cruise ships in alaska today

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ADVENTURE ON THE WILD SIDE

Alaska cruises.

Adventure comes first on the last frontier.

No vacation in the world delivers once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Alaska. Mark this as your year to cross this bucket-busting destination off your list once and for all. Take off by dogsled across thousand-year-old ice as you soak in otherworldly sights. Trek across the majestic Mendenhall Glacier for breathtaking views of the wildest country. Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears, and whales. And do it all from onboard one of four thrill-filled ships. This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running.

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Want more time to plan the adventure of a lifetime? Our 2024 Alaska sailings are now open.

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OF ICE AND MOUNTAINS

Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape. It might seem cold and unforgiving at first glance, but the best Alaska cruises allow you to explore the quiet lakes,  imposing glaciers  and breathtaking mountain views, you'll have only warm impressions of this wilderness. 

JOURNEY INWARD

Exploring the interior of Alaska will give you an entirely different perspective on this vast and rugged state. Take an Inside Passage cruise and gaze upward at the sky that is as blue as the lakes below. Hop on the Alaskan Railroad near Anchorage and see the spruce-lined, mountainous landscape whir by from a new perspective.

GLACIERS WILL MOVE YOU

In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve  massive icebergs . Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders.

JOURNEY TO "THE GREAT ONE"

In the center of the state,  Denali National Park  is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day. An up-close view is more than worth the expedition during your vacation.

FEEL THE RUSH

Alaska is tailor-made for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you sail its icy bays trying to spot huge cold-water whales or fly high above this rough-and-tumble landscape from the vantage of a helicopter, you're sure to come away with memories you couldn't have made anywhere else during your cruise to Alaska. 

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months. Visit Alaska and get the experience for yourself at the  Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Sled Tour . The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill.

WHERE ARE THE WHALES AT?

Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a  whale watching tour . There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water.

Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state. Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape.

RELEASE YOUR WILD SIDE ON THE BEST ALASKA CRUISE

Embark on an unforgettable Alaska adventure cruise and experience the ultimate vacation. Immerse yourself in the thrilling destinations that Alaska has to offer, each brimming with its own unique style and vibe. Discover the wonders of Alaska with the Best Cruise Line for 20 years running.

QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

Quantum of the Seas® heads to the Last Frontier from Seattle . This adventure packed ship offers glacier gazing from the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship and activities you can enjoy in any weather. Edge of your seat entertainment, all weather activities like the fan-favorite Flowrider®* and unparalleled views from every room.

EXPLORE MORE

OVATION OF THE SEAS

Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm . Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. 

BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

Brilliance of the Seas® gets you up close to the glacial giants of The Last Frontier — from the expansive Hubbard to the calving Dawes. You can add once-in-a-lifetime to the itinerary for your wildest week ever. Go wildlife spotting in Juneau, peak-seeking in Sitka , and take-on rugged adventure in Haines. Getting to your coolest getaway yet is easy for the whole family with sails roundtrip from Vancouver

RADIANCE OF THE SEAS

Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®. With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing elevators, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau. And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Alaska Cruises Insider

The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences. This diversity means you need to be prepared for a lot of change while traveling.

The best time to travel to Alaska depends on your priorities. If you're interested in the Midnight Sun, the longest day of the year is June 21, when you can experience close to 20 or more hours of sunlight in some parts of the state. If you're more interested in the Alaska Northern Lights, the earlier sunset in later summer will allow more contrast and better views of this natural wonder.

No two days will be the same, and you'll need to pack your clothing to prepare for temperature changes throughout the day. Think layers: zip-up sweaters, boots, rain jackets.

The Top Things to Do Onboard Brilliance of the Seas | Royal Caribbean Cruises

March 8, 2024

Brilliance of the Seas makes it impossible to feel bored during a vacation! These top things to do onboard this beloved cruise ship make it a fan favorite for many.

Planning a Trip To Alaska: Land vs. Sea | Royal Caribbean Cruises

When planning a trip to Alaska, many travelers wonder if it's better to explore the state by land or by sea. Here's why travel by cruise ship is best here.

Best Brilliance of the Seas Family Cruises | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Enjoy an insider’s guide to discovering the best family cruises for your next vacation onboard Brilliance of the Seas. Start sailing today.

Our Family Alaska Cruise: A Vacation We'll Never Forget | Royal Caribbean Cruises

On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens.

Alaska Souvenirs to Take Home With You So You Never Forget Your Trip | Royal Caribbean Cruises

After traveling somewhere new, you want to bring something back with you to remember all of your fun adventures. Don't miss these Alaska souvenirs.

What to Pack for a Cruise to Alaska | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Take the guess work out of what to pack for a cruise to Alaska with this guide that tells you what to bring and why you'll be glad you did!

Alaska Food: Where to Find the Best Food in Alaska | Royal Caribbean Cruises

The best Alaska food to try on a cruise includes king crab, salmon, fry bread, birch syrup, wild berries and more.

Fun Activities for kids in Alaska | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Fun activities for kids abound on an Alaska cruise. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes.

Dive Into Alaska Traditions on Your Next Cruise | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Whether you're curious about Alaska native culture or other Alaska traditions, here's how to make these an integral part of your trip up north.

What Is the Best Way to See Alaska? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. Here's how to decide the best way to see Alaska.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Port Cities | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Cruising is a wonderful thing. It can bring you to some of the most beautiful port cities in the world.

Why You Should Take an Alaska Summer Vacation Cruise

Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too.

Best Vacation Spots in Alaska in the Summer

Alaska in the summer is a must for adventure travelers looking for wilderness hiking, epic glaciers, dog sledding, and sea kayaking

Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours

Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature? Here is your travel guide for planning the best adventure vacation.

The Most Instagrammable Places in Alaska

Find the most Instagrammable places for your next vacation cruise to Alaska. Come discover the prettiest spots to take pictures with our travel photo guide.

Visiting Scenic Restaurants in Alaska

Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska.

Honeymoon Cruise in Alaska

Planning a honeymoon cruise to Alaska? We’ve curated the ultimate guide to visiting some of the most romantic destinations to vacation for couples.

The Best Craft Breweries in Alaska

For all the beer lovers planning an Alaskan cruise vacation, we’ve curated the ultimate zythophile guide to visiting 5 of the best craft breweries in Alaska.

Must-Sees for Your Once in a Lifetime Alaska Cruise Vacation

Whether you're a history buff or a nature nut, there are numerous bucket list destinations to experience while traveling on your Alaska cruise vacation.

Conquer the World's Longest Zip Line in Alaska

Don’t wait any longer, riding the world's longest zip line in Alaska will be an experience you'll never forget while on your next Alaskan mountain adventure.

Dog Sledding Tours

There's nothing like an amazing adventure during an Alaskan vacation, and if you're looking for things to do then dog sledding is a bucket-list experience.

Top Tips for Planning a Cruise to Alaska

Discover the top tips for planning a cruise to Alaska and uncover the best times of the year to spot Alaskas wildlife, locate must-see attractions, find Alaskan cruise deals and more.

Alaska Helicopter Tours

There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. Take your breath away as you travel above its amazing glaciers.

The Best Alaska Cruises

Your Guide to the Best Cruises From Alaska. Learn more about the most stunning destinations you can visit on an Alaska cruise from Seattle or Vancouver.

Alaska is not a formal place; people even wear jeans to the opera. Focus more on comfort when deciding what clothing to pack.

Cameras, binoculars, rain ponchos and jackets are useful, but add these to the souvenirs you'll be picking up and soon your bag will be too heavy to tote around. Bring along a quality day pack to make it easier to hold your necessities.

Learn a few words in Alaska's local lingo: The "Alcan" is the Alaska-Canada Highway, for example, and "fish stories" are the local version of tall tales — unreliable yarns of mythological proportions, often told by fisherman.

ALASKAN CUISINE WILD IS THE WAY 

Alaskan food focuses on locally sourced ingredients that reflect the state's rugged terrain and the vast oceans surrounding it. These nutrient-rich waters serve up some gorgeous fish and shellfish, from super-fresh salmon to huge Alaskan King Crabs that can feed a crowd, while game meats and berries from the wilderness form a perfect marriage of flavor.

SALMON IS CENTRAL

Fresh-caught wild salmon is served up at backyard BBQs and the finest restaurants. For something different, try the sweet and savory treat Indian Candy, salmon that is sweetened and smoked till hard.

SOURDOUGH WON'T LET YOU GO

Sourdough is such an important part of Alaskan culture that long-time Alaskans are actually called sourdoughs in local parlance. Try a sourdough bread bowl filled with salmon chowder for a hearty lunch.

GO WILD FOR BERRIES

Alaskan wild berries are sweet and pack a powerful punch of flavor. Whether served up in jams, candies, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats.

