Up to 14 Days, Roundtrip: $1,100-$6,200+ Per Person
Alaska cruises follow the inside passage at the state's southern tail past glaciers, icebergs and waterfalls. The icy waterways are open for ships May through September when animal life includes feeding bears, mountain goats, humpback whales and sea lions. Cost varies by cruise length, sailing date, whether it's a round trip, and choice of stateroom.
Typical costs:
One-way Alaska cruises in and out of San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver allow travelers to spend additional land time in the northern state and cost about $430-$6,000 per person, double occupancy, for an interior room, depending on sailing date, cruise line and choice of stateroom. Onshore lodging is not included. Ocean view cabins cost $735-$1,350, balcony rooms $1,350-$2,400, and suites $3,160-$3,470, per person. For example Royal Caribbean[1] offers a seven-day one-way starting at $450 per person, depending on sailing date.
Seven-day Alaska roundtrip cruises cost about $580-$2,660 for an interior cabin per person, double occupancy, depending on sailing date, choice of stateroom and cruise line. Upgrade to a stateroom with a balcony for $775-$1,710 or suite $1,350-$1,900, For example, Disney Cruise Line[2] offers a seven-night cruise for about $1,150 per person for an interior room, while Norweigan Cruise Lines[3] operates week-long trips in interior staterooms for $500-$750 per person, depending on sailing date.
Travelers seeking an educational trip may sail with a crew of naturalists like the National Geographic[4] eight-day adventure, which costs about $6,000 per person. The smaller ships are able to maneuver into more remote locations. Onboard activities include lectures on the area's plant and animal life.
Alaska 10-14 day roundtrip cruises are priced about $1,100-$2,300 per person, double occupancy for an interior room, depending on sailing date, choice of stateroom and cruise line. Cabins with an ocean view are priced $1,800-$2,200, balcony rooms $1,800-$4,400 and suites $4,500-$6,200, per person. Princess Cruises[5] offers a 14-day cruise that starts in Vancouver, then after Alaska, heads south along the west coast to Los Angeles for about $1,600 per person, double occupancy.
All meals, maid service and most onboard entertainment are included in the ticket price.
Seven-day trips may include stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, and Glacier Bay[6] , depending on length of trip and cruise line. Longer trips may include the Gulf of Alaska and Anchorage.
Additional costs:
One-way airfare to Alaska costs about $475-$650 from Seattle, $600-$750 from Los Angeles, or $375-$650 from New York, depending on airline and travel date.
Alcoholic beverages are typically not included and cost about $5-$7 per beer, $6-$11 wine or $4-$10 cocktails. A bar bill is usually left in the stateroom on the last night of the cruise with a 15% gratuity added.
Tipping for dining and room stewards may often be completed in advance. If paid onboard, an envelope will be delivered to the cabin on the last night of the cruise or may be picked up at the purser's desk. Some cruise lines automatically bill the passenger's account for a set tip amount, either daily or on the last day of the cruise. Expect to pay about $10-$12 per day, per person.
Onshore excursions[7] vary by location and activity level from local tours and shopping to zip lining ($99), horseback riding ($160), helicopter glacier tours ($300) or hiking in Denali National Park[8] ($10).
Single cruisers typically pay supplemental fees of up to double on most cruise lines for a single occupancy cabin, or may choose to be assigned with another solo traveler to receive double occupancy rates.
Discounts:
Receive early booking[9] discounts of $25-$200 per person, depending on cruise line. Ask if the discount will come off the top at ticket purchase, or will be available as an onboard credit.
The first cruises of the season in early May, might offer savings of $100-$1,700, depending on cruise line and choice of stateroom, however the weather will be much cooler than in June.
Shopping for an alaska cruise:
Cruise Reviews.com offers recommendations on Alaskan cruise options[10] .
The Cruise Lines International Association maintains a current list of members.
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