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10 Best Alaska Cruises to Take This Summer, According to Experts

We spoke to cruise experts to find the best Alaska itineraries to book this year.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

With its majestic wildlife, otherworldly glacial scenery, and endless outdoor adventure, a trip to Alaska is one for the books — and the best way to experience it, in our opinion, is by cruise. An Alaska sailing offers travelers the chance to get up close and personal to some of the destination’s most stunning natural wonders (think: Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, the Tracy Arm Fjord, and so much more). Fortunately, when it comes to the best Alaska cruises, options abound, from small-ship luxury sailings and expedition voyages to mega-ships that feel like a floating resort and theme park all in one. Ultimately, explains Travel + Leisure A-List travel advisor Eric Goldring , “The question of which are the ‘best’ cruise lines for Alaska really depends on the guest’s desires as there is a balance between how in-depth they wish to delve into Alaska’s nature and Indigenous culture, what type of onboard experience they desire, and, of course, whether the cruise is family-focused.” To determine which Alaska cruise is best for you, Goldring recommends using a travel advisor “who has actually been to Alaska more than once and on different ships” so that you have “access to important first-hand knowledge.” 

According to T+L A-List travel advisor Ashton Palmer , the Alaska cruise season is short (typically from May to September) and availability is limited, which is why travelers should plan their sailings six to eight months ahead of time. While the travel advisor notes that “most trips average a week in length,” he also recommends cruisers allow time to “visit the northern part of the state, including Denali National Park, the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and Fairbanks,” either before or after the cruise. Several cruise lines also offer land extensions (sometimes called “cruisetours”) to make the experience as seamless as possible. 

While the Alaska cruise season takes place in the warmer months, be sure to pack a few sweaters — and consider dressing in layers. When I cruised Alaska in summer 2022, the weather was (mostly) warm and sunny; however, when we sailed through Glacier Bay, it was chilly, and I was especially glad to have brought a scarf, hat, and light jacket to help brace the chill. Rob Clabbers , another T+L A-List travel advisor , agrees. What’s more, he says, “Weather can change quickly in Alaska, so one moment you may need a sweater, and the next you’re better off in shorts.” 

Meet the Expert

Eric Goldring is a T+L A-List travel advisor specializing in expedition, small-ship, and medium-ship cruises. 

Ashton Palmer is a Seattle-based T+L A-List travel advisor who specializes in expedition cruises.

Rob Clabbers is a T+L A-List travel advisor specializing in cruises, and he’s the founder of Q Cruise + Travel. 

Dawn Gabree is a travel advisor who specializes in Alaska cruises at Travels by Danielle.

Mary Curry is another T+L A-List advisor who specializes in small-ship cruises to Polar regions and the Galapagos. 

Now that we’ve covered the basics of all things Alaska cruising, keep reading to discover the best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler, featuring expert insight and award-winning picks.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruisees

Dawn Gabree, a travel advisor at Travels by Danielle who specializes in Alaska cruising, deems Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) "excellent for multigenerational families" thanks to the abundance of onboard activities. "Their larger vessels used in the Alaska market ( Encore and Bliss ) feature must-do activities like go-karting, laser tag, and water slides." On the contrary, "Their smaller vessels ( Jewel and Sun ) provide a more intimate atmosphere over the large ships." Regardless of which ship you choose, expect an array of entertainment options, including Broadway-caliber shows, which Gabree describes as "excellent." What's more, she says, "We saw their production of 'Six' on an Alaskan sailing, and it was phenomenal." The travel pro also loves the World's Best Award-winning mega-ship ocean line for its Freestyle Dining program (read: no assigned seating or fixed reservation times) and plentiful dining options to appease even the pickiest of eaters. Lastly, says Gabree, "A huge selling point for NCL is always their Free at Sea promotion, which includes perks like specialty dining, an unlimited open bar, Wi-Fi, and more. "It's a great value, in my honest opinion." 

Itinerary: The 7-day Alaska: Dawes Glacier, Juneau, and Ketchikan itinerary sails from Seattle on select dates between April and October. Ports of call include Sitka, Juneau, Ice Strait, and Ketchikan in Alaska, as well as Victoria in Canada. Scenic cruising through the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier is also included.

