Alaskan Cruise Cost: Prices, Fees & Ways to Save

Alaska cruises draw travelers who want to see glaciers, mountains, and wildlife from the ship. The price you pay depends on the cruise line, the cabin type, the sailing date, and the route. Alaska has a short cruising season, so dates and demand matter more than they do on many other itineraries.

This page separates the cabin fare from the extras. The fares below come from example sailings and will change as cabins sell. Always check the cruise line for the live price on the sailing you want.

For a seven-night trip on a mainstream line, one travel site puts the all-in cost at $1,000 – $2,000 per person, including the extras that fares leave out. A separate source looked at the cruise-only fare for an inside cabin.

The two numbers measure different things. One counts the whole trip, and the other counts only the cabin fare. Keep that in mind whenever you compare quotes from different sites.

An inside cabin has no window and is the least expensive cabin type. The fares below are per person for seven nights on specific 2027 sailings, cruise only.

Each sailing has a different date and ship, so the comparison is only a rough guide. A cheaper fare may reflect an early-season or shoulder-season date, and a higher one may reflect a ship with more features. Line-by-line price alone says little about which cruise is the better value.

A balcony cabin gives you private outdoor space, which many Alaska passengers value for the views. It also costs more than an inside cabin on the same ship and sailing.

The gap between inside and balcony fares varies a lot by sailing, as the Princess listing shows when compared with the others. Check the exact cabin category you are considering, because lines divide balcony cabins into several price tiers.

Expedition lines operate smaller ships and sell a different experience, with fewer passengers and a focus on nature. The fare is much higher. The cheapest open cabin on the sample Lindblad sailing was $11,660 per person.

That price is for a specific departure, and it is the lowest cabin available when the fare was recorded. Expedition itineraries often differ from mainstream ones, so compare what each trip includes before judging the price.

The base fare leaves out several items, and together they can add a substantial amount to the final bill.

Gratuities are typically charged per day. Port taxes and fees are quoted for a seven-night trip. Airfare depends on where you live and when you book. Excursions such as a helicopter glacier landing or dog-sledding cost $500 – $900 each and are optional, but many travelers add at least one.

Putting the pieces together helps. These totals from the same travel site cover a full seven nights and include typical extras.

A couple in an ocean-view cabin should expect a total near $3,760. A family of four in a balcony cabin should expect about $8,320. These are planning figures, and your own total will move with your choices.

• Sailing date: Early and late season sailings can cost less than peak summer dates. Check the cruise line's calendar.
• Cabin type: Inside, ocean-view, balcony, and suite cabins have progressively higher fares.
• Route: Itineraries vary by line and departure port, and that affects both the fare and airfare.
• Cruise length: The examples here are seven nights. Longer cruises cost more in total.
• Cruise line: Mainstream, premium, and expedition lines are priced very differently.

The biggest levers are the sailing date and the cabin type. Smaller choices, such as how many excursions you book, can matter just as much once the fare is settled.

• Be flexible on dates and compare adjacent sailings.
• Book early for better cabin choice, and watch for price drops on the line's site.
• Pick an inside or ocean-view cabin if you plan to spend most of your time on deck.
• Skip a paid excursion or two and plan a free walk in port.
• Look for flights into the departure port at the lowest fare, and compare nearby airports.

A licensed travel advisor can help you compare sailings, and the cruise line's own booking page shows the live fare for each date. Read the cruise line's terms for cancellations before you pay.