Alaska, the 49th state of the U.S., is known for its vast size and abundant opportunities to witness stunning natural wonders. Enjoy exploring famous ports such as Skagway, Ketchikan, and Juneau, or cruise along the scenic Inside Passage and witness the remarkable ice formations of Icy Strait and Glacier Bay. This cruise experience is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.
Depending on the cruise line, the duration of the cruise, and your cabin of choice, an Alaskan cruise cost could be anything from $600 to $10 000.
It’s always smart to create a budget that covers onshore excursions and any onboard activities not included in your cruise package. In this post, we’ll go over what an Alaskan cruise typically costs while considering any potential incidentals.
Creating a sound budget entails much more than just cruise fares, food, cabins, and shore excursions. You will likely find yourself in many instances where you will need to spend a little extra, and no one wants to reach for their wallet only to remember their budget is spent.
Alaska Cruise Fares
Because of the lodging costs, many of the tours offered by cruise lines are more expensive per night than the actual cruise. Moreover, the transportation costs and activities in Alaska tend to fall on the higher end of the price range.
Some cruise tours run up to two weeks, featuring a seven-night cruise with tours by bus or train into the deeper parts of Alaska.
For Royal Caribbean cruise tours, you can expect to pay anything between $370 and $420 per person for a cruise of five to nine days. For a 14-day cruise with Princess Cruises, inside cabins can cost anything from $1000 to $2400, with balcony cabins and suites driving the price up drastically.
Alaska Cruises typically run from May until September, with the time between June and August being the most popular Alaska cruise season. As the demand for Alaskan cruises skyrockets during this time, cruise fares are almost certain to do the same.
It is worth noting that cruise fares for smaller ships aren’t necessarily lower than any other cruise ship. In fact, the demand for smaller ships is often much higher because they tend to fit into more Alaska ports.
Waiting for prices to drop isn’t the best way to go about your Alaska cruise. Cruise fares are more than likely to climb as the departure date grows near, so the sooner you book, the better for your wallet.
Booking earlier could potentially qualify you for discounts, which may apply to the ticket price or be given as an onboard credit.
Cabin Costs on Alaskan Cruises
Alaskan cruise cost ranges are continuously changing, even for the same ship and itinerary. As the ships sell out, they become more expensive. Furthermore, the prices will go down when one itinerary isn’t selling sufficiently.
The time of year also greatly determines the ticket price. The winter will bring more affordable ticket prices than the summer.
You can also save money by booking an inside cabin rather than a balcony cabin. Needless to say, the suite options are significantly more expensive than a standard interior cabin.
Large cruise ships’ prices generally vary between the following:
- An inside cabin ranges from $50 to $150 per person. Double occupancy rooms cost around $700 to $2000 for a week-long cruise for two.
- An outside cabin ranges from $70 to $200 per person. Double occupancy rooms cost around $1000 to $3000 for a week-long cruise for two.
- A balcony cabin ranges from $100 to $300 per person. Double occupancy rooms cost around $1300 to $4500 for a week-long cruise for two.
- A suite generally goes for about $250 per person. Couples can expect to pay around $3500 to $4000 for a week-long cruise.
Disney Cruise Line fares tend to be higher than that of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Various availabilities apply to different cruise ships, so the stateroom you’ll be able to book depends on the cruise line. For instance, Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas offer more balcony staterooms than other smaller ships, and balcony staterooms may be more affordable on bigger cruise ships.
Effect of Airfare on Alaska Cruise Cost
Cruisers often overlook the cost of getting to the cruise port when calculating their Alaska cruise cost. Your location will largely determine the costs of any flights you may need to take.
You will be able to counter flight costs with a rental car or taxi service if you live near the Seattle cruise port. Conversely, you should expect to pay anything from $400 to $1200 for one-way flights to either Vancouver or Anchorage if you’re located on the easter seaboard.
If an Alaska cruise sails from Canada to Alaska in a one-way trip, it will generally be more expensive than cruise lines sailing a roundtrip from Seattle, San Francisco, or Vancouver.
Therefore, if you want to save money, you need to consider how the cruise itinerary will affect your overall budget.
Another great perk is that you get to use your frequent flyer miles or credit card rewards when you book a flight, so you can also save money that way.
Hotel Stays
If you need to take a flight to the cruise port a couple of days before the sailing date, you may need to stay in a hotel for a night or two. Similarly, if you would like to spend some more time in Alaska after the cruise ends, your accommodation costs also need to be considered in your overall expenses.
Your budget for hotel stays will depend on your choice of institution, but you should generally plan to spend between $150 and $300 extra for every night you are off the ship.
