An In Depth Review of the Seabourn Alaska Cruise

Cates Compass contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.

Are you looking for the right cruise to sail through the Inside Passage?

After experiencing the Seabourn Alaska Cruise in July of 2025 with my entire extended family, I can confidently say this is one of the best cruises you can take. The quality of service is top-notch, the attention to detail is exquisite, and you’ll leave wishing you’d booked a more extended cruise.

My husband said to me on the last day, “I think I’m a cruise person now.” I think what he meant to say is “I think I’m a Seabourn Cruise person now.” In this post, I’ll cover everything from logistics to ship amenities, what you can expect on board, and my recommendations for excursions.

The Route

The route we took was from Juneau, Alaska, to Vancouver, Canada. Because of this, you’ll need to ensure you pack your passport.

Our stops on the cruise were Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Rudyerd Bay/Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, and Alert Bay. Since Seabourn’s cruise ships are much smaller, they can fit into areas/bays that most normal cruise ships can’t access.

One thing I loved about this route with this specific cruise ship is that we never shared a bay or port with another boat. The two towns/ports we stopped at were relatively small and offered a few activities, but I didn’t feel the need to revisit after my time there (perfect for a cruise).

When To Go

Seabourn has set dates for each of its trips, allowing you to choose from a range of dates. Most Alaska cruises run between May and early September when the weather is at its nicest.

We took the early July trip over the 4th, and had zero complaints. Alaska weather can be all over the place, and chances are that you’ll have some rain.

There are multiple options to pick from when it comes to cruise length. Our cruise was 7 days, but you can go as long as 14-15 days for this specific voyage.

Where to Fly Into

Many people choose to either fly into Juneau the night before or fly to Seattle for an overnight stay before taking the final leg to Juneau, as the ship is disembarking.

Most of my family flew into Juneau (all 60+ of us) the day before and explored the town. Unfortunately, my husband and I didn’t have a convenient flight path, so we had to stay in Seattle and catch the early flight to Juneau.

There are numerous hotel options in Juneau to pick from, and I’d recommend staying right downtown for easy access to the ship the next day.

If you need to spend the night in Seattle, staying right near the airport is a great idea. You can reach the airport quickly in the morning with minimal hassle. We ended up using the skyway and checking into our Alaska Airlines flight in a new kiosk area located below the main check-in, which saved us a significant amount of time.

Before and After

The Juneau airport is small and won’t take long to navigate. If you’re arriving the day of disembarkation, Seabourn provides a transfer that will take you directly to the ship. Just make sure to confirm that you are included on the list beforehand!

To board the ship, you will need to provide your passport and the required documentation. I recommend downloading the app (although it’s not the best) to complete any necessary pre-boarding requirements.

Seabourn will also send you numerous emails before the trip that include all pertinent details and any necessary information to complete.

Porting in Vancouver requires you to fill out a declaration provided by the ship. I encourage you to fill this out ASAP and take it to guest services.

You will be assigned a time to exit the ship on the day of departure. The crew at Seabourn picks up your tagged luggage the night before and delivers it to a staging area off the boat, where you can collect it.

Please notify Guest Services if your post-cruise plans change so that they can update your luggage tags accordingly.

If you have time, I highly recommend spending a day or two in Vancouver. The city offers a wealth of activities and a truly incredible food scene.

What To Bring

Cruising on Seabourn is an elevated experience that also includes a variety of excursions and hiking opportunities. Packing can be a little daunting, but I’ve compiled an extensive list of everything we packed.

Clothing

Toiletries

The team at Seabourn provides most of your toiletries, but as someone who is extremely picky, I chose to bring most of my items from home, using reusable bottles.

Miscelleaneous

The Accommodations

The main room types for your Alaska cruise include: the Veranda Suite, Penthouse Suite, Penthouse Spa Suite, Owner’s Suite, Signature Suite, Wintergarden Suite, and Grand Wintergarden Suite.

Prices vary drastically per person depending on which suite you book. We stayed in the Veranda Suite, and that is what I’ll be covering in this review. If you’d like to see what the other suites offer, you can preview them here.

The Veranda Suite is the most affordable option and, in my opinion, has everything you could need.

Not only does the suite include a queen-size bed, a full-size bathroom, a living room, a dining table for two, and a fully stocked bar, but you also have access to a beautiful private balcony.

Did I mention there’s a walk-in closet? When I say Seabourn knows luxury, I’m not joking.

Before you board the ship, you can request your favorite alcohol to be stocked in the fridge. You’ll also get a bottle of champagne to celebrate your voyage on the first day.

Other amenities in the room include a wide selection of high-end toiletries, a flat-screen TV, and blackout curtains that help simulate nighttime during the brightest months of the year. You’ll also be provided with a robe and slippers to utilize while onboard.

My husband and I were beyond impressed with the quality of the Veranda Suite and would happily book it again. You have more than enough space, which is truly a luxury on a cruise ship.

Ship Amenities

Most of the Alaska Seabourn routes utilize the Seabourn Encore ship. The ship accommodates 300 guests and measures almost 700 feet in length. In terms of cruises, this small ship can navigate to places that are inaccessible to most large ships.

