Everything in Alaska is oversized. Stunning in its beauty and scale, the state offers 36,000 miles of glacier-covered coastline. Lakes outnumber people. Bears, caribou and moose roam the wilderness. You’ll also find North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali, as well as the country’s largest bald eagle population.
A coastal cruise will bring you face to face with whales, icebergs and massive tidewater glaciers. But if you want to see the Alaska you see on postcards, with soaring peaks, sprawling forests, mirror lakes and wild bears, you’ll need to venture inland.
That’s where a cruise comes into play.
What is a cruise?
An Alaska cruise is the ultimate two-in-one vacation: combining a week-long Inside Passage cruise with a multi-day land trip into Alaska’s vast wilderness.
One day, you may be kayaking among surreal blue icebergs in Glacier Bay, and the next, you may be riding a glass-domed train through the Alaska Range while elk graze on the tundra. It’s one of the smartest ways to experience the state, combining coastal beauty, gold rush history, and wildlife encounters with Alaska’s “Big Five” (bear, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves) all in one trip.
Related: Arrest! Before you book that Alaska cruise, make sure you’ve done this
How long does a cruise last?
Cruise duration varies. Some add just a few nights inland. Others last a week or more and venture deeper into the Alaskan wilderness. All include a seven-night Inside Passage cruise and a land adventure where Denali National Park and Preserve is the star attraction.
When is the best time to take a cruise?
Alaska’s cruise season is short (May to September) and tours tend to sell out quickly. Summer brings mild weather and long days, with temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees and up to 24 hours of light. But each month has its own giveaway.
May and June mean fewer crowds and lower prices. There is still snow on the mountain tops, wildflowers are blooming, and glacier viewing conditions are good. It is also a prime time to observe wildlife. Whales and migratory birds pass through here, and bears barely come out of hibernation.
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July is the sweet spot. The long, sunny days make it ideal for hiking, kayaking and wildlife watching, both at sea and on land. This is the most popular month in Alaska, so expect a lot of people in port.
August is all about salmon runs and the bears that follow them. It rains more on the coast, but it’s a small price to pay for the wildlife you’ll find on land.
When September arrives, the weather is cooler and the tundra is golden. Crowds thin out, making it easier to book cruises. You are also very likely to see the Northern Lights.
Related: 15 Alaska Cruise Mistakes You Never Want to Make
Why combine cruise and land?
The Inside Passage offers fjords, glaciers and charming towns. But Alaska’s true wilderness—Denali, sprawling tundra, and vast wildlife—lies hundreds of miles inland. A cruise gives you the best of both without the headache of having to plan everything yourself. Transfers, trains, accommodations, and guided tours are included, often making it a better value than booking a cruise and land trip separately.
What are the different tours I can book?
Most itineraries combine a weeklong Inside Passage sailing with several days of inland adventures, typically in Denali National Park and Preserve and a ride aboard a glass-domed train. From here, extended tours can continue north to Fairbanks or south to Kenai Fjords National Park, adding wildlife lodges, gold rush towns, and glacier boat tours to the mix.
Related: The 10 Best Alaska Cruises for Every Type of Traveler
What cruise lines offer cruises?
Several lines combine Alaska cruises with a land adventure. Some, like Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line, extend into the Canadian Rockies, with stays in Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta. Azamara goes further, with itineraries in both Japan and Canada and the rare opportunity to explore three countries in one trip.
Princess Cruises
Princess has been a leader in Alaska for over 50 years. Their “Denali Explorer” itinerary is a classic, combining a seven-night “Glacier Voyage” cruise with train travel on the Wilderness Express and two or three nights at Princess-owned wilderness lodges within Denali. Expect guided wildlife viewing, talks with rangers, and, if you’re lucky, clear views of Denali’s 20,320-foot peak.
Holland America Line
Holland AmericaThe “Denali & Yukon” tour extends beyond Denali to Dawson City, Yukon, the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush. In addition to a Glacier Discovery cruise, you’ll travel on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, sip cocktails in frontier-era saloons, and stay in rustic cabins. It’s the wild beauty of Alaska with a side of gold rush history.
Royal Caribbean International
royal caribbean brings the power of big ships to Alaska with Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum Class ship packed with restaurants, bars and entertainment; It offers attractions such as the North Star observation capsule, which rises 300 feet above the sea. Cruises include a glass-domed train ride and time in Denali, where excursions range from nature hikes to dog sledding and zip lines through the boreal forest.
Azamara Cruises
azamara returns to Alaska in 2026 with its trademark immersive slow voyages and new cruises that add two to six nights ashore. Options like the “Alaska Explorer” combine a private tour of Denali with a speedboat ride on the Susitna River and time in Talkeetna, Alaska, a quirky frontier town. The longest trips extend to Japan and Canada.
Norwegian cruise line
Norwegian It has the newest fleet in Alaska, with luxurious suites, thermal spas, renowned shows, go-kart tracks and multiple bars and restaurants. Off the ship, the adventure continues with train rides, Denali wilderness hikes, an exclusive dog sled kennel visit, and adrenaline-fueled options like white water rafting and scenic helicopter flights.
Celebrity cruises
Celebrity offers an immersive Alaska experience, with cruises highlighting gold rush history, national parks and local cuisine. The 10-day “Authentic Flavors of Alaska” itinerary is a mobile feast: you can try everything from local smoked salmon, ice cream made from indigenous recipes, and sweets made from tree sap, all while enjoying the backdrop of Alaska’s spectacular landscapes.
Windstar Cruises
wind star also returns to Alaska in 2026 with Star Seeker, combining small ship luxury with an expedition-style adventure. With eight naturalists on board, every moment—whether cruising among glaciers in Zodiacs, kayaking among icebergs in the Tongass National Forest, pedaling through Sitka, Alaska’s coastal trails, or hiking the Denali tundra in search of the “Big Five”—will come vividly to life.
In a nutshell
Alaska is all about expansive landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. A cruise offers you the glaciers and fjords of the coast, as well as the mountains, tundra and wildlife on land.
When you go matters as much as what line you travel with. Book early – the best itineraries disappear quickly. All-weather backpack. And get ready for a trip that will give you the best of Alaska on land and sea.
