 Awesome Day Trips from Vancouver
• The BEST road trip from Vancouver for first-timers

Vancouver travel tips and things to know

• Pick up & return  car rentals at Vancouver airport . Check out  RentalCars.com  for affordable options.
• Save time and money by riding the Skytrain from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver. It only takes 25 minutes. Learn  how to take the Vancouver Airport Skytrain .
• Bike sharing is an inexpensive way to get around Vancouver. Learn about Vancouver’s public bike share system  here .
• Check the  Vancouver weather forecast before you start your day. The weather in Vancouver can be unpredictable. Plan for rain in the winter months.
• If you like hard copy travel guides, grab a copy of Lonely Planet Vancouver .

Where to stay in Vancouver

There are plenty of  hotels in Vancouver  to choose from, ranging from upscale five star hotels to backpacker hostels and everything in between.

• Search for Vancouver hotels  here .
• If you’d like to stay near the cruise ship terminal, we recommend the Pan Pacific Vancouver , Fairmont Waterfront or Fairmont Pacific Rim . They are located within walking distance to the cruise ship.  
• Most of the popular Vancouver tourist attractions are located in the downtown area. Consider this when selecting where to stay in Vancouver.

Related posts about cruise ship travel

• Thinking about a European River Cruise? Here’s what you need to know.  
• Taking a Caribbean Cruise? Here’s what you need to know
• 15 Reasons you should visit Portugal’s River of Gold
• Things to do in St Lucia while on a Caribbean Cruise

Do you have questions about this Alaska Cruise?

Leave us a comment below. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links to products at no additional cost to you. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. We thank you for your support!

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10/21/2019 at 8:55 am

WOW! I can’t believe how comprehensive this post is. Everything down to asking for better robes! I’ve been on two cruises in my life, both in the Caribbean, and unfortunately I got sick on both 🙁 Did you find sea sickness was a problem? I would absolutely love to do an Alaska Cruise – it’s on my bucket list! But I’m worried about getting sick. Hopefully I can handle it because it looks so great. The food looks amazing and I would love to spot whales from my balcony!

10/23/2019 at 11:26 am

Thank you. We hope you’ve found it helpful!

We lucked out with very calm seas. But, our oldest son does struggle with motion sickness, so we did come prepared.

We brought sea sickness wrist bands (apparently they help if you keep them on). They have a pressure point that apparently helps. We also brought non-drowsy ginger gravol which is also supposed to be good. Apparently the ginger aids in helping with motion sickness – and it’s non-drowsy so it doesn’t make you want to sleep and you can enjoy the ship!

Also, consider the timing. You’ll pay more, but go when the weather will likely be the best (July or August).

Good luck! You will love the scenery.

10/26/2019 at 6:29 pm

This is actually the most informative review I’ve ever read. Just what I was looking for!

11/15/2019 at 2:59 pm

Thank you Hailey. We are glad it was helpful.

11/10/2019 at 3:48 pm

This review is so informative. Thank you so much for sharing. We are going to book this exact trip over the next week or so. I’m just wondering would you recommend starboard or port side of the ship? I see you stayed starboard but just want to check to see if you think this is the best option?

Thanks, Amanda

11/15/2019 at 3:02 pm

Thanks! We are glad you found it helpful (and you will love it!).

While at the Hubbard Glacier the captain spun the ship in a circle so everyone had a view at some point. Sometimes we faced the ocean at the port, the other we faced the city. I don’t think it really matters on this cruise.

11/18/2019 at 4:48 am

Great Blog! Thanks for the info. Do you know what time is the latest you can board the ship, we are coming by Amtrak from Seattle the morning we leave and I am nervous about being there on time. I believe the train is set to come in at 11:45am and then we need to get to the terminal.

11/18/2019 at 1:02 pm

Hi Jeannine,

You should have no problem. The trip from the train to downtown is easy. Get on the skytrain at Main Street Station (next to the Amtrak train station), go to Waterfront Station (the last skytrain stop), and you are there. Shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes total time.

I believe we needed to be on the ship by 3 or 4 PM. It departed at about dinner time.

I hope this helps! Hope you have a great journey.

12/27/2019 at 9:16 am

Would you recommend this ship and cruise line for young adults? We will be traveling with a family group between the ages of 25 and 85.

01/06/2020 at 9:54 am

Yes, it would be find for young adults.

01/25/2020 at 2:45 am

Hello, wow your blog is so informative. How is the condition of the rooms and overall of the ship? It is modern, clean or needs refurbishment?

01/27/2020 at 11:05 am

There were a few areas of the ship that seemed a bit worn, but overall, they keep it in very good condition. We liked our room and found it to be very functional. It was also very clean. I wouldn’t hesitate to book this ship again.

02/10/2020 at 6:46 pm

Call me impressed. Great info. So happy I stumbled across it. We leave at the end of May 2020. This will be our second cruise. The first was a Caribbean cruise. It was okay but too many kids whose parents used the ship as their sitter. We have 12 grands of our own and I can’t get enough of them; but I believe our children would know where their kids are at every moment. Also, we are not beach people—who knew? From all I read in your superb writings, I am certain this experience will be much more to our liking. I love the breakfast room service idea. It’s just what we were hoping to do and your info was so helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time, which you surely love doing, to write this ever-so-thorough review and advice for this Celebrity Eclipse ship that we will board in just over three months. I cannot wait to read your Newsletter. Thanks again.

02/19/2020 at 1:06 am

Thank you for sharing what an amazingly awesome detailed account.! How did you guys spend your time during the longer stops at Icy Strait Point (8 Hours) and Juneau (12 hours) in lieu of the cost prohibitive optional excursions ? Were there guided walk in to the stopover towns? Or self walk with given maps ? Any must see in these towns? Many Thanks.

02/26/2020 at 10:11 am

Fantastic post! Thank you! Extremely helpful.

03/04/2020 at 5:18 pm

This review is so great! We currently have a Disney cruise booked for end of May 2021 but are looking at other lines to save money. We are intrigued with Celebrity. A few questions: do you think there will be enough kids on the May 31 sailing to make it fun for my son who will be 10 when we cruise. We also like having families on board to interact with. Do you see many families in late May? My son also wants to know more about the Xbox games in the kids club. Lol. Are they open to play with at any time? Does a park ranger or a naturalist come on board to talk about the glaciers? You described everything else really well. Thank you:)

12/05/2021 at 5:31 am

Thank you so much for taking your time ! You answer so much of my question. Do you do any of excursions ? If so what you recommend . Thank you

12/22/2021 at 11:33 am

Great Info. Thank you so much. Could you recommend a Wi-Fi package and also excursions?

11/04/2022 at 9:04 am

Thanks – glad you enjoyed the post. It’s difficult for me to provide recommendations for excursions without knowing what you like to do and what you’re looking for? We did the kayaking tour in Juneau and it was fun. Our parents did the crab feast dinner in Icy Straight, they said it was okay but not great. We did a bear watching tour in Ketchikan but didn’t see any bears. So it’s hit and miss.

04/12/2022 at 9:30 pm

Wow!! Fantastic post, thank you so much for all the good information and the photos and video. We are booked on Celebrity Eclipse to go on Alaska Cruise and it feels like I already know everything about the ship.

04/25/2022 at 9:18 am

Thanks Ken. You are going to have a great time! We can’t wait to see Alaska again.

Let us know if there’s anything we missed.

07/17/2022 at 4:24 pm

Great write-up! Learned alot, thank you! Sailing mid-august.

08/05/2022 at 6:38 pm

Amazing Blog! I have never read a blog with so much detail, I can’t think of anything you could have added. Thank you so much. This took a lot of time and effort. Thinking of Alaska August 2023 with our Grand Daughters, 8 and 11. We just got back from a Bermuda cruise with them and it was a wonderful experience. One none of us will ever forget. They were the best travellers.

11/04/2022 at 9:11 am

Thank you for the kind note. We appreciate the feedback.

11/04/2022 at 7:44 am

Would you say it’s worth $300pp to see Hubbard Glacier up close on an excursion or are you able to see it well enough from the ship. Taking this same cruise in July 2023. Want to get the most out of it.

11/04/2022 at 9:07 am

That’s a tough one. The ship does get close to the glacier, as you can see in the photos. BUT – if the weather is not great and there’s a lot of thick fog, the ship won’t get that close. I heard it sometimes doesn’t even enter the bay if the weather is bad. I’m not sure if the small boats go up close regardless of the weather? In my opinion, you are fine witnessing it from the cruise ship. But then again, I did not get up close, so I’m ignorant to what I missed.

01/25/2023 at 2:14 pm

So glad I found this blog! So many of my questions and/or concerns have been answered. We are traveling from Florida and are so looking forward to our Alaskan cruise on the Eclipse (June 2023). Thank you so much for all the valuable information!

04/09/2023 at 9:04 pm

Amazing blog. Really helpful! Did you book all your port excursions through Celebrity? How does it work exactly, as in what are the options, what type of excursions are offered at each port, how to book, the cost and such? If you have a Canadian passport it should be enough or we might need some other documents. I really appreciate any help you can provide.

05/08/2023 at 7:51 am

Hi, brilliant blog! So informative as we are due on this same cruise this September. One question, how long did the ship spend at the Hubbard Glacier? We were wanting to book into the ships spa that afternoon but don’t want to miss out on any sights, we were thinking around 16:30pm. Would be grateful for your input. Thank you

05/08/2023 at 9:51 am

We spend about an hour at the glacier, I believe. The ship slowly spins, so no matter what side of the ship you are on, you will face the glacier at some point. I believe we arrived at the glacier around 10 or 11 am. I recall having lunch in restaurant after visiting, so that gives a time stamp of late morning to early afternoon.

06/18/2023 at 3:23 am

hi just found your fantastic post, we have booked the alaska cruise august 13th, with our canadian friends, they tell me it will not be that cold, however we are coming in from warm brisbane australia, i am at a loss of what to pack daytime i think i am sorted it just nights, is it warm inside ship restaurants bars etc. no jackets required??? do i need waterproof boots, can’t say i will be hiking it will just general sightseeing. really appreciate your inside knowledge regards

06/19/2023 at 11:42 am

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found this blog post helpful with your trip planning. You should plan for cool weather, but it should not be “cold”. It is warm inside the ship. It may be windy and chilly on the outside decks, so a sweater and/or jacket should be packed. Depending on what you do off the ship, you may want some warmer clothes. It will not be very warm outside, so you won’t need as many warm clothes.

06/29/2023 at 11:46 pm

Great content and suggestions!

