Cruises from Seattle to Alaska

Which lines sail from Seattle 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.
• Celebrity Cruises
  Stylish, relaxed and adult-leaning; good food, good cocktails and a calmer pool deck than the big family brands.
• Holland America Line
  Gracious and unhurried; live music at night, a good book by day and plenty of ocean views.
• MSC Cruises
  Modern, stylish and international, with a Mediterranean flair and an upscale enclave for those who want it.
• Norwegian Cruise Line
  Flexible and lively, with a Las Vegas-meets-resort feel; dinner whenever you want, in whatever you packed.
• Oceania Cruises
  Refined, relaxed and food-obsessed, with a country-club feel and a strong focus on the destinations.
• Princess Cruises
  Relaxed, welcoming and dependable; a comfortable middle ground between mass-market buzz and premium polish.
• Royal Caribbean International
  Energetic, family-friendly and packed with headline attractions; think floating theme park with a good Broadway show at night.
• Virgin Voyages
  Adults-only and boutique-hotel cool, with a playful, sometimes cheeky edge and a late-night social scene.

Ships recently or currently deployed on this route include Brilliant Lady. Deployments change season to season, so we confirm the ship for your dates when we quote.

When to go

1. January: Few or no cruises, average high 34 degrees F Jan 34°27°
2. February: Few or no cruises, average high 37 degrees F Feb 37°28°
3. March: Few or no cruises, average high 39 degrees F Mar 39°30°
4. April: Cruises run, average high 49 degrees F Apr 49°36°
5. May: Shoulder season, average high 57 degrees F May 57°43°
6. June: Best time, average high 62 degrees F Jun 62°49°
7. July: Best time, average high 63 degrees F Jul 63°52°
8. August: Best time, average high 62 degrees F Aug 62°51°
9. September: Shoulder season, average high 56 degrees F Sep 56°46°
10. October: Cruises run, average high 48 degrees F Oct 48°39°
11. November: Few or no cruises, average high 40 degrees F Nov 40°32°
12. December: Few or no cruises, average high 36 degrees F Dec 36°29°

• 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 Seattle

The Port says it is about 35 minutes from SEA to the cruise terminals and downtown hotels. Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown; from there Pier 66 is a short taxi ride (or a walk downhill with light bags), while Pier 91 needs a taxi, rideshare or shuttle. Many lines sell airport transfers. At the end of the cruise, the Port's free Port Valet service can send participating guests' luggage from the ship straight to the airport.

Each terminal has its own operator. Bell Street (Pier 66) parking is run by Republic Parking (rpnw.com/cruise-parking), and Smith Cove (Pier 91) parking is run by USP Parking (seattleportparking.com). Reserve ahead in summer, when weekend turnaround days are crowded.

• Check whether you sail from Pier 66 or Pier 91 before booking hotels; they are a few miles apart.
• Ask your line about Port Valet, which can check your bags through to your flight at the end of the cruise.
• On a round trip from Seattle, U.S. citizens can generally sail with a birth certificate and government photo ID, but a passport is the safer choice in case you need to fly home from Canada or Alaska.
• Pack layers and rain gear; Alaska summer weather changes quickly.

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 Seattle cruise port guide and our Alaska cruise guide.

Related routes

Alaska from other ports: San Francisco, Seward, Vancouver.