Alaska; The Last Frontier... The Land of the Midnight Sun. Sailing here is a bucket-list cruise for many travelers.

Picture slowly sailing past glaciers shedding house-sized chunks of ice while humpback whales frolic in the water.

Most Alaska cruise packages take you to Juneau, Denali, Anchorage, Seward, Skagway, Ketchikan and Sitka. You can read more about what to expect here. The itineraries are quite similar so what sets one Alaskan cruise apart from the other? Sometimes, it’s the ship itself. Some cruises may offer unique cultural insights. Another may deliver the most luxurious experience. Let’s take a closer look at the 5 best luxury cruises to Alaska.

Deep Dive into Alaskan Culture with Holland America
Holland America has been cruising the Alaskan waters longer than any other cruise line. They’re also the only cruise line with a Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification. What does this mean for you – you can have your fill of certified sustainable Alaskan king crab legs and fresh salmon on board their luxury cruise ships!

Along with showing you the sights that make Alaska so picturesque, Holland America’s 14-day Alaska Roundtrip Collector's Voyage shines a light on native Alaskan culture. As part of their partnership with the Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), you’ll get a chance to attend cultural seminars onboard, chat with indigenous artists and watch native performances that you might otherwise never see.

Extended Alaskan Adventures with Princess Cruise
Princess Cruise ships are regulars on the Alaskan waters. Their 4-night Alaska Sampler Cruise takes you to Ketchikan where you can sign up for a variety of excursions ranging from lumberjack shows to crab feasts. It’s enough to whet your appetite for the Princess Cruisetours. 

This is where Princess Cruises sets itself apart. Along with its ships, Princess Cruises owns and operates 5 guest lodges in Alaska as well as glass-domed railcars for seamless transfers. How would you like to book a 7-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise followed by a few nights in a lodge? Here, you can take an exhilarating jetboat safari or visit a champion’s dog kennel or play a round of golf in the midnight sun season…

Elite Alaskan Expeditions with Seabourn
Cruising with Seabourn is all about luxurious pampering and a yacht-like experience. This isn’t your usual cruise - you’ll be sailing with just about 200 other adventure seekers. By operating a smaller ship, Seabourn can take you to places beyond the reach of larger ships and deliver personalized service. That’s not all.

The 7-day Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Bay cruise with Seabourn has several unique excursion opportunities. You can set out on small-group tours to oyster and kelp farms or take a metal torching class in Sitka. If you’re chasing adrenaline, you could ride a Zodiac to Misty fjords, kayak past a coastal rainforest or skirt through the bays on a Yamaha WaveRunner. Throughout the cruise, a team of academicians, scientists and naturalists onboard will share expert insights into the region’s biodiversity, history, culture and ecosystems so you go back with a wealth of information.

Multi-Generational Alaskan Holidays with Norwegian Cruise Line
Whether you’re cruising to Alaska with your partner, your family or a group of friends, the Norwegian Cruise Line cruises have plenty to do onboard and ashore. The family cruises offer an abundance of onboard activities for guests of all ages. There’s the Aqua Racer water slide, hot tubs and pools, a mini golf course, two-level go-karting race track, casino, theatre, oceanfront promenade and plenty more. The ship’s 180-degree indoor Observation Lounge gives you a panoramic view of the Alaskan coastline as you sail by.

The 7-day Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau Cruise is a round-trip Alaska cruise from Seattle. It’s an opportunity to enjoy all of the ship’s onboard offerings as well as visit the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, walk through the largest Native Tlingit village and get a close-up view of orcas and humpbacks. Did you know the cruise deals usually include an unlimited open bar?

Kid-Friendly Alaska Cruise Packages with Disney Cruises
If you’re sailing to Alaska with young children, the Disney Cruises are a great choice. The Disney Wonder sails from Vancouver on 5-night, 7-night, 8-night and 9-night cruises. All their itineraries include 2 days of cruising at sea so you can enjoy all the onboard experiences. And there is plenty to see and do! We’re talking about original Disney productions, character experiences, sports simulators and of course, the legendary kid’s clubs. You can also attend family-friendly, informative talks by naturalists and historians.

Whether you’re booking a 5-night Alaskan Cruise or the 9-night Alaskan Cruise, Disney includes plenty of family-friendly shore excursions at each port. Your kids won’t be able to stop talking about the time you took them goldpanning and sledding!

Picking Alaska Cruise Packages
Picking an Alaska cruise package on your own can seem daunting. It might be a little difficult to differentiate between cruises. If this is a bucket-list trip for you, let us help you craft the ideal holiday. We’ll help you pick an itinerary that meets your on-board and on-shore expectations, get you the best cruise deals and get your paperwork in order so you enjoy a smooth holiday. So, are you ready to sail?