The Best Alaska Cruises of 2026: Our Top Picks After 7 Trips
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
After seven Alaska cruises, we know exactly what separates an unforgettable trip from a disastrous one.
Star Princess shines bright in 2026.
We actually got to sail on Norwegian Encore in 2023, and it was one of our favorite Alaska cruises.
However, one place Norwegian Cruise Line falls short for us is the onboard enrichment when compared to some other cruise lines and cruise ships on this list.
Creator's Tips & Advice
🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
Planning an Alaska cruise in 2026? After 7 Alaska cruises, we're breaking down the best Alaska cruises of 2026 — the top ships, the best itineraries, and the one ship you should absolutely avoid. 💲Save BIG with MEI-Travel cruise deals: https://bookmeicruise.com/?apid=escy 🌎Save Up to 40% On Shore Excursions: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1603014 We cover the best Alaska cruise ships across every major cruise line — from @RoyalCaribbean , @princesscruises , @HollandAmericaLine , @celebritycruises and even @msccruisesusa and @VirginVoyages Whether you're sailing round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver, or looking for a one-way Voyage of the Glaciers adventure, this guide has everything you need to make the right call before you book Subscribe to the Eat Sleep Cruise YouTube Channel if you love to travel and cruise the world! https://www.youtube.com/@Eatsleepcruise1 🛳️ FREE CRUISE PLANNING GUIDE: https://eatsleepcruise.com/cruise-planning-guide Not all Alaska cruises are created equal, and choosing the right ship and itinerary can make or break your trip. We break down the differences between roundtrip Alaska cruises from Seattle vs. Vancouver, and one-way itineraries like the iconic Voyage of the Glaciers. We also explain your glacier viewing options — Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Endicott Arm — so you know exactly what you're booking before you commit. Cruise line matchups are covered too. Princess Cruises leads the region with eight ships including the brand-new Star Princess, while Holland America Line brings decades of Alaska expertise with six ships and shore excursion packages tied to their own Denali lodges. Norwegian Cruise Line offers three Breakaway Plus ships with go-karts, Glacier Bay access, and Free at Sea dining perks. Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships bring the North Star observation capsule and SeaPlex for family-friendly fun. Celebrity Cruises delivers a more upscale atmosphere with fresh-from-dry-dock ships like Celebrity Solstice. And for Disney fans — yes, Disney in Alaska is absolutely worth it, with Disney Magic making its Alaska debut alongside returning favorite Disney Wonder. We also dig into what makes the best Alaska cruise itinerary: the right ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Icy Strait Point), the best glacier experiences, and how cruisetours to Denali can elevate your trip beyond the ship. If you're comparing an Alaska cruise vs. a cruisetour, we've got you covered. Whether you're a first-time Alaska cruiser or a seasoned traveler looking for the newest and best options in 2026, this video gives you the insider knowledge to book with confidence and stay one step ahead of everyone else onboard. The Best Alaska Cruises in 2026 0:00 Our Expert Picks for Best Alaska Cruises 2026 0:25 The Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle 0:35 Star Princess 2:25 Norwegian Encore 4:20 Celebrity Edge 5:55 Anthem of the Seas 7:30 MSC Poesia 9:00 Carnival Spirit & Carnival Miracle 11:00 Best Alaska Cruise Ships Sailing Roundtrip from Vancouver 11:05 Holland America Koningsdam 12:40 Celebrity Solstice 14:15 Disney Wonder & Disney Magic 16:00 Best One Way Alaska Cruises 2026 16:10 Ovation of the Seas 17:45 Discovery Princess 19:15 Holland America New Amsterdam 20:40 Windstar Cruises' Star Seeker 22:10 Brilliant Lady Debuts in Alaska AlaskaCruise #BestAlaskaCruises #AlaskaCruise2026 #CruiseAlaska #AlaskaTravel #CruiseTips #RoyalCaribbean #PrincessCruises #HollandAmerica #NorwegianCruiseLine #CelebrityCruises #DisneyCruise #AlaskaItinerary #VoyageOfTheGlaciers #GlacierBay #CruiseReview #EatSleepCruise #CruisePlanning #AlaskaVacation #BestCruise2026 ----TRENDING VIDEOS FROM EAT SLEEP CRUISE------ Alaska Cruise Tips & Tricks: https://youtu.be/hbU3iTxW5Jw Why Cruising Doesn't Feel The Same: https://youtu.be/dv59PuNlsGA We Took an Alaska Cruise Tour: https://youtu.be/bebhh2ZdE4E What It’s Really Like on Princess Alaska Cruise: https://youtu.be/rG7tsivcZjU Join us on Social Media as we “Sea the World, One Port at a Time.” Instagram: https://instagram.com/EatSleepCruise Facebook: https://facebook.com/EatSleepCruise Twitter: https://twitter.com/EatSleepCruise TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatsleepcruise Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/EatSleepCruise Question – Which Alaska Cruise are you choosing in 2026? Affiliate link: Some links above may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored. Some links may be affiliate links. After seven Alaska cruises, we've gathered the ultimate "cruise tips" to ensure your "alaskan cruise" is nothing short of amazing. This video helps you pick the "best cruise lines" and ships for your journey, including insights on "princess cruises" and even "alaska cruise royal caribbean" options. Get ready for an unforgettable "cruise travel" experience and a smooth "cruise vacation"!