Alaska is one of the best trips you can take on Virgin Voyages. You get glaciers, whales, small frontier towns, and a ship that's adults only, with dining, Wi-Fi, and fitness classes included. If you're thinking about an Alaska sailing in any year, this guide covers what you need to know: the ports, the glaciers, when to go, what to pack, and how to pick the right itinerary.
Brilliant Lady cruising the Inside Passage, the scenic route on every Virgin Voyages Alaska sailing.
Virgin Voyages Alaska at a Glance
Ship: Brilliant Lady
Season: May through September
Homeports: Seattle for most sailings, with some sailings starting or ending in Vancouver
Lengths: 7 to 12 nights
Scenic cruising: The Inside Passage on every sailing, plus a glacier day
Who sails: Adults only. Every sailor is 18 or older.
For specific dates and itineraries, see Virgin Voyages Alaska 2028 Cruises and Virgin Voyages 2027 Alaska Itinerary Changes. 2028 sailings open for booking on November 12, 2026.
The Glaciers
Your glacier day is the highlight of most Alaska cruises. Which glacier you see depends on the length of your sailing.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
This is the glacier day on the 7-night sailings. The ship cruises a long, narrow fjord lined with granite cliffs and waterfalls, with floating ice along the way and an active tidewater glacier at the end.
Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard shows up on the longer 9-, 10-, and 12-night sailings. It's one of the largest tidewater glaciers in North America, about 76 miles long and roughly 7 miles wide at its face. If seeing a massive glacier calve into the sea is high on your list, a longer sailing is worth a look.
What Happened to Tracy Arm?
Virgin removed Tracy Arm Fjord from its Alaska itineraries because of ongoing landslide risk in the area, and Endicott Arm took its place. The experience is very similar, so you aren't missing out.
The Ports
Ports vary by sailing, but these are the stops you'll see on Virgin's Alaska itineraries.
Ketchikan
Alaska's "First City" is known for totem poles, historic Creek Street, and salmon. It's also the gateway to Misty Fjords National Monument, which is best seen by floatplane.
Juneau
Alaska's capital can only be reached by sea or air. This is the port for Mendenhall Glacier, glacier dog sledding, and whale watching.
Sitka
Sitka mixes Russian and Tlingit history with great wildlife. Look for sea otters, eagles, and bears on a coastal expedition.
Skagway
A Gold Rush town with wooden boardwalks. The big draw is the White Pass railway, which climbs into the mountains toward the Yukon.
Haines
Quieter than the bigger ports and known for bald eagles, hiking, and a small-town feel.
Icy Strait Point
A Native-owned destination near Hoonah with some of the best whale watching in Alaska and one of the world's largest ziplines.
Victoria, British Columbia
Most Seattle sailings end with a day in Victoria. Walk the Inner Harbour, have afternoon tea, or head out whale watching.
Onboard in Alaska
Brilliant Lady gets an Alaska twist for the season, so the time between ports feels like part of the trip:
An Alaska-only entertainment cast, including a lumberjack and a naturalist.
Deck daybeds with blankets so you can stay warm while you watch the glaciers.
Dinner menus with local Alaska ingredients, with the Alaska dishes marked so they are easy to spot.
Best Shore Things in Alaska
Alaska is a destination where excursions make the trip. Virgin groups its Alaska Shore Things into three tiers: Essential, Elevated, and Exclusive. A few standouts from the lineup:
Juneau: Dog sledding and a helicopter ride on Mendenhall Glacier, or a glacier seaplane flight to Taku Lodge
Ketchikan: Misty Fjords flightseeing, a floatplane flight and bear hike, or a fishing trip
Skagway: The Yukon Rail and Suspension Bridge Expedition
Icy Strait Point: The ZipRider zipline
Sitka: A coastal wildlife expedition with a lodge feast, or the raptor center
The popular Alaska excursions, especially anything with a helicopter or seaplane, can sell out. Book as soon as your Shore Things window opens. Payment is due when you book. Booking through Virgin also means that if an itinerary changes, Virgin adjusts or refunds your excursion for you. For more, see my Virgin Voyages Shore Things Guide.
When Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?
There's no bad month, but each one feels a little different.
May: Fewer crowds, often lower fares, and snow still on the mountains. It's cooler, so pack warm layers.
June: Long daylight hours and a great balance of weather and crowds.
July and August: The warmest and busiest months. Salmon runs peak, and wildlife is very active.
September: Fall color, fewer people, and a better chance of a deal. Expect more rain.
Whales are around all season, so you can see them on any sailing.
Which Virgin Alaska Sailing Should You Pick?
First time in Alaska or short on vacation days? A 7-night Seattle round trip hits the classic ports with a glacier day and Victoria.
Want Hubbard Glacier? Look at the 9-, 10-, and 12-night sailings.
Want the most ports? The longest sailings add stops like Juneau, Haines, and Skagway.
Flying in? Seattle round trips keep things simple. One-way sailings into or out of Vancouver mean an international flight, so plan your airfare around that. For the Seattle terminal, parking, and hotels, see my Virgin Voyages Seattle Port Guide.
Picking a Cabin for Alaska
A terrace makes a real difference in Alaska. Most cabins on Brilliant Lady have one, complete with Virgin's signature red hammock, so you can watch the scenery go by with a hot drink in hand. On a glacier day, the ship usually turns so both sides get a view.
When you book through me, I can choose your exact cabin on Base, Essential, and Premium fares. Booking direct, Virgin assigns it. For more, see How to Pick the Best Cabin on Virgin Voyages.
What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
Layers. Days can swing from chilly and wet to sunny and mild.
A waterproof jacket. Rain is common in Southeast Alaska, even in summer.
A warm hat and gloves. You'll want them on deck on glacier day.
Comfortable waterproof shoes for walking in port and on excursions.
Binoculars for whales, eagles, and bears.
Your passport. Alaska sailings stop in Canada. I always recommend sailing with a passport, and you'll need one if you're flying into or out of Vancouver. See Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?
How Much Does a Virgin Alaska Cruise Cost?
Your fare includes all 20+ restaurants and eateries, Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and soft drinks. Gratuities and alcoholic drinks are extra. Shore Things are where Alaska budgets grow, so plan for them. If you drink, prepaying a Bar Tab gets you bonus credit. My Bar Tab Calculator shows which tab saves you the most. For the full breakdown, see What's Included in Your Virgin Voyages Fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Virgin Voyages sail to Alaska?
Virgin's Alaska season runs from May through September on Brilliant Lady.
Where do Virgin Voyages Alaska cruises leave from?
Most sailings are round trip from Seattle, and some start or end in Vancouver. See my Seattle Port Guide for the terminal and parking.
Does Virgin Voyages go to Hubbard Glacier?
Yes, on the longer 9-, 10-, and 12-night sailings. The 7-night sailings visit Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
Is Virgin Voyages good for Alaska?
If you want an adults-only ship with great food included and a terrace for the scenery, it's a great fit. It's a fresh, relaxed way to see Alaska.
Do I need a passport for a Virgin Alaska cruise?
I recommend one. Every itinerary stops in Canada, and you'll need a passport to fly into or out of Vancouver.
Ready to Plan Your Alaska Cruise?
PTO Passport is an independent cruise travel agency and Gold Tier Virgin Voyages First Mate. I'll help you pick the right sailing, choose your exact cabin, and make sure you're ready when your Shore Things window opens. You pay the same price as booking direct.
Request a free quote and let's get you to Alaska.
