Best Alaska Cruises 2024 | Alaskan Cruise Deals (2024)

FAQs

What is the best value cruise line to Alaska? ›

Best value Alaska cruise: Radiance of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's 23-year-old ship Radiance of the Seas mainly sails weeklong, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, with prices below $100 per person, per night, for inside cabins on many departures.

For both cruising and land-based tours, May and September are the “shoulder” seasons in Alaska, with better deals and fewer crowds. Cruise prices during those times may be lower, perhaps by a couple hundred dollars per person. Selected shore and land excursions can also be 20% cheaper.

An average budget for a 7-day cruise along Alaska's Inside Passage route, with several shore excursions and additional amenities, is typically between $3,000 and $5,000 per person. We'll provide more details below, as we've experienced such a cruise twice ourselves. We took a 10-day and, later, 7-day cruise.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska for Good Weather: Summer (mid-June through August) If you prefer warmer temperatures, ranging from 50° to 70° Fahrenheit, and longer days with up to 22 hours of sunlight, a summer Alaskan cruise might be the perfect choice.

Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

Best all around: Princess and Carnival cruises are the one size fits all option. There are plenty of options available for active seniors, and for those that like to sit back. Many of the staterooms offer fantastic views. Families: Celebrity and Norwegian offer a boatload of family-friendly activities.

10 Days. This is a very popular vacation length, and no wonder: 10 days is enough time to combine a cruise with a land tour and experience both sides of Alaska. Trips of this length usually include a whirlwind tour of some of Alaska's popular interior and Southcentral destinations, plus a 7-day cruise.

Remember, the cost of an Alaskan cruise typically ranges from $600 to $5,000 per person, depending on the type of cruise and the chosen accommodation. Additionally, it is advisable to allocate an extra $1,000 to $1,500 per person for shore excursions to fully immerse in the Alaskan experience.

A General Rule to Follow

If possible, you want to book early on any cruise vacation. A recommended time-frame is 6-12 months in advance. This is especially true for an Alaska cruise with its short season of May - September.

Do I need a passport for an Alaskan cruise? ›

Passport Requirements - US Citizens

If you are a U.S. Citizen and your Alaska cruise begins and ends in the same US port (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles) you are not currently required to travel with a passport to Alaska. All cruise lines and WMPH Vacations highly recommend you carry a valid passport.

Alaska's northern lights viewing season stretches from late August through late April. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark.

The total cost of an "all-inclusive" cruise to Alaska on Royal Caribbean. If you purchase a Deluxe Beverage Package, Unlimited Dining Package, and internet package before your Alaska cruise, you can expect to spend around $920 per person on a 7-night sailing.

Alaska's Inside Passage is one of the most popular routes for cruises through Alaska as it is a network of waterways running from Washington State's Puget Sound in the south, up the Pacific coast of British Columbia and through the Alaska panhandle.