Alaska cruises sell out fast for a reason. Glaciers the size of skyscrapers. Whales breaching beside your balcony. Cute little ports that feel like film sets.
It’s bucket-list stuff. And it’s more popular than ever.
But here’s the problem. Alaska cruises aren’t cheap. And with dozens of ships heading north each season, picking the wrong one can seriously affect your trip.
Some ships are built for scenery. Others? Not so much.
So I dug into hundreds of real reviews to find out which ships cruisers rate highest for Alaska specifically. The results were interesting. A couple of big names didn’t make the cut… and one might surprise you.
Want to know which ships travellers would actually book again?
How I Picked the Best-Rated Cruises to Alaska
A quick note on how I pulled this list together, because there are a couple of important things to clarify.
Firstly, this is not a ranking of every cruise ship that sails to Alaska. If I tried to do that, this guide would be way too long for anyone to read. I stopped counting when I got to 50 ships – it’s a popular region!
So instead, I had to narrow it down, and I decided to focus on the biggest cruise lines and then choose the one ship from each that visits Alaska most often.
There may be other ships for these cruise lines that visit Alaska and have a better average review score, but that score might be based on cruises to other destinations. The fairest method was to stick to the ships sailing to Alaska most frequently.
As for those review scores, they’re an average of the customer reviews from Cruiseline.com, Cruise Critic, and TripAdvisor. This gives the widest range of opinions and means that none of these rankings are based on the biased viewpoint of just one person.
The Best Cruise Ships For Alaska
1. Viking Orion
- Cruise line: Viking Ocean Cruises
- Average review score: 4.23 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 930
- Departs from: Vancouver
- Average cruise price: £460 / $600 per person, per night
Taking the top spot for Alaska is Viking Orion, one of the elegant, adults-only ships from Viking Ocean Cruises.
Viking’s ocean ships are modern, calm and beautifully designed, with understated Scandinavian styling throughout. Cabins are spacious, the public areas feel refined rather than flashy, and the atmosphere onboard is relaxed and grown-up.
What really sets Viking Orion apart in Alaska is the enrichment and excursions. Viking brings experts onboard to add context to what you’re seeing, and every sailing includes at least one shore excursion in each port. For a destination like Alaska, that extra insight makes a real difference.
There’s no getting around the price. Viking sits firmly in the luxury bracket. But with drinks, WiFi and excursions included, many guests feel the value stacks up compared to cruise lines where the add-ons quickly inflate the final bill.
2. Seabourn Quest
- Cruise line: Seabourn
- Average review score: 4.10 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 450
- Departs from: Juneau, Vancouver
- Average cruise price: £500 / $650 per person, per night
Now in second place is Seabourn Quest, the ultra-luxury favourite from Seabourn that continues to impress Alaska cruisers.
She sails from Vancouver and also offers departures from Juneau in the opposite direction, which is worth keeping in mind when choosing which side of the ship to book for glacier and coastal views.
Seabourn is known for exceptional, highly personalised service, and the consistently strong review scores show that this reputation is well deserved. Expect refined dining, spacious suites and an all-inclusive experience that makes the journey feel effortless.
She’s also the smallest ship on this list, making her perfect if you prefer a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. If you like the idea of recognising familiar faces, avoiding crowds and swapping shore excursion stories over cocktails each evening, this is a wonderful choice.
3. Celebrity Summit
- Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises
- Average review score: 4.06 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 2,158
- Departs from: Vancouver, Seward
- Average cruise price: £154 / $205 per person, per night
You won’t find many large or super-sized cruise ships in Alaska. They can’t manage the smaller ports and shallow waters. Of the best midsize cruise ships to Alaska, Celebrity Summit comes out on top (no pun intended).
Significantly larger than the ultra-luxury cruise ships in the region, this can also have its benefits. You’ll get better views of the glaciers and scenery from higher decks, and more space onboard to unwind. You’ll also get to enjoy a wide range of premium dining options.
The average prices for Celebrity Cruises in Alaska are actually some of the lowest for the cruise line, and well below ultra-luxury cruise prices for the region, but remember that you don’t get drinks, tips, WiFi or excursions included, so those will all cost extra.
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4. Seven Seas Explorer
- Cruise line: Regent Seven Seas
- Average review score: 3.93 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 750
- Departs from: Vancouver, Seward
- Average cruise price: £668 / $861 per person, per night
Regent Seven Seas’ ships are another option for the most luxurious in the world, and an excellent choice if you want to explore Alaska in style.
