2025 Alaska Travel Forecast

 Travel to Alaska has never been easier. While cruise travel has rebounded since the pandemic with a host of new options (details below), new direct flight routes into Anchorage and Fairbanks on Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and WestJet are a win for independent travelers from Salt Lake City, New York City, Washington D.C., San Diego, Detroit and Calgary, Alberta.

Cultural tourism opportunities continue to develop across Alaska, with Blueberry Tours, a new Indigenous-owned tour operator launching Anchorage tours this past summer. The Alaska Native Heritage Center completed phase one of its facility and exhibit renovations this past May. Future plans for the center include an immersive theater, healing garden and community subsistence kitchen.

Winter travel opportunities have also grown over the last year, with additional visitor interest strengthened by the strong aurora borealis activity this year and next. Additional new tours include winter kayaking and snowshoeing tours in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, adventure retreats at the Susitna Adventure Lodge and more. Read on for details! 

Cruise News

The Alaska cruise season is projected to have a steady 2025 after a banner 2024, bringing a projected 1.62 million visitors, according to Cruise Lines International Association Alaska. With 54 vessels, including large ships and small U.S.-flagged vessels making approximately 700 voyages, itineraries will range from classic routes through the Inside Passage to farther-flung sailings to regions like the Aleutian Islands and Nome in the Arctic region.

2025 will see a large number of new ships to Alaska with inaugural seasons including: Norwegian Joy, Oceania Riviera, Caribbean Princess, Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Venture, Hapag-Lloyd's Hanseatic Inspiration, Viking Ocean Cruises' Viking Venus and Silversea's Silver Moon. Cruise lines adding an additional ship to their Alaska fleet in 2025 are Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Hapag-Lloyd, Lindblad and Viking.

In addition to the anticipated growth, cruise operators are continuing to focus on more cultural and sustainable travel experiences. Collaborations with Alaska Native communities and Indigenous-owned cruise ports will bring expanded programming, including village visits, traditional storytelling and demonstrations, providing passengers with deeper insights into the area's heritage. These efforts reflect a broader push for responsible tourism and cultural engagement.

Notable cruise updates in 2025 include: 

• Alaskan Dream Cruises is expanding its lineup with two new eight-day itineraries: “Alaska's Ultimate Adventure” and “Wild Alaska Odyssey.” These itineraries emphasize remote wilderness exploration and adventure, offering activities like hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing in various parts of the Inside Passage.
• UnCruise Adventures is launching an Aleutian Islands journey, taking guests on an immersive 10-night adventure from Seward to Dutch Harbor. Travelers will visit a variety of locations including Kenai Fjords National Park, Katmai National Park & Preserve, Kodiak Island, Unga Island, Akutan Island and more.
• Princess Cruises' upcoming Alaska season will feature 18 itineraries across seven ships, including the debut of Caribbean Princess in Alaska and a new homeport in Los Angeles. Itineraries include a 22-day round-trip cruise from San Francisco, a 17-day cruise from Seattle and a 16-day Inside Passage cruise from L.A. The season also brings back the exclusive “National Parks Cruisetour,” offering guests a 15-night adventure exploring five parks paired with a “Voyage of the Glaciers” cruise.
• Holland America Line is bringing back its 28-day “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise aboard the Westerdam, departing on June 8, just in time for the summer solstice. Additionally, its “Alaska Up Close” experience will immerse guests in local culture through onboard programming, regionally inspired dining and cultural lectures.
• Luxury eco-cruise operator The Boat Company announced a new 11-day cruise from Sitka to Ketchikan starting spring 2025 that includes guided explorations of remote inlets, cultural heritage experiences, all with an emphasis on supporting environment stewardship and sustainability. 
• Norwegian Cruise Line's return of the Norwegian Joy for the 2025 Alaska season features nine- and 10-day round-trip sailings from Seattle between late April and October. Itineraries include cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier, with select voyages visiting Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan.
• With Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas sailing in Alaska for the first time in 2025, the ship will have two, seven-night itineraries sailing round trip from Seattle. Highlights include visits to Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria, British Columbia, as well as cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. 
• Seabourn's Venture is offering two, back-to-back 23-day expedition voyages across the Northwest Passage in 2025, with an Aug. 6, departure from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Anchorage, Alaska, and reverse departure from Anchorage back to Reykjavik departing on Aug. 27. These voyages will offer guests views of the largest icebergs in the northern hemisphere, wildlife including polar bears and walruses and more.
• In addition to Regent Seven Seas' 2025 Alaska cruise program, its 150-night "Away in Wonder" world cruise aboard the Seven Seas Mariner includes port visits in Alaska, along with three oceans, five continents, 25 countries and nearly 100 ports of call.

Looking ahead to 2026, MSC Cruises announced the launch of several Alaska itineraries for the first time, with seven-night sailings available from May to September 2026 aboard the MSC Poesia. Departing weekly from Seattle, these cruises will explore popular destinations like Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm Fjord and Juneau. Virgin Voyages is expanding into Alaska with its newest ship, Brilliant Lady, launching 17 voyages in summer 2026 from Seattle and Vancouver. The itineraries, ranging from seven to 12 nights, will visit 12 destinations including Ketchikan, Sitka and Tracy Arm Fjord. Azamara Cruises will return to Alaska in 2026 after a seven-year hiatus. The Azamara Pursuit will offer 10-to-13 day voyages with extended port stays in Juneau, Wrangell, Skagway and Ketchikan and will also visit Kodiak, Dutch Harbor and Icy Strait Point.

