Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

how much is a cruise to alaska

Mega-cruises (with cruise lines such Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, and Holland America) can go for as little as $100 a night (so roughly $600 per person for a six-night sailing). These resorts at sea, however, are often not all-inclusive, so be sure to check the fine print before putting your credit card down. Passengers frequently have to pay extra (and usually at a premium) for things like specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, and off-boat activities.

Radiance of the Seas: 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier Cruise

how much is a cruise to alaska

A day-long boat tour, taking you around the glaciers, will cost around $230 per person. When planning your cruise budget, it’s important to factor in transportation costs. Driving to a nearby port can save you a lot compared to buying plane tickets and paying for other travel costs. But remember, driving has its own expenses, like gas and parking fees at the port, so make sure to include those in your calculations. Alaska is famous for its stunning scenery, ranging from majestic mountains to vast, icy landscapes. Because of these breathtaking views, many believe it’s worth spending extra money to get a room with an ocean view or balcony.

More Royal Caribbean

On a cruisetour, you'll sail a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska. Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price.

Find Holland America Eurodam Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

Find Holland America Eurodam Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 16:16:50 GMT [source]

Why You Should Take an Alaska Summer Vacation Cruise

Longer cruises often offer a more comprehensive experience, allowing you to explore more destinations. In this comprehensive guide, based on our experiences and analysis, we’ll break down the cost of an Alaskan cruise, from the type of cabin you choose to hidden fees that catch you off guard. We’ll also delve into factors like shore excursions and itinerary choices that can affect your overall Alaskan cruise prices. And if you’re wondering how to budget for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, we’ve got you covered with practical budgeting tips. Of course, prices will vary widely depending on cruise lines, dates, itineraries and more.

When to book an Alaska cruise

Both the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture make the sailing. The sister ships were purpose built to sail the North American coast and feature 50 rooms each, all with windows or portholes, private bathrooms, climate controls, and a TV, plus Wi-Fi connection. The Alaska cruise season, like the 49th state’s summer, is all too brief. The vast majority of sailings, particularly those along the Inside Passage (the island-filled coastal waterway in the southeast portion of the state), occur somewhere between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That being said, there are some shoulder-season departures in April, May, September, and October. You can check your cruise line’s list of excursions to see what your options are.

Like any vacation, you could rack up additional costs for things like souvenirs, meals and snacks ashore, or any other general shopping or gaming while onboard. How much to allocate for these additional purchases varies for all travel parties. On most ships, there are plenty of complimentary dining venues and food offerings.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on Alaska cruises can sometimes top wave season deals, so keep your eyes peeled and during the busy holiday season. The third best time to shop for Alaska cruise deals is between 60 and 45 days prior to sailing. Your choice of cabins may be limited, but last-minute deals on Alaska cruises are often surprising. Without a doubt, the price of your Alaska cruise is one of the most important factors in any deal you'll find. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Celebrity and Disney all offer solid Alaska cruise deals, but don’t overlook premium cruise options. You might find that Viking Ocean Cruises cost more, but are a great deal when you factor in the included drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions.

BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

In addition to the base cruise fare, all cruisers must pay port taxes and fees. Even if you find a "free cruise" through some promotion, you'll still pay these extra charges. The cruise company pays these taxes and fees to the ports and destinations you visit throughout your trip. These cruisetours can add several hundreds of dollars per person to the cruise fare.

Best cruise lines for adventure-seekers

The scenery, wildlife and foliage change by season, so many travelers return at different times of the year to experience it all. To recap, Alaska cruise costs vary greatly depending on the cruise line you choose, the cabin type you pick, the time of year you sail, and the onboard purchases and upgrades you opt for during your cruise. 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.

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

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

Posted: Sat, 20 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Consider what matters most to you during your cruise, such as comfort, views of the ocean, or additional amenities, and how much you’re willing to spend for those extras. While some might find it worth spending a little extra, others might not think the additional cost is justified. Consider, for example, a Royal Caribbean Alaska Adventure cruise departing on August 9, 2024, which has a range of pricing options. The starting price for an interior cabin is $772, while an oceanview cabin begins at $1,032, and a balcony room is priced at $1,336. For those seeking a more luxurious experience, suites are available starting at $3,595. The cheapest months to cruise to Alaska are generally May and September, which are considered the shoulder seasons.

Of course, you might find rates cheaper (or more expensive) depending on the factors above. Mainstream cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line, offer Alaska cruises in 2023 starting as low as $890 a person (double occupancy) for a seven night roundtrip cruise out of Seattle. Still, on that same ship, Carnival Luminosa, the voyage jumps up to $3,000 a person for a suite.

So too should travelers who have specific non-negotiables on things like stateroom category, ship, or itinerary. 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.

For example, amenities like spa treatments, specialty fitness classes, and certain onboard activities like laser tag or go-kart racing can add to your Alaskan cruise prices. While some cruise lines include gratuities in the overall cost, many do not. You’ll need to budget for tips, ranging from $13 to $20 per person daily.

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. 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 cost of eating out can vary widely depending on the port and the type of restaurant.

It’s no exaggeration to say that excursions in Alaska allow you to do things that you simply can’t do anywhere else. Since most of the country lives far from these ports, you’ll have to consider airfare and transportation to the port. Whether you’ve sailed dozens of times or never stepped foot on a ship, there’s plenty to know about taking a cruise to this part of the world. Below, we cover a cruise to Alaska from bow to stern, including everything from costs to tips and much more. Maybe you’ve sailed the Caribbean, but we can tell you that the experience of sailing Alaska is completely different in what you see, the experience onboard, and even your other passengers.

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