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Some will also call on more off-the-beaten-path ports like Icy Strait Point and Haines. In short, Princess provides an Alaska product specifically designed to appeal to a wide age range. It's the line you take if you want an affordable ship that'll appeal to your 70-year-old parents as much as your 12-year-old kid. Both ships are almost identical, but we give Discovery Princess the edge only because it's newer than Royal Princess. It's yet one more stylish and upscale area for cruisers looking for an upgraded experience to retreat. You can avoid the most common Alaska cruise mistakes with a little extra planning.
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Casual dining spots may charge around $20 to $40 per meal, while upscale restaurants can cost $30 to $50 per person or more. While not mandatory, travel insurance is highly recommended for any cruise, especially one as significant as an Alaskan cruise. Basic coverage can cost around $100 to $200 per person and provide peace of mind in unexpected events like medical emergencies or trip cancellations. 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.
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If we were to pick one mega-ship operator to see Alaska on, it would be Norwegian Cruise Line. If your idea of a good time includes loads of onboard amenities (like over-the-top spas, nightly theater productions, go-kart tracks, and a water park), this is the sailing for you. It’s also one of the more family-friendly lines sailing in Alaska, with kids clubs and programming specifically geared at youngsters.
Alaska Food: Where to Find the Best Food in Alaska Royal Caribbean Cruises
Cruises to Alaska are unique because they travel to more secluded and spectacular natural settings. This allows passengers to marvel at Alaska’s stunning natural environment, such as at the 500-mile long Inside Passage. The challenge of reaching these untouched areas and arranging excursions can also lead to higher overall costs compared to Caribbean or Mediterranean cruises. It’s an investment not just in a vacation but in a wealth of experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
That said, we didn’t hold back regarding shore excursions at each port we stopped at. For details on the specific excursions we took—like whale and bear watching, scenic train journeys, and more—check out our separate article on the subject. We looked into the average pricing for a one-week Alaska cruise set for 2024.
THE 7 BEST Carnival Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 7 BEST Carnival Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
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In short, Alaska is one of those “bucket list” destinations that just doesn’t have an equivalent. This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list. Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities. It is also the jumping-off point for a Bering Sea crab fishing tour.
THE 25 BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to Alaska (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
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Hidden Costs of Alaska Cruises to Watch Out For
For example, a shuttle from the Seattle airport to the port generally costs around $30, whereas a taxi ride might run closer to $50, and an Uber is around $60. While the cruise ship offers a variety of dining options, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore local cuisine during your time in the ports of call. Eating on land can be a delightful experience, but it’s essential to budget for this as it can affect your overall Alaskan cruise cost. Many ports offer local tours and activities at a fraction of the cost of official shore excursions. However, these come with their own set of challenges, such as coordinating transportation and ensuring you return to the ship on time. 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.
In September and October, cooler weather and the start of school mean fewer crowds and often lower prices. Sitka, Alaska, offers many shore excursions that allow visitors to explore its natural beauty and wildlife. One of the top attractions is the Sitka National Historical Park, providing a glimpse into the area’s native Tlingit culture through totem poles and historical sites. Wildlife enthusiasts can go on a marine wildlife tour, which costs around $100-$150 per person, to spot orcas, sea otters, and eagles.
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However, you may want to consider putting aside extra cash in case you want to experience local cuisine. Cruise lines typically offer spas, casinos, and other forms of entertainment onboard. Experts recommend budgeting an extra $1,000 – $1,500 per person for excursions. This will allow you to experience an unforgettable vacation and exceptional itinerary from the time you board to the time you depart.
On either end of your sailing, you can tour on your own or book a cruise tour that combines a cruise and a land tour, which usually runs three to seven nights. That'll depend on your personal interests and travel style because there are cruises from Seattle that appeal to everyone, including family travelers, budget travelers and retirees. Nearly a dozen major cruise ships operate Alaska cruises out of Seattle during the summer months, giving cruisers plenty of choice. Unlike the Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships mentioned above, the two Princess ships sailing from Seattle don't have top decks heavily skewed to family fun. Instead, their top decks offer lots of quiet and relaxing pool and lounge areas where you can enjoy the experience of being at sea without much hustle and bustle. Notably, both Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore boast large private zones for solo travelers — something you won't find on any other cruise ship sailing out of Seattle.
It’s quite different from Caribbean cruises, where most rooms overlook the plain ocean, so many don’t mind having an interior cabin. Modern ships, with the newest facilities and technology, often have higher prices. For example, a 6-day long Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas (launched in 2015) begins at $859. But, a similar trip on the Radiance of the Seas (launched in 2000) costs less, about $529.
While this may not be possible at all ports, it will be at the vast majority. If you are budgeting for local restaurants, the price will range from $12 – $30/meal, depending on the cuisine. There is also the opportunity to book excursions at a cheaper price.
After a few more days in the Inside Passage communities of Skagway, Kake, and Petersburg, the sailing culminates in Vancouver. The best time to visit also depends on your tolerance for the cold and for other travelers. Those shoulder-season trips are chilly (there’s a good chance you’ll see snow in places and will need to bundle up more), but there are significantly fewer tourists to do battle with during shore excursions. The sun hardly sets, the landscapes (save for the glaciers) are verdant, and the waterways are choked with playful whales getting their fill before winter.
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