Holland America Line

Tim Rue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World’s Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line. The cruise line also offers beloved live music programming, which I got to experience firsthand on a summer 2023 Alaska sailing. Most ships boast a “Music Walk,” a section home to venues like B.B. King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard (a dueling piano bar), Lincoln Center Stage, and Rolling Stone Rock Room. After our shore excursions, we’d hop back on board the ship for drinks, dinner, and a nightcap at the dueling piano bar to jam out to hits from Billy Joel and Elton John. All of the above make HAL a popular pick among middle-aged and mature couples traveling without kids; however, onboard our summer sailing, I did notice quite a few small children traveling with their parents and grandparents. 

The onboard culinary offerings are especially noteworthy. While pulling into port one day, I remember digging into a hearty lunch of fish and chips featuring fresh-caught Alaskan halibut. (HAL is the first cruise line to serve fresh, certified-sustainable Alaskan seafood.) As of September, acclaimed chef Masaharu Morimoto is the Fresh Fish Ambassador as part of the line’s Global Fresh Fish Program . Cruisers can try his flavorful seafood dishes during their sailing. 

Itinerary: As a first-time Alaska cruiser, I thoroughly enjoyed the Alaska Explorer itinerary , which cruises round-trip from Seattle between June and September. Enjoy scenic cruising along the Puget Sound and Stephen’s Passage before calling on Juneau, followed by more scenic cruising in Glacier Bay. From there, it’s off to Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria.

Related: The Ultimate Alaska Cruise Packing List

Royal Caribbean International

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International — or Royal Caribbean for short — offers great fun for families of all ages looking to experience Alaska. As such, it’s no wonder why the mega-ship ocean line is loved by T+L readers and travel advisors alike. What’s more, says Gabree, “Their larger ships (Quantum Class) have equally impressive amenities like skydiving simulators (RipCord by iFLY), the FlowRider surf simulator, and SeaPlex (an indoor recreation center with bumper cars),” says Gabree. The pro is also quick to highlight the North Star observation capsule, which is available on Ovation of the Seas , which cruises Alaska. The attraction whisks passengers over 300 feet above sea level, offering picture-perfect 360-degree views. Put simply, she says, “This is a one-of-a-kind experience when sailing scenic destinations like Alaska.”

The fun continues the minute cruisers disembark in each port, with excursions ranging from dogsledding to private helicopter tours. Back on board, Gabree recommends The Chef’s Table for a truly memorable meal — and I, too, can attest to this. While on board a Caribbean sailing with the cruise line, I had the chance to indulge in this chef- and sommelier-led multi-course food and wine pairing adventure. Four years later, I still find myself dreaming of the delicious circular-shaped dessert known as “The World” — the perfect combo of peanut butter ganache, chocolate mousse, and salted caramel gelato).

Itinerary: Set sail on the aforementioned Ovation of the Seas and embark on a journey through Alaska with Royal Caribbean’s 7-night Alaska Experience itinerary . Cruising round-trip from Seattle, the ship stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka before heading onto Canada, where it calls on Victoria and Vancouver.

Princess Cruises

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Princess Cruises is among T+L readers’ top five favorite mega-ship ocean lines , and its Alaska sailings are not to be missed. Unlike other mega-ship lines, says Gabree, Princess is not at all flashy. That said, she recommends it for “more mature cruisers or those looking for a quieter atmosphere.” So, while you won’t find go-karts or race tracks aboard Princess ships, you can expect incredible educational programming. Don’t miss Puppies on the Piazza, which offers passengers the chance to interact with sled dogs brought on board by local mushers in Skagway. The line also partners with the Glacier Bay National Park rangers and the Discovery Channel to offer unique onboard exhibits and interactive activities like the Jr. Ranger Program. Similarly, says Gabree, “The naturalists that come aboard are extremely knowledgeable.” Last but not least, the service is top-notch. According to the pro, the staff is best described as “attentive and very pleasant.” 

Itinerary: Book the 14-day Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure , which sets sail on select dates between May and September. Passengers will cruise round-trip from Vancouver and visit Juneau, Skagway, Anchorage, and Ketchikan. Bonus: Scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, and Hubbard Glacier is also built into the itinerary.

