Alaska Cruise Comparison
Both have a place. The question is which Alaska you're after.
We sailed the Holland America Noordam in May (mainstream) and the HX Expeditions MS Roald Amundsen in July (expedition). The mainstream cruise was beautiful — Glacier Bay from the deck, excellent dining, a comfortable stateroom. But approaching a calving glacier by Zodiac, with a marine biologist beside us explaining what we were watching, was a completely different experience.
Both have a place. The question is what kind of Alaska you're after — and what you're willing to pay to get it. We're happy to help you figure that out. Our guidance is free — we earn a commission from the cruise lines when we book, so our advice costs you nothing.
The Numbers
Mainstream fares look cheaper until you price in everything expedition cruising already includes.
Holland America · Noordam · 7 Nights
HX Expeditions · MS Roald Amundsen · 9 Nights
The Experience
Ship size shapes almost everything else on this list.
Ports of Call
Where the ship can go is a function of how big the ship is.
Who It's For
Our verdict on each
The gateway to Alaska
Mainstream cruising delivers Alaska's iconic scenery and ports at an accessible price. Ideal for first-timers and families. The hidden costs add up — but so does the comfort.
The real Alaska
When you factor in every included item, expedition cruising closes the price gap fast. Nothing else gets you this close to the wild. This is Alaska without guardrails.
Planning Assumptions
- Cabin category. Pricing is based on an equivalent unobstructed balcony stateroom on Holland America and an Arctic Superior cabin on HX Expeditions — both a mid-tier private outdoor-view cabin on their respective vessel types.
- Shore excursion costs (Holland America). Because Holland America itineraries call at high-traffic, mainstream tourism ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway), shore excursion costs are elevated. At peak season, multiple large cruise ships dock simultaneously — often 5–10 vessels per port — driving demand and pricing for premium tours higher than off-season or expedition-market equivalents. Costs of $350–$1,000 per excursion reflect a realistic range for quality experiences that move guests away from the mass-passenger crowds.
- Pricing methodology. No sale, promotional, or last-minute pricing was applied. All figures are based on published rates from each cruise line's direct website, priced roughly a year in advance of sailing. Add-on costs (drinks packages, WiFi, gratuities) reflect each line's standard published rates as of 2026.
Not sure which Alaska is right for you?
Tell us what you're after — scenery and comfort, or wildlife and wild places — and we'll point you to the sailing that fits. No pressure, just an honest answer.