Surrender to the serenity of the Last Frontier, where mountains ring the sea and misty fjords abound. Cruise this pristine wilderness where gold prospectors once sought their fortune and current-day voyagers experience the spirit of the Wild West.

Small Ship Luxury Cruises helps to pair you with the perfect small ship or river cruise destination. With our extensive knowledge and experience traveling around the globe, we categorize the best in cruises by season as well as popularity. While we may recommend peak travel opportunities, our team can accommodate any request to travel abroad year-round.

Alaska

Luxury Alaska Small Ship Cruises

From the vast wilderness of Denali National Park to the salmon-rich waters of Prince William Sound, this is your chance to see caribou, whales, and other wildlife in their natural habitat, and experience the rich Tlingit heritage that has shaped this frontier of America for centuries.

Recommended Luxury Alaska Small Ships

We have hand-selected only the finest Alaskan vessels with the highest standards of personalized service as the basis for crafting your custom-designed Alaska experience.

Bespoke Luxury Alaskan Vacation

Bucket-list adventures in Alaska

From the moment you set eyes on Denali National Park, you’ll be in awe of its wild, natural beauty. Denali National Park is home to the “big five” animals: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears. With countless bucket-list adventures to choose from, Alaska’s Denali National Park is a nature lover’s paradise, whether hiking, biking, camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, rafting, or just enjoying the scenery.

See Alaska’s biggest predators in their natural habitat as you watch brown bears fish for nutrient rich-salmon at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. This is a bucket list adventure for nature lovers and animal enthusiasts alike – an opportunity to witness one of the most spectacular wildlife spectacles on earth! With the help of expert guides, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures in their remote home territory.

Witnessing humpback, gray and orca whales in their natural habitat is an experience that will be etched in your memory forever. On a Glacier Bay cruise, you’ll have the chance to see these majestic creatures up close as they swim and play in the icy waters. With the stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains, it’s an unforgettable adventure you won’t want to miss.

With its abundance of grizzlies and black bears, Tongass National Forest is a must for any wildlife enthusiast looking for an Alaska bucket list adventure. The forest offers an incomparable opportunity to see these powerful animals in their natural habitat. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in most parts of the forest, so you’ll have to hike or paddle to get close to the bears—which only adds to the thrill of the experience.

Witness the natural phenomenon of the Aurora borealis while exploring the wilderness of Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska, is frequently recognized as the greatest spot in the United States to view the Northern Lights. The ethereal light show is a bucket-list experience that is best viewed in a remote area with few distractions. With dark skies and unparalleled scenery, Alaska is one of the best places to see this otherworldly display.

Best times to visit Alaska

The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer, from May to September. The weather is milder and there are more hours of daylight, making it a great time for sightseeing and outdoor activities. But if you’re looking for prime Northern Lights viewing, autumn is the best time to go.

The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer months. The weather is warm and the days are long, providing plenty of time to explore all that this majestic state has to offer. There are also several advantages to visiting during the summer. For example, the tourist season is in full swing, so there are plenty of activities and attractions to enjoy. Wildlife viewing is also at its peak, as bears, moose, and other animals are more active during this time of year.

Alaska’s autumn lasts six to eight weeks, as the hillsides change to gold, orange, and red. Autumn in Alaska is beautiful and crisp, with fewer insects, lower rates, and more northern lights. Mosquitoes, gnats, bees, and wasps disturb nature lovers as temperatures drop. Alaska has huge and plentiful mosquitoes, so many people prefer camping and hiking without them. Many businesses offer discounts during spring and fall, which are slower seasons. As days shorten, the midnight sun fades and the nights get dark enough to see stars and the aurora borealis.

Why cruise Alaska with Small Ship Luxury Cruises?

We get to know you on a personal level so that we can accommodate your preferences, needs, and expectations before we begin planning your ideal Alaskan experience.

We work with only the finest Alaskan ships with the highest levels of personalized service. From there, we listen to what you desire and use our insider knowledge to make the best fit for you and your guests.

Our experienced travel concierges plan your Alaskan adventure from beginning to end, eliminating the time investment and stress so often associated with planning a vacation to a destination as complicated as Alaska.

Just tell our Alaskan concierges about your dream trip to Alaska and they will assist you with planning every detail of the process.

While Small Ship Luxury Cruises helps you discover the best cruise destinations, our team of travel concierges can coordinate a completely customized itinerary to the Galapagos to accommodate any request. If you don’t see a particular destination or activity highlighted on our website, don’t worry! We would be happy to work with you in curating your one-of-a-kind travel experience.

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