Related: All 16 Princess Cruises Ships, From Newest to Oldest

Seabourn Cruise Line

Courtesy of Seabourn

This World’s Best Award-winning cruise line combines the best of expedition-style and luxury cruising, making it a popular pick amongst well-heeled, adventure-seeking travelers. Highlights include bespoke service, all-suite oceanfront accommodations (most with private balconies), world-class dining (the cruise line has a partnership with Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller), and, last but not least, a swanky country club-esque atmosphere. According to Goldring, both Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Odyssey offer similar Alaska itineraries in 2024; however, it will be the latter’s final sailing since it was sold. 

Alaska sailings feature a team of academics, scientists, and naturalists, all of whom are on hand to provide expert insight and lead excursions (think: kayaking and Zodiac tours, hiking, bear viewing, and so on). Also, according to Goldring, Seabourn ships “travel no further north than Juneau” and offer a “more intensive and nature-focused experience.” On a similar note, says Clabbers, thanks to the vessels’ small size, cruisers can “spend more time sailing through places like Misty Fjords, where most ships can’t go.” Back onboard, says Clabbers, “enjoy Champagne and caviar when you like, or relax in your suite, the spa, or elsewhere.” 

Itinerary: The 7-day Alaska Fjords and Canadian Inside Passage cruise sails from Juneau to Vancouver, calling on Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords), and, finally, Prince Rupert in British Columbia. Scenic cruising through Stephens Passage, Decision Passage, Stikine Strait, and the Behm Canal are also included in the itinerary.

Celebrity Cruises

jewhyte/Getty Images

Those who prefer a “younger atmosphere on a modern, larger ship with lots of bars and restaurants and entertainment” should consider cruising Alaska aboard the Celebrity Edge, explains Clabbers. (While Edge is the newest Celebrity ship to cruise Alaska, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit also sail here . ) Per the pro, the seven-night sailings on Edge “include key destinations like Ketchikan and Skagway,” along with a quick visit to Victoria in British Columbia and scenic cruising through the beautiful Endicott Arm Fjord. Additionally, the World’s Best Award-winning line offers round-trip sailings from both Vancouver and Seattle — as well as one-way itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, the latter of which offer more time to explore (read: fewer sea days).

Regardless of the ship, passengers can expect a wide range of entertainment offerings, an abundance of bars, restaurants, and lounges, and a handful of accommodation options. Speaking of the latter, wellness-seeking duos can reserve an AquaClass stateroom, which includes perks like complimentary dining at the exclusive Blu restaurant, their very own spa concierge, and unlimited access to the adults-only Sea Thermal Suite. Alternatively, for a worth-it splurge, opt for a suite in The Retreat, which includes a dedicated team of concierges and butlers, access to a private lounge and/or sundeck (note that the latter is not available on Celebrity Solstice ), premium drinks, Wi-Fi, and access to the private Luminae at The Retreat restaurant, helmed by chef Daniel Boulud. 

Itinerary : The aforementioned 7-night Alaska Dawes Glacier itinerary on Celebrity Edge cruises round-trip from Seattle and visits Ketchikan, Endicott Arm Fjord (scenic cruising), Juneau, Skagway, the Inside Passage (scenic cruising), and Victoria.

Related: What to Know About All 16 Ships in the Celebrity Cruises Fleet

Viking Ocean Cruises

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises recently nabbed a 2023 World’s Best Award in the midsize-ship ocean cruise lines category, coming in at first place for the second year in a row. The line’s identical ocean ships offer a sleek Scandinavian design, which only enhances the tranquil atmosphere on board. The luxury adults-only line is also all-inclusive, covering meals, activities, most beverages, Wi-Fi, port taxes and fees, spa access, and one complimentary excursion in every port of call. Cruisers can bask in the mountain and glacier views from the comfort of their private balcony — and, if they’re lucky, they may even spot a whale or two. Finally, in addition to classic ports like Juneau and Ketchikan, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Alaska itinerary also calls on Valdez, which is chock-full of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. 

Itinerary : The 10-night Alaska and the Inside Passage itinerary , which sails between Vancouver and Seward, “is a great choice for curious travelers who have a bit more time and want to learn more about Alaska,” says Clabbers.

