On the best Alaska cruise routes, you’ll visit some of the most spectacular and scenic locations on the planet. From awe-inspiring glaciers and snow-capped mountains to remarkable wildlife and fascinating cultural sites, a cruise to the Last Frontier is a vacation you’ll never forget.
Discover which of our main Alaska cruise routes is best for your next vacation.
Dawes Glacier
Dawes Glacier
On a Dawes Glacier cruise, you’ll have a choice of departure points. You could sail round-trip from Vancouver, Canada on Celebrity Solstice, or round-trip from Seattle, Washington on Celebrity Edge.
There’s also the possibility of sailing one-way between Vancouver and Seattle, also on Celebrity Edge. Whichever route you choose, the mighty Dawes Glacier is bound to be a highlight.
Totem poles in Alaska
All our Dawes Glacier itineraries visit Ketchikan, where you will catch your first glimpse of the richly carved and colored totem poles that are a symbol of Alaskan culture.
Discover Alaskan Native traditions, see a master pole carver at work, and walk among the largest collection of authentic totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center.
Bald eagles
While you’re in Ketchikan, the “salmon capital of the world,” join a fishing expedition for a chance to catch salmon and halibut, or sample the area’s fresh seafood.
Experience the state’s natural beauty and native wildlife up close on this Alaska cruise route. See majestic bald eagles perched in the trees and get a bird’s-eye view of the lush rainforest, snow-capped mountains, granite cliffs, and cascading falls of Misty Fjords on a breathtaking flightseeing tour. Or go on a bear-watching expedition with an experienced naturalist.
Sail through Endicott Arm Fjord’s deep blue glacial waters while watching icebergs drift by, and keep a lookout for Steller sea lions and their pups. At the 600-foot-tall Dawes Glacier, see and hear the spectacular calving, as huge chunks of the glacier shear off and land in the water with a thundering crash.
Mount Roberts Tramway, Juneau
In Juneau, Alaska’s capital, board the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway located just across from the cruise ship pier. At the top, take a rainforest hike as an introduction to the Tongass National Forest, and look out for native wildlife, including bears and raptors.
Mendenhall Glacier
Get up close to the magnificent 13-mile-long Mendenhall Glacier by soaring overhead on a helicopter, or paddle across Mendenhall Lake on a kayak to see the glacier’s face. There are easy walking trails all around the glacial lake, too.
Enjoy a floatplane ride to a delicious salmon bake at a rustic lodge and see Juneau’s other incredible glaciers, Norris and Sawyer.
Take in Juneau’s vibrant Alaskan food scene at local seafood restaurants serving smoked salmon dip, Alaskan cod tacos, and fresh-caught crab, halibut, and salmon accompanied by local produce. Tour one of the city’s craft breweries for a taste of local beer.
Lawn Club
Some itineraries include Victoria, British Columbia, where you can explore the city’s picturesque streets and gardens, board a zodiac and embark on a whale-watching excursion, or visit one of the area’s award-winning wineries.
Indulge in the luxurious amenities and spaces onboard Celebrity Solstice as you sail through the Inside Passage. Schedule a relaxing spa visit and play bocce or lawn bowling on the real green grass of the Lawn Club. Unwind on the pool deck, enjoy a world-class dining experience at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants, and dance under the stars to live music or DJ-spun tunes.
Magic Carpet
If you’ve chosen a voyage on Celebrity Edge, take a seat on the Magic Carpet and sit with a hot chocolate, taking in sweeping, uninterrupted views of Alaska’s dramatic scenery.
You’ll also find an impressive pool deck with bubbling hot tubs and the balmy Solarium. Eden is a beautiful location in which to relax, in a light-filled, leafy lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier
Cruise from Vancouver to Hubbard Glacier aboard Celebrity Solstice, an Alaska cruise route that introduces you to the Last Frontier’s boundless beauty as you sail through the Inside Passage to destinations such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point.
Whale-watching in Alaska
In Icy Strait Point, you’ll enjoy local hospitality and learn about Native Alaskan culture. If you want to cruise to Alaska to see whales, Icy Strait Point is a dream destination, which serves as the summer home for several species. Brown bears and sea lions are abundant here, too.
Whether you explore the unspoiled wilderness by ATV land cruiser, on a kayaking adventure, or a speedy ocean raft, you’re sure to come away with lifetime memories and Instagram-worthy photos.
