Are you dreaming of an Alaska cruise but not sure which ship is the best for your cruise vacation? There are tons of fantastic options for cruises to the Last Frontier - something for every budget and type of traveler.
All the major cruise lines have ships sailing to Alaska for the 2024 season, meaning there are plenty of great choices, whether you want a classic cruise experience or a ship with all the bells and whistles and tons of activities.
There are numerous itineraries with charming ports of call that sail the Inside Passage as well as those that head farther north, across the Gulf of Alaska. Many cruise lines also offer the opportunity to extend cruises with land tours to explore the incredible parks of the interior.
With so many types of ships, everything from adult-focused to family-fun experiences, there is something for every cruiser. Here are our top picks for the best Alaska cruise ships sailing to Alaska in 2024.
Celebrity Edge – Celebrity Cruises
For those interested in a truly unique cruising experience, Celebrity Edge is one of the most innovative cruise ships sailing to Alaska. Launched in December 2018, the ship was the first in the newest class of ships, which redefined the Celebrity brand and what a cruise ship could be. Cruisers going to visit Alaska will appreciate the bold style of this ship, which offers guests plenty of ways to see the incredible scenery of Alaska while enjoying its top-rated cuisine, activities, and multi-purpose venues like Eden.
The ship can accommodate 2,918 passengers, moderate by today’s standards, but it is the largest of Celebrity's ships sailing to Alaska. Celebrity Edge has won numerous awards for its sophisticated design and upscale cruising experience, including numerous food and beverage options. The outward-focused ship has incredible floor-to-ceiling windows in its atrium, along with its brightly colored Magic Carpet, which provides excellent viewing opportunities of Alaska’s incredible scenery.
Celebrity Edge has numerous 6 and 8-day sailings out of both Vancouver and Seattle, with ports of call that include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan as it sails through the Inside Passage. There is also scenic cruising of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Although there are onboard kids programs, the ship lacks waterparks, slides, and other high-thrill activities. Instead, there are rooftop gardens, plenty of lounges, and high-end experiences that adults love.
Norwegian Encore - Norwegian Cruise Line
For those who want big ship amenities while touring the majestic glaciers and historic ports of Alaska, Norwegian Encore is the perfect option. Built in 2019, the ship received the 2020 Best New Ship award from Porthole Cruise Magazine. With a capacity of 3,998 passengers and 1,735 crew, it is one of the larger Norwegian ships sailing to Alaska.
Norwegian Encore is well known for providing fun activities for both adults and kids. Notable venues include the District Brew House and fantastic entertainment options such as Choir of Men, laser tag with augmented reality, and the adult-only Vibe Beach Club, along with great views from the 180-degree observation lounge. Guests can enjoy high-speed rides on the Norwegian Encore Speedway.
Norwegian Encore has plenty of 7-day cruises out of Seattle and weekly sailings visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Glacier Bay. It also has a number of land tours that head to Alaska’s famed Denali National Park. Another perk of sailing with Norwegian is that they have solo cabins, something many cruise lines have not focused on.
Ovation of the Seas – Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has a number of good options for those wanting to cruise to Alaska, and Ovation of the Seas is the ideal choice for those cruisers who want a ship with lots of great onboard amenities. Launched in 2016, Ovation of the Seas was built to sail in all weather conditions, such as Alaska. Onboard, guests can enjoy the Alaska views in several indoor spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows, such as the Two70 lounge.
Ovations of the Seas can welcome up to 4,905 passengers and is a great option for cruisers who like modern amenities like a surf simulator, rock climbing, and a North Star – 300-foot-high observation pod. It has 16 different dining options, numerous cabin options, including virtual balconies, and the much-touted Royal Suite Class, which offers stunning loft staterooms with butlers for those who want to splurge on some luxury during their Alaska cruise vacation.
Ovation of the Seas departs from Seattle and Vancouver on 7 and 8-day round trips of the Inside Passage with ports of call that include Juneau, Sitka, and Skagway, as well as scenic glacial viewing at Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
MS Koningsdam – Holland America Line
Holland America Line has been sailing to Alaska for over 75 years and is considered to be a destination expert for this majestic landscape. Among their ships sailing to the Land of Midnight Sun, MS Koningsdam is a fantastic option. Launched in 2016, It is considered a mid-size ship with 2,650 guests and is part of the Pinnacle Class, which introduced a more modern take on decor, as well as new dining and entertainment options. This ship has won a number of awards for dining and service and is known for its quality.
