Where Does An Alaskan Cruise Start?

Alaska cruises typically depart from Vancouver, Seattle, Alaska, and California. The most popular routes include the Inside Passage or a Cross Gulf cruise. The Inside Passage is the classic route, with about two-thirds of Alaskan cruises opting for it. Some cruises venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska, often starting and ending at ports near Anchorage. Most Alaskan cruises depart from one of four ports on the western coast of North America: Seward or Juneau within Alaska, or from Vancouver in Canada or Seattle in the US.

Seward is not located in Alaska’s Inside Passage. The cruise season in Alaska is from late spring to early fall, offering plenty of options for a memorable trip in North America’s Pacific Northwest. Most Alaskan cruises last about seven to 14 days and depart from Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Anchorage Alaska.

Alaska Cruise Lines include Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and small ships like Silversea. Round-trip Alaskan cruises depart weekly from Vancouver and Seattle, while week-long one-way cruises between Seattle or Vancouver to Seward, a small town south of Anchorage, Alaska. Most Alaska cruises depart from Seattle or Vancouver, with no train from Alaska back to either. The Alaska Railroad provides a connection to Alaska.

The Inside Passage is the most popular Alaska cruise route, with weeklong itineraries generally starting in either Seattle or Vancouver. Northbound cruise routes usually stop first in Ketchikan, followed by Juneau, Skagway, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Discover Alaska cruise ports and set sail for unforgettable adventures in the Pacific Northwest.