Monday, April 1, 2024

Alaska Cruise Deals: Prices, When to Book, and Tips

cost of alaska cruise

Alternatively, Inside Passage cruises in Alaska tend to be calmer as the waters are protected. Temperatures in Alaska can change considerably from one destination to the next. That includes warm days, where even being near a glacier or a passing cloud (or socked-in rain) can make things chilly. Cruises through Alaska's gulf also tend to pass through the Inside Passage, with typical stops including Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Some will also call on more off-the-beaten-path ports like Icy Strait Point and Haines.

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Stretch out your Alaska cruise vacation with convenient weekend departures. Enjoy a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle on Alaskan Explorer itineraries or from Vancouver on Alaskan Inside Passage itineraries. Like everything else in Alaska, the Great Land’s national parks far exceed expectations. Read about Glacier Bay’s seven tidewater glaciers, Denali’s 6-million acres of undisturbed wilderness, Kenai Fjords' astonishing Exit Glacier and other national parks. Airfare should also be a consideration if you find a last minute cruise deal. While the fare might be enticing, the total cost of the plane tickets might negate any (and all) savings.

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Discover the top tips for planning a cruise to Alaska and uncover the best times of the year to spot Alaskas wildlife, locate must-see attractions, find Alaskan cruise deals and more. For all the beer lovers planning an Alaskan cruise vacation, we’ve curated the ultimate zythophile guide to visiting 5 of the best craft breweries in Alaska. As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car.

Hubbard Glacier Cruise Itineraries

Stop into iconic destinations and cruise Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. Unlike places in the continental United States, much of Alaska is not easily accessible via car. That means seeing multiple locations — even if they are relatively close to each other — often means traveling by plane or boat. In short, Alaska is one of those “bucket list” destinations that just doesn’t have an equivalent.

A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. This is an important consideration if you want to plan an extended pre- or post-cruise stay, as the hotel could add another thousand dollars to your total vacation expense. Do not forget that you can use frequent flyer miles or credit card points to book your flights, saving you money on that total Alaska cruise cost. Remember, there is no perfect time or guarantee of weather, so don't assume paying more for a July Alaska cruise automatically is going to favor your trip. There isn't a bad month to take an Alaska cruise, so you need to weigh the pros and cons of the off-peak or peak Alaska cruise season.

Experts On Board Your Cruise To Alaska

Experience the thrill of gold panning and learn about the city’s rich gold rush history at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. For panoramic views of the city and the surrounding landscapes, hop on a scenic tram ride to the top of Mount Roberts. Sitka offers a blend of wildlife encounters, stunning scenery, and rich Native American art and culture. Explore the Alaska Raptor Center, where you can see and learn about rehabilitating birds of prey up close. Take a wildlife tour to spot humpback whales, sea otters, and other marine life in their natural habitat. Immerse yourself in Sitka’s history by visiting the National Historic Park, home to one of the largest collections of totem poles in Alaska.

Still, you can take a walking tour of Skagway or a bus tour for between $70 and $100 per person. If all of these Alaska cruise costs are making you feel a little stressed out, then the pricing of Alaska shore excursions might just put you over the edge. An all-inclusive Alaskan cruise, which typically covers meals, drinks, and sometimes even shore excursions, can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $9,000 per person or more. Unless you live near the departure port, you’ll likely need to fly to the city where your cruise begins.

Find Holland America Eurodam Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

Find Holland America Eurodam Cruises to Alaska (with Prices).

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 16:16:50 GMT [source]

Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park. With its roaring glaciers, rugged mountains and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park feels like a dream. With 3.3 million acres to explore, cruise to this world-renowned landmark — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and let the landscapes inspire your next adventure. Princess Cruises is an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes.

Convenient Alaska Cruise Departure Ports

While you won’t encounter everyone who is involved in making your cruise memorable, it is advised to pay at least the suggested amount. Check your package to see if alcoholic beverages are included in your cruise. Some itineraries contain all-inclusive alcoholic packages, while others do not. Pay attention when ordering drinks so that you know how many you’ve had. Be aware of how many drinks your plan covers to ensure there are no surprises. If you want to save money, you can choose to go exploring by yourself.

From top-rated cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park to scenic rail travel and exclusive Princess lodges, you will find a seamless Alaska experience with Princess. Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training. Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history.

cost of alaska cruise

Many cruise lines now also offer dining packages to help reduce the costs of specialty dining. Most lines will let you buy a drink package and/or a dining package during the first few days of your sailing, so you don’t have to make that decision before boarding. A reasonable budget for a 7-day Alaskan cruise (Inside Passage route), including some shore excursions and extra amenities, could range from $3,000 to $5,000 per person. By weighing the cost against the value of the experiences offered, you can decide whether shore excursions are worth the investment for you.

Every cruise line tacks on daily tips for the dining and housekeeping staff onboard. As you will not necessarily come into contact with everyone who makes your Alaska cruise amazing, we strongly encourage you to pay the suggested amount or more. Second, you will discover a few fun attractions and lots of shopping within walking distance from each Alaska cruise pier, but the real draw lies beyond the city limits. You will want to take tours in nearly every port to make the most of your once-in-a-lifetime visit to the 49th state. For a family-friendly, big-ship cruise line, Disney is always priced higher than lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival. Their inside cabins start from $225 per person, per day, and the smallest suite starts at $1,000 per person, per day.

They are generally visible across the state, so any itinerary will likely do, though you'll have the best show in less populated areas like Denali National Park. You'd also do well to look at the moon cycles, as a full moon can drown out the Aurora Borealis. You're in luck if you're hoping to see whales on your Alaska cruise, as the majority of the cruise season coincides with whale season.

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