5 Best Cruises That Visit Glacier Bay, Alaska in 2026

Glacier Bay National Park is a must-see when cruising in Alaska. We’ve done the research and found the best cruises that visit Glacier Bay – curated by a former cruise ship crew member and Alaskan cruise expert having sailed on over 50 cruises to Alaska.

Best Cruises to Glacier Bay 2026

These are the best of the best for cruising to Glacier Bay. For this we are only looking at conventional cruise lines. If you are looking for a really exploratory cruise, I would check out some of the expedition/small ship lines that visit Glacier Bay such as Uncruise Adventures, Lindblad (National Geographic), and American Cruise Lines.

Here we go, the best cruises to Glacier Bay:

1️⃣ Top Pick:
14 Night Great Alaskan Explorer on Holland America Line
➡️ May 2026 on Noordam from $2,099

Holland America has been exploring Alaska for 75+ years and really have it down. They have 6 ships sailing in Alaska in the summer of 2026 (over half of their fleet) and all will be visiting Glacier Bay.

Holland America also offers a glacier guarantee on all of their Alaskan cruises. Meaning you’ll see a glacier or they’ll give you money towards a future cruise.

What makes this itinerary stand out over all the rest is the extended Alaskan exploration. This roundtrip option out of Vancouver goes north to Anchorage, Kodiak, and Valdez. I love a 2 week itinerary because it gives you so much more time to explore and you really get more of a feel for the wilderness of Alaska in some of the small towns. Absolute top choice.

Ports of call include: Anchorage, Kodiak, Valdez, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Prince Rupert (B.C.), Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Wrangell

2️⃣ Next Best:
11 Day Inside Passage on Princess Cruises
May 2026 on Emerald Princess from $1,347

This option visits both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, plus it’s roundtrip! Love the in-between length of this itinerary – not a full 2 weeks but also not as short as a week.

Princess Cruises is often ranked among best of the best in Alaska and this itinerary showcases why.

You’ll really be able to see the contrast between Marjorie Glacier in Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. Both spectacular experiences but very different.

It is worth noting even though this is a Vancouver departure you won’t experience extensive Inside Passage cruising. For more info on that check out my Alaska Cruise Tips post.

Other ports include: Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan

3️⃣ Southbound Glacier Discovery Cruise
Princess Cruises Island Princess
7 night Whittier to Vancouver, June 2026

This cruise features both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay in a one week itinerary for the ultimate glacier adventure! Plus, you can add on before to explore Denali National Park.

4️⃣ Roundtrip Seattle
Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Joy
10 night, roundtrip Seattle

This itinerary is an extended version of a classic – with 10 nights giving you just a bit more time including 5 Alaskan ports – Ketchikan, Icy Straight Point, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, plus Glacier Bay and Victoria – this once per season itinerary is worth a second look.

5️⃣ Luxury 10 Night
Viking Cruises Viking Orion,
10 night Vancouver to Seward, September 2026

10 days for a northbound itinerary? Yes, please! This itinerary gives you a bit more time to explore as you make your way north. This includes personal favorite Sitka (great for sea otter tours!) as well as Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Straight Point and Valdez.

✅ Check current pricing and availability for all Glacier Bay cruises by clicking here

Why Glacier Bay is a must see on a cruise to Alaska?

In Alaska there are lots of great glacier viewing opportunities, namely Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, and College Fjord and among my previous colleagues I can find crew members that will say that each option is there favorite for different reasons.

Glacier Bay is my favorite amongst them but honestly you can’t go wrong with any of them. Hubbard Glacier is a more impressive glacier than Marjorie Glacier in Glacier Bay. And, College Fjord is beautiful but not necessarily the most impressive glaciers.

But, it’s important to remember that every cruise contract a cruise line reserves the right to change itinerary of a cruise. Sometimes this happens before the cruise sails but sometimes it will happen while you are onboard.

While I have never been on a cruise going to Glacier Bay that missed visiting Glacier Bay (and I worked for a cruise line and have visited Glacier Bay about 50 times), picking a cruise specifically for one port is never a good decision.

Is Glacier Bay a must see on a cruise? It’s wonderful and planning a cruise that is scheduled to go there is 100% worth it. Just remember that any cruise schedule is subject to change.

Conclusion: What’s the best cruise to Glacier Bay?

The best cruise is one that gives you the best chance to see all of Alaska’s glory. You can’t go wrong with any of these top picks sailing to this incredible National Park in the Last Frontier.

For more info on cruising in Alaska check out the Alaskan cruise section of our website.

✅ Check current pricing and availability for Glacier Bay cruises by clicking here