A few questions:

Is there laundry service available? Pricey? What’s the temperature of the outdoor pools? Can we bring beer aboard at the. Commencement of our cruise (wine was mentioned) The mobile app makes no mention of printing baggage tags these days. Has this changed? What time do the normal bars close?

Thanks for the helpful info !

07/03/2023 at 11:31 am

Thanks for stopping by, Miguel. I’ll do my best to answer your questions: – yes, I believe there is laundry/dry cleaning service available. Yes, it is pricey. I recall having some shirts that were wrinkly and wanting them pressed, but it was too expensive for me (i don’t remember the exact price) – temp for outdoor pools is set to “refreshing”… read = cold. – not sure about the beer, I do not think so, but don’t quote me on that (I only remember wine being listed – no hard booze either) – this may have changed, though – not sure about printed bag tags. – we went with our kids, so I have no idea about the bars closing time (I was already sleeping by then, I’m sure)

07/21/2023 at 4:11 am

Thank you for ALL the information; I will be bookmarking this page to refer back to it!

One specific question: our family does the National Park Passport. We will be on the Eclipse in September and visiting Hubbard Glacier. Does a Park Ranger board the ship to provide additional information and/or stamp NP Passports?

07/21/2023 at 2:48 pm

Thank you so much – this blog is soooo helpful, we are travelling from Ireland (used to inclement weather) for the cruise departing Sept 3rd. Any weather or clothing tips please?

02/09/2024 at 7:29 am

Thank you for your time and effort in writing this to help other travellers like me! I’ve bookmarked this page as a reference for my travel. We’ve booked the Celerbrity Alaska cruise for this summer. I’m planning to book some shore excursions from other tour operators. I’m not sure at what time I have to reserve the tickets. Could you let me know how much time it would take for us to get out of the ship at a port? Thank you!

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Celebrity Cruises Alaska

A luxury cruise line for gastro enthusiasts.

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With a focus on premium service, Celebrity Cruises is one of the more luxurious cruise lines sailing in Alaska. Celebrity Cruises is based in Miami, Florida and has more than 10 mid-size and large ships sailing around the world. Befitting their first-rate focus, Celebrity ships display beautiful collections of modern art.

Celebrity cruise passengers are typically mainstream young and middle age cruisers, seeking the finest level of service at a more relaxed pace than some of the other cruise lines. Ships feature spacious outdoor areas, including their distinctive Lawn Club. Canyon Ranch Spa and Fitness Center provides a luxurious menu of treatments along with health and wellness activities. The cruise line also offers their younger passengers a customizable Camp at Sea program.

Celebrity has a reputation for being very popular with cruising foodies and consistently has their dining rated amongst the best in the industry. Several of the onboard activities center around the culinary experiences, including food and wine pairing workshops and Mixology 101.

Celebrity Solstice

A cruise ship that beautifully blends luxury service with a rugged coastal cruise. The Celebrity Solstice typically sails a roundtrip itinerary from Vancouver. Learn More >

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity takes luxury cruising to new heights with this large resort ship. The Edge sails primarily roundtrip from Seattle via Alaska's Inside Passage. Learn More >

Celebrity Summit

Sail this mid-size ship known for its friendly atmosphere and fresh and modern updates. The Summit often sails a one-way glacier route between Seward and Vancouver. Learn More >

Embark On an Alaska Cruise with Celebrity Cruises, and Set Sail On the Adventure of a Lifetime

• Author: Ariel Johns
• June 13, 2023

In celebration of the Alaska season opening, Celebrity Cruises, voted best premium cruise line 15 years running, welcomes you to embark on an Alaska cruise , and set sail on the adventure of a lifetime. Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes that Alaska has to offer while navigating through the icy waters, from the comfort of the award-winning luxury cruise ship, Celebrity Millennium ® . Bask in the magic of the region as you indulge in world-class cuisine, enjoy top-notch amenities, and immerse yourself in the wonders of Alaska while exploring the ports on your enchanting shore excursions.

Set sail on a 7-Night Southbound Glacier Cruise onboard the Celebrity Millennium ® . This floating ‘resort at sea’ is a stunning 2200-passenger ship that was completely revolutionized in 2019 after a multi-million dollar transformation, and recently became one of the first-ever cruise ships to receive the highly coveted Forbes Travel Guide 4-Star Rating.

7-Night Southbound Glacier Cruise Itinerary (Seward, Alaska – Vancouver, British Columbia)

Celebrity Cruises caters each cruise itinerary to allow for extraordinary shore excursions tailored to “Ignite your sense of wonder, inspiration, and adventure. “

Day 1 – Seward , Alaska

Located on the stunning Kenai Peninsula, Seward, Alaska, is a picturesque coastal town known for its breathtaking scenery, charming harbor, and abundant wildlife. Here you will board the Millennium and meet the staff. You’re welcome to get settled in and explore the ship before its departure.

Day 2 – Hubbard Glacier (Cruising)

The largest river of ice in North America, Hubbard Glacier is a magnificent icy wonder, measuring 7 miles wide, 76 miles long, and as tall as a 30-story building above the waterline. For the best view, stand on the helideck where the crew will be waiting with hot cocoa to keep you warm. The remainder of the day and evening are for cruising and enjoying all the activities the ship has to offer.

Day 3 – Juneau, Alaska

With roughly 12 hours of docking time, Alaska’s capital is yours to explore. Journey through the rainforest and soar above the ground at 1800 ft. on the Goldbelt Tram. After ascending to the top, take in the stunning scenery while sipping an ice-cold Alaskan beer at the Timberline Bar & Grill. From here, go outside and hike the trails. Breathe in the fresh air as you spot totem poles, bald eagles soaring above, icy waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains. After a quick round of shopping in the gift shop, return to sea level where downtown Juneau awaits you, with its artisan shops and restaurants like Tracy’s King Crab Shack and Hangar on the Wharf.

Day 4 – Skagway, Alaska

Travel back in time to the days of the Alaska gold rush in historic Skagway. Step into the shoes of the Klondike gold rushers, and learn the art of gold-panning. Dog lovers have an opportunity to learn about the Iditarod and watch a team of sled dogs in action as they run around the track during a demonstration. Then get ready for wet kisses and snuggles as you get up close and personal with the newest addition to the team, the new puppies. If relaxation and beauty are what you desire, the best way to see Skagway is aboard the White Pass Train. Sit back and relax as the vintage train winds its way through lush greens, rugged mountains, dramatic canyons, cascading waterfalls, and tunnels. You can opt for the long train ride, or follow my plan and do the sled dog excursion first, and then hop on the train for the remainder of its journey.

Day 5 – Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Icy Strait Point offers an authentic and immersive experience, allowing visitors to connect with the rich history of Alaska and explore the pristine wilderness of the region. For those who love spotting wildlife, book a whale-watching tour and witness humpback whales, orcas, seals, and otters playing in the water, as bald eagles circle overhead. Foodies will be in their element with a hands-on tasting session in Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen. And for the thrill ride seekers like myself, the Icy Strait Point ZipRider® is for you! The world’s longest zip line ride is a one-of-a-kind thrilling experience that you won’t want to miss. Take in the views as you journey to the top of Hoonah Mountain on a gondola ride. Then you’re off on a race to the bottom dropping 1330 ft., and soaring above the rainforest below at speeds exceeding 60 mph!

Day 6 – Ketchikan, Alaska

Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan entices visitors with its charming waterfront, vibrant arts scene, and captivating outdoor adventures. The Best of Ketchikan by Land and Sea offers a tour of the coastline by boat, before stepping on land to explore an old cannery and native village. The Tongass Rainforest trail expedition takes tourists on a journey through the nation’s largest   national forest, Tongass Rainforest. Water lovers will love the Tatoosh Islands Wilderness Kayak Adventure. Spend two hours in a kayak paddling around the Tatoosh Islands while spotting bald eagles, harbor seals, and starfish.

Day 7 – Inside Passage (Cruising)

Get lost in the beauty of this coastal route. Relax on the ship while you take in the tapestry of snow-capped mountains, fjords, glaciers, lush forests, and abundant wildlife. This day is perfect for ship activities like wine tasting, treating yourself to a spa day, relaxing in the Persian Garden, taking a dip in the hot tub, or cozying up with a book and cocktail in one of the ship’s many lounges.

Day 8 – Vancouver, British Columbia

The cruise has come to an end with a morning arrival in British Columbia. Enjoy a last breakfast before departing.

Onboard Experience

Luxury accommodations.

The ship houses an array of luxury accommodations from inside staterooms, to the elevated Concierge Class (stateroom with a private veranda, access to exclusive events, and your own personal concierge), AquaClass (stateroom with private veranda, complimentary fitness classes, unlimited access to the Persian Garden, complimentary dining at Blu, and personal spa concierge), and The Retreat® (Sky Suite with a private butler, exclusive access to Luminae, and other exclusive spaces like The Retreat Lounge).

The allure of an Alaska cruise is to soak up Alaska’s unparalleled beauty and explore its stunning landscapes, but Millennium’s onboard experience is equally as remarkable. Every moment onboard is designed to exceed your expectations and create unforgettable memories. The ship’s activities range from live comedy and magic acts to Broadway-inspired shows, visually stunning aerial performances, daily events like trivia, gambling in the casino, visiting the art gallery, and shopping at the many boutiques. If wellness is what you seek, the fitness center has top-of-the-line equipment and offers classes for cardio, sculpt, and yoga. While the adults-only solarium and spa offer relaxation for your mind and body.

Culinary Delights

And then there is the highlight of all Celebrity Cruises, the culinary delights crafted by world-class chefs, and inspired by and sourced from the regions the ship visits. Guests can choose from dining in the “airy and contemporary” Metropolitan Restaurant, to global dining destination Oceanview Café (buffet), grabbing something lighter at the healthy Spa Café, or satisfying a sweet tooth at Café al Bacio & Gelateria. Millennium also has three specialty restaurants, modern Italian Tuscan Grille, sushi bistro Sushi on Five, and a visual spectacle unlike any other, Le Petit Chef. AquaClass guests can also experience the bold and elegant Blu, and cutting-edge Luminae is exclusively reserved for guests of The Retreat®. All menus are posted daily on Celebrity’s app, making it helpful in deciding where to dine.

Beverage Program

The Millennium also caters to the cocktail and wine enthusiast, with menus offering a “diverse selection of classics, the latest trends, craft beers, and a wine selection that is unsurpassed.” Oenophiles will appreciate the ship’s robust wine program having won 100 Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence and 9 Best of Awards of Excellence – the most ever awarded in the cruise industry. Guests can partake in wine tastings and workshops, and can even craft their own wine with Blendtique Custom Crafted Wines. And for those who crave a good martini, visit the Martini Bar and order the martini flight. The ship’s flair bartenders will put on an eye-popping performance before serving you six miniature martinis.

