Definition: The Inside Passage is a protected sea route along the western coast of North America. The Inside Passage stretches for about 950 miles (1530 km) from Seattle, Washington, along the coast of British Columbia and to the northern part of the Alaska panhandle at Skagway, Alaska.
Cruise ships often sail the Inside Passage because the waters are calm, the scenery spectacular, and the ports interesting. Cruises embarking in Seattle or Vancouver and visiting ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway are considered "Inside Passage" cruises.
Examples:
A cruise of the Inside Passage is one of the most popular itineraries for Alaska.
