Alaska Cruise Ship Size Guide Small vs Mid vs Large

Alaska cruise ships range from small vessels carrying 100-400 passengers offering intimate experiences and remote port access, to mid-size ships with 400-2,000 guests balancing amenities and flexibility, to large ships accommodating 2,000-5,000+ passengers featuring extensive entertainment, dining options, and onboard activities. Ship size affects port accessibility, wildlife viewing opportunities, and overall cruise atmosphere.

Quick Facts: Alaska Cruise Ship Sizes

Want to know more about Alaska cruise lines and which operators run different ship sizes?

Small Ship Alaska Cruises: The Expedition Experience

Small ships are the kayaks of the cruise world. They go where the big guys can’t, and that’s exactly the point. When you’re on a vessel with fewer than 400 passengers, you’re getting an experience that’s less “floating resort” and more “expedition with really comfortable beds.”

What Makes Small Ships Special

• Access to remote ports like Warm Springs Bay, Red Bluff Bay, and Port Protection that large ships physically cannot reach
• Ability to navigate narrow fjords and get within safe distance of calving glaciers
• Zodiacs and kayaks typically included for shore excursions
• Naturalists and expedition leaders who actually know their stuff (not just reading from a script)
• All-inclusive pricing that often covers excursions, drinks, and specialty dining
• No formal nights or dress codes (hallelujah)

The Trade-Offs

Let’s be honest about what you’re giving up. Small ships don’t have casinos, Broadway shows, multiple pools, or that 24-hour soft-serve ice cream machine. Your dining options might be a single restaurant rather than ten. If the weather gets rough, you’ll feel it more than on a stabilized mega-ship. And the price per night is typically higher, though the all-inclusive nature often evens things out.

Lines like UnCruise Adventures specialize in these intimate voyages, as do Lindblad Expeditions partnered with National Geographic and Alaskan Dream Cruises. These aren’t your grandmother’s cruise ships.

For comprehensive details, check out our guide to Alaska small ship cruises and what to expect.

Mid-Size Ships: The Goldilocks Option

Mid-size ships are where many Alaska veterans land after trying both extremes. You get enough amenities to keep everyone in your travel party happy, but you’re not fighting through theme-park-level crowds to see a breaching whale.

Why Mid-Size Works in Alaska

• Can dock at most major ports including Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Sitka
• Multiple dining venues without overwhelming choices
• Specialty restaurants and upgraded cabin options
• Easier to navigate the ship and find your way around
• More personalized service than mega-ships
• Better wildlife viewing from open decks without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds

The Sweet Spot for First-Timers

If you’re debating between ship sizes for your first Alaska cruise, mid-size vessels offer a safety net. You get the cruise ship experience without feeling lost in a floating city. Holland America and Princess dominate this category, and there’s a reason for it. When comparing Princess versus Holland America, both excel at the mid-size Alaska experience with decades of experience navigating Alaskan waters.

These ships typically carry between 1,500 and 2,500 passengers, which sounds like a lot until you’re on a ship with 5,000 people trying to see the same glacier.

Large Ships: Maximum Amenities, Minimum Boredom

Large ships bring the Vegas-style experience to Alaska. If you have kids, teenagers, or anyone who gets antsy without constant entertainment options, these vessels deliver. Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruises epitomize this approach with rock climbing walls, FlowRiders, and ice skating rinks heading north.

What Large Ships Offer

• Multiple pools, water slides, and outdoor activities
• Broadway-caliber shows and extensive evening entertainment
• Ten or more dining venues from casual to upscale
• Full-service spas, fitness centers, and sports facilities
• Kids’ clubs and teen programs (essential for family cruisers)
• Lower per-person pricing due to economies of scale
• More sailing date options throughout the season

The Alaska-Specific Challenges

Here’s where it gets tricky. Large ships work brilliantly in the Caribbean where ports are designed to handle them. In Alaska, many can’t dock at smaller ports, meaning you’ll tender to shore on smaller boats. This process can take an hour or more, shrinking your port time significantly.

