The Inside Passage isn’t open ocean — it’s a narrow, island-studded channel with mountains rising directly from the water. The scenery is dramatic and often close enough to photograph from a cabin balcony. Which side of the ship you’re on determines what you see.
The Short Answer
| Route | Best Side |
|---|---|
| Northbound (Seattle/Vancouver → Juneau) | Port (left) |
| Southbound (Juneau → Seattle/Vancouver) | Starboard (right) |
| Roundtrip from Seattle | Port going north, starboard returning |
| Glacier Bay | Both — ship rotates |
| Hubbard Glacier | Both — ship rotates |
Why Port Side for Northbound
Northbound Inside Passage sailings hug the British Columbia and Southeast Alaska coast. The dominant scenery — the BC coastal mountains, the fjords near Ketchikan, the approach to Juneau — sits on the port (left) side as you head north.
Key sightings on a northbound sailing where port side wins:
- Ketchikan approach — Revillagigedo Island and the Misty Fjords backdrop
- Tracy Arm entrance — The cliff walls narrow on both sides but the main glacier faces port
- Juneau approach — Mt. Juneau and the Douglas Island face port
Why Starboard for Southbound
Flip the logic — southbound, you’re facing south, and the same coastline is now on your right (starboard). All the same viewpoints apply in reverse.
What About Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier?
Both of these are dead ends — the ship sails in, gets close to the glacier face, and then turns around. During these encounters, the bridge typically rotates the ship slowly so all guests get the view from multiple angles. Side of ship doesn’t matter for Glacier Bay or Hubbard.
The Park Service naturalist on the Glacier Bay transit specifically rotates commentary between the two sides. If you have a balcony on the “wrong” side, step out — the ship will turn toward you eventually.
Balcony vs. Side of Ship
Here’s the counterintuitive truth: a balcony on the “wrong” side is better than an ocean-view cabin on the “right” side for most Alaska wildlife encounters.
Whales don’t surface on a schedule. Bears appear on shore without notice. Calving glaciers crack without warning. The value of a balcony is instant access to outdoor space at any hour — not the panoramic view that an ocean-view window also provides.
If choosing between:
- Balcony cabin on starboard (southbound sailing) vs. ocean-view on port side → take the balcony
- Interior cabin on port side vs. balcony on starboard → take the balcony
The exception: if you have an ocean-view on the “correct” side AND there’s a public forward observation deck on the ship, you can access both the best views and outdoor wildlife encounters without the balcony premium.
Mid-Ship vs. Forward vs. Aft
Mid-ship: Most stable, least motion sickness risk, typically offers the best side views. Best all-around choice.
Forward: More wind and motion, but unobstructed forward views for scenic cruising days. Good if you’re motion-stable and prioritize glacier approach views.
Aft: Often the best value — aft balconies on many ships are larger and cheaper. You’ll miss the forward approach views but gain a wake view (dramatic at sunset). Not ideal if you’re prone to motion sickness since aft cabins tend to pitch more.
Deck Height
Higher isn’t always better. Decks 8–12 give clear views over tender boats and other deck equipment. Decks 4–6 balconies may be partially blocked. Very high decks (14+) have excellent views but more motion and more exposure to wind — which matters when you want to stand on your balcony in 45°F Alaska weather.
Practical Advice
If you can’t get a balcony on the “correct” side, don’t stress it. Alaska ships have observation lounges, forward decks, and multiple public outdoor spaces. The ship’s naturalist will announce significant sightings on the PA. The best wildlife viewing often happens from public decks anyway — you’re not going to see the humpback breach and stay on your private balcony while everyone else watches from deck 12.
Get the balcony if you can. Get the right side if balconies are available on both. But don’t pay a significant premium to upgrade from one side to the other if the other costs are already sorted.
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View the Packing Checklist →Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of an Alaska cruise ship has the best views?
For northbound Inside Passage sailings (Seattle/Vancouver to Juneau), port side (left when facing forward) gets the best views of the British Columbia and Alaska coastline. For southbound sailings, it reverses — starboard side. If you're doing a roundtrip from Seattle, port side is better going up, starboard coming back. For Glacier Bay, the ship rotates so both sides see the glaciers.
Is a balcony worth it on an Alaska cruise?
Yes — more than on any other cruise destination. Alaska's scenery is best experienced from a private outdoor space where you can step outside immediately when something appears. Whales, bears on shore, calving glaciers, bald eagles — all of these require you to be outside instantly. A balcony lets you do that in your bathrobe at 6am. Even a small balcony significantly outperforms an interior or ocean-view cabin.
What deck is best for viewing on an Alaska cruise?
Higher decks give wider, less obstructed views but more wind and motion. Mid-ship decks (typically 8–10 on large ships) balance views with stability and are closest to the lifeboats, which actually offer good unobstructed sightlines. Avoid lowest cabin decks — balconies on deck 4 or 5 may be partially blocked by tender equipment or structural overhang.
Does the side of the ship matter for Inside Passage sailing?
Yes, significantly. The Inside Passage is a narrow channel — sometimes only a mile wide — with coastline on both sides but the most dramatic scenery typically on one side. The 'good side' tracks with your sailing direction: port side for northbound, starboard for southbound.