How a lot does an Alaska cruise actually value?
When you’re contemplating a cruise to Alaska, there are loads of bills to think about that aren’t included in your base cruise fare. From airfare to a pre-cruise lodge, shore excursions, and spending cash in port, you is likely to be shocked by the true value of crusing to Alaska.
I lately returned from a 7-night cruise to the area, and I spent round $900 additional on prime of my $1,500 cruise fare.
Right here’s how a lot my cruise actually value, and the way I spent my cash when visiting the Final Frontier.
I booked an inside room for $2,936, or $1,468 per particular person
I sailed to Alaska with my brother, and we booked an inside assure cabin for $2,936. This value included taxes, charges, and gratuities, and got here out to $1,468 per particular person.
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Almost $3,000 for an inside cabin is fairly costly, however we have been crusing on Anthem of the Seas, one of the trendy vessels in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
Plus, our cruise departed in late June, proper within the peak of Alaska’s summer time season.
Spherical-trip airfare to Seattle set me again one other $277, and a pre-cruise lodge value $240
Just a few months earlier than my cruise, I reserved airfare to Seattle. I booked my round-trip flight by Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea program, which supplied discounted charges for Alaska cruises.
With the reductions, I spent simply $277 on a round-trip flight in top quality. Though the flight was solely 90 minutes, it was nonetheless a fantastic deal.
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Subsequent, I booked a lodge in Seattle for the evening earlier than my cruise. I paid $240 for a room at Lodge Sorrento. It was inside strolling distance of sights like Pike Place Market and the House Needle.
Staying by the airport would have been cheaper, however it’s all the time good to spend time exploring Seattle earlier than heading to the port on embarkation day.
Floor transportation to and from my ship value $126
After touchdown in Seattle, I had a number of choices to get to my lodge.
I normally take the sunshine rail, which travels from the airport to downtown in round 40 minutes. For under $3 per particular person, it’s not solely low cost, but additionally handy.
Nevertheless, my flight arrived within the night, and I didn’t really feel comfy taking transit so late at evening. As an alternative, I paid $58 for a Lyft to my lodge.
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The following morning, I spent $36 for an additional Lyft to Seattle’s cruise terminal at Pier 91.
On the finish of my cruise, I spent $29 for a Lyft from the cruise terminal to downtown Seattle. My flight wasn’t till the night, so I walked round for a number of hours earlier than spending $3 on a light-weight rail ticket to the airport.
Earlier than my cruise, I spent $225 on add-ons, however had $75 onboard credit score
Previous to my cruise, I browsed Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner for add-ons like specialty eating, web, spa remedies, and drink packages.
I acquired $75 onboard credit score once I booked my cruise, so I used this credit score to offset my bills.
Finally, I made a decision towards pricier add-ons like drink packages and spa remedies. I attempted to stretch my onboard credit score as a lot as doable.
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I regarded for specialty restaurant choices for lunch on embarkation day. The primary day of a cruise will be chaotic, so I all the time want a leisurely meal at a specialty restaurant versus the busy buffet.
To my shock, lunch at Jamie’s Italian was solely $18 per particular person, so my brother and I booked the meal.
I additionally booked lunch at Chops Grille for the next day, which value $21 per particular person.
Lastly, I bought a VOOM web package deal for one system. This set me again $147.
In whole, two lunches and an web package deal value $225. After making use of my $75 onboard credit score, I paid $150 out of pocket.
Whereas onboard, I spent simply $31
Though it’s simple to spend so much of additional cash onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s simply as simple to stay to a funds.
All through my week on Anthem of the Seas, I spent simply $31 on additional purchases. For essentially the most half, I caught to complimentary eating, leisure, and actions.
First, I spent $3 on popcorn on the theater earlier than a present. The buttery scent was exhausting to go up, and it was definitely worth the small splurge.
Later, I spent (wasted?) $10 on the on line casino. I usually keep away from the on line casino, however it may be enjoyable to check your luck infrequently.
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Lastly, after a fantastic expertise on embarkation day, my brother and I booked a second lunch at Jamie’s Italian. For simply $18 per particular person, we couldn’t resist the truffle arancini, do-it-yourself pastas, and decadent chocolate brownie topped with salted caramel ice cream.
