Tips for Booking an Alaska Cruise Vacation
Tips for Booking an Alaska Cruise Vacation Cruises
Some cruises to consider:
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A Guide to Cruising Alaska
Fon Thachakul/Getty Images Editor's note: Updated to reflect current prices and statistics. Alaska is hot. An estimated 1.3 million passengers are sailing its waters this year, and many travelers have already booked their Alaska cruises for 2020. It’s definitely not too soon to start planning June, July and August are the most expensive months to cruise, so you'll find bigger savings and better booking options if you choose a shoulder-season excursion in May or September. The amount varies by cruise line (some offer no price break at all), but deal hunters can find savings of 20 to 35 percent. The downside? The weather is less predictable and animals are less active.Some cruises to consider:
Big Norwegian Bliss
Alaska’s largest cruise ship, The Norwegian Bliss holds 4,004 passengers and 1,716 crew members, and features some grandkid-friendly firsts for an — including an open-air laser tag course and the largest go-kart track at sea. Adults can check out the Cavern Club, modeled after the legendary Liverpool hot spot and featuring a Beatles cover band. If you're more intrigued by the scenery, the ship offers a 20,000-square-foot observation lounge. Cost: The lowest prices are $949 per person for an inside room (an ocean view starts at $1,249; a balcony at $1,549) for a seven-night cruise departing in late September 2020, for example. It departs from Seattle, and stops include Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay. On any cruise, prepare for hidden charges: Taxes, fees, and port expenses can cost from $150 to $250 per person.Midsize Royal Caribbean International s Radiance of the Seas
Big views are plentiful on this 2,466-passenger ship, which features floor-to-ceiling windows, glass elevators and a nine-story glass-enclosed atrium. “You always have a front-row seat to the Alaskan wilderness on this ship,” says Don Bucolo, editor in chief of EatSleepCruise.com. Radiance of the Seas was refurbished in 2016 and boasts an outdoor movie screen and a rock-climbing wall. Travelers can choose a northbound or southbound route, departing from Seward or Vancouver. The ship passes through the Inside Passage (a habitat area for wildlife such as eagles, sea lions and whales) and along the 76-mile-long Hubbard Glacier. Cost: The cheapest fare for a at the end of August 2020 starts at $829 per person for an interior cabin (an ocean view is $1,009; the balcony is $1,699).Midsize Coral Princess
This 2,000-passenger Princess Cruises ship has won lots of kudos in CruiseCritic.com’s 2018 recent Cruiser’s Choice Awards, including best shore excursions, best value, and best overall cruise for the midsize category. The shore excursions include not only the usual wildlife tours, but cultural activities — such as watching a lumberjack competition — and fishing trips. The seven-day cruises depart from Anchorage and Vancouver. Another good midsized option for Alaska cruising: the Holland America Westerdam, a 1,916-passenger ship that like Holland America’s other modern, midsized ships evokes the golden age of ocean liners, says Anne Vipond, author of Alaska by Cruise Ship, with nostalgic touches such as teak promenade decks lined with steamer chairs. Cost: The best prices are in May: A on the Coral Princess departing from Anchorage at the end of August 2020 starts at $1,149 per person for an interior room ($1,699 for an ocean view; $2,249 for a balcony). Malorny/Getty Images Alaska is an increasingly popular summertime getaway; 1.3 million visitors are expected to cruise this year.Small National Geographic Quest
If you want to try an expedition cruise, the National Geographic Quest is a good place to start, says Colleen McDaniel, senior executive editor of CruiseCritic.com. involves higher prices and smaller boats — the Quest holds 100 passengers — and focuses more on biology lectures than Broadway shows. As you might expect from National Geographic, the ship includes a photo instructor, an undersea specialist, and facilities for presentations (it also has an onboard spa and gym, which is unusual for small expedition ships). It also has a newer sister ship, the Venture. A sister ship, the Venture, will debut this summer. If you want something smaller, try the company's 62-passenger Sea Lion, which gets good ratings from cruisers, says McDaniel. Cost: Because they hold a tiny number of passenger and provide more intimate experiences, expedition cruises can be pricey. An 8-day on the Quest, which departs from Juneau and Sitka, starts at $7,100 per person.Really small UnCruise Adventures Safari Quest
The Safari Quest is a 120-foot-long yacht, carrying 22 passengers and 10 crew members. That small size offers big advantages for photographers and nature buffs, since it's nimble enough to pull close to waterfalls and bears, and it reaches nooks that UnCruise’s other ships can’t. (The Endeavor, the largest of the company’s four vessels, holds 84 passengers.) If you're feeling ambitious, you can take a polar-bear plunge from the ship into the chilly waters of Alaska. Also check out Alaskan Dream Cruises: Its five ships include the 60-foot-long Misty Fjord, which carries 10 passengers and was designed for up close wilderness exploration. Cost: A seven-night trip on the (round-trip from Juneau) starts at $8,395 per person, for summer 2020 sailings. The boats embark from Seattle, Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan.Before you book an Alaska cruise
Choose the correct side of the ship
If you’re taking a one-way cruise between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, you’ll get the best views of mainland mountains from a starboard cabin when you’re heading northbound, says Vipond. If you’re heading southbound, get a port cabin. The side of the ship isn’t critical for a round-trip cruise from Vancouver or Seattle, she says.Splurge on a balcony
“You’ll kick yourself if you book an inside cabin instead of a balcony stateroom,” says J.D. Lasica, founder of Cruiseable.com. “There’s great scenery along the Inside Passage and chances are you’ll spot some wildlife.”Consider a specialist
Cruise planning can be complicated, especially for first-time travelers. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) offers a searchable database of certified cruise travel agents that can help you plan your trip. Among the upsides: Most specialists take courses on the cruise biz, they can find deals, they’ve been onboard the ships, and — best of all — they don’t charge a fee.Also of Interest
AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures