Alaska cruise from San Francisco – cost, itinerary, ports, and excursions

Do you fancy watching the sun melt into the horizon? 

How about admiring the sunset, standing on the deck of a ship, sipping a glass of wine? 

Of course, it is a moment every cruisegoer would cherish. 

Glide past glaciers, tropical islands, charming towns, snow-capped peaks, and cliffs from the comfort of your floating vessel as you sail through the most beautiful state in the U.S.

Experience nature’s glory with wildlife spotting, scenic cruising, shore excursions, and more. 

If you’re lucky, you can see the world-famous stellar phenomenon, the Northern Lights, aka the Aurora Borealis. And what better way to see them than cruising close to the Arctic Circle?

There are two cruise lines that operate from San Francisco to Alaska and back—Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises. 

Princess Cruises sails with Crown Princess and Ruby Princess, while Carnival Cruises charts its course with Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle. 

This article explains everything you need to know about cruising from San Francisco to Alaska.  

Why should you choose an Alaskan cruise departing from San Francisco?

Source: cruisedirect.com

San Francisco is one of the major departure ports for cruises, especially for those heading to Alaska. 

Being a central location on the West Coast, it allows cruise ships to offer more scenic and longer voyages through the Pacific Ocean and the Inside Passage.

In fact, the thrill of departing beneath the notable Golden Gate Bridge is itself a memorable start to an extended Alaskan adventure.

You’ll visit prime destinations like Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, the Glacier Bay National Park, and Victoria before sailing back to San Francisco. 

Imagine the fun of waking up in different places during your journey. And that too, in a moving luxury resort? Definitely something to look forward to! 

Cost of San Francisco to Alaska cruise

The ticket price for an 11-night Ruby Princess Alaska cruise from San Francisco ranges from $2,156 to $10,158, depending on the suite you select. 

Choose from various options like the Interior Stateroom, Oceanview Stateroom, Balcony Stateroom, and more. 

Itinerary of round-trip journey from San Francisco to Alaska

Here’s a detailed itinerary for your 10-11 nights Alaska cruise departing from San Francisco. 

Get ready to visit seven different ports of call while spending five relaxing days at sea.

Which cruise line should you choose?

Choosing a cruise to Alaska from San Francisco can be a tedious task, especially when you’re deciding between two major cruise lines with two fleets of ships each. 

But here’s the good news: both Princess and Carnival cruise ships cater to all types of travelers, whether you’re sailing with your family, celebrating a new chapter of life, or marking a special occasion with friends.

Both these cruise lines are owned by Carnival Corporation, but your choice of selection depends on your interests. 

Are you looking for a full-filled cruise with abundant entertainment or a more gripping scenic journey through Alaska? 

The answer to this question lays the foundation of which cruise ship you should select for your vacation. 

If you’re looking for a more casual, fun, and lively cruise experience with amusements like water parks, comedy shows, and zestful nightlife, then Carnival is your best bet. 

Thanks to its upbeat atmosphere and leisure activities, it’s a favorite option for families with kids and teens. 

Princess cruises, on the other hand, are more on the scenic part. 

It emphasizes the destination experience, offering expansive views with observation decks and glacier-viewing platforms. 

Here, cruisers are enriched with educational treats, where onboard naturalists explain everything about Alaskan culture. 

They offer more destination-specific activities and shore excursions that will give you a deeper connection to Alaska’s wonders.

Port stops and excursions

One of the best aspects of a cruise is its ever-changing panorama. 

As you sail north to the icy Alaskan waters, you’ll be visually amazed by the magnificence of the North Pacific Coast. 

And talk about the ports of call—there’s something magical to explore at all stops with a wide range of shore excursions.

San Francisco, California

The “City by the Bay” is known for its iconic cable cars. Hop on one of them to visit the Fisherman’s Wharf, the famous Pier 39, and the vibrant streets of Chinatown.

You can take a ferry to Alcatraz Island, once home to notorious criminals like Al Capone, Alvin Karpis, George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly, and many others. After all, the Azkaban Prison from the Harry Potter series was inspired by this federal prison.

