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Budgets for cruising can vary by activity level and dining while onboard. However, you may want to consider putting aside extra cash in case you want to experience local cuisine. Plus, transportation costs in Alaska are high, and there are some activities included. Cruise tours run between 9 – 14 nights, which feature a seven-night cruise with bus- or train-based tours through the interior and south-central Alaska. This won't be an option in all ports, like Ketchikan, which generally has short port times. Don't forget that you're not simply booking the sailing, but you will likely need to account for flights and potentially a hotel for the night before your cruise.
Pre-Cruise and Post-Cruise Hotel Stays
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. One of the first hidden costs you’ll encounter are port taxes and fees.
A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points and Miles
Alaskan Cruise Costs: What You Can Expect to Pay - NerdWallet
Alaskan Cruise Costs: What You Can Expect to Pay.
Posted: Sat, 09 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Alaska is considered one of the last great wildernesses -- and navigating all your cruise choices to see as much as you can be overwhelming. Alaska is also notoriously expensive, so it's no wonder that many travelers prefer an all-inclusive cruise for their vacation to the 49th state. While many travelers assume that Alaska is cold year-round, that isn't necessarily true. Travelers may enjoy warm sunshine one minute, then chilly rain the next. Because of this, it is wise to dress in layers and bring clothing that's suitable for different types of weather. All the cruises we considered start and finish in Seattle, Washington, and include a mandatory stop in Victoria, Canada—important to mention due to passport requirements for Alaska cruises.
Why You Should Take an Alaska Summer Vacation Cruise
Most people tend to focus on the Caribbean for summer cruises, but an Alaska summer vacation can be a great option, too. The best Alaska food to try on a cruise includes king crab, salmon, fry bread, birch syrup, wild berries and more. The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences.
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024 - AFAR Media
The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
For those wanting a more luxurious experience, balcony cabins and suites can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 and $250 or more per person per day, respectively. While these low starting prices can grab your attention, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The actual cost of an Alaskan cruise can climb into the thousands when you factor in additional expenses like shore excursions, specialty dining, and more.
In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs. Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders. Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape. Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have long been the most established of the cruise lines sailing Alaska, with more than 75 and 50 years in the state respectively. Several cruise lines in Alaska are considered "premium," meaning that they have some amenities included in their fare but not all.
For example, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas contain more balcony staterooms than smaller ships like Radiance of the Seas or Enchantment. Furthermore, if you are traveling with your family aboard a Disney cruise, the price will be higher than cruise lines like Norwegian and Caribbean. Planning out the budget isn’t as simple as accommodations, food, and excursions. There are many incidentals you may encounter both on and off the ship. Obviously, you want to be prepared because no one wants to run out of money or go over their budget. This dramatic fjord off Stephens Passage, about 45 mi/72 km south of Juneau, is a popular cruising area for big and small ships.
Let’s dive into these factors to help you make an informed decision. A new ship like Ovation of the Seas has more balcony staterooms than smaller ships like Serenade of the Seas. New cruise ships are generally more costly, but you can often find more affordable balcony cabins on newer and larger cruise ships. It includes your accommodation, basic meals, and entertainment on the ship. Except for luxury cruise lines, your fare will not include onboard gratuities.
Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience. At first glance many mistake Victoria for an English coastal city or northern European town. Full of greenery, pubs and Victorian architecture, it's difficult to believe that this was a tent city full of rough and tumble miners just 150 years ago. On a cruise to Alaska, explore the Butchart Gardens, tour the pub scene and taste some of the local brews or sail the bay for a whale-watching adventure. Back on the vessel, after a gourmet meal and drinks, evening entertainment is viewing the deep fjords, glaciers, and abundant whales that make Alaska so magical. There’s also complimentary Pilates and yoga, a gym, jogging track, spa, observation library, and a slew of bars and restaurants.
Of course, you might find rates cheaper (or more expensive) depending on the factors above. Mainstream cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line, offer Alaska cruises in 2023 starting as low as $890 a person (double occupancy) for a seven night roundtrip cruise out of Seattle. Still, on that same ship, Carnival Luminosa, the voyage jumps up to $3,000 a person for a suite. Part of this cost includes some unexpected costs like onshore dining, gratuities, entertainment and activities, and excursions. These are things people tend to forget about but that can quickly add up. Cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises currently include tips in cruise fares along with other luxury liners.
Thus, there is no benefit to picking one departure point over the other when it comes to Alaska cruise prices. One-way cruises start in one port, usually Vancouver, and end in another destination (like Whittier, Alaska). The two most common departure ports for roundtrip cruises are Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC. When going on an Alaska cruise, travelers have the option to sail either one-way or roundtrip itineraries. For instance, if you wanted to go on the same Princess cruise above in July, a balcony cabin for two people is just over $2,000 a person. Likewise, for a family of four, the total for a balcony cabin would be $6,392 (or $1,598 per person).
Weekend departures give you the option to stretch your vacation and explore the Emerald City. 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. In addition, some smaller cruise ships can embark or disembark from smaller cities, like the port in Sitka. From the sweeping mountains of Juneau to the fish-bearing seas of Ketchikan, discover our Alaska cruise ports and set sail into the adventures that await you. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter.
The scenery, wildlife and foliage change by season, so many travelers return at different times of the year to experience it all. It’s an investment not just in a vacation but in a wealth of experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re contemplating this incredible journey, our advice is to plan meticulously, budget wisely, and savor every moment.
Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique. Watch lumberjacks in action, learn from Glacier Bay National Park rangers and craft with a Native totem pole carver. Or listen to harrowing Tales from the Deadliest Catch fishermen and climbers who have summited Denali during your Alaska cruise. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. One day might involve kayaking in Patterson Bay followed by a brisk snorkeling session. Another could see guests hiking to a glacial lake or going for a skiff tour among icebergs.
Not all Royal Caribbean cruises in Alaska have an option to make your sailing all inclusive, but Quantum of the Seas ship, does. If you book a Star Class suite, you will receive a drink and specialty restaurant packages, as well as Wi-Fi and the butler services of a Royal Genie. The smaller Brilliance of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas do not offer Star Class suites.
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