Alaska's cruise season is now fully underway, and this year brings some exciting changes to itineraries, port access, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Alaska's 2026 cruise season has officially kicked off, and by all early accounts it's shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory. After last year's record passenger numbers pushed some Glacier Bay permit slots to near capacity, the National Park Service has introduced a revised daily vessel quota system that actually benefits smaller expedition ships — good news if you've been eyeing one of those premium small-ship itineraries.
Glacier Bay Access
Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean all secured their full allotment of Glacier Bay permits for the season. Permits are issued per vessel per day across the June-to-August peak, which is what keeps more than a couple of large ships from sharing the bay at Margerie Glacier. This edition originally quoted a 30-45 minute gain in viewing time and attributed the observation to residents; neither was sourced, and both have been removed.
What's New in Juneau
The city's controversial cruise ship cap — which threatened to limit visits to two ships per day — was not passed into law for 2026, so all major cruise lines retain their existing call schedules. Berthing pressure in the region is eased instead by Ward Cove — which is in Ketchikan, about seven miles north of that town's downtown, not in Juneau. The two-berth facility opened in 2020 on a former pulp-mill site and runs a complimentary shuttle to downtown Ketchikan. This edition originally placed it in Juneau and described it as new for 2026; both were wrong.
Wildlife Outlook
Icy Strait Point and Frederick Sound are the two stops on the Southeast Alaska circuit most associated with humpback sightings, and both are summer feeding grounds rather than one-off chances. This edition originally attributed a seasonal forecast to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and cited a herring-spawn measurement; neither was sourced, and both have been removed.
Packing Pro Tips
The rule of thumb remains "dress for four seasons in one day." Bring a packable waterproof shell you can layer over, moisture-wicking base layers, and waterproof footwear with ankle support. Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42) will dramatically improve your wildlife spotting from the ship deck.