Alaska cruise questions, answered
Why aren't all Alaska cruise lines included?
Alaska Cruise Match isn't designed to compare every cruise line sailing Alaska. I've intentionally included the luxury, small-ship and expedition lines I know and recommend, along with a few larger-ship options I believe are especially strong for certain travelers and multigenerational families.
Which cruise lines visit Glacier Bay National Park in 2027?
Entry to Glacier Bay is controlled by National Park Service permits. Of the 17 lines in this quiz, Holland America Line (on many itineraries), Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic and UnCruise Adventures include Glacier Bay in 2027, and Seabourn includes it on select sailings. Viking includes it only on its 23-day transpacific voyage. Royal Caribbean holds a Glacier Bay concession, but its 2027 Alaska itineraries don't include it. Celebrity's 2027 Alaska routes feature Hubbard Glacier and Endicott Arm instead.
Which Alaska cruises are adults only?
Viking and Virgin Voyages are adults only (18+). Oceania Cruises is adults only for bookings made on or after January 7, 2026.
What are the smallest ships sailing Alaska in 2027?
UnCruise Adventures (22 to 86 guests), Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (100 to 154 guests), Windstar's Star Seeker (224 guests), Silversea's Silver Whisper (392 guests) and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Luminara (452 guests).
What's the difference between an expedition cruise and a regular Alaska cruise?
On an expedition cruise you participate: Zodiac landings, kayaking and hikes with naturalists, on a small ship. HX Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic and UnCruise Adventures sail this way. On a regular cruise you take in Alaska from the ship and in port towns. In between, Seabourn offers optional kayak and Zodiac outings with an onboard Expedition Team, and Windstar's Star Seeker has a marina platform with kayak and Zodiac outings led by Expedition Guides.
Which Alaska cruise lines include the most in the fare?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises includes unlimited shore excursions, drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and gratuities. Explora Journeys, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Silversea, Crystal and Seabourn include drinks and gratuities. UnCruise Adventures includes all activities, gear and alcohol, with gratuities extra. Viking includes one shore excursion in every port and beer and wine with lunch and dinner.
Which Alaska cruise lines have programs for kids?
Royal Caribbean (Adventure Ocean), Celebrity Cruises (Camp at Sea), Holland America Line (Club HAL), Explora Journeys (Nautilus Club, ages 6 to 17), Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (National Geographic Explorers-in-Training), Crystal (Junior Activities on select voyages) and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Ritz Kids, at an extra cost). UnCruise Adventures runs Families in Nature sailings that welcome kids of all ages. Most lines require infants to be at least 6 months old; Azamara requires 12 months, Windstar 8 years, and Viking, Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises are adults only.
Do I need formal clothes for an Alaska cruise?
Not on most lines. Explora Journeys, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Viking, Virgin Voyages, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, HX Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures have no formal nights. Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers Formal Optional evenings, Crystal has Formal Evenings, Seabourn requires formal attire in The Restaurant on formal nights, Silversea has up to two Formal Optional evenings on 8- to 14-day voyages, Holland America Line has two Dressy nights on 7- to 13-day cruises, Celebrity has one or two Evening Chic nights, and Royal Caribbean has two Dress Your Best nights on 6- to 10-night cruises.
Does the itinerary matter as much as the cruise line?
Yes. Glacier days, ports and trip length vary by sailing within the same line. Some Oceania 7-night sailings have no glacier day, and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's glacier days are on most voyages of 8 nights or longer. Tracy Arm closed in 2026 after a landslide, and as of October 2026 no 2027 reopening has been announced, so itineraries listing Tracy Arm are subject to change. That's why your results show two lines: compare their 2027 itineraries before you book.
Which Alaska cruises are good for solo travelers?
Explora Journeys waives the single supplement on many voyages. UnCruise Adventures has solo cabins on every ship, Virgin Voyages has 46 solo cabins, Crystal has single rooms, Holland America Line has single ocean-view staterooms on Koningsdam, Celebrity has solo staterooms on Celebrity Edge, and Royal Caribbean has single balconies on its Quantum-class ships. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea and Seabourn reduce or waive the supplement on select sailings.
Who made Alaska Cruise Match, and how does it choose my top two?
Alaska Cruise Match was created by Amy Kilbreath, founder of Port and Passport Travel. In Amy's words: 'The matching system combines your answers with the firsthand cruise-line experience, opinions and client-fit criteria I've developed after booking 200+ Alaska cruises and personally touring or sailing most Alaska cruise lines I sell.' Your answers are scored against 17 cruise lines, weighing line fit and 2027 itinerary fit equally.