7-day Alaska cruises typically visit the Inside Passage, showcasing glaciers, fjords, and wildlife including whales, bears, and eagles. Common ports include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, offering excursions like glacier hiking, dog sledding, and gold rush history tours. Cruises feature scenic sailing through narrow waterways with mountain and forest views throughout.
Quick Facts: 7-Day Alaska Cruises
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical Route | Inside Passage (roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver, or one-way to/from Seward/Whittier) |
| Common Ports | Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Icy Strait Point |
| Glacier Viewing | Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, or Tracy Arm Fjord |
| Best Season | May through September (peak wildlife: June-August) |
| Average Temperature | 50-65°F during cruise season |
| Days at Sea | 2-3 days (includes scenic cruising through fjords) |
Want to know more about planning your Alaska cruise itinerary and choosing the right options? We’ve got you covered with everything from timing to packing lists.
What Makes the Inside Passage Special
The Inside Passage route for Alaska cruises isn’t just a marketing term. It’s a protected waterway that threads between hundreds of islands along the coast, creating calm seas and bringing you within spitting distance of forested shores and dramatic cliffs. Unlike open ocean cruising, you’re constantly surrounded by scenery.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: the Inside Passage is only navigable because of these natural barriers. Without them you’d be dealing with North Pacific swells that would have even seasoned sailors reaching for the Dramamine. The sheltered route means smoother sailing and the ability to cruise close enough to shore that you can actually spot wildlife from your balcony.
The Glacier Experience
Most 7-day cruises include one major glacier viewing opportunity. Your ship will either enter Glacier Bay National Park, cruise up to Hubbard Glacier, or navigate Tracy Arm Fjord. Each offers something different:
- Glacier Bay: Multiple glaciers, park rangers come aboard to narrate, typically spend 6-8 hours in the bay, best overall glacier experience
- Hubbard Glacier: Largest tidewater glacier in North America, active calving (chunks breaking off), ship gets incredibly close, more dramatic and loud
- Tracy Arm Fjord: Narrow fjord with waterfalls, two glaciers at the end, more intimate setting, occasional ice floes to navigate
Pro tip: Glacier Bay requires a permit and ships book these slots over a year in advance. If this is your must-see, confirm your specific cruise has the permit before booking. Some itineraries substitute Tracy Arm at the last minute, and while beautiful, it’s not the same experience.
Port Breakdown: What You’ll Actually See
Juneau
Alaska’s capital city is only accessible by boat or plane, which gives it an isolated frontier feel despite being a proper city. Most ships dock for 8-9 hours.
Don’t Miss:
- Mendenhall Glacier (12 miles from downtown, easily accessible, free to view from the visitor center)
- Whale watching tours (humpback sightings are nearly guaranteed in summer)
- Mount Roberts Tramway for panoramic views and hiking trails
Insider Secret: Skip the expensive ship excursions to Mendenhall. Take the public bus ($2 each way) from downtown to the glacier. You’ll have more time and save hundreds of dollars. The trails around the glacier are well-marked and free to explore.
Wildlife Reality: The whale watching here is legitimately excellent. Humpbacks feed in the channels around Juneau throughout summer, and you’re looking at 90%+ sighting rates. Black bears occasionally wander near the Mendenhall Glacier trails, but you’re more likely to see them from a boat tour.
Skagway
This tiny town of 1,200 people swells to over 10,000 when cruise ships dock. It’s preserved as a living Gold Rush museum, and honestly, it delivers on that promise.
Top Experiences:
- White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (climbs 3,000 feet in 20 miles, spectacular engineering and views)
- Walking the wooden boardwalks of historic downtown
- Dog sledding demonstrations (summer camps where mushers train)
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
The Train Dilemma: The White Pass Railroad is Skagway’s signature excursion and it books up fast. It’s pricey at $150-200 per person for three hours, but the scenery is genuinely stunning. However, if you’ve already seen mountain trains in Switzerland or Colorado, you might find this one doesn’t justify the cost. Consider the Yukon Suspension Bridge adventure instead for something more active.
What They Don’t Tell You: Skagway gets slammed with multiple ships at once. We’re talking 7,000+ people in a town with three blocks of shops. Get off the ship early (like, first group off) or wait until after 2pm when the morning excursions return and shops clear out. The middle hours are a zoo.
Ketchikan
Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan hangs onto steep hillsides above the water. It rains about 150 inches per year here, so those cedar forests are properly lush and mossy.
