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When people begin researching cruising Alaska, they instantly think of big cruise ships, or find these options first online. While at first the price may seem appealing, the true cost of a big ship cruise in Alaska is more than it seems. BUT there’s much more to consider—most importantly, the experience. Read on to see which Alaska cruise ship size will be best for the travel experience you seek.
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Small Ships in Alaska
Avg 40 Guests
Choose a small ship Alaska cruise if you want to be off the ship more than on it, and prioritize active wilderness exploration vs. port towns.
- Ship Size:Up to 240 feet long with up to 4 decks. 8 to 100 passengers.
- Cruise Fare: $600 to $800 average per day, with all shore excursions included in the rate. Even the lowest-priced cabins will have a porthole or window. Dining is included, with alcohol also included on some ships.
- Itinerary:Mostly round-trip from smaller port towns like Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka or Whittier. Itineraries that include Seattle take more than a week.
- Nights: Spent anchored in remote coves and bays.
- Onboard Style:Casual, open seating dining & lounges, often a single dining room. Onboard entertainment comes from guides who give lectures on Alaskan wildlife & culture.
- Views: Sea-level, kayak-level, Zodiac-level & on foot.
- Activities:Small ships are typically all inclusive, and common guided activities are hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, Zodiac cruising and even snorkeling. Multiple options are offered for different levels typically twice each day. Fewer organized activities on ship.
- Wildlife: Daily, spontaneous sightings are common due to the low-impact method of travel. You’ll be out in kayaks and skiffs instead of cruising in a large ship at fast speed. When aboard, the flexible schedule of a small ship allows the captain to linger if whales are nearby.
- Glacier Bay: Options for multiple days exploring this national park, with time off ship taking Zodiac rides, kayaking and hiking.
- Crew & Guides: Dedicated expedition guides and naturalists who organize all excursions, lead informative onboard lectures and even eat alongside you at meals.
- Kids: No dedicated camps or rec rooms, but lots of nature and family bonding exploring wilderness together. Over age 6 ideal.
- Transfers: Often personal pick-ups or small group transfers included.
Big Ships in Alaska
Avg 2,000 Guests
Choose a big ship in Alaska if you like the amenities and entertainment of a resort, and don’t mind being on the ship more than off it.
- Ship Size:Up to 1,000 feet long with up to 20 decks. 1,500 to 5,000 passengers.
- Cruise Fare: $200 to $400 average per day, with extra costs including port fees, excursions (from $50 single attractions to $500 for individual day tours), alcohol & specialty restaurant dining. Lowest rates have no window or porthole.
- Itinerary:Includes larger ports & more time on the ship. Docks in an Alaska port approx. three times in a one-week cruise. Expect embarkations in Seattle or Vancouver.
- Nights: Spent in transit or docked in larger port towns.
- Onboard Style:Resort-like with casinos, performances, spas, multiple restaurants. Like a floating city, so expect lines when disembarking at ports.
- Views: Elevated, think 15 stories up.
- Activities:Lots on board, but less on shore. Shore excursions are booked separately from your cabin and may fill up fast. Yet full days in port mean you can book more varied activities like zip lining and train or helicopter rides, or simply relax and shop more.
- Wildlife: Encounters are on planned excursions, often to places like raptor centers or bear preserves where sightings can be guaranteed. But you may be able to plan more niche interest excursions, like fishing. Whale sightings are from far away. Ship takes miles to stop if desired.
- Glacier Bay: Routes that include Glacier Bay do not include time off the ship there. The ship sails in and out on a fixed schedule.
- Crew & Guides: The ship’s crew is global, often with top-notch customer service. Expect concierge-type leaders & guest host lecturers vs. dedicated naturalists.
- Kids: Camps & kid-only zones provide endless onboard action and entertainment, and give parents their own time.
- Transfers: DIY, pay extra for transfers to and from the ship.
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Breaking Down the Big Ship vs Small Ship Cost in Alaska
Think about how you shop for a flight. With some airlines, by the time you add on the cost of choosing your seat and checked bags per person, you’re paying much more than advertised. The same is true for cruise pricing. Not all cabin rates are created equal, so there are a few tricks of what to look for. These include added dining fees, alcohol, port fees, fuel surcharges and, most costly, shore excursions.
