How Do I Get The Best Deal On An Alaskan Cruise
For the best cruise deals , its best to book far in advance of your trip. Popular time cruise deals are released is during wave season . Popular Alaska cruises often sail to Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Vancouver and Victoria during their cruise itinerary.
How To Cruise For Less
While cruising can seem expensive, you should know that its possible to save at least 60% on advertised cruise prices by implementing a series of tips, tricks and hacks.
The fastest and easiest way to learn how to do this is to watch the series of how to videos from award-winning blogger and YouTuber Emma Cruises.
As well as simple video guides Emmas How to Cruise for Less course comes complete with cheat sheets, tools and guides which show you how to save money at every stage of your cruise.
How Much Does A Cruise Cost For A Family Of Four
The price of a cruise for a family of four depends very much on what discounts are available for children. The price for a family could be double the price for a couple, or it could be very little extra.
Many cruise lines dont offer any discounts for children. This is usually the case on ships which have a lot of activities made for children like kids clubs, water slides and splash parks.
However, it is possible to get cheap kids prices, by either choosing a cruise line that doesnt charge full price for children or by looking out for special offers and booking at the right time.
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Alaska Trip Cost Calculator
| $1200 – $3000 for Lodging, Transportation & Meals | $500 – $800 |
Price varies based on:
- Number of days: More days cost more. We recommend 10 days or more.
- Peak vs. Shoulder Season: Hotel and transportation rates can be lower in May and September, resulting in savings of 10-18% on land tours.
- Lodging: The standard Alaska hotel room costs about $275 per night in summer. Economy hotels run about $100 less and premium/luxury hotels about $100 more.
- Cruise Pricing: Cruise rates fluctuate. Shoulder season tends to be cheaper, but when you book and what type of cabin you choose matters more. Early booking discounts can be significant as well as last minute deals. Oceanview and balcony staterooms can cost twice what inside cabins cost.
- Transportation: Renting a car is more expensive than traveling by train/motorcoach if youre traveling alone, but less expensive if there are 3 or more in your party.
- Number and Type of Excursions: Prices vary from $25 for a museum visit to $60-90 for half-day guided hiking to $150-175 for a day cruise to $275-350 for a flightseeing tour to $500-600 for a fly-in bear viewing, guided fishing, or heli-hiking adventure.
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How Much Is The Cruise Ship Docking Fee
Carnival Glory docked in Miami, Florida.
Once the pilot has safely guided the ship into the port, the next round of charges begin. Now the cruise company has to pay for space theyre occupying on the dock, the line handlers and the use of the facilities at the pier.
The workers at the pier are typically members of a union, so the hourly rate tends to be pretty high.
Other costs accrued at this point might look something along these lines, keeping in mind it varies by port:
- Dockage fee: $.393 per gross registered ton
- Head tax: $12.49 per guest
- Port labor rates, per hour : $29-$69 per employee
This does not include the labor charges the cruise line pays for check-in agents, security agents and wheelchair assistance. Those positions are normally contracted through third party companies.
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Explore The Exotic Natural Setting
How about spending your days taking part in a safari in Anchorage, then touring Denali Nature Park where the mountains meet the sky in the most dramatic style? You can also wander down the paths of remote villages that have been untouched by time. These and a variety of other tours can be booked either through the cruise line or through your travel agent directly. While such excursions are usually an added expenses, they are usually well worth the investment so you can see the region in its natural setting.
Drinks And Drink Packages
On all lines, you will be able to get water, coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic drinks as part of your cruise fare. Certain juices, specialty coffees, soda, and alcoholic beverages are usually not included unless youve opted for an all-inclusive fare or you purchase a drinks package.
Some lines, like Azamara, include non-alcoholic drinks along with select spirits, beers, and a selection of wines by the glass in its cruise fares. Others will include drinks at lunch or dinner only. Cruisers can opt to add each drink to their cruise tab or if it seems like better value a drinks package could save you some money over the course of your trip.
Each cruise line is different with how they handle a drinks package but usually, youll have the option to get a non-alcoholic package or an alcoholic beverage package. Drinks packages start from around $12 for a soft drinks package up to $130 for a premium drinks package.
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Where Youll Spend Money On A Cruise
Think that the cost of a cruise is simply the fare that you pay to get on the ship? While that makes up the lions share of your spending, theres a lot more that goes into the cost of your vacation.
Cruise FareOf course, when most people think of the cost of a cruise, they are thinking mainly of the price of the cruise fare. This fare is what the cruise line charges for you to sail on the ship. Cruise fare includes your cabin, meals, entertainment on the ship, and access to pools, lounges and more.