Courtesy of Silversea

Those craving a luxury Alaska cruise need not look further than Silversea, says Goldring. Additionally, “While primarily for adults ranging from contemplative to active, Silversea is also a good option for families with more mature children who are more engaged with the journey than onboard child-focused activities.” Silversea guests enjoy all-suite staterooms with butler service and an all-around tony atmosphere. The line’s Door-to-Door All-Inclusive fares cover private airport transfers, economy flights, business-class upgrades or air credits, and shore excursions. 

This luxury cruise line offers classic and expedition-style cruising, the latter of which takes aboard the 274-passenger Silver Wind . (Classic cruises, on the other hand, take place on board Silver Muse , Silver Nova , Silver Shadow , Silver Whisper , or Silver Moon ). Nova and Moon offer the Sea and Land Taste program (S.A.L.T), offering culinary connoisseurs the incredible opportunity to experience the local food scene and culture both on and off the ship. Last but not least, keep in mind that Silversea sails between Vancouver and Seward (with the exception of one September 2024 itinerary, which sails from Nome to Vancouver).

Itinerary : The 7-day Vancouver to Seward sailing on board Silver Nova features Inside Passage scenic cruising and stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka. Before disembarking in Seward, enjoy scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier.

Related: This Is the Cheapest Time to Cruise to Alaska

UnCruise Adventures

Courtesy of UnCruise

“If you are looking for a more casual and laid-back experience, Seattle-based UnCruise Adventures offers down-to-earth trips with enthusiastic naturalist guides, simple accommodations, and hearty local cuisine,” says Palmer. Mary Curry , another T+L A-List travel advisor, echoes these sentiments, explaining that “small ships are the absolute best way to see Alaska if your goal is to immerse yourself in nature and wildlife.” While the cabins are no-frills, Curry stresses that the main focus of the cruise is “getting off the ship and exploring everything Alaska's Inside Passage has to offer.” With that said, when it comes to activities, options abound. Per the pro, travelers can “choose between a menu of included excursions such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, zodiac cruises, whale watching, and more.” All in all, UnCruise really does offer something for everyone. 

Itinerary : For a truly unique Alaska itinerary, consider the Aleutian Islands Adventure with Kodiak, Katmai, and Kenai Wilderness . Cruisers embark in Whittier before making their way to Kenai Fjords National Park, Kodiak Island and Foul Bay, Katmai National Park, Ugashik National Wildlife Refuge, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, the Shumagin and Unga Islands, False Pass, and Unalaska (where they’ll dock overnight in Dutch Harbor before disembarking the next day).

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic

Courtesy of Nation Geographic

For a true expedition-style experience, Lindblad Expeditions is your best bet. The cruise line offers itineraries in partnership with National Geographic, which have come highly recommended by almost every travel advisor we spoke to. Just take it from Curry, who tells T+L, “If you want to learn about Alaska from a team of exceptional experts, there's no better choice than a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic itinerary. “Every night before dinner,” she says, “We would hear about what we had seen on our excursions that day from the perspective of the experts — naturalists, geologists, marine mammal researchers, and even a diver who would share magical and colorful images from underwater of the area we had explored via Zodiac during the day.” According to the pro, the vessels are “some of the nicest and most modern small ships in the area,” some of which have private balconies along with “little extras” like water bottle filling stations, a mudroom to store gear, and multiple disembarkation platforms to get travelers on and off the ship quickly. Meanwhile, Goldring notes the line’s National Geographic Global Explorers family program, “which focus[es] on interactive and hands-on education with a true naturalist during outings.” As a result, cruisers can expect “a far more enriching experience [than those] offered by most other lines.” 

Itinerary : The weeklong Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness itinerary is “perfect for couples and multi-generational families interested in an engaging and authentic experience exploring the fjords, islands, and small coastal communities,” says Palmer. The itinerary sails between Juneau and Sitka throughout May and September. Along the way, cruisers will visit Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, the tiny fishing town of Petersburg, Glacier Bay National Park, and more.

