From San Francisco, California
Cruises from San Francisco to Alaska
2 cruise lines in our guides sail from San Francisco to Alaska. Here's how the season, length and lines compare, and what to know before embarkation day.
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Typical length
- 7 nights is standard
- Lines
- 2
Which lines sail from San Francisco to Alaska?
- Carnival Cruise Line
Laid-back, loud in the best way and unpretentious; flip-flops, burgers by the pool and a comedy show after dinner. - Princess Cruises
Relaxed, welcoming and dependable; a comfortable middle ground between mass-market buzz and premium polish.
When to go
- January: Few or no cruises, average high 34 degrees F
- February: Few or no cruises, average high 37 degrees F
- March: Few or no cruises, average high 39 degrees F
- April: Cruises run, average high 49 degrees F
- May: Shoulder season, average high 57 degrees F
- June: Best time, average high 62 degrees F
- July: Best time, average high 63 degrees F
- August: Best time, average high 62 degrees F
- September: Shoulder season, average high 56 degrees F
- October: Cruises run, average high 48 degrees F
- November: Few or no cruises, average high 40 degrees F
- December: Few or no cruises, average high 36 degrees F
- Best time
- Shoulder season
- Cruises run
- Few or none
Temperatures in Fahrenheit, long-term averages. Climate source.
The cruise season runs from late April or early May to late September or early October. June through August is warmest with the longest days. May is often drier with good wildlife viewing and lower demand. September brings fall color, northern lights chances and more rain.
Southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest, and rain is likely on some days in any month. Fog and low cloud can hide glaciers and occasionally cancel floatplane and helicopter tours. The open-water legs, especially the Gulf of Alaska crossing on one-way cruises, can be rough. Summer highs in port are usually in the upper 50s to low 60s F, and it is colder near the glaciers.
Where you'll stop
Itineraries vary by line and length. These are the ports Alaska cruises most often visit:
- Juneau, United States: Alaska's capital, with no road access, Mendenhall Glacier, whale-watching tours and the Mount Roberts Tramway near the docks.
- Ketchikan, United States: Totem pole parks, historic Creek Street, salmon streams and floatplane trips to Misty Fjords National Monument.
- Skagway, United States: A preserved Gold Rush town and the White Pass and Yukon Route railway, built in 1898, climbing toward the Canadian border.
- Sitka, United States: The former capital of Russian America, with an onion-domed cathedral, a raptor center and Tlingit cultural sites.
- Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), United States: A Native-owned port near a Tlingit village, known for whale watching, bear tours and a long zipline.
- Glacier Bay National Park, United States: A full day of scenic cruising with park rangers aboard; entry is limited by National Park Service permits.
Before you sail from San Francisco
From SFO, a taxi or rideshare usually takes 25 to 40 minutes. BART runs from SFO to Embarcadero station, about a 20-minute walk from Pier 27, and the F-line streetcar along the Embarcadero stops near the terminal at the Embarcadero and Sansome Street. Taxis and cars can drop off at the terminal hall entrance.
The Port of San Francisco does not provide temporary or overnight parking at the cruise terminals. Metropolis offers cruise parking at 55 and 80 Francisco Street, booked directly with Metropolis (the Port does not manage these lots). Otherwise, plan on downtown garage rates or skip the car.
- Head to an outdoor deck for sailaway; passing under the Golden Gate Bridge is the highlight of the day.
- There is no overnight parking at the terminal, so reserve a private garage or come by taxi.
- If you arrive early, the California Welcome Center at Pier 39 has self-service luggage lockers; the terminals do not store bags.
- Pack warm layers even in summer; San Francisco's waterfront is often cool and foggy.
Documents: Round trips from Seattle are closed-loop cruises, and foreign-flagged ships sailing from Seattle must call at a Canadian port (usually Victoria) under the Passenger Vessel Services Act. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says US citizens on a closed-loop cruise can re-enter with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID, and Canada accepts proof of US citizenship plus photo ID for cruise visitors. Cruises from Vancouver and one-way Vancouver to Seward or Whittier sailings are not closed-loop: you will be flying or crossing into Canada, and a passport book is the practical requirement (a passport card works at land crossings but not for flights). US citizens do not need a Canadian eTA. A passport book is the safest choice for every Alaska cruise. Non-US citizens should check both US and Canadian rules. Check current requirements with your line before you sail.
More detail: our full San Francisco cruise port guide and our Alaska cruise guide.
Related routes
Also from San Francisco: Mexican Riviera.
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