Best Alaska Cruises in September 2024

As summer draws to a close, life begins the transition to fall in the great north, and a seven or 11-night Alaska cruise in September is the perfect way to see it for yourself. Luxury Alaska cruises with Celebrity offer first-hand experiences including wildlife spotting, hiking, visiting glaciers, and exploring historic Gold Rush towns. In September, the trees are beginning to assume their dazzling fall colors, yet the climate is still mild enough to enjoy Alaska’s great outdoors.

Cruises to Alaska in September start in Seward, Seattle, or Vancouver, and sail to exciting ports and through the sheltered natural passages of the Alaskan coastline. Ride a historic railway in Skagway across the mountains that connect Alaska with Canada’s Yukon. Learn about indigenous cultures and pioneer history at the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. You may even catch an early-season glimpse of the northern lights dancing across the sky.

Highlights of an Alaska Cruise in September

Whale Watching

September is still a good time to spot whales in Alaska before fall, when some species begin their migration south for the winter. Look out for the telltale blow of beluga, bowhead, and gray whales, or spot orca and humpbacks. You could book a whale watching tour to get up close to these majestic mammals, with many options available in ports like Ketchikan, and along the journey through the fjords of the Inside Passage.

Glorious Glaciers

Every cruise to Alaska with Celebrity includes opportunities to see some of the state’s mightiest glaciers. These massive rivers of ice move slowly, great chunks of blue-white ice calving off with a thunderous roar where the glacier meets the sea. Sail to the Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, or both, depending on your itinerary, and admire nature at its most awe-inspiring.

Living History

One of the biggest highlights of an Alaskan cruise is the ability to not just see, but also learn about this fascinating state, its people, its culture, and its deep connection with wild nature. Through museums in Juneau, preserved pioneer homes in Ketchikan, expert-guided tours of local glaciers, waterways, and wildlife preservations, you’ll get experiential education at its finest, first-hand on a luxury cruise to Alaska with Celebrity.