Alaska cruises from Canada: How to plan your perfect trip

An Alaska cruise is the kind of bucket-list adventure that feels half wildlife documentary, half epic road trip – except the “road” is an iconic fjordland route, your vehicle is a cruise ship (with all the free food and entertainment you could wish for!), and the scenery out your window is more glaciers, whales and bald eagles than motorways and petrol stations. No tired games of I Spy and audiobooks on repeat here.

Most Alaska cruises from Canada begin in Vancouver, one of the world’s most beautiful port cities (mountains, rainforests, you name it), with direct flights from the UK making it an easy gateway to this can’t-miss wilderness. From here you’ll sail north to discover ice-sculpted fjords, wow-look-at-that glaciers, snow-dusted peaks and such jaw-dropping wildlife sightings as humpback whales breaching metres from your balcony – all before you’ve had lunch!

For 2026, 2027 and beyond, travel agent Iglu Cruise has a huge choice of packages, from cheap Alaska cruises from Canada in the shoulder seasons to luxury all-inclusive voyages paired with rail journeys through the Canadian Rockies.

Here’s everything you need to know before you book – from the best months to sail to what an Alaska cruise costs and which lines offer the most memorable itineraries.

Why take an Alaska cruise from Canada?

Canada, and Vancouver [below] in particular, is the blue-hued launch pad for many Alaska voyages (with Seattle in Washington, US, the other main departure point). Vancouver city’s port is perfectly placed at the start of the Inside Passage – a protected coastal route weaving between islands and fjords, famed for calm seas and dramatic scenery.

Starting here means you can explore Vancouver’s mouth-watering food scene and roam beautiful Stanley Park before or after you sail. Direct flights from London and regional UK airports make it straightforward, and many Iglu Cruise packages add a pre-cruise hotel stay to ease jet lag.

Once onboard, you’ll experience scenery you simply can’t see from land, making a cruise the way to take in this spectacular corner of North America: Dawes Glacier calving ice into the sea, orcas slicing through the water, and vast walls of granite rising from the fjords. A cruise also gives you access to small coastal towns like Skagway and Ketchikan that are otherwise tricky to reach – plus plenty of opportunities for excursions, from dog-sledding on glaciers to salmon-fishing trips with locals, not to mention a muscle-packed lumberjack show that Sailawaze has given its seal of approval to!

If you’re after fewer checked shirts, many cruises also offer excursions that spotlight Alaska Native culture – from totem pole carving in Ketchikan to traditional dance performances and local art markets – giving you a deeper connection to the region.

Do Alaska cruises depart from other Canadian ports?

While Vancouver is the main gateway, a handful of Alaska cruises also sail from other Canadian ports. Prince Rupert in British Columbia occasionally features as a turnaround or port of call on smaller-ship itineraries. Meanwhile Victoria, also in BC, is usually included as a stop on cruises out of Seattle. This is due to US maritime law – foreign-flagged ships must stop in a non-US port, which is why Vancouver and Victoria feature so often on itineraries. Consider it your moment to sample Canada’s famous poutine!

Further east, you may spot rare repositioning cruises linking Quebec or Montréal with Alaska, though these tend to be one-off voyages rather than regular sailings.

What is the best month to cruise to Alaska?

The Alaska cruise season runs from May to September. Each month has its own appeal:

May and September: Cheapest months, fewer crowds and great chances to spot wildlife. May often brings clear skies; September is when autumn colours hit.
June, July and August: Peak season with long daylight hours, lush landscapes and the warmest weather (15–20°C). July and August are best for humpback whale sightings (and lounging on the pool deck with a cocktail in hand!)
Rainiest month: Warning, September sees the most rainfall (but then that brings dramatic misty scenery worthy of a Netflix hit thriller, so…)

When not to cruise to Alaska? October through April is considered off-season, with most cruise lines pulling out due to storms, ice and limited daylight.

How much does an Alaska cruise cost?

Prices vary by cruise line, cabin type and inclusions, but here’s a guide:

Average cost of a seven-day Alaska cruise per person: £1,500–£2,500 (inside vs balcony).

Cruises from Vancouver Canada to Alaska with flights and hotel stays: Start from around £1,899 pp with Iglu Cruise.

Extras like taxes fees, shore excursions, drinks and gratuities should also be budgeted for. For example, Princess’ Helicopter Glacier Walkabout costs around £400 while its dog sledding trip sets you back circa £570. Meanwhile Holland America’s cheapest whale-watching excursion comes in at just under £150 – although private days out cost upwards of £1,000.

It may be worth considering that while all-inclusive lines like Regent Seven Seas have high upfront costs, all excursions are included, making it easy to budget ahead – so do work out how many shore excursions you’ll take when doing your maths. Many of the more remote stops require an excursion to really get the most out of the place, so an organised trip is well worth it, take it from us.

Is an Alaska cruise all-inclusive?

This depends on which cruise line you sail with. All lines include meals, accommodation, entertainment and port taxes. Drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities may be extra – unless you book with Iglu, where packages often include such extras as drinks and Wi-Fi.

Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea Cruises are all fully all-inclusive (fine wines, premium spirits, tips, Wi-Fi) if you’re looking to splurge, while premium lines like Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and NCL have core inclusions plus optional packages covering drinks, Wi-Fi and tips and maybe even some speciality dining.

Our advice? Be sure to keep an eye out for Iglu deals if you’re looking to save some money. They often run fab offers, with low deposits, price drops and even Fortnum and Mason hampers up for grabs!

Which side of the ship is best on an Alaska cruise?

This depends on your direction, as a guide:

Southbound (Alaska to Vancouver): Starboard (right) side for coastal views.
Northbound (Vancouver to Alaska): Port (left) side gets the best angles.

That said, itineraries often include scenic cruising where ships slowly rotate at glaciers like Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay [below], meaning everyone gets a view. Balcony cabins are ideal (that first blast of fresh air with glacier views has to be experienced to be believed) but oceanview cabins are also popular for this route.

Top cruise lines for Alaska cruises from Canada

Iglu Cruise offers itineraries with the world’s leading Alaska operators, so there’s bound to be a brand that suits and sailing dates that match. A few are as follows:

Princess Cruises: Known for the Voyage of the Glaciers route and partnerships with Denali National Park lodges.
Holland America Line: Over 75 years sailing Alaska, with smaller ships ideal for fjords and Inside Passage cruising.
Celebrity Cruises: Stylish ships with modern design, Wi-Fi and drinks packages included.
Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas: Ultra-luxury, fully all-inclusive voyages with smaller ships that can dock in more remote ports.
Royal Caribbean: Family-friendly ships with lots of onboard activities.
Disney Cruise Line: Popular for multigenerational families, with Disney entertainment alongside Alaskan wilderness.

In 2026 Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises will join the raft of lines offering Alaska cruises with Explora Journeys sailing there from 2027 – so whether you want cheap Alaska cruises from Canada or adult-only getaways, there’s a line for you.

Canada and Alaska cruise and rail holidays

One of the most spectacular add-ons is pairing your cruise with the Rocky Mountaineer train [below]. Travel through the Canadian Rockies from Banff to Vancouver before or after your sailing, with overnight stays in Kamloops and sightseeing in Jasper or Calgary.

Expect days of daylight-only rail travel in glass-dome coaches, where you’ll glide past the Fraser River, Kicking Horse Canyon and the iconic Spiral Tunnels, with full views of snow-capped peaks like Castle Mountain and Mount Rundle – all while being served regionally inspired breakfasts and lunches with wine, coffee and Canadian flavours. Mmm maple syrup…

Iglu’s packages take this further, often combining the rail with nights in Banff or Lake Louise and tours like the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Some holidays add in Toronto and Niagara Falls before the Rockies, while others link with Alaska cruises from Vancouver.

Examples include a 14-night Banff to Vancouver Rocky Mountaineer journey paired with an Alaska sailing to Dawes Glacier on Celebrity Solstice, or a 15-night Toronto, Niagara, Banff and Inside Passage adventure with Holland America. These itineraries showcase the best of both worlds – glaciers at sea and mountains on land. Winning.

Best Alaska cruises from Canada itineraries (2025–2027)

Iglu Cruise offers a wide choice of handcrafted Alaska holidays for 2025–2027, ranging from family-friendly seven-day classics to ultra-luxury expeditions.

Plus, quote “ORCA” when you book a select Canada & Alaska Cruise & Stay holiday with Iglu Cruise during September & October, and you can save up to £75 pp and bag deposits from £99 pp for departures from April 2026 onwards! On top of that you can receive free airport lounge access (T&C’s apply).

Here are some exciting itineraries to whet your whistle…

Tips for booking an Alaska cruise from Canada

Book early: Balcony cabins sell out quickly – especially on Glacier Bay itineraries, where the views are the main event.

Consider travelling in shoulder season to save money: May and September offer the best prices, fewer crowds and great wildlife viewing. You’ll also have a better chance of grabbing flight and hotel deals.

Pack smart: Think layers you can peel off, waterproofs for sudden showers and essentials like binoculars and a camera – you’ll kick yourself if you miss that breaching whale.

Budget for excursions: Some of Alaska’s highlights – like dog sledding on a glacier, whale-watching in Juneau or a flight over Denali – come at a premium, but they’re once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Check what’s included: Drinks, Wi-Fi and tips are bundled into many Iglu Cruise packages, but always confirm the small print so you’re not hit with unexpected costs onboard.

Don’t forget taxes and fees: Port charges and service fees can add hundreds to your bill, so make sure you know what’s already bundled into your fare.

Should you go?

If glaciers the size of cities, splashing whale tails, gold-rush towns and snow-capped mountains sound like your thing, the answer is yes. Whether you choose a value-packed seven-day sailing or a luxury Alaska cruise from Vancouver, Canada, paired with the Rockies, this is one of the world’s most unforgettable voyages.