Glide through the treetops on the world’s largest ZipRider, looking out for eagles, native birds, deer, and bears, along with unrivaled views of the island, sea, and even the distant peaks surrounding Glacier Bay National Park on clear days.
Hubbard Glacier
On this Alaska cruise route, you’ll sail through narrow Disenchantment Bay and watch in awe as the imposing Hubbard Glacier comes into view. Listen as your onboard naturalist gives fascinating commentary.
At seven miles wide and the equivalent of 30 stories tall, Hubbard is unique in that it continues to advance in size despite its regular and spectacular calving. You may witness this phenomenon as the captain steers the ship 360 degrees to give every passenger the best view.
A port of call in Juneau is an opportunity to explore Alaska city life, visiting the State Capitol, Juneau-Douglas Museum, Alaskan Brewing Company for craft beer, and Tracy’s Crab Shack, for the best king crab in the area.
Gold Creek, Juneau
Pan for gold at Gold Creek and the Last Chance Basin, and enjoy a tasty salmon bake alongside a waterfall. You can also take a panoramic helicopter flight to land on Norris Glacier and mush with a dog sled team. Each experience is guaranteed to be a long-cherished family adventure.
Tongass National Forest
In Ketchikan, hike the trails of Tongass National Forest or fly through a canopy of trees on a series of ziplines, sky bridges, and rappels. Go kayaking on Ketchikan Creek to spot wildlife and enjoy beautiful coastline views.
Take a trolley ride to historic Creek Street to shop at boutiques and savor freshly steamed crab legs. In spawning season, which peaks in July, watch thousands of salmon force their way upstream from Ketchikan Creek.
Savor the incomparable views of the Inside Passage (which you’ll be able to sail through twice during your journey) from your comfortable lounger on the ship’s pool deck.
Toast new friends and shared adventures at the Martini Bar. Pay a visit to our onboard shopping gallery for a knockout Evening Chic outfit or a fine jewelry reminder of your unforgettable Alaska cruise on Celebrity before disembarking in Vancouver.
Banff, Canada
At the end of your sailing, add on a Canadian Rockies cruisetour, where you’ll come face to face with the imposing Athabasca Glacier, ride a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff, and explore the vibrant city of Calgary.
Northbound Glacier
Discover Alaska’s glaciers on a cruise from Vancouver to Seward aboard Celebrity Summit. This one-way Alaska cruise route is ideal for embarking on an extended vacation with one of our Cruisetours.
Inside Passage
As your ship sails north into the Inside Passage, a tranquil waterway dotted with forested islands, admire the views from your stateroom veranda aboard the revolutionized Celebrity Summit. Look out for the blow of whales; this is one of the best places in Alaska to spot orcas and humpbacks cruising the silky-smooth water.
Make friends with fellow passengers as you sip a classic cocktail at the popular Martini Bar, and savor contemporary world-class cuisine in the elegant Main Dining Room.
Before calling it a night, take in a glittering show, dance to live music, or kick back at one of the late-night onboard lounges.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is the perfect introduction to Alaska’s Native people and culture. Experience the area’s pristine beauty on land, water, or flightseeing excursions to Misty Fjords National Monument. Dare to try a zipline adventure over a canopy of spruce and hemlock, or breathe in the fresh air on a hike in the vast Tongass National Forest.
As a former Russian settlement, Sitka has a fascinating history. Evidence of this remains in St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the old Bishop’s House, now a museum. The town is also the gateway to spectacular wilderness, whether you want to go kayaking, looking out for families of sea otters, or hike forest trails.
For a close-up encounter with Alaska’s bird life, visit the Alaska Raptor Center, where injured bald eagles and other birds of prey are brought for rehabilitation. They’re even taught to fly again before being released back into the wild.
Mendenhall Glacier
In Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is one of the best sights, but it’s just one of the icy behemoths to capture your attention. Take a helicopter flight for the chance to see 36 different glaciers on a clear day, landing on one for an unforgettable guided glacier-top walk.
Humpback whales and orca are a sight to see on Icy Strait Point excursions by day, or on an evening cruise that includes a seafood feast. Fish for salmon or halibut on half-day charters, or enjoy a hands-on seafood class hosted by a local who both fishes and cooks professionally.
A Northbound Glacier cruise also takes you to the dramatic Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in the world. Stand on deck admiring this sheer wall of ice, and watch out for the pistol-crack sounds of chunks calving off, crashing into the icy water.