RELATED PORTS

Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, the towns along Alaska's inside passage provide a variety of adventurous activities. Alaska cruise ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks.

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska

Alaska Inside Passage, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Inside Passage, Canada

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Alaska

Skagway, Alaska

Glacier Bay (Cruising), Alaska

Haines, Alaska

Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska

Seward, Alaska

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Seattle, Washington

Port schedule.

Seattle, Washington cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information such as how crowded is the port, as well as the ship’s next port-of-call.

The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise ship arrivals from all major cruise lines. In order to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

Seattle Cruise Port Guide Info

Welcome to Seattle city that has captured the world's heart with movies such as Sleepless in Seattle and shows like Grey's Anatomy.

• Norwegian Sun 2.323 passengers 19 Apr 2024 - 06:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 06:00
• Norwegian Sun 2.323 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 06:00
• Carnival Spirit 2.549 passengers 23 Apr 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 27 Apr 2024 - 06:00
• Norwegian Encore 4.903 passengers 28 Apr 2024 - 06:00
• ms Zaandam 1.718 passengers 30 Apr 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Sun 2.323 passengers 01 May 2024 - 06:00
• Carnival Luminosa 2.712 passengers 01 May 2024 - 07:00
• Crown Princess 3.674 passengers 01 May 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 04 May 2024 - 06:00
• ms Eurodam 2.525 passengers 04 May 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Encore 4.903 passengers 05 May 2024 - 06:00
• Quantum Of The Seas 4.819 passengers 06 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Spirit 2.549 passengers 07 May 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Sun 2.323 passengers 10 May 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 11 May 2024 - 06:00
• Discovery Princess 4.402 passengers 11 May 2024 - 07:00
• ms Eurodam 2.525 passengers 11 May 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Encore 4.903 passengers 12 May 2024 - 06:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 20 Apr 2024 - 16:00
• Norwegian Sun 2.323 passengers 21 Apr 2024 - 17:00
• Carnival Spirit 2.549 passengers 23 Apr 2024 - 16:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 27 Apr 2024 - 16:00
• Norwegian Encore 4.903 passengers 28 Apr 2024 - 17:00
• ms Zaandam 1.718 passengers 30 Apr 2024 - 19:00
• Norwegian Sun 2.323 passengers 01 May 2024 - 16:00
• Crown Princess 3.674 passengers 01 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Luminosa 2.712 passengers 01 May 2024 - 16:00
• ms Eurodam 2.525 passengers 04 May 2024 - 15:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 04 May 2024 - 17:00
• Norwegian Encore 4.903 passengers 05 May 2024 - 17:00
• Quantum Of The Seas 4.819 passengers 06 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Spirit 2.549 passengers 07 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Luminosa 2.712 passengers 09 May 2024 - 16:00
• Norwegian Sun 2.323 passengers 10 May 2024 - 17:00
• Discovery Princess 4.402 passengers 11 May 2024 - 15:00
• ms Eurodam 2.525 passengers 11 May 2024 - 15:00
• Norwegian Bliss 4.903 passengers 11 May 2024 - 17:00
• ms Westerdam 2.362 passengers 12 May 2024 - 15:00

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Enjoy 75% off your second guest’s cruise fare and get bonus savings on select dates. Plus, additional guests in your stateroom sail free on select sailings.

Award-Winning Alaska Cruise Ships

Explore the Last Frontier

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Sail to the Great Outdoors on a Premium Cruise Ship to Alaska

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to one of America’s most spectacular destinations on one of our premium Alaska cruise ships, and sail your way through the rugged wilderness of Alaska. During your journey on board, you’ll enjoy world-class cuisine, unrivaled service, breathtaking views, and limitless entertainment options. This is one vacation you won’t soon forget.

Our Alaska Cruise Ships

View all cruises to alaska.

Choose from three ships in Alaska that all perfectly complement the wild wonders you’ll explore.

Celebrity Edge® is our first Edge® Series ship to sail to the Last Frontier, and it’s designed to connect you more closely than ever to Alaska’s natural beauty. Watch glaciers calve into the sea while you soar on the Magic Carpet®. Spot breaching whales from the creature comforts of your spacious Infinite Veranda® stateroom. Marvel at three-story-high views of the Inside Passage from Eden.

Our intimate and stylish Celebrity Summit® will spoil you wildly in this unspoiled wilderness with its revolutionized accommodations, restaurants, and experiences, including a redesigned spa and the exclusive enclaves of The Retreat®.

Rounding out our Alaska fleet, Celebrity Solstice® has something you won’t find on any other ship there. The Lawn Club, featuring real, live grass, is an incredible spot to enjoy a hot chocolate while you soak up the views. Hike a glacier by day and then visit our ice-topped Martini Bar by night. Wake up to breakfast on your spacious, private veranda as you get ready for the day’s adventures. 

Whichever ship you sail on, your time in this rugged corner of the world will be anything but rugged on board. Dine in a delicious new restaurant each night. Unwind in stylish accommodations designed to leave you relaxed and renewed. And enjoy service so intuitive, you’ll wonder if we can read your mind. This is Alaska, Celebrity style.

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• Cruise Advice

Cruise Ships That Are Sailing in Alaska This Summer

Orlando Martinez

• June 2, 2021

Thanks to the bipartisan support in the passing of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, cruise lines are now moving full speed ahead with planning Alaska cruises beginning in July 2021.

By eliminating the requirement that non-US flagged ships make a stop in a Canadian port, the Restoration Act makes roundtrip seven-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle a viable option, bypassing Victoria and/or Vancouver, British Columbia, for the first time ever.

To operate these cruises without first sailing “test voyages” required under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Conditional Sailing Order, cruise lines are requiring all eligible passengers to present proof of vaccination to sail. Currently, vaccinations in the United States are only available to kids 12 and over.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will allow younger passengers to cruise if they present a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding. Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, and Princess, however, are requiring all passengers to be fully vaccinated, meaning children under 12 will not be able to sail at all.

This far from normal Alaska season is offering a narrow window for one group of potential passengers: U.S. citizens who have a DUI or other serious offense on their records can take an Alaska cruise for the first, and perhaps, only time. Typically, Canada refuses to admit Americans with DUIs or other types of felonies (sometimes they do allow exceptions that require extra paperwork for entry). Since, until this summer, Alaska cruisers were required to depart from or make a stop in Canada, these cruisers were (technically) barred from sailing north to Alaska. Without the required stop in British Columbia, these passengers can sail to take in the natural beauty of one of the most amazing cruise destinations for the first time.

These cruises also might be the best time for passengers who are less fond of sailing with kids to embark on ships that will be devoid of the youngest passengers, and likely have fewer teenagers than a typical summer voyage. And, due to the much later than normal start to the Alaska season, ships will be sailing later into September and even October than is typically the case. For those wanting to experience a cooler, drier Alaska by cruise, this year also presents a unique opportunity.

Though it’s unclear on the exact protocols that will be observed onboard ships and in port in the Pacific Northwest — as these are still being finalized by the cruise lines and subject to review by the CDC — it’s likely masks and social distancing will be required (though Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain is optimistic they won’t be), buffet and meal services will almost certainly be modified, and capacity will be reduced.

Here are all the ships currently scheduled to sail to Alaska in Summer 2021.

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas

• Sailing Mondays July 19 to September 20, 2021
• 7-night cruises visiting Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and scenic cruising at Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier
• Requirements: Passengers 16 and older must be vaccinated against COVID-19 for all sailings; beginning August 1, all passengers 12 and older must be vaccinated. Underage passengers will be tested for COVID-19 prior to sailing.

Celebrity Summit

• Sailing Fridays July 23 to September 17, 2021
• 7 night cruises visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and scenic cruising at Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier

Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam

• Sailing Saturdays July 24 to September 25, 2021
• 7 night cruises visiting Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Straight Point, and scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and Stephens Passage
• Requirements: All passengers must have been vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure, and present proof of vaccination.

READ MORE:  Alaska Glacier Cruises Explained: All You Need To Know

Majestic Princess

• Sailing Sundays July 25 to September 26, 2021
• 7 night cruises visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park

Carnival Miracle

• Sailing Tuesdays July 27 to September 14, 2021
• 7 night cruises visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord; the September 14 cruise is 8 nights and also visits Icy Straight Point

Norwegian Encore

• Sailings Saturdays August 7 to October 9, 2021
• 7 Night Cruises visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and scenic cruising in Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier; or, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park. Note: Norwegian’s official itineraries currently list a port call in Victoria, British Columbia for these cruises, but the port is expected to be bypassed due to Canada’s ban on large cruise ships and the passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas

• Sailing Fridays August 13 to September 10, 2021
• 7 night cruises visiting Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and scenic cruising at Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier
• Requirements: Passengers 12 and older must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Underage passengers will be tested for COVID-19 prior to sailing.

