Alaska Cruise Deals: Prices, When to Book, and Tips

Table Of Content

• Budgeting for Airfare for an Alaska Cruise
• The 11 Most Popular Cruise Ships in Alaska: A Comparison
• Alaska Ports of Call
• Celebrity Solstice Is Popular with Couples and Families in Alaska
• Alaska Cruise Ports of Call
• Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.
• Best Alaska Cruise For Couples: Princess Cruises, Royal Princess
• Roundtrip Alaska Cruise from Seattle

Because smaller ships can fit into more Alaska ports, demand for those ships are often higher than the larger ships. An all-inclusive Alaskan cruise, which typically covers meals, drinks, and sometimes even shore excursions, can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $9,000 per person or more. The only areas where we could have saved money were by skipping the shore excursions or forgoing the local delicacies like fresh salmon or crab at the ports.

Budgeting for Airfare for an Alaska Cruise

OPINION: I decided to give an Alaska cruise a try. Then I got fined. - Anchorage Daily News

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The additional costs for internet tends to run between $15 to $25 per day, per device. Also referred to as “service charges”, these additional daily costs go to your room attendant, dining staff, and other crew members who work hard to make your cruise a special vacation. Sure, there are plenty of reasonably priced tours that give you the authentic Alaskan experience, or you can even explore some of the small Alaskan towns on your own for free. Ultimately, when deciding on an Alaska cruise itinerary, it really comes down to picking the option with the ports you want to visit. One-way cruises start in one port, usually Vancouver, and end in another destination (like Whittier, Alaska).

The 11 Most Popular Cruise Ships in Alaska: A Comparison

Expensive 7-day Alaska cruise on Princess cost $2,800 a person - Business Insider

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Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help. The best time to book an Alaska cruise is when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares. Finally, you'll find some round-trip San Francisco itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. Sail the Inside Passage, a series of channels and waterways formed by the march of glaciers, on your 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle. With an abundance of landmarks and wildlife, take in the sights and sounds of the Inside Passage from the comfort of your ship or on a thrilling excursion ashore.

Alaska Ports of Call

Additionally, this provides time to enjoy the city for a few days before or after the cruise travel dates. The base cruise fare is the price you'll often see advertised when researching Alaska cruises. This is the basic cost of getting on the ship and securing your room. Alaska cruise season is from April to October, which avoids the coldest and darkest times of the year. Cruises around the summer solstice may enjoy around 20 hours of sunshine since the days are so long. Many travelers dream of taking an Alaskan cruise, but they often fear how much it will cost.

The cost of an Alaskan cruise with a balcony can vary widely but generally starts at around $1,600 per person and can go up to $4,000 or more, depending on the cruise line and duration of the cruise. Cruise prices change over time; individual lines have different deals, so these are the average prices that we analyzed over several weeks to write this article. Planning and budgeting for meals on land can enrich your Alaskan cruise experience without any financial surprises. In the next section, we’ll discuss tips on how to save money on your Alaskan cruise. The opportunities to shop onboard are plentiful, from duty-free shops to art auctions.

Alaska Cruise Ports of Call

The ship has an “adult” feel, but there are kids’ clubs for various ages featuring Alaska enrichment. The Native Voices program couples video presentations with native guides onboard the ship. The ship carries just over 4,900 passengers at full capacity and has a layout capable of managing that crowd quite easily. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas is an ideal family-oriented ship for cruising in Alaska, with its forward-facing solarium area, complete with an adults-only pool, plus a separate family indoor pool. Then there’s the massive indoor activity zone called the SeaPlex featuring bumper cars, laser tag and even pickleball.

Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.

Pay close attention throughout your journey because you may see Grizzly and black bears, moose, bald eagles, humpback whales and pods of orcas. Early season cruises (April, May and June) are cheaper than July and August because school is still in session and that limits families' abilities to take a vacation. Moreover, the early Alaska season is colder and there is less demand. Be sure that when booking airfare and hotels you don’t leave it to the last minute. You want the trip to go as smoothly as possible so leave nothing up to chance. You want to have a smooth, well-planned cruise, not be stressed out the entire time.

