We recommend booking a cruise as soon as you decide you would like to sail to Alaska. Waiting for a lower price usually does not pay off, as cruise fares tend to get higher closer to the sale date. The most popular times to cruise to Alaska are during the summer months of June, July, and August. Because of the higher demand at this time of year, cruise fares can be more expensive.
Shore excursions
An Alaska Inside Passage cruise typically lasts seven nights, embarking and returning to Seattle or Vancouver. It's one of the most popular and common itineraries for Alaska cruising. Holland America and Princess are the biggest mainstream lines for an Alaska cruise. But you'll also see Alaska itineraries from Carnival, Disney, Norwegian (NCL) and Royal Caribbean, which gives you an array of price points to consider. September offers the best possibility for cruisers to catch the Northern Lights in Alaska. They are generally visible across the state, so any itinerary will likely do, though you'll have the best show in less populated areas like Denali National Park.
Cruise Tour
At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska. Travel the Inside Passage on 10 or 11-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco and allow the natural landscapes to inspire your day’s adventures. Begin by sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and along the Pacific Coast. As you voyage into the Inside Passage, enjoy one of the best ways to explore the fjords, small towns and natural landmarks with your favorite people.
Royal Caribbean International
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.
More Royal Caribbean
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. Premium cruise line Celebrity Cruises’ least expensive roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle starts at $807 a person (double occupancy). A suite in the ship’s exclusive Retreat is going for over $4,000 a person.
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. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. The Aleutian Island city of Unalaska is also on some boutique cruise line itineraries, so check carefully that the region that sparks your interest.
Day Alaskan Explorer Cruise
The next section will discuss whether these additional costs make an Alaskan cruise worth it. So, we think it is reasonable to budget anywhere between $2,000 to upwards of $5,000 a person for an Alaska cruise. Thus, it is not too crazy to think that an Alaska cruise could cost a family of 4 close to $10,000 on the cheap end, once all costs are considered. Although, when cruising in Alaska you should check with your mobile provider.
The worst months to cruise to Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog
The worst months to cruise to Alaska.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruises around the summer solstice may enjoy around 20 hours of sunshine since the days are so long. In this article, we'll share expected Alaskan cruise prices, additional unexpected costs to factor in and tips for saving money on your trip. Many travelers dream of taking an Alaskan cruise, but they often fear how much it will cost.
Alaska Cruises
You may find local food or cultural items that you can't find at home. July and August see the warmest temperatures and families can easily travel, so prices tend to be highest in this month. There are many reasons why one cruise is cheaper than another, and it all depends on the choices you make in selecting a sailing. Also, consider that when shopping in Alaska, prices will be higher.
Most cruise travelers don't live within driving distance of the departure city. Because of that, you'll need to factor in how you'll get to the departure port. Many travelers fly to the departure city, which can increase the cost of your trip. 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. The one expense everyone incurs, but often forgets to budget for, is cruise ship gratuities.
A more in-depth Cruise Tour is the “Fjords and Tundra National Parks Explorer”. This tour combines a 7-night sailing on Radiance of the Seas followed by a 4-night land-tour that visits Seward, Anchorage, Denali National Park and Preserve, and Fairbanks. The price for this Cruise Tour begins at $2300 per person for an interior cabin. Those looking for a more comfortable whale watching experience may be interested in the “Luxury Whale Watching” excursion in Icy Point Straight.
We’ve been sharing the wonders of Alaska longer than any other cruise line. See the best of the Great Land’s glaciers, coastal towns and wildlife on board perfectly sized ships offering superior service and exclusive programming. Extend your Alaska cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium.
With a degree in Tourism Management and postgraduate studies in Journalism, Agnes combines academic expertise with real-world experience. Alongside her partner, Chris, she's your go-to guide for an authentic Alaskan adventure. This is obvious, but depending on where you live and your departure port, you will need to calculate in the cost of flights. Thus, the per person fare will be different when averaged across all of the passengers in a stateroom. Keep in mind the prices above are just to give you a sense of the relative pricing.
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic
Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 03:14:20 GMT [source]
Casual dining spots may charge around $20 to $40 per meal, while upscale restaurants can cost $30 to $50 per person or more. Drop us an anchor below to help your fellow cruisers plan a budget for their cruise to Alaska. 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. If you want to stay in touch while onboard, you will need to purchase the cruise line’s WiFi. The additional costs for internet tends to run between $15 to $25 per day, per device.
To minimize joining the masses during high season, consider a shoulder-season sailing (in late April, May or September), or select a ship that embarks midweek. Saturday and Sunday cruise departures tend to be busiest during the summer months, particularly for families with children. If you're intent on a Gulf of Alaska cruise, book a northbound route so you'll cruise the Gulf at the end of the trip when you have your sea legs.
Smaller cruises max out at around 200 passengers and can nose into Southeast Alaska's nooks and crannies, launching skiffs and kayaks from their lower decks for an immersive shore visit full of exploration. 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.
