Alaska (United States) Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
105 ships from 25 cruise lines
Alaska (United States) cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 105 ships from 25 cruise lines visiting Alaska (United States), calling at 36 places. Cruises can start in Seattle, Seward, Portland, Whittier, Juneau, Anchorage and 5 more and end in Anchorage, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan, Portland, Seattle and 4 more.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Alaska (United States) cruise lines
Princess Cruises has the most upcoming sailings among Alaska (United States) cruise lines (242). Starting fares run from $99 per person. Most sailings last 6–28 nights, and the most common length is 7 nights.
Ocean cruise lines (22)
Ultra-luxury cruise lines (4)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | 117 | $14,298 | 10–27 nights (typically 14) |
| Silversea Cruises | 92 | $3,850 | 8–27 nights (typically 12) |
| Seabourn Cruises | 48 | $3,229 | 10–81 nights (typically 12) |
| Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | 21 | $3,700 | 5–13 nights (typically 7) |
Luxury cruise lines (4)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceania Cruises | 145 | $1,620 | 10–37 nights (typically 14) |
| MSC Explora Journeys | 71 | $3,150 | 7–21 nights (typically 7) |
| Ponant Cruises | 11 | $1,930 | 5–15 nights (typically 8) |
| Scenic Cruises | 6 | $6,540 | 10–20 nights (typically 9) |
Premium cruise lines (6)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Cruises | 90 | $1,980 | 7–30 nights (typically 7) |
| Viking Cruises | 84 | $2,999 | 9–77 nights (typically 14) |
| Azamara Cruises | 65 | $1,669 | 10–58 nights (typically 12) |
| Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | 36 | $8,157 | 13–24 nights (typically 14) |
| Windstar Cruises | 30 | $2,619 | 10–25 nights (typically 11) |
| Lindblad Expeditions | 15 | $3,680 | 7–21 nights (typically 7) |
Contemporary cruise lines (8)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | 242 | $304 | 6–35 nights (typically 7) |
| Holland America | 189 | $99 | 7–28 nights (typically 14) |
| Royal Caribbean | 179 | $199 | 4–13 nights (typically 7) |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | 150 | $299 | 4–15 nights (typically 7) |
| Cunard | 91 | $689 | 9–36 nights (typically 14) |
| Celebrity Cruises | 85 | $324 | 4–15 nights (typically 7) |
| MSC Cruises | 71 | $104 | 5–19 nights (typically 14) |
| Virgin Voyages | 34 | $834 | 4–14 nights (typically 7) |
River cruise lines (1)
Premium cruise lines (1)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | 70 | $3,630 | 7–15 nights (typically 8) |
Intracoastal cruise lines (1)
Premium cruise lines (1)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | 106 | $4,925 | 8–15 nights (typically 8) |
About United States
A river cruise through the United States — whether on the mighty Mississippi or the gorge-cut Columbia — offers milestone American travelers a rare chance to experience their own country's history, music, food, and landscape from the water. Small ships of 100–200 guests dock at walkable river towns, and the pace is unhurried. This is not a crowded ocean liner; it is an intimate, deeply American journey, ideal for travelers who want authenticity without being herded.
Typical routes
- Mississippi River (Lower & Upper) — broad, powerful, and historic; port towns rich in music, food, Civil War memory, and Mark Twain lore.
- Columbia & Snake Rivers — dramatic basalt cliffs, waterfalls, native culture, and western expansion history; ships transit eight locks and dams.
Ports overview
US river cruise ports are intimate and walkable. Ships range from 100 to 200 guests, so you can step off the gangway directly into Main Street America. Ports divide into three geographic groups: the Lower Mississippi (New Orleans to Memphis), the Upper Mississippi (St. Louis to St. Paul), and the Columbia & Snake Rivers (Portland to Clarkston).
Cruise season
Cruises operate March through November, with holiday-themed sailings in December (especially New Orleans). Spring and fall offer mild weather and smaller crowds; summer on the Mississippi is hot and humid; the Columbia & Snake region is comfortable in summer.
Find your United States sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at United States, earliest departure first.
8 Days One-Way from San Juan to West Palm Beach
Ends in United States. Also visits Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas
SeaDream I
25 Days One-Way from Miami to Piraeus-Athens
Starts in United States. Also visits Bahamas, Portugal, Spain
Oceania Sonata
15 Days One-Way from Miami to Southampton
Starts in United States. Also visits Bahamas, Portugal, United Kingdom
Oceania Vista
Why Book With Waterways Cruise?