With Regent, all of your shore excursions are included (along with tips, all drinks, all speciality dining and more), so once you’ve paid your fare, you can just relax and explore the incredible towns and surrounding Alaskan scenery at your leisure. True, it’s a high price you pay, but this is a ship aimed at people who want to feel truly special.
Seven Seas Explorer is also one of the ‘larger’ small ships to Alaska, so it feels even more spacious – perfect if you want to sip a cocktail, soak up the view and feel like you’re on your own private yacht – albeit a big one.
5. Silver Moon
- Cruise line: Silversea
- Average review score: 3.90 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 596
- Departs from: Vancouver, Seward
- Average cruise price: £862 / $1,171 per person, per night
The last of the truly ultra-luxury cruise ships on this list is Silver Moon, one of the elegant, all-suite ships from Silversea that regularly sails Alaska itineraries.
If you’re looking for a small-ship luxury experience in Alaska, Silver Moon is a strong contender. With fewer than 600 guests onboard, she feels spacious and refined, and service is consistently rated highly by guests.
Silversea’s all-inclusive approach means drinks, dining, gratuities and shore excursions are all part of the fare. The excursions are thoughtfully curated, giving guests meaningful insight into Alaska’s wildlife, landscapes and local culture.
There’s less focus on high-energy entertainment compared to mainstream ships, and evenings are more about relaxed dining and conversation than big production shows. That’s part of the appeal.
Choose Silver Moon if you want exceptional service, a calm atmosphere and a luxury base for exploring Alaska, rather than a packed daily activity schedule.
~6. Radiance of the Seas
- Cruise line: Royal Caribbean
- Average review score: 3.86 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 2,466
- Departs from: Vancouver, Seward
- Average cruise price: £184 / $250 per person, per night
Radiance of the Seas is one of the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for Alaska, despite being older than her Quantum-class sisters, which also cruise in the region. Radiance offers more itineraries and is smaller too, though it’s worth checking out Ovation of the Seas if you want to experience some of Royal’s more innovative features, including the excellent North Star – perfect for aerial views of the Alaskan scenery.
On Radiance of the Seas, you can enjoy the typical Royal Caribbean experience – one packed with fun activities, great live entertainment, loads of dining options and more. Choose this ship if you want the cruise itself to be just as exciting as the destination.
One of the best features of Radiance of the Seas for a cruise to Alaska is the adults-only indoor pool in the Solarium. Most ships on this list only have outdoor pools, hardly suited to the colder temperatures of Alaska, so if you want to relax poolside, Radiance of the Seas could be the ideal choice.
~6. Coral Princess
- Cruise line: Princess Cruises
- Average review score: 3.86 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 2,000
- Departs from: Vancouver, Whittier
- Average cruise price: £202 / $262 per person, per night
With Princess Cruises, there are several ships sailing to Alaska each season, but Coral Princess is one of the most established in the region. She regularly operates popular Voyage of the Glaciers itineraries between Vancouver and Whittier, making her a strong choice if you want classic Inside Passage scenery.
Coral Princess suits a wide range of travellers. Couples and solo cruisers especially appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, good service and traditional cruise feel. There’s plenty to do onboard without it ever feeling hectic, and while families are welcome, the vibe leans more calm and scenic than high-energy.
She’s not one of the newest ships in the fleet, but her slightly smaller size is actually an advantage in Alaska. Fewer guests means less crowding on deck during glacier viewing, and the layout makes it easy to find a quiet spot to enjoy the scenery. If your focus is the destination rather than flashy onboard thrills, Coral Princess makes a comfortable and well-balanced base for exploring Alaska.
8. Carnival Miracle
- Cruise line: Carnival
- Average review score: 3.83 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 2,124
- Departs from: Seattle
- Average cruise price: £169 / $220 per person, per night
If budget is a major factor when picking your ship for an Alaskan cruise, then consider the Carnival Miracle. She sails 7-night round-trip Alaska cruises from Seattle, visiting iconic Inside Passage ports like Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.
A Carnival Miracle cruise to Alaska is perfect for families or for those who want to balance the amazing experience of the destination with a fun-packed sailing. You’ll be able to enjoy a host of live music and comedy, kids will love the Camp Ocean clubs, and adults can escape to the Serenity Retreat when they need a little bit of peace.
The excursions offered on Carnival Miracle aren’t going to be as unique as those on a more luxurious ship, but you’ll still have plenty of exciting options for exploring the towns and seeing the glaciers up-close.
