Southbound Alaska Cruises are one way voyages that begin near Anchorage in Seward or Whitter and travel south through the Gulf of Alaska and end in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Southbound Alaska Glacier Cruises
While there are similarities between a a roundtrip Inside Passage Cruise and a one-way Glacier cruise, there are a number of differences as well. These provide unique benefits which give you a chance to enjoy more of Alaska.
Visitors arrrive in Anchorage either the day of the cruise or after completing an land tour into Alaska's Interior. At least one overnight hotel stay in Anchorage before your cruise is recommended to ensure the most rest and early arrival times to the ship. Guests then transfer by motorcoach or train to Seward or Whittier. The 120 mile ride goes by quickly as visitors enjoy one of the most scenic drives into any departure port. Since Southbound Alaska Glacier cruises are one way trips, your cruise will not repeat its route by doing a U-turn back to the orginal departure port. Each day can provide a new opportunity to see glaciers, mountains, wildlife and scenery without repeating a segment of your journey.
A Southbound Alaska Cruise will head down the Alaska Coast, visit glacier areas, into the small waterfront communities and then sail through the Inside Passage to Vancouver, where passengers disembark the ship. Depending on the cruise line and ship, Alaska Glacier Cruise passengers not only visit the same ports and attractions they would've seen on the Inside Passage Cruise, but they may also visit College Fjord for breathtaking glacier views, or Valdez for yet another day in port.
Compared to a roundtrip Alaska Inside passage cruise, Southbound Alaska cruises have fewer days at sea. This allows the guest to spend more days in Alaska ports or National Glacier Parks. If you only have a week and want maximum glacier viewing and time on land, a Southbound or Northbound cruise is your best choice for an Alaska Cruise Vacation.
Depending on your cruise line and ship, these cruises typically visit four or more of these ports and sights:
- Juneau
- Ketchikan
- Skagway
- Haines
- Sitka
- Vancouver
- Glacier Bay National Park
- Hubbard Glacier
- College Fjord
- Valdez
- Seward / Whittier / Anchorage
Once the ship arrives in Vancouver, passengers may transfer to the airport for their flights home, or extend their stay with tours of Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, or even a train ride into the Canadian Rockies.
Pre-Cruise Options in Anchorage
Most visitors to Alaska elect to take an Alaska Cruisetour which combines a cruise with a land tour into the Interior of Alaska. Most cruise lines operating Southbound Glacier Cruises offer these cruisetours from Anchorage, Denali National Park, or Fairbanks that include motorcoach and domed rail cars. Read more about these Alaska Cruisetours on our website.
Post-Cruise Options
Another benefit of a Southbound Alaska cruise is the flexibility to fly home from either Seattle or Vancouver. Seattle is three and a half hours from Vancouver and there are a variety of transportation options including motorcoach and train to get you there. Both cities are so different, first time visitors could enjoy touring Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver after their cruise. Others may even consider a Victoria or Canadian Rockies rail package after their trip.
When to take an Alaska Glacier 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.
Month | Number of Cruises | From Price |
---|---|---|
Jul 2024 | 3 cruises | $719 |
Aug 2024 | 25 cruises | $564 |
Sep 2024 | 14 cruises | $701 |
Apr 2025 | 8 cruises | $792 |
May 2025 | 18 cruises | $707 |
Jun 2025 | 26 cruises | $713 |
Jul 2025 | 28 cruises | $888 |
Aug 2025 | 27 cruises | $765 |
Sep 2025 | 14 cruises | $832 |
Apr 2026 | 1 cruises | Call For Price |
May 2026 | 6 cruises | $901 |
Jun 2026 | 7 cruises | $1,051 |
Jul 2026 | 6 cruises | $1,101 |
Aug 2026 | 8 cruises | $952 |
Sep 2026 | 3 cruises | $901 |
May 2027 | 1 cruises | Call For Price |
12 Night Denali and Yukon Tour R4C Cruise and Land Tour from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
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Zaandam 15 Sail Dates: 5/21/25; 5/28/25; 6/4/25; 6/11/25; 6/18/25; 6/25/25; 7/2/25; 7/9/25; 7/16/25; 7/23/25; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Vancouver, Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway... |
12 Nights |
$2,469per person
(double occupancy) |