Whether enjoying one of the ship’s activities, dining at one of the restaurants, or simply relaxing, expect nothing but the best onboard Celebrity Millennium ® .

Alaska Awaits

There is no better way to experience the raw beauty and untamed majesty of Alaska than with Celebrity Cruises, especially on the Celebrity Millennium ® . From the luxurious onboard experience to the lively shore excursions, every aspect of the journey is designed to create enduring moments to be cherished for a lifetime .

This season, Celebrity Cruises currently has three ships offering Alaska Cruises, Celebrity Solstice ® , Celebrity Eclipse ® , and the Celebrity Millennium ® . Take the stress out of planning, and let Celebrity Cruises help you select which ship and itinerary are best for your Alaska adventure.

• Alaska , Alaska cruise , Alaskan Cruise , Celebrity Cruises , Celebrity Millennium , Cruise , luxury vacation , Travel , trip idea , Vacation , vacation ideas

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Alaska Cruisetours

Alaska cruisetours overview.

View the charts below to help you select the Cruisetour that best fits your individual interests and vacation plans. Each chart shows the duration of each Cruisetour, the activities included, and the cities visited. Cruisetours are numbered and lettered with “A” for tours that occur after the cruise, or “B” for tours that occur before the cruise.

Alaska Cruisetour Overview

• 2025 Cruisetours
• 2024 Cruisetours

Denali Express Cruisetour 11A

Included Experiences — Denali Natural History Tour, Railway Talkeetna to Anchorage

2025 Departures — May 9, May 23, Jun 6, Jun 20, Jul 4, Jul 18, Aug 1, Aug 15, Aug 29

Talkeetna Treasures Cruisetour 1A

Included Experiences — Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Denali Natural History Tour, Rail Anchorage to Talkeetna

Talkeetna Treasures Cruisetour 1B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 1A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

2025 Departures — May 27, Jun 10, Jun 24, Jul 8, Jul 22, Aug 5, Aug 19, Sep 2

Alaska Gold Rush Adventure Cruisetour 2A

Included Experiences — Denali Natural History Tour, Rail Denali to Fairbanks, Fairbanks City Tour, Gold Dr

Alaska Gold Rush Adventure Cruisetour 2B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 2A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

Alaska Wildlife Encounter Cruisetour 3A

Included Experiences — Alaska Sealife Center, Denali Natural History Tour, Wildlife Conservation Center

Alaska Wildlife Encounter Cruisetour 3B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 3A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

2025 Departures — May 26, Jun 9, Jun 23, Jul 7, Jul 21, Aug 4, Aug 18, Sep 1

Majestic Tundra Explorer Cruisetour 4A

Included Experiences — Tundra Wilderness Tour, Fairbanks City Tour, Riverboat Discovery Cruise

Majestic Tundra Explorer Cruisetour 4B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 4A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

Alaska Mountain Medley Cruisetour 5A

Included Experiences — Alaska Sealife Center, Denali Natural History Tour, Rail Anchorage to Talkeetna

Alaska Mountain Medley Cruisetour 5B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 5A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

2025 Departures — May 25, Jun 8, Jun 22, Jul 6, Jul 20, Aug 3, Aug 17, Aug 31

Great National Parks Expedition Cruisetour 6A

Included Experiences — Kenai Fjords National Parks Cruise, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Riverboat Discovery Cruise, and more

Great National Parks Expedition Cruisetour 6B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 6A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

Grand Heartland Adventure Cruisetour 7A

Included Experiences — Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise, Anchorage City Tour, Anchorage Museum, and more.

Grand Heartland Adventure Cruisetour 7B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 7A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

2025 Departures — May 24, Jun 7, Jun 21, Jul 5, Jul 19, Aug 2, Aug 16, Aug 30

Great Frontier Expedition Cruisetour 8A

Included Experiences — Alaska Native Heritage Center, Tundra Wilderness Tour, Fairbanks City Tour, and more.

Great Frontier Expedition Cruisetour 8B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 8A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

Tastes Of Alaska Cruisetour 9A

Included Experiences — Seward Dock Walk & Salmon Tasting, Alaska Native Heritage Center & Eskimo Ice Cream, more.

Tastes Of Alaska Cruisetour 9B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 9A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

Homer Discovery And Heartland Wildlife Cruisetour 10A

Included Experiences — Homer Dock WalkIslands & Oceans Center, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Tundra Wilderness Tour and more.

Homer Discovery And Heartland Wildlife Cruisetour 10B

Denali express 11a.

2024 Departures — May 10, May 24, Jun 7, Jun 21, Jul 5, Jul 19, Aug 2, Aug 16, Aug 30

2024 Departures — May 28, Jun 11, Jun 25, Jul 9, Jul 23, Aug 6, Aug 20, Sep 3

2024 Departures — May 27, Jun 10, Jun 24, Jul 8, Jul 22, Aug 5, Aug 19, Sep 2

2024 Departures — May 10*, May 24, Jun 7, Jun 21, Jul 5, Jul 19, Aug 2, Aug 16, Aug 30 *May 10 includes Denali Natural History Tour in place of Tundra Wilderness Tour

2024 Departures — May 26, Jun 9, Jun 23, Jul 7, Jul 21, Aug 4, Aug 18, Sep 1

The Great National Parks Expedition Cruisetour 6A

The great national parks expedition cruisetour 6b.

2024 Departures — May 25, Jun 8, Jun 22, Jul 6, Jul 20, Aug 3, Aug 17, Aug 31

The Great Frontier Expedition 8A

The great frontier expedition 8b, authentic tastes of alaska 9a, authentic tastes of alaska 9b.

Help me choose: which Alaska Cruise is right for me?

Apr 23, 2024 • 7 min read

Taking to the water is a wonderful way to see Alaska's incredible coastline © Bala Sivakumar / Getty Images

Alaska's impressive southern coastlines contain hordes of island archipelagos, deep fjords and ancient glaciers. Nearly all of the area is roadless, so seafaring vessels, including cruise ships, are a popular way for visitors to experience these pristine areas.

Large cruise companies sail Alaska's Inside Passage from Seattle , Washington and Vancouver , and on through the Gulf of Alaska to Seward or Whittier. In between, passengers usually stop in Ketchikan , Juneau and Skagway , and then sail up College Fjord to see glaciers stretching their icy fingers into the sea. You'll see plenty of stunning scenery along the way but not up close – for most cruisers, it's more than enough to satisfy.

Smaller cruises max out at around 200 passengers and can nose into Southeast Alaska's nooks and crannies, launching skiffs and kayaks from their lower decks for an immersive shore visit full of exploration. These vessels may not stop in local ports, instead anchoring at night and offering guests the chance to hike a remote shoreline, whale-watch from a kayak or attend a presentation by indigenous artisans. If any ports are visited, they're likely to be smaller communities like Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg and Yakutat.

Additionally, with the Northwest Passage now open to marine traffic, the northwestern city of Nome is a regular port of call for higher-end, midsize cruise lines to expose passengers to the rural reaches of coastal Alaska. The Aleutian Island city of Unalaska is also on some boutique cruise line itineraries, so check carefully that the region that sparks your interest.

Which part of Alaska should I choose to cruise?

For an overview of Alaska The standard Inside Passage cruise between Vancouver or Seattle and Seward or Whittier is an excellent choice, boasting beautiful scenery and the chance to experience a route taken by steamships of the late 1800s. You’ll get a snapshot of the Tongass National Forest , glaciers and the occasional whale or bear, but not up close unless you’re on a specific shore excursion. Holland America, Cunard and Viking all have cruises that fit this itinerary.

Taking a deep dive into Alaska’s coastal regions   Book a small ship cruise between Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau for a week or longer in the nooks and crannies of southeast Alaska. You’ll hike where there are no trails, paddle without another human in sight, and get to know the traditional lands of Alaska’s Coastal Native tribes. We like Alaskan Dream Cruises, UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions for smaller, more sustainable cruises.

To discover Alaska’s rich history You can’t skip Ketchikan, Juneau or Skagway on an itinerary. Juneau is the state capital and a former mining community. Ketchikan once was a major player in the timber industry and has a sordid past steeped in bootlegging and brothels. Skagway was a jumping-off point for the Klondike Gold Rush beyond Chilkoot Pass and has an old railroad to prove it. All three cities are often on large ship itineraries.

Explore Alaska’s most remote coastal areas Consider a luxury midsize (or smaller) cruise to places like Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands or to the northwestern city of Nome. Both combine a look at the rugged, raw coastlines with time spent on shore in towns with few frills. Weather can often be cold, rainy and windy, but if you want a unique adventure in Alaska, check out the itineraries from Hurtigruten.

When should I go?

Depending on the cruise line, sailings begin in late April and continue through to early October. The most dependable weather typically appears in July and August, but that's also the most popular (and expensive) time; pick a trip earlier or later in the season for cheaper passage and shore excursions.

For spring and fall passengers, know that temperatures will be cooler than you might expect and variable types of precipitation, including snow showers, aren't unusual. In the summer, it's still cool on deck and near glaciers, so don't expect a lot of outdoor pool time or sunbathing on board.

If spotting wildlife is a priority, consider cruising during the salmon runs, when bears are most active and can be spotted from the decks of the ship. Humpback whales often follow schools of herring and other small fish during the summer and can be seen anytime between May and September before they migrate to Hawaii or Mexico .

How do I know my cruise line is operating sustainably?

While all travel has environmental and cultural impacts, cruising leaves its mark to varying degrees on Alaska's fragile ecosystems. The average large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars and produce up to a ton of trash each day. While there can be a positive economic impact on ports of call, a small community visited by 15,000 people per day during sailing season can intrinsically change.

The industry's trade group Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) touts a desire for "conscious cruising." They have guidelines for water conservation and upgrades to heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, with a goal for ships to be net zero by 2050. There is also a focus on respecting the cultural traditions of destinations through cooperative regenerative tourism that preserves a community's unique history, culture and values.

What kinds of activities can we experience?

Onshore activities differ depending on the size and style of the cruise. Traditional excursions are created to fit a specific number of people, all of whom come from the ships and are expected to be in port for a specific time. They provide an overview of Alaska's history, culture, recreation and industry, and don't offer much of a personal touch.

Smaller boutique cruises strive to immerse their guests in the wild Alaska they've researched and desire to experience. Trips to shore rarely involve large port cities except for embarking and disembarking – instead, they drop kayaks in the water from the ship or use a rubber skiff to reach a deserted shoreline for a hike. The communities they visit are usually smaller, like Petersburg, Wrangell or Haines.

