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How Much Does An Alaska Cruise Cost

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How Much Does A Cruise Cost For A Family Of Four

How Much Does An Alaska Cruise Cost? How To Save Money On Alaska Cruises

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.

Cruising For 7 Nights In Alaska

Alaska is difficult to comprehend for people unfamiliar with cold climates. Doubters believe that everywhere in Alaska is the same covered in snow and cold. This misconception is soon dispelled, as the natural beauty of Alaska, carved in stone by massive glaciers, showcases deep harbours and passages that cut far into the interior. Alaska in summer is breathtaking and can actually be quite temperate, although it is changeable and bringing a change of warm clothing is advisable.

Alaskan culture is very diverse, another surprise for first-timers. Thousands of kilometres of coastline has been settled at various times, resulting in unique ports displaying the culture of settlers from Norway, Russia, gold-rush era USA, and native Indian peoples. Cruise ships visit Alaska from May to September when the weather is warm and the wildlife is on the move. Wildlife sightings cant be guaranteed on a cruise, but the chances of success are high.

Cheap 2022 Alaskan Cruises

During the past few years, interest in sailing to Alaska has soared. Its not hard to see why.

Alaska is known at the last frontier, and like any frontier, it can be difficult to traverse. With a limited amount of roads and other transportation, the easiest way to get around the picturesque coastline is via boat or plane. Luckily, thats also the best way to view the natural scenery.

And as word spreads about the beauty of taking an Alaskan cruise and as the cruise industry grows in general more and more people are considering taking a trip.

The good news is that with increased interest in cruises to the region, cruise lines are sailing more ships to Alaska. Today, there is a staggering amount of Alaskan cruises to choose from across every budget, cruise line, and itinerary.

If youre looking for cheap Alaskan cruises, however, then you need to be prepared to shop around. Trips to this area are seasonal sailing from May through September. Since there is only a limited window of time to cruise, prices are considerably higher than similar Caribbean cruises you might be familiar with. As well, prices change frequently.

Below, we highlight some of the cheapest 2022 Alaskan cruises. The prices for these trips start at just $339 per person. But before we get too far, here are some tips on how to find the most affordable trips to this region

Also Check: What Do You Do On An Alaskan Cruise

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How To Find The Cheapest Alaskan Cruise Deals

How Much Should You Pay for an Alaskan Cruise?

Sail Early in the SeasonThe Alaskan cruising season is short usually only five months long. Running from May through September, your opportunities to sail are limited, although there are a number of ships sailing at any given time.

If you want to save the most, look for cruises that sail in May. These trips early in the season are before the busier summer travel season. That means the pool of available passengers is smaller. In order to fill the ships, cruise lines slash prices. A cruise departing in May can be hundreds of dollars less than the same trip leaving in July.

Sail Late in the SeasonDidnt we just say to sail early in the season to save? Well, the same logic applies to sailing late. If you can wait until September, cruise fares to Alaska are much cheaper. With school back in session, the summer season largely over, and the bulk of the sailing season already past, you can find deals that are hundreds of dollars less than sailing just a few weeks earlier.

Sail One-Way or from Different PortsMost cruises sail round-trip, departing ports like Vancouver or Seattle. But if you look around, you can find one-way trips or that that depart from one port and let passengers off in another . Since these cruises are less convenient for most passengers, they tend to be cheaper.

Sites like AvoyaTravel.com or Orbitz allow you to search by cruise lines, destination, dates, and more to find the trip that matches your schedule and budget.

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Alaskan Cruise Cabin Prices

Cruise companies offer plenty of incentives to attract passengers, but the best incentive is a low ticket price. Competition between cruise operators is fierce, and cruise prices are better value than ever. Indicative prices in US dollars for a seven night cruise are listed below as a guide only.

  • Interior cabin: starting from $450
  • Oceanview cabin: $735 to $1,350
  • Balcony cabin: $1,350 to $2,400
  • Suites: $2,400 to $3,400

Larger family suites and even more palatial suite options are available on most vessels. Cruise prices reflect modern cruise demographics, with solo travellers able to enjoy on a par with family groups and intimate couples, with prices reflected accordingly. An alternative Alaska cruise option is the highly regarded National Geographic eight day adventure, costing $6,000 per person. The smaller ship has greater manoeuvrability in remote locations, giving passengers more chances to get up close and personal with the local wildlife.

How Much Does Alaskan Cruise Cost

If an Alaskan Cruise is not on your bucket list, what have you been thinking? It better be!

Alaskan cruises offer many ships and ports itineraries ranging from different onshore trips to wildlife encounters and zip lining through the forests.

Alaska is the northernmost and westernmost state in the U.S.A. and has the most easterly longitude in the United States. It is the only non-contiguous U.S. state in continental North America.

This 49th state of the U.S.A. is one of the worlds most popular cruise destinations and best-known for its majestic scenery stretching along its icy coastline and other offshore side trips it offers.

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Cost Of Ferry To Alaska

Taking the ferry can be cheaper but not by much. Especially if youre hauling your car along with you. The route is the shortest and most economical one between the towns along the Inner Passage. So you wont be getting into the smaller bays just to view wildlife or stopping just to see glaciers calving. The views are going to be spectacular all the same.

If you take the ferry from Bellingham and embark at Whittier , youll have to pay $791 per adult. And that price does not include a berth . If you want to add a berth, thats extra.

