The 9 top Alaska cruises for every traveler type in 2025

Despite a cruising season that lasts only from April to October, Alaska attracts around 40 large cruise ships and numerous smaller vessels annually, making it one of the top cruise destinations worldwide, following the Caribbean and Europe. The best Alaska cruises include unique journeys on intimate ships with fewer than 100 guests and weeklong adventures through the Inside Passage on massive ships accommodating thousands.

Determining which cruise ship will provide your ideal 'bucket list' experience in the Last Frontier can be challenging. Much depends on your travel preferences, style, and budget.

Some travelers seek luxury Alaska cruises, while others are happy to sacrifice extravagance for close wildlife encounters in the great outdoors. Some look for romantic escapes, while others aim to introduce kids or grandkids to the wonders of glaciers, eagles, gold panning, and dog sledding.

The great news is there’s an Alaskan ship that suits your taste and style. Here’s a beginner’s guide to the finest Alaska cruises to help you make informed choices.

Ideal for megaresort enthusiasts: Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is renowned for its floating megaresorts, accommodating thousands of guests and boasting a plethora of amenities, glitz, and glamour — picture dazzling casinos, cutting-edge performances, and opulent spas. With numerous dining and drinking options available, plus amusement park attractions for kids and thrill-seekers alike, it’s a spectacular experience.

The cruise line always positions one or two Quantum Class ships in Alaska for the season. On the 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas, you can order cocktails from a robotic bartender, try out simulated skydiving or surfing, and enjoy a ride in a glass capsule that ascends above the ship on a mechanical arm — an unusual and exciting way to take in Alaska's beauty. Adults can unwind in the glass-enclosed Solarium, enjoying indoor pools and whirlpools, while children race around the SeaPlex in bumper cars.

Anthem of the Seas departs round-trip from Seattle on seven-night voyages, but the specific itinerary changes weekly. The ship navigates Endicott Arm for breathtaking views of Dawes Glacier and usually stops at two Alaskan ports and Victoria.

Perfect for land and sea explorations: Koningsdam

Holland America Line has been a leader in Alaska cruising for 75 years, dominating both cruise and cruisetour markets. They excel in combining sailing experiences with overnight land stays, operating their own lodges, rail cars, and motor coaches for in-depth exploration of Alaska's interior and beyond.

In 2025, the line will deploy six ships to Alaska, featuring tours to Denali, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. Among them, the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam presents some of the most compelling cruisetour itineraries available.

The ship offers nine- to fourteen-night cruisetours that venture into the Canadian Yukon, retracing the route of the Klondike gold rush from Alaska to northwestern Canada. You'll sail from Vancouver to Skagway, stopping at Tracy Arm or Glacier Bay National Park, then journey to Whitehorse and Dawson City in the Yukon before continuing to Fairbanks (the gateway to Arctic Alaska), Denali National Park (home to North America's highest peak), and Anchorage.

Onboard, experience live performances at Billboard Onboard and B.B. King's Blues Club, play pickleball on the outer deck, or indulge in gourmet dining at a variety of restaurants offering sushi, Asian cuisine, steak, seafood, Italian dishes, and Dutch specialties.

Ideal for families: Disney Wonder

If you're traveling with young children in Alaska and seek a fun-filled and entertaining experience, head straight to Disney Cruise Line and its Alaska-based Disney Wonder. This ship features a comprehensive children's program, top-notch entertainment, and attractions like waterslides and play zones.

Cabins are thoughtfully designed for families, featuring split bathrooms (one with a toilet and sink, the other with a shower/tub combo and sink), as well as pullout sofa beds and bunks to accommodate up to four guests. Disney-themed dining venues and attentive staff make family mealtimes a breeze.

Bonus: Beloved Disney characters will be on board for shows and meet-and-greets. You might even spot Goofy while admiring majestic eagles, stunning blue icebergs, and glaciers.

Best value Alaska cruise: Radiance of the Seas

When cruise lines dispatch their fleet to Alaska for the summer, older, smaller ships often offer better prices compared to their larger, newer counterparts.

Royal Caribbean's 23-year-old Radiance of the Seas primarily operates weeklong, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, with rates below $100 per person, per night for interior cabins on many sailings.

However, its late-season September 2025 voyage from Seward to Vancouver is the most affordable weeklong Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise available for next year. At the time of this guide's publication, prices started at just $417 per person for an inside cabin. (Typically, you’ll find better Alaska cruise deals from April to early June and in September and early October compared to the peak summer months.)

While it may not feature all the extravagant attractions of its Alaska counterpart, Anthem of the Seas, this ship still provides kids' clubs, outdoor movies, an indoor adults-only solarium, a rock-climbing wall, themed parties, and various dining options — making it a fantastic value for the cost.

If you’re searching for additional ways to save, inside and ocean-view cabins are often significantly cheaper than balcony cabins on Alaska cruises. Those private verandas are highly sought after, as everyone wants views of the wilderness, snow-capped mountains, and glaciers. As availability dwindles, prices tend to rise.

