Traveling to Alaska on a cruise is the optimal way to witness all that the Last Frontier has to offer, from its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife to its rich cultural heritage. The excitement of planning an Alaskan cruise can, however, easily be marred by the fear of unexpected costs. To make sure you are well-prepared for your upcoming adventure in 2023, we have compiled this comprehensive list of all the anticipated expenses associated with cruising Alaska. With this guide, you can plan and budget responsibly while ensuring an enjoyable and unforgettable experience at sea.
What's the cost of an Alaska cruise?
When planning an Alaska cruise, it’s important to consider the various costs associated with the trip. Prices can vary greatly depending on cabin category, time of year, advance purchase discounts and other factors. Generally speaking, a week-long cruise to Alaska could cost anywhere from $2,000 per person to several thousand dollars more.
The most essential items you should budget for include the cruise fare (plus taxes and fees), airfare/transportation costs, shore excursions, onboard purchases for additional amenities and experiences not included in the cruise fare, hotel accommodations for any extended stays pre or post-cruise and travel insurance.
Cruise fares will depend largely on your itinerary and chosen cruise line, while airfare/transportation prices may be impacted by distance of location traveling from. Shore excursions can vary greatly in price and often be some of the priciest activities during your vacation. Onboard purchases include additional features like spa treatments or specialty dining that are not covered in the cruise fare and must be paid out of pocket. When making hotel reservations either before or after your voyage, keep a close eye on pricing as sometimes reserving early yields savings. Lastly but equally important is travel Insurance which usually runs between $150 - $300 per person depending on coverage desired.
By taking into consideration all potential expenses ahead of time and doing thorough research into pricing options before booking, you can ensure that your Alaska cruise will fit within your budget without compromising on quality or experience!
How much are Alaska cruise fares?
When deciding on the perfect cruise for your upcoming Alaska voyage, price must be taken into consideration. In 2023, prices across all cruise lines have been on the rise when compared to past years.
Mainstream cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line are offering seven night roundtrip cruises from Seattle, starting at only $890 per person (double occupancy). However, if a suite is desired the cost swiftly increases to upwards of $3,000 per person. Likewise, competitor cruise line Royal Caribbean's roundtrip Alaska cruises are available for $770 per person (double occupancy). However, upgrading to a suite on the same ship will cost almost double that amount at just under $2,000 per traveler.
Premium cruise line Celebrity Cruises also offer Alaska cruises from Seattle beginning at $807 per person (double occupancy). For those looking for something more luxurious and exclusive, their Retreat suites will set you back nearly $4,000 per person. This fare does include added benefits such as an added drink package, restaurant access, WiFi and gratuities included in the price.
Alaska cruise cost by time of year
Cruising to Alaska during the shoulder seasons (late April/May and September/early October) is typically the most cost-effective time of year. This is because cruise lines tend to offer discounts and deals on fares in order to fill their cabins, as this time frame generally falls outside of traditional times for vacation.
Conversely, taking an Alaska cruise during peak season (usually July) may prove quite costly. For example, Princess Cruises offers a seven-night roundtrip cruise from Seattle that starts at around $1,200 per person in April or May. However, a family of four looking to book that same cruise in July could easily pay upwards of $6,392 – or $1,598 per person!
Furthermore, while summer may offer the warmest weather and longest daylight hours, it also brings more crowds and less availability of onboard activities due to popularity.
Read more: When is the best time to visit Alaska?
So if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to experience all the beauty that Alaska has to offer by sea, it would be best to plan your voyage during the shoulder seasons.
Do certain Alaska cruise itineraries cost more?
When planning a trip to Alaska, many visitors opt for a cruise that offers the option of either one-way or roundtrip itineraries. One-way cruises generally have more affordable starting fares, but you should consider additional costs associated with flights when booking a one-way itinerary. For those who want to embark on a roundtrip cruise, Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC are the two most popular departure ports. While comparing seven-day itineraries from both cities, there is not much difference in pricing and it varies by week and cruise line.
