Western Coves cruise, Alaska
Keeping on the Icy Strait
The Western Coves route is much more off the beaten path than the Eastern Coves. Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is the embarkation point before heading west and north, into some of the most stunning Alaskan straits. The first one that you cross on this route is the aptly named Icy Strait, with plenty of time to wrap up, sit out on deck and breathe in this northern nirvana. Enveloped by spruce forests and rocky shores; with seals basking in the summer sun; there are lots of paddling or rambling adventures to be had too.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park
This is popular with vast cruise liners as it isn’t too far from Juneau and is pretty accessible. However, go on a small ship cruise that can access the many different straits and narrows within this glacial landscape, and spend a few days here. Welcome to thousands of square kilometres of pure glacial gorgeousness, overlooked by the Fairweather Mountains. Every day takes you into another stunning landscape with each one offering a special treat, such as the Taylor Bay sea stacks, bears foraging on the shores of Dundas Bay, orange-beaked tufted puffins on Marble Island, the sound of Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers calving, or the sound of wolves at night. And then, equally as eerie, the sound of nothing at all.
Haines
Our ‘Favorite’ Finale – Haines
This cruise up the Favorite Channel has to be one of the finest finales to an Alaskan holiday, your skipper guiding you up to the idyllic town of Haines. Passing through the natural gems of Sullivan Island and Chilkat Island Marine State Parks, you arrive at this quaint, Alaskan town which is poised perfectly under snowcapped peaks. Just to give you a rough idea of how magnificent this town is in terms of mountains, it is overlooked by the Takinsha Mountains, the Chilkat Range to the south, Takshanuk Mountains to the north and the Coast Mountains to the east. With this elevation come hiking and mountain biking trails, river rafting and waterfall hunting. So, if you need to get your land legs back, this is the place to do it. Haines is also bursting with history and Tlingit cultural heritage. From gold rush to trading posts, a lot of people have passed through Haines. Today it is one of those places you may not want to leave. But Juneau is calling.
Our Alaska cruising Holidays
Inner Reaches Eastern Coves cruise in Alaska
Awe-inspiring glaciers, wildlife, and rainforests in Alaska
From
£4095 to £5735
8 days
ex flights
Inside Passage, Seattle to Juneau cruise, Alaska
The classic Inside Passage cruise from Seattle to Juneau
From
£5736 to £7919
13 days
ex flights
Inner Reaches Western Coves cruise in Alaska
Some of southern Alaska's iconic destinations by small ship
From
£3479 to £4585
8 days
ex flights
Alaska winter sports and Northern Lights cruise
An unusual early spring wildlife and winter sports cruise
From
£5000
8 days
ex flights
Alaska's Islands cruise, whales & glaciers
Wild Alaska on one of the world's smallest cruise ships
From
£3453
6 days
ex flights
Alaska Glacier Bay small ship cruise
Get close up to Alaska where the big ships can't go
From
£2769 to £2911
8 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Alaska cruising or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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More about Alaska cruising
This Alaska cruising holidays travel guide takes you on a journey around the archipelagos, coves, glaciers down the Pacific Coast of Alaska.
Our Alaska cruising map and highlights is packed with archipelagos, whales, coastal forests and an all round labyrinth of littoral loveliness.
The Eastern Coves are the most popular route to explore Alaska’s southeast coast, the Alexander Archipelago, Misty Fjords National Monument and Fords Terror.
So many bears, bald eagles, whales and dolphins to see. Thankfully small ship cruises in Alaska are in the season when the sun hardly sets.
From what to pack to some favourite spots to visit, read on for plenty of tips and advice from our Alaska cruising experts.
The biggest responsible tourism tip on an Alaska cruising holiday is think small, think slow and think sustainable. Read on for more details.
