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Let’s delve into these often-overlooked expenses that can affect the prices for an Alaskan cruise. And those ports of call are also something that makes Alaska special. Let’s be honest, Caribbean and Bahamian ports are nice, but they are almost always built around serving cruise ships, giving a very touristy feel. Onboard Spending & ExcursionsFrom our estimates, a couple sailing to Alaska would spend about $3,000-$4,000 on the cruise itself. Then there is everything you’ll spend in addition, including drinks, wi-fi, casino play, spa, souvenirs, and meals (both specialty restaurants on the ship, and eating in port). These excursions have a wide variety of prices depending on the destination, admission cost and other factors.
25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic - CruiseCritic.co.uk
25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic.
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Review: Is the Norwegian Sun a Good Ship to Cruise Alaska?
The total cost of an Alaska cruise will vary widely based on the month you sail, stateroom you book, and excursions you reserve while in port, but there are options to fit any vacation budget. If you don’t plan on booking excursions, you may choose to explore Alaska’s ports on your own. Most Alaska cruise ports are just a short walk from the main area of town, where you will find restaurants, saloons, historical districts, museums, and nature to enjoy.
Including islands, Alaska has 33,904 miles of shoreline. The perfect way to see it all? By boat.
After all, Alaska is not just a destination; it’s an experience that stays with you long after you return home. We opted for a 10-night stay aboard the Norwegian Sun, choosing an inside cabin with no window to keep costs down. We skipped any extra paid activities or dining options on the ship. While we’ve covered the major factors that contribute to the cost of an Alaskan cruise, there are some additional expenses that you should be aware of. These costs may not be the first things that come to mind when planning your cruise, but they can add up and should be included in your budget.
Alaska Independent Land Tour Costs
In addition to the base cruise fare, all cruisers must pay port taxes and fees. Even if you find a "free cruise" through some promotion, you'll still pay these extra charges. The cruise company pays these taxes and fees to the ports and destinations you visit throughout your trip. Given the time travel, many cruisers will want to consider spending at least one pre-cruise day at a hotel, and possibly even a post cruise day.
And there’s a restaurant in Sitka that makes an excellent seafood chowder. An Alaska cruise is one of the destinations we highly recommend upgrading to an ocean view or balcony stateroom. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s price differences between stateroom categories.
THE 7 BEST Disney Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 7 BEST Disney Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
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Shore excursions can significantly impact your Alaskan cruise prices. Prices can range from as low as $70 for a simple walking tour to over $600 for more extravagant experiences like a helicopter tour. Budgeting for these activities is essential, especially if you plan to participate in multiple excursions. Sometimes, travelers to Alaska extend the entire trip with a Cruisetour.
The good news is there are so many options for travelers that you should be able to find a great trip that fits your budget. As you'll see below, an Alaskan cruise can cost under $500 per person for some week long trips. Don't forget to check out our Alaska cruise deals page to save even more on your next sailing.
Airfare is notoriously volatile, but you can expect the price tag to be high. At a minimum, you should anticipate paying $300 to fly to Seattle, but many times it can be higher… much higher (we recently paid more than $700!). As well, ticket prices for times outside of early morning or late night hours can be even more expensive. There is another component to sailing to Alaska that can run up the price tag — airfare. While there are Alaskan cruises sailing from ports up and down the West Coast, the majority of them sail from Seattle and Vancouver. Since most people don’t live within driving distance of these ports, it means flying in.
Additionally, cabins located closer to the ship’s amenities, such as the dining areas and entertainment venues, are generally pricier. However, if you don’t mind a short walk, choosing a cabin towards the middle or rear of the ship can be a budget-friendly option. Generally, the larger the ship, the less the starting price for the cruise.
Alaskan cruises offer a wide range of shore excursions, from helicopter tours of glaciers to wildlife watching, whale watching, scenic train raids, and kayaking adventures. The activities you can participate in are as diverse as Alaska itself. Alaskan lodges provide an exclusive experience in Alaska’s remote backcountry. Each Alaska lodge tends to have a different focus, from bear viewing to fishing to just relaxing in the wilderness and getting away from it all. Most lodges in Alaska are located off of the main road system and are accessible only by plane or boat.
If you’re looking to eschew the cruise ship behemoths for something more intimate, this is it—Alaska Dream Cruises’ Alaskan Dream holds only 40 passengers. Meals and activities (including going for high-speed Zodiac rides, kayaking, and paddleboarding) are included. Cruise tours cost more per night than cruises alone, likely because the cost of lodging and transportation in Alaska is high and some activities are included. Most cruise tours run 9- to 140nights, featuring a seven-night cruise and a bus- and train-based tour through Southcentral and Interior Alaska.
You can visit Alaska without a passport on a closed-loop sailing (one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port). Be sure to bring your passport if you plan on crossing the border from Skagway into Canada's Yukon Territory -- or exploring any Canadian port of call. Cruise prices change over time; individual lines have different deals, so these are the average prices that we analyzed over several weeks to write this article. We looked into the average pricing for a one-week Alaska cruise set for 2024.
Gratuities, also known as service charges, are customary in the cruise industry to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the onboard staff. While the exact amount varies by cruise line, the average daily gratuity charge for Alaska cruises is around $15 per person. These charges are typically automatically added to your onboard account but can be adjusted if desired.
We recommend booking a cruise as soon as you decide you would like to sail to Alaska. Waiting for a lower price usually does not pay off, as cruise fares tend to get higher closer to the sale date. The price of an Alaska cruise can vary widely depending on the month you sail, stateroom you choose, and excursions you book. Cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises currently include tips in cruise fares along with other luxury liners.
Extras like excursions, gambling, alcohol and premium meals may also affect the price. You can save money on your Alaska cruise by traveling in the off-season, booking at the last minute or using your travel credit card rewards. Except for luxury cruise lines, your fare will not include onboard gratuities. These typically run $13-$18 a person, per day, depending on your cabin category. Many cruise lines do discount the second and third person in the room. This discount is usually around 50% off the cruise fare of the first and second passenger.
A cruisetour adds extra days to your cruise, on either the front or the back end, with a portion of your trip occurring on land. These often include scenic rail tours with overnights in nearby lodges and hotels. Many cruise lines now also offer dining packages to help reduce the costs of specialty dining.
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