Related : 21 Cruise Tips That Will Help Make Your Trip Even Better, According to Experts

The Alaska and Inside Passage Cruise with Viking

As a working photographer and a lover of active cruises, taking the Viking Alaska and the Inside Passage cruise in early June 2022 was a perfect opportunity to see the dramatic sights and scenes of this remote state. Over this, and the following articles, I’ll review the cruise from Seward to Vancouver and illustrate them with my favorite photos of the trip. I’m aiming these stories both at readers who love Alaska and those who are thinking of taking this cruise and want to know what to expect! Of course, if you have already taken the cruise, you might like the fond memories that these images might prompt!

Incidentally, we cruised with Viking for several years before I realized I was missing out on a discount. You can read more about that discount here .

June 2022 – an unseasonably warm start to the Alaska cruise

The weather had been unseasonably warm in Alaska but there was still snow on the mountains and we were generally lucky (I think) with the weather throughout the cruise. The ship was the Viking Orion, and while this isn’t really a review of this particular Viking cruise, we have been on cruises with them many times now, and I have nothing but praise for the quality of the ships, the experience on and off the boat, the food and the general peaceful and friendly conditions you find everywhere on board. Probably more expensive than other cruises but almost everything is included in the price and there is no “nickel and diming” that is common with other companies. This article is a summary of the cruise and links to all the separate stories I have written to describe and illustrate the voyage. I’ve enjoyed going through my images (and my memories) to put these stories together. I hope you will enjoy reading them, and, if you do, please comment and let me know what you think. You can also add your email to join my contact list and get updated whenever I add new posts to the site. I’m a professional photographer and so my best images are available as prints .

The cruise started in Seward although we had booked air using Viking and so we were taken by coach from Anchorage to Seward. If you are traveling with your own arrangements, the train from Anchorage pulls into Seward right by the ship, and so that seems to be a very easy way to get to the docks. The first day was registration and getting on board the ship and so our first real outing was the Resurrection Bay Wildlife cruise, which can be found via this link .

Day 3 was marked by the arrival in Valdez, which enjoys a breathtaking setting at the head of the fjord in Prince William Sound. We decided to take the Highlights of Valdez tour, which included the old town, the salmon hatchery and then a drive through Keystone Canyon to the Thompson Pass and Richardson Glacier . As a result, we didn’t get to walk around the town itself, although we could probably have fitted it in. The Norwegian pancakes were calling instead! I wrote a separate story about the waterfalls in Keystone Canyon which can be found here .

Hubbard Glacier

Leaving Valdez, we traveled through the night to end up, the following morning at the Hubbard Glacier. There was a real cold wind that came down off the ice and across the bay and, to be honest, it was cloudy and wet as we arrived. The clouds cleared at little, and we were able to see the full majesty of the glacier. Believe it or not, this is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean and rises to 400 feet or so. The ship stayed around 2 hours in the bay, slowly rotating so that everyone could see the glacier and surrounding mountains before we cruised away for our next stop. The full story of the visit to the Hubbard Glacier can be found here .

That evening actually turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip! Firstly, we managed to get a window table in the Chef’s Table restaurant and watched the mountains glide by as the sun slowly set, and then we were treated to a magnificent sunset seen from the balcony of our cabin. A perfect end to the day that you can read about here .

By Monday morning, we had reached the small town of Skagway set in its glacial valley. Skagway was built to support the gold rush that created so much wealth (and destroyed so many lives) in the 1890s as it was one of main ways that miners aiming to try their luck in the Klondike started their journey in Alaska. The narrow-gauge railway was built in 1898 to get people over White Pass and it is now a key sightseeing opportunity in Skagway. However, it was raining when we arrived and so we chose to stroll around the town instead, checking out the historic buildings that still remain. Friends who went on the train ride were pretty impressed though, so perhaps this was a mistake! My story about Skagway can be found at this link .