Budget-conscious travelers should either book these accommodations early or opt for inside, outside, or guarantee cabins (where you don't select your room location) to save more money.

Ideal for Alaskan adventures: Wilderness Legacy

If you seek adventure on your Alaska cruise, consider the small ships of UnCruise Adventures. Each of their itineraries features an active element, with the "Wild, Woolly and Wow" itinerary touted as "the most active backcountry itinerary" for UnCruise's 2025 Alaska voyages.

A day on the 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy might begin with a hike through a forest to explore waterfalls, followed by an afternoon kayaking excursion in Thomas Bay. Alternatively, you could experience scenic cruising near LeConte Glacier (a destination big ships can't access) via small boat or stand-up paddleboard. While larger vessels can only provide deckside views of Glacier Bay's wonders, UnCruise Adventures takes its ships to the often-overlooked wilderness.

Your cruise itinerary includes mountain biking, whale watching, and glacier hiking. Just when you need a break, guided skiff tours will take guests in search of Alaskan wildlife in secluded bays and hidden coves.

The seven-night journey departs round-trip from Juneau.

Ideal for multigenerational groups: Discovery Princess

Alaska has emerged as a prime destination for multigenerational family travel, with grandparents taking their children and grandchildren of all ages on unforgettable vacations. Princess Cruises offers something for everyone, making its Alaska-based Discovery Princess our top pick for family reunions.

The 2-year-old Discovery Princess embarks on round-trip voyages to Alaska from Seattle, a convenient U.S. port for families traveling by air or road. Its "North to Alaska" program engages kids with totem pole decorating, visits from sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, and northern lights viewing in an onboard planetarium. Parents and grandparents will appreciate the inclusion of local seafood on restaurant menus and cultural programming featuring Alaskan residents.

While the children enjoy spacious clubs for kids and teens on Discovery Princess, adults can unwind with craft cocktails or indulge in a massage at the onboard spa. Families can gather for meals at various casual and fine dining restaurants and enjoy original production shows as the ship navigates between ports.

Perfect for luxury enthusiasts: Seabourn Quest

If you imagine sipping Champagne while witnessing a glacier dramatically calve into the ocean, an all-inclusive luxury cruise on a Seabourn ship is worth considering.

The 458-passenger Seabourn Quest infuses a sense of adventure into its lavish atmosphere. Alongside complimentary Champagne and caviar, passengers enjoy spacious suites and an onboard expedition team that offers a refined take on expedition cruising in Alaska, utilizing inflatable Zodiac boats and kayaks.

Seabourn refers to its program as Ventures by Seabourn. On these voyages, naturalists, biologists, and other scientists from the expedition team lead outdoor activities, enriching passengers' understanding of Alaska. After exploring nature, guests can savor gourmet meals at various restaurants, enjoy a complimentary cocktail, or unwind in a luxury spa.

Seabourn Quest offers both one-way, weeklong routes between Vancouver and Juneau, as well as two-week round-trip journeys from Vancouver. It stops at popular Alaska ports such as Ketchikan and Sitka, alongside lesser-known spots like Wrangell, Prince Rupert (a Canadian port city), and Rudyerd Bay.

Ideal for adventurous travelers: National Geographic Quest

For those wishing to escape the crowds of large cruise ships, Lindblad Expeditions might offer your ideal Alaska cruise. The 100-passenger National Geographic Quest (along with its sister ship, National Geographic Venture) visits hidden gems in Alaska on weeklong routes between Juneau and Sitka.

Travelers can discover the quaint fishing town of Petersburg or look for orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound. Lindblad has exclusive permits to access the wilds of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the Tongass National Forest, providing experiences beyond the reach of larger vessels. A hike on Chichagof Island presents a great chance to see bald eagles in their natural habitat.

One entire day is dedicated to spontaneous exploration. The ship's captain can choose to navigate to the finest secluded islands and bays for beachcombing, tide pooling, hiking, and kayaking excursions.

If you appreciate a more relaxed atmosphere where informative lectures and spontaneous guitar sing-alongs take the place of casinos and staged performances, you'll find yourself at home while immersing in the beauty of coastal Alaska.

Ideal for independent travelers: Norwegian Bliss

Solo travelers need not pay a premium to enjoy an Alaskan cruise on their own. Many ships offer cabins specifically designed for single occupancy. Norwegian Cruise Line features charming studio cabins for one, and the 4,004-passenger Norwegian Bliss has 82 solo accommodations on its round-trip cruises from Seattle to Alaska.

These solo cabins earn our endorsement as they are situated within a complex that features a private lounge, fostering social interactions. Solo travelers can connect with fellow guests while awaiting their turn on the ship's go-kart track, during a performance of "Jersey Boys," or while enjoying a handcrafted drink at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar.

The ship embarks on seven-night voyages from Seattle, stopping at Dawes Glacier, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, as well as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria in British Columbia.