• Glacier & Wildlife Tours: Cruise for a few hours aboard a smaller vessel to witness whales, otters, seals and icy glaciers.
• Dogsledding: Learn about mushing, huskies and the operations of sled-dog kennels before taking a spin behind a team.
• ATV Adventuring: Rev up for a wilderness or tundra tour aboard a four-wheeler or side-by-side vehicle.
• Flightseeing:  Take a unique peek at Alaska's landscapes from above, spotting wildlife, and ogling glaciers and mountain ranges.
• Alaska Native Traditions:  Learn the ways of Alaska's many tribal groups, with dancing, drumming and art displays as part of the program.
• Ride a Historic Train:  Skagway's White Pass Yukon Railroad climbs over Chilkoot Pass for a hands-on gold-rush history tour.
• Paddle Power:  Hop in a raft or kayak and explore Alaska's beautiful coastlines and rivers.

Need-to-know before you go

Plan for wet weather Alaska’s southeastern region is part of a rainforest, where wet conditions are the norm even in summer. Bring waterproof rain gear, sturdy shoes, a hat and gloves to stay warm and dry.

Know your physical limits If mobility or other health issues may affect your ability to enjoy a cruise to the fullest, consider traveling with a larger operator. These companies are well-versed in accessibility and have made accommodations for those with mobility needs. Smaller ships are full of trip hazards and watertight door jambs and require bending and stepping up or down to access activities like kayaking or skiff rides.

Plan your own shoreside activities There is no requirement to book excursions or activities through the cruise line. If a more independent style of exploration is your thing, feel free to do your own research ahead of time or visit each port of call’s visitor bureau upon arrival. Just be sure to adhere strictly to the ship’s boarding time. 

Look to shoulder season sailings Not only will you often receive a significant discount, you’ll also be able to witness Alaska’s seasonal transitions and fewer crowds at ports of call.

Know what "all-inclusive" really means:  Drill down into the details of your cruise and ask questions about meals, alcoholic beverages, activities and shore trips. It may be that a smaller cruise line will include everything at one price.

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Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Alaska: Alaska Dawes Glacier Cruise

7-night celebrity edge cruise.

From $910 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $277 - $314

Celebrity Cruises

Ample land and pristine environmental conditions make Alaska well known for its abundant wildlife. While on an Alaska cruise or cruise tour, make sure to try and spot the "Big 5" of Alaskan land mammals – bear, moose (the state animal), caribou, wolf, and Dall sheep. You'll see plentiful bald eagles, colorful puffins, humpback whales, orcas, and reindeer in their natural habitat, as well, so make sure you bring a pair of binoculars and a good camera.

Included Extras

  executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

  Digital Costco Shop Card

Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Celebrity Cruises sailing†

Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Seattle, a city on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, and contains thousands of acres of parkland. Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to a large tech industry, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered in its metropolitan area. The futuristic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy, is its most iconic landmark.

A city of southeast Alaska on an island in the Alexander Archipelago. A supply point for miners during the gold rush of the 1890s, it is now a major port and tourist center on the Inside Passage. Population: 7,450.

Endicott Arm

Amid a forest of trees and a pristine mountain expanse you'll find a steep waterway otherwise known as Endicott Arm. The "arm" pierces 30 miles into the Coast Mountain Range offering up some spectacular sights for cruise passengers. Floating with you in Endicott Arm are 3-story pieces of ice that have "calved" (split) from the glaciers that line the waterway. Some of those chunks of ice are as long as a city block; some are as small as an ice cube. A visit to Endicott Arm proves that the best way to see and appreciate the wildlife and glaciers of Alaska is from the window or railing of your cruise ship. Keep those binoculars handy. As you move slowly and silently through the arm look for black and brown bears, mountain goats, wolverines, Sitka black-tailed deer, eagles, sea lions and harbor seals. Spectacular wildlife framed by glistening glaciers and blue, blue waters. Just another day in Alaska!

Considered the "gem" of Southeast Alaska, the city is nestled against the ocean, tucked tight against the mountains and back-dropped by the lush green of the largest national forest in the United States, the Tongass. Visitors will find that Juneau is not only the state's capital, but it's also a melting pot of history, unique topography and jaw-dropping scenery that is found nowhere else on the planet. Whether it's wildlife viewing, glacier trekking, ziplining or just shopping for locally created artwork, visitors to this remote yet extraordinary region will certainly find a bit of "Alaska" to take home.

Skagway, with a population of 862, is located in the Upper Lynn Canal at the northernmost point on the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska, 100 air miles north of Juneau and 110 road miles south of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. The City of Skagway is geographically the largest city in Alaska with 455 square land miles. Skagway's history and spectacular natural setting combine to create unparalleled sightseeing and recreation opportunities. Poke around on your own, or select from a variety of commercial tours. Either way, you will be amply rewarded with the sights and activities in and around Skagway.

Cruise Inside Passage

Victoria/Canada

Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the craggy southern end of Vancouver Island. With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city.

Onboard the Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2018

Double Occupancy Capacity: 2918

Celebrity Edge® marks a turning point in Celebrity's approach to ship design. Celebrity Edge® breaks from traditional design with its unique outward-facing elements and its industry-first Magic Carpet that reaches 13 stories above sea level. Predictability and convention are stripped away, returning sea travel to its very essence: simple, beautiful, imaginative encounters that leave you relaxed, refreshed, and inspired by the world around you.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

• Pool - Adults Only
• Pool - Outdoor
• Pool - Indoor/Covered
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Bars/Lounges

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa

Cosmopolitan

Main Dining

Cosmopolitan Restaurant:  The main dining experience across Celebrity's fleet is one of the reasons guest's sail with them time and time again. To maintain this essence of the Celebrity dining experience on Edge, they've created the Cosmopolitan Restaurant — the next evolution to their current main restaurants. The walk-through wine display at the entrance sets the scene for the creative cuisine within — new American with global influences.

Normandie Restaurant:  With ties to Celebrity's elegant Murano specialty restaurant on many of their ships and a nostalgic nod to Celebrity Summit® (wooden panels from the ship are incorporated into the design), Normandie Restaurant features contemporary French cuisine in a modern, upscale, refined space that evokes the romance of springtime in Paris. Enjoy regional European wines, deliciously unique cocktails, tantalizing starters, and mouthwatering entrées.

Cyprus Restaurant:  Dear to their hearts, this restaurant represents Celebrity's Greek heritage. They wanted to create a stunning atmosphere that would represent the Mediterranean fare served here, so they've worked with world renowned designer, Patricia Urquiola. In Cyprus, the menu's main focus is seafood and features simple, clean dishes that celebrate the food and beverages of the Mediterranean region.

Tuscan Restaurant:  Step inside and discover the delicious ambiance — a modern classical design centered around Italian fashion and film. Savor mouthwatering cuisine inspired by authentic southern Italian eateries, featuring all homemade pastas prepared with a rustic flare. Your taste buds will get a tour of southern Italy without even stepping ashore.

Blu:  Available exclusively to AquaClass® guests, Blu specializes in the concept of "clean cuisine." Popular dishes are prepared in imaginative and flavorful ways, without fussiness or pretense. Blu is open for breakfast and dinner.

Luminae at the Retreat®:  Globally inspired and cutting-edge dining, exclusively reserved for Celebrity's Suite Class.

Le Grand Bistro

Specialty Dining

Fine Cut Steakhouse:  Discover an upscale steak and seafood experience where service is elevated to an art form and a space that's warm and inviting with a glamorous palette of rich ruby, amber, and gold design elements. While the design creates an ambience of sophistication, the cuisine offers up the sizzle — literally, with a wide selection of the choicest cuts of meat to the freshest, premium seafood. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Le Grand Bistro:  Inspired by classic French bistros, the mouthwatering sights, scents, and sounds of a bustling boulangerie-patisserie are sure to excite and entice. With an ambience that changes from morning to evening and seating options from the planter-edged sidewalk to the inner café offering stunning views of the sea; every time you eat here it's a whole new experience. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Le Petit Chef™ and Friends:  Using innovative technology created by Skullmapping and presented by TableMation Studios, Celebrity's bringing your tabletop to life in Le Grand Bistro with Le Petit Chef™ and Friends — an animated character who appears beside your plate and prepares each course you'll be enjoying right in front of you before you're served the actual dish. It's an immersive, mind-blowing fusion of entertainment and dining like nothing you've experienced before. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Raw on 5:  Using both raw and refined elements with earth tones, pearlescent accents, and natural textures, Celebrity has created a sophisticated yet approachable restaurant. The dramatic raw bar display at the entrance showcases an abundance of oysters, crab, and lobsters to choose from. The menu, also available at the Magic Carpet when positioned on deck 5, will feature more casual offerings like Shrimp Salad, their signature Lobster Roll and sushi and sashimi prepared by our expert sushi chefs. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Magic Carpet:  Moving up and down the side of the ship, when on Deck 5, Magic Carpet is an open-air extension of Raw on 5. Here you'll find an airy, casual seafood restaurant offering select Raw on 5 favorites as well its own unique menu. When these two restaurants meet, it's the perfect pairing for an unforgettable al fresco dining experience as you glide over the glistening water below. This restaurant is available for an additional cost and reservations can be made once onboard.

Dinner on the Edge:  Above every deck of the ship exists an extraordinary, sky-high dining experience that Celebrity calls Dinner on the Edge. When the Magic Carpet ascends to the top of the ship, on special evenings embark on an exhilarating al fresco culinary journey that's a feast for your eyes, your appetite, and your sense of wonder. This restaurant is available for an additional cost and reservations can be made once onboard.

Rooftop Garden Grill:  Enjoy lunch or dine under the stars at the Rooftop Garden Grill, nestled perfectly in its own delicious corner of the Rooftop Garden. Discover the ultimate in outdoor eateries where you're surrounded by the open sky and the most incredible ocean views around while you savor gourmet backyard BBQ favorites. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Eden Restaurant:  Enter a place where dining is taken to new and exciting places. Eden restaurant features menus that deliver sensory experiences and experiential dishes served by performance artists we call Edenists. Let your inhibitions go and set your senses free with innovative, mouthwatering specialties inspired by nature. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Casual Dining

Eden Café:  Eden Café offers a wide variety of morning beverages and casual culinary bites. Three stories of windows bring in the shimmering morning light to create a bright and airy atmosphere and change as the mood shifts from breakfast to lunch, plus al fresco dining is available on either side of the café.

Spa Cafe and Juice Bar:  After indulging at the spa, grab something fresh and flavorful. You'll love the creative take on healthy cuisine with nourishing salads and nutritious smoothies.

