Alaska - Sailing the Inside Passage
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is a journey into one of the world's most spectacular wilderness environments. This remarkable coastal region is made up of sheltered waterways, islands, fjords and channels, where snow-capped mountains, ancient forests and glaciers create an ever-changing backdrop.
Rather than simply travelling between destinations, an Inside Passage cruise makes the journey itself part of the experience. From the comfort of your ship, you can watch Alaska's dramatic landscape unfold around you and keep an eye out for the wildlife that calls these waters and forests home.
What is the Alaska Inside Passage?
The Inside Passage is a network of protected waterways stretching along the coastline of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. A chain of islands helps shelter the route from the open Pacific Ocean, creating calmer waters and allowing ships to travel through a spectacular landscape of islands, channels and fjords.
For cruise travellers, this means the opportunity to experience Alaska's rugged coastline from a unique perspective. Rather than viewing the wilderness from a single viewpoint, the scenery is constantly changing as the ship moves through the passage, revealing new mountains, forests, waterfalls and waterways along the way.
A Landscape Shaped by Ice and Time
The scenery is one of the defining features of the Inside Passage. Over thousands of years, glaciers have carved deep valleys and fjords through the landscape, leaving behind towering mountains and dramatic coastal scenery.
Mountains, Forests and Waterfalls
Snow-capped peaks rise dramatically from the water, while dense temperate rainforest covers much of the coastline. Waterfalls can often be seen cascading down steep mountainsides, fed by snow and ice from higher elevations.
The scenery can change quickly. One moment you may be sailing alongside lush, forest-covered islands; the next, the landscape opens up to reveal towering mountains, icy waterways and vast stretches of wilderness.
Glaciers and Ice
Glaciers are another highlight of the Alaskan coastline. These immense rivers of ice have shaped the landscape for thousands of years and continue to move slowly towards the sea.
On scenic cruising days, you may have the opportunity to see glaciers from the water, where immense walls of ice meet the sea. Watching for the movement of ice, listening for the distant rumble of a glacier calving or simply taking in the brilliant blue hues of the ice can be one of the most memorable parts of an Alaska cruise.
Wildlife Watching from the Ship
The Inside Passage is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, making the ship an ideal vantage point for spotting animals in their natural environment.
Humpback whales and orcas can be seen travelling through the coastal waters, while sea lions and seals may be spotted resting on rocky islands and shorelines. Bald eagles are also a common sight, often soaring above the forests or perched in the trees along the coast.
Keep watching the shoreline, too. Alaska's forests and coastal regions are home to a variety of wildlife, including bears and deer. You never quite know what might appear around the next bend.
The best part is that wildlife viewing is not confined to a shore excursion. Keep your eyes on the water from the ship's decks, your balcony or even while enjoying a quiet moment with a coffee and the scenery passing by.
Historic Towns and Local Culture
While the wilderness is a major part of the Inside Passage experience, the region also has a fascinating human history.
The coastal waterways have been home to Alaska Native peoples for thousands of years, with deep cultural connections to the land and sea. The region's communities also reflect the influence of the Gold Rush era, which brought prospectors and adventurers north in search of fortune.
A cruise through the Inside Passage offers the opportunity to experience this history and culture alongside the spectacular natural environment, with each port offering its own perspective on Alaska.
The Key Ports of the Inside Passage
While the scenery is a major part of the experience, the ports along the Inside Passage offer the opportunity to step ashore and discover a different side of Alaska.
Skagway Stepping into Skagway feels like stepping back into the days of the Klondike Gold Rush. Once a bustling gateway for prospectors heading north in search of gold, the town retains much of its historic character, with colourful buildings and a fascinating frontier atmosphere. The surrounding landscape is equally impressive, with towering mountains and dramatic valleys providing a spectacular backdrop.
Juneau Alaska's capital city, Juneau, is surrounded by mountains, waterways and wilderness and is accessible only by air or sea. It offers a wonderful combination of natural scenery and local culture, with opportunities to explore the surrounding landscapes, discover the region's history or venture further into the wilderness.
Ketchikan Known for its rich Alaska Native heritage and colourful waterfront, Ketchikan is a fascinating introduction to Southeast Alaska. The town is particularly well known for its impressive collection of totem poles, while the surrounding rainforest and waterways offer further opportunities to experience the region's natural beauty.
