Alaska cruises with most ports

We are planning to take an Alaska cruise, probably in August, starting in Vancouver and ending in Alaska. We prefer days visiting different ports rather than at sea days.

What I have noticed in my research is that only Celebrity and Royal Caribbean offer cruises visiting 4 different ports with 1 day passing Hubbard Glacier while the other lines offer only 3 port days with 2 days of "scenic cruising" where passengers don't leave the ship.

Is this correct or is there something I have overlooked?

Thanks!

Also check out HAL's Yukon Denali option to satisfy your port time desires. You travel between Skagway and Anchorage without a boat.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/yukon-denali/ports-excursions/

We are planning to take an Alaska cruise, probably in August, starting in Vancouver and ending in Alaska. We prefer days visiting different ports rather than at sea days.

 

What I have noticed in my research is that only Celebrity and Royal Caribbean offer cruises visiting 4 different ports with 1 day passing Hubbard Glacier while the other lines offer only 3 port days with 2 days of "scenic cruising" where passengers don't leave the ship.

 

Is this correct or is there something I have overlooked?

 

Thanks!

Those scenic cruises days are often highlights - Princess visits 2 glaciers which is a highlight for many of us. They are not just sea days.

I would pay attention to how long you are in each port also. We are looking forward to seeing glacier bay this time!

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HAL has a 14 day cruise that stops in 8 ports. Probably the most of any Alaskan cruise.

You have to realize distances and available time limit the number of ports.

What I have noticed in my research is that only Celebrity and Royal Caribbean offer cruises visiting 4 different ports with 1 day passing Hubbard Glacier while the other lines offer only 3 port days with 2 days of "scenic cruising" where passengers don't leave the ship.

 

Generally the difference is that HAL, Princess, Carnival, NCL all have permits to enter and cruise Glacier Bay National Park. Rangers board the ship as it enters the bay and narrate the route that the ship takes. It is not just 'scenic cruising'.

RCL and Celebrity have no permits to enter the Park, so they make a port stop...likely Icy Strait Point.

HAL has a variation as described above on a 14 day itinerary, but it has no land portion in upper Alaska. In addition some sailings stop at Sitka.

Personally, I would not miss Glacier Bay on a first trip to Alaska.

I wouldn't "trade" Glacier Bay with any port.

The "most" would be HAL's 14-night cruise that includes Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Sitka, & Victoria.

Glacier Bay is not to be missed on an Alaskan cruise. Def the highlight of the trip. On NCL, the ship stops and turns 3 times for the best viewing. I wouldn't do Alaska without Glacier Bay

Safe sailing

OP your best bet is for one way trips on the upsacle lines. They tend to have the most port stops and stay at them the longest.

Usually you get Hubbard glacier, four ports, and one day in the inside passage. In a seven day cruise that about as good as you can do because of the distances between Vancouver or Seattle and the Alaskan ports.

If you really want port intensive look at some of the tiny lines that cruise round trip out of Juneau, and go to seven or eight ports in seven days.