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It is a coastal route for oceangoing vessels along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific coast of North America. In the summer months, gorgeous wildflowers bloom while the fall brings an explosion of color to the foliage. Native culture and plentiful wildlife, including bald eagles and migrating whales, make the Inside Passage a real natural wonder. 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. Early season cruises (April, May and June) are cheaper than July and August because school is still in session and that limits families' abilities to take a vacation. Moreover, the early Alaska season is colder and there is less demand.
Types of Shore Excursions
Otherwise, in terms of what to pack for the onboard portion of your cruise, check with your cruise to see how formal or informal the ship is. Some cruise lines have formal nights where you get to dress up for the evening. One-way cruises exist primarily to serve Royal Caribbean’s land-based Cruise Tours, which are multi-day land tours before or after an Alaska cruise. However, one-way cruises are open to all passengers regardless of whether or not they booked a Cruise Tour. The earliest and latest Alaska cruises of the season will likely not offer a Cruise Tour option.
Additional Costs to Consider
Yet, as our personal experience shows, the value of the journey often outweighs the cost. 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. Most of the cruises last for 7 nights, except for Norwegian, which offers a 9-night cruise during the dates we examined. We gathered our data from Cruise Direct and provided pricing for one adult person, both an inside cabin (no window) and a pricier balcony cabin. The cost for a cabin with a window typically falls somewhere in between.
Budget-Friendly Alaska Cruise Options
That’s not to mention things like the the cost of airfare to get to the port or the prices for pricey excursions. In short, it can be considerably more expensive that sailing to the Caribbean. Many travelers choose to upgrade their experience by booking a larger room, a better view or a room with better features. Depending on the cost, upgrading to an exterior room with a window can be a good idea. Unless you are sailing on a luxury cruise line, odds are your cruise fare does not include alcoholic beverages.
Transportation to and from the Port
We help your family determine the real Alaska cruise price with this guide. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Under the Midnight Sun, with the latest updates about new multi-day tours and day trips from Alaska Tours. Southeast Alaska is full of gift shops selling products from pencil erasers to shirts to jewelry.
Budgeting for Airfare for an Alaska Cruise
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Juneau, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Juneau Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Juneau, AK 2024 (with Prices) - Juneau Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:33:28 GMT [source]
Cruises during the peak season (May-September) are typically more expensive than cruises during the shoulder season (April-May and September-October). Cruises during the off-season (November-March) are typically the least expensive. The cost of an Alaskan cruise will also vary depending on the cabin type you choose. Inside cabins are the least expensive, while oceanview cabins and suites are more expensive.
Excursions
All of your meals will be included in your cruise, but some travelers like to get off the ship for meals to experience the local restaurant scenes which are growing in popularity. Has seen massive growth in the past couple of years with an explosion of new restaurants from fine dining to eclectic food carts. A shore excursion budget can range from low to high depending on what type of excursions you are interested in. You can buy city tours in almost every port for less $75 or spend as much as $600 for an extended helicopter dog sledding tour.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau
Let’s take a look at a few examples of an Alaska cruise fare for 2 adults in the shoulder season compared to the peak summer months of June, July, and August. We’ll also discuss some of the additional costs you may incur on your cruise, such as shore excursions and tips. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect when it comes to the cost of an Alaskan cruise. Multiple times a day, guests are invited to disembark for a closer look at the true wilds of Alaska. That could entail going kayaking among bobbing bits of glacial ice in Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, or going for a Zodiac ride in Frederick Sound to view whales up close.
Vacation clothing
Winter in Alaska is a great value where you can go skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing through Alaska’s pristine wilderness very affordably. These months are also the best time to view the Northern Lights (also known as Aurora Borealis). If you stay in a moderate Alaska hotel and take a few local tours, you should estimate about $200 per person/per day, based on double occupancy. For an excellent itinerary and a vacation you will never forget, we recommend budgeting $1,000 - $1,500 for shore excursions per person for a 7-day cruise. A typical Alaska Cruise can cost between $600 and $5,000 per person, depending on the length of your cruise, the type of cruise you choose, and your room choice. We recommend budgeting an additional $1,000 to $1,500 per person for shore excursions to get the most out of your Alaskan cruise.
So, you’re wondering what the real price tag is for an Alaska cruise, factoring in all the extra expenses we’ve discussed in this article? We’re an open book and happy to share our complete budget, including any additional costs we encountered. Unless you live near the departure port, you’ll likely need to fly to the city where your cruise begins.
Next it’s off to Sitka, a former Russian colony that now has one of the largest totem pole collections in the world. From there it’s the little-visited Elfin Cove and Point Adolphus, two dreamy locations known for their rugged coasts and wildlife spotting opportunities. After a few more days in the Inside Passage communities of Skagway, Kake, and Petersburg, the sailing culminates in Vancouver.
Most onboard entertainment is included in the price of your cruise. Many cruise ships also offer spa treatments and gambling, which aren't included in the cruise price. These cruisetours can add several hundreds of dollars per person to the cruise fare.
Cruisers can experience indigenous culture during visits to places like Saxman Village in Ketchikan, known for its outstanding collection of totem poles. Another unforgettable outing favored by sporty types is salmon fishing followed by the chef aboard ship preparing the day’s catch for dinner that night. When trying to figure out your Alaskan cruise cost, there are many things to factor in that you may not have initially realized. There may be airfare and hotel costs in addition to the cruise fare, depending on where you live.
Cruise vacations are not all-inclusive, so you’ll have to pay extra for alcoholic beverages. If you plan on drinking, you should budget for drink purchases or a drink package. You should plan your shore excursion well in advance of your cruise. Of course, the amount you need to budget depends on the activities you plan to book. City tours and bus tours are around $85 per person, while helicopter rides and glacier walks can be over $500 per person. If you’re flying to the port city, we highly recommend flying in one or two days before, which means you’ll need to consider the cost of a hotel.
Internet packages can cost upwards of $25 per day, and onboard messaging apps may also come with a fee. Make sure to factor these into your budget if staying connected is essential for you. Wildlife is abundant and can be spotted at possibly any moment, including whales and seals. Put simply, sailing to Alaska gives an experience that you don’t get anywhere else. Grand Total of an Alaskan CruiseAll told, we think about $2,000-$2,800 per person for a 7-day cruise to Alaska is a good estimate. One of the favorite things to do on an Alaskan cruise is to see wildlife.
Once you know the ballpark for these room categories, you can begin investigating cruise lines. So, it might be better to begin your budget around the type of cabin. If you are looking to experience some of the local restaurants you should budget $12-$30 per meal depending on the type of dining experience you are looking for. If you plan on eating in port, you can expect to spend $12 to $50 per meal. Shore excursions in Alaska are more expensive than those in the Caribbean or Mediterranean. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip.
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