Each port provides a different perspective on Alaska. Together with the days spent sailing through the region's spectacular waterways and viewing its glaciers and wildlife, they create a wonderfully varied Inside Passage experience.
The Journey is Part of the Experience
One of the great pleasures of an Inside Passage cruise is the opportunity to slow down and simply take in the surroundings. There is always something new to see, from mist rising off the water to a distant glacier or a whale surfacing alongside the ship.
The scenery is also constantly changing with the light. Long summer days create extended opportunities for sightseeing, with the landscape often illuminated well into the evening.
From Vancouver, an Alaska cruise through the Inside Passage offers a remarkable combination of wilderness, wildlife, history and adventure. It is a journey where the destinations are only part of the story – because some of the most memorable moments happen between them.
Discover our featured Princess Cruises sailing and experience the spectacular coastline of Alaska for yourself.
Discovery Princess® - Shagwag
Alaska & the Inside Passage with Princess Cruises - 9 Days | 3 Ports | Departs round trip from Vancouver, Canada
Departing from the gorgeous harbour city of Vancouver, this spectacular 9-day roundtrip voyage on Discovery Princess® offers an extended, leisurely escape into the best of the Inside Passage. This itinerary is beautifully balanced to showcase Alaska's most dramatic natural wonders, combining a pair of spectacular, back-to-back glacier viewing days at the massive Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park with immersive visits to historic gold-rush towns. The journey steps straight into the frontier era in Skagway, offers the chance to search for humpback whales in Juneau, and explores the colourful creek-side boardwalks and totem poles of Ketchikan, all while allowing two relaxing days at sea to settle into the rhythm of the ocean.
Cruise Itinerary
Ports Of Call Vancouver | Skagway | Juneau | Ketchikan | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising) | Hubbard Glacier (Scenic Cruising)
Life Onboard Discovery Princess®
First entering service in March 2022, Discovery Princess® is a sophisticated, modern sanctuary designed to bring the outside world in. With more than 1,400 private balconies, including the dramatic 270-degree views from the luxury Sky Suites, guests are guaranteed spectacular front-row seats to the drifting Alaskan glaciers. For a peaceful escape from the onboard excitement, the Sanctuary offers an exclusive, tranquil retreat reserved strictly for adults.
The culinary journey on board is equally impressive, featuring premium aged cuts at the Crown Grill, fresh seafood at The Catch by Rudi, and certified authentic Neapolitan pies at Gigi's Pizzeria. Combined with world-class original stage productions in the state-of-the-art Princess Theatre and the seamless, personalised convenience of the wearable MedallionClass® technology, the onboard experience is as unforgettable as the rugged landscapes of the Inside Passage.
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Onboard life offers a wonderful balance of premium dining, entertainment, and relaxation:
MedallionClass® Experience Enjoy effortless, personalized cruising: your stateroom unlocking as you approach, next-level service, easily finding family & friends while on board and so much more.
Entertainment Broadway-style shows, live music, movies, themed activities, game shows and performers
Dining Multicourse dining, buffet, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, soft-serve ice cream, pastries and desserts
Fitness facilities
Youth & teen clubs for ages 3-17
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Purchase individually, or upgrade to a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package that includes the most popular options at a value.
Beer, wine, cocktails, specialty coffees, sodas & juice bar
Wi-Fi
Dine at award-winning specialty restaurants
Shore excursions
Spa services and The Sanctuary
Laundry services
Celebrations, romance and wedding packages
Balcony Stateroom (Category BF)
Princess Saver Fare from $3,559 per person
Princess Plus Fare from $4,429 per person
Mini Suite (Category MF)
Princess Saver Fare from $4,599 per person
Princess Plus Fare from $5,465per person
Price based on departure from Vancouver 06 May 2027. From prices are per person, share twin cruise-only and include applicable government taxes and fees of $503. Port charges of $384 included. Price correct as of 20 July 2026. Subject to availability at time of booking.
Terms & Conditions: All cruises are subject to availability at time of booking. International airfares are additional. Travel agent service & credit card fees apply. For full terms and conditions contact your Travel Expert for details.
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