Alaska Inside Passage cruises: what are they?

World of Cruising recently sailed Alaska’s Inside Passage on Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess, giving us a first-hand feel for one of the most popular cruise itineraries in North America.

In this article, we explain the history of the route (which goes back long before the days when cruising was a thing), what you can expect to see, the unmissable excursions and which lines to sail with.

Our Inside Passage experience

“Cruising the Inside Passage is all about landscape and wildlife. Of course, booking excursions will get you even closer to the action, but you’ll be surprised by what you can see from the ship.

“Some of our most memorable experiences included whale and dolphin spotting at the Wake View Bar on Discovery Princess and looking at bald eagles flying over Ketchikan from our cabin’s balcony.

“Make sure to not only focus on the parts of the cruise highlighted as scenic cruising. One of my personal highlights was seeing the misty landscapes of the Tongass Narrows at 5am on the second day of our cruise.”

What is the Alaska Inside Passage route?

The Inside Passage is a coastal route that runs from the Pacific Northwest to Southeast Alaska. Most importantly, it’s a protected deepwater route allowing large ships to sail close to the coast, safely and relatively undisturbed by weather events.

From a shipping perspective, these protected waterways are ideal for moving goods. For cruising, the benefits are two-fold: not only can you sail through protected waters, but you also cruise close to shore, meaning plenty of opportunity to get up close and personal with majestic glaciers, stunning fjords and the jaw-dropping landscapes of Alaska.

What’s the history of the Inside Passage?

The Inside Passage – formed thousands of years ago during the last ice age – is a network of hundreds of islands, fjords, passages, narrows and inlets; it has long been a lifeline along North America’s northwest coast. Indigenous peoples, including the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian, navigated its sheltered channels for trade, fishing and cultural exchange for centuries.

In the late 18th century, European explorers such as George Vancouver charted the labyrinth of islands and fjords, followed by fur traders and, later, prospectors drawn north during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s.

The protected waters offered a safer alternative to the open Pacific, quickly becoming the main maritime highway linking coastal settlements. By the mid-20th century, as steamships gave way to modern vessels, cruise lines recognised the route’s potential.

The dramatic scenery of tidewater glaciers, dense forests and remote towns made it an ideal voyage. By the 1970s, the Inside Passage had become firmly established as one of the world’s most celebrated cruising routes.

What is the typical Inside Passage cruise itinerary?

The entry point to the Inside Passage is Puget Sound in the US state of Washington. But for cruising, that means seven-night round-trip sailings from Seattle (Washington, USA) or Vancouver (Canada).

This, in itself, is a big part of the appeal of an Inside Passage voyage for UK cruisers. Seattle and Vancouver have extremely well-served international airports, offering many relatively affordable flight options.

From the departure ports, ships first sail the Strait of Georgia and the Johnstone Strait, the narrow stretches of water separating Vancouver Island from mainland Canada.

Cruises will then work their way up Southeast Alaska – also known as the Alaskan panhandle – which is the part of the US state sandwiched by British Columbia to the North and South.

Regular ports of call during the journey include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and, sometimes, Sitka. Cruises departing from Seattle will also typically include one stop in Canada, such as Victoria or Vancouver.

And while all these towns and cities make for fascinating stops – and departure points for thrilling excursions – the opportunities for scenic cruising along the way are what make an Inside Passage cruise so special. These include Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm, Dawes Glacier, Sawyer Glaciers, Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage.

Beware that most sailings cover only some of the above spots (and others may not be accessible with larger cruise ships). Always check the exact itinerary before you book.

What can you expect to see on an Inside Passage Cruise?

An Inside Passage cruise offers a shifting panorama of wilderness, wildlife and characterful frontier towns. Sailing through narrow channels and fjords, you’ll encounter landscapes and experiences unique to Alaska’s coastal world:

• Wildlife: Spot humpback whales breaching in Frederick Sound, orcas in Stephens Passage and bald eagles perched on shoreline trees. Sea lions and harbour seals haul out on rocky islands.
• Glaciers: Ships often spend some time amid ice near Dawes Glacier or Sawyer Glacier
• Ports of call: In Juneau, you can book trips to Mendenhall Glacier; in Skagway, trace the Klondike Gold Rush on the White Pass and Yukon railway; and in Ketchikan, discover totem poles and rich salmon streams.
• Scenery: Towering mountains cloaked in the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest on Earth, frame the route. Its old-growth spruce and cedar shelter bears, wolves and countless birds, while hidden bays and mirror-like waters create one of the world’s most dramatic seascapes.

What are the unmissable excursions?

An Inside Passage cruise isn’t just about what you see from the ship – it’s also about stepping ashore to experience Alaska’s wild landscapes and frontier spirit first-hand. Here are five of the most popular excursions:

• Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau): Visit Alaska’s most accessible glacier, with opportunities to walk its trails or combine the trip with whale watching in nearby Auke Bay.
• Whale watching (Juneau or Icy Strait Point): Head out by boat to spot humpbacks, orcas and sea lions in nutrient-rich waters renowned for reliable sightings.
• White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (Skagway): Ride the historic narrow-gauge line carved through mountains during the Klondike Gold Rush, offering sweeping views of gorges and waterfalls.
• Totem heritage (Ketchikan): Explore Saxman Native Village or Totem Bight State Park to see intricate totem poles and learn about Tlingit and Haida traditions.

Read more:what to see in Ketchikan from your cruise ship

Is the Inside Passage the only itinerary option?

No, you can also opt for a Gulf of Alaska cruise. These sailings typically start in Vancouver, Seattle or Anchorage and head through open coastal waters to ports like Kodiak, Valdez or Whittier.

They often include dramatic glacier scenery, such as Hubbard or Columbia Glaciers, and access to Prince William Sound. These routes are usually longer and may involve rougher seas than the Inside Passage.

You should also note that Gulf of Alaska cruises are usually one-way, ending in Anchorage, which has fewer air options to and from the UK. Some sailings are round-trip, making them significantly longer (14 nights).

Choosing the right cruise line

The Inside Passage is a popular cruise destination, so you have plenty of options. For this article, World of Cruising sailed on Princess Cruises’ Discover Princess.

The premium line is a great choice to visit Alaska and has more experience in the state than almost any other, having pioneered many of the routes now considered classics. Some itineraries, although not the Inside Passage route, can include scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, a highlight not all lines can offer, as permits are limited.

Onboard, guests can expect naturalist talks, regional dining and expansive deck space designed for glacier viewing. This combination of local expertise, breadth of options and a polished onboard product makes Princess a top-tier choice for first-timers and return visitors alike.

There are also plenty more options, including Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Silversea, Seabourn and more. To get the full picture, read our selection of the other best cruise lines for Alaska.

For more information about Princess Cruises' Alaska programme, click here.