Alaska Cruises from Seattle, Washington
Seattle makes one of three ports taking travelers northward on Alaskan cruise itineraries. For those leaving from this port, nearly all major cruise lines have a departing vessel that does a round-trip or one-way itinerary.
Cruise Lines
During the season for Alaskan cruises, several contemporary lines have made Seattle their home port:
• Carnival
Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean
• Princess Cruises
During the season, pricing varies, with the cruise line and peaks factored in. Expect to pay at least $800 for a seven-day trip on a contemporary line; luxury cruises, by contrast, may cost over $3,000 for a similar duration.
After the season ends, many of these companies redirect their ships to Asian, Hawaiian, Caribbean, or Panama Canal itineraries.
Season and Itineraries
The average Alaskan cruise departing from Seattle lasts seven nights and incorporates popular ports within its itineraries.
Cruisers more often than not get a glimpse, if not a thorough picture, of the Inside Passage, the region encompassing Glacier Bay and Icy Strait and leading up to Juneau. From here, you’ll spend time in Ketchikan, known for its Tlingit influences, and Skagway, a point of Gold Rush history. As well, your ship may pass through a couple of Canadian ports, including Victoria and Prince Rupert.
Beyond these ports, ships may continue northward. As such, your itinerary may include a stop in Sitka, a town displaying Alaska’s past as a Russian colony; the Kenai Peninsula; and Anchorage, which gets you close to Denali and Fairbanks.
Cruises from Seattle take two possible routes:
Inside Passage: These seven-night, round-trip cruises take you through the coastal Islands, by Skagway and Ketchikan, and spend time in Juneau before turning back home. Be aware that some round-trip itineraries end in Vancouver, Canada.
Gulf of Alaska: This seven-day, one-way itinerary takes you farther up the coast to Sitka and Anchorage and may end in Whittier. As you plan, make sure to include travel arrangements for your return trip home.
Keep in mind that Alaskan cruises are scheduled for part of the year – May to September, with June to August being peak season. While you’ll experience temperatures in the 50s to the 70s, you should further prepare for rain and pack accordingly.
Interested in a cruise to Alaska? Browse all itineraries leaving from Seattle to start planning your trip.
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