Alaska Cruises from Seattle & Vancouver BC
Glaciers, whales, and the most dramatic scenery on the West Coast — all from a single ship.
Why Alaska Is the Best Family Cruise Destination on the West Coast
I’ll be honest with you: I didn’t expect Alaska to be what it was. I expected cold, gray, and a lot of standing on a deck squinting at distant mountains. What I got instead was a humpback whale breaching thirty feet from our ship, a glacier the size of a city block calving into the sea, and my teenager — who had been skeptical about the whole trip — completely speechless.
Alaska cruises run from May through September, with the sweet spot being late June through August when wildlife activity peaks and the weather is most cooperative. Most itineraries run 7 nights, departing from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia.
Seattle vs. Vancouver BC: Which Port Is Right for You?
Seattle departures are the easiest option for most American families — no passport required for US citizens on closed-loop cruises (though I always recommend having one). The port is well-connected to Sea-Tac Airport and easy to navigate.
Vancouver BC departures require a passport for US citizens crossing into Canada, but the city itself is worth arriving a day early to explore. Stanley Park, the waterfront, and the food scene make it a genuine pre-cruise destination.
The Ports You’ll Visit
Juneau
Alaska’s capital city is only accessible by sea or air. This is your best port for whale watching, the Mendenhall Glacier, and a float plane excursion over the ice fields.
Glacier Bay
A UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ship slows to a crawl as you navigate between tidewater glaciers — no excursion required, just stand on deck.
Skagway
A gold rush-era town. The White Pass & Yukon Route railroad is a must-do for families — a narrow-gauge train that climbs through dramatic mountain scenery to the Canadian border.
Ketchikan
The “Salmon Capital of the World” and home to the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. Misty Fjords National Monument is accessible by float plane or boat from here.
Ready to Book Your Alaska Cruise?
As a Cruise Brothers travel agent, I can help you compare ships, itineraries, cabin categories, and departure ports — and find the right fit for your family’s budget and travel style. My services cost you nothing extra.
Shore Excursions on Your Alaska Cruise
Top-rated things to do at the ports you’ll visit — glacier cruises, whale watching, and more, bookable in a few clicks.
Planning Your Alaska Cruise
The best time for Alaska cruises is May through September, when the days are long and the wildlife is active. Early May and September sailings tend to have lower fares and smaller crowds, while June through August brings the warmest weather and the best odds of clear views of tidewater glaciers like those in Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay. If the Northern Lights are on your list, a late-season sailing gives you the best chance of catching them.
Choosing the right ship and cabin makes a real difference on an Alaska cruise. A balcony cabin is genuinely worth it here — you can watch glaciers calve and whales breach from your own room with coffee in hand. Round-trip sailings from Seattle are easy for West Coast travelers, while one-way Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver often reach farther north. Popular shore excursions such as whale watching, dog sledding on a glacier, and the historic White Pass railway sell out early, so it pays to plan ahead. Sorting through all of those choices is exactly what I help with — for free, since the cruise lines pay me, not you.
Search Live Alaska Cruise Deals
Browse current sailings and pricing below. When you find something you like — or if you’d rather I do the digging for you — let me plan it for free.
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