When planning an unforgettable Alaskan adventure, one question often pops up: Which ships sail to Alaska with Royal Caribbean?The answer is exciting because Royal Caribbean offers some of its best mid-sized and large cruise ships for Alaska—each designed to take you closer to glaciers, wildlife, and mesmerizing landscapes.
In this detailed guide, you’ll explore the ships, routes, itineraries, ports, highlights, onboard features, and expert tips to choose the perfect Royal Caribbean ship for your Alaska cruise.
Let’s begin your journey into the wild beauty of Alaska—with the right ship as your home at sea.
Royal Caribbean deploys a select fleet of Oasis-class inspired, Quantum-class, Radiance-class, and Voyager-class ships to Alaska. These ships balance comfort, immersive viewing experiences, heated pools, solariums, and adventure activities that make the Alaska experience even better.
Here are the primary ships that sail to Alaska:
Quantum of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas (occasionally depending on season)
Now let’s explore each ship in depth.
Quantum-class ships are among Royal Caribbean’s most technologically advanced, with massive indoor spaces—perfect for cooler Alaskan weather.
Quantum of the Seas is one of the most popular ships for Alaska due to its excellent balance of activities and scenic viewing spaces.
North Star observation capsule rising 300 feet above sea level
Two70° immersive theater with stunning panoramic glacier views
Indoor SeaPlex featuring roller-skating, bumper cars, trapeze & more
Heated indoor pools & adults-only solarium
Ideal for families, multi-generational groups & couples
Juneau
Skagway
Sitka
Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
Victoria, British Columbia
It offers the widest range of indoor activities—perfect if you want both scenic beauty and entertainment even during cooler sail days.
Another Quantum-class ship, Ovation of the Seas mirrors Quantum’s amenities, making it one of the top choices for adventure-focused Alaska travel.
North Star capsule with glacier photo spots
Large indoor pool areas
Ultra-modern observation lounges
Dining variety from casual to premium
Skagway
Juneau
Tracy Arm Fjord
Hubbard Glacier
Icy Strait Point
Its modern design and weather-friendly indoor zones make it excellent for first-time Alaska cruisers who want comfort and luxury.
Radiance-class ships are known for their floor-to-ceiling glass walls, offering some of the best glacier and mountain views at sea.
Radiance of the Seas is a mid-sized ship designed to bring Alaska’s beauty directly to your window.
Over 3 acres of glass panels
Perfect size for navigating narrow fjords
Outdoor viewing decks ideal for wildlife spotting
Specialty dining like Chops Grille & Izumi
Hubbard Glacier
Icy Strait Point
Ketchikan
Misty Fjords
It’s ideal for travelers wanting maximum nature focus with quieter spaces and panoramic views.
Brilliance is similar to Radiance, offering excellent scenic cruising opportunities.
Expansive glass architecture
Refined, relaxed atmosphere
Ideal for photography lovers
Smaller crowds and more intimate spaces
Sitka
Haines
Ketchikan
Dawes Glacier
Perfect if you prefer calm cruising, rich scenery, and natural exploration over big-ship entertainment.
Serenade of the Seas combines comfort, panoramic viewing, and large open decks for spotting whales, seals, and bald eagles.
Glass lifts overlooking the sea
Stunning ocean views from lounges
Good balance of activity and relaxation
Cruise routes featuring glaciers
Endicott Arm
Juneau
Skagway
Ketchikan
Dawes Glacier
If you’re looking for the best mix of serenity and outdoor viewing, Serenade is an excellent choice.
Occasionally deployed for Alaska itineraries, Voyager is larger than Radiance ships but not as indoor-focused as Quantum-class vessels.
Royal Promenade
Ice skating shows
FlowRider surf simulator
Depends on season and deployment year.
Best for travelers who want more onboard entertainment and activities.
Not all ships suit every traveler. Here’s how to choose based on travel style.
Quantum ships offer:
SeaPlex indoor sports
Adventure Ocean kids programs
Spacious stateroom options
Plenty of covered viewing areas
Why?
Peaceful atmosphere
More intimate lounges
Better panoramic decks
Less crowding
Because you get:
RipCord iFly (indoor skydiving)
FlowRider surf simulator
North Star capsule views
These ships are built with glass everywhere, ideal for:
Glacier viewing
Whale watching
Mountain panoramas
It offers:
Activities for all ages
Large dining variety
Comfortable, warm indoor spaces
Whale watching
Mendenhall Glacier
Aerial trams
White Pass Scenic Railway
Gold rush towns
Dog sled tours
Totem heritage parks
Floatplane adventures
Salmon fishing
Russian heritage
Sea otters
Volcano views
One of the most active tidewater glaciers.
Home to waterfalls and icebergs.
An intimate glacier experience, especially for Radiance-class ships.
Royal Caribbean offers ships with:
360° observation lounges
Glass-paneled public areas
Heated solarium pools
Skydiving simulators
North Star viewing capsule
Glacier-side cruising
From quick bites to fine dining.
Orca sightings
Bear encounters
Native performances
Earlier months (May–June): More snow, cooler weatherPeak months (July–August): Best wildlifeLate season (September): Cheaper prices
Families → Quantum-classScenic lovers → Radiance-class
Most cruises depart from:
Seattle
Vancouver
Seward
Some ships access narrower fjords better than others.
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