Alaskan cruise prices range from about $1,000 to $5,000 per person for a week-long voyage, depending on the ship size, cabin type, season, and how far in advance you book

The price you see advertised is almost never what you pay. That base fare covers your cabin and onboard meals, but not airfare to the port, gratuities (tips), shore excursions, drinks outside your cabin, or port fees that cruise lines often add at checkout. A $1,200 advertised price can become $2,500 or more once you add these costs. The actual total depends on which cruise line you choose, when you travel, and what kind of cabin you want.

Alaska has two main cruise seasons: shoulder season (May and September) and peak season (June, July, August). Peak-season sailings cost 30 to 50 percent more than shoulder season for the same ship and cabin type. A balcony cabin that costs $2,000 per person in May might cost $3,000 in July. Inside cabins (no window) are the cheapest option; balcony cabins cost more; and suites cost significantly more. Booking three to six months ahead usually gives you better pricing than booking last-minute, though last-minute deals do appear occasionally when a cruise line needs to fill cabins.

Key Takeaways

  • Base fares start around $1,000 per person for a week but jump to $2,500 or higher once you add airfare, tips, drinks, and excursions.
  • Peak season (June through August) costs 30 to 50 percent more than shoulder season (May and September) for identical cabins on the same ship.
  • Inside cabins are cheapest; balcony cabins cost roughly 50 percent more; suites can double or triple the price.
  • Booking three to six months in advance typically offers better rates than waiting until a few weeks before departure.
  • Cruise lines add port fees, taxes, and gratuities at checkout, so the final bill is always higher than the advertised per-person price.

How cabin type changes the price

An inside cabin has no window and is the smallest option. For a week-long Alaskan cruise, inside cabins on major lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney start around $1,000 to $1,500 per person in shoulder season and $1,500 to $2,200 in peak season. These cabins are tight—typically 150 to 180 square feet—but they are the entry point to cruising and include the same meals and onboard amenities as larger cabins.

Oceanview cabins have a window or porthole and run about 50 percent more than inside cabins. A balcony cabin gives you a private outdoor space and costs another 30 to 50 percent above oceanview. Suites include perks like priority boarding, separate living areas, and sometimes complimentary drinks or shore excursions, but they can cost two to three times what an inside cabin costs. For a week in peak season, a suite might run $4,000 to $6,000 per person before taxes and fees.

What happens to prices during peak versus shoulder season

Shoulder season—May and early September—is when Alaska is still accessible but fewer families are traveling because school is in session. Prices are lowest then. A balcony cabin might cost $1,800 per person in May but $2,800 in July. The trade-off is that May and September have shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures, though the weather is still manageable for most travelers.

Peak season runs June through August. Schools are closed, weather is warmest, and daylight lasts nearly 24 hours in parts of Alaska. Demand is highest, so cruise lines raise prices. If you are flexible with travel dates, moving your trip from July to June or from August to September can save you $500 to $1,000 per person. Early June and late August are slightly cheaper than mid-July.

Hidden costs that add up after you book

The advertised price does not include gratuities, which cruise lines automatically add to your onboard account. Most lines charge $15 to $16 per person per day for gratuities, which totals $105 to $112 for a seven-day cruise. You can adjust this amount, but it is the default.

Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, and some restaurants cost extra. A beer or cocktail runs $7 to $12; a specialty coffee is $5 to $7. If you drink daily, add $50 to $100 to your budget. Soft drinks and water are usually included in your cabin, but premium beverages are not. Shore excursions—guided tours, kayaking, wildlife viewing—range from $100 to $400 per person depending on the activity. Most passengers book at least one or two excursions, adding $200 to $800 to the total.

Airfare to Alaska's cruise ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, Anchorage, or Seattle) is not included. Round-trip flights from the continental US typically cost $300 to $600 per person, though prices vary by your home city and how far ahead you book. Port fees and taxes, which cruise lines add at checkout, usually add $200 to $400 per person to the final bill.

Comparing prices across cruise lines

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney are the largest operators in Alaska. Carnival tends to have the lowest base fares but older ships. Royal Caribbean offers newer ships and more activities at mid-range prices. Disney charges a premium but includes more perks like specialty dining and entertainment. Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises also sail Alaska; Princess is known for longer itineraries and more time in smaller ports.

Smaller luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas and Windstar charge $3,000 to $8,000 per person for a week but include drinks, excursions, and gratuities in the price. Small-ship cruises carry 100 to 700 passengers instead of 2,000 to 5,000, so they access narrower channels and smaller ports. If you compare a $1,500 base fare on a large ship to a $5,000 all-inclusive fare on a small ship, the small ship may actually cost less once you add all the extras to the large ship.

When to book for the best price

Cruise lines release Alaska itineraries about 12 to 18 months ahead. Prices are usually lowest when the schedule first opens because lines are trying to fill cabins. Prices then climb as the departure date approaches, especially for peak-season sailings. The sweet spot for booking is typically three to six months before departure—early enough that you have cabin choices but late enough that lines have adjusted prices based on demand.

Last-minute deals do happen, but they are unpredictable. If a cruise line has unsold cabins two to four weeks before departure, they may discount heavily. However, you cannot count on this, and you risk losing your preferred cabin type or sailing date. If you have flexibility, setting up price alerts through cruise booking sites can notify you when fares drop for specific sailings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest month to cruise Alaska?

May and early September are cheapest because they are shoulder season. Prices are typically 30 to 50 percent lower than June, July, or August. The trade-off is fewer daylight hours and cooler weather, though both months are still popular and weather is generally manageable.

Do kids pay full price on Alaskan cruises?

Children usually pay the same per-person base fare as adults, though some cruise lines offer discounts for the second or third child in a cabin. Gratuities and port fees explore to children too. Some lines waive or reduce kids' fares during specific promotions, so check current offers before booking.

Are drinks included in the cruise price?

Water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks in your cabin are included. Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, and drinks ordered at bars or restaurants cost extra. Some cruise lines sell drink packages for $50 to $100 per person per day that cover unlimited alcoholic and specialty beverages.

How much do shore excursions typically cost?

Most excursions range from $100 to $400 per person. A guided walking tour of a port town might cost $80 to $150. Kayaking, wildlife tours, or helicopter flights cost $200 to $500. You can book excursions through the cruise line or independently at the port, though booking independently carries more risk if the activity runs late.

Can I find Alaskan cruises for under $1,000 per person?

Inside cabins in May or early September sometimes start below $1,000 per person on older ships or when lines are running promotions. However, once you add port fees, taxes, gratuities, and airfare, your total will be well above $1,500 per person. The advertised price is rarely the final price you pay.