Although the line is known to cater to adults thanks to their upscale cuisine, It does have kids programs. Fluid lines, light-filled spaces, and a blend of 21st-century elegance and traditional nautical decor are hallmarks of this ship. Onboard guests can enjoy B.B. King’s Blues Club for Memphis R&B, take in visually stunning entertainment at World Stage, and revisit classic hits at Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. There are a variety of dining options, including complimentary and specialty like a steakhouse, Italian, French, and Asian.
The ship sails from both Seattle and Vancouver along the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Endicott Arm, and Dawes Glacier on 7-day sailings. It also does northbound and southbound cruises that head across the Gulf Of Alaska, with the ability to add on land tours to Yukon and Denali National Park. An excellent opportunity for those who want to make the trip even more special.
Discovery Princess - Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is known for its Alaska cruises and will have 9 ships sailing to the Last Frontier for the 2024 season. Among its newest ships sailing north is Discovery Princess, which was launched in 2022 and has a capacity of 3,660 guests and 1,346 crew.
Being the biggest Princess ship sailing to Alaska, it will offer a lot for guests in terms of amenities, specialty dining, and adult-focused experiences such as a massive piazza, a hub for events and activity. The ship has world-class dining options, including some from Michelin-star chefs all the way to casual eats such as the Salty Dog Gastropub. After dinner, guests can enjoy a range of activities and entertainment, such as live productions, a casino, and a Sinatra-inspired "Crooners" lounge. Another bonus to sailing with Princess is the onboard immersive experiences, as well as land tours that feature their own private lodges.
Sailing mainly out of Seattle on 7-day tours of the Inside Passage visiting Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, as well as scenic viewing at Glacier Bay National Park and Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Cruisers also have the option for land tours or traveling via train to one of the cruise line’s private lodges.
Disney Wonder – Disney Cruise Line
For families wanting the magic of Disney while cruising, Disney Wonder is a great ship for Alaska. The ship has weekly cruises during the summer, sailing from Vancouver to Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and glacial viewing of Stikine Icecap.
Many of the reviews for this ship say that it is a perfect size, small enough to make it easy to get around, yet plenty of activities and amenities to keep guests busy and having fun while onboard, especially during sea days. A plus of sailing on this ship, Disney Wonder was built to allow for more flexibility when cruising in the cooler waters of Alaska. For example, the Cove Café boasts more windowed spaces than its Disney Magic counterpart.
Although it is one of the older ships in Disney, launched in 1999, it has been enhanced in both 2016 and 2019. It has that classic ocean liner look with atriums that serve as a hub of activity. Disney Wonder welcomes 2,713 guests onboard with 875 cabins. It is designed in an Art Deco/ Art Nouveau theme with a number of New Orleans-themed venues.
Carnival Miracle – Carnival Cruise Line
Fans of Carnival and its fun vibe will find Carnival Miracle a good choice for an Alaska cruise. Sailing from San Francisco on 10 and 11-day cruises, the ship visits Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Haines. It also has a 14-day cruise from Los Angeles (Long Beach).
Although it was built in 2004, it was updated in 2020, giving it a fresh appeal. It has a guest capacity of 2,124 and a crew of 934, a good ratio for service. Of the Carnival fleet, Carnival Miracle offers a higher percentage of cabins with ocean views, with 64 percent of the cabins having a balcony (versus a fleet average of 50%). A balcony view is a great asset for such a scenic tour.
Onboard guests love its inclusive food options, such as Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and Seada Brunch, along with the standard buffet and main dining room fare. There are 4 specialty dining venues – sushi, steakhouse, and Chef’s Table. Family activities include Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, a waterpark, a water slide, kids' programs, an arcade, Build-A-Bear Workshop, parades, mini-golf and basketball, and 4 pools. Adults love its 12 lounges and bars, spa, adult-only retreat, karaoke, and Lip Sync Battle, Comedy Club, and casino.
