Alaska Cruise from Seattle: 8 Days Itineraries & Schedule 2026
I took my first Alaska cruise from Seattle in July 2023 — a 7-day roundtrip Inside Passage itinerary on Princess Cruises. I boarded at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal on a Friday morning, and by Saturday afternoon I was standing on the deck watching Mendenhall Glacier calve into the water outside Juneau. A chunk of ice the size of a car fell off the face of the glacier and hit the water with a sound I’ll never forget. That’s when I understood why over a million people cruise to Alaska from Seattle every year.
An Alaska cruise from Seattle typically runs 7 days roundtrip through the Inside Passage, visiting ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C. Cruise lines operating from Seattle include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and MSC Cruises. The Alaska cruise season runs from late April through September, with peak months in June and July. Prices start around $500 per person for an inside cabin and range to $5,000+ for suites.
I’ve lived in Seattle since 2018. Having the Port of Seattle as a cruise departure point — 20 minutes from my apartment — means I don’t need a flight to start a vacation in Alaska. Here’s everything I know about booking and taking an Alaska cruise from Seattle.
What Cruise Lines Go to Alaska from Seattle?
6 major cruise lines operate Alaska cruises from Seattle: Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and MSC Cruises.
| Cruise Line | Ships from Seattle (2026) | Typical Duration |
| Princess Cruises | Royal Princess, Discovery Princess, Star Princess | 7 days |
| Holland America Line | Multiple ships | 7 days |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Multiple ships | 7 days |
| Royal Caribbean International | Voyager of the Seas, others | 7 days |
| Celebrity Cruises | Celebrity Edge, others | 7 days |
| MSC Cruises | MSC Poesia | 7 days |
Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have the deepest Alaska experience — both have been sailing Alaska for decades. Holland America holds more Glacier Bay National Park permits than any other line, which means more itineraries include this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Princess runs a popular “North to Alaska” onboard program with local speakers, cultural workshops, and regional food.
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian tend to have newer, larger ships with more onboard entertainment. Celebrity Cruises positions itself as a premium option with higher-end dining and staterooms. MSC is the newest entrant to the Seattle-Alaska market.
My honest take: Princess Cruises is the best value for a first Alaska cruise from Seattle. The ships are mid-sized (not overwhelming), the itineraries include Glacier Bay or other glacier experiences, the onboard programming is Alaska-focused, and the pricing is competitive. Holland America is the best choice for repeat Alaska cruisers who want the most glacier time. Royal Caribbean is the best for families who want waterslides and rock walls between port stops.
Typical Alaska Cruise Itinerary from Seattle
A standard 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle visits 3 to 4 ports plus 1 to 2 scenic cruising days through the Inside Passage and/or a glacier.
Here’s what a typical itinerary looks like:
| Day | Port / Activity |
| Day 1 | Depart Seattle, WA (afternoon/evening) |
| Day 2 | Scenic cruising — Inside Passage |
| Day 3 | Juneau, Alaska |
| Day 4 | Skagway, Alaska |
| Day 5 | Scenic cruising — Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm / Dawes Glacier |
| Day 6 | Ketchikan, Alaska |
| Day 7 | Victoria, B.C. (afternoon/evening stop) |
| Day 8 | Arrive Seattle, WA (morning) |
Some itineraries swap Skagway for Sitka or Wrangell. Some include Icy Strait Point instead of Skagway. The scenic cruising day varies by cruise line — Glacier Bay National Park, Endicott Arm with Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, or College Fjord are the main options. Glacier Bay requires a special permit, so not every cruise line can offer it.
Northbound (one-way) itineraries also depart Seattle and end in Whittier or Seward, Alaska. These are 7 to 10 days and open the door to land tours including Denali National Park. The one-way option is more expensive and requires a flight home, but it gives you deeper Alaska access.
What You’ll See at Each Port?
Each Alaska port has a distinct character — from Gold Rush history to glaciers to indigenous culture to wildlife.
Juneau — Alaska’s Capital
Juneau is the most popular port on Alaska cruises from Seattle. Mendenhall Glacier is the main attraction — a 13-mile-long glacier with a visitor center 12 miles from the cruise dock. Whale watching tours out of Juneau have some of the best humpback whale sighting rates in North America. The town itself has historic bars from the mining era, local shops, and the Alaska State Museum. Budget a full day.
