Small-Ship Alaska Cruises: Insider’s Guide to the Best Ones

The insider advice on this page is from one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for small-ship expeditions: Ashton Palmer of ExpeditionTrips.

Trusted Travel Expert

Ashton Palmer

Infectiously enthusiastic about small-ship cruising, Ashton spent nearly a decade as an expedition leader, guide, naturalist, Zodiac driver, avid bird-watcher, and photographer in the Arctic, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the South Pacific. (He has traveled to Antarctica more than 50 times and spent a collective of three months in the Arctic.) In 1999, Ashton started a company to match travelers with the right small-ship expedition trips everywhere from the Galapagos to Papua New Guinea and the two poles. He’ll be the first to tell you when a two-week trip to the Arctic may not be your cup of tea, and when a specific ship or cabin just isn’t worth the extra expense. And because of his relationships with the top cruise lines and tour operators, Ashton often secures preferred rates or other perks (such as shipboard credits or a bottle of wine).

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Expect trips orchestrated by Ashton to start at $600 per person per day (based on double occupancy) for expedition cruises to Alaska.

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Best Ships

Kayaking around a sculpted iceberg in Tracy Arm Fjord. Photo: Lindblad Expeditions, Ralph Lee Hopkins

Best short cruise
The typical Inside Passage itinerary requires eight days, but the National Geographic Sea Bird and the National Geographic Sea Lion offer two 6-day  “Wild Alaska Escape” itineraries, exploring some of Southeast Alaska’s most pristine wilderness. Depending on the itinerary, you can visit Haines (the adventure capital of Alaska), Sitka’s Raptor Rehabilitation Center, the Chilkat Tlingit village of Klukwan, tidewater glaciers, and view humpback whales in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm. Both itineraries feature guided nature walks, kayaking, and Zodiac tours.

Best ships for a splurge
The 100-passenger National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture combine state-of-the-art expeditionary hardware with supreme comfort; their itineraries explore shallow coves and narrow waterways in search of humpback whales, waterfalls, and wildlife. Each ship has kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, an outdoor grill, a spa, a spacious sundeck, and an undersea specialist to operate a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Several cabins have interconnecting doors for families, and some have small balconies.

Best large ship
The Seabourn Quest offers a high level of personalized service and an elegant atmosphere. The ship features spacious, well-appointed suites, many with private verandas. There are also multiple dining venues, a world-class spa, a fitness center, and evening entertainment. The Quest offers 7- and 14-day expeditions through Alaska’s Inside Passage, starting or ending in Vancouver.

Hiking Cascade Creek Trail in the Tongass National Forest. Photo: Lindlad Expeditons/David Vargas

Best small ship
With a capacity of only 22 guests (ideal for a large family or group of friends to charter), the Safari Quest explores the most remote coves and anchors in secluded sites at night. This all-inclusive yacht has a Jacuzzi, lounge, reading nook, and fully stocked bar. Optional activities include kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, guided hikes, and fishing.

Best affordable ship for families
The 74-passenger Wilderness Explorer checks the box for outdoor family fun with kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, yoga, bushwhacking, shore walks, and the occasional bonfire—plus, they offer discounts for children. The accommodations are modest, but there are panoramic views from the lounge, plus a hot tub for stargazing and a sundeck for optimal wildlife viewing.

Best ships for a solo traveler
Small ships are known for their social atmosphere, making them ideal for solo travelers. To avoid paying a single supplement, book a dedicated single cabin; the Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Explorer, and Safari Explorer all have them. These must be reserved well in advance, as solo cabins are limited.

Best-value cabins
The Commodore Suites aboard the 84-passenger Safari Endeavour are an excellent value compared to equivalent accommodations, starting at $8,800 per person for an eight-day itinerary in April. (People are often surprised at how expensive an Alaskan expedition cruise is, but it takes a lot to get these ships up there for a relatively short season.) All four of the 216-square-foot suites are identical, with a step-out French balcony, a full bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, and a separate sitting area; they can also be configured as a triple cabin for families, and they come with a complimentary massage.

Best splurge cabin
The duplex Wintergarden Suite on the Seabourn Quest is like having your own luxurious apartment at sea: a private balcony, dining area for four, master bath with a whirlpool tub, guest bathroom, convertible sofa, and a glass-enclosed solarium with a tub and day bed.

Best cabins for families
Cabins in categories 1, 2, and 4 aboard the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture are interconnecting, keeping your family together while accommodating different bedtimes. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions offers a fantastic “Global Explorers” program for kids, featuring activities such as making glacier sundaes and earning a Zodiac driver’s license.

Top Ports and Shore Excursions

Spotting brown bears on Baranof Island. Photo: Lindblad Expeditions/Ralph Lee Hopkins

Time off the ship
Expedition-style vessels are all-inclusive, so excursions such as hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac cruising come at no extra cost. On more traditional, port-based cruises such as those with Seabourn and Silversea, you can pay for guided shore excursions that range from fly fishing and hiking to helicopter tours and visits to wildlife rescue centers.

Can’t-miss port
Petersburg, on the northern tip of Mitkof Island, is a busy and scenic fishing village lined with all kinds of Alaskan ships, from large fishing trawlers to sailing boats. Many of its streets showcase the town’s distinctive native and Norwegian heritage. Taking a stroll is the best way to experience Petersburg’s wide range of public art, Tlingit Totem Park, and Norwegian heritage sites (including a Sons of Norway hall). Chances are, you’ll also see an abundance of bald eagles and ravens perched on the numerous port pilings.

Hop into an inflatable zodiac to get up-close with icebergs. Photo: Ashton Palmer

Many expedition ships that visit Petersburg will take passengers to LeConte Glacier, 25 miles east of town, for guided kayaking and Zodiac rides through a large sculptural iceberg garden. Harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and bald eagles frequent this area for feeding and solitude.

Port most worth the trek
Very few people have the chance to go spelunking at El Capitan Caves, the largest known cave in Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island. The 74-passenger Wilderness Explorer and the 76-passenger Wilderness Discoverer visit this gem on their Western Coves itineraries. Travelers are given hardhats with lights before entering the karst wonderland and, once inside, a history lesson on Southeast Alaska’s ice age.

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