Best Alaska Cruise Lines for First-Timers (2027 Honest Comparison)
Not all Alaska cruise lines are created equal — and for first-timers, picking the wrong one is an expensive way to find that out. A travel advisor breaks down the five major lines honestly: who has Glacier Bay access, who actually specializes in Alaska, and which ship is right for the trip you're actually trying to take.
Last updated: October 2, 2026 :: Written by Sue Nelson, Travel Advisor | Adventures by MJ
For most first-time Alaska cruisers in 2027, Princess Cruises is the best overall choice. They operate more Alaska sailings than any other cruise line, have 85 Glacier Bay National Park visits on the 2027 schedule, and run land extension packages connecting your cruise to Denali. Holland America is the top runner-up for travelers who want a quieter, naturalist-forward experience. Norwegian wins on flexibility and family appeal, Royal Caribbean brings the most onboard activities, and Celebrity is the move when you want premium food and a sleek modern ship without crossing into full luxury pricing.
Key Takeaways: Best Alaska Cruise Lines for First-Timers
Princess Cruises runs more Alaska sailings than any other major cruise line and is widely considered the Alaska specialist for good reason.
Holland America and Princess make the most Glacier Bay National Park visits of the major lines (Norwegian goes on select ships), and Glacier Bay is one of the top bucket-list experiences in Alaska.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s freestyle dining and entertainment lineup make it the go-to for families and travelers who need onboard flexibility.
Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships bring maximum onboard activities, but their Alaska naturalist programming is lighter than Princess or Holland America.
Celebrity Cruises is the best pick for couples and empty-nesters who want genuinely excellent food and a sophisticated vibe at a price that does not require a second mortgage.
A 7-night Alaska cruise in 2027 starts around $500 to $700 per person for an interior cabin and climbs past $2,000 for peak-summer balconies. Excursions, drinks, and gratuities are almost always extra.
Book 9 to 12 months ahead for peak summer sailings. July on Princess and Holland America fills fast.
If you have a voice assistant, a limited attention span, or a flight to catch, these are the essentials.
Which cruise line is best for Alaska?
Princess Cruises is the best Alaska cruise line for most travelers in 2027, with the most sailings, deep Alaska programming and 85 Glacier Bay visits. Holland America is a close second if you want a quieter ship.
What is the best Alaska cruise line for adults?
Holland America, for adults who want a quiet ship, naturalist talks and Glacier Bay. If food and a sleek, modern ship matter more, choose Celebrity instead, but know that it skips Glacier Bay.
What cruise lines go to Alaska?
Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity run most Alaska sailings, mainly from Seattle and Vancouver. Carnival and several luxury and small-ship lines sail there too, but those five are where most first-timers should start.
Which Alaska cruise line has the best food?
Celebrity Cruises has the best food of any mainstream Alaska cruise line. Its culinary program is consistently ranked among the top at sea, and the All Included fare bundles drinks into the price, so dinner feels premium without the luxury price tag.
What is the best month to cruise Alaska?
June and July are peak months for wildlife sightings and the best weather odds. May offers shoulder-season pricing with fewer crowds, August is excellent for whales, and September is the most affordable, with more rain and shorter days.
Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise?
U.S. citizens do not need a passport for closed-loop cruises that start and end at the same U.S. port, but a passport is strongly recommended. Cruises departing from or arriving in Vancouver, Canada require a valid U.S. passport. travel.state.gov has the full requirements.
If you want to go deep on Alaska before you sail, a dedicated Alaska cruise guide is worth having on hand, especially for port-by-port planning once you have your itinerary locked.
If you are booking your first Alaska cruise for 2027, comparing lines, and trying to figure out whether the Princess vs. Holland America debate actually matters for your trip, this is the post that settles it.
Want to make the most of your Alaska trip? Grab my free guide, Top 10 Alaska Land & Sea Experiences You Can’t Miss — the excursions, sights, and moments worth building your itinerary around. [Download the free guide →]
Why Your Cruise Line Choice Actually Matters in Alaska
Here is the thing about Alaska that does not apply to, say, the Eastern Caribbean: your cruise line’s relationships, access permits, and onboard expertise genuinely shape the quality of your experience in ways that go well beyond thread count and buffet variety.
