Anchorage (Seward)
United States (Alaska)
Cruises to and from Anchorage start or end at Seward's new railroad cruise terminal, 200 km south of the city on Resurrection Bay.
Departure and callPierCentre 3 km away
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Cruise destination
Alaska
Glaciers and fjords of the Inside Passage from May to September, sailing from Seattle, Vancouver or the Anchorage ports of Seward and Whittier.
May to September10 ports
10port guides
3countries and territories
6with the centre 1 km or less from the ship
2where you go ashore by tender
4also departure ports
Fjords, glaciers and whales from May to September, on a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver or one way to Anchorage.
Alaska cruises sail from May to September along the Inside Passage, the chain of fjords and islands between British Columbia and south-east Alaska. There are two kinds of trip. Round trips of about 7 nights leave from Seattle or Vancouver. One-way cruises across the Gulf of Alaska link Vancouver with the Anchorage ports of Seward and Whittier, between 1.5 and 2.5 hours from Anchorage by road or train.
The usual calls are Juneau, the state capital, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Icy Strait Point, the port run by the Tlingit community of Hoonah. Seattle round trips also stop in Victoria, in Canada, usually in the evening. Many itineraries add a day of scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, at Hubbard Glacier or in the Tracy Arm fjord.
The weather changes a lot: expect 10 to 18 °C and rain even in July, so pack layers and a rain jacket. Juneau limits the number of cruise passengers per day, and popular excursions such as the White Pass railway in Skagway or floatplane trips sell out early.
Map of Alaska ports
Hover over a dot to see the port and click to open its guide. With a dark border, ports where cruises also start.
The 10 ports
Where the ship docks and how far the centre is.
Anchorage (Whittier)
United States (Alaska)
Princess and Holland America cruises to and from Anchorage use Whittier, a Prince William Sound port reached by a one-lane tunnel.
Departure and callPierCentre 0.7 km away
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)
United States (Alaska)
A private port run by the Tlingit-owned Huna Totem Corporation: two docks beside a 1912 salmon cannery, 2.5 km from the village of Hoonah.
Port of callPier or tenderCentre 0.6 km away
Juneau
United States (Alaska)
Ships dock along the downtown waterfront of Alaska's capital, from Marine Park to the AJ Dock, most a short walk from the centre.
Port of callPierCentre 0.5 km away
Ketchikan
United States (Alaska)
Most ships dock at four berths on the downtown waterfront, a short walk from Creek Street. Some use Ward Cove, north of town.
Port of callPierCentre 0.5 km away
Seattle
United States (Washington)
Two cruise terminals: Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront, near Pike Place Market, and Pier 91 at Smith Cove, 5 km north by road.
Departure and callPierCentre 5.4 km away
Sitka
United States (Alaska)
Most ships dock at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, 9 km north of town, with a free shuttle downtown. Smaller ships tender ashore.
Port of callPier or tenderCentre 9 km away
Skagway
United States (Alaska)
Ships dock at the foot of Broadway, the main street of a Gold Rush town, and the White Pass railway starts beside the piers.
Port of callPierCentre 0.4 km away
Vancouver
Canada (British Columbia)
Ships berth at Canada Place, on the downtown waterfront, next to Waterfront station and 16 km by road from Vancouver airport.
Departure and callPierCentre 0.8 km away
Victoria (British Columbia)
Canada (British Columbia)
Ships dock at Ogden Point, at the entrance to Victoria's harbour, about 2 km from the Parliament Buildings and the Inner Harbour.
Port of callPierCentre 2.3 km away
When to go
Average temperature of the 10 ports, month by month. In colour, the months most port guides mark as best for a call.
Average temperatures go from about 1 °C in January to about 15 °C in July. Recommended season: may to september.
Best monthsRest of the year
Cruises in Alaska
Itineraries on this site with upcoming departures that call at these ports. In colour, the ports of this destination.
Norwegian EncoreNorwegian Cruise Line · 7 nights
Apr 25, 2027May 2, 2027May 9, 2027May 16, 2027
See itinerary →
MSC PoesiaMSC Cruises · 7 nights
Seattle· at sea ·KetchikanIcy Strait Point (Hoonah)Juneau· at sea ·Victoria (British Columbia)SeattleApr 26, 2027May 3, 2027May 10, 2027May 17, 2027
See itinerary →
Norwegian BlissNorwegian Cruise Line · 7 nights
May 1, 2027May 8, 2027May 15, 2027May 22, 2027
See itinerary →
