This year is set to be one of the most momentous seasons for Alaska cruising in recent memory. In summer 2026, a surge of new ships and cruise lines will sail in Alaska for the first time, while well-established traveler-favorite vessels will make long-awaited returns to the region after years away.
It’s all leading to a sense of unprecedented excitement. “Alaska is indeed hot in 2026,” says Tom Baker, travel specialist and president of Cruise Center. “There has been a strong demand for closer-to-home cruising, and Alaska is the summer’s hit. Many cruise lines are at 80% plus capacity for the entire season, which is May to September.”
With stunning coasts lined with calving glaciers and icy fjords, the very best Alaska cruise itineraries offer travelers the opportunity to be immersed in the culture of Indigenous villages, and spot wildlife like whales, seals, and bald eagles right from their stateroom balcony. This year, “the demand for smaller ships, more intimate experiences, and exceptional excursions are at an all-time high,” Baker says.
Here’s a look at the notable cruise lines and new ships that will debut in Alaska for the 2026 season.
Ritz-Carlton will launch its first Alaska sailings
In May 2026, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will debut Alaska voyages for the first time ever aboard its third and most recent superyacht, Luminara. The 452-passenger ship launched in July 2025, with 225 suites, all with private balconies where passengers can lose themselves among Alaska’s awe-inspiring landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Luminara will offer 13 voyages throughout the 2026 season, each of which span 7 to 11 nights and call on up to 11 ports in Alaska and Canada. Passengers can expect to sail through the famous Tracy Arm Fjord and Endicott Arm Fjord; get up close to the region’s most iconic glaciers, including the Sawyer, Dawes, and Hubbard glaciers; and pass through dramatic frozen landscapes en route to ports like Haines and Sitka. In each port, travelers can expect excursions that are both heart-pounding and dip into the local culture, like a helicopter flight over the towering Mahoney Falls or a local seafood tasting led by an Alaskan fisherwoman.
Crystal Cruises returns after a years-long hiatus
In 2026, beloved line Crystal Cruises will make its triumphant return to Alaska for the first time in seven years. Travelers, it seems, are delighted, as many of the 2026 itineraries are already close to selling out. The ultra-luxury line will sail Alaska from May to August, with both of its ships—Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity—making an appearance throughout the season.