Four decades of expertise, one dedicated advisor, and every detail handled, from your front door to the gangway and back.
Cruise Concierge
A dedicated advisor who learns your name, your travel style and your preferences, then stays with you from the first conversation to the day you return home. Not a call center. Never a stranger.
100% Custom‑Built
No cookie-cutter packages. Flights, hotels, transfers and shore days are designed from scratch around how you actually like to travel, then refined until the trip feels like yours.
40+ Years in Travel
Founded by J. Richard, a four-decade veteran of the travel industry, and focused solely on premium river and ocean cruising. Decades of ship and itinerary knowledge go into every recommendation.
Book With Total Confidence
A travel agency that is a proud member of Signature Travel Network, CLIA, ASTA and IATA.
25 Days One-Way from Miami to Amsterdam
Starts in United States. Also visits Bahamas, Portugal, United Kingdom
Oceania Vista
8 Days West Palm Beach, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Bahamas
SeaDream I
31 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
Visits United States. Also visits Japan, South Korea, Canada
Oceania Riviera
15 Days One-Way from West Palm Beach to Lisbon
Starts in United States. Also visits Portugal
SeaDream I
34 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
Visits United States. Also visits Japan, South Korea, Canada
Seven Seas Splendor
18 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
Visits United States. Also visits Japan, Canada
Oceania Riviera
12 Days One-Way from Philadelphia to Washington Dc
Starts and ends in United States
ACL American Maverick
12 Days One-Way from Philadelphia to Washington Dc
Starts and ends in United States
ACL American Glory
20 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
Visits United States. Also visits Japan, Canada
Seven Seas Splendor
Where United States cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (11)
Coastal and island ports
Anchorage (cruises from) · Glacier Bay (cruises from) · Juneau (cruises from) · Ketchikan (cruises from) · Nome (cruises from) · Portland (cruises from) · Seattle (cruises from) · Seward (cruises from) · Sitka (cruises from) · Whittier (cruises from)
River ports
Ports of call in United States
Ports of call (36)
Coastal and island ports
Aleutian Islands · Anchorage (cruises from) · Astoria · Baranof Island · Barrow AK · Burbank · Chichagof Island · Endicott Arm Fjord · Esperance · Glacier Bay (cruises from) · Homer · Hubbard Glacier · Icy Strait Point · Inside Passage · Juneau (cruises from) · Ketchikan (cruises from) · Klawock · Kupreanof Island · Nome (cruises from) · Petersburg · Portland (cruises from) · San Juan Islands WA · Seattle (cruises from) · Seward (cruises from) · Sitka (cruises from) · Tracy Arm Fjord · Valdez · Whittier (cruises from)
River ports
Anacortes · Bremerton · Camas-Washougal · Port Angeles · Port Townsend · Richland · Stevenson · Tacoma (cruises from)
Cruise lines visiting United States (25)
Ocean cruise lines (24)
Ultra-luxury cruise lines (4)
Luxury cruise lines (5)
Premium cruise lines (7)
Contemporary cruise lines (8)
River cruise lines (1)
Premium cruise lines (1)
Intracoastal cruise lines (1)
Premium cruise lines (1)
Ships by type: 81 ocean 15 river 11 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
United States is also in: Hawaii, Canada & New England, California, Florida, US Rivers
Plan your Alaska (United States) cruise
United States cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
United States cruise port guide →More Alaska cruises
Frequently asked questions about Alaska (United States) cruises
Can you start or end a cruise in Alaska (United States)?
Yes. Cruises start in Seattle, Seward, Portland, Whittier, Juneau, Anchorage, Tacoma, Glacier Bay and 3 more. Cruises end in Anchorage, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan, Portland, Seattle, Seward, Sitka and 2 more.
How many places do cruises visit in Alaska (United States)?
36 Alaska (United States) places are visited by 105 ships from 25 cruise lines.
Which cruise lines sail to Alaska (United States)?
25 cruise lines sail to Alaska (United States), including American Cruise Lines, Aurora Expeditions, Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard and 19 more.
When is the best time to take a Alaska (United States) cruise?
Cruises operate March through November, with holiday-themed sailings in December (especially New Orleans). Spring and fall offer mild weather and smaller crowds; summer on the Mississippi is hot and humid; the Columbia & Snake region is comfortable in summer.
Sources and further reading
Background on United States draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: United States
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: United States
- American Cruise Lines: River Cruises in the USA
- Viking: Mississippi River Cruises
- National Park Service: Vicksburg National Military Park
- National Park Service: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!