Just about every major cruise line features sailings to Alaska, but there are some that are more popular than others. Some of the best major cruise lines for Alaska Cruises are also some of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines. The top Alaska cruise lines include: Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise West, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line. Many of these cruise lines offer a Seattle to Alaska cruise. These include: Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line (HAL), and Princess Cruises as well as Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Royal Caribbean (RCCL).
Seattle to Alaska cruises depart from the The Port of Seattle, which owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the 18th busiest airport in the world. The Port of Seattle is also regarded as one of the worlds busiest, handling 190 ship calls and nearly 755,000 passengers during the 2007 season. The Port’s passenger cruise terminals are located at Pier 66 and Terminal 30.
Seattle to Alaska Cruise Schedules
The five major cruise lines operating weekly service out of Seattle feature cruises on 10 premier vessels. “Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises depart from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66. Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean depart depart from the Terminal 30 Cruise Facility.” The Port of Seattle lists the following:
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity offers weekly departures to Alaska onboard the Infinity, plus 3 and 4 day Pacific Northwest itineraries on the Mercury. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (800) 722-5941.
Holland America Line (HAL)
Holland America Line offers seven-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam and the ms Westerdam. Holland America passengers depart from the Terminal 30 Cruise Terminal located at the south end of Seattle’s downtown waterfront. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (877) 932-4259.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Norwegian Cruise Line has made Seattle its homeport for seven-day summer cruises to Alaska on board the Norwegian Star and Norwegian Pearl. Passengers depart from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 on Saturdays and Sundays. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (800) 327-7030.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises offers seven-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska, on board the Golden Princess and the Star Princess. Princess Cruises depart Saturdays and Sundays from the Terminal 30 Cruise Facility located at the south end of Seattle’s downtown waterfront. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (800) 421-1700.
Royal Caribbean (RCCL)
Royal Caribbean offers seven-day cruises to Alaska on the Rhapsody of the Seas departing Terminal 30 every Friday. For sales information please contact your local travel agent or call (866) 562-7625.
About Seattle to Alaska Cruise Lines
Celebrity Cruises is excellent for pampering as Infinity and Summit feature AquaSpas with thalassotherapy pools and a wide assortment of beauty treatments. Art aficionados on their way to Alaska will also appreciate Celebrity’s impressive art collections as well. Guests aboard any of Celebrity’s 11 ships can expect an endless number of unforgettable cruises filled with excursions highlighting culture, wildlife, history, and geology. Alaska excursions will include all highlights along with everything from flightseeing and flights to the Arctic Circle to dog sledding.
Princess Cruise Lines and Holland America Cruise Line are considered some of the best Alaska cruise lines for their excellent cruisetours. These cruise lines currently lead the industry in interior voyages (Alaska and Yukon Territory) and Holland has exclusive passage into the Yukon’s Kluane National Park, as well as Tombstone Territorial Park. Princess Cruise Lines’ 7-day Gulf of Alaska cruise should be noted as well.
While the majority of Alaska cruise lines mentioned above are “kid-free,” there are several cruise lines that top the list for families interested in an Alaska cruise. Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line feature special shore excursions for kids and teens, as well as on-board activities that will keep kids busy during long days at sea. Royal Caribbean may also be a bit more family friendly.