Take Glacier Bay National Park. Not every cruise ship is allowed in. The National Park Service limits access through a permit system, and only certain cruise lines hold those permits. If seeing Glacier Bay is on your bucket list (and it should be), you need to know which lines can actually take you there before you hand over your credit card. According to the National Park Service, the number of vessel entries into Glacier Bay is carefully managed to protect the park’s wilderness character and wildlife.
The same logic applies to onboard naturalist programming, port relationships, and whether your cruise line has spent decades learning the rhythms of an Alaska season or is simply running ships there because Alaska is popular and the marketing photos are extraordinary (they are, to be fair).
This is why comparing the best Alaska cruise lines for first-timers is worth doing before you book rather than after you get home and realize you ended up on the wrong ship for what you actually wanted.
The Best Alaska Cruise Lines for First-Timers, Compared
Princess Cruises: The Alaska Specialist
If Alaska is a religion, Princess is the denomination that built the cathedral. They have been sailing Alaska for decades, and they operate more Alaska departures each season than any other major cruise line. That volume has translated into a depth of Alaska-specific programming, partnerships, and infrastructure that other lines have genuinely not matched.
Their North to Alaska program is the centerpiece. Real naturalists and Alaska specialists travel onboard, deliver lectures, host wildlife watches on deck, and help you understand what you are actually looking at when you are standing at the rail staring at a calving glacier for the first time. This is not a crew member reading facts from a card. These are people who can tell the difference between a Dall’s porpoise and a harbor porpoise at 200 yards and are unreasonably excited about it. It is fantastic.
Princess is an authorized Glacier Bay National Park concessioner with 85 Glacier Bay visits on its 2027 schedule, which is a major advantage for first-timers building a classic Alaska itinerary.
Their CruiseTour packages are a legitimate differentiator in the Alaska market. You can combine a roundtrip or one-way Alaska cruise with a land extension to Denali, Fairbanks, or the Kenai Fjords, creating a trip that covers far more of Alaska than any ship can reach on its own. For first-timers who want to actually see Alaska rather than just skirt its edges from the water, this is an option worth serious consideration.
Here is how the five major Alaska cruise lines compare for first-timers, broken down honestly by what each one actually does well in Alaska specifically.
Princess operates more Alaska sailings than any other major cruise line, with dedicated naturalist programming and Glacier Bay access.
Price range:
Interior cabins from around $650 per person for 7 nights in 2027. Balconies from around $1,560.
Best for:
First-timers who want the most Alaska-specific experience and are considering a Denali land extension.
Signature perk:
Glacier Bay access, North to Alaska naturalist program, Denali and Kenai CruiseTour packages.
Holland America Line: The Naturalist’s Choice
Holland America has been sailing Alaska since 1947. That is not a misprint. They were in Alaska before it was even a state, and the decades since have given them a product that feels genuinely calibrated to the destination rather than simply deployed near it.
Where Princess appeals to the broadest range of first-timers, Holland America consistently attracts travelers who are 45 and older, prefer a quieter atmosphere, and are genuinely there for the scenery, the wildlife talks, and the slow pleasure of watching a glacier come into view. Their ships are mid-size by modern standards, which means less crowd noise when the whale surfaces, easier access to the railing, and a pace that lets Alaska breathe.
Holland America also holds a Glacier Bay permit and has dedicated Alaska programming through their We Love Alaska program, including Alaska Up Close talks about the lives of real Alaskans. On Glacier Bay days, a park ranger comes aboard for the day, so you get commentary about the wildlife and geology you are seeing in real time.
A good pair of binoculars is the single most-used item in every Alaska cruiser’s bag. Bring them on deck for every glacier and every port.
The honest caveat: Holland America’s fleet is not the newest. They have invested in refurbishments, but if you want the shiniest, most recently built hardware, Princess or Celebrity will edge them out. What Holland America offers instead is a depth of experience, consistency of service, and a genuine sense of Alaska heritage that newer ships have not earned yet.
Holland America has been sailing Alaska since 1947 and holds a coveted Glacier Bay National Park permit.
Price range:
Interior cabins from around $820 per person for 7 nights in 2027. Balconies from around $1,100. Best for: Travelers 45-plus who want a refined, enrichment-focused Alaska experience. Excellent for solo travelers (their single supplement policies are notably better than most lines).
Signature perk:
Glacier Bay access, We Love Alaska programming, strong naturalist lecture series.