Exit Glacier
Whether Seward is your point of final debarkation or the gateway to a fabulous Alaska Cruisetour, you’ll want to explore it to the max. Excursions to Kenai Fjords National Park let you experience the magnificent glaciers within its borders, including Bear, the largest, Holgate, Aialik, Grewingk, and Exit, just to name a few.
Southbound Glacier
Denali National Park
Kick off your Southbound Glacier vacation from Seward to Vancouver with a thrilling Cruisetour. This way, you can combine an unforgettable cruise with a small group tour into the state’s spectacular inland destinations.
Once you’re done exploring cities and towns such as Talkeetna and Anchorage, and taking in the endless, wildlife-rich Denali National Park, finish your Cruisetour in Seward. Here, you’ll embark on the Southbound Glacier Alaska cruise route aboard the revolutionized Celebrity Summit.
Kenai Fjords National Park
One of the best things to do in Seward is to admire the adorable sea otters, harbor seals, and whales at the SeaLife Center, Alaska’s rehabilitation center for marine animals.
Ride, cruise, or hike in Kenai Fjords National Park to witness spectacular glaciers. Stop by the Yukon Bar to have a drink, write your name on a dollar bill, and pin it to the wall, as is the tradition.
Tuscan Grille
On your first night aboard the ship, sip champagne at the Sunset Bar as the evening sun casts a golden glow. Savor world-class cuisine at Tuscan Grille, one of our specialty restaurants serving Southern Italian favorites and prime steaks. Take in a Broadway-worthy live performance in The Theatre.
Dance to live music in the Rendezvous Lounge and drop into the Sky Lounge for a nightcap. Depending on your cruise dates, you could be having a late-night snack while light still streaks the sky.
Watch for otters and harbor seals and the spouts of whales as the ship makes its way into the narrow icy waters of Disenchantment Bay. Experience picture-perfect views of Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in the world at seven miles wide, 70 miles long, and the equivalent of 30 stories tall.
Calving of Hubbard Glacier
Stand at the top deck or enjoy viewing this incredible ice-blue wonder from your stateroom veranda as the onboard naturalist shares fascinating details that are broadcast throughout the ship.
The captain will steer the ship close, then turn 360 degrees to allow for the very best views. Have your camera ready and watch with amazement as calving happens, where chunks of the glacier shear off and fall into the sea with a thundering roar.
On a port stop in Juneau, there’s plenty of time to take in the beauty surrounding Alaska’s capital city. Some of the best things to do in Juneau include touring historic sites, sampling fresh fish at local seafood eateries, and enjoying excursions to the Mendenhall Glacier, which spills into a milky lake, strewn with chunks of ice.
White Pass & Yukon Railroad, Skagway
At Skagway, the Klondike Goldrush days live on with excursions on the historic White Pass Scenic Railway. You’ll ride over the scenic but harsh mountain pass once tackled by prospectors in their quest for the gold fields.
You could also try gold panning and rock climbing, or hike the first section of the Chilkoot Trail for magnificent views.
In Icy Strait Point, learn about the lives and culture of the Tlingit tribe who own and operate the cruise destination, and experience their warm hospitality at shops, restaurants, and on excursions.
Point Adolphus
Board a whale-watching tour to nearby Point Adolphus, the summer home of humpback whales, where orcas can also be spotted. Eagles often circle overhead and sea lions, seals, and porpoises can be seen in the water. There’s a thriving population of brown bears here, and you may spot one fishing if you join a guided hike to the Spasski River.
One of the best things to do in Ketchikan, known as the “salmon capital of the world,” is to sample salmon in its many forms. Explore the city’s wild terrain by visiting Misty Fjords National Monument, visible by land, sea, and air excursions, and the pristine Tongass National Forest.
Ketchikan
When your ship docks in Vancouver, discover the city’s Chinatown and Gastown districts, explore the green expanse of Stanley Park, and browse the eclectic market on Granville Island.
Or go the extra mile and embark on a Canadian Rockies cruisetour, where you’ll visit some of Canada’s most beautiful destinations including the exciting city of Calgary, the sparkling turquoise Lake Louise, and the town of Banff, where you’ll see the towering mountains of Alberta’s Rockies.
Celebrity Millennium
See all of the best Alaska cruise routes on CelebrityCruises.com and book an unforgettable cruise to Alaska.