We looked into the average pricing for a one-week Alaska cruise set for 2024. We focused on the top five cruise lines consistently receiving positive customer reviews. We picked the peak season for our study, specifically mid-July 2024.

If you're navigating Alaska cruise deals on your own, you'll want to consider your additions carefully. Since your cruise takes place entirely in North America, you likely have cell phone coverage while in port, making Wi-Fi potentially less necessary. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss.

The price for this Cruise Tour begins at $2300 per person for an interior cabin. If you don’t plan on booking excursions, you may choose to explore Alaska’s ports on your own. Most Alaska cruise ports are just a short walk from the main area of town, where you will find restaurants, saloons, historical districts, museums, and nature to enjoy. Those looking for a more comfortable whale watching experience may be interested in the “Luxury Whale Watching” excursion in Icy Point Straight.

Plus, transportation costs in Alaska are high, and there are some activities included. Cruise tours run between 9 – 14 nights, which feature a seven-night cruise with bus- or train-based tours through the interior and south-central Alaska. These vessels may not stop in local ports, instead anchoring at night and offering guests the chance to hike a remote shoreline, whale-watch from a kayak or attend a presentation by indigenous artisans. If any ports are visited, they're likely to be smaller communities like Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg and Yakutat. The fun continues the minute cruisers disembark in each port, with excursions ranging from dogsledding to private helicopter tours.

Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm. Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. No vacation in the world delivers once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Alaska.

Most lines will let you buy a drink package and/or a dining package during the first few days of your sailing, so you don’t have to make that decision before boarding. During our trips, we have averaged around $150 to $200 per person, per port for our shore excursion costs. So, with 4 to 5 ports of call, cruisers can easily spend upwards of $500 to over $1,000 on excursions. On our Alaska cruises, we have done a mix of land-based walking tours, as well as helicopter rides and float plane adventures. Not to mention glacier viewing, bear watching, zip lines, whale watching, and even visiting a bald eagle preserve. Most onboard entertainment is included in the price of your cruise.

Many cruise lines now give you the option to pre-pay these charges before cruising so you can budget accordingly. If you do not get that option or chose not to pre-pay, expect $100 or so per person in general gratuities to be added to your bill at the end of the cruise. For instance, you can book a city tour with a stop at Mendenhall Glacier for around $70 a person.

Help me choose: which Alaska Cruise is right for me?

Table Of Content

• Best Alaska Cruises to Take This Summer, According to Experts
• Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences
• Vacation clothing
• Best Inside Passage Alaska Cruise: Hurtigruten Expeditions, MS Roald Amundsen
• Alaska Cruise Itinerary

You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights.

Best Alaska Cruises to Take This Summer, According to Experts

Alaska's impressive southern coastlines contain hordes of island archipelagos, deep fjords and ancient glaciers. Nearly all of the area is roadless, so seafaring vessels, including cruise ships, are a popular way for visitors to experience these pristine areas. Those craving a luxury Alaska cruise need not look further than Silversea, says Goldring. The line’s Door-to-Door All-Inclusive fares cover private airport transfers, economy flights, business-class upgrades or air credits, and shore excursions. A trip to Alaska is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists, and for good reason.

Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences

But, if you want to upgrade to include a full day of sightseeing, whale watching, and a salmon bake, that will cost over $200 a person. Although many cruise ships are all-inclusive, it is common practice to tip the staff for a job well done. Additionally, extra tipping can be useful to secure prime meal times or spots on excursions. Premium meals offer higher-end cuts of meat and gourmet specialties. Depending on the cruise ship company, premium meals may be included or cost extra. You may want to extend your trip to factor in travel time and avoid issues in case of a delayed or canceled flight.

Vacation clothing

The cruise line, which is celebrating its Silver Anniversary at Sea, offers 23 five-, seven-, eight- and 9-night round-trip Alaskan itineraries aboard the Disney Wonder, all of which depart from Vancouver. Shore excursions range from adventures like zip lining, hiking and rafting to seaplane exploration, photo safaris and high teas. Adults can enjoy themselves on an Alaskan Disney Cruise, too, with adult-exclusive dining; an adult-only pool and hot tub; fitness center; and Senses Spa & Salon. Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions, depending on your interest and budget. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation.

