2025 is set to be an exciting year for Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruises. Four ships will sail in the region from May to September, visiting historic ports and magnificent glaciers throughout the Last Frontier.
If you’re considering an Alaska cruise in 2025, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of each ship sailing to the region. Not all Royal Caribbean cruise ships are created equal, after all. Understanding the key differences between the vessels will help you pick the best ship for your cruise vacation.
Let’s jump in and compare the four Royal Caribbean cruise ships sailing to Alaska in 2025.
Quantum of the Seas
Homeport: Seattle, Washington (Monday departures)
Ports: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, Sitka, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Skagway
Quantum of the Seas will return to Alaska in 2025 for her fourth consecutive cruise season in the region, offering 7-night roundtrip itineraries from Seattle. Each week, itineraries visit three Alaska cruise ports along with a stop in Victoria, British Columbia. One shorter, 5-night itinerary is offered in May.
Related: All about Quantum Class ships
Most itineraries include a scenic sailing to Dawes Glacier. To get there, passengers will transit through the stunning Endicott Arm fjord.
As a Quantum Class ship, Quantum of the Seas boasts Royal Caribbean’s most popular amenities and attractions, making the vessel an excellent choice for families.
Adults will love features like the thermal suite—perfect for staying warm in chilly Alaska—along with technology-focused production shows in the Two70 venue.
Kids, on the other hand, can enjoy thrilling attractions like the indoor skydiving simulator, rock climbing wall, and bumper cars.
Quantum of the Seas is well-appointed with pool options for a cold-weather cruise, too. Aside from an outdoor pool is an indoor pool for guests of all ages, as well as an indoor pool in the adults-only Solarium.
Anthem of the Seas
Homeport: Seattle, Washington (Friday departures)
Ports: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, Sitka, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Skagway
Anthem of the Seas will make her Alaska debut in 2025, marking the first Alaska cruise season for the vessel. Like Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas will also sail from Seattle on 7-night roundtrip itineraries.
Related: Anthem of the Seas Guide & Review
Itineraries are nearly identical to those offered on Quantum of the Seas. Guests hoping to visit Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier should double check their itinerary choice, however, as not all sailings include a glacier viewing day.
Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas are both Quantum Class vessels, and passengers will notice little variation between the two ships. It’s worth noting that Anthem of the Seas features a Broadway show—We Will Rock You—and offers Johnny Rockets on the pool deck instead of Quantum’s Asian-inspired Noodle Shop.
Serenade of the Seas
Homeport: Vancouver, British Columbia (Sunday departures)
Ports: Inside Passage (Canada), Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Skagway
The third ship sailing to Alaska in 2025 is Serenade of the Seas, departing every Sunday on roundtrip cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Embarking an Alaska cruise in Vancouver gives guests the opportunity to sail through Canada’s Inside Passage. As the ship departs the city, guests can enjoy mountain landscapes surrounding both sides of the ship. This provides a sneak peek into the remarkable scenery yet to come.
Related: All about Radiance Class cruise ships
7-night itineraries on Serenade of the Seas visit four ports along with a visit to Tracy Arm Fjord, home to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Most port visits are to common destinations like Juneau and Ketchikan, but some itineraries include visits to less-frequented ports, such as Haines, Alaska and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
Serenade of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship, which makes her significantly smaller in size and capacity compared to Quantum and Anthem of the Seas.
The core Royal Caribbean features, including the Windjammer buffet, Schooner Bar, and Chops Grille, are still onboard, but there are fewer amenities compared to the fleet’s newer ships.
Related: I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each
Because of this, families may not find as many options for kids onboard. That being said, there are still amenities like a rock climbing wall, mini golf court, and a kid-friendly splash area. The only indoor pool on Serenade of the Seas is found in the adults-only Solarium, but this area is open for family swimming during select hours.
Radiance of the Seas
Homeports: Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska (Friday departures)
Ports: Inside Passage (Canada), Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka
Those hoping to visit Alaska’s interior before or after their cruise should choose a sailing on Radiance of the Seas. The ship will offer one-way itineraries in 2025, departing from Vancouver and ending in Seward, Alaska (and vice versa).
