Ready for crisp mountain air, crystal streams, and glacier calving? When the wilderness calls, answer it. Fly to or drive into Seattle. Spend a day or two exploring Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the Chihuly Glass Museum, and then leave the city slickness behind for Alaska’s rugged landscapes. If you’re thinking about taking a trip from Seattle to Alaska, here are some planning tips for Alaska cruises from Seattle. Or if you’re ready, skip the info and look forAlaska cruisesnow.
1. What Is The Best Cruise Line For Alaskan Cruises?
Travel experts and cruise critics rate Holland America Line as the best cruise line for Alaska. If you’re looking for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle, Holland America Line has won Best Alaska Itineraries, Best in Alaska, Best Alaska Cruise, and many more awards. Passengers get a more enriching experience as the cruise line has been taking guests to Alaska for nearly 75 years, and knows the area.
Holland America Line is one of the privileged few to cruise the pristine waters of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, a 23-million-acre ever-changing biosphere with glaciers, inlets, rivers, and wildlife galore. Experts are brought onboard to uncover the stories and science behind every sight.
2. How Much Does A Cruise From Seattle To Alaska Cost?
The cost of an Alaska cruise from Seattle depends on several factors: the length of the cruise, the room you select, and the number of days you want to cruise. July is high season and prices tend to reflect that. When budgeting the cost of a cruise from Seattle to Alaska, or any travel for that matter, think about the value of the experience.
3. What Is The Best Month To Cruise To Alaska?
It depends! Some want warmer temperatures, and some want less crowds. That said, the cruise season for Alaska is relatively short—May to September—so, your options are narrow. Create a list of what’s most important to you. Mid-May tends to be cheaper, but on the chilly side. To bathe in the rays of the midnight sun and maybe spot a baby moose, June is your month to cruise from Seattle to Alaska.
July is the warmest month in Alaska (and one of the best for bear-spotting), but also the busiest. August is the end of thepeak season, so, you may enjoy less crowds, but it tends to be rainier. September is quiet and serene, but cooler and rainier.
4. Best Cruise Ship To Alaska From Seattle?
Alaska is a land of towering peaks, glacial calving, ice plunging into the sea, and otters and chubby seals lounging on ice floes.
If you want to witness these spectacles with a bit more elbow room and enjoy a wide selection of venues, entertainment, and amenities on ship, a mid-size ship is the best cruise ship to take from Seattle to Alaska. Mid-size ships offer the best of both worlds — the attentive service of a small ship combined with large ship amenities.
5. What Are The Ports On A Roundtrip Cruise To Alaska From Seattle?
As you plan your Alaska cruise from Seattle, you’ll see lots of towns and scenic cruising areas. Shore excursions are a good place to start if you’re wondering what you to do in port.Juneauis a pleasant, nature-surrounded city in proximity to hiking trails, wildlife, and the impressive Mendenhall Glacier.Glacier Bayoffers some of the most dramatic scenery on the globe.Icy Strait Pointis a historical town that’s filled with culture and only opens when a cruise ship is in port.Sitkais within view of a dormant volcano, has a bear and raptor center, and onion-domed buildings leftover from its Russian influence. Ketchikan is one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich culture of Native Alaskans, including Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian with carved totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center.
An Alaska cruise from Seattle is convenient with weekend departures available and 7-day roundtrip cruises. Take a day or two to see the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, or make your own glass experience at the Chihuly Glass Museum before taking a journey to the Great Land. Book the bestAlaska cruises from Seattlenow.
FAQs
If you're looking for the best Alaska cruises from Seattle, Holland America Line has won Best Alaska Itineraries, Best in Alaska, Best Alaska Cruise, and many more awards.
What is the best cruise line for Alaska cruise tours? ›
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.
Which side of ship is best for an Alaska cruise from Seattle? ›
Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.
Which passage is the best on an Alaskan cruise? ›
One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.
What is the best month to cruise Alaska? ›
An Alaska cruise in early April, or late September, close to the fall equinox (September 21), will increase your chances. Where you are matters too and the farther north, the better.
What cruise lines leave Seattle for Alaska? ›
Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean all offer roundtrip Alaska cruises that sail from Seattle.
What is the best floor to stay on a cruise ship? ›
On most cruise ships, the most luxurious accommodation is on the upper decks. Here, you'll find a selection of elegant suites, with generous outdoor space, separate living areas, and amenities ranging from all-inclusive drinks to the service of a concierge.
Where not to stay on a cruise ship? ›
- Interior Cabins That Are Cramped and Often Windowless. The Interior Cabin on Marina. ...
- Cruise Ship Cabins With Obstructed Views. The Junior Suite (Obstructed View) on Carnival Elation. ...
- Noisy Cabins. The Family Harbor Suite on Carnival Horizon. ...
- Cabins With No Privacy. ...
- Cabins That Might Make Seasickness Worse. ...
- Guarantee Cabins.
The higher the deck, the better and, often, more panoramic the view. Cabins on top decks aren't always the best on the ship, but many suites and specialty cabin categories are typically located on upper decks.
How many days is best for an Alaskan cruise? ›
10 Days. This is a very popular vacation length, and no wonder: 10 days is enough time to combine a cruise with a land tour and experience both sides of Alaska. Trips of this length usually include a whirlwind tour of some of Alaska's popular interior and Southcentral destinations, plus a 7-day cruise.
Rough Waters: The majority of sailing on an Alaska cruise is done in the protected waters of the Inside Passage, but ships sailing to Seward, Whittier or Anchorage must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which is much rougher. Cruise staffers say the gulf gets especially bad after Labor Day, in the shoulder season.
What is the best route to take on an Alaskan cruise? ›
The Inside Passage Itinerary is the most popular cruise itinerary to Alaska. This itinerary typically includes Alaska's most visited ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
What Royal Caribbean ship sails from Seattle to Alaska? ›
Quantum of the Seas® heads to the Last Frontier from Seattle. This adventure packed ship offers glacier gazing from the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship and activities you can enjoy in any weather.
Do I need a passport to go on a cruise from Seattle to Alaska? ›
Passport Requirements - US Citizens
If you are a U.S. Citizen and your Alaska cruise begins and ends in the same US port (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles) you are not currently required to travel with a passport to Alaska. All cruise lines and WMPH Vacations highly recommend you carry a valid passport.
What is the cheapest month to cruise to Alaska? ›
For both cruising and land-based tours, May and September are the “shoulder” seasons in Alaska, with better deals and fewer crowds. Cruise prices during those times may be lower, perhaps by a couple hundred dollars per person. Selected shore and land excursions can also be 20% cheaper.
