# Alaska Cruises from Seattle

Alaska cruises from Seattle compared: every line, the Glacier Bay question, month-by-month pricing and 7 night Inside Passage sailings from $549.

Canonical: https://www.bookcruises.us/alaska-cruises-from-seattle/


Alaska cruises from Seattle sail May through September on 7 night Inside Passage round trips visiting Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, plus a glacier day and an evening in Victoria BC. Seven major lines compete on the route, with fares from $549 in the shoulder months to $1,500+ in peak July.

## Current sailings and pricing

| Itinerary | Length | Line | From (pp) | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inside Passage classic | 7 nights | Norwegian Cruise Line | $549 | May and September |
| Glacier Bay itinerary | 7 nights | Holland America Line | $699 |  |
| Megaship Alaska | 7 nights | Royal Caribbean | $799 |  |
| Peak July family week | 7 nights | Princess Cruises | $1,199 |  |

## The route, hour by hour

Every Seattle Alaska cruise runs a variation of the same masterpiece: depart Saturday or Sunday evening, spend a day at sea threading the Inside Passage, then work through Juneau (whale watching and the Mendenhall Glacier), Skagway (the White Pass railroad) and Ketchikan (Creek Street and Misty Fjords). The glacier day is the crescendo, at Glacier Bay, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, or Hubbard depending on your line and date. A final evening call at Victoria BC satisfies the foreign-port rule and adds a garden city nightcap before the Sunday morning return.

The Glacier Bay question matters more than the ship: Glacier Bay National Park limits daily entries, and Holland America and Princess hold most of the permits. If seeing Glacier Bay specifically is the dream, filter for it explicitly. Endicott Arm, the common alternative, is genuinely spectacular and less crowded, but it is not the national park your grandmother asked about.

## Month by month pricing

| Month | Interior from | Balcony from | The trade |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| May | $549 | $849 | Snowy peaks, whales feeding, occasional chill |
| June | $749 | $1,099 | Long daylight, salmon runs beginning |
| July | $949 | $1,449 | Warmest weather, peak everything including price |
| August | $849 | $1,249 | Wildlife peak, first fall color late month |
| September | $599 | $899 | Northern lights chances, moodier seas, lowest prices |

## Choosing your line for Alaska

- Holland America and Princess: the Alaska specialists, most Glacier Bay permits, naturalists on board, older quieter crowd.
- Royal Caribbean and Norwegian: the megaship experience with waterslides and Broadway shows between glaciers, best for families.
- Carnival: the price floor on the route most weeks.
- Celebrity and Oceania: premium food and service at a 20 to 40 percent premium over the mainstream lines.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do all Seattle Alaska cruises visit Glacier Bay?

No. Glacier Bay National Park limits daily ship entries and Holland America and Princess hold most permits. Other lines substitute Endicott Arm or Hubbard Glacier, which are beautiful but different. Check the itinerary line by line before booking.

### Is Seattle or Vancouver better for an Alaska cruise?

Seattle wins on flights, price and 7 night round trip convenience for US travelers. Vancouver wins for one-way Gulf of Alaska routes that reach deeper into the state. First-timers overwhelmingly choose Seattle.

### What should I budget beyond the fare?

Taxes and fees run about $250 per person on this route, gratuities about $115, and Alaska excursions are the priciest in cruising at $100 to $350 each. A realistic 7 night total is fare plus $600 to $900 per person.

## Related pages

- [Cruises from Seattle](https://www.bookcruises.us/cruises-from-seattle/)
- [Alaska cruise deals](https://www.bookcruises.us/alaska-cruise-deals/)
- [What to pack for a cruise](https://www.bookcruises.us/cruise-packing-list/)

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