Oceanview Café:  Featuring sweeping two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows, the Oceanview Café lives up to its name more than ever before. One of Celebrity's signature favorites, they've added more live action stations, including an Asian stir fry station with flavors inspired by the spice route and a bakery serving up fresh selection from the oven.

Mast Grill:  There's no better place to sample some hearty fare than on the top deck at the Mast Grill. Enjoy ocean views and curb your hunger with a burger, salad, or sandwich in a relaxed, poolside atmosphere. Cheers!

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Elegant staterooms feature an ample sitting area with a sofa and a flat screen TV.

Inside (Category: I2)

• Four pillows in every stateroom
• Plush 100% cotton bathrobes and towels
• Premium Custom blended bathroom products
• Celebrity shopping bag
• Celebrity's eXhale® bedding featuring the Cashmere Mattress
• King-sized bed**
• Some staterooms may have a trundle bed
• Plentiful storage space in your bathroom and wardrobe
• Interactive television system
• Individual safe
• Dual-voltage 110/220V AC
• Mini-fridge*
• Twice daily housekeeping service
• Our signature friendly personalized service with a guest ratio of nearly 2:1
• Laundry service*
• Complimentary beach towel service
• Fresh ice delivered to stateroom upon request
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a variety of restaurants
• 24-hour room service †

Deluxe Inside (Category: DI)

Guarantee - Inside (Category: Z)

Category: Z This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Enjoy a view of the sea with spacious staterooms that feature a sofa and a flat screen TV.

Ocean View (Category: O2)

• Expansive view of the ocean
• King-sized mattress**

Prime Ocean View (Category: O1)

Deluxe ocean view (category: do).

• Celebrity's eXhale ® bedding featuring the Cashmere Mattress

Panoramic Ocean View (Category: PO)

Guarantee - Oceanview (Category: Y)

Category: Y This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Staterooms feature a spacious balcony.

Deluxe Porthole View with Veranda (Category: P2)

• Celebrity Shopping bag
• King-sized mattress** (Single Infinite Veranda has Queen-size bed)
• Our signature friendly, personalized service with a guest to staff ratio of nearly 2:1
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner available in a variety of restaurants

Deluxe Porthole View with Veranda (Category: P1)

Sunset veranda (category: sv).

Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda (Category: ES)

Prime Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda (Category: E1)

Edge stateroom with infinite veranda (category: e2), concierge class (partial view) (category: c3).

• Sparkling Wine upon request
• Daily delectable delights
• Pillow selection upon request
• Use of umbrella and binoculars
• Celebrity embossed key holder
• eXhale ® bedding
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Sitting area with sofa
• Veranda with lounge seating
• Personalized Concierge service
• Exclusive Destination Seminar
• Complimentary shoeshine service
• Main and specialty restaurant seating time preferences
• Exclusive Welcome Aboard Concierge Class Lunch***

Concierge Class (Category: C2)

Prime concierge class (category: c1), aquaclass (category: a2).

• Unlimited access to the Adults-Only Sea Thermal Suite
• Dedicated Spa Concierge: Personal Consultation
• Priority Spa Reservations
• Complimentary fitness classes
• Exclusive spa treatment package discounts*
• 2 Bottled waters in-room: daily
• 2 Yoga mats
• In-room fitness amenities menu
• Eco-friendly natural ingredients shower amenities
• 100% Cotton bathrobes, slippers, towels
• Welcome bottle of sparkling wine (upon request)
• Complimentary use of umbrella and binoculars
• Expanded wellness on-demand TV
• AquaClass Exclusive Restaurant: Blu
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors
• Exclusive eXhale® bedding
• Plentiful storage space
• Spacious sitting area with sofa
• Enhanced air filtration system

Prime AquaClass (Category: A1)

Guarantee - balcony (category: x).

Category: X This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda Guarantee (Category: EX)

Category: EX This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Guarantee - Concierge Class (Category: XC)

Category: XC This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Guarantee - Aqua Class (Category: XA)

Category: XA This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Suites feature European-style butler services, priority check-in and debarkation, seating preferences and much more.

Iconic Suite (Category: IC)

• 2 bathrooms
• Sq ft: 1,892 interior / 689 terrace
• Largest suite in the Celebrity fleet
• Private terrace, hot tub, and double daybed
• Panoramic views from above the bridge
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Exclusive eXhale ® bedding, featuring king-sized Cashmere Mattresses
• Dual sinks, full shower, and whirlpool tub
• Private Butler's pantry
• Bathroom wardrobe and storage space
• Complimentary bottled water, soda, and beer stocked daily
• Unlimited lunch and dinner in all specialty restaurants
• Two complimentary bottles of premium spirits
• VIP canapés
• Complimentary laundry service (twice per cruise)
• Priority luggage delivery
• In-room Peloton available through your Retreat Concierge

Penthouse Suite (Category: PS)

• 1-2 bedrooms
• Sq ft: 1291-1432 interior / 197-1098 terrace
• Spacious layout with a dining table that seats eight and separate sitting area
• Two bedrooms on Edge ® Series ships, one bedroom on other ships, and two full bathrooms
• Exclusive eXhale ® bedding, featuring king-sized mattresses (bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed)
• Private whirlpool tub with views
• Marble primary bathroom with whirlpool tub and dual sinks
• Walk-in closet with generous storage space

Edge Villa (Category: EV)

• Sq. ft.: 739 interior / 211 terrace
• The only two-story residences in the fleet
• Private terrace with three-foot-deep plunge pool and inviting lounge furniture
• Direct access to The Retreat ® Sundeck
• One bedroom and two full bathrooms
• Exclusive eXhale ® bedding, featuring a king-sized Cashmere Mattress
• Marble primary bathroom with whirlpool tub
• Generous storage space

Royal Suite (Category: RS)

• Sq ft: 562-687 interior / 72-195 terrace
• One bedroom, one full bathroom (and a half bathroom on Edge Series ships)
• Exclusive eXhale® bedding, featuring our king-size Cashmere Mattress (bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed)
• Veranda with lounge seating (whirlpool tub on Solstice Series and Millennium Series ships)
• Primary bathroom with whirlpool tub and dual sinks on select ships

Celebrity Suite (Category: CS)

• Interior 394-498 sq.ft / terrace 51-105 sq.ft
• Exclusive eXhale ® bedding
• King-sized mattress (bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed)
• Trundle bed in some suites
• Daily delivery of afternoon savories
• Afternoon tea event hosted in The Retreat Lounge
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Complimentary use of golf umbrella and binoculars
• Complimentary shoe shine service

AquaClass Sky Suite (Category: AS)

• Sq ft: 254 - 319 interior / 57 - 79 veranda
• Spacious veranda
• King-sized bed
• Suite Automation (Available on Edge Series)
• Exclusive access to The Retreat
• Unlimited access to the Adults-Only SEA Thermal Suite on Edge Series
• Unlimited access to the Adults-Only Persian Garden on Millennium and Solstice Series
• 2 Yoga mats & In-room fitness amenities
• Full In-Suite Menu (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) featuring clean cuisine from Blu

Sunset Sky Suite (Category: SS)

• Sq ft: 254-362 interior / 57-102 terrace
• King-sized mattress (bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed)
• Daily delivery of afternoon savories upon request

Sky Suite (Category: S1)

Magic carpet sky suite (category: ms), guarantee - suite (category: w).

Category: W This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

• Ship Name: Celebrity Edge
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2018
• Ship Class: Edge
• Maximum Capacity: 3,373
• Number of Passenger Decks: 14
• Number of Crew: 1,320
• Officers' Nationality: Greek
• Tonnage (GRT): 129,500
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 2,918
• Country of Registry: Malta
• Total Staterooms: 1,467
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 05/17/2024, departure date - 05/31/2024, departure date - 06/07/2024, departure date - 06/14/2024, departure date - 06/21/2024, departure date - 06/28/2024, departure date - 07/05/2024, departure date - 07/12/2024, departure date - 07/19/2024, departure date - 07/26/2024, departure date - 08/02/2024, departure date - 08/09/2024, departure date - 08/16/2024, departure date - 08/30/2024, departure date - 09/06/2024, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

Ship's registry: Malta

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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Everyone saves 40% on every sailing and receives an added savings bonus of up to $200 per stateroom. Plus, on select sailings, 3rd and 4th guests sail for free.

2024 Alaska Cruises

In 2024, you can explore Alaska your way with the most revolutionary vacation in Alaska ever, because for the first time Celebrity Edge® will be sailing the rugged coast of Alaska. This ship’s outward-facing design takes experiencing the great outdoors to exciting new levels. Marvel at majestic glaciers from the Magic Carpet 12 decks above sea-level. Watch for whales from the luxurious comfort of the Rooftop Garden. See the mountainous landscape drift while relaxing in a martini shaped hot tub high above the pool deck.

Two more of our award-winning ships, Celebrity Solstice® and Celebrity Summit®, also offer unique opportunities to experience the wonders of Alaska. Together, these three ships represent the breadth of our vacation offerings, with a wide range of 7-night itineraries sailing from Seattle, Vancouver, or Seward for an unforgettable journey. So, you’ll have all the options you need to discover the great outdoors exactly the way you want to.

Choose any of these dynamic journeys and experience the flavors, culture, and beauty of this region of the world. 

Itineraries

Departure ports.

Seward, Alaska

Vancouver, British Colombia

Seattle, Washington

Our Ships Sailing to Alaska in 2024 and 2025

Celebrity Edge

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Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

Hubbard Glacier

Icy Strait Point

Alaska Cruisetours

Take your journey into the heart of Alaska to the next level with our Premium Cruisetour program. You’ll experience all the wonders of the land tour with heightened services and amenities, including upgraded rooms or rooms with breathtaking views of the area—or both where they’re available. When lodging overnight, you’ll enjoy breakfasts before continuing your journey. You’ll be able to sip your favorite beverages, including cocktails, with unlimited drinks while aboard the glass-domed Wilderness Express train. Plus, your tips are covered for your tour guide and driver. There’s no better way to spoil yourself in the unspoiled wilderness.

Learn More About Our New Season of 2024 Alaska Cruises

In Alaska, you’ll discover some of the most unique towns and cities in the world. Some of the incredible cities you can discover include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka. No matter which sailing you choose, you’ll sail the Inside Passage (a must-see for everyone), and you’ll visit one of the majestic glaciers of the region—Hubbard Glacier or Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.

The rugged beauty of this unspoiled wilderness is the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable journey.From up-close, breathtaking views of majestic glaciers and snow-capped mountains to the local wildlife, including whales, bears, bald eagles, and moose (just to name a few), you’ll experience the great outdoors like never before.

