How Much Does A Princess Cruise Cost
Princess ships are very reasonably priced. Theyre not the least expensive vessels out there. But theyre not pricey by any means. Its possible to find Princess voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Mexico starting under $100 per person, per night including all taxes and fees at least in the offseason.
As of the date of this storys posting, for instance, seven-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean in May were starting at just $571 per person, not including taxes and fees of $140. That works out to just $102 per night, per person with taxes and fees for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals.
As you might expect, pricing for ships generally will be lower during offseason periods such as September, October, November and parts of December.
The timing of when you book also can matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you that the best pricing for any given sailing often is available when cruises first go on sale . Booking far in advance also will give you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.
Once on board a Princess ship, youll pay extra for most drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet service and a few other things unless youve bought a package for some of these items in advance. Most onboard activities such as theater shows are included in the fare.
Why To Book An Alaska Cruise
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Cruising to Alaska with Princess Cruises is one of our top vacation picks for adventure lovers – with programs packed with things to do, gorgeous locations, and tons of relaxation! Why to Book an Alaska Cruise? Book With Princess Cruises, and you’ll have the vacation of a lifetime!
This post is sponsored by Princess Cruises. All opinions are 100% my own.
I was recently invited to cruise with Princess Cruises, to celebrate the return to Alaska for the 2021 season.
We cruised at the end of August, closing out the restart of the cruise season to Alaska after the shutdown – and I’m here to say that cruising is back, and better than ever.
With upgraded safety protocols, enhanced sanitation, and full CDC compliance, Princess has ensured guests are safe and cruising can return.
Not only were we thrilled to be back with Princess Cruises – but I was thrilled to mark a huge bucket list item off my travel list this trip – as it marked 50 states for me!
I’ve been to all 50 United States of America now, as I was saving Alaska for last. There was absolutely no better way to take in Alaska for the first time than stepping off the Majestic Princess – Princess made everything easy, relaxing, and adventurous – even in still a bit chaotic times for travel. They made us feel at ease and welcome like we hadn’t felt in a long, long time – and brought back the joy of a true vacation.
How To Pick The Best Alaska Cruise For You
Youll see from our chart below that dozens of ships are sailing Alaska in 2020. And this just includes the mass-market and luxury ships. There are even more if you count all of the small ship and expedition vessels. Thats a lot of information to parse as you determine which ship is right for you, so consider a cruise line that caters to your specific needs or interests. Consult this list, and then check the chart to find a vessel that might fit your own preferences, from ships with the fewest passengers to those with the least expensive cruise fares to the ones offering exactly the itinerary you want.
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Which Ship Is Right For Your Alaska Cruise
Update: Royal Caribbean is committed to delivering vacations that are as safe as they are memorable. We are thrilled to welcome our guests to experience the memorable vacations we are known for once again, starting summer 2021. As you plan your next trip with your loved ones, well be here with inspiration in all forms whenever you need it.
Royal Caribbean visits top spots in Alaska each summer, including the Inside Passage, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Skagway.
There is a lot of ground to cover when visiting Alaska, from its vast, rugged terrain to the many animals that call it home. Planning a vacation to the 49th state may seem like a daunting task. But with two Royal Caribbean ships sailing to the Last Frontier in 2021 and departing from convenient cities in the Pacific Northwestthis must-see destination has never been more within reach. Your big decision is choosing which ship is right for you!
Whether youre in it for the views, activities, destinations or an extended experience, every ship offers a bit of everything, but each has its perks:
Quantum of the Seas is packed with family adventures for the young and young at heart.
Cruises From San Diego Diamond Princess
From September 2022 through February 2023, cruising in California expands with a return to San Diego. Diamond Princess will be joining the fleet of west coast-based ships with a series of brand-new cruise itineraries ranging from five to 16 days and calling at ports along the Mexican Riviera, California Coast, and the Hawaiian Islands. In addition, the ship will sail a unique 20-day cruise to Central America, roundtrip from San Diego in November 2022. The on-sale date for these cruises is March 24, 2022.
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Haines Shore Excursions & Tours
Note:Some ships that dock in Haines offer tours to Skagway. Unless youre a serious history buff, we dont recommend it. Instead, take advantage of having the town of Haines to yourself. You can enjoy any of the four tours mentioned above: rafting, jetboat, kayaking, and nature tours are also offered from Skagway. Or try one of our recommended tours below.
Travelers to Alaska often wonder what its like to live in a small Alaskan town year-round. This tour is designed to show you. Your fun and informative local guide will take you to out-of-the-way places, like Svensons Extreme Dreams Art Studio. Youll also visit the Hammer Museumthe worlds only museum dedicated to mans first tool.
