NCL Alaska 2027: Which Ship Should You Book?

If you’re thinking about an Alaska cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line in 2027, you may be asking what seems like a simple question: 

Which NCL ship should I book? 

My advice? Don’t choose the ship first.

Choose the Alaska experience you want first. 

NCL’s 2027 Alaska season includes Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Jade. Each offers a different way to experience Alaska, and the right choice depends on much more than restaurants, entertainment or onboard amenities. 

Your itinerary, available vacation time, departure city and what you want to experience in Alaska can matter just as much as the ship. 

Norwegian Encore: A Convenient Introduction to Alaska 

Norwegian Encore offers seven-day roundtrip Alaska cruises from Seattle in 2027. 

For many travelers, especially those visiting Alaska for the first time, roundtrip Seattle can make planning easier. You arrive and depart from the same city without coordinating transportation between two different destinations.

Encore also offers spaces designed for enjoying Alaska’s scenery, including its Observation Lounge.

But remember: the ship is part of your Alaska experience. It isn’t the entire experience.

Before choosing Encore, look closely at the itinerary. Which ports will you visit? How much time will you have there? What experiences are most important to you? 

Norwegian Bliss: Look at the Itinerary 

Norwegian Bliss is another option for travelers who like the convenience of a seven-day roundtrip Seattle cruise.

NCL’s published 2027 itineraries include Alaska ports such as Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, along with Victoria, British Columbia.

This is where cruises that initially look similar can become very different vacations.

Maybe wildlife is high on your list. Perhaps you’ve dreamed about riding a scenic railway, experiencing Alaska’s history or getting out on the water.

Instead of asking whether Bliss is “better” than Encore, ask:

Which itinerary gives me more of the Alaska I came to experience?

Norwegian Joy: Consider More Time in Alaska 

Norwegian Joy deserves a closer look if you have more vacation time.

In addition to seven-day sailings, NCL has scheduled select nine- and 10-day Alaska voyages aboard Joy during the 2027 season.

Those extra days can create opportunities to experience more destinations.

For travelers who consider Alaska a major bucket-list vacation, that additional time may be more valuable than choosing the shortest itinerary.

Of course, longer doesn’t automatically mean better. Your vacation needs to fit your schedule, budget and travel style.

Norwegian Jade: Think Beyond the Cruise 

Norwegian Jade offers a different approach.

NCL plans seven-day one-way voyages between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska, during the 2027 season, with scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay depending on the sailing.

A one-way itinerary can be especially appealing if you want your cruise to become part of a larger Alaska adventure.

Rather than returning to your original departure city, you may be able to extend your vacation on land. NCL offers Cruisetour possibilities that can include experiences such as Denali National Park and the Alaska Railroad.

If you’re thinking, “If I’m going all the way to Alaska, I want to really experience Alaska,” this is an option worth exploring.

So, Which NCL Alaska Ship Is Best for 2027? 

There isn’t one answer.

Consider Encore if the convenience of a seven-day roundtrip Seattle cruise appeals to you.

Consider Bliss if its particular ports and itinerary better match the Alaska experiences on your wish list.

Consider Joy if you have more vacation time and want to explore longer itinerary possibilities.

Consider Jade if you’re interested in a one-way cruise and potentially adding an Alaska land experience.

Notice something?

None of those recommendations begins with the newest feature or best restaurant.

They begin with you.

Why This Matters to Your Vacation 

Two cruises can both say “Alaska” and create very different vacations.

Before booking, ask yourself:

• How many days can I comfortably travel?
• Is roundtrip Seattle important?
• Which Alaska ports and experiences matter most?
• Is glacier viewing a priority?
• Do I want to extend my vacation on land?
• What pace works best for me and my traveling companions? 

These questions can tell you much more than simply comparing cruise fares.  “When I sit down and have a Discovery Conversation with a potential client it is very important to find out what an Alaska trip means to them.  Some clients want to see whales and glaciers.  Others would feel like they miss out if they didn’t go to Denali as well on the train in a dome car.  That is why it is so important to find out exactly what your Alaskan vacation is going to look like and feel like to you.  Every single person is different.” ~ Tina Moczynski, Cruise Specialist, Shores And More Travel. 

My tip: Compare itineraries before comparing cabins. 

Look at departure cities, ports, time in port, scenic cruising and opportunities to explore Alaska on land. Then compare the ships.

You may discover that the cruise you initially overlooked is actually the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which NCL ships are sailing Alaska in 2027? 

NCL’s published 2027 Alaska program includes Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Jade. 

Does NCL offer longer Alaska cruises in 2027? 

Yes. Norwegian Joy is scheduled to offer select nine- and 10-day Alaska voyages in addition to seven-day options. 

Can I combine an NCL cruise with an Alaska land vacation? 

Yes. NCL offers Cruisetour options that can extend the experience beyond the cruise, including opportunities to experience destinations such as Denali National Park and the Alaska Railroad. 

Should I choose an Alaska cruise based on the ship or itinerary? 

Consider both, but I recommend starting with the itinerary. In Alaska, where you go and what you have the opportunity to experience can have an enormous impact on your vacation. 

Alaska Isn’t Just Somewhere You Go 

For many travelers, Alaska is somewhere they’ve dreamed about for years.

Maybe you want to watch a glacier rise above the water. Ride the Alaska Railroad. Look for whales. See Denali. Or simply stand outside while mountains pass by your ship.

Those are the experiences worth planning around.

The goal isn’t simply to come home saying, “I took an Alaska cruise.”

It’s to come home saying, “That was the Alaska experience I hoped for.”   

Ready to Find Your Alaska Cruise? 

If Alaska is calling but you’re unsure which ship or itinerary is right for you, I invite you to schedule your complimentary Shores And More Travel Discovery Conversation.

We’ll talk about how you want to experience Alaska, what matters most to you and what you want this vacation to feel like—then look at the options that truly fit.

And if you’re still dreaming and gathering ideas, join the Live It List Club for travel inspiration, destination ideas and helpful planning advice.

Because life is too short for bucket lists—live them.