Alaska is quickly becoming one of the top cruise destinations thanks to its scenic landscape, charming coastal towns, and abundance of wildlife. With this increase in popularity, many cruisers want to know the best time to cruise to get the best price.
Alaska's cruise season is relatively short, generally running from May to September, although you may see the occasional cruise in April and October. There are only a few precious months to sail, creating a limited supply for cruisers who want to embark on this bucket list cruise vacation.
Despite this brief season, there are deals to be had for those cruisers who want the cheapest cruise fare. Shoulder season, which is the earliest and last part of the season, offers the best deals for budget-savvy cruisers.
We take a look at the cheapest months to cruise to Alaska, as well as some considerations that may play a role in picking the best time to cruise to Alaska.
April
Although there aren’t tons of cruises in April, there are some in the latter part of the month, offering some of the best deals of the year. There are a number of major cruise lines that sail during April, including Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.
Early-season cruising can provide some serious savings. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line launches its Alaska 2024 cruise season with a 7-day cruise on the Norwegian Jewel in a balcony stateroom for $1,221 per person in April. In July, this skyrockets to $3,529. That’s nearly triple the price.
Similarly, we found Carnival Cruise Line also has its cheapest cruise fare in April. An inside room on Carnival Spirit starts at $549 per person and $1,104 for a balcony cabin. In July, this increases to $969 for an inside cabin and $1,699 for a balcony, a significant bump in price.
Something to consider when cruising to Alaska in April: it can still be a little chilly, with temperatures ranging from 40-45 F. The good news is that much of the snow has melted, but there will be some fantastic views of snow-covered mountains. Another bonus is that it is much less crowded in April, but that also goes for animals who are not that active this time of year.
May
May is another month that offers some of the best deals for a cruise to Alaska. For example, Royal Caribbean's cheapest one-week cruise runs in May. A 7-night Inside Passage on Brilliance of the Seas is priced at $1,098 for a balcony cabin in May but bumps up to $2,334 in July. Other cruise lines follow similar trends in pricing this time of year.
Celebrity Cruises has been increasing its sailings to Alaska with many more offerings. Among their cheapest price is a 7-night southbound cruise to Alaska Dawes Glacier. A veranda (balcony) cabin is $999 for a September cruise, compared to $1,901 in July. These savings can go toward some great onshore excursions or even another cruise.
Although May weather is not as hot as the summer, the temperatures are warming to 40-55F, and it is one of the driest months in Alaska. This is also a great time of year to see wildlife, particularly whales, and it is still not overly crowded. With daylight hours surging to around 16 hours per day, there is plenty of time to take in the scenic views that Alaska is known for.
The main drawback to cruising in May is that it is just not that warm. For those who don’t mind these chillier temperatures, it is among the cheapest times to travel.
September (into early October)
September is another good month for discounted cruise prices to Alaska. September offers some great deals, and again, it is less crowded as kids head back to school and people finish up summer breaks. Some cruise lines even have a few cruises in October. Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the main choices for cruises late into the season.
Fans of Disney Cruise Line will love fall savings. Disney's cruise prices tend to run at the top of the market compared to the other major cruise lines, so savings are a bonus. For a 7-night cruise in July, a verandah (balcony) cabin is $ 17,939, which is close to $4,500 per person. (Disney provides their pricing for the total number of passengers in a cabin, including taxes). But this drops significantly to $8,949 in September, around $2,300 per person. It's almost half the price.
One of the biggest advantages to cruising in Alaska in September (beyond price) is the opportunity to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Although it is best to head north – perhaps a northbound cruise with an add-on tour to a place like Fairbanks, Alaska.
Temperatures in fall can still be mild, ranging from the mid-40s to 50s, although slightly more rain than the summer. Cruisers can expect balmy temperatures during the day with 12+ hours of sunlight. Wildlife still abounds, and there are plenty of moose, bears, and others that are famous in Alaska. Although whales becoming less frequent this time of year.
What to know about northbound/ southbound cruises (open jaw)
While researching the lowest cruise fares, often the one-way cruises, either north or southbound, are among the best prices. These cruises are also referred to as open jaw and typically venture to northern ports such as Whittier and Seward, as well as cruising Prince William Sound. These types of cruises are great for those wanting to add on land tours pre or post-cruise.
Also, there are often significant savings to these types of cruises, especially in May and September; however, this also requires a flight to Alaska (Seward) for a southbound cruise or a flight home after the cruise, which can add significantly to the overall cost of an Alaska cruise vacation. Another consideration is that some cruises leave from Vancouver, Canada. Cruisers flying into this port will need a passport.
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line were among the top cruise lines with the best prices for these cruises in shoulder season.