The Princess Cruises Fleet
Princess has downsized the size of its fleet considerably over the past year with the removal of five vessels. But its still the worlds fifth-biggest cruise line by passenger capacity, with 14 ships that together offer more than 42,000 berths.
In general, Princess operates big ships. But theyre not quite as big as the vessels operated by Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC Cruises the three lines best known for giant ships. The biggest Princess vessels, the lines five Royal Class ships, measure around 145,000 tons. Thats about 35% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean.
The Royal Class ships are the belles of the ball in the Princess fleet. Newer and more amenity-filled than the lines 9 other ships, they began rolling out in 2013 and carry about 3,600 passengers a piece at double occupancy. .
One more Royal Class ship Discovery Princess is on order from a shipyard in Italy for delivery in 2022.
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Still, at the core of the Princess fleet are its seven Grand Class vessels. Unveiled between 1998 and 2008, the ships are smaller than the Royal Class vessels at around 107,000 to 116,000 tons in size. This smaller size allows them to operate a wider range of itineraries than the Royal Class ships. But theyre still big enough to have a lot of onboard venues. The Grand Class ships carry between 2,600 to 3,100 passengers at double occupancy.
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Our Experiences On The First Sailing To Alaska With Princess Cruises
It is true, We Are Back! Princess Cruises is delivering a memorable Alaska cruise experience. We are happy to report that cruising with Princess Cruises has not changed much since the pandemic. With a few extra health and safety protocols, that mainly go unnoticed, the cruise line is able to offer the same great cruise experience.
While this is our first Princess Cruises sailing, we can see why the cruise line has become so popular, especially in regions like Alaska. Providing a contemporary cruise atmosphere, with plenty of enrichment and onboard fun, travelers have the flexibility to customize their voyage.
With everyone fully vaccinated, in addition to some enhanced health and safety measures, we feel completely safe on this cruise. Like other cruise lines, all staff members are required to wear masks in all public areas. When compared to our other sailing from the U.S., we have noticed more fellow passengers also wearing masks during this trip even though they are not required.
If you are looking to cruise to Alaska, now might be the perfect time to do so!
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Best Modern Cruise: Celebrity
- Ship Name: Celebrity Solstice
- Itinerary: Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Alaska Inside Passage, Victoria
For an upscale Alaska cruise without the luxury price tag, Celebrity is a fantastic option. The award-winning, Celebrity Solstice is a dignified ship that focuses on modern well-being. Activities include culinary classes, silent discos, and educational lectures. Theres also a half-acre of fresh grass with hot glass demonstrations, private cabanas, and outdoor movies. The ship also has a fabulous fitness center and programs, and the Canyon Ranch Spa situated right next to the Aqua Class cabins. These cabins include access to a health-conscious restaurant as well as the relaxation room and other spa perks. This voyage includes a full day cruising Endicott Arm for fabulous views before concluding in Victoria.
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Bhupesh Singh, 44, who was boarding the Serenade of the Seas on Monday with his wife, Hansi, and their two unvaccinated children both are under 12 said he felt comfortable with Royal Caribbeans approach, even with the extra precautions hed have to take travelling with kids. He noted that he brought his family to cruise from Seattle, where Royal Caribbean at least requires all adults to be vaccinated. In Florida, where hes from, that isnt the case.
The reduced capacity on board the Serenade of the Seas was also encouraging for Singh. Royal Caribbean declined to say exactly how many passengers it will have on board, but said it would be much lower than full capacity, which is typically almost 2,500 people. Holland America and Princess Cruises said they will be starting their Alaskan cruises at approximately 60% capacity, moving up gradually over the course of the season.
Some cruise lines will also be using technology to trace passengers location. Royal Caribbean will be using tracelets, or wristbands that passengers must wear in order to be tracked on board. Princess Cruises will be using medallions, portable devices used for various functions on board the ship, which will keep a log of who passengers come in contact with.
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Best Alaska Cruises For 2022
02/01/2018
There is no better time to start planning the ultimate Alaska cruise for 2022. If you are looking to book that bucket list cruise now, we have put together our list of the Best Alaska Cruises for 2022. Put those future cruise credits to good use and book your trip of a lifetime!
Best Alaska Cruises for 2022
Discovery Princess
It is tough to pick the best Alaskan cruise for 2022 among the 6 Princess Cruises ships planned to sail in the region this year. Given that we are partial to mega-ships, the brand new Discovery Princess has to be at the top of our list.
Discovery Princess is sailing roundtrip Inside Passage cruises from Seattle in 2022. The itinerary will visit all the popular stops, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, as well as cruising through Endicott Arm and the Dawes Glacier.
The brand-new Discovery Princess is the final Royal Class ship that will debut just in time for the 2022 Alaska cruise season.
