Alaska Cruises: Inside Passage, Glaciers and Choosing a Ship

June through August brings the longest days, the mildest temperatures and the busiest ports. July and August are prime for salmon runs, which draw bears to the streams, and humpback whales feed in the Inside Passage all summer.

May and September are the value months. May is often drier, with snow still on the peaks; September brings fall color, more rain and fewer ships in port. Pack layers and rain gear whenever you go; see our cruise packing list.

Round trips from Seattle or Vancouver are simplest: one airport, seven nights, and usually Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and a glacier day. Under US cabotage law, foreign-flagged ships sailing round trip from Seattle must call at a foreign port, which is why Victoria, British Columbia, often appears at the end.

One-way voyages between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, the ports for Anchorage, reach further north to Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. You fly into one city and home from another, an open-jaw ticket, and you can add Denali by rail or motorcoach before or after.

Large ships offer stability, choice and value, and suit families and groups. Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have sailed Alaska for decades and run their own land tours to Denali. Expect to share Juneau or Skagway with several other ships on busy days.

Small-ship and expedition operators such as Lindblad Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures carry fewer than about 100 guests, use kayaks and skiffs, and visit small towns and inlets the big ships can’t. Luxury lines including Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas also sail Alaska. Our expedition cruising guide explains the difference.

Most itineraries feature one major glacier day and three or four towns. Ask which glacier your sailing includes before you book, because it varies by ship and date.

A balcony earns its keep in Alaska: glacier mornings, whale sightings and long evening light are best enjoyed from your own private outdoor space. Scenic-cruising days put both sides of the ship on view, as captains usually turn the ship to give everyone a look.

Book 9 to 12 months ahead for June to August, and earlier for suites, connecting cabins for families, and cruisetours with Denali lodges. Floatplane and bear-viewing excursions have small capacities, so reserve them early; see our shore excursion guide.