Silversea’s  Silver Muse

• Sailing Thursdays and Sundays starting July 29, 2021
• 10 and 11-night cruises visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Skagway, Sitka, and scenic cruising at Sawyer Glacier and Mendenhall Glacier

While travelers are excited about the chance to sail to Alaska, tourism-dependent businesses in the state are even more thrilled after suffering a brutal 2020 with no cruise passengers and very few tourists.

“Alaskans are ready to welcome visitors from across the globe to Alaska, where they can personally experience the scenic and cultural wonders that can only be found here,” Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said.

Unfortunately, cruise tours to Denali National Park are not on the schedule this year, but there will still be plenty of opportunities to see humpback whales, sea otters, black and brown bears, bald eagles, and more.

READ NEXT:  Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: What You Need to Know

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Seattle (Washington)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Alaska

Local Time 2024-04-16 15:00

Port Seattle cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Seattle, Washington. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port Seattle's cruise passenger shipping business started in 1999 and is currently ranked first among all West Coast USA homeports (departure seaports). Each homeported ship's visit generates USD 4+ million for Washington State's economy, with annual regional revenue USD 0,9+ billion. The city's best-known landmark is The Space Needle observation tower in downtown (height 184 m / 604 ft), having 6 floors (top floor heigth 158 m / 518 ft) and 3 lifts.

Currently, Port's cruise business generates 5500+ jobs and annually ~USD 450 million in revenue (~USD 900M total economic activities) plus ~USD 15M in local and state taxes. Each Seattle-homeported cruise liner call generates USD 2,5+ million for the local economy. Seattle is the homeport of the Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Healy .

Port Seattl

In August 2015 was formed the Northwest Seaport Alliance via a merger of Port Tacoma 's and Port Seattle's cargo shipping operations. By annual cargo volumes, the Tacoma-Seattle port terminal operations are ranked USA's 4th-largest (after Port Los Angeles, Port Long Beach and Port New York-New Jersey NYC ) and among North America's top-10-largest.

Seattle cruise port

During the Port's inaugural cruise season (1999) were handled only 6 ship calls and 6615 passengers. 

Port Seattle (locode USSEA) currently has two cruise facilities - Smith Cove Terminal (at Pier 91) and Bell Street Terminal (at Pier 66). Pier 91's terminal serves Carnival Corporation-owned ships (Holland America, Princess) and Celebrity and RCG/Royal Caribbean Group-owned ships (Celebrity and RCI). Pier 66's terminal serves NCLH/Norwegian-owned ships (NCL and Oceania).

Statistical data shows that an average turnaround cruise tourist spends USD 1547 in the city (on hotels/lodging, dining/drinking, transportation, shopping). Each vessel call generates USD 4,2 million for the region. Cruise companies ' spending includes in-port marine services and also purchasing supplies from local suppliers, including seafood, fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, flowers, eggs), butter, wines.

Since 2017, passengers disembarking in Seattle check their luggage through port's new "Cruise Luggage Valet Program" (cooperation with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport) and receive their airline boarding passes prior to debarkation.

On August 12, 2015, the seaport signed a 15-year lease deal with NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings). The deal secured all NCLH ships ( NCL , Oceania and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas ) in Port Seattle for the full term of the lease of Bell Street Terminal (Pier 66). The guaranteed passenger volume was estimated to bring ~USD 73 million of revenue to the cruise port. According to official statistics, Alaskan cruises from Seattle generate ~USD 440 million in economic impact annually. Additionally, NCLH agreed to make improvements to Terminal 66 that were estimated at USD 30 million to expand its facilities. Under the new lease, NCLH manages all terminal operations and has priority berthing rights during the season.

Port Seattle operates Terminal 66's facilities outside the Alaskan season. The 15-year lease deal was estimated to generate USD 2+ billion in business revenue, ~900 new jobs, USD 65+ million in local and state taxes. In 2015, the cruise port handled 192 ship calls and 895,055 passengers. in 2016, passengers number reached 960,000.

In early-April 2016, Port Seattle announced plans to ease flight-cruise passengers at Sea-Tac Airport by temporarily replacing TSA security staff with contractors. This made the security checking faster. Starting May 2016, TSA staff was trained locally to increase the number of processed cruisers at the airport. Also, more checkpoint lanes were opened.

• On May 16, 2016, Explorer of the Seas (West Coast USA's largest passenger ship) arrived in Seattle. Liner's inaugural Alaskan season had scheduled 7-night roundtrips to Alaska and Canada (Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, Victoria BC).
• On July 30, 2016, at "Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade" (annual event) in downtown was presented a replica cruise ship - Holland America's Koningsdam . The replica was a helium balloon - one of parade's over 100 floats. The balloon ship had length of 45 ft (14 m) and height of 11 ft (3,3 m) and was guided by 30x HAL employees through the streets. HAL is a sponsor and participant of the parade. In previous parades, HAL employees carried an orca-whale replica balloon.
• In October 2016, Port Seattle announced its plans to invest USD 20 million in improvements to Bell Harbor Conference Center (adjacent to Pier 66).

In May 2017 was opened the renovated Pier 66 cruise terminal facility (see in the "terminal" section below) where are homeported NCL ships. The 15-year lease to NCL (until 2032) is estimated to generate over USD 2,3 billion in total revenue, nearly 900 jobs and over USD 65 million in taxes. 2017 was a record year for the cruise port - with handled 218 ship calls and nearly 1,072 million passengers (9% increase over 2016's 983,539 pax) and total revenue USD 501 million.

In 2017, Holland America Line started an ad campaign on 3 commuter trains running on Seattle's Sound Transit Light Rail System. The trains were operated between January and April 2017, when the Alaskan cruising season begins. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on January 10 at University of Washington (train station). On September 23, 2017, Port Seattle welcomed its 1 millionth cruise tourist in a single Alaskan season (2 passengers on HAL's Eurodam ). Industry's regional economic impact in 2017 surpassed USD 500 million.

In early-March 2018, the schedules for ferries leaving from Seattle were changed due to the demolition of the old Washington State Ferries terminal to make space for a new (smaller-sized) facility. Half of Colman Dock (ferry terminal) building was closed off to the public. The wood-piling supported terminal building was considered seismically vulnerable, with many pilings riddled with marine termites. The demolition and construction works were scheduled for completion in 2023. The new/expanded building connects all the 4 ferry slips. Colman Dock serves ferries crossing daily to Bremerton WA and Bainbridge Island.

On May 30, 2018, arrived the largest so far Seattle-homeported Alaskan cruise liner - Norwegian Bliss (gross tonnage 164600 tons, max passengers 5200, crew 1730). The vessel was homeported at Pier 66, operating on weekly roundtrips during summer. NCL Bliss is world's first specifically constructed for Alaska mega-liner. In 2018, the cruise port handled a total of 216 ship calls and nearly 1,072 million passengers (4% increase over 2017).

In late-November 2018, Port Seattle's Terminal 18 (operated by SSA Marine Inc) surpassed the 1 million TEU-container volume. This was Washington state's first time when a single cargo terminal handled 1 million containers in a year. Container Terminal 18 is in North Harbor (Northwest Seaport). In April 2018, CT 18 became the first in Puget Sound with moved 5500 TEUs on and off a single boxship (container carrier) , which averaged 30 gantry-crane moves per hour. In 2018, CT 18 was upgraded with new RTGs (rubber-tired gantry cranes), resulting in added two new shipping routes - AL5 (Transatlantic by THE Alliance) and PNS (Pacific Northwest Service by SM Lines).

In early-December 2018, Port's Commission approved budget 2019 and future budget 2019-2023 (capital investment plan). The 5-year plan included USD 348 million for investments in Seattle's waterfront area. Of this budget, USD 100 million were for a new berth (4th cruise terminal / Pier 46), USD 39 million for Terminal 91 developments and USD 35 million for Terminal 91's berth replacement. Budget 2019 (USD 935 million) spent 51% of seaport's USD 1,94 billion capital expenditures, and 23% of all operating expenses. Budget 2019 also included developments for Sea-Tac Airport - North Satellite Expansion and Modernisation Project (started in February 2017), International Arrivals Terminal, high-speed baggage handling system. Works on the new cruise terminal at Pier 46 (Terminal 46) were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID crisis.

During season 2019 (April-October), the cruise port handled 211 ship calls and ~1,2 million passengers (1,114 million were handled in 2018). For 2020 was forecasted a record year with scheduled 225 ship calls and estimated ~1,4 million passengers.

In 2022 was completed NWSA Terminal 5. The new facility (abbrev Northwest Seaport Alliance) is a container ship terminal fitted with 5x super-large STS cranes (ship-to-shore/rail-mounted gantry cranes).