Norwegian Cruise Line: The Freestyle Option
Norwegian is the cruise line that decided in 2000 that assigned dinner seating was a form of punishment nobody asked for, and they changed the industry accordingly. That freewheeling energy is still the core of their brand, and it translates well for families and social travelers who want Alaska’s scenery with a side of lively onboard activity.
Their Alaska fleet skews toward larger ships with more dining venues, more entertainment options, and more programming keeping the teenagers occupied while you stand on deck completely beside yourself watching a humpback breach for the fourth time. Norwegian does not have the same depth of Alaska naturalist programming as Princess or Holland America, but they compensate with variety, flexibility, and consistently competitive pricing.
The important thing to know: Norwegian does hold Glacier Bay entries, but only some ships use them. In 2027, Norwegian Encore goes into Glacier Bay on its Seattle roundtrips, and some Norwegian Jade sailings do too. Other Norwegian itineraries feature different spectacular scenery, including Hubbard Glacier, which is actively advancing into Disenchantment Bay and is genuinely impressive in a very different way than Glacier Bay. If Glacier Bay is specifically on your list, pick your Norwegian ship carefully.
Price range:
Interior cabins from around $800 per person for 7 nights in 2027. Balconies from around $1,130.
Best for:
Families, social travelers, anyone who values flexible dining and wants plenty of onboard activity between ports.
Signature perk:
Freestyle dining with no set dinner times, lively entertainment lineup, Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier sailing on select ships.
Royal Caribbean: The Activity-First Pick
Royal Caribbean brings their signature big-ship energy to Alaska, and if you have a teenager who will only agree to a non-beach vacation if there is a rock climbing wall involved, Royal Caribbean is your negotiating tool.
The honest assessment for Alaska: Royal Caribbean does not specialize here the way Princess and Holland America do. Their Alaska sailings are more limited in number, their naturalist programming is lighter, and their massive ships can feel at slight odds with the intimate scale of sailing through narrow, glacier-carved fjords. That is not a dealbreaker. It is a tradeoff worth understanding before you book.
Their Alaska itineraries are strong for what they are, and Royal Caribbean’s price points are competitive. For first-timers whose priority is onboard amenities and who view Alaska’s scenery as a compelling bonus rather than the entire point of the trip, they deliver real value.
Price range:
Interior cabins from around $670 per person for 7 nights in 2027. Balconies from around $1,170.
Best for:
Families with older kids and teens, travelers who want maximum onboard activities alongside solid Alaska scenery.
Signature perk:
Extensive onboard activity programming, strong teen and kids clubs, competitive Alaska pricing.
Celebrity Cruises: The Modern Luxury Option
Celebrity occupies the sweet spot between mainstream and luxury, which is an excellent place to be when you are spending a week sailing through some of the most dramatic scenery on earth. Their ships are sleek and well-designed, their food is genuinely excellent (their culinary program is consistently ranked among the best at sea), and their smaller ship sizes allow them to navigate passages that mega-ships cannot.
Their All-Included fare packages bundle drinks and Wi-Fi into the base price (crew gratuities are now charged separately), which makes the actual cost of the trip far easier to calculate and makes that first cocktail on the pool deck feel entirely justified on principle.
Unlike Norwegian, Celebrity does not hold a Glacier Bay permit, but their Alaska itineraries include strong alternatives like Hubbard Glacier and Dawes Glacier. Their target demographic is couples, foodies, and empty-nesters who want a sophisticated experience without paying ultra-luxury prices, and they deliver that reliably. If you are planning a special trip and weighing Alaska against other options, check my guide to the best honeymoon destinations for 2027 for comparison.
Price range:
Interior cabins from around $500 per person for 7 nights in 2027 (around $800 on Seattle roundtrips), cruise-only; All Included costs more. Balconies from around $750.
Best for:
Couples, food-focused travelers, anyone who wants a premium experience with predictable all-in pricing.
Signature perk:
All-Included pricing, exceptional dining program, modern ship design.
Best Alaska Cruise Lines for First-Timers: 2027 Comparison
Prices are per person for 7-night interior cabin · Balcony pricing noted separately · Excursions, drinks & gratuities not included
Glacier Bay note: Princess Cruises and Holland America Line make the most Glacier Bay visits, and Norwegian goes on select ships (Norwegian Encore from Seattle in 2027). Royal Caribbean and Celebrity do not go in. If Glacier Bay is on your must-see list, confirm it on your exact sailing.