Ketchikan — Totem Poles and Creek Street
Ketchikan is the “First City” — the first Alaska port heading north through the Inside Passage. The Totem Pole Heritage Center (formerly Totem Heritage Center) houses one of the largest collections of original totem poles in the United States. Creek Street is a historic boardwalk over Ketchikan Creek — once the red-light district, now a row of shops and galleries. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is pure tourist entertainment, and it’s fun. Shore excursions include floatplane tours, fishing, and Misty Fjords flightseeing.
Skagway — Gold Rush History
Skagway was the jumping-off point for the Yukon Gold Rush of 1898. The town’s wooden storefronts look like a movie set. The famous White Pass and Yukon Route Railway climbs 3,000 feet in 20 miles through mountain passes with sweeping views — it’s the most popular shore excursion in Alaska and worth every dollar. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park has Park Rangers who run walking tours of town.
Victoria, B.C. — Canadian Stopover
Most roundtrip Seattle itineraries stop in Victoria, British Columbia on the return leg. The Butchart Gardens — 55 acres of manicured gardens 14 miles from downtown — are the main attraction. Victoria’s Inner Harbour is walkable with restaurants and the provincial parliament building. The stop is typically 4 to 6 hours, enough for gardens or a downtown walk.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 16 tidewater glaciers. Ships spend a full day cruising through the bay — no port stop, just scenic cruising with Park Rangers aboard providing narration. Margerie Glacier is the highlight — a mile-wide wall of ice that actively calves into the water. Not every cruise line has permits for Glacier Bay. Holland America and Princess have the most sailings that include it.
Best Time to Cruise Alaska from Seattle
The Alaska cruise season runs late April through September. The best months are June and July for the longest days, warmest weather, and peak wildlife activity.
| Month | Weather | Pros | Cons |
| Late April–May | 45–55°F, rain likely | Fewer crowds, lower prices, spring wildlife | Rain, cooler temps, some attractions not open |
| June | 50–65°F, longest days | Best weather, peak wildlife, 18+ hours daylight | Prices increase, more passengers |
| July | 55–65°F, warmest month | Warmest, best whale watching, full attractions | Peak prices, busiest month |
| August | 50–60°F, rain increasing | Bear viewing peaks, salmon runs, fall color starts | Rain picks up, daylight shortens |
| September | 45–55°F, rain common | Lowest prices, fewer crowds, northern lights possible | Shorter days, cooler, rain, some closures |
My honest take: Cruise in late June or early July. That’s when you get 18+ hours of daylight (the sun barely sets), the warmest temperatures, the most active wildlife (humpback whales are feeding, bears are on the rivers, eagles are everywhere), and all shore excursions are fully operational. I cruised in mid-July and saw humpback whales 3 separate times from the ship’s deck alone — no excursion needed. September is the budget pick if you’re willing to trade sunshine for savings.
Alaska Cruise from Seattle Cost
Inside cabins on a 7-day Alaska cruise from Seattle start around $500 to $800 per person. Balcony cabins run $1,000 to $2,500. Suites can exceed $5,000.
| Cabin Type | Price Range (Per Person, 7 Days) |
| Inside cabin | $500 – $800 |
| Ocean-view cabin | $700 – $1,200 |
| Balcony cabin | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Mini-suite | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Suite | $3,000 – $5,000+ |
These prices are cruise-only (no airfare needed since you depart from Seattle). Government taxes and port fees add $150 to $250 per person. Shore excursions are extra — budget $100 to $300 per port depending on what you book. Onboard spending (drinks, specialty dining, spa) adds $50 to $150 per day per person.
Budget tip: Book 6 to 12 months in advance for the best cabin selection and pricing. Shoulder-season sailings (late April, May, September) are 20 to 40% cheaper than peak June/July departures.
Seattle Cruise Terminals and Pre-Cruise Tips
Seattle has 2 cruise terminals: Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91) and Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66). Both are located on the waterfront within 10 minutes of downtown.