What it doesnt include are the extras like drinks, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, gambling and other things bought on board.
What you pay for your fare can vary widely. Factors that go into the price include the type of cabin you choose, length of cruise, when you sail, and even the ship and cruise line you sail.
Short cruises on budget cruise lines can run as little as a few hundred dollars, while long luxury trips can run well into the thousands of dollars per person.
Onboard SpendingThink youre done spending money after you buy your cruise fare? Think again. Once on the ship there are lots of extras that you will likely want to purchase that add to the cost of your cruise.
Onboard spending is a wide umbrella. It includes everything from money spent gambling in the casino to alcohol, specialty restaurants, cruise line shore excursions, and even the souvenirs you buy in the gift shop.
Helpful Tips Before You Go
- Be aware of the unusual length of days and nights in these northern latitudes. In May or June, the sun doesnt set until after 11pm giving you more time to see more of Alaska.
- In Alaska, some of the best tasting water comes right out of the tap. Thats because its glacial watercrisp, clean and clear.
- Much of Alaska is covered by a rainforest, so pack water-resistant clothing.
- Temperatures can vary based on what you are doing . Wearing layers can help keep you comfortable throughout the day no matter what the activity.
- Book Flights by Celebrity® to be protected in case there is any cancellation.
- Research the shore excursions and book them in advance, pre-cruise. The popular shore excursions get sold out fast.
- All destinations in Alaska take U.S. dollars and most take credit cards but be sure to check before your purchase.
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How Much A Cruise Costs In 2021
Wondering how much youll spend to take a cruise? We have specific estimates below.
Before we get too far, however, you should know that just like buying a car, you can spend as much or as little as you want for your vacation.
For instance, are you happy with the lowest-cost interior cabin or would you rather spend more for a balcony or a suite?
Or are you the sort of person who can only sail during the summer months or can you sail during the off-season and save hundreds of dollars?
That means tracking down the specific cost of a cruise for each person is hard. But we can give you an idea of what a typical trip will cost and help you get an idea of what you can plan to spend.
We get into all the details of how much a cruise costs and exactly where youll spend money below.
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Average Cost Of Alaskan Cruise
The average cost of a seven-day Alaska round trip ranges from $580 to $1,200 per person for an interior cabin, double occupancy. Upgrading to a stateroom with balcony ranges from $775 to $1,710 while using suite room costs around $1,350 to $1,900.
The average cost of the Alaskan cruise for a 10-14 day round trip ranges from $1,100 to $2,300 per person for an interior cabin, double occupancy. Cabins with ocean view cost around $1,800 to $2,200 while balcony rooms range from $1,800 to 4,400. Suite rooms cost around $4,500 to $6,200.
These figures do not include onshore lodging and will depend on the dates of the cruise and the choice of cruise line.
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Cost Of Cruise To Alaska
Cruise liners offer you more than the ability to reach from point A to point B. They usually include a variety of amenities and offer stops in the more touristy harbors along the way. Cruise liners usually include Glacier Bay National Park in their itinerary too.
My point is that cruises may not be cheap but they could still be suitable for some vacation plans.
What do I mean by not cheap?
As youll see in the following table, we checked a bunch of companies and starting points. The price is indicated by night and the duration of the trip is 7 nights if you take the cruise from Seattle.
Depending on the level of luxury and amenities offered as well as on the season a cruise going out from Seattle will cost you between $700 to $2500 per person.
You could opt for a cruise that starts in San Francisco or even Los Angeles. Add 3 nights at sea for San Francisco departures and five for a cruise starting in Los Angeles.
All in all, were talking about roughly $1,500 per person. That comes to a total of over $6,000 for a family of four. And remember, this is just one way.
How Much Should You Pay For An Alaskan Cruise
Just like airfare, it can sometimes by a major headaches to know if youre getting a good deal on your cruise fare or not. With seven different cruise lines sailing from Seattle on Alaskan adventures, prices range from a few hundred bucks to several thousand. Add in promotions and specials that run at various times, and the fact that fares can change at any moment, and you have a recipe for anxiety.
Thats why weve put together the chart below. We looked at every 7-day Alaskan cruise sailing from Seattle from every cruise line.
Prices shown are per person and dont include taxes and fees.
