Alaska's Inside Passage is the area that makes up the Southeast Region of Alaska. Approximately 1,000 miles North of Vancouver, it was the center of activity during Alaska's 19th century Gold Rush. Also known as the "Panhandle," the Inside Passage is popular for spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, vivid Native cultures, astounding history and exceptional hospitality.
Alaska Inside Passage Cruises
Most cruises to Alaska's Inside Passage are seven nights long and typically begin and end in either Vancouver or Seattle. This "roundtrip" itinerary makes this a very popular cruise vacation because of the convenient flight schedules and availability of affordable roundtrip airline tickets in to and out of Vancouver and Seattle. Longer 10- and 11-night Inside Passage Cruises are available from California.
Depending on your ship and itinerary, a typical Alaska Inside Passage cruise spends the first day cruising the famed Inside Passage, a narrow waterway nestled between towering mountains, waterfront communities, and the Pacific Ocean. Then, depending on your itinerary, you will visit 3 or 4 of the following Alaska ports of call and National Parks:
- Juneau
- Ketchikan
- Skagway
- Haines
- Sitka
- Glacier Bay National Park
- Hubbard Glacier
- Misty Fjord
- Icy Strait Point
- Tracy Arm Fjord
You will normally spend a full day in each port of call allowing you to sample the local community or take any number of exciting excursions including trekking on glaciers, a helicopter ride, city bus tours, whale watching, fishing and more. There is something for everyone!
Because Inside Passage Cruises are generally seven nights, and because the flight schedules are more convenient and affordable, you'll find that this is a very popular way for families with children to see Alaska. Most of the cruise lines sailing to Alaska have special children's programs and even shore excursions to keep the younger passengers entertained and enriched.
When you can take an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise
The Alaska Cruise season begins in late April and continues through September. Whether you cruise when the Inside Passage is blanketed with spring wildflowers or ablaze with fall foliage you'll be awed at Alaska's natural wonders. Spring whale migrations, fall bald eagle gatherings, winter trumpeter swans - exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities and substantial savings can be found during spring and fall.
Pre- or Post Cruise Options in Seattle or Vancouver
If you are sailing from Vancouver or Seattle, consider spending a few extra days either before or after the cruise to enjoy some of the local sights. Most cruise lines offer affordable pre- and post-cruise hotel programs that give you the opportunity to experience some of the local attractions like the Space Needle and Pike's Market in Seattle or the Butchart Gardens in Vancouver/Victoria. Ask your Alaska Cruise Specialist about this when planning your cruise.
| Month | Number of Cruises | From Price |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 92 cruises | $558 |
| Jun 2026 | 101 cruises | $567 |
| Jul 2026 | 117 cruises | $648 |
| Aug 2026 | 118 cruises | $638 |
| Sep 2026 | 80 cruises | $628 |
| Oct 2026 | 3 cruises | $799 |
| Mar 2027 | 1 cruises | $8,559 |
| Apr 2027 | 18 cruises | $574 |
| May 2027 | 117 cruises | $670 |
| Jun 2027 | 120 cruises | $805 |
| Jul 2027 | 136 cruises | $817 |
| Aug 2027 | 118 cruises | $707 |
| Sep 2027 | 79 cruises | $670 |
| Oct 2027 | 4 cruises | $1,159 |
| Apr 2028 | 8 cruises | $1,204 |
| May 2028 | 4 cruises | $5,699 |
| Jun 2028 | 6 cruises | $5,599 |
| Jul 2028 | 6 cruises | $4,500 |
| Aug 2028 | 6 cruises | $5,200 |
| Sep 2028 | 1 cruises | $5,799 |
| Apr 2029 | 2 cruises | $9,999 |
| 7 Night Alaska Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Norwegian Bliss 46 Sail Dates: 5/9; 5/16; 5/23; 5/30; 6/6; 6/13; 6/20; 6/27; 7/4; 7/11; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Sitka, Juneau, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan - Ward Cove Alaska... |
7 Nights |
$789per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Norwegian Encore 46 Sail Dates: 5/10; 5/17; 5/24; 5/31; 6/7; 6/14; 6/21; 6/28; 7/5; 7/12; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan - Ward Cove Alaska, Victoria, Seattle |
7 Nights |
$779per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Explorer Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Eurodam 44 Sail Dates: 5/9; 5/16; 5/23; 5/30; 6/6; 6/13; 6/20; 6/27; 7/4; 7/11; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Cruising Puget Sound, Cruising Stephens Passage, Juneau, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Sitka... |
7 Nights |
$739per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Inside Passage Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Serenade of the Seas 40 Sail Dates: 5/10; 5/17; 5/24; 5/31; 6/7; 6/14; 6/21; 6/28; 7/5; 7/12; See More Starting Port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Ports of Call: Vancouver, Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan - Ward Cove Alaska... |
7 Nights |
$650per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Inside Passage and Glacier from Seattle Cruise | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
|
7 Nights |
$664per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Inside Passage (Roundtrip Seattle) Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Star Princess 39 Sail Dates: 5/10; 5/17; 5/24; 5/31; 6/7; 6/14; 6/21; 6/28; 7/5; 7/12; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Ketchikan, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria, Seattle |
7 Nights |
$949per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park) Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
|
7 Nights |
$899per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Inside Passage Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Zaandam 37 Sail Dates: 5/6; 5/13; 5/20; 5/27; 6/3; 6/10; 6/17; 6/24; 7/1; 7/8; See More Starting Port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Ports of Call: Vancouver, Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay... |