An example is that a half-day kayaking tour will at the very least cost you $150 on a traditional Alaska cruise, but it’s just a part of the daily included activity options on most Alaska small ship cruises. Similarly, whale watching tours run $200 or $300 dollars, while it will likely happen in the flow of your week on a small ship due to the flexible itinerary.
Dining can be a big added cost as well. The all-inclusive nature of small ships keeps it simple. But on big ships, the whole experience is designed to get travelers to spend more while they’re aboard. Expect more long days at sea. While buffets are included, dining at specialty restaurants and formal nights all get you in the mood to upgrade your experience.
There is no doubt that small ship cruising costs more than big ship cruising, but the ease of having everything included in a simple single rate can be priceless, not to mention all the added experiences detailed above. We often have clients who’ve been to Alaska on a big ship who return later with us to see the “real Alaska.” So we always recommend picking the right Alaska cruise ship size for experience you seek the first time.
Where Do You Want to Be?
AdventureSmith Explorations founder Todd Smith tells this story from his time working as a naturalist guide on a Glacier Bay cruise in the 1990s.
“We used to kayak in front of Marjorie Glacier, and when a big ship would come barreling toward us, we could see hundreds of tiny humans up on the decks looking out toward us and the glacier from afar. They’d divert their eyes to us, then the glacier. I’d always tell my kayaking group that ‘Half the people up there think we are crazy. The other half want to be us.'”
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Small Alaskan Cruise LinesGlacier Bay Cruises
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Testimonials
Alaska Big Ships vs. Small Ships, Rated by Our Travelers
James K. - Atlanta, GA
"Would Never Have Seen on a Big Cruise Ship"
That was easily one of the best vacations I've ever had. Seeing wildlife was really cool. We enjoyed seeing Sawyer Glacier, Baird Glacier, hiking and many things we would never have seen on a big cruise ship.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Karen H. - Campbellford, Canada
"Exactly What We Hoped For, & More"
I'm really glad that Nick recommended the Catalyst. It was exactly what we hoped for - and more. On a small ship like Catalyst, the experience was very much like being welcomed into the home of our hosts.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Susan S. - St. John, FL
"The Perfect Boat Experience"
Sea Wolf was the perfect boat experience for us.Small, well maintained, comfortable.Excellent crew and lots of adventures and activities.First class chef and meals were divine.And it allowed us to see parts of Glacier Bay that big boats cannot access.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Heather E. - Tuscaloosa, AL
"This Truly Was the Trip of a Lifetime"
This truly was the trip of a lifetime. Captain Gavin took advantage of the small ship size to take us to places that the big ships can't see. We overnighted in a peaceful inlet, got within a quarter mile of a gorgeous glacier, visited Tlingit cultural sites, and more. The staff on the ship was cheerful and dedicated, and everything ran smoothly.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Ginger D. - Jerseyville, IL
"Trip Was Awesome"
The trip was awesome. When I started looking at cruises, I couldn't get the idea of the small boat and personal service out of my mind. It was well worth the extra money. So glad we didn't go on a big ship.
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
Rita W. - Morrison, IL
"Well Prepared"
This was the most organized, well-planned trip ever!! Every single detail, right down to clothes to bring, was superb. This trip fit our wishes of wilderness, wildlife, and adventure to a T!!
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Read More
James K. - Atlanta, GA
"Would Never Have Seen on a Big Cruise Ship"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
That was easily one of the best vacations I've ever had. Seeing wildlife was really cool. We enjoyed seeing Sawyer Glacier, Baird Glacier, hiking and many things we would never have seen on a big cruise ship. Snorkeling was a little disappointing, especially because we had to pay more for it. The visibility was not great and we really didn't see that much.
Accommodations Review
The rooms were really small but that was to be expected. The beds were comfortable and the rooms were clean.
Meals Review
The meals were excellent. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all included and we never left the table hungry.