As you can see, prices can vary dramatically, depending on the cruise line and your accommodation level. If you are looking for a budget cruise, then expect to pay $700-800 per person for an interior room for a 7-day cruise. Keep in mind that that taxes and port fees will add to that total. If you prefer to cruise in a balcony room, then the best price you will see is $1,100-1,300 per person.
Any rates below these prices should be considered a fantastic deal.
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How Much Are Alaskan Cruises Putting It All Together
To recap, Alaskan 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. The shore excursion prices can almost double the cost of your trip depending on what you want to experience, and flights to Alaska could be higher than anticipated depending on your start and end points of the cruise.
But, cruising to Alaska is well worth the costs! This was truly an unforgettable trip, so for us, it was a worthy investment.
Best Traditional Cruise: Princess Cruises
Courtesy of Princess Cruises
- Ship Name: Royal Princess
- Itinerary: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Whittier
Royal Princess is a gorgeous ship that like all Princess cruises focuses on a more traditional experience . As passengers sail through Glacier Bay or the College Fjord they can stroll around the stunning skywalk a glass walkway that overhangs the vessel or relax next to a lovely water fountain in the pool area. In the evenings, passengers catch movies under the stars. The cruise concludes in Whittier, Alaska, where most cruise lines do not visit. Although Whittier is industrial, its ideal for those extending their stay in Alaska on land. The Alaska railroad connects Whittier to Anchorage so travelers can also enjoy a scenic ride to Anchorage and hop on a connecting flight.
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Disney Wonder Cruise Ship Guide
The Disney Wonder is the cruise ship that you will sail on if you are booking a cruise to Alaska.
I have spent many months onboard the Disney Wonder and have written many guides to help you have the best cruise ever on this Classic Disney Cruise Ship.
If you want an overview of the ship go to Disney Wonder Complete Virtual Tour.
There are so many things to keep you entertained on the Disney Wonder. The Disney Wonder Restaurants include Tianas Place where you can enjoy fabulous food including the famous Princess Tiana Beignets.
The adults will enjoy the Disney Wonder Bars.
Have you ever sailed on the Disney Wonder.
How Much Is A 7 Day Alaska Cruise
A 7 night Alaska Cruise can cost anywhere from $500 per person to $5000+ per person, depending on the type of cruise ship and your choice of stateroom. Alaska land tours with 3-star hotels, train travel, and popular day tours generally cost around $300 per person per day , based on double occupancy.
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Remember That Drinks Add Up
Expect to pay big-city prices for drinks. –
If youre a drinker, beer, cocktails, and wine can quickly increase the cost of your cruise. Expect to pay $5 to $12 per drink, depending on your beverage of choice. A can of soda or a small bottle of water costs approximately $2 to $4. Most lines sell drink packages for alcohol, unlimited fountain sodas, or packages of bottled water these make sense if you tend to drink a lot throughout the day. Deal or no deal, buying these packages makes it easier to figure out your budget for the week.
Estimated Cost: $50 – $350 per person
The Difference Is In The Details
With more people watching their pennies today than ever before, if you want to plan a trip to Alaska, you will likely want to do it in the most budget friendly way that you can. Here are some things that you can help you to navigate the wide range of choices and prices you can find something you can afford without having to sacrifice your ideal time.
First of all, remember that generally the larger and the more luxurious the cruise liner, the more you can expect to spend for your trip. In addition, the number of ports you will visit will also affect the bottom line. Stopping at fewer ports is a more economical move, but will also cause you to miss some great opportunities, too, so be sure to weigh the cost against what you will get in the end.
Some of the smaller ships can be much less expensive but often offer fewer extras. But if you can live with simple meals and simple activities, you can spend much less than you might on a fancier cruise ship.
If you dont need a private experience but first-class amenities do make a difference to you, a luxury cruise liner is likely your best fit. This is typically a large ship that can hold several thousand passengers at a time, and feels like a big city at sea, complete with movie theaters, fitness centers, big name entertainers and multiple bars, restaurants and other dining options. Just remember that these details will add to the overall expense.
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Whales Wildlife And Brown Bear Search
For a full-day, 5.5-hour wildlife adventure, try the Whales, Wildlife, and Brown Bear Search out of Icy Strait Point. This excursion is offered by Princess and Celebrity cruise lines and the cost per person starts at $210.
On this guaranteed whale sighting tour, jump on a high-speed catamaran to cruise the very active feeding ground of the humpback whale. Return to shore for an often bumpy ride to the Spasski River for a guided drive in search of brown bear, black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. The walking portion involves covering about a half-mile of gravel and boardwalk pathways, meaning this excursion requires moderate exertion.