• The 5x STS were constructed in China (by ZPMC-Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co) and were delivered in June 2021 via ZHEN HUA 36 (2003-built Heavy Load Carrier/IMO 9254903).
• By height ( 316 ft / 96,3 m) and outreach boom (240 ft / 73,2 m), the Chinese cranes are among the largest on the US West Coast, with capacity to handle even the world's biggest boxships .
• The ZPMC cranes' owner and operator is SSA Marine Inc (1949-founded, currently subsidiary of Carrix Inc/1994-founded company specializing in transportation and logistics services).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 (July 19 thru Oct 23) Port Seattle handled 83 cruise ship calls and ~230,000 passengers. In 2022 were handled 296 cruise ship calls and ~1,28 million passengers (+6% over 2019). Homeporting operations were conducted by 7x major companies operating 14x ships.

In 2023 (April-October) the Port received 291 ship calls and 1,778 million passengers. Since 2024, Pier 66's dock provides shore power connectivity/cold ironing . Shore-to-ship power capability allows berthed ships to shut down their engines and plug into the city's electrical grid for all shipboard equipment and hotel services, thus reducing in-port noise and air pollution.

In August 2023, the Port's Commission approved US$32,6M budget for transforming the Ship Supply Building (Port's oldest, located at Fishermen’s Terminal)  into a Maritime Innovation Center.

In 2024, the cruise port reported a total of 275 booked berthings with estimated 800,000+ passengers.

Cruise itineraries to and from Seattle WA

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Seattle:

• 7-day round-trip Inside Passage Alaska cruises out of Seattle visit the Alaskan ports Ketchikan, Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Skagway. These itineraries often include a day stop at call port Victoria (BC Canada) .
• Itineraries on small ships or luxury cruises visit also the Alaskan ports Wrangell , Hubbard Glacier , Sitka (Baranof Island) .
• One-way Alaska repositioning cruises from Seattle to Vancouver BC (Canada) - and the reverse Vancouver to Seattle, are special 1-day cruise deals. Those are offered, respectively, in late Fall / Spring when cruise ships relocate out of Alaska. Seattle to Vancouver deals on longer itineraries (up to 17 days) may include visiting Hawaii before returning back to Vancouver.
• Other repositioning cruise deals to and from Seattle include ports in California (departures from Los Angeles , San Diego , San Francisco ), even in Caribbean (with Panama Canal transition ), to Hawaii and Australia, and rarely to South America.
• Among the passenger shipping companies leaving from Seattle are CCL-Carnival, Celebrity, HAL-Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Princess, RCI-Royal Caribbean, Oceania, Lindblad-National Geographic.

In 2019, the US company Vigor Industrial opened a new drydock facility in Port Seattle, with capacity to handle mega-yachts and mid-sized cruise liners. The company's other (larger) drydock is in Portland Oregon . New drydock's operations started with the 3-week long refurbishment of Oceania Regatta .

Seattle cruise terminal

The cruise port of Seattle was established on September 5, 1911, with the votes of King County, WA, confirmed by Port District Act and run by an elected 5-member commission. This port district runs both the airport and the seaport of Seattle.

The seaport of Washington State is nicknamed ”The Emerald City“. It currently has 2 passenger terminals - "Terminal 91" and "Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal" (aka "Pier 66"), plus 1 new/planned (Pier 46). Fishermen's Terminal (on Salmon Bay) is the homeport (dock) for Washington state's North Pacific Fishing Fleet (commercial fishing vessels).

(NEW) Pier 46 Cruise Terminal

In mid-November 2018, Port Seattle Commission unveiled plans for a USD 348 million project for infrastructure developments, waterfront upgrades and building a new cruise terminal.

• City's new seaport levy growth brings in USD 74,2 million per year and helped paying for the new projects. It also funded environmental programs. It is expected to be approved a 3% property tax increase, which means the owner of USD 590,000 property (currently paying USD 69 annually to the port) would pay around $70 in 2019, and $79 in 2023.
• Port's capital improvement plan includes upgrading the Fishermen's Terminal, new light industrial space in Interbay (close to Terminal 91), modernization of Bell Harbor's conference center, new cruise terminal (at Pier 46).
• Of the total US$348M, US$100M were for the new berth/4th cruise terminal) at Pier 46.

Construction works on Pier 46's "Terminal 5" started on March 13, 2019. The new facility can handle ULCV (ultra-large container vessels/boxships) , supports ~6600 direct jobs and generates USD 2+ billion in annual business activities. From the US$ 340M, the private company SSA Terminals (subsidiary of SSA Marine Inc) contributed US$ 160M. The 185-acre (75-hectares) terminal will be open in 2 phases - one berth in 2021-Q1, and the other in 2023. Terminal 5 can handle simultaneously 2 large boxships (max capacity 18,000 TEU-containers). Port Seattle's North and South harbor container terminals can handle ships with max capacity 14,000 TEUs.

The new "Cruise Terminal 46" as a project is currently suspended. When restarted, the new facility will be operated by a private company (TBA) which is due to be responsible for 50% of all development costs (~USD 100 million). Terminal 46 is located south of downtown and has 3100 ft (945 m) berthing, 50 ft (15 m) water depth / max draught, combined land area 86 acres (350,000 m2) and a cruise terminal building with capacity 5,000 passengers. Berth's northern portion serves as cruise dock (land area 29 acres / 117,360 m2), while its south end is for docking of breakbulk cargo ships.

Since 2019, Terminal 46 is no longer used for international container shipping. Cruise terminal's completion was scheduled for 2020. The new facility will also have shoreside power capabilities .

Bell Street Pier 66 cruise terminal

Terminal 66 was inaugurated in May 2000. In 2017 was completed the USD  30 million terminal expansion project.

• address: "Port of SeattleSeattle, Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal (Pier #66), 2225 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington 98121"
• location - at the north end of city's waterfront, ~10 min drive distance from the city's shopping centre and the Space Needle tower
• Driving directions to Pier 66 Terminal: from Interstate 5 Northbound take Mercer Street westbound (exit 167). Turn left on 5th Ave N. Turn right on Broad St. Turn left on Alaskan Way. Follow the signs to Pier 66.
• 1 berth (length 1600 ft / 489 m) or 2 berths with in-transit ships
• Pier 66 is an 479160 ft2 / 44515 m2 sized passenger terminal complex along downtown's waterfront. Pier 66 terminal serves the ships of NCL-Norwegian ,  Oceania  and  RSSC-Regent . Pier 66 is at close walking distance to Pike Place Market (public market) and Seattle Aquarium (public aquarium on Pier 59). City's landmark Space Needle (observation tower) is also nearby.
• Among the amenities offered are concierge service (luggage storage before/after voyages, information), wheelchair, mobility scooter and oxygen rentals (equipment delivered directly to the cabin), restaurants, mini-mart (deli, ATM).
• There is a free of charge shuttle service to the terminal.
• A mechanized gangway serves the embarkation/disembarkation process (from building's floor 2/ticketing level). A second gangway was installed in May 2018.
• Bell Street Cruise Terminal is close to Seattle-Tacoma Airport (~15-20 min drive distance) and to downtown (~5 min drive distance). The terminal is located on a 10-acre area, sited on Pier #66. The dock had served as a refrigerated storage, railway station and warehousing. The terminal building is 2-floor, with a system which allows direct transfer to the ship from the upper one. A covered parking garage (capacity 1700 cars, including 25 handicap lots, daily parking fee $23) is located across the street. The terminal offers restaurant, cafe, luggage handling, concierge, rental car kiosk and shops. It has only one cruise ship mooring access.
• In August 2015, NCL signed a 15-year lease deal with the port for the Bell Street Cruise Terminal. The contract secured NCL cruise ships in Seattle and provided passenger volume guarantees with a total revenue for the port estimated at USD 73 million. Under the new lease, NCL Holdings manages all operations at Pier 66. The line also has priority rights to the berth during the Alaskan cruise season. The facilities outside the Alaskan season are operated by port authorities. The 15-year lease will generate over USD 2 billion in total revenue for the region, plus over 900 local jobs and over USD 65 million in state/local taxes.

NCL's USD 30 million investment into Pier 66 allowed in Seattle to be homeported the ever-largest Alaskan ship - Norwegian Bliss . The liner started turnaround (roundtrip itinerary) operations in June 2018 with 7-day Inside Passage cruises. To handle new ship's capacity (5200 passengers, 1730 crew), Terminal 66 was expanded from 44,000 ft2 (4090 m2) to 151,000 ft2 (14030 m2). On May 23, 2017, representatives from Port Seattle and NCLH-Norwegian celebrated the opening of the newly renovated Pier 66 Terminal. Upgrades included a mobile gangway (passenger boarding bridge), renovated check-in area and VIP lounge.

