By Sophie Cole
A land of glaciers, bears, sea fjords, and rugged snow-topped mountains that stretch skyward, Alaska is a place of wild beauty with exciting adventures around every corner. And you can embark on your own journey of a lifetime with one of these unique Alaskan cruise itineraries. From a hybrid voyage on land and sea with Princess Cruises to the highly anticipated MSC Poesia Alaskan debut — set to sail in summer 2026 — there are a variety of itineraries and cruise ships for all tastes.
What’s more, there’s an assortment of exciting Alaskan shore excursions available, too — from dog sledding adventures and whale watching trips to epic helicopter tours above glaciers. And a cruise provides the perfect balance between exploration and comfort, with all the modern conveniences that a cruise ship has to offer, meaning you can rest in style between port calls and land adventures while enjoying life to its fullest at sea.
Travel Across Alaska’s Land and Sea With Princess Cruises
14-Day National Parks Explorer
14 Days Total — Three Ports of Call — Two Days of Scenic Cruising — Seven Nights on Land
On land, discover the untamed beauty of Denali National Park during the Tundra Wilderness Tour, while keeping a watchful eye out for Denali’s Big Five: bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep. Cruising Kenai Fjords National Park is another highlight, where the serene surroundings occasionally give way to the thunderous sound of glacier calving — a process whereby giant slabs of ice are naturally shed and crash into the still waters below. During this tour, look out for incredible marine life, including humpback whales, orcas, and sea lions.
The shore excursions offer plenty of fun and fascination, too. Thrill seekers can soar through the sky during the Grizzly Falls ziplining expedition in Skagway, adventurers can take to the sea on a kayaking excursion with glacial views from Juneau, and foodies will delight in a coastal cruise followed by a locally harvested oyster tasting in Ketchikan. This is the cruise for those wanting to see it all.
The Full Itinerary
On Land:
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
- Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge
- Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
At Sea:
- Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska
- Hubbard Glacier Scenic Cruising
- Glacier Bay National Park Scenic Cruising
- Skagway, Alaska
- Juneau, Alaska
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- Vancouver, Canada
12-Day Connoisseur Escorted
12 Days Total — Three Ports of Call — Two Days of Scenic Cruising — Five Nights on Land
Ease yourself into this trip with roasted marshmallows over a fireside patio at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Adventures await the following day in Denali, where exciting excursions range from a husky homestead tour to an incredible river rafting experience.
Aboard the cruise ship, choose from excursions such as a photography tour in Skagway, a Segway ride along the Alpine Meadow Trail in Juneau, and an Alaskan fishing and wilderness dining experience in Ketchikan. For the ultimate Alaskan adventure, opt for the dog sledding and glacier helicopter flightseeing experience from Skagway. You’ll get to fly high above glacier spires and spruce-blanketed expanses during a 30-minute helicopter flight, before arriving at the dog camp on Denver Glacier where you’ll meet huskies and learn the art of dog sledding.
The Full Itinerary
On Land:
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge
- Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
At Sea:
- Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska
- Hubbard Glacier Scenic Cruising
- Glacier Bay National Park Scenic Cruising
- Skagway, Alaska
- Juneau, Alaska
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- Vancouver, Canada
12-Day Denali Explorer
12 Days Total — Three Ports of Call — Two Days of Scenic Cruising — Five Nights on Land
On land, enjoy a two-night stay at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, a wonderful base camp for discovering the Alaskan wilderness. After an action-packed day exploring Denali National Park — home to Denali, North America’s tallest mountain — relax back at the lodge with a glass of wine on the deck overlooking the Nenana River and the green-forested mountains.
Spend a few days at sea, with scenic views passing Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park. During port calls, choose from a range of exciting excursions, such as the White Pass Summit railway journey in Skagway, a private whale-watching experience out of Juneau, or a four-wheel-drive and canoe safari in Ketchikan’s backcountry. Or soar like an eagle above the Misty Fjords National Monument on a seaplane in Ketchikan. The adventures are endless.
The Full Itinerary
On Land:
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
- Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge
At Sea:
- Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska
- Hubbard Glacier Scenic Cruising
- Glacier Bay National Park Scenic Cruising
- Skagway, Alaska
- Juneau, Alaska
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- Vancouver, Canada
10-Day Denali Explorer
10 Days Total — Three Ports of Call — Two Days of Scenic Cruising — Three Nights on Land
This journey includes a scenic cruise along the Chena River aboard an authentic Sternwheeler Riverboat, with stunning views of the surrounding Alaskan wilderness. Next up, discover the vast wilderness of Denali National Park during a fascinating Natural History Tour.
After a few relaxing days at sea, embark on exciting land adventures such as dog sledding and gold panning in Skagway, visit Juneau’s glacier gardens, and discover Saxman Native Village and Totem Park in Ketchikan. For an epic adventure of a lifetime, sign up for the Glacier Discovery by Helicopter tour in Skagway and soar above southeast Alaska’s most remote glaciers before landing on a glacier for an incredible guided nature walk.
The Full Itinerary
On Land:
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
On Sea:
- Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska
- Hubbard Glacier Scenic Cruising
- Glacier Bay National Park Scenic Cruising
- Skagway, Alaska
- Juneau, Alaska
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- Vancouver, Canada
Alaskan Adventures On the Horizon With MSC Cruises
Expanding its frontiers, MSC Poesia will be setting sail to Alaska, from Seattle, in summer 2026. Expect endless exploration on this incredible trip — from cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord and passing magnificent glaciers contrasted against the turquoise oceanwaters, to discovering the natural beauty of Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and more. And cool excursions include everything from sea kayaking and ice cave visits, to enjoying the freshest of seafood by the shore. In between the land excursions, rest in comfort aboard MSC Poesia and enjoy its vast array of restaurants, bars, and lounges.