A technique I used to be capable of save a lot cash onboard was by using my Crown & Anchor Society advantages.
As a Diamond Plus member, I obtain 5 free drink vouchers per day. All through the crusing, I used these vouchers across the ship, whether or not for a coconut mojito at Boleros or Aperol spritz on the Solarium bar.
Moreover, on sailings 5 nights or longer, Diamond Plus members obtain complimentary wash and fold laundry service. I utilized this profit, serving to me save over $30 and return dwelling with clear garments.
I solely spent $85 in port. As an alternative of reserving excursions, I explored Alaska by myself
Alaska cruise excursions can simply blow even the most important funds. As an alternative of spending a whole lot of {dollars} on excursions, I made a decision to discover with out organized excursions.
My itinerary had three ports of name: Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria. Right here’s what I did in every.
Juneau
After disembarking Anthem of the Seas in Juneau, I began my day with an $8 latte from Heritage Espresso Roasting Co.
Now adequately caffeinated, my brother and I needed to go to Mendenhall Glacier, however organized excursions and shuttles value greater than we needed to spend.
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Royal Caribbean’s excursions to the glacier can run over $150, and round-trip shuttle transportation from downtown Juneau prices round $80.
As an alternative, we took a neighborhood metropolis bus for simply $2 per particular person every manner. The bus station was just some minutes’ stroll from the pier. Directions have been simple to observe on Juneau’s public transportation web site right here.
The closest bus cease to the glacier is a 30-minute stroll from the doorway. We determined to stroll the remainder of the way in which, however there have been bike leases obtainable on the bus cease, too.
Earlier than getting again onboard, I spent $17 on salmon tacos from Deckhand Dave’s. Lastly, I ended the day with a $10 block of fudge from Alaskan Fudge Firm.
Skagway
In our subsequent port of name, Skagway, we spent a leisurely day strolling round downtown.
We disembarked the ship within the morning and headed to Glacial Coffeehouse, the place we every spent round $10 on iced lattes. Costs of meals and drinks in Alaska’s cruise ports are shockingly excessive, so put together for some sticker shock.
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Subsequent door to the espresso store is Klondike Doughboy, dwelling to the well-known Alaska fry bread. I spent $8 on a generously-sized fried dough, which got here topped with cinnamon and brown sugar.
After visiting downtown, we took a short hike to Yakutania Level for a shocking view of the Lynn Canal.
Victoria
Our final port of name was Victoria, British Columbia, and we had a low-key day exploring the town.
Like all the time, we began the day with espresso, this time from Milano Espresso Roasters, which value $7. We then explored Chinatown and took a stroll by peaceable Beacon Hill Park, which led to some lovely views of the ocean.
For lunch, we spent $14 every on noodle bowls from Ox King Noodles, which stored us heat on a wet day.
Regardless of spending solely $85 in all three ports of name, I nonetheless felt like I noticed the highlights of every vacation spot.
In whole, I spent $909 additional
On prime of my $1,468 cruise fare, I spent $909 additional on my Alaska cruise.
Provided that this value contains my airfare, pre-cruise lodge, three specialty eating places, and my bills in port, the cruise really wasn’t as costly as I believed it could be.
Associated: I have been on 6 Alaska cruises, and I am unable to wait to go once more. The sweetness is unmatched.
Different bills to think about on an Alaska cruise, although, are additional suggestions for crew members. I by no means embrace additional suggestions in my roundups, as acceptable suggestions can fluctuate tremendously from passenger to passenger.
Nonetheless, you’ll wish to funds for suggestions in your stateroom attendant, eating room waiters, bartenders, and different crew members as you see match. Since you already pay gratuity in your cruise fare, these additional suggestions are optionally available, however many passengers like to offer additional thanks.
All in all, should you’re planning an Alaska cruise, it’s essential to funds for these further bills. I caught to a funds, however different passengers may spend considerably extra on shore excursions and upgraded cabins.
No matter the way you spend your cash on an Alaska cruise, you’re certain to have a unbelievable time exploring this magical, unforgettable area of the world.