Smith Cove Pier 91 cruise terminal (Magnolia)

• address - "Cruise Terminal 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal), 2001 West Garfield St., Seattle, Washington 98119 "
• GPS coordinates - pending
• 2 berths (length 1200 ft / 366 m each)
• Pier 91 terminal serves the ships of Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, Disney and Royal Caribbean.
• Pier 91 cruise terminal was opened in 2009. It has mechanized gangway for embarkation/disembarkation from floor 2 (the ticketing level).

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (~20-25 min drive) and to downtown (~10 min drive). The terminal is located on Pier #90 and Pier #91, at approx 2 mi (3 km)  from downtown in northwestern direction. This port used to serve as an industrial port and a resupply base and still looks a kind of industrial. The Smith Cove terminal offers car rental desk, concierge, luggage handling, retail kiosks, check-in and customs. Close there is a parking and shuttle minibus service which is free. The passengers can pick up a cell phone car lot. It has two cruise ship moorings.

Cruise ship terminal directions and parking

• (route 1) From Interstate 5 Southbound - use Mercer Street Exit from I-5 (exit 167). Continue on westbound onto Elliott Ave. Follow the signs to Pier 91.
• (route 2) From Interstate 5 Southbound - exit on Union St (exit 165B), continue to 4th Ave. Turn right on 4th Ave. Turn left onto Wall St. Turn right on Western Ave. Follow the signs to Pier 91.
• (route 3) From Interstate 5 Northbound - use Mercer Street Exit from I-5 (exit 167), continue westbound onto Elliott Ave. Follow the signs to Pier 91.
• (Bell Street Pier) There is a 1700-cars secure parking garage (Republic Parking) located across the street (on 9 Wall Street) including 25 handicap lots (phone number (206) 783-
• (Smith Cove) There is a 1000-cars secure parking garage and free of charge shuttle service to the terminal.

Cruise parking prices are:

• At Seattle Cruise Park (~10 min away from the seaport), parking costs USD 157 USD (7-night voyage) or USD 2000 (14-night).
• (cheaper alternatives/24-hour security parking) HomeTowne Studios (by Red Roof Inn) costs USD 5/day, Quality Inn Seatac Airport Parking costs USD 4,50/day.

Port Seattle, along with its 2 cruise terminals also has cargo terminals and drydock facilities for marine vessel refurbishments and repairs .

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - USSEA
• two dedicated cruise terminals
• capability to accommodate 4 vessels at a time
• 3 deepwater berths with shore-to-ship power (shore-side electricity supply)
• supported by excellent road and air infrastructure

The Port is accessible only during late spring (April), summer months and early fall (late September, early October). Cruise ships usually arrive in Seattle in the early morning (at 6, 7 or 8 am) and depart from Seattle in the late afternoon (4 or 5 pm).

Space Needle: enjoy beautiful city center views, buy souvenirs or dine at the rotating SkyCity restaurant.

Pioneer Square: situated a mile away from Bell Street Pier, the original center of the pioneer town and the place of the first timber mill in Seattle.

Seattle Aquarium: located by Pier #59, offers interesting sea creatures like the Pacific coral world, brightly colored fish, Puget sound fish and tentacled octopus. You can also visit the shop of the aquarium.

Museum of Flight: aviation devoted museum where you can see superb full WWII fighter planes collection, Shuttle space plane, flight attendants fashion and International Space Station mockup.

Pike Place Market: great farmers’ city market, a place where you can walk and watch plenty goods. It is located right to Bell Street Pier.

Seattle Art Museum Downtown: the biggest museum of art in the region, enjoy artworks from all over the world while touring in the galleries.

Olympic Sculpture Park: free park with thought provoking and abstract sculptures, located a mile away from Bell Street Pier in northwest direction.

Seattle tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Click on this link for the Port Call website or below links for specific pages within Port Call.

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Port of Alaska sees first cruise ship in 2 years

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - It was a sight for sore eyes this morning for Anchorage residents as a cruise ship approached the Port of Alaska for the first time in two years.

On Thursday morning around 10 a.m. the Holland America Cruise cruise line ship Nieuw Amsterdam docked a the port. This is the first cruise ship that has stopped in Anchorage since the COVID-19 pandemic and will be the only ship seen this season according to Visit Anchorage Community Engagement Director Jack Bonney.

“Today is a little bit unusual compared to the rest of the summer season,” Bonney said. “This is the one time that cruise ship calls directory to the port of Anchorage. Most of the cruise visitation that Anchorage sees comes through the ports of Seward or Whittier.”

Passengers anxiously waited on board for their opportunity to depart the ship, ready to hit vacation mode.

“Oh, very, very excited. Are you kidding,” said passenger Angela Bellwood. “They make our food. They make our beds.”

“They make everything for us,” Regisann Myton said.

Bellwood and Myton were excited to explore the downtown Anchorage sights.

“It’s a little chillier than I thought,” Myton said.

“It’s bigger than I thought it would be,” Bellwood said. “It’s a quite bustling city.”

After a two-year dry spell caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the ship’s stop in Anchorage provided the city with a last-minute economic tourism boost for the city at the end of the typical tourist season.

“For a port of call this is a really long one by Alaska standards and by most of the world. So there is an opportunity to do a little bit more here in Anchorage. Even during a port of call that only lasts a single day,” Bonney said. “So things like restaurants, gift shops, day tours, this is a really big deal for them because its something that you can do in a day.”

However, Bonney said that the tourist activity Anchorage saw this summer shows a bounce back from pandemic lows.

“2021 I think turned out a little bit better than we expected and 2022 is on track to be a really big year and maybe even equal a couple of benchmarks,” Bonney said.

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Cruise Ship Calendar

The annual cruise ship calendar for Southcentral Alaska ports is compiled by Visit Anchorage and based on data published by Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska . The dates, ships, lines, and capacity are provided. The schedule is subject to change without notice. This is a preliminary draft and may see changes prior to summer 2024.

The coming year should see similar Southcentral cruise capacity to the year prior. Seward and Whittier remain the primary cruise ship ports in the region, with most 7-day, one-way sailings running between Vancouver, British Columbia, and one of those two ports. Anchorage will see several day calls during the 2024 season as well.

Note that capacity is the total onboard passenger count for one sailing. Total Embark/Debark will be double, since it captures the end of a northbound sailing and the beginning of a separate southbound voyage. Port of calls enroute have zero embark/debark, though guests are typically able to explore the community the ship is visiting that day.

2024 Cruise Ship Schedule (Preliminary)

Download the 2024 cruise ship schedule .

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Alaska to Have Record Cruise Capacity in 2024

• April 10, 2024

According to new 2024 Cruise Industry News Annual Report , the Alaska cruise market is expected to have a record-breaking season in 2024.

Following a strong season in 2023, the capacity for the region, which includes destinations in the United States and Canada, is set to increase by one percent.

Princess Cruises remains the leader in capacity in Alaska, with a total of seven ships sailing from four different homeports .

The Alaska fleet includes the 2022-built Discovery Princess, one of the newest and biggest vessels sailing for the Carnival Corporation-owned premium brand.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the 3,660-guest ship is set to offer seven-night cruises to Alaska and Canada from early May to late September.

The regular itinerary of the Discovery Princess in the region includes visits to Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, as well as scenic cruising at Glacier Bay National Park.

The Majestic Princess, the Royal Princess, the Ruby Princess, the Crown Princess, the Sapphire Princess and the Grand Princess are also scheduled to sail in Alaska this summer.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, which operate some of the largest cruise ships in the destination, are also planning strong programs in Alaska in 2024.

Norwegian Cruise Line will dedicate four vessels to the region, including its two largest ships, the Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Bliss.

Built between 2018 and 2019, each of the vessels can accommodate up to 4,200 guests at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean International is also deploying four ships in Alaska this summer. The lineup includes the two Quantum-Class vessels, the Quantum of the Seas and the Ovation of the Seas, which have capacity for 4,100 passengers.

Cruise Industry News ’ independent research also shows that Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line will also be key players in the Alaska market for2024.

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Cruise ship season begins in Juneau

The Norwegian Bliss docked in Juneau Tuesday morning, marking the start of the 2024 cruise ship season. 

Jade Wang and Minhui Li set up their tripod to take a selfie in front of the “Welcome to Juneau” sign on the seawalk. They came from New York. Through a translation device, they said in Chinese that they think the snow on the mountains is beautiful. 

“Wǒ huì tuījiàn zǔguó de péngyǒu lái — I would recommend my friends from the Motherland to come here,” Li said.

Another couple, Jean and Rob Hands, said they came all the way from Scotland to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in Alaska. 

