Why Visit Alaska? Your Guide to an Amazing Arctic Cruise!
06/03/2026
Bucket-list moments don’t come much bigger than an Alaska cruise – a front-row seat to witness massive glaciers, untamed wilderness, diverse wildlife, scenic fjords, unique coastal towns, and thrilling adventures in the Last Frontier! Set sail from Canada’s Vancouver or the USA’s Seattle on one-week roundtrip voyages through the Inside Passage and beyond. Our latest Destination Guide turns the spotlight on our top five reasons to put an Alaska Cruise at the top of your holiday list and the top three must-visit destinations.
Top Five Reasons to put an Alaska Cruise at the Top of your Holiday List in 2026
1. Glaciers
With over 27,000 glaciers in Alaska, it’s odds on that you’ll see quite a few on your cruise – so we’d like to pinpoint our favourites and where to find them. First up is North America’s largest tidewater glacier - Hubbard Glacier in Disenchantment Bay - famous for its loud and dramatic calving. Alaska’s iconic Inside Passage is home to Glacier Bay National Park; here the 20-mile-long and 200-foot-tall Margerie Glacier is one of more than a thousand glaciers. Cruise through Tracy Arm Fjord; your gateway to the amazing vistas of Twin Sawyers Glaciers. Last but not least; you can actually walk on the Mendenhall Glacier on a shore excursion from Juneau.
2. Wildlife Encounters
Alaska boasts its very own Big 5 – bear, moose, Dall sheep, wolf, and caribou – and marine mammals like humpback and gray whales and orcas (aka killer whales). Bear-wise; keep your eyes peeled for black bears in the forested regions, silver-blue furred glacier bears near Yukutat and the Inside Passage, and polar bears along the north/northwest coasts and the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Moose and caribou are both a familiar sight; your best chance of seeing Dall sheep is along the Seward Highway south of Anchorage, and wolves are plentiful but rarely seen. A cruise is prime viewing for humpback and gray whales and orcas – imagine the real WOW! moment of sitting on your balcony or on deck and seeing a pod of whales appearing in the water below!
3. Unique Adventures on Land and Sea
Alaska cruises are the perfect chance for thrilling adventures on land and sea. Ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway for breathtaking views and go on a dog sledding adventure in Skagway. Explore totem parks and the iconic boardwalk on stilts in Ketchikan and try your hand at zip-lining and enjoy humpback-whale-watching in Hoonah at Icy Strait Point. Embark on a thrilling off-road ATV guided tour through Ketchikan’s wilderness and experience paddling through tranquil waters and tidewater glaciers like the Hubbard Glacier and in Tracy Arm Fjord. Travel to remote Kodiak Island to spot black and grizzly bears in their natural habitat.
4. Rich History and Culture
Discover Alaska’s diverse history and culture at your ports of call. Learn about traditional dances and listen to storytellers share their passed-down stories at Alaska Native Heritage Center. Anchorage Museum leads you to Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center’s 600+ Alaska Native items, The Discovery Center’s hands-on science experiments, and an extensive collection of indigenous art and artifacts. Delve into rich mining history in Juneau and explore the Klondike Gold Rush era in Skagway. Find out about Russian heritage and visit America’s first Russian Church – St Michael’s Cathedral - in the former capital of Russian America, Sitka. Take a look into Alaska’s Native nations and Tlingit culture in Ketchikan.
5. The Inside Passage
Sailing through Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! One of the most scenic stretches of water in the world; this spectacular 500-mile marine highway winds its way along the Pacific Ocean from Puget Sound near Seattle to Juneau and Skagway in the North. Passing 1,000+ islands, bays, and inlets; dramatic glaciers and ice-carved fjords, Tongass National Forest, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, and historic Gold-Rush-era towns enroute. You can also enjoy close-up views of everything from eagles, whales, and sea lions in the sea to bears and wolves on land.
Top Three Destinations in Alaska
Juneau
Step ashore at Alaska’s state capital of Juneau. Nestling between Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts, and Gastineau Channel; Juneau is only accessible by boat or plane. Wander downtown and seek out the State Capitol Building, Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, and historic South Franklin Street. See Tahku – a life-size bronze humpback whale statue – and soar to new heights on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Visit Mendenhall Glacier and take a whale watching or glacier cruise. Hike along the Perseverance and Mount Roberts Trails, kayak at Mendenhall Lake, and view marine life at Macaulay Salmon Hatchery. Or explore local culture at Alaska State Museum, Alaska National Gallery, and Juneau Douglas City Museum.
Skagway
Skagway perfectly combines Gold-Rush history and unique culture with access to amazing natural beauty during your time in port. Explore Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - from hiking the historic Chilkoot and White Pass trails to travelling on The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway past waterfalls, gorges, glaciers, and historic sites. Head to Skagway’s Downtown to enjoy the Gold-Rush-era atmosphere and visit the historic Red Onion Saloon for a tour and drink. Go kayaking at Fraser Lake, raft down the Taiya River, or walk up to Lower Reid Falls past the Gold Rush Cemetery. Or embark on the ultimate adventure with a helicopter tour to land on Laughton or Denver Glaciers for a dog sledding adventure or a glacier trek?
Ketchikan
Ketchikan - the former “Canned Salmon Capital of the World” - sits at the southern tip of the Inside Passage. Wander along Creek Street boardwalk on stilts with its art galleries, bookstores, and Dolly’s House Museum dedicated to the infamous madam, Dolly Arthur. Visit Tongass Historical Museum and Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Zipline or hike through Tongass National Forest or go salmon fishing in Ketchikan Creek. View the totem poles at Saxman Native Village & Totem Park and Totem Bight State Historical Park. Watch the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show’s axe-throwing, logrolling, and chainsaw competitions. Take a floatplane or catamaran tour to witness Misty Fjords National Monument and its dramatic 3,000-foot glacier-carved cliffs, deep fjords, and lush rainforest.
If we’ve inspired you to book an Alaska Cruise so that you can experience this amazing destination for yourself, why not check out our latest deals!