12 Night Denali and Yukon Tour R4C Cruise and Land Tour from Seattle | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Koningsdam 15 Sail Dates: 5/24/25; 5/31/25; 6/7/25; 6/14/25; 6/21/25; 6/28/25; 7/5/25; 7/12/25; 7/19/25; 7/26/25; See More Starting Port: Seattle, Washington, United States Ports of Call: Seattle, Vancouver, Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway... |
12 Nights |
$2,714per person
(double occupancy) |
12 Night Mountain Panorama Adventure Pre Cruisetour 5B Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
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Radiance of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 7/28; 8/11; 8/25; 9/8; 5/18/25; 6/1/25; 6/15/25; 6/29/25; 7/13/25; 7/27/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Wilderness Express Train Travel, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Anchorage, Alyeska... |
12 Nights |
$3,593per person
(double occupancy) |
12 Night Fjord and Tundra National Parks Explorer Pre Cruisetour 6B Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Radiance of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 7/28; 8/11; 8/25; 9/8; 5/18/25; 6/1/25; 6/15/25; 6/29/25; 7/13/25; 7/27/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Wilderness Express Train Travel, Denali National Park, Anchorage, Seward... |
12 Nights |
$2,828per person
(double occupancy) |
11 Night Wilderness Frontier Explorer Pre Cruisetour 4B Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Radiance of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 7/29; 8/12; 8/26; 9/9; 5/19/25; 6/2/25; 6/16/25; 6/30/25; 7/14/25; 7/28/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Wilderness Express Train Travel, Denali National Park, Anchorage, Seward... |
11 Nights |
$2,659per person
(double occupancy) |
10 Night Family Tundra Express Pre Cruisetour 9B Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Radiance of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 7/30; 8/13; 8/27; 9/10; 5/20/25; 6/3/25; 6/17/25; 7/1/25; 7/15/25; 7/29/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Denali National Park, Wilderness Express Train Travel, Talkeetna, Anchorage, Seward... |
10 Nights |
$2,254per person
(double occupancy) |
10 Night Alaska Wildlife Express Pre Cruisetour 1B Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Radiance of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 7/30; 8/13; 8/27; 9/10; 5/20/25; 6/3/25; 6/17/25; 7/1/25; 7/15/25; 7/29/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Wilderness Express Train Travel, Denali National Park, Talkeetna, Anchorage... |
10 Nights |
$1,935per person
(double occupancy) |
10 Night Alaska Interior Express Pre Cruisetour 2B Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Radiance of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 7/30; 8/13; 8/27; 9/10; 5/20/25; 6/3/25; 6/17/25; 7/1/25; 7/15/25; 7/29/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Wilderness Express Train Travel, Denali National Park, Anchorage, Seward... |
10 Nights |
$2,274per person
(double occupancy) |
7 Night Southbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise from Seward | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Radiance of the Seas 13 Sail Dates: 8/2; 8/16; 8/30; 9/13; 5/23/25; 6/6/25; 6/20/25; 7/4/25; 7/18/25; 8/1/25; See More Starting Port: Seward, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Seward, Cruising Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan... |
7 Nights |
$564per person
(double occupancy) |
7 Night Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Southbound) Cruise from Whittier | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 13 Sail Dates: 8/10; 8/24; 9/7; 5/24/25; 6/7/25; 6/21/25; 7/5/25; 7/19/25; 8/2/25; 8/16/25; See More Starting Port: Whittier, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Whittier, Cruising Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver |
7 Nights |
$817per person
(double occupancy) |
7 Night Glacier Discovery Southbound Cruise from Whittier | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Noordam 13 Sail Dates: 7/28; 8/11; 8/25; 9/8; 5/18/25; 6/1/25; 6/15/25; 6/29/25; 7/13/25; 7/27/25; See More Starting Port: Whittier, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Whittier, Cruising Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan... |
7 Nights |
$719per person
(double occupancy) |
7 Night Glacier Discovery Southbound Cruise from Whittier | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Nieuw Amsterdam 13 Sail Dates: 8/4; 8/18; 9/1; 9/15; 5/25/25; 6/8/25; 6/22/25; 7/6/25; 7/20/25; 8/3/25; See More Starting Port: Whittier, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Whittier, Cruising Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan... |
7 Nights |
$874per person
(double occupancy) |