“We always talked about coming to Alaska, so it was one of those last-minute decisions ‘Let’s see if we can go,’” Jean Hands said. “Probably if we’d come later, we might have seen more of the wildlife.”

Rob Hands said he sees similarities between the tourism in Juneau and back home in Scotland.

“We get loads and loads of visitors. The roads become full of campers and caravans, and you can’t get a place for bed and breakfast unless you book ahead,” he said. “And, you know, it is busy but does well for the economy. So that’s a great thing.”

More than 1.6 million passengers are expected to arrive in Juneau from now until late October, when the season ends. On Tuesday morning, a steady stream of tourists walked down the seawalk and into stores downtown.

The familiar smell of grilled chicken filled the air from Bernadette’s barbecue stand, near Marine Park. Robert De La Cruz said he’d prepared 200 chicken skewers for the opening day, and he hoped they’d all get eaten by the time the ship left. 

“Hopefully, we sell them — as long as it’s not windy and rainy, that’s my fear. When it’s windy and rainy, people don’t get out,” he said. “It’s fun, I’m getting excited this year.”

Brandy Riggs, with Juneau Tours and Whale Watch, stood at a booth along the seawalk. She said visitors had been buying tours to the Mendenhall Glacier and for whale-watching trips throughout the morning. 

“There’s no guarantee that you’re gonna see whales — but we’re definitely offering it still,” she said. “We’ve got some glacier trips going on, and here in the next couple of weeks, we’ll have some city tours going on as well.”

Down Franklin Street, Gary’s Fine Jewelry was also welcoming customers. Owner Gary Totwani keeps the store open year-round, and he said he’s happy to see the tourism season start.

“A lot of people are happy — locals and the people who work for the local stores, they’re happy also,” he said. “So far, so good. I’m excited to welcome the ship, and we’re ready.”

The next ship will arrive in a week.

Katie Anastas contributed reporting.

Clarise Larson, KTOO - Juneau

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Travel | first 6 jurors are chosen for trump’s hush money criminal trial; 12 more still needed, travel | alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season.

Alaska is home to more than 30,000 grizzlies, but the state’s cruise industry is experiencing anything but a bear market as momentum of last year’s record-breaking season is expected to continue in 2024.

The most-visited Alaskan port, Juneau set a new mark a year ago with 1.65 million passengers descending on the capital city during cruise season, which generally runs from April to late October. That figure from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce is a Denali-sized jump of 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019.

Coinciding with Alaska’s 65th anniversary of statehood, the upcoming cruise season appears to be just as robust, with 19 cruise lines sending 43 ships to the Last Frontier. Kicking things off for the second straight year is the 4,008-passenger Norwegian Bliss, which docked in rustic Skagway last week. With four mainstream-category ships homeported in either Seattle or Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line  has nearly 100 more after that.

Two competing companies have staked out even larger claims in this modern-day, maritime Alaskan gold rush. Holland America Line is sending seven premium-class ships for 141 total cruises. And at the top of the totem pole is Princess Cruises , which is celebrating its 55th year in these waters with seven premium ships sharing 158 departures.

Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pit stop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparalleled wilderness, wildlife and native culture. In other words, bucket list stuff.

“Alaska is one of those places that draws you in and sets the hook right away,” said Kristi Switzer, destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau. “Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city.”

Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port will have 1.5 million passengers wanting more.

“This magical corner of the world has so much to offer beyond being a checkmark on people’s bucket lists,” she said.

Alaska is a checkmark for about three-quarters of all passengers headed there, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association, and the same can be said for two ships this season.

Starting with a six-day sail out of Vancouver on May 11, the namesake of Celebrity Cruises ’ popular Edge class will make its Alaskan debut with weeklong roundtrips from Seattle through Sept. 13. The 2,918-passenger vessel features a unique “outside-in” architecture that provides more floor-to-ceiling glass on the exterior and expanded outdoor spaces to soak up the Alaskan coastlines.

Edge will be joined by a pair of fleet mates for the season, albeit Summit’s seven-day roundtrips are turnarounds out of Anchorage or Vancouver, and Solstice’s weeklong jaunts are solely based in the British Columbian seaport. Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year.

The other new recruit is Silver Nova, the youngest Silversea Cruises  ship in the luxury fleet to ever service Alaska. Capped at 728 guests, Silver Nova was launched last year and has the goods to do justice to a dreamlike place that captures the imagination of wilderness lovers and history buffs.

“Silver Nova is the ideal ship for Alaska cruising,” said company spokesman Brad Ball. “Her innovative design, which incorporates an unprecedented 4,000 square meters of glass, immerses guests into the incredible scenery of Alaska from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn.”

The ship’s reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — allows unique openness to view spectacular Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Those who want to experience an older and smaller Evolution-class Silversea vessel can book the Silver Muse, which also will sail mostly seven- to 14-day trips between Anchorage and Vancouver.

Because nearly every Alaskan cruise includes the staples — Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage and Denali with a land add-on — some cruise lines like to shake things up with unique itineraries.

Holland America has a roundtrip that makes it easy to visit the 49th and 50th states without a long flight. A new “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise, part of the premium line’s Legendary Voyages collection of journeys from 25 to 59 days, departs on Aug. 31 from Seattle or Sept. 1 from Vancouver aboard the 1,916-passenger Westerdam. The nearly four-weeklong itinerary includes seldomly visited Kodiak and Dutch Harbor before heading down to the tropics to make four calls to three Hawaiian islands.

Seabourn  strives to offer a more tasteful Alaskan cruise and not only because it’s an ultra-luxury cruise line. “Caviar on the Ice” is a savory and swanky soiree on every Alaskan voyage, and when the 450-passenger Odyssey is in Sitka, a town originally built by Russian traders in the early 1800s, Seabourn guests can enjoy a culinary adventure that includes a scenic drive to a taproom for a sampling of local brews and a few eateries to try Siberian-rooted pelmeni dumplings and a hot dog made with caribou that the locals call “reindeer dawgs.” Sorry, vegetarians and friends of Santa, but Blitzen on a bun is da bomb.

Disney Cruise Line  is sending its 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder out of Vancouver for 15 week-long roundtrips, one five-day spin leaving on July 24 and an extended nine-day voyage on July 15.

Other cruise lines showing passengers a whale of a time in Alaska include Crystal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Lindblad/National Geographic, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas and Viking.

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Port Chilkoot Dock

Haines' cruise ship dock is conveniently located at the base of historic Ft. Seward, and less than mile from downtown.

Cruise Ship Schedule

For visitors arriving in Haines who prefer not to do the driving themselves, you're in luck! Haines offers a variety of activities and tours that cater to all interests, whether you're here for just a few hours or the entire day. Here's what you can look forward to during your stay:

Convenient Location : Haines' port is conveniently located just a few blocks from downtown Haines, making it easy to explore the town and its attractions on foot. The port is also situated below the historical Fort William H. Seward, which you can explore at your own pace.

Self-Guided Walking Tours : To make the most of your time in Haines, consider picking up self-guided walking tour materials. These resources can guide you through the Fort Seward area, through the Totem Pole path, and the history of downtown Haines. These tours are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local culture and history at your own speed.

Booked Tours : Haines offers a wide range of guided tours that explore the scenic beauty and cultural attractions of the area. Whether you're interested in wildlife viewing, outdoor adventures, or cultural experiences, you can find tours that match your preferences. Some tours are more adventurous, while others are leisurely, so you can choose the level of excitement that suits you.

Exploration of the Valley : The Haines area is known for its boundless natural beauty. You can venture into the valley on tours that take you to stunning locations, including those that might be a bit more extreme for the adventurous at heart. Activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography are popular choices for visitors.

With plenty of activities to choose from and the convenience of a port location that is easily accessible from downtown Haines, you can make the most of your visit, whether you have just a few hours or a full day to explore. Haines offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and outdoor adventures that will create lasting memories of your time in this picturesque Alaskan town.

Cruises To Haines

Cruising is a very popular way to visit Haines. Check out the many brands and sizes of ships that call to Haines and the neighboring community of Skagway.

Monthly First Friday events highlight local artists at different locations throughout the town.

Plan Your Visit

Visiting Haines will take some planning, but once you get here, you will be happy you did. There are many ways to get here. Find out which one suits you best!

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907-766-6418   | 

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Sitka, Alaska

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7 Alaska Small Ship Cruises To Consider — Alaska Expert M.T. Schwartzman Shares Details

Apr 9, 2024 | 0

7 Alaska Small Ship Cruises

By M.T. Schwartzman

I took my first cruise to Alaska in 1988 aboard the old Noordam — an ocean-liner-type ship with over 1,200 passengers aboard, which was considered big back in those days. The next year, I boarded my first small-ship cruise with the venerable but long departed small-ship operator Cruise West .

