An Alaska cruise from Seattle is one of the most memorable trips you can take. By departing from Seattle, you combine the fabulous sites of the city with the prettiest and most dramatic coast line in North America.
Your journey begins at the gates of the “Emerald City" on Seattle’s stunning waterfront. Lying in the shadow of Mt. Rainer, Seattle is a beautiful city known for its hip culture, music scene, and gorgeous food.
From Seattle you'll head northward to Alaska and into the famous Inside Passage. This is a stunning area of natural beauty that few place can compete with. Here you're likely to see eagles, orca, bears and much more!
Once you're within the passage you'll explore some of the most iconic sites including Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Glacier. Depending on your itinerary and which cruise line you sail with, you'll visit beautiful ports including Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and Ketchikan.
Below we have written our top tips for your Alaska cruise from Seattle and given an overview of each cruise line's itinerary and options.
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Top Tips
For people taking a cruise from Seattle to Alaska, there are a number of considerations to think about when booking your cruise. Below are our top tips.
Pricing
You can get some great deals on Alaska cruises from Seattle, but it's always worth baring in mind that the quoted price will not be the final price. Once you add excursions, drinks etc. the price will probably be about 20% over the 'internet listed' price. Please click here for our page on Alaska cruise costs. The time of year you sail will also affect price.
Arrive early to Seattle
Please do not fly into Seattle on the same day your cruise departs! This is for two reasons. Firstly, flights are often delayed and there are plenty of horror stories when people have missed their cruise. Secondly, it's worth arriving a day or two early to explore Seattle.
Travel insurance
Standard credit card or bank travel insurance is not going to cover you for cruises. Because rescue costs are higher at sea, policies will not provide enough cover. Therefore, it's imperative that you purchase a good travel insurance policy prior to departure. Click here for our detailed page on cruise insurance.
Shore excursions
There are literally hundreds of great shore excursions you can take part in whilst on your trip. Some of the best include flight seeing, glacier hiking, dog sledding and salmon fishing. Every cruise line offers different excursions. If they do not offer the one you want, just book yourself through the tour company - just make sure you're in port during the time period and bring the right clothing. For our page on shore excursions, please click here.
Book accommodation early
If you are planning on arriving in Seattle a day or two early (as advised), you should book your accommodation early. During the summer cruise season the hotels in Seattle fill up quickly and you'll end up paying lots more if you leave it last minute.
Get the right cabin
Getting the right cabin is very important on all cruises, not just Alaska cruises from Seattle. Even though it won't be very warm, we seriously suggest getting a cabin with a balcony. It really is lovely to sip some champagne and look out upon the Alaska wilderness. If you're on a tight budget though, the cheaper cabins will not have balconies or sea views. For people with motion sickness, we suggest taking a cabin as low down in the ship as possible.
Get a Cruise Quote!
Expedition Cruise do not sell tours, we simply provide impartial advice. If you would like an exact quote with our recommended specialist click Get a Quote.
Celebrity Cruise Options
Celebrity cruises have a very good reputation in the cruise industry. They're aimed at professional couples and the styling and wine bars around the ship attest to this.
Celebrity cruises from Seattle are not roundtrips - they are one-way trips from Seattle to Vancouver or vice versa and are slightly longer than the average taking 10 days. The ship is Celebrity Solstice ship us set of the art and has a magnificent lawn are on the top deck for relaxation and traditional ball games.
Although you don't visit Glacier Bay, you do visit Tracy Arm Glacier and Dawes Glacier within the Endicott Arm Fjord. Because Celebrity cruise are slightly more upmarket, the price reflects this. Cruise start from around $1,200 per person for an interior cabin.
Itinerary
Carnival Cruise Options
Carnival cruises have a focus on games and fun pursuit aboard their ships. This makes them great for families and adults alike. Carnival offer plenty of deals with prices starting from around $800 for a 7-day roundtrip from Seattle to Alaska.
Carnival offer a number of Alaska itineraries from Seattle including a one-way trip to Vancouver. The standard roundtrip itinerary includes a day crusing the beautiful Glacier Bay. However, you can also take a 7 day round trip cruise that visits Tracy Arm Galcier or Icy Point Straight instead.
Below is the most common roundtrip itinerary that includes Glacier Bay.
Itinerary
Norwegian Cruise Options
Norwegian are well-liked among familes thanks to their 'freestyle cruise expereince'. This essentially means you can eat whenever you like which is great when you're with hungry kids!
Although most of their itineraries are fairly sismilar, Norwegian's prices vary wildly depending on what is included in your trip such as booze and shore excursions. Prices start from around $1,100 for a baic interior cabin.
Itinerary
Royal Caribbean Options
Royal Caribbean have always been a favourite for familes thanks to their low prices, good food and entertainment. Their ships are always packed with thins to do and there is never a dull moment.
Royal Caribbean offer a 7 night/7 day itinerary that departs from Seattle and finishes in Vancouver. They also offer a 7 night round cruise trip form Seattle with prices from $900. Both itineraries visit the major ports including Juneau and Skagway. You also get to witness Endicott Arm Fjord wiith it's stunning glaciers including Tracy Arm and Dawes Glacier. However, you won't get the chance to cruise Glacier Bay unless you take a separate shore excursion.
Below is the Alaska from Seattle roundtrip itinerary.
Itinerary
Holland America Options
Holland America are one of the most respected cruise lines in the industry. They tend to cater towards an older clientele and chidren's facilities are limited because of this.
Holland America offer several Alaska cruise itineraries that depart from Seattle. The first is the standard itinerary that most cruise lines use and visits Glacier Bay and the other major ports, whilst the second itinerary ventures slightly further north to visit the mighty Hubbard Glacier and the picturesque town of Sitka. Prices start from around $1,200 per person for an interior cabin.
Below is the itinerart that takes in Hubbard Glacier.
Itinerary
Princess Cruise Options
Princess Cruises are another cruise line that caters towards families with children. They offer good facilites and very low prices whicg suits people on a budget.
You can pick up a 7 day round trip itinerary for as little as $700 per person, but do bare in mind that theu only offer one itinerary and it does not visit Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm. You also have the option, like you do with all cruise lines in Alaska of taking a cruise and land tour package instead - this will visit Fairbanls and Denali National Park.
Below is their only itinerary that departs from Seattle.
Itinerary
FAQ
If you have any queries or questions regarding an Alaska cruise from Seattle, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. If you would like more Alaska cruise tips, please click here.
Thank you and happy travels!
Expedition Cruise Team