9. Nieuw Amsterdam
- Cruise line: Holland America Line
- Average review score: 3.80 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 2,106
- Departs from: Vancouver, Whittier
- Average cruise price: £173 / $235 per person, per night
One of the best Holland America ships for Alaska is also one of the newest – Nieuw Amsterdam has a fantastic selection of cruise options, including many with additional land tours either before or after you sail, giving you the chance to delve deeper into the region.
Another great advantage of the ship is the choice of destination ports. Along with Vancouver, she offers some of the best cruises to Alaska from Seattle, Anchorage and even smaller ports like Fairbanks – flexibility is always a good thing when planning when and where you’re cruising.
Expect a premium experience onboard – not quite ultra-luxury cruising, but a step above mainstream cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Nieuw Amsterdam is best suited to solo travellers and couples, with more of a focus on relaxation and exploration than ‘fun’ during the cruise itself.
10. Norwegian Bliss
- Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
- Average review score: 3.76 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 4,010
- Departs from: Seattle
- Average cruise price: £210 / $280 per person, per night
Norwegian Bliss is one of the most popular mainstream ships sailing to Alaska with Norwegian Cruise Line, and it’s easy to see why. Purpose-built with Alaska in mind, she features expansive observation lounges and waterfront spaces designed for scenic cruising.
Unlike some older ships in the fleet, Bliss feels modern and lively. Families are well catered for, with youth clubs and entertainment options, but there’s also plenty for adults, including speciality dining, bars and Broadway-style shows in the theatre.
She’s a large ship, which means more choice onboard, but it also means she won’t feel as intimate as the smaller Alaska vessels on this list. If you want big-ship energy combined with glacier viewing and wildlife spotting, Bliss strikes a strong balance.
Choose this ship if you like lots of onboard entertainment, plenty of dining variety and a vibrant atmosphere to match the dramatic Alaskan scenery.
11. Regatta
- Cruise line: Oceania Cruises
- Average review score: 3.73 / 5
- Guest Capacity: 684
- Departs from: Seattle
- Average cruise price: £294 / $400 per person, per night
Oceania’s cruise ships offer a five-star experience – not quite as decadent as some of the ultra-luxury ships sailing in the Alaska region, but a clear step above mainstream cruise lines in terms of service, decor, dining options and more.
Oceania is another cruise line to offer a range of flexible tour options, so if you want to extend your trip with a hotel stay or a land program before or after you sail, it’s easy to find some fantastic options.
Oceania is also one of the best Alaska cruise options for families. Kids won’t enjoy Regatta as much as they might one of the mainstream ships, but the Alaska Explorer Youth Program is enriching and fun – so you can still enjoy a grander ship when travelling with your children.
A Note on Average Cruise Prices
These prices are based on a balcony cabin or entry-level suite (where balconies aren’t available) on a 7-night Alaska sailing. They’re intended as a general guide. Actual prices vary depending on departure date, cabin type and promotions. It’s still possible to cruise Alaska for less if you’re happy with an interior cabin on lines that offer them.
What to Look for When Finding the Best Cruise Ships to Alaska
While this guide ranks the best ships for Alaska cruise holidays by real reviews, you can’t just accept that the number one ship is the one you should book.
Cruise lines are very different from each other, and there is no single “cruise passenger” type, so there is no single “Alaska cruise ship” type either.
You need to weigh up the typical cruise experience of each ship alongside the reviews. It’s no good paying for an ultra-luxury ship when you can’t afford it, and you hate dressing up formally, just because it’s placed higher on the list.
Other things to consider are the type of staterooms offered – after all, a cruise to Alaska is one where you’re going to want to soak up the views. Do you want a ship with more balcony cabins, or even a suite with an expansive verandah space?
So, I’ve tried to cover the typical dining, entertainment and accommodation options for each ship to help you make up your mind.
Final Word
There isn’t one “best” Alaska cruise ship. There’s only the one that’s best for you.
If you want quiet luxury and curated excursions, the small ultra-luxury ships at the top of this list will feel special from the moment you step onboard. If you prefer big shows, multiple dining options and plenty of onboard energy, the larger mainstream ships deliver that without sacrificing the scenery.
Alaska is about glaciers, wildlife and dramatic landscapes. The right ship enhances that experience. The wrong one can distract from it.
Choose the ship that matches your budget, your travel style and how you want to spend your days at sea. Do that, and your Alaska cruise won’t just be good. It’ll be unforgettable.
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Related Topics
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