The ship offers a multitude of spaces, including multiple lounge areas, an observation bar, pools and whirlpools throughout the numerous decks, a game room, a club, a sun terrace, a spa/fitness area, and a grand salon.

Our favorite spot to hang out was the 5th-floor whirlpools outside of the club. This area was noticeably less crowded than the patio, which housed the pool and other whirlpools.

You can also catch shows at the Grand Salon almost every night, enjoy great music at the club, relax with a cigar on deck 7 behind the square, or grab coffee/a pastry in the morning at the coffee bar.

The ship also features a laundry facility, massage/relaxation services, and a medical room for emergencies or illness.

The Restaurants

In terms of food, there are multiple places to eat. You can grab food from the patio, the colonnade, the restaurant, and Solis.

I highly recommend eating at least one night at Solis on your trip. Call early to book before the cruise, as they only take a select number of pre-booked reservations. They will allow you to book at the guest services desk on the ship, but you will likely get a later dinner time (this is what we did).

Other than Solis, The Restaurant has the best dinner food on the ship. The menu changes daily, but still offers a set number of items. I enjoyed ordering from the Chef’s Menu multiple times, which featured more innovative dishes.

The house wine at The Restaurant is excellent, and you can order other bottles for an additional charge. The staff is constantly refilling your wine glass, so be mindful of how much you’ve had and let them know when you are done drinking.

Sushi at the club is something you should experience at least once while on your cruise. The fish is unsurprisingly very fresh. Please note that this is intended to be more like a pre-dinner snack than a full meal.

The Colonnade and Patio are best for breakfast and lunch. Both feature salads, an assortment of sandwiches/burgers, and kids’ meals. Each day at The Colonnade, lunch features a different theme, such as Mexican, Thai, or Indian cuisine.

Lastly, room service is available 24/7 and is an excellent option if you’d like to take a break from people, relax, or have an early excursion. This is also the only option for late-night food.

The Excursions

If you are financially able, I highly encourage you to take one, or even many, excursions while cruising the Inside Passage.

My top excursion for the trip was the kayaking in Endicott Arm. We took a zodiac to where the kayaks were docked and then explored the area with an expert guide from France.

Not only was the scenery spectacular, but the wildlife was abundant. We saw no fewer than 30 seals, many of which were swimming around us because they are inquisitive creatures. After our kayaking, our guides drove us quickly near the glacier so we could get a closer look.

The other excursion we did was the zodiac in Cormorant Bay. This was almost as good as the kayaking since we had the good fortune of seeing seals, whales, porpoises, and a sea otter.

During their time in Alaska, most humpback whales are focused on conserving energy and consuming A LOT of calories. Due to this, they rarely, if ever, breach, but you may get the opportunity to see them spouting or their fin coming out of the water.

Regardless, it was still a magical experience and something I will forever cherish.

My favorite port of the trip was Prince Rupert, and I’m glad we didn’t plan an excursion this day. There’s a great coffee shop called Cowpuccino’s Coffee House, as well as numerous stores/art galleries. The Museum of British Columbia is also nearby. Additionally, there are delicious seafood/fish options available at places like Dolly’s Fish Market.

The ship doesn’t depart this port until later in the day, so you’ll also have the opportunity to walk the Rushbrook Trail if you’re interested in some low-key exercise or hike the strenuous trail to Mount Hays.

I would be remiss not to mention grabbing dinner and a beer at the Wheelhouse Brewing Company.

Overall Experience

Cruising the inside passage on this Alaska Cruise with Seabourn completely changed my viewpoint on cruises in general. I had the time of my life and would consider more adventure/expedition cruises in the future because of it.

The attention to detail was impeccable, and the service from everyone on board made the experience extra special.

I really appreciated cruising on a smaller ship and am not sure I would love the experience of a larger ship.

Each guest is cared for like family, and the staff honestly go above and beyond to ensure you have the best possible time.

Additionally, you receive an onboard credit per room to use toward any experience you’d like, such as an excursion or spa treatment, which is a great added perk.

My husband and I left this trip with a desire to go on more cruises, and that says a lot! I highly recommend cruising with Seabourn.

FAQs: Seabourn Alaska Cruise

Which cruise line is rated best for Alaska?

Seabourn, Seven Seas, and Silver Sea Cruise lines are some of the best you can choose from for your Alaska Cruise experience.

Are Seabourn cruises high-end?

Definitely! I wouldn’t consider Seabourn the most ostentatious cruise line, but it is a luxury cruise offering high-end amenities.

What is the best month to go on an Alaskan cruise?

Most cruise ships sail Alaskan Cruises between May and September. July was an incredible time to visit, but Alaska has something beautiful to offer throughout each month.

What to wear on a Seabourn Alaska cruise?

For general ship lounging, nice jeans and a shirt are just fine! You’ll want outdoorsy/hiking gear for the excursions and formal wear for dinner every night.

Wrap-Up: Seabourn Alaska Cruise

Whether you’re looking to take a cruise with your family, girlfriends, or partner, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll remember forever.