Big adventures, mighty wildlife, and some of the most awe-inspiring scenery you’ll ever lay eyes on: just three of the countless reasons why we love Alaska cruises. Imagine sailing beneath glaciers as tall as skyscrapers, or watching humpback whales – the “giants of the ocean” – breach and blow just a few metres away. It’s awe-inspiring, life-affirming: a journey rich in raw wonders, in the company of some of the world’s most spectacular species.
To access Alaska, most ships depart from Vancouver (Canada) or Seattle (US), and venture up the coast towards Seward. As the city slips away, we’re always awe-struck by how quickly the view takes on epic proportions: welcome to the Inside Passage, a 500-mile waterway of ancient glaciers, forested islands and mountain-flanked fjords, on the edge of the Gulf of Alaska.
Overlooked by Deer Mountain, Ketchikan is a tiny coastal town that refuses to be dwarfed by its extraordinary surroundings: just wait till you see its towering totem poles and colourful stilted boardwalks, or soar in its float planes over the fjords. Every view is a photographer’s dream, ready to take your breath away.
At Icy Strait Point, the waters swirl with humpbacks, orcas and seals, while land-based excursions offer the chance to see brown bears in the wild. This area has a fascinating human history too, as the traditional home of the Tlingit indigenous people – whose connection to the land stretches back thousands of years. You’ll learn more at Hoonah’s excellent museum, while opportunities for adventure include zip-lining, hiking, kayaking, or simply feasting on the superb local salmon and crab.
As the ship approaches Juneau, you’ll come face-to-face with Dawes Glacier. Standing almost 200 metres tall, this ice cliff splinters in dramatic calving displays – with explosion-like sounds known as “white thunder”. On land, the spectacle continues with husky sledding trips across the snow, or spotting brown bears fishing for salmon – their huge paws swiping through the shallows.
Nearby Endicott Arm is one of the biggest harbour seal breeding grounds on Earth. We’re always blown away by the sight of them diving, splashing and floating with their pups on mini ice islands, while the skies seethe with seabirds and eagles.
Cruising really is the best way to explore Alaska: not just because it’s the easiest way to get around, but because in some places it’s the only way! We love how you can just sit back and let it all come to you – and even when temperatures plummet, the ship is always cosy and warm.
In Skagway, the legendary Gold Rush lives on. It’s fascinating to learn how this tiny frontier town was overrun with prospectors in the 19th century, and even more-so to explore their homes and railway which have been carefully restored. You can hike Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in the fortune seekers’ footsteps, and hop on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad to traverse the infamous Chilkoot Trail in a vintage locomotive.
The further you cruise, the more bombastic the scenery becomes. As the Alaskan coast bends westward, you’ll encounter icebergs adrift on ink-dark waters, and perhaps even pods of huge humpbacks breaching and tail-slapping as they hunt.
If your camera’s memory cards aren’t bursting already, they will be at Hubbard Glacier. It’s as tall as a 30-storey building and 117km (73 miles) long – and is known as the “Galloping Glacier” because it calves icebergs so frequently. Approaching it in a small boat charter is a truly humbling experience – the ice crashing and creaking as it plummets into the bay.
In a location as remote and wild as Alaska, it’s essential to choose your cruise carefully: this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so you want to do it right. No two ships are the same, but some cruise lines have more expertise in this region than others, which is why we recommend Celebrity Cruises. Three ships from its award-winning fleet serve Alaska, including Celebrity Edge, whose Magic Carpet – an elevated outdoor platform – boasts incredible front-row views, alongside a sumptuous spa, spacious cabins and 29 dining options.
Celebrity Cruises has 37 Alaska itineraries, featuring adventures by sea, land and air. Maybe you’ll spot humpbacks and orcas on a kayaking trip, or photograph majestic bald eagles at the Chilkat Preserve? Every inch of Alaska’s coastline is astonishing, extraordinary – and when you’re on a cruise, it’s all yours to explore.