Best Inside Passage Alaska Cruise: Hurtigruten Expeditions, MS Roald Amundsen

To discover Alaska’s rich historyYou can’t skip Ketchikan, Juneau or Skagway on an itinerary. Ketchikan once was a major player in the timber industry and has a sordid past steeped in bootlegging and brothels. Skagway was a jumping-off point for the Klondike Gold Rush beyond Chilkoot Pass and has an old railroad to prove it. Mary Curry is another T+L A-List advisor who specializes in small-ship cruises to Polar regions and the Galapagos. We spoke to cruise experts to find the best Alaska itineraries to book this year.

Koningsdam Serves Up a Taste of Alaska, Both On and Off the Ship

Most cruise lines price beer around $7, cocktails between $9 and $15, and a variety of wines around $9 to $15 a glass. Many cruise lines do discount the second and third person in the room. This discount is usually around 50% off the cruise fare of the first and second passenger.

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Alaska Cruise Itineraries

Depending on your Alaska cruise itinerary, these can add up to several hundred dollars per person. These charges are usually paid upfront when you pay for your cruise or added to your onboard account, so it’s crucial to budget for them when considering the Alaskan cruise cost. Sometimes, travelers to Alaska extend the entire trip with a Cruisetour. A cruisetour adds extra days to your cruise, on either the front or the back end, with a portion of your trip occurring on land. These often include scenic rail tours with overnights in nearby lodges and hotels.

If you go during colder months, prices are lower than for mid-summer excursions. Furthermore, inside cabins are cheaper than ones containing a balcony. Your choice in suites ranges from mini-suites–a roomy cabin with a balcony–to lavish multi-room/deck accommodations. Cruise tour costs for Royal Caribbean will range from $371-$413 per person for a five-to-eight-night cruise.

Ideal for Adventurers

As well, you’ll find a different crowd on a trip to Alaska than a trip to the Caribbean. Now, you might be under the impression that Alaskan cruises are filled with older passengers. While older passengers are well represented, you’ll likely find the crowd remarkably diverse.

Our sample trip departs Seattle and is a 7-night cruise that takes place in July 2024. We selected a balcony cabin for each cruise with 2 adults and 2 kids in the same cabin. To give you an idea of prices, we priced out a family of four among the most popular cruise lines.

Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what you're after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north. On a cruisetour, you'll sail on a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska.

One day could find you paddleboarding in the morning and hiking in the afternoon, or maybe kayaking and taking a skiff out later in the day to try and spot wildlife. For the daring, there’s even a chance to go all-in with a polar plunge. All excursions are led by experienced expedition teams, who provide all the equipment needed to make the most of your time in Alaska. Coming off of its 150th anniversary year, Holland America Line has been sailing to and around Alaska for more than half that time—75 years. Holland America Line’s “Alaska Up Close” deeply immerses guests in local cultures through onboard programs and activities, and shore excursions. On all of its Alaska cruises, a Huna Native Interpreter comes aboard Holland America Line ships to share the history of the Tlingit people.

Spend more time sightseeing and less time getting there with our prime Alaska docking locations. Weekend departures give you the option to stretch your vacation and explore the Emerald City. I’m a Florida-based freelance travel and lifestyle journalist who has embarked on more than a dozen cruises, including several to Alaska.

A family of four in the same balcony cabin would be paying over $3,600 for the cabin, so an average of $900 a person. Some cruisers do not care about accommodations and want to book the least expensive room. Although, the family-focused Disney Cruise Line is one of the most expensive Alaska cruises. A roundtrip cruise from Vancouver starts at $1,050 per person for a family of 4 (or $1283 per person at double occupancy). If the same family of 4 wants to sail in a concierge level cabin, the total cost is $5875 per person (or $8950 per person at double occupancy).

Basic coverage can cost around $100 to $200 per person and provide peace of mind in unexpected events like medical emergencies or trip cancellations. By being aware of these hidden costs, you can budget more accurately and avoid surprises that could damage your dream Alaska vacation. The next section will discuss whether these additional costs make an Alaskan cruise worth it. Internet packages can cost upwards of $25 per day, and onboard messaging apps may also come with a fee.