Crew & Guides Review
Every crew member was professional, informative and fun. They were so knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions. They payed attention to what people wanted out of the trip. Bethany, Chris the bartender, Phil, Sarah and Paul took good care of us especially. Tucker who drove our skiff boat, the captain and the first mate were very informative as well.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Very informative. AdventureSmith helped us know what to expect and what we needed (and didn't need) to bring. Great trip and overall experience, I would recommend AdventureSmith to anyone looking for a vacation.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Wilderness Discoverer
Karen H. - Campbellford, Canada
"Exactly What We Hoped For, & More"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
On a small ship like Catalyst, the experience was very much like being welcomed into the home of our hosts - Paul, Sarah, Shane, and Michael. We had the good fortune to be able to dine with them at meals and join them in the pilot house or the kitchen. Captain Paul had an eagle eye for wildlife, and we changed course and often stopped the boat so that we could watch whales, dolphins, bears, moose, and a wolf.
We wanted to go on an Alaska cruise, and after doing someresearch, we knew that the big cruise ship experience wasn't for us. We areactive people, and we participate in outdoor activities, so we were looking forsomething that would allow us to paddle and hike. We knew that we would visitsome of the towns in Alaska, so we weren't really interested in cruises thattook a day or two visiting ports along the route. Adventure Smith's collectionof small ship cruised helped to put all of the options in one place, and afterspeaking with Nick, his suggestion of the Catalyst proved to be right on themark.
Accommodations Review
Cabin was small, but we knew this when we booked, and it worked well. Overall quality of the vessel was exceptional. We had enough space that we could choose to engage with others, or just sit quietly.
Meals Review
The food on Catalyst was exceptional. Fresh produce from a local farm, an herb garden in containers on the top deck of the boat, and berries picked on our hikes as a garnish for meals and deserts were just some of the features. Chef Michael was a real treat! Meals were healthy, imaginative, well portioned, and very tasty. The only thing I would have liked, as an early riser, is some type of self-serve breakfast (granola or a muffin) that I could eat when I got up, rather than having to wait for breakfast. Juice would also have been a welcome addition to breakfast.
Crew & Guides Review
We were glad to put ourselves in their hands and enjoy the experience. The crew had a really good sense of where we should go each day - keeping in mind tides, currents, and weather. Sarah, our naturalist, was knowledgeable, personable, and really keen for all of us to have an excellent experience.Captain Paul was also knowledgeable, personable, and eager to share his experiences with us, as well as answer any questions we had. Shane, the engineer, knew every inch of his boat. He was also a delight to have on shore or kayak expeditions.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Good selection of cruises, good advice, and the carbon-free cruising program. I got questions answered promptly and thoroughly.
I'm really glad that Nick recommended the Catalyst. It was exactly what we hoped for - and more. I don't think that I would have found this option without Nick's input. We also value AdventureSmith's carbon-free cruising program.
Traveler Advice
Come prepared to enjoy whatever you see and experience, and make sure you have lots of layers of clothing so that you can enjoy sitting outdoors during the cruise.
The only thing I wish I had known about before I booked was the tipping requirement. I know it's not supposed to be a "requirement", but it seems to be expected. Because we were at the top of our price range when we booked, the need to tip put us over budget. We aren't experienced cruisers (this was the first time we had ever been on a cruise) so it wasn't something we knew about.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Alaska's Eastern Passages
- Catalyst
Susan S. - St. John, FL
"The Perfect Boat Experience"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Sea Wolf was the perfect boat experience for us.Small, well maintained, comfortable.Excellent crew and lots of adventures and activities.First class chef and meals were divine.And it allowed us to see parts of Glacier Bay that big boats cannot access. Enjoyed all the other passengers.Fun to be with. I think this is a "must do" trip for anyone who can still be active and likes some adventure.Kayaking and hiking in and around glaciers, getting in & out of boats, kayaks, beaches...is not so easy.So guests should be aware of that.Although just being on the boat is pretty special. Always wanted to cruise in Glacier Bay and we always are looking for small, very special boats.
Accommodations Review
Highly recommend the Sea Wolf in every way.