Cruise Line
Starting Price
Glacier Bay
Alaska Sailings
Ship Size
Naturalist Program
Best For
Sue’s Verdict
Princess
Alaska Specialist
$650 interior
$1,560 balcony
✓
Most sailingsSeattle & Vancouver
Mid-size to large 2,000–4,300 passengers
★★★★★
North to Alaska program
First-timersLand toursMixed-age groups
Top overall pick. Deepest Alaska expertise, most flexible itineraries, Denali CruiseTour access.
Holland America
Premium
$820 interior
$1,100 balcony
✓
Strong Alaska focusSince 1947
Mid-size 1,400–2,650 passengers
★★★★★
We Love Alaska program
45+ travelersSolo cruisersEnrichment seekers
Best refined Alaska experience. Quieter vibe, exceptional naturalist depth, best solo policies.
Norwegian
Value / Freestyle
$800 interior
$1,130 balcony
✓
Select ships only (Encore, some Jade)
Good selectionFreestyle schedule
Large 2,400–4,000 passengers
★★★☆☆
Lighter Alaska programming
FamiliesSocial travelersFlexible diners
Best value and most flexibility. Glacier Bay only on select ships, but Hubbard Glacier is spectacular and less crowded.
Royal Caribbean
Activities-First
$670 interior
$1,170 balcony
✗
Hubbard or Dawes Glacier instead
Limited Alaska schedule
Mid-size to very large 2,150–4,200 passengers
★★☆☆☆
Alaska not a priority
Families w/ teensActivity lovers
Best onboard activities in Alaska. Go for the ship; Alaska scenery is a compelling bonus.
Celebrity
Modern Luxury
$500 interior
$750 balcony (cruise-only)
✗
Hubbard or Dawes Glacier instead
Growing Alaska schedule
Mid-size 2,150–2,900 passengers
★★★☆☆
Content onboard, lighter Alaska focus
CouplesFoodiesEmpty nesters
Best food at sea + all-inclusive pricing clarity. Premium without the luxury price tag.
Tier Guide:
Alaska Specialist
Premium
Value / Freestyle
Activities-First
Modern Luxury
The Verdict: Best Alaska Cruise Lines for First-Timers in 2027
For most first-timers, Princess Cruises is the top pick: the most Alaska sailings, Glacier Bay access, and the option to add a Denali land tour. Holland America is the best choice for travelers 45-plus who want a quieter, naturalist-focused experience. Norwegian is the best value for families. Royal Caribbean is for travelers who want maximum onboard activities. Celebrity is the best option for couples and foodies who want a premium feel with all-inclusive pricing clarity. If Glacier Bay is on your list, book Princess, Holland America or Norwegian Encore. Everyone else heads to Hubbard Glacier or Dawes Glacier, which are also spectacular and significantly less crowded.
Princess vs. Holland America for Alaska: The Real Difference
Because this question fills my inbox with impressive regularity, let me settle it plainly.
Both Princess and Holland America are excellent Alaska cruise lines. Both have Glacier Bay access. Both have strong naturalist programming. The decision between them is about atmosphere and pacing, not quality.
Choose Princess if:
You want more departure dates and itinerary flexibility
You are interested in combining your cruise with a Denali or Kenai land tour
You prefer a slightly younger, livelier onboard vibe
You are traveling with a mixed-age group that wants variety
You want the newest ships in the Alaska market
Choose Holland America if:
A quieter, more refined atmosphere sounds like vacation rather than compromise
You are 50-plus and want a crowd that trends toward your energy level
Enrichment programming (naturalist talks, lectures, documentary content) is as appealing as the scenery itself
You are traveling solo (Holland America’s solo supplement policies are among the most favorable in the industry)
You want a cruise line with deep, earned Alaska heritage rather than one that happens to run sailings there
That is the honest difference. If you are still not sure, call your travel advisor. That is what we are here for.
How to Book Your Alaska Cruise Right
A few things that first-timers consistently overlook, passed along so you do not have to learn them the hard way.
Book a balcony cabin. This is not optional.
Alaska is not the cruise where you want an interior cabin and a porthole. A balcony is where you will spend half your sea days, wrapped in a fleece, watching fjords scroll past in the kind of silence that city people genuinely do not know exists. The price premium is real. So is the experience. Book the balcony.
