Alaska Cruise Guide
Glacier Bay & Scenic Alaska
Glacier Bay permits, scenic-day cruising, and the Inside Passage vs Gulf of Alaska decision — which ships get in, why some never will, and how to follow them when they go dark.
Guides & explainers
- The Cruise Ships That Can (and Can't) Enter Glacier Bay
Only ~150 cruise ship entries per season, max 2 ships a day, $8.28 per passenger. Inside Glacier Bay's concession contract — and why most cruise lines can't enter at all.
- How We Track Cruise Ships: AIS, Itineraries, and Why Glacier Bay Goes Dark
Cruise ships broadcast their position via AIS — but coverage isn't perfect. Here's how CruiseMigration combines AIS, scheduled itineraries, and crew-of-port reports to build the live map.
- Inside Passage vs Gulf of Alaska: Which Cruise Route Should You Take?
Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska are the two main Alaska cruise routes. Inside Passage is calmer and shorter; Gulf of Alaska adds Hubbard Glacier and routes you to Anchorage. Here's how to choose.
Ports in this guide
Upcoming sailings
- Grand Princess — AlaskaAug 3, 2026
- ms Eurodam — AlaskaAug 3, 2026
- Seven Seas Explorer — AlaskaAug 3, 2026
- ms Nieuw Amsterdam — AlaskaAug 4, 2026
- National Geographic Quest — AlaskaAug 4, 2026
- Norwegian Jade — AlaskaAug 4, 2026
- Queen Elizabeth — AlaskaAug 4, 2026
- Silver Moon — AlaskaAug 4, 2026