Inside Passage classic
Norwegian Cruise Line
from $549 pp
Check datesAlaska 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.
Norwegian Cruise Line
from $549 pp
Check datesHolland America Line
from $699 pp
Check datesRoyal Caribbean
from $799 pp
Check datesPrincess Cruises
from $1,199 pp
Check datesEvery 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 | 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 |
Our cruise desk sees agent-only pricing, cancellation returns and unpublished promotions across every major line. Two minutes on the phone regularly beats an hour of tab comparison.
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.
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.
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.
Tell us your dates and nearest port. A cruise specialist replies with real availability and any unpublished rates, usually within the hour during desk hours.