Alaska involves open-water sailing that can surprise first-timers who have only cruised the Caribbean. Tuck some motion sickness relief in your bag before you board; you may not need it, but you will be very glad it’s there if you do.
Think carefully about your departure port.
Most Alaska cruises depart from Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia. Roundtrip sailings from Seattle are the most common and convenient first-timer option. One-way itineraries (northbound ending in Seward or Whittier, or southbound starting there) cover different scenery and can see more ground, but require flights at both ends. Start with roundtrip unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise.
Budget for excursions as a separate line item.
Your cruise fare covers the ship, the stateroom, and the food. Alaska’s most memorable moments happen on shore, and they are priced separately. I have a full breakdown of the best Alaska cruise excursions worth booking in 2027, including which ones to book through independent operators (where you will save 30 to 40 percent on the same tours the ship sells).
Book early. Not “a few months before.” Early.
Juneau now caps cruise visitors at 16,000 a day (12,000 on Saturdays) under an agreement with the cruise lines, and 2026 was the first season of those limits. Peak-season sailings in late June and July book up 9 to 12 months in advance on the popular lines. If you want a balcony cabin on a Princess or Holland America sailing in July, the time to book is now, not three months from now when you finally decide for certain.
Most Alaska cruises depart from Seattle or Vancouver. Roundtrip from Seattle is the most straightforward first-timer option.
Consider the shoulder season seriously.
May and September sailings offer notably lower prices, fewer crowds, and a different kind of Alaska experience. May has the freshest wildflowers and the longest daylight hours. September brings peak whale activity and the first autumn colors. The tradeoff is less predictable weather and, in September, shorter days. If your dates are flexible, both shoulder months are worth a close look. Pair this with my breakdown of what an Alaska cruise really costs in 2027 to see what the shoulder months can save you.
Adventures by MJ · 2027 Guide
Which Alaska Cruise Line Is Right for You?
5 cruise lines · 5 traveler types · 1 honest recommendation for each
Important Before You Book
Princess & Holland America make the most Glacier Bay National Park visits
If Glacier Bay is on your bucket list, start with these two lines. Norwegian goes on select ships; Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sail to Hubbard or Dawes Glacier instead.
Alaska Specialist
Princess Cruises
From $650 interior · $1,560 balcony
You want the most Alaska itinerary options
Glacier Bay is non-negotiable for you
You’re considering a Denali land extension
Traveling with a mixed-age group
Sue’s Pick For
Most first-timers · Glacier Bay must-haves · Land + sea combo seekers
The Naturalist’s Choice
Holland America
From $820 interior · $1,100 balcony
You want a quieter, more refined vibe
Enrichment talks & naturalist programming matter
You’re 45+ and want a crowd that matches
Traveling solo (best solo policies in Alaska)
Sue’s Pick For
Mature travelers · Solo cruisers · Scenery-first people
The Freestyle Option
Norwegian Cruise Line
From $800 interior · $1,130 balcony
No assigned dining times sounds like a dream
Traveling with family or a social group
Best price is a deciding factor
Glacier Bay is optional, or you pick Norwegian Encore
Sue’s Pick For
Families · Social groups · Budget-conscious first-timers
Activities-First
Royal Caribbean
From $670 interior · $1,170 balcony
The kids need onboard activities to buy in
You want the biggest ship with the most to do
Alaska scenery is a plus, not the whole point
Teen clubs and entertainment matter more than naturalist talks
Sue’s Pick For
Families with teens · Activity-seekers · Big ship fans
Modern Luxury
Celebrity Cruises
From $500 interior · $750 balcony (cruise-only)
You care deeply about the quality of the food
You want a sleek, modern ship aesthetic
All-inclusive pricing helps you actually relax
You want premium without full luxury prices
Sue’s Pick For
Couples · Foodies · Empty-nesters who want sophistication without sticker shock
Frequently Asked Questions: Alaska Cruise Lines for First-Timers
What is the best Alaska cruise line for first-timers in 2027?
Princess Cruises is the best Alaska cruise line for first-timers in 2027. They offer the most Alaska sailings, the most robust naturalist programming, and 85 Glacier Bay National Park visits on the 2027 schedule. Holland America is an excellent alternative for travelers who prefer a quieter, enrichment-focused experience.
Which Alaska cruise lines have access to Glacier Bay National Park?
