Figuring out the best cruise line for an Alaska cruise can be overwhelming. With so many different cruise lines and fun-filled ships, the decision is not an easy one. Most of the major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Holland America, all have many northern Alaska itineraries, fantastic ports of call, and a wide range of ships to choose from.
But what is the best cruise line for your Alaska cruise vacation? That really depends on what you want out of your vacation - your preferences and what means the most to you. Is it the itinerary? Or do you want a ship filled with all the bells and whistles, tons of dining options, and world-class Broadway shows? Some cruisers just want a destination-focused trip that delivers a classic cruise experience. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when picking the best cruise line for this incredible destination.
Budget, personal interests, itineraries, ports of call, and onboard amenities all play a role in determining what is best for you and your traveling party. Here are some important considerations in determining the best cruise line for your Alaska cruise vacation.
Price
Budget is undoubtedly one of the biggest considerations when picking the best cruise line for your cruise. Despite increasing prices in travel, the major cruise lines have some fantastic deals to Alaska, especially if you are willing to cruise during the shoulder season (May or October) or don't mind an older ship.
Although Carnival Cruise Line is known for value (and fun), they aren’t necessarily the best price all the time, so make sure you do your homework before booking. Celebrity Cruises currently has the cheapest posted cruise to Alaska at the incredibly low price of $299 per person for a weeklong cruise. Close seconds are Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, both offering cruises at $355 per person. Being flexible about when you cruise, what ship, and which cruise line is one of the top tips to get the best cruise price.
Cabin selection is another factor to consider when trying to stretch that cruise budget. No matter which cruise line you want to sail with, inside cabins, will offer the best savings. Many people only head to their staterooms to sleep, shower or change, so no need to spend thousands of extra dollars for a space that is hardly used.
Ship size and onboard amenities
If best means the latest and greatest of everything, then the newer, larger ships, with 4,000 plus passengers, are the way to go. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line have all entered the mega-ship realm, with tons of modern amenities and fun stuff that families love, like waterparks, slides, race tracks, and game shows.
Among the newer ships sailing to Alaska, Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway Plus class ships have a lot of onboard fun and entertainment. They have several dining options, numerous bars, live musical productions, and activities like a racetrack, aqua park, laser tag, and mini golf.
Ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas is another larger ship sailing to Alaska. It was launched in 2016 and built to sail in all weather conditions, such as Alaska. Onboard, guests can enjoy the Alaska views in several indoor spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows, such as the Two70 lounge, and fun activities like surf simulator, rock climbing, and a North Star – 300-foot-high observation pod and 16 different dining options.
Immersive experiences
While all the major cruise lines offer a broad selection of cruise excursions when visiting ports of call in Alaska, like Juneau, Sitka, and Skagway, some cruise lines take it a step further with a focus on immersive experiences that allow their guests to partake in more off the beaten path journeys.
Cruise lines like Holland America and Princess Cruises are known for their immersive experiences both on and off the ship; in fact, Holland America has been cruising to Alaska for 75 years and touts itself as a destination expert when it comes to the Last Frontier.
Specialized Alaska-focused menus, unique programming, and cultural experiences are major selling points of these cruises. Exclusive land tours, which are pre or post-tours, make Alaska cruise vacations even more memorable. In particular, Princess Cruises has lodges in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Denali National Park, and Chugach National Forest. These add-on land tours allow guests to explore the rugged interior region of Alaska and its famous state parks.
Type of cruise experience
Another important point when figuring out the best cruise line for a fantastic Alaska cruise vacation is the focus of your cruise. Is it a multigenerational family event? A couples' bucket list getaway? Or, a special anniversary splurge, there is a cruise for each.
Family-friendly - There are many cruise lines offering family-focused options for cruises to Alaska. Thanks to its strong brand recognition, Disney Cruise Line is a popular choice for many families; however, they have a small fleet with only one ship sailing to Alaska, out of Vancouver, Canada. For those flying into this Canadian embarkation port, passports are required.
Other good options include Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line which all cater to families and have lots of onboard programs, kid-friendly meals, and activities. Princess Cruises’ partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet channels provides exclusive kids' programming and excursions. One of the highlights is visits from local animals, such as dogs, who come onboard to meet guests. There are many other fun events, such as stargazing and youth/teen clubs.
Adult-focused- While many of the cruise lines are family-friendly, depending upon the time of year and ship (especially older ships), they can be a good choice with plenty of adult-only venues like lounges, solarium, spas, casinos, and more.
Typically, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America have been popular choices for adults. These cruise lines have kids' clubs but don’t have many of the amenities like waterparks, slides, race tracks, bumper cars, and other fun things to do on the ship, so they are less likely to attract families with kids.
Upscale/ luxury - Another option to consider, and perhaps the truly “best cruise line” for a cruise to Alaska, are the upscale, more boutique-style cruise lines that are known for their top-notch service. Famed river cruise line Viking has expanded into ocean cruises but still offers a more intimate experience with under 1,000 people onboard.
Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line are examples of upscale cruise lines sailing to Alaska. These will, however, cost thousands of dollars more, but also may have more perks. Viking has a more all-inclusive approach to cruising with drinks, wi-fi, shore excursions, and specialty dining all included as part of the cruise fare.
Major cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line Royal Caribbean, also have suite areas that feature deluxe accommodations with dedicated lounges, restaurants, deck areas, and concierge service for a higher level of service while still getting the wide range of venues and activities onboard.
