Nine out of ten Alaska cruises sold are either an Inside Passage round-trip from Seattle/Vancouver or a one-way Gulf of Alaska crossing between Vancouver/Seattle and Whittier/Seward. They're both great, but they're different trips — one is simpler to book, the other sees more.
At a glance
The two formats
Inside Passage (round-trip)
7 nights, round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver. Typically visits Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, with a scenic day at Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm fjord.
Best for: first-timers, families, anyone who wants simple logistics.
Gulf of Alaska (one-way)
7 nights, Vancouver → Whittier (Seward). Same ports as Inside Passage PLUS Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord — a full extra scenic day.
Best for: glacier-focused travelers, people adding a land tour to Denali.
What you'll need
Passport OR government-issued photo ID + birth certificate (closed-loop from U.S. port). Passport strongly recommended.
Cruise line boarding pass (via app or printed)
Credit card for onboard account
Travel insurance policy (highly recommended — weather delays happen)
Warm layers (yes, in June)
Medications in carry-on
Port days at a glance
Juneau
Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching, or the tram up Mount Roberts. If you do one thing, do the whale watching.
Skagway
White Pass railway (iconic), gold rush history, or a day trip to the Yukon. Tiny town, easy to walk.
Ketchikan
Salmon capital. Misty Fjords flightseeing is the splurge. Creek Street is cute but touristy.
What to pack
Waterproof shell (not "water resistant")
Warm fleece or thin down layer
Broken-in waterproof walking shoes
Warm hat and gloves (shoulder seasons)
Binoculars
Camera with zoom — humpbacks don't pose up close
Motion-sickness preventative if prone
Tipping
FAQ
Should I add Denali?
Yes, if you have the time. 3–5 nights of post-cruise land tour turns a cruise into a proper Alaska trip. Cruise lines sell the combo.
Will I see bears?
Possibly from the ship, almost certainly on a land excursion. Ketchikan's Neets Bay and Juneau's Pack Creek are two known spots.
Is June really warm enough?
Highs in the 60s, wet some days. It's never tropical but it's not tundra either. Layers solve it.
Do I need a passport?
Not technically for closed-loop from Seattle, but we strongly recommend one. If anything goes wrong and you need to fly home from Vancouver, you'll need it.