Therefore, when selecting an Alaska cruise, travelers should prioritize destinations they wish to visit rather than worrying about cost savings between two departure ports. Alaskan cruises provide passengers with stunning views of glaciers, wildlife sightings, and access to local towns and villages—all while cruising in comfort with luxury amenities.
Which cabin category should you choose for an Alaska cruise?
Alaska cruises are a popular choice for those looking to experience the majestic beauty of the Last Frontier. When planning a cruise, it's important to consider the type of cabin you'll stay in and the associated budget.
Typical cabin categories include Inside, Outside, Balcony (Verandah), and Mini-Suites/Suites. Depending on desired amenities, cruise fares for 2023 can range from $700-$3500+ per person at double occupancy (before taxes and fees) for 7-night roundtrip cruises from Seattle.
For instance, an Inside Cabin on a Royal Princess cruise out of Seattle can start at around $720 a person at double occupancy. However, if you are travelling with a family of 4, the total cabin price would be $2484 which averages out to around $621 per person.
On the other hand, a standard balcony cabin on that same sail could cost $1,017 per person at double occupancy or over $3,600 when split between four passengers which averages out to around $900 each.
Most cruise lines will apply discounts to the second and third passengers in the room - usually up to 50% off their share of the cruise fare. Although taxes and fees still need to be paid in full by each passenger regardless of any discounts applied.
It's also worth noting that deals and promotions such as "kids sail free" or free perks may make one cruise line more attractive than another so researching these carefully is essential before booking your trip!
How much are Alaska cruise shore excursions?
Alaska cruises can be a spectacular and unforgettable experience, but the cost of shore excursions can add up quickly. On our Alaska cruises, we have done a variety of land-based walking tours, as well as thrilling adventures like helicopter rides, float plane trips, glacier viewing, bear watching, zip lines, whale watching, and visiting a bald eagle preserve.
While there are many reasonably priced options for exploring Alaska's natural beauty, there are also pricier tours that offer a more comprehensive experience. For instance, you could book a city tour with a stop at Mendenhall Glacier for around $70 per person. However, if you want to include some additional activities such as whale watching and a salmon bake, the price can easily exceed $200 per person.
For even more breathtaking views of Alaska's landscape you can opt for an exciting helicopter tour to explore nearby ice fields in Juneau. These typically start at around $450 per person; adding on activities like dog sledding can easily bring the total up to over $600 per person.
The most popular shore excursion in Alaska is the White Pass Summit Railroad in Skagway. This roundtrip ride usually costs around $140 per person; combo tours that include other activities start from $200 per person and up. If budget is an issue however, there are still options like taking self-guided walking tours or bus tours for between $70 - $100 per person.
On average we spent about $150 to $200 per port on shore excursions during our trips to Alaska; which means if you plan on having 4-5 ports of call during your trip you may end up shelling out anywhere from around $500 to over $1,000 just on these excursions alone!
How to budget for an Alaska cruise
Depending on where you live and your departure port, you will need to account for the costs of flying to reach the starting point of your Alaska cruise.
If you are taking a one-way cruise leaving Seward, Alaska, for example, you must fly into Anchorage — this flight can be expensive and time-consuming. Even if you are taking a round-trip from Seattle, WA or Vancouver, BC — with their more abundant flights — airfare can still be costly. As such, it's wise to budget between $500-$1000 per person for airfare when planning an Alaska cruise.
Additionally, one should consider luggage fees, airport parking fees and transport costs to and from the cruise port.
Juneau is a popular departure port but its remote location means that even during peak times airfares could cost more than expected. Furthermore, many cruisers would want to think about adding at least one pre-cruise night at a hotel before they embark on their voyage as well as potentially staying in one afterwards.
Unfortunately, finding a modest hotel during Alaska cruise season can often cost anywhere from $200-$300 per night while hotels with more amenities or better locations could easily reach $500 per night and higher.
