How Much Does a Cruise to Alaska Cost?

An Alaskan cruise is on many travelers’ bucket lists—and thankfully, it may be more affordable than you think. While it's true that Alaska cruises come with added costs beyond just your cruise fare, smart planning can help you experience the Last Frontier without breaking the bank.

This guide breaks down what Alaska cruises typically cost, hidden expenses to plan for and money-saving strategies to help you cruise smarter.

Every Alaska cruise is a bit different, depending on the season you sail. The cruise season typically runs April through October, avoiding Alaska’s darkest and coldest months. June through August are the most popular months, thanks to milder temperatures and long daylight hours—especially around the summer solstice, when daylight can stretch nearly 20 hours.

Wildlife sightings are a major draw. Keep an eye out for bears, bald eagles, moose, humpback whales, and orcas, both from the ship and during excursions. And although many assume Alaska is freezing year-round, weather can vary dramatically—even throughout a single day. Layered clothing is a must.

Alaska cruise prices vary widely based on the cruise line, time of year, cabin type and trip length.

Alaska fares by month

One of the best ways to save money on an Alaskan cruise is simply by adjusting when in the year you sail. According to pricing data provided to NerdWallet by Cruise Critic, a cruise ship review site owned by Tripadvisor, some months are clearly more affordable than others.

July is the most expensive, while October is the cheapest month to cruise in Alaska (winter months were excluded from the analysis because there are so few sailings then).

Here's a price snapshot from Cruise Critic’s April 2025 analysis, showing fare averages for five- to seven-night cruises to Alaska (based on solo travelers):

• Cheapest month to cruise: October

  • Inside room: $840.

  • Balcony room: $1,235.

• Most expensive month: July

  • Inside room: $1,071.

  • Balcony room: $2,103.

Cruising in October can save you up to 70% on balcony staterooms compared to July, though the tradeoff is shorter daylight, colder temps and rougher seas.

Alaska fares by cruise line

Prices also vary widely by the company you sail with. Here's a sample of base prices for May 2024 sailings:

* The Disney Cruise departs from Vancouver since it does not offer a Seattle departure.

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When figuring out how much an Alaskan cruise is, travelers need to understand that many factors determine the price, as the total cost of an Alaskan cruise is more than just booking the cruise.

Base cruise fare

The base cruise fare is the price you'll often see advertised when researching Alaska cruises. This is the basic cost of getting on the ship and securing your room.

Port taxes and fees

In addition to the base cruise fare, all cruisers must pay port taxes and fees. Even if you find a "free cruise" through some promotion, you'll still pay these extra charges. The cruise company pays these taxes and fees to the ports and destinations you visit throughout your trip.

Cabin upgrades

Many travelers choose to upgrade their experience by booking a larger room, a better view or a room with better features. Base cruise fares often include an interior room. Depending on the cost, upgrading to an exterior room with a window can be a good idea.

Flight/transportation

Most cruise travelers don't live within driving distance of the departure city. Because of that, you'll need to factor in how you'll get to the departure port. Many travelers fly to the departure city, which can increase the cost of your trip.

You may want to extend your trip to factor in travel time and avoid issues in case of a delayed or canceled flight. Additionally, this provides time to enjoy the city for a few days before or after the cruise travel dates.

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth it?

Hotel stays

When staying in the departure city, you'll need a place to stay. Booking a hotel room, short-term rental, hostel or other accommodation is key because you won't be able to stay on the cruise ship during this time.

Shore excursions

During your cruise, your ship may stop in several ports along the way. At each stop, you can get off the ship to explore local attractions, tours and cuisine as part of a shore excursion.

These excursions have a wide variety of prices depending on the destination, admission cost and other factors. The excursion price typically includes transportation to and from the attraction.

Some travelers explore the port city on their own. You may be able to save money this way. However, you're responsible for organizing and paying for your transportation, admission and other items along the way.

Onboard entertainment and gambling

Most onboard entertainment is included in the price of your cruise. However, some exclusive events or VIP seating may cost extra. Many cruise ships also offer spa treatments and gambling, which aren't included in the cruise price.

Alcoholic beverages

While most cruises include all-you-can-eat and drink in the cruise price, alcoholic beverages generally cost extra. You can pay for each drink individually. However, some cruises offer a flat price for unlimited beer, wine and other alcohol.

» Learn more: 7 ways a cheap cruise gets pricey fast — and how to deal

Premium meals

Premium meals offer higher-end cuts of meat and gourmet specialties. Depending on the cruise ship company, premium meals may be included or cost extra. Factor this in when comparing Alaska cruise options.

Meals off ship

While most meals are covered on the cruise, once you depart, you're on your own for meals. Even if your shore excursions include food, you may not like what they offer. Alternatively, you may want to try local eateries to enjoy dishes you can't get at home.

Shopping and souvenirs

Part of the experience of traveling is buying goodies to bring home. You may find local food or cultural items that you can't find at home. Or these items can serve as a reminder of fond memories.

Vacation clothing

Many travelers use vacations as an excuse to update their wardrobes. When traveling to different climates, you may also need to buy new clothes to be comfortable in varying conditions. Additionally, you may need formal clothes to dine at the higher-end restaurants on the ship.

Gratuities

Although many cruise ships are all-inclusive, it is common practice to tip the staff for a job well done. Additionally, extra tipping can be useful to secure prime meal times or spots on excursions.

Travelers should budget $14 to $19 per day per person to cover gratuities. However, some cruise lines include gratuities in your package price.

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With so many items to factor into the cost of an Alaskan cruise, savvy travelers look for ways to save money. Here are a few ways our readers have saved money on their Alaska cruise vacations.

• Travel off-peak. Booking during slower periods can reduce the cost of your cruise or provide additional incentives from the cruise company.

• Book last minute. Last-minute reservations can save money because once the cruise ship departs, they cannot sell that cabin. Some travel websites specialize in last-minute travel deals.

• Use travel rewards. Cruise travelers often use airline miles to fly to their cruise and hotel points to stay in the departure city. Additionally, flexible points can be a solid option to cover the cost of the cruise.

• Consider cruise insurance. If you're concerned about losing money because of a last-minute change or cancellation, consider purchasing a separate cruise travel insurance plan or booking your trip with a credit card that has travel insurance.

• Book early. Cruise lines often offer deals and incentives to travelers who book early.

• Work with a cruise agent. Travel agents who book cruise vacations often have access to deals and promotions not available anywhere else.

• Stay in an interior room. While balcony or exterior rooms provide better views, consider how often you will be in your room.

• Book excursions directly. Cruise lines often mark up the cost of excursions when selling them to passengers. Book directly to reduce the cost.

• Skip the beverage package. While many people enjoy an alcoholic drink or two, will you drink enough to justify the daily fee? To save money, it can be worth skipping the inflated drink prices.

» Learn more: How to earn and redeem points on cruises

Absolutely—if you plan smart. Alaskan cruises start around $600 before taxes for a 7-night interior cabin. Your final price depends on cruise line, cabin type, time of year, and add-ons like excursions, drinks, and gratuities.

Cruise during shoulder season, use points, and watch for deals to experience one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in North America — without overspending.