Best Cruise Ships for Alaska in 2027: Which Ship Suits You?

The best cruise ships for Alaska depend on what kind of trip you want, not just which is newest or biggest. For most first-timers, a mid-size or large ship that includes Glacier Bay National Park, such as Royal Princess or Holland America’s Eurodam, is the safest choice. Luxury travellers should look at Regent Seven Seas Explorer or Seabourn Encore. Families do best on Disney Wonder or Quantum of the Seas, and wildlife-focused travellers should pick an expedition ship like Lindblad’s Greg Mortimer.

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Below, we match specific ships to specific types of traveller. Every ship listed is scheduled to sail Alaska in the 2027 season, based on cruise line announcements. If you are still deciding between brands rather than individual ships, start with our guide to choosing the best cruise line to Alaska for you, then come back here to pick the ship.

Which is the best cruise ship to Alaska? The quick answer

If you want one recommendation that suits most people, choose a ship whose itinerary includes Glacier Bay National Park. Access to the park is limited by permit, so only some ships go there, and it is often the highlight of the trip. In 2027, Royal Princess sails 7-day round trips from Seattle with Glacier Bay on Saturday departures, and Holland America’s Eurodam sails 7-day round trips from Seattle that include Glacier Bay. Both are big enough to offer plenty of dining and entertainment without the crowds of the largest megaships.

From there, the “best” ship shifts with your priorities:

• Best for luxury: Regent Seven Seas Explorer or Seabourn Encore
• Best for families: Disney Wonder or Quantum of the Seas
• Best for big-ship fun: Norwegian Encore or Norwegian Bliss
• Best for scenery and wildlife: Greg Mortimer (Lindblad Expeditions)
• Best for value: Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Spirit or Serenade of the Seas
• Best for a modern premium feel: Celebrity Edge or Star Princess

Best cruise ships for Alaska in 2027: comparison table

Passenger figures are approximate, based on standard (double) occupancy, and homeports reflect announced 2027 programs. Itineraries can change, so always check the specific sailing before you book.

Best ships for a luxury Alaska cruise

Regent Seven Seas Explorer

Regent has scheduled Seven Seas Explorer for 16 Alaska sailings in summer 2027, all seven-night one-way trips between Vancouver and Whittier. Calls include Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and the smaller port of Klawock, with scenic cruising in the Inside Passage and at Hubbard Glacier. With around 750 guests, all-suite accommodation and a fare that includes most drinks, specialty dining and many shore excursions, it is the closest thing to a floating luxury hotel in Alaska. Because it sails one way, it pairs naturally with a pre- or post-cruise land stay in Denali.

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn Encore offers 18 Alaska departures between May and September 2027, ranging from 7 to 15 days. Every voyage includes at least one scenic cruise of Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm or Glacier Bay. At roughly 600 guests, it can visit smaller ports and feels far less busy than the big ships. The 14-day combination voyages are worth a look if you want to see more of the coast without changing ships.

On any luxury ship in Alaska, the cabin matters more than usual, because so much of the scenery passes right outside. Our round-up of the best balcony cabins at sea explains what makes a balcony worth paying extra for.

Best small ship for an Alaska cruise: scenery and wildlife

Greg Mortimer (Lindblad Expeditions)

Lindblad’s two long-serving Alaska ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion, are retiring after the 2026 season. For 2027, the company has chartered the Greg Mortimer, an expedition ship with a distinctive X-BOW hull, multiple Zodiac platforms and space for about 150 guests. Its Alaska program focuses on places big ships cannot reach easily, with Zodiac cruising, kayaking and wildlife watching in areas such as Misty Fjords, the Inian Islands, Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm and Hubbard Glacier.

This is the right ship if your idea of Alaska is whales, bears and quiet coves rather than shows and casinos. Expect a higher price per day than mainstream lines, fewer formal onboard amenities and a schedule that changes with weather and wildlife.

Best cruise ships for Alaska for families

Disney Wonder

Disney Wonder returns to Alaska in 2027 with 7-night round trips from Vancouver. A typical sailing visits Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, with scenic cruising near the Stikine Icecap. Disney’s kids’ clubs, character experiences and family-friendly entertainment make it the easiest choice for parents of younger children. Fares tend to be higher than mainstream lines, and sailings during school holidays fill early.

Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is sending four ships to Alaska in 2027, and Quantum of the Seas sails 7-night round trips from Seattle. Quantum class ships are known for the North Star observation capsule, the SeaPlex indoor activity area and the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, which are useful on cool or rainy Alaska days. Its sister Anthem of the Seas sails one-way between Seward and Vancouver if you want to add a Denali cruisetour.