7 Nights |
$729per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
|
7 Nights |
$1,628per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Adventure Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Voyager of the Seas 36 Sail Dates: 5/8; 5/15; 5/22; 5/29; 6/5; 6/12; 6/19; 6/26; 7/3; 7/10; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Victoria, Seattle |
7 Nights |
$591per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Dawes Glacier Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Celebrity Edge 36 Sail Dates: 5/15; 5/22; 5/29; 6/5; 6/12; 6/19; 6/26; 7/3; 7/10; 7/17; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Ketchikan, Endicott Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, Victoria... |
7 Nights |
$2,048per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
|
7 Nights |
$1,629per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Inside Passage (Roundtrip Vancouver) Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Emerald Princess 29 Sail Dates: 5/19; 6/2; 6/9; 6/16; 6/23; 6/30; 7/7; 7/14; 7/21; 7/28; See More Starting Port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Ports of Call: Vancouver, Juneau, Skagway, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Ketchikan, Vancouver |
7 Nights |
$899per person
(double occupancy) |
| 12 Night Denali Explorer Pre Cruisetour Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
|
Norwegian Encore 25 Sail Dates: 7/7; 7/21; 7/28; 8/4; 8/11; 8/18; 9/1; 9/8; 5/11/27; 5/18/27; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Big Lake, Talkeetna, Train Travel, Anchorage, Seattle, Juneau... |
12 Nights |
$3,598per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Explorer Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Noordam 24 Sail Dates: 5/10; 5/17; 5/24; 5/31; 7/5; 7/12; 7/19; 7/26; 8/2; 8/9; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Cruising Puget Sound, Cruising Stephens Passage, Juneau, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Sitka... |
7 Nights |
$699per person
(double occupancy) |
| 11 Night Denali Explorer Pre Cruisetour Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
|
Norwegian Bliss 23 Sail Dates: 7/14; 8/4; 8/11; 8/25; 9/8; 5/11/27; 5/18/27; 5/25/27; 6/1/27; 6/8/27; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Talkeetna, Alaska Railroad Train Travel , Anchorage, Seattle... |
11 Nights |
$3,338per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Inside Passage and Glacier from Seattle Cruise | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Carnival Legend 22 Sail Dates: 4/20/27; 4/27/27; 5/4/27; 5/11/27; 5/18/27; 5/25/27; 6/1/27; 6/8/27; 6/15/27; 6/22/27; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle |
7 Nights |
$834per person
(double occupancy) |
| 10 Night Inside Passage Roundtrip San Francisco Cruise from San Francisco | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Ruby Princess 21 Sail Dates: 5/13; 5/23; 6/2; 7/2; 7/12; 7/22; 8/1; 8/11; 8/21; 8/31; See More Starting Port: San Francisco, California, United States Ports of Call: San Francisco, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Prince Rupert, San Francisco |
10 Nights |
$1,124per person
(double occupancy) |
| 10 Night Alaska Inside Passage and Glacier from San Francisco Cruise | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Carnival Luminosa 19 Sail Dates: 5/11; 5/25; 6/8; 6/22; 7/6; 7/20; 8/3; 8/17; 8/31; 9/10; See More Starting Port: San Francisco, California, United States Ports of Call: San Francisco, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm, Ketchikan - Ward Cove Alaska, Prince Rupert... |
10 Nights |
$959per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Inside Passage and Glacier from Seattle Cruise | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
|
7 Nights |
$714per person
(double occupancy) |
| 9 Night Alaska Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Norwegian Joy 15 Sail Dates: 5/13; 6/1; 6/10; 6/29; 7/8; 7/27; 8/5; 8/24; 9/2; 9/21; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Sitka, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Ketchikan - Ward Cove Alaska, Victoria, Seattle |
9 Nights |
$839per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Adventure Cruise from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Quantum of the Seas 14 Sail Dates: 5/31/27; 6/7/27; 6/14/27; 6/21/27; 6/28/27; 7/5/27; 7/12/27; 7/19/27; 7/26/27; 8/2/27; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Sitka, Skagway, Cruising Dawes Glacier, Juneau, Victoria, Seattle |
7 Nights |
$882per person
(double occupancy) |
| 7 Night Alaska Adventure Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Anthem of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 6/1; 6/8; 6/15; 6/22; 6/29; 7/6; 7/13; 7/20; 7/27; 8/3; See More Starting Port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Ports of Call: Vancouver, Icy Strait Point, Cruising Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Ketchikan, Vancouver |
7 Nights |
$670per person
(double occupancy) |
| 14 Night Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Crown Princess 9 Sail Dates: 5/8/27; 5/22/27; 6/5/27; 6/19/27; 7/3/27; 7/17/27; 7/31/27; 8/14/27; 8/28/27; See More Starting Port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Ports of Call: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier... |
14 Nights |
$1,498per person
(double occupancy) |
| 14 Night Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure Cruise from Vancouver | Duration | Priced from |
|---|---|---|
Island Princess 9 Sail Dates: 5/12/27; 5/26/27; 6/9/27; 6/23/27; 7/7/27; 7/21/27; 8/4/27; 8/18/27; 9/1/27; See More Starting Port: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Ports of Call: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier... |
14 Nights |
$1,621per person
(double occupancy) |