14 Night Off the Beaten Path Tour PB7 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/3; 8/17; 8/31; 5/17/25; 5/31/25; 6/14/25; 6/28/25; 7/12/25; 7/26/25; 8/9/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Gold Dredge No 8, Fairbanks, Train Travel, Denali National Park, Mount McKinley... |
14 Nights |
$3,306per person
(double occupancy) |
13 Night Connoisseur Escorted Tour TB6 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/4; 8/18; 9/1; 5/18/25; 6/1/25; 6/15/25; 6/29/25; 7/13/25; 7/27/25; 8/10/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Princess Rail Train Travel, Talkeetna, Mount McKinley, Whittier... |
13 Nights |
$3,578per person
(double occupancy) |
13 Night Off the Beaten Path Tour MB6 Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/4; 8/18; 9/1; 5/18/25; 6/1/25; 6/15/25; 6/29/25; 7/13/25; 7/27/25; 8/10/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Princess Rail Train Travel, Talkeetna, Mount McKinley, Denali National Park... |
13 Nights |
$2,676per person
(double occupancy) |
13 Night Denali Explorer Tour KB6 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/4; 8/18; 9/1; 5/18/25; 6/1/25; 6/15/25; 6/29/25; 7/13/25; 7/27/25; 8/10/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Mount McKinley, Talkeetna, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel... |
13 Nights |
$3,054per person
(double occupancy) |
12 Night Denali Explorer Tour HB5 Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/5; 8/19; 9/2; 5/19/25; 6/2/25; 6/16/25; 6/30/25; 7/14/25; 7/28/25; 8/11/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Mount McKinley, Denali National Park, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel, Whittier... |
12 Nights |
$2,625per person
(double occupancy) |
12 Night Denali Explorer Tour IB5 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/5; 8/19; 9/2; 5/19/25; 6/2/25; 6/16/25; 6/30/25; 7/14/25; 7/28/25; 8/11/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Mount McKinley, Talkeetna, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel... |
12 Nights |
$2,734per person
(double occupancy) |
11 Night Denali Explorer Tour FB4 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/6; 8/20; 9/3; 5/20/25; 6/3/25; 6/17/25; 7/1/25; 7/15/25; 7/29/25; 8/12/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Mount McKinley, Talkeetna, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel... |
11 Nights |
$2,489per person
(double occupancy) |
11 Night Denali Explorer Tour EB4 Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/6; 8/20; 9/3; 5/20/25; 6/3/25; 6/17/25; 7/1/25; 7/15/25; 7/29/25; 8/12/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Mount McKinley, Denali National Park, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel, Whittier... |
11 Nights |
$2,681per person
(double occupancy) |
11 Night Denali Explorer Tour DB4 Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/6; 8/20; 9/3; 5/20/25; 6/3/25; 6/17/25; 7/1/25; 7/15/25; 7/29/25; 8/12/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Denali National Park, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel, Whittier... |
11 Nights |
$2,403per person
(double occupancy) |
11 Night Denali Explorer Tour GB4 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/6; 8/20; 9/3; 5/20/25; 6/3/25; 6/17/25; 7/1/25; 7/15/25; 7/29/25; 8/12/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel, Whittier... |
11 Nights |
$2,345per person
(double occupancy) |
10 Night Denali Explorer Tour AB3 Cruise and Land Tour from Anchorage | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/7; 8/21; 9/4; 5/21/25; 6/4/25; 6/18/25; 7/2/25; 7/16/25; 7/30/25; 8/13/25; See More Starting Port: Anchorage, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Anchorage, Mount McKinley, Denali National Park, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel, Whittier... |
10 Nights |
$2,355per person
(double occupancy) |
10 Night Denali Explorer Tour BB3 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/7; 8/21; 9/4; 5/21/25; 6/4/25; 6/18/25; 7/2/25; 7/16/25; 7/30/25; 8/13/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Mount McKinley, Talkeetna, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel... |
10 Nights |
$2,263per person
(double occupancy) |
10 Night Denali Explorer Tour CB3 Cruise and Land Tour from Fairbanks | Duration | Priced from |
---|---|---|
Sapphire Princess 12 Sail Dates: 8/7; 8/21; 9/4; 5/21/25; 6/4/25; 6/18/25; 7/2/25; 7/16/25; 7/30/25; 8/13/25; See More Starting Port: Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Ports of Call: Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Train Travel, Whittier... |
10 Nights |
$2,445per person
(double occupancy) |