Best ships for big-ship fun in Alaska

Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss both sail mostly 7-day round trips from Seattle in 2027. These are large, lively ships with go-kart tracks, a wide range of restaurants and a flexible “freestyle” approach to dining and dress. Their forward-facing observation lounges are a good place to watch the scenery when the weather turns. If you prefer a smaller Norwegian ship with one-way glacier routes, Norwegian Jade sails between Whittier and Vancouver with a scenic day at Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier.

Star Princess

Star Princess, one of Princess’s newest and largest ships, returns for a second Alaska season with 7-day Inside Passage round trips from Seattle. It suits travellers who want the latest design and many dining options while keeping Princess’s long Alaska experience, which includes naturalists and local programming on board.

Best value ships for an Alaska cruise

Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend

Carnival has three ships in Alaska in 2027. Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend sail 7-day trips from Seattle to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord and Victoria. Carnival Luminosa sails 10-day cruises from San Francisco, adding Prince Rupert in British Columbia. These are mid-size ships with a relaxed, fun atmosphere and often some of the lowest fares in Alaska. Luminosa is especially handy for Californians who would rather not fly to Seattle.

Serenade of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas sails 7-night round trips from Vancouver. It is one of the smaller ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet and has plenty of glass, which helps with views. It lacks the headline attractions of Quantum class ships, but it often prices lower.

Fares for all of these ships vary widely by date and cabin type. Early and late-season sailings in May and September usually cost less than July. Watch our cruise deals for 2027 for current offers.

Best mid-size ships for classic Alaska cruising

Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam (Holland America Line)

Holland America has six ships in Alaska in 2027, the year it marks 80 years of Alaska travel. Eurodam sails 7-day round trips from Seattle that include Glacier Bay, Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point. Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam sail 7-day one-way Glacier Discovery cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, which include Glacier Bay, and the northbound trip adds College Fjord. These mid-size ships suit travellers who want a calm, traditional cruise with good dining and live music. Read more about Holland America’s Alaska heritage tours if you plan to add a land journey.

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge is one of three Celebrity ships in Alaska for 2027, alongside Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit. It has a contemporary design, a large number of balcony cabins and the Magic Carpet, a movable platform on the side of the ship. It suits couples who want a modern premium experience at a price below the luxury lines. If longer cruises with more glacier time appeal, Celebrity Solstice is often a better match.

How to choose the best ship for an Alaska cruise

A few practical points matter more in Alaska than in the Caribbean, and they often decide which ship is best for you:

1. Check the glacier on the itinerary. Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm (Dawes Glacier) offer different experiences. Glacier Bay requires a permit, so it appears on fewer sailings.
2. Decide on round trip or one way. Round trips from Seattle or Vancouver are simpler to book. One-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier or Seward reach farther north and pair well with Denali, but flights cost more.
3. Look for indoor viewing space. Alaska weather is cool and often wet. Ships with large observation lounges, covered decks or glass-walled areas let you watch the scenery in comfort.
4. Weigh the balcony. A balcony is more useful in Alaska than almost anywhere else, especially on scenic cruising days.
5. Consider ship size. Bigger ships offer more to do on board, while smaller ships reach quieter ports and get you on and off faster.

FAQs

Which is the best cruise ship to Alaska?

For most people, a ship that includes Glacier Bay National Park is the best choice. In 2027, Royal Princess and Holland America’s Eurodam both offer 7-day Seattle round trips with Glacier Bay. Luxury travellers should consider Regent Seven Seas Explorer, and families should look at Disney Wonder.

Is a big or small ship better for Alaska?

Big ships offer more entertainment, more dining choice and often lower fares. Small and expedition ships, such as Lindblad’s Greg Mortimer, get closer to wildlife and visit remote coves. The right choice depends on whether you value onboard activities or time in nature more.

Which cruise ships go to Glacier Bay?

Only ships with National Park Service permits can enter Glacier Bay, and most of these belong to Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. In 2027, sailings with Glacier Bay include Royal Princess on Saturday departures from Seattle, Eurodam’s Alaska Explorer, Holland America’s Glacier Discovery cruises and Princess’s Voyage of the Glaciers.

What is the best month to cruise Alaska?

June, July and August bring the warmest weather and longest days, but also the highest fares. May and September are usually cheaper and quieter, with a chance of cooler, wetter weather.