With the largest balconies at sea, this ship is perfect for cruising in Alaska. Further, you wont be able to beat the views from the SeaWalk, a 60-foot glass walkway extending 28 feet off the side of the ship.
Of course, cruisers can also indulge in a variety of culinary treats, unwind in the Sanctuary, and enjoy the cruise lines signature entertainment in the main theater and Princess Live!.
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Score Big on 2022 Alaska Cruises Now!
Norwegian Encore
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Ovation of the Seas
Holland Americas Koningsdam
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Shore Excursions On Princess Alaska Cruises
Princess Cruises offers shore excursions designed to match every interest, activity level and taste. By booking with Princess, you’ll be guaranteed an on-time return to the ship, and can feel safe knowing you’re being led by reputable operators with local expertise on high quality excursions. Search for excursions based on categories such as sightseeing and city tours, nature and wildlife, activities and adventures, and special interest. Excursions are tagged with descriptors like “most popular,” “off the beaten path,” and “kid-friendly” to make decision-making even easier.
Some of the shore excursions Princess Cruises offers in Alaska include:
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise – Anchorage, Alaska
Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion – Ketchikan, Alaska
Chilkoot Lake Freshwater Fishing – Skagway, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Whale Quest – Juneau, Alaska
Russian & Tlingit Heritage Discovery – Sitka, Alaska
In addition to traditional cruises, Princess offers several cruise + land tour options for guests who want to spend more time in port. Combine a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with 3 to 8 nights touring Alaska on land. Spend time at the Denali and Glacier Bay national parks and enjoy Princess’ exclusive domed-glass rail service and the comfort of Princess’ Wilderness Lodges.
Holland America Vs Princess In Alaska
Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have been sailing Alaska longer than any other cruise lines and are the undisputed leaders in this market. Both claim deep roots in the region, have contacts with local companies other cruise lines don’t have and operate their own accommodations throughout the state to best serve their cruise tour passengers. They also have the most ships in the region of any of the major cruise lines.
Holland America Line first began sailing Alaska in the 1960s and launched its land operations there in 1970 when it partially acquired local tour company Westours, which had been operating in the state since the 1940s.
Princess Cruises’ first Alaska season was in 1969, and the line began running its land-based tours in 1972.
To help you decide which cruise line is the best choice for your Alaska cruise or cruise-and-land tour, Cruise Critic has compared Holland America versus Princess in regards to the Alaska-specific onboard experience, cruise itineraries and prices, and cruise tour itineraries and prices.
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Princess Cruises Alaska Shore Excursions
Shore excursions in Alaska are a big thing with Princess Cruises, so you can expect nothing but the very best adventures both shore-side and during the lines land tours.
Typical shore excursions include: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre in Anchorage White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, Dog Sledding and a visit to the Red Onion Saloon in Skagway the Red Onion Saloon was Skagways most exclusive bordello during the Gold Rush days and is now a National Historic Building Whale watching and Mount Roberts Tramway in Juneau and Totem Bight State Park in Ketchikan.
As mentioned, Princess Cruises also offer an extensive selection of land & sea vacation options, where guests can extend their cruise with 3-8 night land tours both pre and/or post-cruise.
Land tours offer wonderful trips across the Rocky Mountains and in-depth visits to Denali National Park. To give you an example, a 7-day post-cruise Denali land tour will often include accommodation in a Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, motorcoach transfers between destinations and access to one of Americas best national parks. It really is an incredible experience and one that we would highly recommend.
Guide’s Choice Photography Discovery
Serious photographers are often frustrated when they find a nice spot, set up for a shot, and the guide yells, “Time to get back on the bus!” This tour is for photographers, so there’s ample time to get your shots just right. Better still, your professional photographer guide has the flexibility to take you where the “action” is, whether it’s a field of wildflowers by the Chilkat River, brown bears feeding on salmon near Chilkoot Lake, or a juvenile bald eagle exercising its wings for its first flight.
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Planning A Return To Cruising In Australia
In hopes that Australian Federal and State Governments will green-light the return of cruising, Princess Cruises announced plans for Coral Princess return to service in June 2022.
Coral Princess will cruise roundtrip from Brisbane with itineraries from three- to 12-days in length. Destinations include ports in Queensland and New South Wales.
By August, Coral Princess moves to Sydney for a new 12-day voyage calling to Queensland and the Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea. The ship will then resume the previously announced Australia & New Zealand program for the 2022/2023 season.
Finally, Majestic Princess will sail roundtrip from Sydney on a new Queensland voyage in February 2023 at the end of the cruise season.
Details of these itineraries from Australia will be announced on March 17 and then these Australia cruises will be available to book on March 23, 2022.