The captain of that boat was Dan Blanchard , who is now the owner and CEO of UnCruise Adventures , which today has become the largest operator of small-ship cruises in Alaska.

Over the years, I continued to go back and forth between big ships and small ships. The big ships became ever bigger: The Regal Princess I sailed on in the early 1990s carried nearly 1,600 passengers. A decade later the Sapphire Princess accommodated more than 2,600.

Conversely, I sampled the wares of new and emerging small-ship lines like Alaska’s Glacier Bay Tours and Cruises (which later became Glacier Bay Cruiseline), which for a time nobly carried on the tradition of small-ship sailing in Alaska. (Both the UnCruise and Alaskan Dream fleets include ships that previously sailed for the Cruise West and Glacier Bay lines.)

To this day, my fondest memories of Alaska are from those small-ship cruises. True to their promise, they did go where the big ships couldn’t and brought me closer to everything that makes Alaska grand.

In Glacier Bay National Park , I remember going ashore through a bow ramp for an impromptu hike led by a park service ranger. Another time, I recall the excitement onboard when we came upon a humpback whale “lobtailing” — slapping its fluke against the surface of the water to create a big splash. I saw bears foraging in the intertidal grasses lining the shore and sea lions basking in the sun on an outcropping of rocks. These are experiences you’re not likely to have aboard a big ship, certainly not at such close range.

We also stopped in ports rarely visited by the big-ship lines. I had never been to Petersburg, Alaska ’s “Little Norway,” until I went there aboard a small ship. On yet another small-ship voyage I disembarked at Bartlett Cove , gateway to Glacier Bay, headquarters for the park service and site of the rustic yet comfy Glacier Bay Lodge.

Beyond the ubiquitous wildlife, little-seen villages and bucket-list moments, what I recall most vividly are the people I met, both passengers and crew. My fellow nature-loving small-ship travelers were of every age and from all over the United States. Often it was an international group, with one or two among us originating in some far-flung corner of the world, especially from Australia.

Small-ship cruises get you up close to the beautiful Alaskan landscape. * Photo: The Boat Company

Sometimes families would be traveling together, sharing the adventure and education of a lifetime. (UnCruise has a particular focus on multigenerational travel .)

The naturalists, meanwhile, shared our sense of anticipation for the next day’s adventure.

Many of the small ships sailing in Alaska today are the same ones I traveled aboard many years ago. Only one company, Lindblad Expeditions, has built new coastal ships for Alaska in recent years, these being the 100-passenger sisters National Geographic Quest (2017) and National Geographic Venture (2018).

Altogether, there are four major small-ship operators plus a few local and regional companies, with ships that carry less than 100 passengers (with the exception of ACL’s American Constellation ), and many fewer than 50.

Their combined fleets comprise some two dozen vessels, including a few converted working ships, at least one wind-powered craft and assorted other boats offering a wide range of sailing styles to choose from.

RELATED: Ted recounts his early Alaska adventures by car, ferry, train and small ships.

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Here’s a run-down of 7 lines offering alaska small ship cruises, alaskan dream cruises, american cruise lines, lindblad expeditions, maple leaf adventures, pacific catalyst ii, the boat company, uncruise adventures.

Alaska’s only Indigenous-owned cruise line, Alaskan Dream Cruises (ADC) is run by the Allen family of Sitka, who are of Tlingit descent. Its fleet consists of four small ships carrying 40 to 80 passengers.

One additional vessel — the 12-passenger Kruzof Explorer, a former Bering Sea crab-fishing boat refitted for expedition cruising — is available for small-group charters. (The Chichagof Dream, Admiralty Dream and Baranof Dream are former Cruise West ships.)

ADC’s trips focus on hiking and kayaking in secluded wilderness areas with a particular emphasis on cultural immersion.

RELATED: The Seldons review their small ship adventure with Alaskan Dream Cruises.

The 49-pax Baranof Dream. * Photo: Alaskan Dream Cruises

Focusing on traditional port-to-port* cruises of the Inside Passage, American Cruise Lines (ACL) is somewhat unique among Alaska’s small-ship operators. In addition to Southeast Alaska itineraries, ACL has added national parks-focused cruise-tours for explorations farther north in locations such as Denali National Park .

For 2024, ACL’s sole ship in Alaska is the 170-passenger American Constellation; for 2025, it will be joined by sister ship American Constitution .

RELATED: American Cruise Lines acquires four river boats from the now defunct AQV.

*Meaning a less impromptu itinerary, unlike many small ships that mostly anchor in remote places.

The 170-pax American Constellation. * Photo: ACL

One of the oldest names in Alaska small-ship cruising, Lindblad Expeditions has a history here dating back to the 1980s. Lindblad recently extended its partnership with National Geographic, which includes providing content and training for the line’s onboard programming.

In addition to four coastal-type vessels carrying 62 to 100 passengers that cruise the Inside Passage, Lindblad operates expedition ships in the Arctic on Northwest Passage transits that begin or end in Nome.

RELATED: An overview of cruising Alaska on a small ship.

The 100-pax National Geographic Quest. * Photo: Lindblad

Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Maple Leaf Adventures offers a trio of small ships. The 138-foot Cascadia is a 24-passenger catamaran with 12 cabins, all with private facilities. The Swell is an 88-foot converted tugboat with room for 12 in six cabins, all with private heads. The Maple Leaf is a 92-foot schooner accommodating eight in four semi-private sleeping areas and three shared washrooms.

Trips focus on wildlife, Indigenous cultures and the natural beauty of the Inside Passage.

The 92-ft Schooner Maple Leaf. * Photo: Maple Leaf Adventures

Headquartered in Washington state, Pacific Catalyst II has two historic wooden vessels. The older of the pair, the Westward, was built in 1924 and has four cabins with en suite shower/toilet.

The second boat, the line’s namesake Catalyst, was built in 1932 and previously served as a research vessel. It has six cabins, four with private facilities.

Both vessels still use their original diesel engines but are also equipped with large battery banks for hours of quiet operation.

RELATED: Read more about Pacific Catalyst.

The 1924-built Westward. * Photo: Pacific Catalyst II

Also based in Washington, The Boat Company bills itself as one of the world’s only nonprofit cruise lines, putting profits back into helping to preserve the Alaskan wilderness — for example to work to prohibit logging and logging roads in national forests. ( More info HERE .)

Two vessels are available for cruises of the Inside Passage.

The Liseron was built in 1952 and once operated as a minesweeper. It accommodates 20 passengers in 10 cabins with private baths.

Meanwhile, the Mist Cove was constructed in 2000 by The Boat Company based on the Liseron , but with an updated design. It carries 24 passengers in 12 staterooms with private facilities.

The 24-pax Mist Cove. * Photo: The Boat Company

UnCruise Adventure s, located in Juneau and Seattle, fields Alaska’s largest small-ship fleet with seven vessels carrying 22 to 86 passengers. As its name suggests, UnCruise focuses on outdoor activities like satisfying hikes and kayaking in hidden coves and secluded bays for a different kind of cruise experience. Some departures are sold as adult-only or family cruises.

UnCruise’s Legacy stern platform. * Photo: UnCruise

The line has expanded beyond its home waters of the Inside Passage to offer itineraries in Prince William Sound and, coming next year, the Aleutian Islands .

The Kodiak bear, also known as the Kodiak brown bear, lives on the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago in southwest Alaska. * Photo: UnCruise

(The line’s current Safari Endeavor, Legacy and Wilderness Explorer are former Cruise West ships.)

RELATED: Heidi shares “7 Reasons to UnCruise in Alaska.”

RELATED: A review of an UnCruise Legacy adventure in Alaska.

Plenty Included in Small-Ship Cruise Fares

The small-ship cruises plying southeast Alaska tend to include more in their fares than the standard giant cruise ships — namely excursions.

All the lines covered in this story include daily guided tours in their fares, from hearty hikes to kayaking and skiff explorations.

Some also include alcoholic drinks in the fares — American Cruise Lines and Lindblad Expeditions do, while Alaskan Dream Cruises offers a complimentary glass of wine or beer at dinner.

My Final Two Cents About Alaska Small Ship Cruises

Although the phrase has been used so often it’s become a cliche, taking a small-ship cruise really is the best way to discover “the real Alaska,” close-up and personal.

You’ll spend all your time immersed in Alaska, both aboard ship and ashore, and that, to my way of thinking, is what an Alaska cruise vacation should be all about.

M.T. Schwartzman has been covering Alaska cruising and tourism since 1988. His articles have appeared in a wide range of consumer magazines, websites and travel industry publications. He has also edited several guidebooks on the state.

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© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

QuirkyCruise

Ted & Heidi are long-time travel writers with a penchant for small ship cruising. Between them they've traveled all over the world aboard hundreds and hundreds of small cruise ships of all kinds, from river boats to expedition vessels and sailing ships.

