Best Alaska Cruises in July 2023

Table Of Content

• Is Seward or Whittier a better port for Anchorage?
• View Popular Alaska Cruise Destinations
• Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises from Seattle
• Embark on an Unforgettable Alaska Cruise from Seattle
• I took my first solo cruise on Celebrity Cruises. After 7 nights, here are the pros and cons of cruising alone

The summer is a time of celebration in Alaska and July is packed with fun local events that often coincide with your port stops on an Alaska cruise. If your itinerary brings you to Sitka, enjoy the Summer Music Festival, a classical music showcase that’s been featuring global acts for over 50 years. When in Juneau, enjoy a spectacular Fourth of July parade and fireworks display, complete with local folklore shows and food vendors.

Is Seward or Whittier a better port for Anchorage?

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Expert Review of Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship.

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What looks like an endless buffet of choice can lead to analysis paralysis for many first-time Alaska visitors—even if they’re veteran cruisers who have already figured out big questions like their preferred cruise line or favorite ship class. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. Simplifying the luxury holiday experience, Wi-Fi, drinks, and service charges are now ‘Always IncludedSM’ on every Celebrity cruise.

View Popular Alaska Cruise Destinations

Grab a drink on the Magic Carpet while you take in spectacular views, watch an outdoor movie on the Rooftop Garden, or spend the evening watching an entertaining show at The Theatre. Throughout your journey, you’ll find endless opportunities to make memories you’ll cherish forever. As the thaw commences, Alaska passes through a magical transformation out of winter and into spring.

Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises from Seattle

Plus, you may just get a chance to meet some of the local marine wildlife that come out to play while you enjoy a peaceful and smooth ferry ride. If stunning landscapes and breathtaking views are what make your vacation special, look no further than Puget Sound. The Sound provides postcard-like views of snow-capped mountains behind evergreen forests stretching for miles until they meet the sea right in front of your eyes.

Soar into the alpine on a gondola for a birds-eye view of the sweeping vistas. Surrounded by a lifetime’s worth of jaw-dropping sights and adventures, Lake Louise is a rare place that must be experienced to be believed. In sight of the great mountain, Talkeetna offers breathtaking views, a folksy frontier spirit, endless outdoor activities, and the unique ambience of its eclectic Main Street. Among climbers, Talkeetna is the ideal staging ground for preparations to summit Denali. Main Street’s log cabin cafés provide a place where you can mill with the bohemians, aviators, and adventurers who call the town home.

Embark on an Unforgettable Alaska Cruise from Seattle

On select Cruisetours, you’ll enjoy additional included experiences that showcase the special qualities of each destination. Charming Seward is located on an inlet in the Kenai Peninsula and Resurrection Bay. Here you can sail through the breathtaking Kenai Fjords National Park taking in the views of the fjord and captivating variety of marine life– orcas, puffins, seals, Dall's sheep, and more. Seward is also the starting point of the Alaska railroad connecting it to Anchorage and further north, a much-loved component on our Cruisetours.

The luxury adults-only line is also all-inclusive, covering meals, activities, most beverages, Wi-Fi, port taxes and fees, spa access, and one complimentary excursion in every port of call. Cruisers can bask in the mountain and glacier views from the comfort of their private balcony — and, if they’re lucky, they may even spot a whale or two. Finally, in addition to classic ports like Juneau and Ketchikan, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Alaska itinerary also calls on Valdez, which is chock-full of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Sailings will begin on May 3, 2023, and run through mid-September, visiting some of the most unforgettable destinations, including visits to the majestic glaciers of the Inside Passage on every itinerary. Additionally, every journey will give guests the chance to learn more about the culture and history of the Last Frontier, from the native Tinglit people to the gold rush days that brought adventurers and fortune seekers to the wilds of Alaska. Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World’s Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years.

Located between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is also a fantastic city for those who enjoy outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking and kayaking. One of the biggest reasons cruises to Alaska in July are so popular is the pleasant temperatures that are conducive to outdoor travel and activity. Yes, it can rain—this is Alaska, after all—but the average daily in most of the state is between degrees Fahrenheit, dipping lower after long sunsets, the sky streaked with shades of orange and pink. This means that daytime excursions like hiking and kayaking can be enjoyed without too many layers of clothing, and you’ll have long, light days to explore and appreciate the pristine nature.

Find Cruises Departing from Washington's Seattle Port

For guaranteed bear viewing, head to the Fortress of the Bear near Sitka, which raises orphaned bears in a natural setting. Make a point of trying the local cuisine in Alaska, which is famous for its seafood. Black cod and halibut are delicious and often served with fries; fish and chips is a popular dish in Alaska. You’ll also find seasonal berries on every menu, locally roasted coffee, and a wide assortment of craft beers. Alaska is all about exploring the Great Outdoors with family and friends, learning about US History and enjoying wildlife. There are hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, ziplining, and dog sledding for more energetic travelers.

Find comfort, luxury, and a sense of true outdoor adventure on a July cruise to Alaska with Celebrity. Get an even more immersive exploration of Alaska on a 9- to 13-night Cruisetour that combines a 7-night cruise with an exciting pre- or post-cruise land tour that takes you deep into the heart of the wilderness. Ride trains, boats, deluxe motorcoaches, and possibly even planes to go farther into the wilderness. These land and sea vacations introduce you to everything Alaska has to offer for exciting, in-depth adventure.

This World’s Best Award-winning cruise line combines the best of expedition-style and luxury cruising, making it a popular pick amongst well-heeled, adventure-seeking travelers. According to Goldring, both Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Odyssey offer similar Alaska itineraries in 2024; however, it will be the latter’s final sailing since it was sold. A Cruisetour will offer opportunities to take you to destinations like cultured Anchorage, folksy Talkeetna, and wild Denali—a visit to these inland areas truly give you a feel for the diverse beauty of the 49th State.

Ketchikan boasts the largest collection of Northwest totem poles, which are fascinating works of art that depict Tlingit history and culture. Each cruise line has their preferred port—Holland America Line and Princess Cruises berth at Whittier. Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas—currently berthing at Seward—will move operations to Whittier upon completion of berths currently under construction. As is the case with every Celebrity ship now (except the Galápagos Islands ones), wifi, beverages, and gratuities are now included in the cruise fare. When you’re packing for an Alaska cruise, you’ll want to plan for any kind of weather, from hot sun to ethereal mist and rain showers—often in the same day.

Cruises to Alaska start in either Vancouver, Seward or Seattle and will bring you through the narrow, island-strewn Inside Passage waterway all the way along the Alaskan coast. You’ll visit the historic capital city of Juneau, where you can tour a salmon hatchery, go whale watching, or kayak up to the face of a glacier in a temperate climate that’s perfect for exploring. Gaze at the mighty Dawes or Hubbard Glacier, and ride the historic railway from Skagway.