Icy Strait Point and Hoonah

The reason the sail to Skagway takes so long is that it is way up a fjord and after visiting it, you basically reverse direction and sail back to the ocean to get to Icy Strait Point. So the Tuesday was spent in Icy Strait Point and Hoonah. For some reason, we were able to dock early in the morning and get off the ship, but then the ship went out into the bay and anchored as much larger cruise ships took our place at the dock! But arriving early meant that we could visit the various sights before the crowds descended from the other boats. We did take the shuttle to the small town of Hoonah, thinking it would be some sort of nice Tlinkit community, but it really has very little (OK, make that nothing) to make the journey worthwhile. Some people were walking there to save the cost of the shuttle bus, which must have been disappointing when they arrived. But Icy Strait Point now has two cable car/gondolas as well as a very fast zip line from the top of the mountain to the waterfront. I’ve written two stories about this day – one about the historic pier and salmon canning building , now a museum and shop and one about the cable car gondola ride up the mountain .

We pressed through the crowds leaving the Celebrity Eclipse to get back to the dock and caught the tender boats back to the Orion, thankful for two things – we had a free all-day pass to use the gondolas, and we had a small and friendly ship to go back to!

You will have seen the spectacular sunset that we had after leaving the Hubbard Glacier, and on the evening of the sail from Icy Strait Point (in a very similar part of the coastline), we had another. Not as spectacular, and we were also further from the coast, but who is complaining!

The next day was an early arrival in Sitka with its extinct volcano. Sitka is a lovely little town and after a presentation of a historic play/dance by the local community, we walked around the historic town – the site of the original Russian community in Alaska and also the site of the handover of Alaska to the USA following its purchase. There is the National Historical Park here with a collection of many totem poles carved by the local Tlinkit people installed in the forest as well as a Raptor rescue center, both of which are an easy walk from the town. Both well worth a visit and you can see my recollections of the place in this story about Sitka .

After Sitka, we sort of reversed direction again and made our way back up the fjords to Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Again, not a large place – nothing in Alaska is – but very interesting. We took the included tour to Mendenhall Glacier and Brotherhood Bridge although as the weather steadily improved as the day went on, I did regret not booking the Photo tour of the glacier and the whale watching. But it was all booked up when I made that decision. You can read my full story of a packed day in Juneau, from the glacier to the mountain top via the Gondola . All in all, a great day in Juneau!

By now, we were used to relatively cloudy conditions in the early morning with brighter sunny days later on, but our next visit to Ketchikan proved this wrong. We arrived on a very damp day with heavy rain. Luckily, we had packed our rain clothing and so we were able to trudge through the rain to the Potlatch Park and their demonstrations and stories of the Tlinkit people and their totem pole carvings. Interesting, indeed. Then we walked around the town, eventually finding the famous Creek Street houses and shops (and brothel). We thought this might have been on the coast, but it is actually just a little inland along the fast-running creek. I’ve written a story here about using digital painting techniques to bring some life and warmth back into the rather drab scene on Creek Street in the rain.

Ketchikan is rightly famous for being among the wettest places in Alaska and it lived up to that reputation for us. But still, an interesting place!

We were then at sea sailing in the Inside Passage towards Vancouver, and I was a little disappointed. The scenery was nice, but it was all a bit “the same” without as much drama as we had seen before. I do have some photos, but few of them are what I am proud of. The one below is of Campbell River, in Canada looking towards Vancouver Island:

After an overnight sail, we were in Vancouver early the next morning and on our way home. A very long day, but one filled with memories of where we had been. I hope you feel that you have learned something about this area via these articles and you can find all my Alaska prints here in my gallery . Please leave me a comment if you have!

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This post has 11 comments.

Alessandra Chaves

Sounds like a very nice trip through interesting places. The golden hour photos are particularly lovely. Skagway Would pass for a town on the west coast Sierra Nevada. The floating sea otter is adorable!

Thanks Alessandra – it was interesting and I’m enjoying reliving it and the photos. Yes, those sea otters were really cute – I bought a 100-400 lens just 3 days before travel and I’m certainly glad I bought and took it. Those otters were at full zoom. But as a result, I have some pretty high-resolution images of them. And thanks for commenting!

I am really enjoying your series on Alaska. Sun on the horizon is stunning and seeing those otters must have been a joy for you

Thanks Annie – it has been a pleasure writing it as well. Almost got to the end now and I will put links in each article so that you can read them in order I think.

A trip of a lifetime. You’ve been doing an excellent job of describing your adventures and supporting your words expertly with some outstanding imagery. Really been enjoying this series.