Princess Cruises and Holland America Line make the most Glacier Bay visits, and Norwegian goes on select ships, such as Norwegian Encore from Seattle in 2027. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity do not go in. The National Park Service limits the number of ships permitted to enter Glacier Bay per day, which means not every line or itinerary includes it. Always confirm Glacier Bay is on your specific sailing before booking, because “Alaska cruise” does not automatically mean Glacier Bay.
Is a balcony cabin worth it on an Alaska cruise?
Yes, absolutely. A balcony cabin on an Alaska cruise is one of the best travel upgrades you can make. The scenery in Alaska is the point of the entire trip, and having your own outdoor space to watch glaciers, whales, and fjords from your cabin changes the experience completely. Interior cabins are fine for sleeping. Balconies are for everything else.
What is the difference between a roundtrip and one-way Alaska cruise?
A roundtrip Alaska cruise departs and returns to the same port, typically Seattle, covering the highlights of the Inside Passage both ways. A one-way cruise runs between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, Alaska, often covering more territory and different scenery. One-way itineraries require flights at both ends. Roundtrip is the simpler, lower-stress option for most first-timers.
How far in advance should I book an Alaska cruise?
Book 9 to 12 months in advance for summer Alaska sailings, particularly July. Balcony cabins on Princess and Holland America in peak weeks routinely sell out a year ahead. May and September sailings have more availability and better pricing, but even those fill faster than most people expect. If you are comparing Alaska cruise lines and have found your itinerary, the right time to book is as soon as you decide.
Do Alaska cruises include shore excursions?
No. Excursions are almost always sold separately from your cruise fare and can range from free (walking Skagway’s six-block historic district) to $650 or more per person for helicopter glacier experiences. Budget at least $300 to $600 per person across a 7-night itinerary. Booking with independent operators rather than through the ship typically saves 30 to 40 percent for the same tours, a practice I cover in detail in my Alaska cruise excursions guide.
Which Alaska cruise line is best for families?
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are the best Alaska cruise lines for families with children. Norwegian’s freestyle dining and flexible daily schedule work well with kids’ unpredictable schedules, and Royal Caribbean’s onboard activity programming (rock climbing walls, waterslide parks, dedicated teen clubs) keeps older kids engaged between ports without requiring parental bribing.
Can you see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise?
Not reliably. Alaska cruises run between late April and early October, Southeast Alaska gets over 18 hours of sunlight around the June solstice, and the Northern Lights require darkness. For aurora borealis experiences, look at Alaska land tours in September through March or destinations like Iceland and Norway. The midnight sun is spectacular in its own right, just in a very different direction than the aurora.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Alaska cruise line is not about finding the objectively best option in the universe. It is about finding the line that fits the trip you actually want to take.
Princess is the workhorse Alaska specialist that does the most things well for the widest range of first-timers. Holland America is the Alaska devotee’s choice, built for travelers who want depth over flash. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are the answer when the people you are traveling with need entertainment options that go beyond “glacier on the left.” Celebrity is for the travelers who want serious food and a sophisticated vibe at a price that does not require refinancing.
Any one of these five lines will put you in front of scenery that will make you question why you ever went anywhere else. Alaska does that to people. Plan carefully, book early, pack a good rain jacket, and do not underestimate how much you will want to stand outside in cold air just staring at things.
It is worth every dollar. I promise.
Want to make the most of your Alaska trip? Grab my free guide, Top 10 Alaska Land & Sea Experiences You Can’t Miss — the excursions, sights, and moments worth building your itinerary around. [Download the free guide →]
Ready to book your Alaska cruise but not sure where to start? I am a travel advisor who books Alaska cruises regularly and genuinely loves helping first-timers figure out exactly what their trip should look like. No hard sell, no generic packages: just an honest conversation about which line, which itinerary, and which ports are right for you. Get in touch and let’s plan your Alaska.
Picked your line? The next question is whether that specific sailing has a Glacier Bay permit. Here is how we plan an Alaska cruise, and we check that before anything else.
Written by Sue Nelson, Travel Advisor | Adventures by MJ | Updated for 2027
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we believe may be helpful to travelers.
Hi, I'm Sue. I plan cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and slow multi-country trips through Europe, and I'm a member of the Travel Leaders Network. Twenty years in senior HR leadership before this, which mostly taught me how to read what people actually want. I live in Grain Valley, Missouri with my husband and business partner Mike.