The Port of Seattle handles over a million cruise passengers per year, and most are heading to Alaska. The terminals are modern and efficient — check-in takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on your arrival time.
Pre-cruise in Seattle: Arrive a day early. Seattle deserves at least one full day before your cruise. Walk Pike Place Market, visit the Space Needle, explore Pioneer Square, and eat dinner somewhere in the Emerald City. I wrote a full Seattle guide that covers everything you need for a pre-cruise day.
Practical info:
- Parking at the cruise terminal: Long-term parking is available near both terminals for $20 to $30/day. Book in advance through the Port of Seattle or third-party lots.
- Getting to the terminal: Uber/Lyft from SeaTac airport to the cruise terminal takes 25 to 35 minutes ($35 to $50). Hotel shuttles are available from downtown hotels. The Seattle airport transportation guide covers all options.
- Passport requirement: U.S. citizens on a roundtrip (closed-loop) cruise from Seattle technically don’t need a passport — a birth certificate and government photo ID are accepted. But bring a passport anyway. If you have a medical emergency and need to fly home from a Canadian or Alaskan port, you’ll need one.
- Packing: Layers are non-negotiable. Expect 45°F to 65°F, rain, and wind. Bring a waterproof jacket, warm layers, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, and a small daypack for shore excursions. Formal nights on the ship require dressier clothes (1 to 2 evenings per 7-day cruise).
Alaska Cruise from Seattle vs. Vancouver
Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. are the 2 main departure ports for Alaska cruises. Seattle is easier for U.S. travelers — no passport needed for closed-loop cruises and no international airport transfer.
Vancouver offers slightly shorter sailing times to Alaska (it’s farther north) and some cruise lines run one-way itineraries from Vancouver to Whittier that don’t operate from Seattle. But for most U.S. travelers, Seattle is the better departure point: no border crossing, no currency exchange, familiar airport (SeaTac), and a city worth exploring before you board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long is an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Most roundtrip Alaska cruises from Seattle run 7 days (8 nights). One-way northbound cruises to Whittier or Seward run 7 to 10 days.
Q. Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Not technically for a roundtrip cruise returning to Seattle. U.S. citizens can use a birth certificate and government ID. We recommend bringing a passport anyway for emergencies.
Q. What is the best time for an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Late June through mid-July for the best weather, longest daylight, and peak wildlife. September for the lowest prices and fewest crowds.
Q. How much does an Alaska cruise from Seattle cost?
Inside cabins start around $500 to $800 per person for 7 days. Balcony cabins run $1,000 to $2,500. Add $150 to $250 for taxes/fees and $100 to $300 per port for excursions.
Q. What cruise lines go to Alaska from Seattle?
Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and MSC Cruises all operate Alaska cruises from Seattle in 2026.
Q. Can I do a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Yes. Most Alaska cruises from Seattle are roundtrip, departing and returning to the same terminal. This is the most convenient option — no one-way flights needed.
Q. What should I pack for an Alaska cruise?
Waterproof jacket, warm layers (fleece, sweater), comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, daypack, sunscreen, and 1 to 2 formal outfits for ship dining nights. Expect temperatures of 45°F to 65°F with rain at any time.
Final Thoughts
I’ve lived in Seattle since 2018 and watched cruise ships sail north from the waterfront hundreds of times. The ships pass through Elliott Bay, head north through Puget Sound, and disappear into the Inside Passage. For years, I watched them leave and wondered what was up there.
Now I know. Mendenhall Glacier. Humpback whales breaching 200 yards from the ship. The White Pass railway climbing through mountain passes above Skagway. Totem poles in Ketchikan. Glacier Bay’s wall of ice calving into water so blue it doesn’t look real.
An Alaska cruise from Seattle is the easiest way to see Alaska. You drive to the terminal, park your car, walk onto the ship, and a week later you’re back in the Emerald City with a phone full of glacier photos and a new understanding of what “wild” means in the Pacific Northwest.
Book a balcony cabin. Bring binoculars. Stand on your balcony at 6 a.m. when the ship enters a fjord and the mountains rise straight out of the water on both sides. That moment — alone on the balcony, coffee in hand, glaciers ahead — is why people keep taking this cruise. And it starts right here in Seattle.