Thanks! It has been interesting for me as well, revisiting what I thought about these places, and I hope it will prove to be an entertaining and useful series of articles for people thinking of going on an Alaskan cruise in the future. I must get it finished!

Dan Hamilton

Guess what? My wife and I were on that exact cruise! We may have seen byou onboard. We had taken the pre excursion Fairbanks to Seward and stayed in Vancouver two extra days. Excellent article and I took the same sunset picture and use it on my PC. Only took two thousand shots on the trip! Do you remember the hostess Natalia? I gave her a few hundred pictures on a flash drive.

Hi Dan – that’s great! I came away with 2000 images as well, some of which I used for these articles. We only took the cruise, deciding that the extra days were more chance to test positive for the virus! I don’t think I recall Natalia – was that in the restaurant? Steve

Malcolm Jones

Hi Steve, Been really enjoying your pics and cruise stories. Just puts me even more in the mood for our trip next year. Got your site saved to my favourites now. Like Dan, am also doing the Fairbanks to Seward pre extension. Like you, I may have to purchase another lens before I go just for that trip to get just a little closer to what I’m taking.

Great! I hope you enjoy it – I’m planning to write about more cruises as you can see. You could subscribe to get an email when I create a new post!

Janet Bates

Great information! We have booked this cruise for May 2025. Can you offer some insight on the cost of the not-included excursions? I’m having a hard time finding any information on pricing for them. Also, can you do the included excursion and an add-on excursion … if both are shorter in time? Thanks!

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Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

Russell and Sharon Schwenke

Viking is the best in alaska.

We had done Alaska before, but the Viking trip was the best. Staff were helpful and had idea of areas for us to see. My husband and i love to hike--we hiked or walked every day 10 miles or more. Back on the ship it was great. Food the best and service was outstanding. The views of ports so much closer than other trips of Alaska we had taken before. The iceberg were right there--you could feel the cold ice. Other ships you could see, but not like this. Do Alaska on Viking, you will happy you did.  

Virginia from Pennsylvania

Exploration of a lifetime.

Exploration of a lifetime. Every minute is filled with building vivid memories of Earth’s wonders. I saw the unexpected and unforgettable. The ship was intimate and luxurious. The crew made everyday life on board heavenly. Bravo!  

All we had hoped it would be.

The cruise was all we had hoped it would be. The ship was great and never felt crowded. Our stateroom was very comfortable and had everything we could possibly need. Food was great. . . . Entertainment in the theater was to a very high standard. The staff were always so polite and friendly, often there before we asked. . . . The guides were very informative and we felt we knew a lot more about the country and its indigenous people by the end of the cruise. We also had adequate free time to explore on our own. . . . Following the cruise we had a 6-day trip into the interior of Alaska to see places we were not able to on a cruise up the coast. . . . The whole 6-day trip was organized by Viking and up to their usual extremely high standard. We already have another cruise booked for January 2020, and that will be our 12th Viking cruise. Each one has been different and each one has been brilliant.

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Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

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Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
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• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Sydney to Vancouver, British Columbia
• Vancouver, British Columbia to Sydney

Australia, Asia & Alaska

• From $35,895
• 36 Guided Tours
• 11 Countries
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Sydney to Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia to Sydney

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Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

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Viking Orion Deck Plans & Reviews

Viking Orion

Activities & entertainment

• Cooking Demonstrations
• Enrichment Lectures
• Fitness Center
• Hot Tubs (2)
• Hydrotherapy Pool
• Interactive Games
• LivNordic Spa *
• Nordic Ice Room
• Shipwide Books
• Sports Deck
• Atrium Performances
• Pap's Explorers' Lounge
• Planetarium
• The Theatre
• The Viking Living Room
• The Chef's Table - Rotational
• Armagnac Tasting *
• Wintergarden - Afternoon Tea
• Aquavit Terrace - Casual
• Theatre Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Viking Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• Pool Grill - Fast Food
• The Kitchen Table - Interactive
• The Restaurant - International
• Manfredi's Italian Restaurant - italian
• Mamsen's - Norwegian
• Pool Bar - Pool Bar *
• Excellent 44
• Very Good 10
• All languages ( 68 )
• English ( 68 )

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