Sitka is the classic example. Mid-size ships dock right downtown. Large ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers back and forth. Same port, totally different experience.

The other consideration? Viewing wildlife from the deck. When 3,000 people rush to one side to see whales, you’re going to be jockeying for position. The announcements still happen, the whales are still there, but the intimacy factor drops considerably.

How to Choose Your Ideal Ship Size

Stop thinking about ship size as a hierarchy where bigger is better. Think about it as selecting the right tool for the job you want done.

Choose Small Ships If You:

• Prioritize Alaska’s wilderness over onboard amenities
• Want to visit places other cruisers can’t reach
• Prefer active excursions like kayaking and hiking
• Don’t need nightly entertainment or multiple dining options
• Value getting to know fellow passengers and crew
• Can handle the higher price tag

Choose Mid-Size Ships If You:

• Want a balanced cruise experience
• Are cruising Alaska for the first time
• Have mixed priorities in your travel group
• Want to dock at most ports rather than tender
• Appreciate some entertainment but don’t need constant stimulation
• Prefer a good value-to-experience ratio

Choose Large Ships If You:

• Are traveling with children or teenagers
• Want extensive onboard activities and entertainment
• Need multiple dining options for picky eaters
• Are looking for the lowest per-day pricing
• Enjoy the energy of a bustling ship atmosphere
• Don’t mind tendering at some ports

For a detailed comparison, our article on small versus big ship experiences in Alaska breaks down even more distinctions.

Insider Factors Most People Miss

Deck Space Per Passenger

This metric matters way more in Alaska than the Caribbean. You want to be outside watching scenery, not inside playing mini-golf. Small and mid-size ships typically offer more deck space per passenger. When that announcement comes about bears on shore or orcas off the bow, you want a spot at the rail without having to throw elbows.

Stabilizers and Rough Seas

The Inside Passage is generally calm, but the Gulf of Alaska can get sporty. Large ships have sophisticated stabilizer systems. Small ships ride the waves more. If you’re prone to seasickness, factor this in. Mid-size ships offer a middle ground with decent stabilization and reasonable motion dampening.

Tender Operations Can Derail Your Day

Nobody warns you about this enough. When a large ship anchors out and tenders passengers, they prioritize by excursion times and cabin status. If you’re in an inside cabin without a booked tour, you might wait an hour or more for a tender. Meanwhile, mid-size ships docked at the pier have passengers already exploring town.

Glacier Viewing Strategy

Small ships can position themselves closer to tidewater glaciers and hold position longer. Large ships must maintain greater distances for safety and maneuverability. The difference between 1,000 yards and 2,000 yards is significant when photographing ice calving into the sea.

Bonus Tips From Alaska Cruise Veterans

• Book a cabin on the starboard side (right side facing forward) for northbound cruises – you’ll have better views of the coastline along the Inside Passage
• Small ship passengers should pack soft-sided luggage rather than hard-shell suitcases since cabin storage is limited
• On large ships, cabins on higher decks near the bow can experience significant motion in rough seas despite stabilizers
• Mid-size ships often offer the best crew-to-passenger ratio, resulting in better service than either extreme
• Small ships frequently offer complimentary rubber boots for shore excursions – a huge perk worth hundreds if you had to buy quality boots yourself
• Large ships have better medical facilities, important if you’re traveling with health concerns
• The “open bridge” policy on many small ships lets you visit the captain and crew while underway – something large ships never allow
• Cellular service works better on small ships closer to shore than large ships anchored farther out
• Photography enthusiasts should choose small or mid-size ships for unobstructed deck access and closer wildlife encounters

The Port Access Reality

Not all Alaska ports are created equal when it comes to ship size accommodation. Here’s the breakdown:

Ports Accessible to All Ship Sizes

• Juneau (capital city with extensive dock facilities)
• Ketchikan (major cruise port with multiple berths)
• Skagway (despite the small town, docks handle large vessels)
• Icy Strait Point (specifically built for cruise ships)
• Seward (gateway to Kenai Fjords)