Meals Review
First class dining.Looked forward to every meal.Lots of variety.
Crew & Guides Review
Monica was naturalist and we thoroughly enjoyed learning so much from her, but everyone on board was terrific.Captain-Hans, Mate-Beth, Chef-Sven, and Engineer-Jimmy.
Itinerary Review
[I most enjoyed] Kayaking into small inlets with giant glaciers.Watching bears along the shore.Hikes on glacial beaches. [I least enjoyed] oh no...Alaska is cold!
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Thanks to Leslie.Trip planning started in 2019...lots of problems (covid!!!!) but finally happened. We booked a Galapagos trip few years ago on a terrific small ship, The Grace. One reason I looked at using AdventureSmith again.
Traveler Advice
Just do it, while you can!Glaciers are receding fast and you are always getting older.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Sea Wolf Glacier Bay Adventure
- Sea Wolf
- Leslie Camacho
Heather E. - Tuscaloosa, AL
"This Truly Was the Trip of a Lifetime"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
Please note: The primary ship operating the mentioned itinerary can change from year to year, so the shipthis guestcruised on may no longer be sailing this exact route.
This truly was the trip of a lifetime. Captain Gavin took advantage of the small ship size to take us to places that the big ships can't see. We overnighted in a peaceful inlet, got within a quarter mile of a gorgeous glacier, visited Tlingit cultural sites, and more. The staff on the ship was cheerful and dedicated, and everything ran smoothly. The Tracy Arm, to see the Sawyer Glacier, was truly extraordinary. I also loved our visit to Kake, to visit with Tlingit tribe members. Because I was unable to kayak due to recent surgery, the Taku Harbor stop was not as fun for me as it was for others, but that is not Alaskan Dream's fault!
Alaskan Dream was a good choice for us because of their focus on Alaskan culture as well as outdoor adventure. I recently had surgery, and my mother is almost 80, so we would not have enjoyed a trip with a heavy focus on strenuous athletic activities.My mom is about to turn 80, and I turned 50 in April, so we were looking for a landmark adventure. We found it!
Accommodations Review
We stayed in a deluxe cabin aboard the Admiralty Dream. It was quite spacious for an onboard accommodation. The beds were VERY comfortable, with a plush yet supportive mattress and crazy-soft sheets. The bathroom was set up in a way that made showering easier than it has been on other, bigger ships. The ship's common spaces were very comfortable - a lounge with great windows for viewing passing sights and a dining room with plenty of space for the 54 of us.
Meals Review
The food was creative and delicious. There were certain back-up foods that were always on the menu (burgers at lunch, fish or chicken at dinner), but we almost always chose one of the specials of the day, which included (for lunch) halibut tostadas and venison chili and (for dinner) rack of lamb and cioppino. A heavy focus on local Alaskan products (salmon and halibut, spruce tips, elk) was very appropriate.
Crew & Guides Review
Captain Gavin ran the ship and was completely dedicated to giving us the best experience possible. Erin was our naturalist, and she was top-notch (she got her master's in environmental science at Duke's top-rated environmental school, so they definitely hired for killer qualifications). Erin gave short, info-packed presentations most evenings after dinner, which were well-conceived and presented. We were joined by Ranger Cindy at Glacier Bay, who is also a naturalist, so we received tons of valuable information from her too. Our Tlingit cultural guide, Mary, gave an exciting story of the Tlingit origin story of the Raven, as well as a lot of interesting information about Tlingit culture. She left the ship halfway through to go to the Celebration in Juneau (First-Nations dancing groups from all over the world), so then we were joined by Joe, who was also great. We were also joined by Tlingit Elder Alice at Glacier Bay, who told us of the special history of the Tlingit who lived in the valley before the glacier expanded in the 18th century.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Nick was tremendously helpful in our selecting which trip to go on, and then in handling all the lead-up organizing. We also received assistance from Justin when we needed to change our plans by a week and Nick was on a trip in Mexico.I handled all our transportation apart from booking the cruise, but AdventureSmith was very helpful booking us into the Admiralty Dream trip.