Shore Excursions
Experienced cruisers recommended allocating anything between $1000 and $1800 per person for any Alaska shore excursions. This budget will give you the freedom to experience the best parts of Alaska and make your time off the ship just as memorable as your time onboard.
If you’re going on a seven-day cruise, this amount of money is enough to include great activities, such as watching the humpback whales in Icy Strait, going on helicopter rides, going on dog sled rides, enjoying flightseeing and train tours, and so much more.
There are many different shore excursions on offer at the various Alaska cruise ports, so budgeting for these is certainly worth it.
While creating a budget for a shore excursion, keep in mind that a great deal of flexibility is involved. For instance, if you plan to go on a helicopter ride, you may need to spend up to $700, while most city tours will only set you back around $80.
If saving money is not your top priority, you can splurge on higher-end excursions and experience Alaska in the best way possible.
To give a better idea of what a shore excursion on Alaska cruises might cost, here are just a few popular activities and their rates:
- Dog sledding and a helicopter ride over glaciers: 3.15 hours for $660 per person
- Sea Kayaking: 3 hours, $180 per person (meals included)
- Pub crawl in Ketchikan: $94 per person
- Best of Sitka tour: $100 per person ($80 for children)
- Exclusive coastal drive, oyster farm, and wildlife cruise in Ketchikan: $190 per person
- Denali National Park hiking adventure: $10 per person
- Tracy Arm Fjord food tour: $122 per person
- Helicopter ride over Tongass National Forest, landing on Mendenhall Glacier: $340 per person
Exploring Alaska on you Own
As most Alaskan ports are located a short while from the towns’ main areas, you can also save money by visiting the local restaurants, shops, museums, and historic districts on your own.
You can also travel to some popular destinations when you visit Alaska instead of booking an expensive shore excursion. For instance, rather than paying $80 for a trip to Mendenhall Glacier, pay $45 for a round-trip bus ticket, which includes your entrance fee.
If you plan to discover more of Alaska without a paid tour, you should remember that you may want to buy some souvenirs at the local gift shops, which are abundant in Southeast Alaska. Although, such purchases shouldn’t put too much of a dent in your budget if you shop in moderation.
Onboard Expenses of a Cruise Vacation
Entertainment
Your ticket price will likely include some entertainment on the ship, but some cruise lines may require an additional fee for such things. Most cruise lines offer casinos, spas, performances, and various other entertainment options, some of which may entail an extra charge.
Food
Although many cruise lines include your meals, you should budget for those days when you may want to try out the local food, such as the well-known excellent Juneau cuisine. The city of Juneau has exploded recently and now boasts a plethora of restaurants ranging from fine dining options to eclectic food carts.
Moreover, if you want to participate in many physical activities during your shore excursions, you will undoubtedly be ravished by lunchtime and may not have enough time to grab a meal on the ship. Therefore, your budget should account for meals off the ship, as they will likely come up when you want to make the most of every moment in Alaska.
Your budget for local restaurants should average around $20 per meal based on the type of cuisine. When you book an Alaskan cruise, check that your meals are included in the price if such an option is available with the particular cruise line. Cruise ships that don’t include meals in their ticket prices often have a multitude of onboard restaurants that will cost you a lot extra.
Drinks
Be sure to check whether alcoholic beverages are included in your cruise package or not. Some cruise itineraries include all your beverages, but those that don’t will require you to set aside enough money for your daily drinks.
The amount depends on how much you plan to drink. As many cruises only include a certain number of drinks, keep track of how many beverages you order so you won’t have to deal with a hefty bill.
Gratuitites
Gratuities are one of those things that cruisers often forget about but still engage in while onboard. Every cruise line adds daily dining services and housekeeping tips to your bill.
Although you won’t necessarily come into contact with everyone contributing to making your experience as best as possible, you should still pay the recommended amount for gratuities at the very least.
These costs range between $14 and $20 per person every day. Some cruise lines, such as Celebrity Cruises, now include gratuities in the overall cruise fare. Stay up to day on the latest cruise news to be the first to know when your favorite cruise line makes beneficial changes to their cruise packages.
In Closing
The best way to ensure a relaxing Alaskan cruise is to plan well in advance. Book your hotel room and air ticket as soon as possible, so nothing is left to chance.
Although cabin choices and cruise fare are the most significant expenses to consider, there are various other costs people often forget about until the time comes. Be sure to carefully investigate what your itinerary includes and which activities you would like to enjoy so you won’t be caught off guard when the bill comes.
Unexpected costs like gratuities, dining, excursions, entertainment, and onboard activities can contribute to a rather sizeable overall cruise expense, and planning for it will ensure a relaxing and enjoyable trip.
Sailing to Alaska may be one of the best experiences you’ll ever have, and if your budget covers all the necessary expenses, you can simply sit back and enjoy without stressing about your bank account.
