Vancouver to Seward Alaska Cruise

This is Alaska the way it should be experienced—from the water, with time to appreciate the scale of it all. You’ll sail from Vancouver through the Inside Passage, one of the world’s most scenic cruising routes, where mountains rise from the sea and wildlife is everywhere. The Silver Moon is an intimate ship, which means you’ll get closer to the coastline, see more, and feel less like you’re part of a crowd.

You’ll depart Vancouver in the evening, sailing out of one of North America’s most beautiful harbors. The city skyline fades behind you, and then you’re in the Inside Passage, where the real journey begins. This is a day at sea, but it’s not a day of nothing. You’ll cruise past islands, fjords, and coastline that most people never see. The ship moves slowly enough that you can really take it in—the mountains, the forests, the sense of being in a place that’s still largely wild.

Your first port is Ketchikan, known as Alaska’s "First City" because it’s the first major community you reach when traveling north. This is a town built on fishing and timber, with a history that’s visible in places like Creek Street, where historic buildings are perched on stilts over the water. Ketchikan is also known for its totem poles—you’ll find some of the world’s largest collections here, telling stories of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people who have called this area home for thousands of years.

From Ketchikan, you’ll sail to Juneau, Alaska’s capital. This is a city that feels like it shouldn’t exist—it’s surrounded by mountains and water, accessible only by boat or plane. Juneau is known for Mendenhall Glacier, which you can see from town, and for whale watching. The waters around Juneau are some of the best places in Alaska to see humpback whales, especially in the summer months. The Mount Roberts Tramway takes you up above the city for views that stretch for miles.

Next is Skagway, a town that feels frozen in the Gold Rush era. The White Pass & Yukon Route railway still runs here, taking passengers up into the mountains along the same route that prospectors took over a century ago. The buildings in Skagway look like they belong in a Western movie—wooden storefronts, saloons, and a sense of history that’s palpable. This is where thousands of people started their journey to the Klondike, and the town hasn’t forgotten that.

Sitka is different. It has a Russian history that’s visible in places like St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House. The Tlingit people also have a strong presence here, and you can learn about their culture at the Sitka National Historical Park, where totem poles line a trail through the forest. Sitka sits on an island, surrounded by water and mountains, and it has a quiet, contemplative feel that’s different from the other ports.

Then there’s Hubbard Glacier. This is one of Alaska’s most active glaciers, and watching it calve—when chunks of ice break off and crash into the water—is something you’ll remember. The ship will get as close as safely possible, and you’ll have time to watch. The sound of the ice, the scale of the glacier, the blue color of the ice—it’s all more impressive in person than any photograph can convey.

Throughout the journey, you’ll be on the Silver Moon, which means butler service in every suite, premium beverages included, multiple restaurants serving diverse cuisine, and 24-hour in-suite dining. The ship is small enough to feel intimate but large enough to have everything you need. The focus is on the destination, but the journey matters too, and Silversea understands that.

You’ll end in Seward, a small town on the Kenai Peninsula that serves as a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. From here, you can extend your trip to explore more of Alaska, or you can head home knowing you’ve seen some of the state’s most iconic places. Either way, you’ll have experienced Alaska from the water, which is really the best way to see it.