Alaska Small Ship Cruises

Most Alaskan cruises will explore the ‘panhandle’ or southeast tip of Alaska. Below are some key highlight areas on an Alaskan small ship cruise.

Sailing the Inside Passage - shaped by huge glaciers millions of years ago, the Inside Passage stretches from Puget Sound, Washington, through British Columbia and into the Gulf of Alaska. The Inside Passage delivers stunning and ever-changing scenery. Home to whales, bald eagles, sea lions, and porpoises, the Alaskan Inside Passage covers more than 500 miles and encompasses over 1000 islands.

Glacier Bay National Park - Marvel at the awe-inspiring scenery as you cruise Glacier Bay, the largest UNESCO-protected biosphere in the world. With some luck, you’ll see brightly-colored puffins, mountain goats, eagles, bears, and sea lions, all with a stunning backdrop and the amazing sounds of nature.

Chichagof Island & Baranof Island - Just a couple of the many Alaska Islands and both a nature lover's dream, Chichagof Island is home to porpoises, seals, whales, and the largest population of bears per square meter in the world. Baranof Island features hidden coves, hot springs, and an amazing array of wildlife calling this island home.

Tracy Arm - Prepare for breathtaking scenery as you cruise Tracy Arm. Located 45 miles south of Juneau, Tracy Arm is a narrow fjord extending over 30 miles long. With over a quarter of the area covered in ice and encompassing some of Alaska’s largest glaciers, Tracy Arm offers views of stunning waterfalls and sheer rock walls over a mile high and is also home to hundreds of harbor seals, mountain goats, eagles, and passing whales.

Ketchikan - Known as the ‘Salmon Capital of the world,’ Ketchikan is a city rich in history. The area started off by building a fish saltery, followed by a salmon cannery, mining copper and gold, and even supplying timber for the construction of WWII airplanes. Now, Ketchikan’s main industry is tourism. It's easy to see why with museums, libraries, restaurants, and amazing wildlife sightings such as mountain goats, black bears, sea otters, humpback whales, orcas, and seals.

Sitka - Another city rich in history, Sitka, located on the southern part of Baranof Island, is where the Russian flag was lowered, and the US flag was raised after the US purchased Alaska from the Russians in 1867.

Best time to cruise Alaska

The best time to cruise Alaska is between April and September, with the high season in June and July, mainly because of the warmer weather and longer days. The beginning of April and end of September are typically the low season but offer the best time to see the Northern Lights because of the shorter days. April and May also offer stunning scenery as the mountain peaks are still covered in snow.

Mid-April until the end of August offers the best time to see whales, particularly Orca and Humpback whales. However, it doesn’t matter which time of year you choose between April and September, as amazing wildlife sightings are a given, whether it’s mountain goats, black bears, harbor seals, sea otters, or bald eagles, couple that with the stunning Alaska landscape and you’re sure to have an adventure cruise to remember.

Where do Alaska cruises depart from?

The departure port for your Alaska cruise varies depending on the itinerary, but the most common departures are below;

Ketchikan - On Revillagigedo Island, Alaska Airlines provides daily flights from Seattle. It is also possible to get to Ketchikan via sea with the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), which has connections from the US and Canada, although to get from Washington to Ketchikan takes around 3-4 days!

Juneau - There are 2 ways to get to Juneau: air or sea. Alaska Airlines offers daily flights year-round from Seattle or Anchorage, and Delta Airlines offers seasonal flights from Seattle to Juneau. The other option to get to Juneau is by the state-run ferry, the AMHS.

Petersburg - Alaska Airlines offers twice-daily flights from Washington, Seattle, and Anchorage and the option to get to Petersburg via the AMHS.

Sitka - With links from Seattle, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan, Alaska Airlines offers daily flights to Sitka. There is also the option to go via ferry, which can take 3-4 days.

Seattle - As a major US city, Seattle offers numerous ways to get there, from planes and trains to trams; there are plenty of options to get to Seattle.

Be sure to check your itinerary beforehand, as different routes can offer different departure/arrival options. Itineraries vary from round trip departures, for example, Juneau to Juneau, or one way, such as Seattle to Juneau and Sitka to Ketchikan. Which type you choose can depend on whether you intend to incorporate further land-based options at either end of your trip. Also worth considering is a (re)positioning cruise where the boats move from operating in one area/country to another and can offer a unique trip normally not part of regular itineraries. Whatever your route, it is recommended that you get to your departure location at least 1 day in advance to be ready for your Alaska small-ship adventure cruise.

Alaska cruise tips

Before you head off on your amazing Alaska Small Ship cruise, below is some general advice and tips to ensure your trip runs smoothly;

What to expect on an Alaskan Cruise - Alaskan cruises generally promise adventure, excitement, and the beauty of southeast Alaska. On board, you can expect comfortable rooms, fine Alaskan cuisine, and new friends for life. Days will generally start with a hearty breakfast to set up your day, followed by hiking, whale watching, bird-watching along coastal river trails or meeting the locals. Enjoy a hot chocolate or hot toddy to warm you up through the day, and relax in the evening with a glass of wine at dinner. Most Alaska cruises are casual, so no need to dress up for dinner.

Plan ahead - Most spaces on Alaska cruises sell out 6-9 months in advance, so to avoid disappointment, book early so you can guarantee your space. Mid-April to the beginning of May and the end of August to mid-September offer the most affordable time to go to Alaska, where you can save $400+ compared to traveling in June or July.

Arrive early - As mentioned earlier, arriving a day in advance is a good idea to ensure you’re on your cruise on time. As most Alaska cruise ship departure ports require a short flight, allowing time for delays is a good idea.

Choosing the right trip - Which type of trip you choose depends on personal preference, but all Alaskan cruises will offer a great experience in this remote region. Most boats have put a lot of effort into scheduling the itineraries, so no matter which one you pick, you will have a memorable experience. Alaska itineraries are usually 7, 8, or 10 days, depending on your chosen trip. Various boat sizes are available for cruising Alaska; see our Best Small Ship Cruises in Alaska page for more information.

What to pack - The Alaskan cruise season takes place between April - September, leading into and out of the summer months. Are cruises cold? The average temperatures are between 55f-65f (12-18c) and can drop by around 5 degrees at night, so clothing appropriate to these temperatures is required. Rainfall can be quite high in southeast Alaska, so a good waterproof jacket is also a good idea. Many Alaska cruises involve hiking, so you will also need a good pair of comfortable hiking shoes or boots, and sunglasses are a necessity during the summer months, particularly to protect your eyes from the glare of the water. Most Alaska cruise ships will have binoculars available, but if you have your own, bring them so you don’t have to wait for a pair to become free or share.

Alaska Travel Advice - Alaska is a US state, so if you’re traveling from outside the US, you will need a valid passport with at least 6 months left on it. If you’re not a US passport holder, you will also need the correct visa to enter the US. Please check the latest visa requirements before making any travel plans.

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