Visit Lombard Street, the “crookedest street in the world,” with eight sharp turns. 

Take a tourist drive to the Muir Woods, where you’ll find some of Earth’s oldest and tallest trees. Along the way, you can also stop and shop in Sausalito, one of California’s prettiest towns.

Read more about:
# Alcatraz Island
# Things to do in San Francisco

Ketchikan, Alaska

Known as Alaska’s First City, Ketchikan is the first stop for your voyage into the Last Frontier. 

They hold great importance to their native arts and possess the largest collection of totem poles in the world!

If you’re into culture, you should certainly visit the Saxman Native Village to see those amazing totem poles. 

Also, saunter along Ketchikan Creek, which used to be a red-light district but is now transformed into a great place filled with shops, galleries, and museums. 

And don’t miss Herring Cove, an incredible location where you can see black bears, eagles, otters, whales, seals, and salmon. 

Or, best book this tour for a convenient excursion. Enjoy all these places within 2 hours.

Speaking of salmon, you probably know that Ketchikan proudly wears the title of “Salmon Capital of the World.” The city has a legendary fishing culture, and if you’re into fishing, you are in for a treat!

Fans of rocky beaches can head over to Rotary Beach to discover starfish, crabs, and sea anemones. 

Do you know that Ketchikan is one of the wettest places in the U.S., and the locals lovingly call it “Liquid Sunshine?”
For the same reason, the city is celebrated with lush rainforests, gushing waterfalls, and rich wildlife. No wonder five species of wild Pacific salmon swim through these waters! So yes, unless you want to get drenched and end up being sick, carrying an umbrella is a good idea.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau, a U.S. capital city accessible only by air and water, is a perfect stop for an island getaway.

You can easily navigate this city in the most affordable way—by foot. 

Some of the top attractions include the State Capitol Building, Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, several museums, and the historic South Franklin Street. 

If you’re up for some adventure, try hiking through Juneau’s magical landscape and soak up its natural beauty. 

Two of its most popular trails are the Perseverance National Recreation Trail and the Mount Roberts Trail. 

You can also visit the Mendenhall Glacier, one of the city’s most iconic sites, situated within the U.S.’ largest biosphere, the Tongass National Forest. 

Another favorite activity among the tourists is the dog-sled discovery, where you can ride down a 1-mile track (1.6 km) with a team of huskies. 

Here’s a fun fact: Juneau was the first city to be founded after the U.S. snagged Alaska from Russia. It had a few name changes, like Harrisburg and Rockwell, before settling on the name Juneau. And how did it happen? Well, let’s just say Joe Juneau struck gold during the gold rush—both literally and figuratively! Looks like a self-promotion win.

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

One of the major highlights of an Alaska cruise is the Glacier Bay National Park stop. 

As the name suggests, this area hosts incredible glaciers and wildlife, brimming the travelers with joy and keeping them in awe. 

It has a great ecological balance of numerous land and marine habitats, including moose, black and brown bears, mountain goats, porcupines, eagles, hummingbirds, puffins, orcas, sea lions, otters, and whales. 

This jewel in Southeastern Alaska is a part of a world heritage site. 

As your ship sails into the heart of the Fairweather Mountains, you might want to capture its amazing charm. That being said, it’s a fantastic place to click awesome photographs.

Boat tours, kayaking, river rafting, fishing, glacier viewing, and whale watching are some of the activities in the locale. 

Victoria, Canada

Known as the “Garden City,” Victoria is named after Queen Victoria, and stands as one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. 

It is famous for its ethereal beauty with beautifully maintained gardens and parks.

While you’re here, make sure to visit the Butchart Gardens, the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, and the Craigdarroch Castle. 

Explore Victoria’s streets and historic landmarks like the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.

Victoria isn’t just about pretty flowers—this capital city of British Columbia is known for its spooky vibe. Believe it or not, Victoria is rumored to be one of the most haunted cities in Canada. If you’re into ghost stories, there are plenty of haunted locations to explore, like the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the old Bastion Square. So, for such enthusiasts, taking a ghost tour of Victoria and hearing about the chilling stories of its paranormal past will be enthralling!