Cruising to Alaska is an experience on many people’s travel bucket lists. Add sailing out of San Francisco, one of the most beautiful ports on the West Coast, and you’re set for a one-of-a-kind vacation.
One of the biggest highlights before travelers even get to Alaska is getting to sail under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Regardless, cruises from San Francisco to Alaska offer travelers a bit more ease than other departure ports like Vancouver; doing so can “alleviate much of the logistics that can make the beginning or end of your cruise hectic” such as to international travel requirements, says Eric Goldring, owner of Goldring Travel, a member of Ensemble Travel Group.
How to get the best price on a cruise from San Francisco to Alaska
Booking a cruise to Alaska should be done as early as possible to get the best deal. Booking early means that travelers have a better chance of snagging a stateroom that works for them and their budget.
“While some think it is best to book close in, you may wind up with choices that aren’t the best for you or even be closed out of a sailing you really want,” says Goldring.
Ketchikan is a popular destination for Alaska cruises from San Francisco.
Artie Photography (Artie Ng)/Getty ImagesWhen it comes to finding a deal, Goldring has a word of advice for travelers: “It is far better to book your cruise with a travel agency that has an excellent reputation for prompt, accurate service over saving a few dollars up front,” he says. “There are a number of travel agencies that will sell you a Princess or Carnival cruise with either a steep discount or generous onboard credits, but when it comes to servicing you for things like airfare, pre-cruise hotels, tours — which can make or break an Alaska experience — or, most importantly, when issues arise, those ‘deals’ can ultimately become very expensive.”
For cruisers who want to work with a travel agent, Goldring suggests Ross Spalding from Crown Cruise Vacations, or Chris Chrystal from Travel Edge; both are very knowledgeable about different cruise lines and give clients great guest service from the first call until they disembark the ship.
When is the best time to sail from San Francisco to Alaska?
Both Princess and Carnival cruise lines set sail from San Francisco to Alaska. Princess Cruise Line has a longer season, from May through September. Both cruise lines offer either 10- or 11-day sailings.
Before picking a date to sail, there is some weather and seasonality to be aware of. “Cruises in the spring and fall tend to have more issues with rainy or cooler weather, but the crowds are lower and the ‘real’ Alaska shines through. The peak summer season, [which is] July and August, tends to be more crowded and have more children as they are out of school, but the warmer, dryer weather is a plus,” Goldring says.
In this July 30, 2014, photo is Margerie Glacier, one of many glaciers that make up Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park.
Kathy Matheson/Associated PressGetting to the Last Frontier does take two sailing days from San Francisco, but this time is nice for exploring the ship, getting to know fellow passengers, and relaxing before going on excursions and doing activities in Alaska. The final two days are also at sea, which is a good way to get some rest and relaxation after exploring what Alaska has to offer.
While on a cruise to Alaska, guests can expect to have some entertainment and lectures that are grounded in the beauty and wildlife of Alaska. Both Princess and Carnival have a naturalist on board who can share information about wildlife and help guests spot animals from the shop. “On certain cruises, special guests such as members of the television show Deadliest Catch or The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show come onboard for presentations,” says Goldring. He also mentions that the menus in the main dining room feature regional dishes and ingredients like crab, venison and salmon.
Best cruise deals from San Francisco to Alaska
Princess Cruise Line
Princess Cruise Line has the longer Alaska cruise season, with cruises varying in length from 10 to 11 days. A few of our favorites for 2023 are below.
10-Day Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park)
Spend 10 days sailing to and around Alaska with this cruise aboard the Ruby Princess. This sailing is of particular interest to many travelers since it has a scenic cruising day around Glacier Bay National Park, where guests can see glaciers calving, whales breaching, and so much more. The cruise also goes to popular ports like Ketchikan and Skagway. Interior rooms start at $847 per person, while balcony rooms are $1,597 per person.
10-Day Inside Passage (Roundtrip San Francisco)
Another 10-day option is this sailing which goes to four ports and has one day of scenic cruising around the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. There is also a day in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, which is a great way to mark off Canada from your bucket list. With interior rooms starting at $847 per person, the sailing is great for those on a budget. Book a balcony room for a little extra space starting at $1,397.
11-Day Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park)
This 11-day cruise from San Francisco to Alaska is filled with exciting opportunities like sailing the Inside Passage filled with glaciers, fjords and wildlife. With four port days, including one in Victoria, Canada, and a day of scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park, there’s no end to the amazing views and experiences that can be had. Rooms on this sailing start at $1,297 for an interior stateroom, and $1,997 for a balcony stateroom.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival’s 10-day sailings to Alaska visit some of the most popular ports in the state, where travelers can see wildlife and glaciers before they even step off of the ship.
10-Night Alaska from San Francisco
After boarding the Carnival Miracle in San Francisco, guests will set sail for the beautiful Alaska towns of Juneau, Skagway as well as Icy Strait Point and a day of scenic sailing around Tracy Arm Fjord. There is a final port day in Prince Rupert, where whales and bears are easy to spot. The sailing is a deal, starting at $809 per person for an interior stateroom, while a balcony starts at $1,609 per guest.
10-Night Alaska from San Francisco
Those who are looking for a sailing that includes traversing through the Endicott Arm will want to book this sailing to Alaska on the Carnival Miracle. While going through the fjord, guests have the opportunity to leave the cruise ship for a smaller boat that will take them up close to a glacier. Other ports of call include Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and Prince Rupert. Staterooms start at $939 per person for an interior room, while balcony rooms start at $1,799 per person.
For more cruise tips, check out our coverage below:
— 13 cruises you can book from San Francisco in 2023
— Why you should take a luxury cruise — and the deals to grab now
— How to score the best 2023 cruise deal out of San Francisco
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