Princess CruisesAlaska Cruise2028 SeasonItinerariesGlacier CruisingCruisetours
The 185-Sailing, 8-Ship Spread
Princess Cruises' 2028 Alaska season spans 185 departures from late April through late September, using eight ships across five homeports. The full roster offers 14 unique itineraries that range from four to 16 days, with both roundtrip and one-way options. Across the season, ships call at 16 different destinations, including the Alaskan ports of Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, plus Canadian stops at Prince Rupert and Victoria, depending on itinerary length, ship, and sailing date. The deployed ships are Star Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Royal Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Island Princess, and Ruby Princess. That scale alone gives planners a broad calendar to match a schedule, but the specific routings and durations below break down how each option differs.
The 4-Day Openers: Vancouver to Seattle and Back
For travelers who want a taste of Alaska without a week at sea, two 4-day sailings appear in the 2028 lineup. Royal Princess has one 4-day sailing from Vancouver to Seattle, a one-way routing that lets you combine a cruise with a land stay in either city. Emerald Princess also schedules a single 4-day sailing from Vancouver, though the published details don't specify its endpoint. Both are outliers against the season's typical 7-day cruises, and they serve as efficient introductions to the Inside Passage. The 4-day window is the shortest of the 14 itineraries, so a specific departure date is worth locking down early. These sailings are the only sub-5-day options in the entire season, making them a rare short window into the Last Frontier.
The 7-Day Norm: One-Way Runs and Roundtrips
The 7-day cruise is the backbone of the 2028 Alaska season, with multiple ships offering either true roundtrips or one-way voyages that can be paired into a 14-day journey. Discovery Princess runs one-way sailings between Vancouver and Whittier; booking two of them consecutively creates a 14-day roundtrip without the hassle of a flight or train between ports. Coral Princess and Crown Princess repeat that same Vancouver–Whittier routing with their own 7-day one-ways, each of which can be combined for a two-week loop. Island Princess gives travelers a choice: a 7-day roundtrip from Vancouver, or a one-way segment between Whittier and Vancouver that links with a second sailing for a 14-day itinerary. On the roundtrip side, Emerald Princess schedules 7-day roundtrips from Vancouver, while Royal Princess offers 7-day roundtrips from Seattle plus a single 7-day one-way from Seattle to Vancouver. For a passenger, the distinction matters: a roundtrip means unpacking once and returning to the same city, while a one-way opens up the option to extend into the interior with a cruisetour before or after the voyage. Because the one-way sailings end in different cities, they allow travelers to combine ship and land without backtracking. The 7-day length also fits neatly into a standard vacation week, making it the most popular choice among the 185 total sailings.
The 9-Day Middle Ground: Two Ships, Two Routes
Two 9-day itineraries appear in the 2028 Alaska lineup. Star Princess offers 9-day departures from both Seattle and Vancouver, giving travelers a choice of a US or Canadian homeport for a voyage that extends beyond the typical week. Crown Princess contributes a single 9-day roundtrip from Vancouver, which means you start and end in the same city, simplifying pre- and post-cruise logistics. These 9-day sailings occupy the space between the 7-day norm and the extended 10- or 16-day cruises; they add an extra day or two of exploring without the time commitment of a full two weeks. Because Star Princess has two departure options, passengers can select the city that best matches their flight plans. The 9-day length also allows for a deeper probe into the Inside Passage or additional scenic cruising in glacier-heavy areas like College Fjord or Endicott Arm, though the exact ports depend on the specific sailing. With only these two ships offering this length, the 9-day voyages are a limited commodity; travelers who want this duration should reserve early, as they are likely to sell out before the more numerous 7-day sailings.
Ten Days from San Francisco: Ruby Princess's Roundtrip
Ruby Princess is the sole ship in the 2028 season sailing 10-day roundtrip itineraries from San Francisco. That's a distinct departure point—not the usual Seattle or Vancouver—and the roundtrip format means no one-way logistics. The 10-day length allows for a deep dive into the Inside Passage and likely additional Alaskan ports beyond the standard seven-day stops. San Francisco's location also means a longer transit to and from the region, giving passengers more days at sea to spot wildlife from the rail. For those who want to avoid the crowds of the Pacific Northwest terminals, the Ruby Princess 10-day from San Francisco is the only option in the lineup that combines a 10-day duration with a California homeport. It's one of the few sailings that lets you start and end in the same city without flying to Canada.