Of all Royal Caribbean’s Alaska itineraries, those on Radiance of the Seas are the most unique.
Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide
Unlike itineraries from Seattle, Radiance of the Seas’ itineraries include four, not three, port stops in Alaska. It’s possible, for example, to visit Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point or Ketchikan on a 7-night cruise. Plus, most itineraries include a scenic glacier viewing day of Hubbard Glacier, and visiting this spectacular destination is only possible on Radiance of the Seas.
Another benefit of one-way cruises is the chance to explore Alaska’s interior. Because cruises start or end in Seward, passengers are just a stone’s throw away from destinations like Denali National Park and Preserve and Talkeetna. Royal Caribbean offers Cruisetours to these destinations, which can be added to the start or end of most one-way itineraries.
Like Serenade of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas lacks Royal Caribbean’s newest amenities and onboard thrills. The layout and experience is similar to that of Serenade, but Radiance has an additional specialty dining venue, with Brazilian cuisine available at Samba Grill.
Deciding between a Quantum Class and Radiance Class ship for Alaska
One of the most important choices a prospective cruiser can make when planning an Alaska cruise is deciding between a Quantum Class and Radiance Class ship. Despite both classes being part of Royal Caribbean’s fleet, they are quite different from one another.
If you value options and convenience, pick a Quantum Class ship
It’s hard to go wrong with a Quantum Class cruise ship. These mega-ships are filled to the brim with restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, pools, and onboard thrills. Whether it’s a game of laser tag in the SeaPlex or a surfing lesson on the FlowRider, these ships provide endless ways to have fun for guests of all ages.
Related: 8 questions to ask yourself before picking a cruise ship
Beyond thrills, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas offer state-of-the-art amenities. The vessels are more modern than Radiance Class ships, having been launched over ten years after the latter.
Interior cabins, for instance, feature a virtual balcony, which displays a floor-to-ceiling live video feed of the view outside the ship. Passengers won’t want to miss the North Star, either, which is an observation pod that takes guests 300 feet above sea level. There’s no better way to witness Alaska’s beauty onboard!
Because Quantum Class ships depart from Seattle instead of Vancouver, travel times are typically more convenient for American travelers, as there are numerous direct flights to Seattle available from around the United States.
If you value in-depth itineraries and a low-key vibe, sail on a Radiance Class ship
Radiance Class ships may lack the bells and whistles of the Quantum Class ships sailing to Alaska, but that doesn’t mean they should be overlooked. Some passengers prefer the laid-back atmosphere found on these ships, along with the Alaska-intensive itineraries offered.
Calling Serenade and Radiance of the Seas small is relative—at maximum capacity, both ships can accommodate around 2,500 passengers. Unlike Quantum Class ships, you won’t find skydiving simulators and robotic bartenders onboard, but you can rest assured that there are more than enough activities, bars, and restaurants to stay satisfied.
Related: Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?
The main reason to book a Radiance Class ship to Alaska is for the itinerary. Departing from Vancouver on a Radiance Class ship means passengers can enjoy a more in-depth itinerary once in Alaska. For those interested in one-way cruises, a Radiance Class ship is the only option.
Outside of the itinerary, these ships are renowned for their abundance of windows. Over three acres of glass are found throughout both Serenade and Radiance of the Seas, meaning you’re never far from a panoramic view of Alaska’s beauty.
Any ship is sure to provide an excellent Alaska cruise experience
At the end of the day, any of the four ships sailing to Alaska in 2025 will make for a memorable vacation.
Most Alaska itineraries are relatively similar to one another regardless of the ship, so you can visit attractions like Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau or the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Skagway regardless of the ship you choose.
Nonetheless, it’s important to know the key differences between Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas before choosing one over another. Knowing what to expect helps ensure your vacation is off to a fantastic start once you board the ship on embarkation day and set sail to Alaska.
