Alaska Cruise Guide for Solo Travelers 2025
Alaska is one of the most popular destinations for taking a cruise. That’s not a surprise given that the route sails through the Inside Passage, weaving through spectacular scenery that’s rich with marine wildlife.
Throughout the cruise, the ship stops at a few Alaska port cities, providing you with the opportunity to explore the area and partake in local excursions.
While cruises are attractive amongst families and couples, there are plenty of solo travelers that enjoy going on a cruise alone. If you’re wondering what it’s like to go on an Alaska cruise by yourself, keep reading below to find out!
What to Do on Sea Days: Onboard Activities for Solo Travelers
A good portion of your journey will be spent on the ship as it sails to the various destinations. Often referred to as “Sea Days”, many cruise itineraries will have select days where the ship is not scheduled to stop at a port, as it will be sailing for the entire day. If you’re traveling by yourself, there’s a wide array of activities and amenities to experience.
Activities in a Group Setting
With a variety of daily activities offered by the cruise line, solo travelers will have the opportunity to meet new people. Many of these activities take place in a group environment, including: arts and crafts, trivia and party games, fitness classes, and dance classes. Other opportunities to connect with fellow travelers include visiting the bar or nightclub in the evening, as well as organized day tours at the ports of call.
Activities to Enjoy Alone
Alternatively, there are a multitude of activities for solo cruisers interested in solitude and relaxation. There’s public areas on the ship where you can have a seat and admire the view. You can enjoy a coffee or read a book in one of these spots. Perhaps you would prefer to lay out on the deck in a sun chair with a beverage. Serene massages or body wraps can be booked at the spa. You can also enjoy a peaceful session of afternoon tea.
When determining the best Alaska cruise for solo travelers, considerations include the onboard activities, ship amenities, dining arrangements, and room types.
Alaska Ports of Call: Popular Stops and What to Do on Land
Each cruise voyage will have a different itinerary listing the ports of call, which are the cities or communities that the ship will dock at. The schedule will often show the time and date that the ship will be docked at the various ports of call. Based on this schedule, guests can plan in advance the activities they would like to do when they get off the ship.
For each port, there’s usually an array of excursions that can be easily booked through the cruise line. These excursions are arranged by the cruise line. Alternatively, you can venture out into the city by yourself, or book a tour independently with a third-party company.
The major cruise lines offer a selection of itineraries, with the most common ports of call being Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.
Juneau
The capital of Alaska, this city will likely be on your itinerary. The top attraction in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier. A 20-minute drive from downtown, the easiest way to get there are through tours that transport travelers to and from the glacier, with some time in between to explore. At Mendenhall Glacier, there are many vantage points and trails where you can get a good look at the blue river of ice stretching 13.6 miles.
A fantastic solo activity in Juneau is the Goldbelt Tram. Conveniently located in downtown Juneau, ride the tram over 35,000 feet up Mount Roberts. At the top, take your time admiring the wonderful view, enjoy a meal at the restaurant, do a little shopping, or take a guided tour on the trails.
Another excellent activity to do by yourself is to simply wander around downtown Juneau. There are plenty of shops to browse, as well as opportunities to capture views of the surrounding mountains.
Ketchikan
In Ketchikan there’s a multitude of interesting excursions for single travelers to choose from, such as: a visit to the Totem Bight State Historical Park, catch a performance of the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, enjoy a nature walk at the Rainforest Sanctuary, or hop onboard a fishing boat for the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s tour.
This port of call is located in downtown Ketchikan, which is very suitable for wandering around on foot. A short walk from the port is Creek Street, a historic area with a wooden stilted boardwalk. Set along a creek, it’s a quaint shopping area that’s excellent for a quick stroll.
Skagway
Skagway is a small town that’s home to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Just a few minutes from the main cruise port, this area consists of a six-block historic district filled with buildings preserved from the Gold Rush era. A stroll around this area reveals a glimpse into the past and is a great activity for those traveling alone.
Don’t miss the popular White Pass Scenic Railway, which is the highlight on a visit to Skagway. Embark on a scenic 40-mile round-trip journey to the White Pass Summit. Admire the breathtaking scenery of mountains, waterfalls, and gorges as you ride on a restored rail car built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush.
Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier & Dawes Glacier
Rather than being actual stops where you disembark the ship, Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, and Dawes Glacier are part of the scenic cruising experience. If either of these are on your itinerary, the cruise ship will typically sail towards the glaciers, showcasing the magnificent view and sheer magnitude of the crystal blue body of ice.
Glacier Bay contains many different glaciers spread out amongst a beautiful backdrop, and is usually a half-day-long viewing experience. With a limit of two cruise ships allowed into Glacier Bay each day, it is not offered on many cruise itineraries.
Meanwhile, Hubbard Glacier is a single glacier, but it’s a massive size as the largest tidewater glacier in North America. There’s also more cruise itineraries that include a visit to the Hubbard Glacier, compared to Glacier Bay.
Another scenic experience commonly offered on an Alaska cruise itinerary is a sailing through the lovely Endicott Arm Fjord, followed by a glimpse of the spectacular Dawes Glacier.
What Room Type Should Solo Travelers Book for an Alaska Cruise?
Rooms on a cruise ship are called cabins or staterooms. When deciding to go on an Alaska cruise alone, there’s a few cabin types to think about. This is a relatively important consideration for many people as there can be a substantial price difference between the various cabins. While each cruise line has their own selection of cabins, common types include: interior, ocean-view, balcony, and suites.
Unlike many other routes that sail predominantly in the open ocean, a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska typically sails through the Inside Passage, a sheltered coastal route which is filled with wonderful scenery and wildlife.
For this reason, many travelers opt for a cabin with a balcony for an Alaska cruise, as it gives the best opportunity to see the scenery right from your room. One of the reasons I chose a balcony room is because I planned to spend quite a bit of time in the room just relaxing and admiring the view. While I didn’t get to sit out on the balcony much due to the cooler weather, the large balcony door still provides a spectacular view from the inside of the cabin.
Alternatively, an ocean-view room still provides the opportunity for a view as well as natural daylight through either a rectangular or circular window.
Otherwise, if you don’t plan to spend a lot of time in the room, and would rather experience the activities and amenities around the ship, an interior cabin (which has no windows) would be a more economical choice.
Where to Start an Alaska Cruise: Vancouver vs. Seattle
There are a few embarkation ports for a cruise to Alaska, with the most common one being in Vancouver, Canada. The cruise ship terminal (Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal) is conveniently located downtown by the waterfront.
The other common embarkation port is in Seattle, which has two different terminals. One of them is located downtown, and the other is located just north of the downtown core. Keep an eye out for solo Alaska cruise deals, as that might influence which port you choose to sail out of.
- Flight Prices
There are many considerations for deciding which cruise port to sail out of. As you will likely be flying into the city, flight prices are one consideration, as it might cost less for flights to Seattle. Convenience can be a factor as well, such as which city has direct flights from your departing city.
2. Sailing Journey
Cruises out of Vancouver may offer a more scenic experience, as they immediately sail into the south Inside Passage route with calm waters and wonderful views. Meanwhile, the cruises departing from Seattle often sail in the rougher waters of the Pacific Ocean before connecting to the Inside Passage route north of Vancouver Island.
3. Round-Trip Cruise vs. One-Way Cruise
Another consideration is whether you want to take a round-trip cruise or on a one-way cruise. Round-trip cruises depart from both Vancouver and Seattle. Meanwhile, one-way cruises (either northbound or southbound) are only offered at the Vancouver port. I chose a round-trip cruise as I appreciate the convenience of being dropped off exactly where I started, however some travelers may prefer the adventure of a one-way cruise.
4. Cruise Itinerary
Each cruise itinerary shows a list of the ports of call it is scheduled to dock at, as well as the allotted time for each stop. The length of the cruise, as well as the scheduled ports of call differ between each voyage. Compare the various itineraries for cruises departing from Vancouver and Seattle to see which city has the itinerary that appeals the most to you. There’s many options that are suitable for those interested in Alaska cruises for singles.
5. Exploring Vancouver or Seattle
Lastly, think about which city you might like to explore. If you’re planning to take an Alaska cruise from Vancouver or Seattle, try to give yourself some time to enjoy the city either beforehand or after the cruise ends.
Both cities have a lot to offer. Vancouver is an amazing city for solo travelers with nature, urban trails, diverse eateries, and scenic beaches. Perhaps there’s activities that you would like to do, such as an epic bike ride along the seawall at Stanley Park, or a thrilling walk across the enchanting Capilano Suspension Bridge.
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