New Products & Tours

Statewide

• The Alaska Railroad is offering Aurora Winter Train passengers a variety of new excursions, including a day trip to Borealis Basecamp with activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling and reindeer encounters. Additional add-ons include the Matanuska Glacier Winter Tour and the Southbound Arctic Circle Aurora Fly/Drive Adventure, which features a flight from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, a scenic drive along the Dalton Highway and a ride on the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Anchorage.
• John Hall's Alaska, a family-owned-and-operated small group tour provider, is announcing two new itineraries in 2025: Alaska's Arctic Aurora, an eight-day winter adventure centered around viewing the northern lights and crossing the Arctic Circle, and the Denali Explorer, a seven-day summer journey highlighting wildlife, national parks and cultural experiences.

Arctic

• Arctic Hive, an off-the-grid retreat located 63 miles above the Arctic Circle, is offering several new programs for 2025, including the Winter Solstice Women's Yoga Retreat and the Arctic Awakening Learn to Mush Retreat. With a focus on wellness in the wilderness, Arctic Hive's newest experiences appeal to nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
• Deja Vu Sled Dogs, a sled dog kennel based in Nome, is offering an all-new summer version of its learn-to-mush experience in addition to its winter dog sled tours. From June through October, guests can meet a team of Alaska huskies, learn about their care, training and equipment, practice harnessing and assist in a hands-on sled dog demonstration.

Southeast

• Breathe Alaska announces "A Moment to Breathe," a wellness retreat in Juneau, from March 3-5, 2025. Designed for those seeking a reprieve from the rush of daily life, the retreat features guided breathwork and meditation sessions to help participants manage stress and emotions more effectively.
• TEMSCO Helicopters is adding a new tour out of its Skagway location. The “Glacier Sled Dog Experience by Helicopter” is a two-hour, small group tour that flies guests over to the Denver Glacier, where they'll meet seasoned mushers, interact with sled dogs and observe a thrilling mushing demonstration.
• Above and Beyond Alaska is launching a five-hour excursion featuring flightseeing, glacier hiking and packrafting on Norris Glacier. This first-of-its-kind, multi-sport experience begins with a floatplane flight to the Taku Inlet, followed by a glacier hike to a cove where guests will launch a packraft to paddle past icebergs towards the glacier, before exploring on foot, then returning to their raft for a ride back to shore and a floatplane return to Juneau.

Interior

• Led by a team of experienced motorcyclists, Last Frontier Motorcycle Adventures takes riders on a journey through glaciers, towering mountains, serene lakes and stunning coastlines. Operating exclusively from June through August and with four different tour options, including a build your own experience, the all-inclusive packages feature gourmet meals prepared by professional chefs and comfortable camping setups. 

Southcentral

• Sunny Cove Kayaking is introducing two new tours. The “Waterfalls & Rainforest Tour” explores Seward's coastline as guests paddle through turquoise waters, have chances to spot wildlife, and discover cascading waterfalls in a lush rainforest. For the ultimate adventure, the “Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise & Glacier Kayak Combo” combines a private catamaran cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park with glacier kayaking and wildlife encounters, all in one day.
• Tordrillo Mountain Lodge and EYOS have partnered to offer two distinct experiences in one. Guests will spend seven nights aboard the luxury Hanse Explorer, exploring fjords, kayaking, hiking and spotting wildlife, followed by four nights at the remote Tordrillo Mountain Lodge with activities like fly-fishing, rafting and flightseeing to iconic national parks. 
• Alaska Photo Treks is offering its all-new “Alaska Aurora and Wilderness Adventure Tour” based out of Anchorage. Combining landscape and aurora photography with outdoor adventure, this comprehensive experience features remote camping, dog mushing and expert-led aurora photography sessions.
• Anchorage Trolley Tours is introducing the “Winter City Tour,” a 3.5-hour, heated trolley experience featuring over 10 stops throughout Anchorage. Guests can enjoy attractions such as the 25-foot Snow Ella snow sculpture, coffee with a pilot at Rust's Flying Service and views from Point Woronzof. The tour also includes visits to local highlights like the Ulu Factory and a seafood processor offering fresh Alaska salmon samples.
• Adventures by True North is offering winter kayaking tours on Knik River. Guests can paddle among snow and ice patches on this cold weather kayaking experience. 
• Alaska Helicopter Tours is expanding operations to Seward in 2025. The operator will be offering five tours including a helicopter and glacier dog sled tour in partnership with six-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey.
• Alyeska Resort is introducing enhanced guided mountain experiences, and debuting its Black Diamond Club, offering helicopter and cat skiing into the Chugach Mountains. New offerings include discounted online bookings for Mountain Sports School, Terrain Based Learning, lessons for all skill levels, private guided experiences and the Mountain Explorer's Club for youth.
• Alaska Tour & Travel is launching a Whittier-Seward cruise connection, an all-new cruise transfer connecting guests arriving or departing on cruises via Whittier with Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park from May 12 to Sept. 15, 2025.
• Alaska Legacy Snowmobile Tours is launching guided snowmobile tours this winter to Homer's backcountry. Guests can experience the thrill of snowmobiling while taking in the hidden gems found beyond Kachemak Bay on expert-guided adventures.