For a couple of adults, were talking about $1782-$2,381, depending on the size of your berth. And thats without facilities, i.e. no private bathrooms/showers. There are public ones available and in fact, the Ferry People suggest camping out on the ferry

It is perfectly acceptable to camp out on the ferry. During the summer, people will often pitch tents on the deck and during the colder months it is typical to see families sleeping on blow up mattresses, individuals wrapped up in sleeping bags on the lounge chairs, etc.

It actually sounds kinda nice but a far cry from a cruise.

One of the advantages the ferry has is that you can bring your vehicle along. Unfortunately, that costs $1,937 for a midsize SUV .

The Hidden Cruise Expenses Youre Paying For

How Much Is An Alaskan Cruise? Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Glacier Cruise

MSC Divina returns to Miami at sunrise.

They say the devils in the details, and in this case, theyre right. And those details are outlined in the fine print of the cruise contract that we all click here to indicate weve read when in fact, weve barely glanced at it in our rush to get to the Lido deck.

If you do stop to read that cruise contract youll find out all kinds of things, including what expenses are being passed along to the consumer as well as expenses that arent, but can be at the cruise lines discretion.

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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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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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Kids Fares By Cruise Line

This is how much each cruise line charges for kids:

  • Carnival ;Full adult price
  • Celebrity Cruises; Full adult price
  • Costa Cruises; Children under 18 pay only port fees and service fees
  • Cunard; Full adult price
  • Disney Cruise Line; Child rate for ages 3 to 12
  • MSC Cruises; Children under 18 cruise FREE when booking in the USA and from £119 when booking in the UK
  • Norwegian Cruise Line; Full adult price except when the Free At Sea promotion is on when kids cruise free
  • P&O Cruises; Full adult price in the school holidays and £99 per week in term-time
  • Princess Cruises; Full adult price
  • Royal Caribbean; Full adult price except when the Kids Sail Free promotion is on

The price for children under two years old also varies and can be anywhere from free to the full adult fare.

Read more:Do you have to pay for babies on cruises?

Where Do Alaska Cruises Depart From

How Much Does it Cost to go on an Alaskan Cruise?

Roundtrip Alaska sailings typically depart from Seattle or Vancouver, but also California cities like San Francisco. These sailings typically follow an Inside Passage itinerary.

Cruises also regularly depart from either Seward or Whittier, both Alaska ports accessible a short drive from Anchorage. These one-way sailings usually follow the Gulf of Alaska, also known as a cross-gulf cruise. These cruises might call on some Inside Passage stops, but also ports farther north.

Most cruisetours will begin or end in Anchorage, where the primary and central airport is.

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How Much To Budget For An Alaskan Cruise

A typical Alaska Cruise can cost between $600 and $5,000 per person, depending on the length of your cruise, the type of cruise you choose, and your room choice. We recommend budgeting an additional $1,000 to $1,500 per person for shore excursions to get the most out of your Alaskan cruise. Youll also want to consider airfare, transportation, and lodging before and after your cruise in your budget.

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.

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How Much Does An Alaskan Cruise Cost Per Person

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.

Why Is Alaska So Expensive

Alaska Marine Highway Ferry From Washington Fares – How Much Does It Cost To Ride The Alaska Ferry?

Alaska is a Bucket List destination. Glaciers and mountains, whales and Grizzly bears. If you love nature, youre going to LOVE Alaska. Its the wildest and probably prettiest of all US states. Having traveled in 45 US states , I can also vouch for the following statement:

Alaska is expensive.

Very expensive. Theres no getting around that fact. Its expensive to live in and its even more expensive to travel in. Before I explain how to reduce the costs of your trip to Alaska, I want to talk about why its so expensive. Understanding the reasons will help you reduce the costs.

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This Post Has 25 Comments

  • M percin 18 Aug 2020Reply

    Perhaps I missed it, but no mention of renting a camper. Our first trip, for 4 of us, we drove throughout the Kenai Peninsula, up to Denali and onto Fairbanks, then down to Glenallen and Valdez; total of 2000 miles. We shopped at grocery stores, camped along the roads, and had no deadlines or concerns about where we were going to eat or sleep. The flexibility was what we needed and all linens, cooking gear, et. Al, even grills and camp chairs were included. The company was amazing. They will pick you up from airport and drop you off. We even stayed in the camper the night before our very early next morning flight.

  • Anne Moss 26 Aug 2020Reply

    Thanks for that comment, M percin! Thats great input there! As far as I know, renting a camper in Alaska in high season isnt cheap, but for those who enjoy RVing, it can be a wonderful option, for sure! Im glad you enjoyed the trip!

  • Brad 13 Jul 2020Reply

    Hi Anne,

    Wow, that is quite an epic post with lots of helpful information. One thing I noticed though is your link about bear safety is broken . Thats the link with the following text:

    stick to bear safety rules when camping

    Hope that helps.

  • Budgeting For Shore Excursions And Adventures

    For an excellent itinerary and a vacation you will never forget, we recommend budgeting $1,000 – $1,500 for shore excursions per person for a 7-day cruise. This would get you a whale watching tour in Juneau or;Icy Strait, helicopter;dog sled tour in Juneau or Skagway, a train tour in Skagway, a float plane flightseeing tour in Ketchikan, and then a different excursion in a different port.

    Of course, theres plenty of room for flexibility. A shore excursion budget can range from low to high depending on what type of excursions you are interested in. You can buy city tours in almost every port for less $75 or spend as much as $600 for an extended helicopter dog sledding tour.

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