Ports Where Mid-Size Ships Excel

• Sitka (large ships must tender from offshore anchorage)
• Haines (limited dock space favors smaller vessels)
• Petersburg (Alaska’s “Little Norway” with authentic small-town feel)
• Wrangell (rarely visited by large ships)

Small Ship Exclusive Destinations

• Glacier Bay backcountry inlets
• Warm Springs Bay (natural hot springs accessible only by small boat)
• Ford’s Terror (narrow passage with dramatic waterfalls)
• Elfin Cove (tiny fishing village with no road access)
• Thomas Bay (secluded wilderness anchorage)

Common Questions and FAQ

Do small ships get cancelled more often due to weather?

Small ships are more agile and can adjust itineraries more easily, but they’re also more affected by sea conditions. However, cancellations are rare across all ship sizes. Small ships may alter routes to avoid rough water, while large ships typically power through. Neither sees frequent full cancellations.

Can I switch from a large ship to a small ship mid-cruise?

No. You’re committed to your booked vessel for the entire voyage. Some travelers book back-to-back cruises on different sized ships to compare experiences, but you can’t transfer between ships during a single cruise.

Are gratuities the same across all ship sizes?

Large and mid-size ships typically charge automatic gratuities of $14-18 per person per day. Small expedition ships often include gratuities in their upfront pricing or suggest higher amounts ($20-25 per day) due to higher crew-to-passenger ratios and more personalized service.

Which ship size is best for solo travelers?

Mid-size and small ships typically foster more social atmospheres where solo travelers connect more easily. Large ships offer more solo cabins without single supplements but can feel anonymous. Small ships often waive single supplements on select sailings, making them surprisingly affordable for individuals.

Do large ships see less wildlife because they’re farther from shore?

Not necessarily. Whales, orcas, and other marine life appear throughout Alaskan waters regardless of distance from shore. The difference is viewing quality – smaller ships can position themselves better and hold position longer when wildlife appears. Large ships have more crowded viewing areas but the wildlife sightings are comparable.

Are small ships safer in ice-filled waters near glaciers?

All cruise ships operating in Alaska meet strict ice navigation standards. Small ships have more maneuverability but large ships have reinforced hulls. Safety standards are equivalent. The Coast Guard and port authorities control how close any vessel can approach tidewater glaciers regardless of size.

Will I get seasick more easily on a small ship?

Potentially yes. Small ships lack the stabilizer systems of larger vessels and ride the waves more directly. However, most Alaska cruising occurs in the protected Inside Passage where seas are relatively calm. The Gulf of Alaska crossing can be rough on any ship, but you’ll feel it more on smaller vessels. Bring seasickness medication if you’re concerned.

Can I do Alaska excursions from my ship if I have mobility issues?

Large and mid-size ships offer more accessible excursions and better onboard accessibility with elevators and accessible cabins. Small expedition ships often involve Zodiac transfers and hiking that may be challenging for passengers with limited mobility. Research specific cruise lines and discuss your needs with them before booking.

Personal Experience

When I started planning my Alaska cruise, I assumed bigger was automatically better. After all, more amenities meant more fun, right? But after talking to friends who’d actually done the trip and doing some research, I realized ship size matters way more in Alaska than it does in the Caribbean. The smaller ships can navigate into tight fjords and get close to glaciers in ways the massive ones just can’t. Sure, they don’t have waterslides and Broadway shows, but honestly, when you’re watching a glacier calve or spotting whales from the deck, you don’t really miss the rock climbing wall.

We ended up choosing a mid-sized ship, and it turned out to be the sweet spot for us. It had enough onboard restaurants and activities to keep us entertained on sea days, but it was small enough to dock in places like Sitka instead of anchoring offshore. The thing nobody tells you is that those huge ships often mean you’re tendering to shore, which eats up precious port time. Plus, with fewer passengers, we never felt like we were fighting crowds to see the views. If you’re torn between sizes, think about what matters more to you – the onboard experience or getting up close to Alaska’s wilderness. That really helped us make our decision.