Highlights:
- Totem Heritage Center and Totem Bight State Park (world’s largest collection of standing totem poles)
- Creek Street (former red-light district built on stilts over the water, now shops and museums)
- Misty Fjords flightseeing (if your budget allows it)
- Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show (touristy but genuinely entertaining)
Rain Strategy: Ketchikan earns its soggy reputation. Pack a packable rain jacket in your day bag even if it looks sunny at breakfast. The weather changes in minutes. The good news? Rain makes the waterfalls more dramatic and the forests more atmospheric. Embrace it.
Hidden Gem: Walk past Creek Street to the fish ladder at Ketchikan Creek during salmon runs (July-September). It’s free, you’ll see dozens of salmon fighting upstream, and if you’re lucky, eagles picking them off. Better wildlife viewing than many paid tours.
Sitka
Not all 7-day cruises stop in Sitka, but those that do offer something different. This was the Russian capital of Alaska, and that history is visible everywhere.
Why Sitka Stands Out:
- Russian Orthodox cathedral (still active, gorgeous architecture)
- Sitka National Historical Park (totem pole trails through temperate rainforest)
- Alaska Raptor Center (rehabilitates injured eagles and owls, up-close viewing)
- Less crowded than other ports
The Tender Challenge: Sitka requires tendering (small boats ferry you from ship to shore) because the harbor is too shallow for large cruise ships to dock. This eats into your port time. You might lose an hour each way depending on how efficient the tender operation runs. Factor this in when booking shore excursions.
Icy Strait Point
This private port is owned by the native Huna Totem Corporation and feels refreshingly authentic compared to more commercial stops.
What Makes It Unique:
- Best bear viewing opportunity of any Alaska cruise port (coastal brown bears fishing for salmon)
- Whale watching right from shore (seriously, you don’t even need a tour)
- ZipRider (world’s longest zipline if you’re into that)
- Smaller cruise ships only (no mega-ships, which means fewer crowds)
Bear Viewing Truth: The bear excursions here are expensive ($250-350 per person) but deliver better sighting rates than almost anywhere else accessible by cruise ship. You’re looking at 80-90% success rates for brown bears during peak salmon season. If seeing bears is your priority, this is where you spend the money.
Comparing 7-Day vs Longer Cruises
Should you stretch to a 10-day Alaska cruise instead? Here’s the honest breakdown of the differences between 7-day and 10-day Alaska cruise options:
| Factor | 7-Day Cruise | 10-Day Cruise |
|---|---|---|
| Ports Visited | 3-4 ports plus glacier viewing | 5-7 ports, often includes more remote locations |
| Pace | Efficient, every day counts | More relaxed, extra sea days |
| Cost | $1,000-2,500 per person | $1,800-4,000 per person |
| Time Off Work | 9-10 days with travel | 12-14 days with travel |
| Best For | First-timers, limited vacation time | Cruise enthusiasts, comprehensive experience |
For most first-time Alaska cruisers, seven days hits the sweet spot. You’ll see the highlights without the itinerary feeling rushed, and you won’t break the bank or burn through all your vacation days. The 10-day cruises often add more sea days rather than significantly more ports, which is great if you love being on the ship but less valuable if you’re there for Alaska itself.
Roundtrip vs One-Way: Route Matters
Understanding the difference between roundtrip and one-way Alaska cruise routes changes what you’ll see:
Roundtrip (Seattle or Vancouver):
- Sails round-trip from the same port
- More sea days (you’re retracing part of the route)
- Typically visits 3-4 ports
- Easier logistics (fly in and out of the same city)
- Usually Glacier Bay OR Hubbard Glacier, rarely both
One-Way (Between Vancouver/Seattle and Seward/Whittier):
- Sails from one port to another (northbound or southbound)
- More port stops, less backtracking
- Often includes both Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage
- Can combine with an Alaska cruisetour to Denali National Park
- Requires flights into different cities (more complex planning)
One-way itineraries see more diverse geography because you’re actually traveling the length of Alaska’s coast rather than going out and coming back the same way. But roundtrip cruises are simpler to book and often cheaper when you factor in flights.
Wildlife: What You’ll Really See
Let’s set realistic expectations because not every Alaska cruise turns into a nature documentary.
Whales
Likelihood: Very High (80-95% on dedicated whale watching tours)
Humpback whales feed in Southeast Alaska waters all summer. You’ll likely see them from the ship during scenic cruising and almost certainly on a whale watching excursion from Juneau or Icy Strait Point. Orcas are less common but possible, especially in certain areas of the Inside Passage.
Viewing Tip: Bring binoculars and spend time on outer decks during scenic cruising. The naturalists who announce whale sightings over the PA system are scanning from the bridge with professional equipment. By the time they announce it, you’ve got maybe 30 seconds before the whale dives.
