Inside Passage (Alaska-Canada)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Port Inside Passage cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Inside Passage, Alaska-Canada. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|---|
2 May, 2025 Friday | National Geographic Venture | ||
2 May, 2025 Friday | National Geographic Sea Bird | ||
6 May, 2025 Tuesday | MS Roald Amundsen | ||
9 May, 2025 Friday | National Geographic Sea Bird | ||
9 May, 2025 Friday | MS Roald Amundsen | ||
13 May, 2025 Tuesday | Safari Quest | ||
15 May, 2025 Thursday | ACL American Constitution | ||
17 May, 2025 Saturday | National Geographic Quest | ||
17 May, 2025 Saturday | ACL American Constellation | ||
27 May, 2025 Tuesday | MS Roald Amundsen | ||
30 May, 2025 Friday | MS Roald Amundsen |
Inside Passage is a popular Alaskan coastal cruise itinerary route for oceangoing ships. The shipping route extends from Southeast Alaska (AK USA) to Northwest Washington (WA USA) passing through Western British Columbia (BC Canada). Vessels using this shipping route are able to avoid open ocean's bad weather and visit some of the isolated Alaskan communities. Inside Passage is best known for the scenic coastal cruising through straits and passing by Alaskan islands, the largest of which are Chichagof, Baranof and Prince of Wales (see the map below).
Inside Passage is navigated by cruise liners, as well as tugboats, freighters (cargo ships), fishing boats and passenger ferries serving Alaska Marine Highway, Washington State Ferries and BC Ferries systems. The "Inside Passage" term is often used to refer to the islands and ocean round the passage itself. Sometimes the Inside Passage is mistakenly referred to as "Inland Passage", a reference to early quests of explorers to locate Northwest Passage between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans.
It is generally accepted that Inside Passage starts in Washington's Puget Sound and extends north, first along the coast of British Columbia and the Alaska Panhandle. During the Klondike Gold Rush, it was one of the sea routes from California and Seattle WA carrying prospectors north.
The route's portion that belongs to BC Canada has coastline approx 40,000 km (25,000 mi). It includes the protected Strait of Georgia (between BC mainland and Vancouver Island), Johnstone Strait (between mainland and Vancouver Island), as well as a short stretch along Hecate Strait (close to Haida Gwaii Islands). Northwards from Fitz Hugh Sound, the route is sheltered through various large islands - like Pitt Island and Princess Royal Island.
The Alaskan portion of the Passage extends 800 km (500 mi) from north to south and 160 km (100 mi) from east to west. The region encompasses 1,000 islands, 24,000 km (15,000 mi) of shoreline and thousands of bays and coves. While Alexander Archipelago in Alaska offers some protection from the Pacific weather, much of the area suffers from strong semi-diurnal tides that can create extreme 9 m (30-foot) differences between high and low tide. Careful piloting is required in many places in order to not hit underwater obstructions.
The Inside Passage is a well-known destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The coastal mountain ranges and the islands make for great wildlife viewing and outdoor travel activities such as boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping.
Alaska’s Inside Passage route is used by cruise liners leaving from homeports Seattle and Vancouver BC and usually operating on 7-day roundtrips. The "cruise coastline" has length approx 800 km (500 mi). Ship travel in the region offers unique opportunities for wildlife viewing (whales, sea lions, seals, brown bears, bald eagles) and enjoying the coastal scenery (glaciers, small settlements). All cruise companies offer as alternatives land tours (optional) to expand their customers' vacation. The list of Alaskan cruise ports along the Inside Passage route includes Ketchikan (Revillagigedo Island), Sitka (Baranof Island), Skagway, Juneau. Scenic destinations along the route include Glacier Bay NP, Misty Fjords (wilderness), Tongass Forest (USA's largest), Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park.
Inside Passage cruise terminal
The following map shows all ports of call, islands and destinations visited on traditional Alaska Inside Passage cruise itineraries.
- Cruise Industry
RCI-Royal Caribbean expands Alaska cruises in 2026 with 4-ship fleet
RCI-Royal Caribbean has announced its Alaska 2026 itineraries, offering a range of voyages that showcase the region’s natural landscapes...
October 26, 2024 - Cruise Industry
HX-Hurtigruten Expeditions unveils 2026-2027 season, marking 130 years of polar exploration
HX-Hurtigruten Expeditions has unveiled its 2026-2027 season, marking its 130th year of exploration. Building on its legacy as a pioneer in...
September 23, 2024 - Cruise Industry
HX-Hurtigruten Expeditions unveils 2026-2027 itineraries, celebrating 130 years of exploration
HX-Hurtigruten Expeditions has unveiled its 2026-2027 expedition program, featuring new itineraries across Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and...
September 17, 2024 - Cruise Industry
CCL-Carnival reveals 2026-2027 cruise plans with new European and Alaska itineraries
CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled the initial phase of its 2026-2027 deployment plans, starting with summer 2026 sailings to highly sought-after...
August 21, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises introduces largest Alaska season yet for 2026
Princess Cruises, a leader in Alaskan voyages, has announced its largest Alaska season yet for 2026, featuring the introduction of the new ship, Star...
July 26, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Seattle mandates shore power for all homeported cruise ships by 2027
The Port of Seattle (Washington) has become the first seaport in the United States to mandate shore-power usage for all homeported cruise ships...
June 14, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Seabourn launches 2024 Alaska season with Seabourn Odyssey's final sailings
Seabourn, renowned for ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, commenced its 2024 Alaska season on Friday, May 10, as the Seabourn Odyssey set...
May 11, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises' 2024 Alaska program features Aurora Borealis experience
This summer, guests sailing with Princess Cruises to Alaska will enjoy an exclusive Voyage to the Stars experience featuring the Aurora Borealis, or...
May 2, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Canada Place Cruise Terminal (Vancouver BC) anticipates record year amid sustainability focus
Preliminary forecasts indicate another potentially record-breaking year for cruise passenger visits to Port Vancouver's Canada Place Terminal, as...
March 10, 2024 - Cruise Industry
HAL-Holland America enhances Alaska Cruisetours with resort upgrades and new Yukon Tour
HAL-Holland America Line is enhancing its Alaska Cruisetours for the 2024 season with upgrades to accommodations at McKinley Chalet Resort and the...
February 19, 2024 - show more news