Choosing Your 2027 Alaska Cruise: A Veteran's Guide to the Top 4 Cruise Lines

Why Alaska, and Why the Cruise Line Matters

Few trips deliver the way Alaska does: calving glaciers, humpbacks breaching off the bow, and gold-rush towns that still feel like the frontier. For many veterans, it's also the trip they've talked about for years, sometimes since a posting in the Pacific Northwest or a stop at Elmendorf or Fort Wainwright.

The 2027 season runs roughly May through September, and the best cabins on popular sailings go early. But picking the right ship matters as much as picking the right itinerary. The four lines that carry most Alaska cruisers, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, feel very different onboard. They also reward military service in very different ways.

This guide walks through each one, with the veteran benefit up front, so you can match the line to your crew and claim every dollar you've earned.

Quick Tips for Picking an Alaska Cruise

Round-trip or one-way? Inside Passage round-trips from Seattle or Vancouver are the simplest: same airport in and out, usually seven nights, often the best value. One-way Gulf of Alaska cruises sail between Vancouver and Whittier or Seward. They reach farther north and pair well with a Denali land tour, but expect a pricier open-jaw flight.

Which glacier? Glacier Bay National Park is the headliner, and only a limited number of ships get permits to enter each day. Hubbard Glacier is massive and active. Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm (Dawes Glacier) are narrow, dramatic fjords, though ice can keep big ships from reaching the face.

When to go:

• May–June: Lower fares, fewer crowds, long daylight, and good odds of spotting wildlife with young.

• July–August: Warmest weather and peak salmon runs, but the highest prices and busiest ports. This is also when kids are out of school.

• September: Shoulder-season deals, fall color and a chance at the northern lights, with more rain.

The Top 4 Alaska Cruise Lines

Princess Cruises

Veteran benefit: Princess doesn't cut the fare. Instead, U.S. and Canadian veterans and active, retired or disabled military receive onboard credit, which is spending money loaded to your cabin account. It's $50 for cruises of six days or less, $100 for 7–13 days and $250 for 14 days or more, so a typical seven-day Alaska sailing earns $100. Apply through the Princess website with proof of service at least 14 days before you sail. The credit works for shore excursions, specialty dining, the spa and the shops.

Princess is the Alaska specialist. It runs its own wilderness lodges, makes cruise-and-Denali packages easy, and brings rangers and naturalists aboard through its North to Alaska programming. It works for both families and adults, with a calmer feel than the mega-ships.

• Excursions: Deep Alaska catalog, from Juneau whale watching to Denali rail and lodge stays, with gentler options for limited mobility.

• Food: Solid main dining plus specialty restaurants and fresh Alaska seafood nights.

• Entertainment: Production shows, movies under the stars and Alaska-focused talks.

• Included amenities: Basics are in the fare; Princess Plus and Premier packages bundle drinks, Wi-Fi and tips.

Holland America Line

Veteran benefit: U.S. and Canadian active, retired and veteran military get $100 in onboard credit per stateroom on new bookings. It's credit, not a fare reduction, and it requires verification through Holland America's military form, so verify before you book. If you use a travel advisor, ask them to add the offer.

Holland America has sailed Alaska for generations and holds coveted Glacier Bay access. Ships are mid-sized and quieter, which suits adults and older travelers who'd rather watch for whales than wait in line for a waterslide.

• Excursions: Classic Alaska tours plus strong Glacier Bay days led by park rangers.

• Food: Refined dining with a seafood focus and good specialty restaurants.

• Entertainment: Live music venues and Alaska Up Close enrichment talks.

• Included amenities: The Have It All package bundles excursions, drinks, specialty dining and Wi-Fi.

Royal Caribbean International

Veteran benefit: Royal Caribbean offers military rates on select sailings for active duty, Guard and Reserve, retirees and honorably discharged veterans. Veterans must have served at least two years, or six months in an active war zone. The eligible member has to occupy the stateroom, and veterans show a DD-214 plus photo ID at check-in. Limited-time sales sometimes add extra savings, and some sailings host veteran gatherings onboard.

Royal Caribbean sends some of its biggest, busiest ships north. That makes it the pick for grandkids who need a lot to do on sea days.

• Excursions: Broad menu of Alaska tours with active adventure options for teens and younger adults.

• Food: Main dining, casual buffet and a range of extra-cost specialty spots.

• Entertainment: Broadway-style shows, FlowRider surfing, rock climbing and, on some ships, the North Star observation capsule.

• Included amenities: Adventure Ocean kids' club and most activities are included; drinks and Wi-Fi cost extra.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Veteran benefit: NCL's Military Appreciation Program gives U.S. and Canadian active-duty members and veterans 10% off the cruise fare, year-round. You verify through ID.me, and the discount covers the verified member's whole stateroom, one stateroom per member per sailing. Promotions sometimes raise it to 20% on select sailings. Onboard, the program adds a Military Appreciation reception, challenge coins and ship patches. It was built with NCL's own Veteran Task Force.

NCL's "Freestyle" approach means no fixed dinner times or dress codes, which suits groups with mixed schedules.

• Excursions: Full Alaska lineup; bundle promotions often include excursion credit.

• Food: Many restaurants and flexible dining times.

• Entertainment: Broadway-caliber shows and lively evening venues.

• Included amenities: Bundle promotions often add drinks and specialty dining.

Ship assignments and package names for 2027 can change, so confirm details with the cruise line before booking.

The Verdict

Best for multi-generational families: Royal Caribbean. No other line in Alaska gives kids, teens and active adults as much to do between ports. Its military rate can cover everyone sharing the eligible member's stateroom. If your family wants a calmer ship with deeper Alaska expertise and easy Denali lodge packages, Princess is a strong runner-up.

Best for adults: Holland America. Quieter decks, rich Alaska enrichment, refined dining and live music make it ideal for couples and friends traveling together. Its Glacier Bay access is a real draw. Princess is the runner-up here too, especially if you want to add a land tour.

Best overall veteran value: Norwegian. A standing 10% off the fare is the largest year-round percentage discount of the four. On a family-sized balcony fare, that usually beats a fixed $100 credit. Add the reception, challenge coins and a program shaped by NCL's Veteran Task Force, and Norwegian does the most to recognize your service.

Your Next Steps

Have your DD-214 or verification ready before you start shopping, since several programs require approval before booking. Compare each veteran offer against the line's public sales, then use whichever saves more. Book 2027 Alaska early for the best cabin choice, especially in summer. A cruise-specialist travel advisor who knows military rates can stack the offers for you.

Discounts and programs change, so verify current terms when booking.

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