Bears
Likelihood: Medium (depends entirely on excursions you book)
You won’t see bears from the ship except by extreme luck. Shore excursions specifically designed for bear viewing in places like Icy Strait Point or special floatplane trips have high success rates. Random hiking around Juneau or Ketchikan? Possible but unlikely, and honestly, you don’t want to surprise a bear on a trail.
Black bears vs Brown bears: The Southeast Alaska islands (where most ports are located) have black bears. Brown bears (grizzlies) are found in Icy Strait Point and areas on the mainland. Brown bears are larger and more dramatic, but black bears are still awesome to see.
Bald Eagles
Likelihood: Extremely High (essentially guaranteed)
Bald eagles are everywhere in Alaska. You’ll see them perched in trees near port, soaring over the ship, and fighting over salmon in creeks. They’re so common that after day three you’ll barely glance up when someone points one out. This is the one wildlife promise Alaska absolutely delivers on.
Sea Lions, Seals, and Sea Otters
Likelihood: High (especially near ports and glacier viewing areas)
Stellar sea lions hang out on buoys and rocks near harbors. Harbor seals pop up around the ship in calm waters. Sea otters float on their backs in kelp beds. All are commonly seen without special effort.
Other Wildlife
Mountain goats on distant cliffs, porpoises riding the ship’s bow wake, and countless seabirds are regular sightings. Moose, wolves, and caribou require land-based excursions away from the coast.
Choosing Your Cruise Line
Different Alaska cruise lines offer different experiences, and this matters more than you might think:
Large Ship Lines (Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean):
- More onboard amenities and entertainment
- Better pricing and frequent sales
- Lots of families and varied age groups
- Can feel crowded in ports when multiple large ships dock simultaneously
- Plenty of dining options and activities for sea days
Small Ship Lines (Windstar, UnCruise, Lindblad):
- Access to smaller ports large ships can’t reach
- More naturalist-focused experience
- Zodiacs for up-close glacier and wildlife viewing
- Significantly more expensive
- Fewer onboard amenities (but you’re booking for Alaska, not the ship)
Premium Lines (Celebrity, Disney):
- Middle ground on size and price
- Higher service standards and better food
- Disney is family paradise but you’ll pay for it
- Celebrity focuses more on adults and has excellent Alaska programs
First-time cruisers often do well with Princess or Holland America. Both have been running Alaska cruises for decades, they own their own lodges and trains for land tours, and their naturalist programs are solid. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian offer more onboard excitement if you’re traveling with teens or like active vacations.
Packing and Practical Considerations
What to Wear
Layers are everything. The temperature might be 55°F but it feels like 45°F when you’re on an outer deck with wind. Then you step inside and it’s 72°F and suddenly you’re overheating.
Essential Items:
- Waterproof jacket with hood (not water-resistant, actually waterproof)
- Fleece or warm mid-layer
- Long pants and long sleeves (UV protection and warmth)
- Comfortable waterproof shoes or hiking boots
- Warm hat and gloves for glacier viewing days
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, even in Alaska)
What You Don’t Need: Formal wear unless your ship has traditional formal nights and you care about attending. Many Alaska cruises have relaxed dress codes. Check your specific cruise line’s policy.
Seasickness Reality
The Inside Passage is generally calm, but you’ll have stretches of open water where swells pick up. If you’re prone to seasickness, bring medication. Ginger candies and wrist bands work for some people. Cabins midship on lower decks have the least motion.
That said, Alaska cruising is much smoother than Caribbean or transatlantic routes. Most people who thought they’d be miserable end up fine.
When to Book Excursions
The ship’s shore excursions open for booking months before your cruise and popular ones (White Pass Railroad, bear viewing, helicopter glacier tours) sell out fast. Book these through the cruise line as soon as possible if they’re must-dos.
For more flexible activities like whale watching or city tours, you can often save 30-50% by booking independently with local operators. The tradeoff is the ship won’t wait for you if something goes wrong. For first-timers, the peace of mind with ship-booked excursions is usually worth the extra cost.
Bonus Tips Nobody Mentions
- The wake-up call worth setting: When your ship enters Glacier Bay or approaches a major glacier, this happens early (like 6am). Set an alarm. Watching the sunrise with glaciers and mountains emerging from morning mist beats the 10am crowds by a mile.
- Balcony debate: Balconies cost $400-800 more on average. For Alaska, they’re worth it. You’ll spend more time in your cabin than on Caribbean cruises because the outdoor temperatures are cooler and the scenery never stops. Being able to grab coffee and watch from your private space is excellent.
- Binocular sharing: Bring binoculars even if you’ve never used them. You’ll want them for whale watching, spotting mountain goats, and glacier details. The gift shops sell them onboard at triple the price.