Get an even more immersive exploration of Alaska on a 9- to 13-night Cruisetour that combines a 7-night cruise with an exciting pre- or post-cruise land tour that takes you deep into the heart of the wilderness. Ride trains, boats, deluxe motorcoaches, and possibly even planes to go farther into the wilderness. Stay in the finest lodges and savor local flavors along the way. These land and sea vacations introduce you to everything Alaska has to offer for exciting, in-depth adventure.

Travel | Alaska is ready for another record-breaking…

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Travel | Alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season

Alaska is home to more than 30,000 grizzlies, but the state’s cruise industry is experiencing anything but a bear market as momentum of last year’s record-breaking season is expected to continue in 2024.

The most-visited Alaskan port, Juneau set a new mark a year ago with 1.65 million passengers descending on the capital city during cruise season, which generally runs from April to late October. That figure from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce is a Denali-sized jump of 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

Coinciding with Alaska’s 65th anniversary of statehood, the upcoming cruise season appears to be just as robust, with 19 cruise lines sending 43 ships to the Last Frontier. Kicking things off for the second straight year is the 4,008-passenger Norwegian Bliss, which docked in rustic Skagway last week. With four mainstream-category ships homeported in either Seattle or Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line  has nearly 100 more after that.

Two competing companies have staked out even larger claims in this modern-day, maritime Alaskan gold rush. Holland America Line is sending seven premium-class ships for 141 total cruises. And at the top of the totem pole is Princess Cruises , which is celebrating its 55th year in these waters with seven premium ships sharing 158 departures.

Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pit stop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparalleled wilderness, wildlife and native culture. In other words, bucket list stuff.

“Alaska is one of those places that draws you in and sets the hook right away,” said Kristi Switzer, destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau. “Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city.”

Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port will have 1.5 million passengers wanting more.

“This magical corner of the world has so much to offer beyond being a checkmark on people’s bucket lists,” she said.

Alaska is a checkmark for about three-quarters of all passengers headed there, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association, and the same can be said for two ships this season.

Starting with a six-day sail out of Vancouver on May 11, the namesake of Celebrity Cruises ’ popular Edge class will make its Alaskan debut with weeklong roundtrips from Seattle through Sept. 13. The 2,918-passenger vessel features a unique “outside-in” architecture that provides more floor-to-ceiling glass on the exterior and expanded outdoor spaces to soak up the Alaskan coastlines.

Edge will be joined by a pair of fleet mates for the season, albeit Summit’s seven-day roundtrips are turnarounds out of Anchorage or Vancouver, and Solstice’s weeklong jaunts are solely based in the British Columbian seaport. Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year.

The other new recruit is Silver Nova, the youngest Silversea Cruises  ship in the luxury fleet to ever service Alaska. Capped at 728 guests, Silver Nova was launched last year and has the goods to do justice to a dreamlike place that captures the imagination of wilderness lovers and history buffs.

“Silver Nova is the ideal ship for Alaska cruising,” said company spokesman Brad Ball. “Her innovative design, which incorporates an unprecedented 4,000 square meters of glass, immerses guests into the incredible scenery of Alaska from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn.”

The ship’s reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — allows unique openness to view spectacular Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Those who want to experience an older and smaller Evolution-class Silversea vessel can book the Silver Muse, which also will sail mostly seven- to 14-day trips between Anchorage and Vancouver.

Because nearly every Alaskan cruise includes the staples — Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage and Denali with a land add-on — some cruise lines like to shake things up with unique itineraries.

Holland America has a roundtrip that makes it easy to visit the 49th and 50th states without a long flight. A new “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise, part of the premium line’s Legendary Voyages collection of journeys from 25 to 59 days, departs on Aug. 31 from Seattle or Sept. 1 from Vancouver aboard the 1,916-passenger Westerdam. The nearly four-weeklong itinerary includes seldomly visited Kodiak and Dutch Harbor before heading down to the tropics to make four calls to three Hawaiian islands.

Seabourn  strives to offer a more tasteful Alaskan cruise and not only because it’s an ultra-luxury cruise line. “Caviar on the Ice” is a savory and swanky soiree on every Alaskan voyage, and when the 450-passenger Odyssey is in Sitka, a town originally built by Russian traders in the early 1800s, Seabourn guests can enjoy a culinary adventure that includes a scenic drive to a taproom for a sampling of local brews and a few eateries to try Siberian-rooted pelmeni dumplings and a hot dog made with caribou that the locals call “reindeer dawgs.” Sorry, vegetarians and friends of Santa, but Blitzen on a bun is da bomb.

Disney Cruise Line  is sending its 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder out of Vancouver for 15 week-long roundtrips, one five-day spin leaving on July 24 and an extended nine-day voyage on July 15.

Other cruise lines showing passengers a whale of a time in Alaska include Crystal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Lindblad/National Geographic, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas and Viking.

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The 13 best solo cruises for 2024 (no supplement fare).

Set sail for a solo adventure at sea.

The Best Solo Cruises

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Relax by the pool, attend shows, dine with new friends and more on your next solo cruise.

Whether you're embarking on your first cruise alone or you've been on solo cruises before, single travelers will find more options than ever when it comes to cruising solo. Many cruise lines offer single staterooms with the same amenities as other cabins, at a price similar to what you'd pay with double occupancy fares. You'll also find special promotions where the single supplement fee is reduced or waived, making it more affordable to reserve a spacious stateroom or luxurious suite with even more amenities – including personalized butler service, an added perk of booking with many luxury lines .

If you're ready for a maritime adventure, an extended vacation or simply a quick getaway from home, these top cruise lines offer some of the best options for solo travelers on waterways around the world.

Lines with solo accommodations and waived fees

Norwegian cruise line.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Launched in 2010, Norwegian Epic was the first cruise ship in the industry to feature studio accommodations for solo travelers. Norwegian Cruise Line offers this category on nine of the 19 ships in its fleet, including the newest ship, Norwegian Viva. These cabins, at an average size of 100 square feet, are designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind. They have no single supplements – and studio rooms on board Norwegian Bliss even boast virtual windows.

Guests of the studios get access to the private Studio Lounge. In this exclusive space, you can socialize with other solo travelers and enjoy complimentary refreshments. There are also singles meetups throughout the voyage and plenty of fun-filled onboard activities to mingle with like-minded cruisers. Solo travelers can check out all the fun for singles on Norwegian Viva this winter on a cruise to the Caribbean , or in spring 2024 as the ship sets sail for the Mediterranean .

Book a Norwegian Cruise Line voyage on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers interior and balcony solo cabins for single cruisers on its Meraviglia-class ships: the MSC Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa and the newest vessel in the fleet, MSC Euribia. The second-newest ship, MSC World Europa, has 28 cabins – 10 Studio Interior and 18 Studio Ocean View staterooms – designed specifically for solo travelers. MSC World America, set to debut in 2025, will also feature the solo studio staterooms.

During voyages with MSC Cruises , single cruisers are invited to a complimentary, hosted cocktail party to mix and mingle with other solo travelers. The daily program is also an excellent source to discover additional activities, entertainment and opportunities to meet other cruisers. You'll have onboard special events like the themed 70s-inspired Flower Party and the White Party, where the ship is decked out in festive white decor and guests don their best white attire. In addition, there are various sports tournaments, or you can show off your culinary expertise during a MasterChef competition.

MSC's Caribbean and Bahamas cruises departing from Miami and New York City feature an overnight visit to Ocean Cay, the line's private island and marine reserve. While there, singles can participate in fun-filled evening activities like a Champagne Sunset Cruise or a glow paddleboarding excursion in the lagoon, then attend the lively Luna Libre Party and the lighthouse show.

Find an MSC Cruises itinerary on GoToSea.

Holland America Line

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Holland America Line

Three of Holland America Line's newest ships each offer 12 solo cabins to accommodate single travelers: the Pinnacle-class Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Konigsdam. These ocean view staterooms range in size from 127 to 172 square feet and feature the same amenities as the double occupancy cabins but with a double bed. The cruise line's Single Staterooms are priced for one person. If a guest chooses to book a different stateroom, single supplements for double occupancy cabins are as much as 100% over the standard fare, depending on the voyage and the cabin category.

Long committed to solo travelers, the line offers many activities where guests can meet other singles such as wine tastings, cocktail mixers, exercise classes, daily quizzes, sports challenges and more. If you're a solo traveler and a member of AARP, Holland America is now the exclusive cruise benefit provider to AARP's members. Solo cruisers will have access to an AARP member-only onboard credit that ranges from $50 to $200, depending on the itinerary and stateroom category.

For itineraries, Holland America's Alaska cruises and cruisetours are perfect for solo travelers, offering many opportunities to connect with fellow cruisers. Another favorite for singles is the line's fall voyages sailing from Boston to Québec City or Montreal.

Explore Holland America Line deals on GoToSea.

Royal Caribbean International

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International features studio staterooms on select ships that range in size from 101 to 199 square feet. These solo accommodations include interior rooms, virtual balcony staterooms and a super studio ocean view stateroom with a balcony. The cabins do not carry the single supplement fee singles encounter when booking other types of staterooms, making them an attractive option when traveling alone.

Once on board the ship, solo cruisers will have countless options to engage and socialize with other travelers. When it comes to dining with Royal Caribbean , make a reservation at the Japanese restaurant Teppanyaki for an entertaining meal with new friends, or join fellow foodies for the intimate Chef's Table experience (the dining venues vary by ship). Singles can also participate in onboard activities like trivia contests, drink seminars, escape rooms, dance classes and pool parties.

If you need more thrills to stay busy and to meet people, Royal Caribbean's ships feature world-class shows and entertainment alongside adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions. If you're sailing in the Caribbean, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and chat with other passengers at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Luxury line Atlas Ocean Voyages offers single cruisers 183 square feet of beautifully appointed space in solo accommodations that come without single supplement fees. These ocean view staterooms feature a queen bed, a panoramic picture window, a private spa bathroom with a rain shower and body jets, a stocked minifridge replenished daily with personal favorites, and other luxurious amenities. Single guests can also book other stateroom or suite categories with single supplements starting at 50% of the double occupancy price.