The 16-Day Marathon: Emerald Princess from Los Angeles
Emerald Princess's 16-day Inside Passage roundtrip from Los Angeles is the longest single itinerary in the 2028 Princess Alaska lineup. This marathon voyage sails the full Inside Passage, departing and returning to the same California port, so no one-way flights or repositioning are needed. Among the 14 unique itineraries, this is the only 16-day option, standing in contrast to the 4-day quick trips from Vancouver. The roundtrip format means guests can unpack once and let the ship do the work, covering the scenic waters of Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm, depending on the sailing date and weather. With departures stretching from spring into fall, this voyage offers a deep immersion into Alaska's coastal wilderness. For travelers with time to spare and a preference for a single homeport, this is the definitive way to experience the Last Frontier without the hassle of arranging separate flights or connections.
Glacier Bay, College Fjord, and the Reality of Itinerary Changes
Princess schedules scenic cruising days in Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm for the 2028 Alaska season. These are the designated areas where glaciers are most likely to be seen, and the line plans sailing days specifically for that purpose. However, the itineraries are not set in stone: Princess explicitly states that all sailings and scenic cruising are subject to change based on weather and safety conditions. That caution is not merely theoretical—in 2026, cruise lines removed Tracy Arm Fjord from their summer itineraries due to rockslide risk and geological instability, a reminder that natural conditions can alter even well-established plans. Because the season spans the summer months, glacier behavior varies considerably; a May departure may see different ice conditions than a late-September trip, and the position of glaciers can shift from year to year. Travelers should check their specific sailing's updates closer to departure and be prepared for a substitution to another glacier viewpoint, such as Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay, if conditions demand. The cruise line will make every effort to provide the advertised experience, but flexibility is key when visiting these dynamic landscapes.
The 16 Destinations: From Icy Strait Point to Prince Rupert
The Alaskan ports of Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan are staples on many of the 2028 voyages, but not every ship calls at all of them. Canadian stops such as Prince Rupert and Victoria are added selectively, depending on itinerary length, ship, and sailing date. A 7-day roundtrip from Seattle, for example, typically includes fewer ports than a 16-day Inside Passage cruise from Los Angeles, which has time to venture farther and include a place like Prince Rupert—a less-visited port that adds a unique flavor. The 14 unique itineraries each have their own port sequence, so travelers must review the specific port list for their chosen sailing rather than assuming a standard Alaska route. Because port schedules can shift with weather or safety conditions, the final lineup is confirmed only as the departure approaches. For those who want to maximize port variety, the longer voyages or those with an added Canadian call offer a more expansive look at the region.
Into the Interior: Denali, Kenai, and the Princess Railcars
Princess pairs its Alaska cruises with cruisetours that extend the vacation on land. The land-based schedules include visits to Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, with stays at Princess-owned wilderness lodges. Guests travel on custom glass-domed railway cars that offer panoramic views of the landscape, and can step out onto open-air viewing platforms to feel the mountain air. These cruisetours also include exclusive excursions such as salmon fishing, wildlife-spotting day cruises, historic tours, and rafting adventures. The length of a cruisetour varies, but they are designed to be added pre- or post-cruise, allowing travelers to see Alaska's interior without giving up the coastal experience. Princess has spent nearly 60 years helping guests experience Alaska this way.
Puppies in the Piazza and a Junior Ranger Badge
Onboard the 2028 Alaska sailings, Princess brings the Last Frontier to the ship with signature events. The iconic Puppies in the Piazza event gives passengers the chance to interact with young sled dogs in the ship's central atrium, a hands-on way to learn about Alaska's mushing tradition. The Glacier Bay National Park Junior Ranger program invites younger cruisers to complete activities and earn an official badge, teaching them about glaciers, wildlife, and conservation. Native cultural presentations feature local performers and storytellers, offering insight into Alaska Native heritage through music, dance, and oral tradition. These events are a central part of the authentic Alaska experience and set Princess apart from standard Caribbean or Mediterranean cruises. For many guests, these are not just fleeting moments but highlights of the voyage—families often line up for a photo with the puppies, and kids proudly wear their new badges. Combined with the stunning scenery and port excursions, these onboard activities ensure that every day of the cruise deepens a traveler's connection to the region's culture and wilderness.