- Download maps offline: Cell service in Alaska ports is spotty. Download Google Maps for offline use before you leave home so you can navigate ports without data.
- Power strip hack: Cruise cabins never have enough outlets. Bring a small power strip (non-surge protector, those are usually banned) so you can charge multiple devices.
- Second-day strategy: Your second port stop is usually less crowded than the first because people are still finding their sea legs and figuring things out. Take advantage of shorter lines and better photo opportunities.
- Naturalist lectures: Every Alaska cruise has naturalists who give talks about wildlife, glaciers, and geology. These are actually good, not boring ship filler content. You’ll appreciate glacier viewing 10 times more after understanding what you’re seeing.
Common Questions and FAQ
Do I need a passport for a 7-day Alaska cruise?
For roundtrip cruises from Seattle, technically no. They’re considered “closed loop” cruises where a birth certificate and government ID suffice for U.S. citizens. However, if your ship has mechanical issues and you need to fly home from a Canadian port or if you have a medical emergency requiring hospitalization in Canada, you’ll need a passport. Bring one if you have it. If not, understand the slight risk you’re taking.
How much should I budget for excursions?
Plan for $150-300 per person per port if you’re booking ship excursions. That’s $600-1,200 per person for a typical 7-day cruise with four port stops. Independent excursions run cheaper, usually $75-200 per activity. You can absolutely enjoy Alaska without booking anything and just exploring ports on foot, which costs nothing beyond lunch and souvenirs.
Will I get seasick on an Alaska cruise?
Most people don’t. The Inside Passage is protected water and generally calm. The Gulf of Alaska portion on one-way cruises can get rougher, and you’ll feel more motion during the open water segments between Seattle/Vancouver and Alaska. If you’re sensitive, bring medication and book a midship cabin on a lower deck.
Can I see the Northern Lights on a summer Alaska cruise?
No. Cruise season runs May through September when Alaska has nearly 24 hours of daylight. Northern Lights require dark skies, which means winter. You’d need to visit Alaska between September and March, when cruises don’t run due to weather.
What’s the difference between Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier?
Glacier Bay is a national park containing multiple glaciers. Your ship spends most of a day cruising through the bay with park rangers narrating. It’s a more educational, comprehensive glacier experience. Hubbard Glacier is a single massive glacier that your ship approaches head-on. It’s more dramatic and active, with frequent calving (ice breaking off). Both are spectacular but deliver different experiences.
Are Alaska cruises good for kids?
Absolutely. The wildlife appeals to all ages, and most ships have kids’ clubs and family-friendly activities. The destinations are educational without feeling like school. That said, glacier viewing and scenic cruising can bore young children. Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian have the best kids’ programs if you’re traveling with children under 12.
How cold is it really?
Summer temperatures in Southeast Alaska typically range from 50-65°F during the day. That’s sweater weather, not winter coat weather. Mornings and evenings drop into the 40s. Rain is more common than cold temperatures. You won’t freeze, but you won’t be lounging by the pool in a bikini either.
Should I book a cruise with cruise tour to Denali?
If you have the time and budget, adding a cruisetour that includes Denali National Park gives you a more complete Alaska experience. The interior landscape around Denali is completely different from coastal Alaska. You’re looking at an additional 3-7 days and $800-2,000 per person. For first-timers on a budget or with limited time, the cruise alone is plenty.
What if it rains the entire time?
Embrace it. This is a temperate rainforest and rain makes everything greener and more dramatic. Waterfalls are fuller, forests are mistier, and you’ll get better photos without harsh sunlight. Pack good rain gear and adjust your attitude. Complaining about rain in Alaska is like complaining about heat in the Caribbean.
Personal Experience
I’m standing on the deck of our cruise ship right now with a blanket wrapped around me, watching glaciers slide past, and honestly? Planning this 7-day Alaska cruise was one of the best decisions we made this year. We spent weeks researching which ports would give us the best wildlife viewing and glacier experiences, and I’m so glad we didn’t just book the first deal we found. Juneau gave us those incredible whale watching moments, Skagway had the most charming gold rush history, and Ketchikan’s totem poles were way more impressive in person than any photo could capture.
The thing nobody tells you about Alaska cruises is how much the itinerary actually matters. We almost booked a different route, but after digging into the details, we realized our current cruise spends more time in Glacier Bay, which turned out to be the highlight of the whole trip. My advice? Don’t just look at the price and the ship amenities. Really compare what you’ll actually see at each port and how much time you get there. Some cruises rush you through, while others give you a full day to explore. Trust me, you’ll want those extra hours when you’re face-to-face with a bear catching salmon or hiking through a rainforest that looks like something out of a movie.