The line's three intimate yacht-style cruise ships – World Navigator, World Traveller and the new World Voyager, whose inaugural season begins in Antarctica in November 2023 – are all-inclusive . Meals at all the dining venues, premium beverages and wines, gratuities, culturally immersive excursions, and more are included in the fare. With fewer than 200 guests on board, there's an atmosphere of conviviality on these ships – especially when exploring remote destinations with like-minded and adventurous travelers during expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Read: The Top Cruises on Small Ships

Celebrity Cruises

Tim Aylen | Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises' new Edge-class ships offer some of the best options for solo cruisers. The line's two newest vessels, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent (set to debut in late 2023), each boast 32 single staterooms with an Infinite Veranda. In addition, Celebrity Apex has 24 solo cabins, and Celebrity Edge features 16 staterooms for individual guests. These one-person accommodations offer a minimum of 131 square feet of space and the same upscale amenities you'll find in other category staterooms on their ships. Solo guests can look for special promotions where the single supplement is waived on select Celebrity voyages throughout the year.

Once on board the vessel, check out the daily program for activities conducive to meeting others – like wine tastings, cocktail-making classes and more. You'll also enjoy thrilling top-notch entertainment around the ship in The Theatre, The Club and Eden. A few popular cruises for singles are the line's Caribbean and Mexico itineraries on Celebrity Beyond.

Book a Celebrity Cruise on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

The hip vibe on board the adults-only Virgin Voyages ships is ideal for solo cruisers looking to meet other travelers. Its superyacht-style ships – Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady – offer 40 interior cabins ranging in size from 105 to 177 square feet. There are also six Sea View staterooms with portholes boasting between 130 to 190 square feet of space. These Insider and Sea View cabins are designed and priced for single travelers, with amenities like high-tech mood lighting and roomy rain showers. The line also runs promotions where solo cruisers can book double occupancy staterooms without paying a single supplement.

Activities and festival-like entertainment around the ships foster fast friendships. Diners will enjoy the interactive experience at Gunbae, the lively Korean barbecue venue. The "grog walk" is a fun pub stroll where solo sailors can join fellow mates while sipping and snacking their way through all the signature bars. For even more fun, check out the evening shipwide events such as the themed Scarlet Party, which features live music and immersive experiences. The line also hosts meetups for singles throughout each voyage.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Avalon Waterways

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways' river and small-ship cruises traverse waterways around the world, including in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The company waives the single supplement on a selection of staterooms, including its Panorama Suites, on select European and Asia departures. The company recommends booking early as the specially priced cabins do sell out. Solo travelers make up about 10% of the passengers on this river cruise line .

Avalon's fleet of Suite Ships operates in Europe and Southeast Asia and features cabins with a minimum of 172 square feet. About 80% of the staterooms are Panorama Suites, which have 200 feet of living space, beds with a view and the river cruise industry's only open-air balcony. With Avalon excursions, solo cruisers have opportunities to meet like-minded guests during immersive tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, yoga or fitness classes, biking or hiking trips, and more. Single guests can choose to dine at tables for just two people or ones that can accommodate up to eight passengers.

Read: Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Next Cruise

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AmaWaterways

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

Two single occupancy staterooms are available on four of AmaWaterways' river cruise ships: AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaLyra and AmaCello. These accommodations do not have single supplement fees. Solo cruisers can also book staterooms with a 20% single supplement on select sailings in Europe and Southeast Asia. (Note that this pricing does not apply to certain stateroom categories and suites.)

With the friendly, small-ship atmosphere, solo cruisers will find it comfortable to socialize with other passengers and the crew. Onboard activities and immersive excursions also create opportunities for fostering friendships, especially among like-minded travelers. Excellent options for solo cruises include themed sailings centered around music and wine or the magical Christmas markets itineraries along the Danube, Rhone and Rhine rivers.

Explore AmaWaterways deals on GoToSea.

Lines with discounted supplement fares

Courtesy of Azamara

Azamara's special offers for solo travelers include reduced single supplements of 25% to 50% of the double occupancy rate on select sailings. The line's four midsized sister ships – carrying no more than 700 passengers – are mostly all-inclusive. Amenities included in the cruise fare include most meals; standard spirits, wines and beers; bottled water, soft drinks, and specialty teas and coffees; shuttle service in port; gratuities; and complimentary AzAmazing Evenings ashore or Destination Celebration experiences on the ship. Dining at the two specialty restaurants is an additional cost unless guests have accommodations in the Club World Owner's Suites, Club Ocean Suite or Club Continent Suite.

Single guests on Azamara cruises will find events during the sailing and venues around the ship where you can mix and mingle with other solo travelers and chat with the friendly crew. Intimate and culturally immersive excursions also create opportunities to meet passengers with similar interests. Azamara Onward, the latest ship, boasts the new Atlas Bar, a great spot to meet other travelers.

For itineraries, Azamara's signature "Country-Intensive Voyages" are a favorite of solo cruisers, including the 10- or 11-night Greece Intensive Voyage. For an extended sailing, check out the festive 12-night Carnival in Rio Voyage, which features a stop in Rio de Janeiro during the city's famed Carnival.

Compare Azamara cruises on GoToSea.

Cunard Line

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Cunard Line features dedicated solo staterooms on its three ships, priced at approximately 166% to 174% of the equivalent double occupancy cruise fare. Guests can choose between a spacious Britannia Inside or Britannia Oceanview cabin, or opt for a larger stateroom with a single supplement. For a little "me time" pampering while on board, solos will appreciate 24-hour room service, complimentary Penhaligon's toiletries and a chilled bottle of sparkling wine. Single guests will also be invited to get-togethers. You can either dine alone at venues around the ship such as the main dining room or choose to share a table with other passengers.

With an international mix of travelers, single cruisers will find many opportunities to meet and chat with others, especially during a Transatlantic Crossing. During the sailing, you'll find many enriching and relaxing activities that encourage socializing. According to Cunard , there's a sense of camaraderie and a passion around the voyage – and the unique travel experience of crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Find a Cunard Line cruise on GoToSea.

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Luxury line Silversea Cruises offers 25% single supplements on various voyages throughout the year, including expedition cruises to destinations like the Galápagos Islands , Antarctica and the Arctic, and Greenland. The line's all-inclusive fares include luxurious ocean view suites, gourmet dining, complimentary wines and spirits, gratuities, onboard enrichment and entertainment, shore excursions, and more. Solo travelers will even have personalized butler service to indulge their every whim.

The line's fleet of a dozen intimate ships, carrying no more than 728 guests, offers a clubby atmosphere perfect for meeting solo and like-minded travelers. Single guests will also have the opportunity to engage with other solo passengers during a welcome reception with Champagne at the beginning of each voyage. Popular itineraries for Silversea's single cruisers include its Transoceanic journeys, a bucket list trip for many cruisers .

Explore Silversea Cruises deals on GoToSea.

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn has special offers throughout the year where solo cruisers can take advantage of reduced pricing equal to double occupancy fares or discounts on the single supplement starting at 25% above the double occupancy fares. These rates are available on select voyages, including expedition cruises. Frequent solo cruisers and members of the luxury line's Seabourn Club Diamond Elite will also find reduced single supplements on Diamond Elite Single Supplement Sailings. In addition, club members receive invitations to exclusive events, where they can meet and mingle with fellow cruisers. Solo passengers are also invited to sit with the ship's officers, crew and entertainers at dinner – and there are hosted get-togethers for single travelers.

Solo cruisers will enjoy beautifully designed oceanfront suites and all-inclusive amenities on board Seabourn 's intimate ships. These perks include world-class dining; complimentary premium wine and spirits; a spa and wellness program in partnership with Dr. Andrew Weil; included gratuities; and the line's enrichment series, Seabourn Conversations. Single cruisers looking for an extended holiday will enjoy longer voyages on the line's newest purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit.

Compare Seabourn cruises on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has visited destinations around the globe on nearly every type of ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, traditional masted sailing ships and intimate river ships on the Mekong River. She used extensive research and experience as a solo cruiser 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:

• The Top Party Cruises
• The Top Transatlantic Cruises
• The Top 3-Day Cruise Itineraries
• Solo Travel for Women: The Best Places and Tips
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

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The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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When Is the Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka?

By Sue Bryant

Last updated: April 22nd, 2024

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The best time to visit Sri Lanka, which lies just north of the equator in the Indian Ocean, is between December and April, outside the monsoon season.

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, meaning it is hot and humid year-round, but with distinct regional variations. There are two monsoons with a rainy period in between, and rainfall varies dramatically depending on whether you are in the north, the south, or the central mountains. The coastal lowlands are generally hotter than the mountainous center, with constant temperatures ranging from 84°F (29°C) to 89.6°F (32°C).

Generally speaking, December to April is the driest time in the south and south west, where you’ll find Colombo, the historic town of Galle, and some of the finest beaches. Days and nights will be warm and humid and there may be occasional downpours, but this is part of everyday life in the tropics.

Visiting Sri Lanka By Season

In June, July, and August, the yala , or southwestern monsoon, brings heavy rains to the south and southwest coasts, tailing off as the months pass. August, for example, receives 4 inches (103mm) of rain, just half that of July, which averages 8.1 inches (208mm).

While it’s raining in the south, the east is dry and sunny, making August a good month to visit the east coast.

During these months, the north of the island is also generally clear and sunny, and busy with visitors. It’s these regional variations that contribute to Sri Lanka’s success as a year-round destination; you can always find sunshine somewhere.

September, October, and November see the weather changing in Sri Lanka. Temperatures average around 86°F (30°C). The southwestern monsoon is usually over by September, a month in which Colombo receives on average 7.2 inches (184mm) of rain, but in October, humidity increases again and the capital can experience 14.1 inches (360mm) of rain.

The masa, or northeast monsoon, affects the north and east of the island between October/November and January.

Whale-watching in Sri Lanka

December, January, and February in the south and southwest are peak season. Days are hot and sunny, and you can expect average temperatures of 86°F (30°C) and just 2.9 inches (74mm) of rain.

This is the best time for visiting beaches in Sri Lanka , for sightseeing, and for wildlife-spotting, as the coastal waters are abundant with dolphins and whales. Tea Country, in the central highlands, also experiences dry, hot weather during this period, although temperatures drop at altitude.

The island gets busy in December with visitors coming for their Christmas vacation (the island is mainly Buddhist but Christmas is embraced nonetheless).

The full moon in January is a busy time in Colombo, when the colorful Duruthu Perahera Festival takes place, commemorating the Buddha’s first visit to the island with lights, parades, and dancing. The world-famous Galle Literary Festival also usually falls in January or February.

Read: Best Things to Do in Colombo

Negombo Beach

March and April continue to be peak tourist season with warm, sunny weather and plenty of whale-watching. April 14 is Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, a time of great celebration.

May brings the beginning of the yala , or southwestern monsoon, when the south and west of the island can experience heavy rain; May, for example, sees around 14.2 (361mm).

Conversely, May is regarded as the best month to visit the “Cultural Triangle” of Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and Sigiriya, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the northern plains.

When Is Rainy Season?