Traveler Advice
Follow the instructions about bringing warm and waterproof clothing! The ship provided us with waterproof jackets, pants, and boots, but they were not insulated, so our own layers were essential. It was often down in the 40s (F) in the morning and evening. And it rains off and on every day.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Admiralty Dream
- Alaskan Dream Cruises
Ginger D. - Jerseyville, IL
"Trip Was Awesome"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
The trip was awesome. [The experience we enjoyed the most was] the day we started seeing whales spouting in the distance and the captain stopped the boat for a few hours while we watched at least 2 dozen whales. One of the whales seemed to be putting a show on for us with dives and multiple tale waves over and over. This was a sunny day in Alaska, and they brought the happy hour out to the sundeck while we watched the whales.
Alaska has been somewhere we wanted to go for some time. When I started looking at cruises, I couldn't get the idea of the small boat and personal service out of my mind. It was well worth the extra money. So glad we didn't go on a big ship.
Accommodations Review
Our room was above the engine. We didn't let it bother us, but there was some noise. We chose the least expensive of cabins, so it is understandable. The accommodations are small in the cheaper cabins, but they cleaned them every day; we weren't in the rooms except to sleep. The vessel was awesome.
Meals Review
Nothing could be improved, the meals were awesome.
Crew & Guides Review
The enthusiasm, knowledge, and professionalism of the guides were all top notch.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Wilderness Explorer
Rita W. - Morrison, IL
"Well Prepared"
Overall
5/5
Accommodations
5/5
Meals
5/5
This was the most organized, well-planned trip ever!! Every single detail, right down to clothes to bring, was superb. When we arrived at Denali, the North Face Lodge folks knew who we were and where we were going to stay with our room assignment.
We most enjoyed the lodge's sense of community. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful, even on the hikes. The hikes were tremendous! UnCruise was exceptional! They slowed down, pulled over, and even stopped the engines to get as close to wildlife as possible. The weather was so good that we went into harbors and inlets they hadn't gotten to go to all summer.
Anchorage was beautiful and we enjoyed our extra day there, biking the trail and going to the museum. We had great companions on each trip, but there were many Australians having the best time of their lives on the cruise. They really know how to party!! Juneau is very much a tourist trap but we still enjoyed fighting the big ship people and looking around. We also liked Mendenhall Glacier and getting close to the waterfalls there.
We did not want a vacation of just sitting around watching the world go by (although there is a time for that as well!) but rather we wanted to be active to the extent that we could. At Denali and on the cruise we could choose what activity fit our level, and it turned out perfect. This trip fit our wishes of wilderness, wildlife, and adventure to a T!!
Accommodations Review
Superb! Top-notch cleaning of our rooms.
Meals Review
Every meal at North Face was outstanding! Much of it was grown on-site and was fixed and presented beautifully. They even picked wild blueberries and made blueberry tarts!!
The cruise meals were good as well, but you can't get that fresh quality on a boat like you can on land. They were very timely served and hot things were hot and cold things were cold. I was full every day!
Crew & Guides Review
I cannot remember our moderate hike guides' names at North Face Lodge, but both were excellent and very knowledgeable! John made a most superb leader, along with Andi, and were gentle with their bell before announcements.
Katie, Dani, Sarah, really all the crew on board the Wilderness Adventurer were beyond great. They were also knowledgeable and helpful. They were highly trained and had kind, fun-loving spirits.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Most excellent! We were well prepared for this trip, right down to the rubber boots, which we really didn't need on the boat because they had plenty of all sizes. But our boots came in handy for the rest of the trip.Shuttles, buses, flights, trains, really every mode of transportation was on time and had friendly drivers.
I can't thank you enough for the best vacation I have ever had. When I had questions, you either called me or emailed me in a timely manner, which alleviated any concerns I had.
I know at least three people who want to "pick my brain" about this trip, and you will be highly recommended.
Traveler Advice
Go for it! Its worth every penny, and you won't regret it.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise with 2 Days in Glacier Bay
- Camp Denali Adventure
- Wilderness Adventurer
