Alaska Repositioning Cruises
How ships arrive for the Alaska season and how they leave.
Get Alaska Repositioning QuotesHow Ships Arrive in Alaska and Leave Again
Alaska is a summer destination, so the big ships that sail there spend the rest of the year somewhere else. Alaska repositioning cruises are the voyages that bring them north in spring and take them south again in autumn, and they come from more directions than most travelers realize.
| Route | Usual direction and season | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| California to Vancouver or Seattle | North in spring, south in autumn | A short coastal hop; see Pacific Coastal cruises |
| Hawaii to Vancouver | North in spring | Several open-ocean sea days after island calls; see Hawaii repositioning |
| Japan or Asia to Vancouver | East in spring | A long transpacific, often via Alaska ports; see transpacific cruises |
| Florida through the Panama Canal | West in spring, east in autumn | Ships from the Caribbean season; see Panama Canal repositioning |
Spring or Autumn?
Spring northbound voyages catch the Pacific Northwest in fresh green and the first long days. They suit travelers who want to start an Alaska summer early, or to combine the repositioning with a full Alaska cruise afterward.
Autumn southbound voyages leave as the Alaska season winds down. They can end in California, Hawaii, Mexico or Asia, and suit people heading for winter sun. Some travelers book the last Alaska cruise of the season and stay aboard for the repositioning that follows.
Making It a Deal
- Price the one-way flight from the end port before you book; Vancouver, Seattle and Los Angeles all have frequent flights to most of North America.
- Remember the U.S. port rule: a sailing that starts in one U.S. port and ends in another needs a distant foreign call, so most coastal one-ways use Vancouver.
- Pair a short repositioning with a full Alaska cruise for a long trip with one set of flights.
- Allow a hotel night at the start; RoomsCheap.com lists hotels near Canada Place and Seattle pre-cruise hotels.
One more tip: autumn southbound sailings can be booked as a pair with the last Alaska week of the season. You keep the same cabin, unpack once and see two very different trips, glaciers first and then the open Pacific.
Once the ship reaches Alaska, our sister sites Cruising Alaska and Alaska Port Excursions cover the season itself and the ports, from Juneau to Skagway.
Alaska Repositioning Questions
When are Alaska repositioning cruises?
Northbound voyages cluster in spring, just before the Alaska season opens, and southbound voyages in early autumn, as it closes. The exact weeks depend on each ship’s schedule.
Do Alaska repositioning cruises visit Alaska?
Some do and some do not. A Pacific Coastal hop from Los Angeles to Vancouver may never reach Alaska, while a transpacific from Japan or a voyage from Hawaii may call at Alaska ports on the way. Check the itinerary, not just the name.
Is the weather worse on a repositioning sailing?
Early and late in the season, expect cooler temperatures and a greater chance of rough seas in the open Pacific than in midsummer on the Inside Passage.
Find an Alaska Repositioning Cruise
Tell us whether you prefer spring or autumn and where you would like to start or finish. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare Alaska repositioning cruises and send free quotes.
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