Several new and old ships ply the Alaskan waters taking cruisers along. There are ships are of all possible classes. There are big and small ships, luxury ships and ships with balconies in their cabins and more deck space. People who wish to go on a cruise must ascertain, in advance, what kind of a ship they would be on.

One of the ships currently offering Alaskan cruises is the Radiance of the Seas, belonging to Royal Caribbean International. It is a huge ship, with the space to accommodate 2,100 people. Its glass elevators look out into the sea and provide a breathtaking view. Onboard entertainment facilities include the Jakarta Lounge and the Singapore Sling. Besides these it has the Aurora Theater and the Art Nouveau Casino Royale. It has two sister ships, Serenade of the Seas and Vision of the Seas, which ply exclusively in Alaska.

Another famous Alaskan cruise ship is the Celebrity Infinity. It can accommodate 1,950 people. Its features include an aromatherapy session named AquaSpa, a musical library called Enjoy Notes, and the Trellis Restaurant. Its sister ships, Summit and Millennium, also sail on Alaskan cruises.

Other big ships that offer Alaskan cruises are Radisson Seven Seas Mariner, Carnival Spirit and seven ships from the cruise company Princess. The Norwegian Cruise Lines also sends its ships for Alaskan cruises. Some of them are Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Sun.

Apart from the mainstream big ships, there are several small ships offering Alaskan cruises for those on tighter budgets. Small ships provide more adventure and offshore activities than bigger ships. They may carry less than 100 passengers. Some companies providing small ships for Alaskan cruises are Lindblad Expeditions, the Clipper Cruise Lines, and Cruise West.

The experiences of cruising in Alaska on mainstream ships and small ships are totally different. Big ships are designed for people who are looking for more luxury and comfort, while small ships are designed for adventure seekers. Big ships have better facilities to keep everyone amused all the time, while small ships give opportunities to build more friends and camaraderie.