Sri Lanka has two monsoons, one in the south, from late April to early August, and one in the north, between November and January. October tends to be a rainy month all over the island. May and October are the wettest months in Colombo, receiving an average of 14.1 inches (360mm) each.

When Is High Season?

High season in Sri Lanka varies according to region. In the south, where most visitors start their journey, December to April is regarded as peak tourist season. This is the best time to go to Sri Lanka for sunshine, clear skies, beaches, and marine life.

Elephants in Sri Lanka

It’s also the best time for wildlife spotting on land. The drier conditions mean there’s less water in the wildlife parks and elephant, buffalo, and leopards are drawn to the watering holes.

When Is Shoulder Season?

Shoulder season in Sri Lanka falls between the end of the monsoons and the beginning of the dry season. In the south and west, this means August and September, after the southwestern monsoon, and to an extent, December, before the Christmas and New Year’s peak.

When Is Low Season?

Low season in Sri Lanka coincides with the two monsoons, so May to July in the southwest and from November to January in the north. October and November are the only months of the year when travel to the central hills is not at its best, because of overcast skies and sometimes heavy rain.

Yala National Park

Are you ready to embrace the dazzling culture and landscapes of Sri Lanka? Browse our cruises to Sri Lanka and plan your Asian adventure.

Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.

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Award-Winning Actress Hannah Waddingham Officially Christens Sun Princess in Awe-Inspiring Ceremony

Michael carbonara, tyra banks, britto, randy fenoli, original “love boat” cast members, celebrity chefs and tv personalities on hand to celebrate plus musical performance by natasha bedingfield.

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BARCELONA, Spain, (April 23, 2024) – In a spectacular celebration today at the Port of Barcelona, award-winning actress and performer Hannah Waddingham officially welcomed the newest and most innovative Princess Cruises ship – Sun Princess – serving as godmother during a star-studded naming ceremony.

The time-honored maritime tradition took place onboard Sun Princess in the all-new Princess Arena and Waddingham, alongside the ship’s Captain Craig Street, joyously pronounced, “I name this ship Sun Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her.” She then released the celebratory bottle of Champagne to smash against the ship wishing good fortune to all of the ship’s guests and crew sailing to incredible destinations all over the world.

“Hannah is globally admired and adored for her immense talent and determination. Those qualities coupled with her family’s deep connection and love for the sea make her the perfect godmother for our sensational new Sun Princess,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “We are honored that she has joined us for this pinnacle moment, and that she will remain a treasured part of the ship’s legacy forever.” 

Known for her adored role as Rebecca Welton in “Ted Lasso,” Waddingham said being named Sun Princess godmother is a “pinch me” moment as she joins an esteemed group of women, including members of the Royal Family, who have also served as godmothers to Princess ships: Diana, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess, 1984); Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess 2013); Audrey Hepburn (Star Princess, 1989); Sophia Loren (Crown Princess, 1990); Martha Stewart (Crown Princess, 2006); among many notable celebrities and dignitaries. 

Waddingham grew up boating and has fond memories of weekends in Dunkirk. In addition, her grandfather served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

“As much as theatre has always rippled through my bloodstream so too has a strong, historic familial connection with the Royal Navy and all things nautical,” said Waddingham. “I have of course seen over the years the iconic godmothers who have been asked to represent these magnificent ships and looked on in awe. It is therefore such a great privilege to have been asked to act as Godmother to the Sun Princess, first of her class. I can’t quite believe it.” 

Actor and magician Michael Carbonaro served as master of ceremonies for the event, and joined by a host of celebrities and TV personalities including Tyra Banks, Romero Britto, Randy Fenoli, Jeff Corwin, Rob Floyd, along with celebrated chefs Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and beloved original “Love Boat” cast members Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Bernie Kopell (Doc).

In addition, Natasha Bedingfield was on hand to fittingly perform her smash hit “Pocket Full of Sunshine,” along with other award-winning hits including “Unwritten.”

What’s New, What’s Next Princess to Add Ship-within-a-Ship Concept to Sun Princess, Star Princess  Sanctuary Collection Debuts in September Prior to the Sun Princess naming ceremony, Princess President John Padgett shared a few details on what’s ahead for the world’s most iconic cruise brand. Notable news included introducing the exclusive, next-level Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess, as the ship prepares to debut this select, all-inclusive oasis in October 2024. Guests reserving in the Sanctuary Collection will enjoy exclusive access to the ship’s top-deck retreat area, along with many additional bespoke events and high-end amenities designed to enhance their voyage. 

Star Princess to Sail Alaska Voyages in Summer 2026 Also announced, the next Sphere-Class ship, Star Princess, will sail her first full summer in 2026 in Alaska, making it the first of its class to ever sail to the Great Land. Star Princess is currently under construction and scheduled to debut in the Mediterranean in September 2025.

Princess Collaborates with Celebrities to Launch Love Line Premium Liquors Princess also revealed its newest indulgence - the "Love Line Premium Liquors" collection. Crafted in collaboration with renowned celebrities Pitbull, Jason Aldean and Romero Britto, this exclusive line of wines and spirits promises an unparalleled experience for guests sailing aboard ships from the Love Boat. The new premium collection features meticulously selected wines and spirits, each bearing the unique touch of its celebrity partner including Voli Vodka by Pitbull, Love Prosecco by Britto, and Melorosa Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Jason Aldean. The Love Line collection is currently available aboard Sun Princess, and will roll out to all the ships in the Princess fleets throughout the summer.  

Love by Britto Officially Debuts Aboard Sun Princess During the day’s festivities, Love by Britto, an artistic-inspired dining experience from world-renowned artist Romero Britto, made its debut. Known for his bold, colorful, and joyful style, and a global advocate for happiness, Britto has created a dining concept that serves as an exquisite showcase of the artist’s iconic and joyful designs against the backdrop of a boutique restaurant designed to immerse couples in a world of vivid colors, bold patterns, and heartfelt emotions. Unlike anything else in cruising, the venue also highlights the talents of Princess Cruises’ Head of Culinary Arts Rudi Sodamin who has created an array of tantalizing choices that embody profound passion, exquisite flavor, and boundless creativity with a seven-course, prix fixe menu ($149 per person) that begins with a flute of Champagne upon arrival and features luxury ingredients including lobster, caviar and truffles, and dessert options that always include chocolate fondue.

More About Sun Princess Godmother Hannah Waddingham British actress and singer, Waddingham is beloved for her role as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso,” in which her performance garnered a Primetime Emmy, Critics Choice Television Award and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as two individual Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. She will next be seen in the highly anticipated Universal film “The Fall Guy” opposite Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in theaters on May 3, 2024. Earlier this year, Waddingham earned a BAFTA TV Award nomination for her own Apple TV+ holiday special “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas.” Waddingham made her worldwide hosting debut in April 2023 at The Olivier Awards (she returned as host for the 2024 ceremony) followed swiftly by the BBC Eurovision Song Contest 2023, for which she has gained her second BAFTA TV nomination and won The Royal Television Society award for “Best Entertainment Performance” in 2024. Her upcoming films include Sony Animation film “Garfield” out May 24, 2024 and in 2025 “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.”

More About Sun Princess The new 177,882-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess introduces an innovative new ship platform designed exclusively for the world’s most iconic cruise brand. A true engineering marvel, Sun Princess officially started its inaugural cruise season on February 28, 2024, and currently is sailing a series of Mediterranean voyages before debuting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in October for the ship’s first Caribbean season. 

Princess ships are renowned for offering spacious venues and Sun Princess takes that to the next level. Sun Princess debuts new eye-catching experience venues including The Dome, a groundbreaking geodesic, glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship inspired by the terraces of Santorini. The outward and suspended Sphere Atrium, the namesake of this new class of ship, takes the central Piazza hub of the ship into a new dimension. Here guests are enveloped with expansive ocean views and an open concept, inspired to deliver the desired lifestyle of relaxed indoor and outdoor living.

Sun Princess offers an extraordinary cruise experience with not-to-be-missed culinary, entertainment and luxury accommodations, including: 

The Greatest Foodie Destination at Sea Sun Princess serves up 30 inviting restaurant and bar venues with an unprecedented collection of celebrity collaborators, high-end ingredients and culinary experiences from: 

• Spellbound by Magic Castle : Blending the captivating world of magic with the art of culinary and mixology to create an extraordinary, innovative and immersive dining experience, steeped in magic and adventure. 
• Makoto Ocean : Reshaping traditional sushi with a creative approach, the Master of Edomae-style sushi, Chef Makoto Okuwa brings his 25 years of experience with a new concept crafting playful, exquisitely presented dishes paying tribute to Japanese traditions. 
• Love by Britto : A high-end boutique restaurant with the most romantic view from the ship celebrating love and art from world-renowned artist Romero Britto. 
• The Butcher’s Block by Dario : A new specialty pop-up restaurant from the world’s most famous butcher Dario Cecchini, guests enjoy perfectly prepared beef and steak, including Cecchini’s signature cuts. 
• The Catch by Rudi : An exceptional dinner concept from renowned Chef Rudi Sodamin showcasing delectable treasures from the sea. 
• Good Spirits at Sea with Rob Floyd : Destination-inspired, one-of-a-kind cocktail creations from celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd.

Debuting a three-story dining room with endless aft views, inaugural menus have been created in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America. While retaining what guests love about Princess, the ship also features favorites like Crown Grill, Sabatini’s and Crooners with new design elements to impress.

Showstopping Entertainment in Technically Advanced Spaces The Princess Arena is the most technologically advanced theater at sea, offering showstopping and original productions including performances in the round. At night, The Dome astonishes audiences with acrobatic Cirque Éloize performances while the Piazza dazzles with a retractable stage and immersive Champagne Waterfall. 

Elevated & Welcoming Areas & Accommodations Sun Princess also features the cruise line’s largest casino, two-story Lotus Spa, and an expanded retail environment with more than 200 premium brands. The retail space also includes several firsts a sea including an upscale showroom dedicated to luxury horology showcasing TAG Heuer and Breitling and more than 25 new brands available to cruise guests like Italian handbag brand, Pinko and athleisure favorites Beyond Yoga and Varley. 

With diverse accommodations to suit every preference and more than 1,500 cabins with balcony views, Sun Princess’ re-imagined staterooms include exceptional suites and new Cabana Mini-Suites with extra space for secluded outdoor relaxation.

Rooted in sustainability, Sun Princess is the first LNG (liquefied natural gas) vessel for the cruise line, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and features ingenious energy recovery systems for eco-conscious cruising.

Sun Princess cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are on sale now. More ship details can be found at www.princess.com/sunprincess . 

More information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com . 

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Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

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About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

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