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• Country * Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini (Swaziland) Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands

Small Ships Flourish In Alaska

This article originally appeared in the March issue of AGENTatHOME magazine.  Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

Alaska has long been a popular destination for fans of small-ship cruising. Beginning in the early 1980s and continuing into the 1990s, companies such as Lindblad Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures, along with now-defunct lines like Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West and Glacier Bay Cruiseline, helped to popularize the niche. Today, a number of different brands serve this burgeoning market, each offering a distinct small-ship experience and a range of itineraries.

The traditional appeal of small ships is their ability to go where the big ships can’t. Small ships get closer to shore, maximizing wildlife-viewing opportunities. They also are more intimate and immersive, said UnCruise Adventures . “Fewer passengers result in a more close-knit community on board, allowing for personalized service and attention from the crew,” the line explained, adding, “Small ships tend to have a smaller ecological footprint, which is crucial in preserving the pristine nature of Alaska.”

Altogether, there are some 17 vessels spread mainly over four small-ship cruise lines. Many are in expansion mode, offering new itineraries and new destinations for Alaska-bound travelers.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

The line is introducing a nine-day “Ice of the Inside Passage” itinerary for 2024 aboard the 49-passenger Baranof Dream visiting seven different Southeast Alaska glaciers up close, with the chance to see five more glaciers from a distance. The cruise will sail from Sitka to Glacier Bay National Park and Juneau, and then visit the Haida community of Kasaan, before concluding in Ketchikan.

The company is Alaska’s only Indigenous-owned cruise line, run by the Allen family of Sitka, who are of Tlingit descent. Five itineraries of six to nine days are available for 2024 aboard four ships carrying 40 to 80 passengers. One additional vessel – the 12-passenger Kruzof Explorer, a former Bering Sea crab-fishing boat converted for expedition cruising – is available for smallgroup charters. ADC’s trips focus on kayaking and hiking in secluded wilderness areas with an emphasis on cultural immersion.

American Cruise Lines

The company is adding new national parks cruise-tours to its Alaska offerings in 2024, which combine guided explorations in Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park along with smallship cruising in Glacier Bay National Park. The seven-day land portion of these 16- or 19-day itineraries travels from Fairbanks to Juneau, where passengers board their ship for nine or 12 days of cruising the Inside Passage with stops in Skagway, Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell.

American’s sole ship in Alaska is the 170-passenger American Constellation, which will sail on three different 2024 itineraries: a nineday “Southeast Alaska” cruise roundtrip from Juneau; a 12-day “Alaska Explorer Cruise,” also roundtrip from Juneau; and a 16-day “Alaska Inside Passage” cruise one-way between Seattle and Juneau. The line focuses on traditional port-to-port cruises, which makes it somewhat unique among Alaska’s smallship operators, and includes complimentary hotel stays, port charges and gratuities in its fares.

Lindblad Expeditions

Demand for its smallship cruises is so strong, Lindblad has added departures on its 2024 Southeast Alaska itineraries. These include a mix of longer itineraries that cover the entire length of the Inside Passage and shorter cruises that explore the hidden channels and uninhabited corners of the Alaska panhandle. Of special note is “A Remarkable Journey” to Alaska, British Columbia and Haida Gwaii,” a 15-day itinerary that spends four days in Haida Gwaii – the ancestral territory of the Haida Nation. Lindblad has secured special access to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where passengers learn from Haida interpreters about their Native culture and have the opportunity to explore these remote islands.

Lindblad offers a wide variety of port-to-port itineraries combined with wilderness activities led by a team of naturalists and other experts. In addition to its four coastal-type vessels carrying 62 to 100 passengers, Lindblad operates expedition ships in the Arctic.

UnCruise Adventures

The line is plying new waters in 2024 and 2025. In May, it will launch its inaugural cruises of Prince William Sound. The eight-day “Prince William Sound Explorer” itinerary sails roundtrip from Whittier aboard the 36-passenger Safari Explorer. One highlight of this cruise is the chance to call at Cordova, a remote fishing village on the eastern side of the sound that has caught the attention of cruise ships lately. The itinerary will be repeated next year, along with the company’s first-ever cruises to the Aleutian Islands, sailing for 11 days between Whittier and Dutch Harbor via Kodiak Island.

UnCruise fields Alaska’s largest smallship fleet with seven vessels carrying 22 to 88 passengers. As its name suggests, it focuses on outdoor activities in hidden coves and secluded bays for a different kind of cruise experience. Eleven itineraries are scheduled for this year and next; some departures are sold as adult-only or family-only cruises.

Expedition Options

Besides Alaska’s U.S.-flagged coastal-style ships, several foreign-flagged expedition vessels visit the 49th state during the cruise season.

While they are somewhat larger than their coastal counterparts, they still can be considered small – especially when compared with the 4,000-passenger megaships sailing in the region.

Such choices for this upcoming Alaska season include HX’s 530-passenger Roald Amundsen (the only hybrid-powered cruise ship operating in coastal Alaskan waters), Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ 230-passenger HANSEATIC spirit, Lindblad Expeditions 238-passenger National Geographic Resolution and PONANT’s yachtlike, 264-passenger Le Soleal.

Although they are often built for polar exploration, these vessels also cruise the more temperate waters of the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage with naturalists and other scientists aboard.

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Holland America Line Enhances Entertainment with New Productions, Music Lineup and Destination-Specific Performances

New headliner shows anchor an expanded slate of entertainment offerings fleetwide

Seattle, Wash., April 11, 2024 — Holland America Line is adding to its award-winning entertainment lineup with the introduction of several new mainstage experiences in 2024. Four new shows will put a fresh spin on the classic cruise production format. Additional new productions tailored to various regions will provide a variety of performances focusing on the local culture where ships are cruising.

Beyond the mainstage, Holland America Line is adding Rolling Stone Lounge to more ships and enhancing its popular Billboard Onboard music experience.

“Over the past several years we’ve built one of the strongest entertainment experiences at sea, working with world-class musicians and dancers,” said Bill Prince, vice president of entertainment and enrichment. “Adding these new theater experiences continues to build on our momentum.”

Beginning in February 2024, the cruise line is set to debut four shows reuniting singing and dancing in a new mainstage experience. These concert-style productions are fronted by three multi-talented headliners, who will be supported by an ensemble of singers and dancers.

The new shows are:

·         “Song & Dance”: Set on a studio backlot, two leading men front a concert of musical numbers from Broadway, Hollywood and more.

·         “Class Act”: Las Vegas goes to sea in this elaborate production, celebrating iconic female performers of the concert and nightclub stage.

·         “All That!”: Be a part of our studio audience as we present our take on the classic TV variety shows of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Headliners share the spotlight combining singing, dancing and a bit of comedy.

·         “Hey, Mr. DJ”: Iconic radio DJs introduce songs from the ’60s through today in this concert of pop hits. 

These new shows will be the anchor for entertainment programming. They debuted on Eurodam in February 2024, followed by Rotterdam, Zuiderdam and Nieuw Statendam by the end of June with more ships to follow.

Complementing the new shows on the mainstage, Holland America Line is featuring productions specific to each region so guests will experience a different lineup when they cruise in Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, South America and other areas around the world.

Unique Programming for Specific Regions

Caribbean cruises on Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam will feature the unique orchestral steel drum concerts of Island Magic playing a versatile repertoire ranging from traditional island sounds to unique versions of classical and pop songs. Cruises to Canada and New England on Volendam and Zuiderdam will introduce the new show Breton Thunder , an authentic Nova Scotia music experience highlighting the area’s European roots. Sailings on Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam in Europe will feature classical string music with the Chordial Chamber Trio and Pantheon , a dynamic group of European tenors .

Alaska cruises will continue to feature the elite members of the Step One Dance Company, who blend innovative choreography with artistic video projection to create truly immersive experiences. Major Fourth will also take the stage with four singers delivering impactful harmonies that cover all genres and decades. Sailings in Alaska will also feature a new program called Destination: Alaska . This show is aimed at getting guests excited about the destination and will highlight shore excursions they can book to make the most of their cruise.

Rolling Stone Lounge , which showcases a seven-piece band playing everything from rock to pop to R&B, was added to Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam in December 2023. The music venue has already been a staple on board Noordam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam and Westerdam. Billboard Onboard will embrace an updated piano bar concept through the lens of Billboard’s chart-topping hits, with a different music theme each evening. B.B. King’s Blues Club continues to be the centerpiece of the music scene on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam. Meanwhile, a live, classical music trio will be featured on select European voyages on the mainstage, and on Grand and Legendary Voyages in the Explorer’s Lounge.

Entertainment offerings vary by ship depending on the length of the cruise and destination of the ship.