Brittany Chrusciel, ContributorYou don’t have to venture far from home for the journey of a lifetime. In fact, some of the very best Alaska cruises depart from the Emerald City of Seattle.
This guide will answer all your questions about an Alaska cruise from Seattle, including your docking location, where the ship visits, which cruise lines are available to book, and how much they might cost.
Browse the top cruise ships sailing Alaska ranked by categories like “best for kids” and “best for couples.” This will help narrow down which Alaska cruise sailing from the Pacific Northwest is the best fit for you and your family.
Want to Take an Alaska Cruise From Seattle? Here are the Top Cruise Picks
Which cruise lines sail from Seattle to Alaska?
Every summer, several cruise lines reposition to Seattle for the Alaska cruise season (April through October). These include ships from Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises, as well as Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Royal Caribbean, among others.
How long is a cruise from Seattle to Alaska?
It takes about a day and a half to reach ports in Alaska from Seattle, Washington. So, if you depart on a Sunday evening, you will arrive in Juneau or Ketchikan by Tuesday morning.
Most Alaska cruises sailing the Inside Passage from Seattle are one week long and sail round trip, meaning they also disembark back in Seattle. However, you can also find and book cruises from Seattle that spend nine to 11 nights traversing the Last Frontier. Short on time? Princess Cruises even offers a four-night Alaska sampler from Seattle to Vancouver.
Where does an Alaska cruise from Seattle go?
Ports of call vary based on itinerary but expect a weeklong Alaska cruise from Seattle to visit at least three ports along the Inside Passage of Alaska, as well as a port of call in Canada. The most common Alaskan cruise ports are Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, followed by Sitka. Most cruise lines also call on the charming city of Victoria, British Columbia before returning to Seattle.
Alaska cruises also include scenic sailing days, which almost always feature glacier viewing as part of your cruise program. Common locations include Glacier Bay, the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm Fjord, or the Dawes Glacier.
Where do cruise ships dock in Seattle for Alaska cruises?
The Port of Seattle is in an ideal location along the Elliot Bay and nearby major attractions like Pike Place Market and the Seattle Great Wheel. There are two main cruise terminals at the port, located just a few miles from one another.
The Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 (2225 Alaskan Way South) is the dedicated terminal for Norwegian Cruise Line as well as sister brand Oceania Cruises. Most other cruise lines will dock at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 (2001 West Garfield Street).
How much does an Alaska cruise from Seattle cost?
There are many factors that affect pricing for an Alaska cruise. These include but are not limited to the type of room you book, the dates of the sailing, and the age of the ship.
You can find an Alaska cruise on a newer vessel for less than $75 per person, per night, but you will be booked in an inside cabin without windows and at the very end of the season when the weather might not be as pleasant.
Or, maybe you’ll find a last-minute deal on an upcoming Alaska cruise in May for less than $100 per person, per night, though these are rare as many Alaska cruises fully book in advance.
Alaska is not the time to be thrifty. Booking a balcony cabin allows for better nature viewing during scenic sailing days. While weather can be unpredictable in Alaska year-round, the warmer months of summer (June, July, and August) do typically fare better for salmon fishing and bear viewing.
Expect to pay a few thousand dollars for two people in a balcony cabin onboard a newer ship on a weeklong sailing in late May. As an example, there is a balcony stateroom for sale on a seven-night sailing aboard Discovery Princess (built 2021) departing May 11, 2025 for $1,437 per person, on average.
Who should take an Alaska cruise From Seattle?
Sailing from the West Coast is of course the most convenient for residents of Washington, Oregon, and California (even Idaho and Nevada aren’t too far). But roundtrip sailings from the U.S. are very beneficial to anyone without a passport.
While a passport is always an incredible tool to have at your disposal (and don’t get left behind in Canada), it’s not required for “closed loop” sailings that begin and end in a U.S. port. If a cruise were to begin or end in Vancouver, for example, passengers would then need a passport to travel. Luckily for any U.S. citizens sailing from and back to Seattle, this is not required.
Best Cruise Ships from Seattle to Alaska
Best for Kids: Norwegian Encore
Zoom around the Speedway high above Alaska’s glacial blue waters, play a game of laser tag, or duck into Galaxy Pavilion, the ultimate VR arcade. Norwegian’s final Breakaway Plus Class vessel is literally a children’s playground.
Beyond the impressive kid and teens clubs, the 3,998-passenger Encore has plenty of family-friendly spaces that make it accommodating and welcoming. Hop down Ocean Loops, the waterslide with your kids, then celebrate with milkshakes in a Cadillac-style booth at the indoor/outdoor American Diner.
Best for Couples: Celebrity Edge
Not too small to be boring but not too oversized to be overwhelming, Celebrity has nailed what it feels like to unwind at a resort atop the sea.
The 2,908-passenger Edge is no exception, with romantic views at the expertly designed Sunset Bar, or an afternoon bonding at the serene, indoor Solarium. The SEA Thermal Suite is where you can unwind in a Turkish bath atmosphere before heading up to the Magic Carpet — a deck that floats over the “edge” of the ship — for dinner or drinks.
Best for Multi-Gen Families: Royal Princess
Princess Cruises is an expert in Alaska, and it shows with onboard programming that appeals to young and old. Enrichment is enhanced by a winning partnership with Discovery, which extends from themed shore excursions to kids’ programs learning about Alaska’s wildlife.
The 3,560-passenger ship seamlessly blends relaxing spaces like the International Café in the Piazza with new technology called OceanMedallion that allows your little ones to have their own onboard avatars. Discovery Princess, the line’s final Royal Class ship, also sails to Alaska from Seattle.
Best on a Budget: Carnival Luminosa
Carnival sails a more limited run of itineraries through Alaska, but its recently acquired 2,826-passenger ship will sail families to the 49th State from Seattle.
Carnival is known for providing tons of value, and its weeklong cruises onboard Luminosa as well as Carnival Spirit are available from less than $1,000 per person, including all taxes and fees. Additionally, there are tons of included dining options, from a deli and pizza to sushi and barbecue.
Best Enrichment: Holland America’s Eurodam
Long masters of the Alaskan cruisetour, Holland America knows its way around this great state. Onboard the midsize 2,104-passenger Eurodam, guests can enjoy an ambiance that nods to traditional Dutch roots and take part in cooking demos at America’s Test Kitchen or classical music concerts at Lincoln Center Stage.
HAL’s shore excursion offerings are robust, while back onboard expect special menus in the main dining room to reflect Alaskan fare. You can even order a beer from local brewer Denali Brewing in select bars.
Best small ship: Oceania’s Regatta
The 694-passenger Regatta plies the waters of Alaska in class and style with a country club atmosphere and a majority of balcony staterooms. Inclusions of this premium line span specialty dining and espresso drinks.
Regatta was completely refurbished bow to stern in 2019, with new teak decks, plush furnishing, and reinvented suites. Oceania has the ability to call on smaller ports, like Wrangell, Alaska.
A weeklong experience onboard in Alaska —round trip from Seattle — carries a price tag of just $2,099 per person for one of its few inside cabins.
Best large ship: Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas
The bells and whistles have landed in Alaska with Royal Caribbean’s behemoth Ovation of the Seas. This 4,905-passenger cruise ship boasts a skydiving experience, robotic bar, and a two-deck theater for Broadway-style production shows.
Climb a rock wall, dive into a pool, or ascend over the side of the ship in a panoramic glass capsule called the North Star, which raises 300 feet above sea level for 360-degree views of your Alaska cruise. There is so much to do — indoors and outdoors — that you can take full advantage of the fresh air or hide out in the casino, shops, or one of the ship’s many bars and lounges.
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