How much does an Alaska cruise really cost?
If you’re considering a cruise to Alaska, there are a lot of expenses to consider that are not included in your base cruise fare. From airfare to a pre-cruise hotel, shore excursions, and spending money in port, you might be surprised by the true price of sailing to Alaska.
I recently returned from a 7-night cruise to the region, and I spent around $900 extra on top of my $1,500 cruise fare.
Here’s how much my cruise really cost, and how I spent my money when visiting the Last Frontier.
I booked an interior room for $2,936, or $1,468 per person
I sailed to Alaska with my brother, and we booked an interior guarantee cabin for $2,936. This price included taxes, fees, and gratuities, and came out to $1,468 per person.
Related: Take a look inside my interior cruise cabin to Alaska
Nearly $3,000 for an interior cabin is pretty expensive, but we were sailing on Anthem of the Seas, one of the most modern vessels in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
Plus, our cruise departed in late June, right in the peak of Alaska's summer season.
Round-trip airfare to Seattle set me back another $277, and a pre-cruise hotel cost $240
A few months before my cruise, I reserved airfare to Seattle. I booked my round-trip flight through Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea program, which offered discounted rates for Alaska cruises.
With the discounts, I spent just $277 on a round-trip flight in first class. Although the flight was only 90 minutes, it was still a great deal.
Related: I did these 5 small things before my Alaska cruise that made a huge difference
Next, I booked a hotel in Seattle for the night before my cruise. I paid $240 for a room at Hotel Sorrento. It was within walking distance of sights like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
Staying by the airport would have been cheaper, but it’s always nice to spend time exploring Seattle before heading to the port on embarkation day.
Ground transportation to and from my ship cost $126
After landing in Seattle, I had a few options to get to my hotel.
I usually take the light rail, which travels from the airport to downtown in around 40 minutes. For only $3 per person, it’s not only cheap, but also convenient.
However, my flight arrived in the evening, and I didn’t feel comfortable taking transit so late at night. Instead, I paid $58 for a Lyft to my hotel.
Related: Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises
The next morning, I spent $36 for another Lyft to Seattle's cruise terminal at Pier 91.
At the end of my cruise, I spent $29 for a Lyft from the cruise terminal to downtown Seattle. My flight wasn’t until the evening, so I walked around for a few hours before spending $3 on a light rail ticket to the airport.
Before my cruise, I spent $225 on add-ons, but had $75 onboard credit
Prior to my cruise, I browsed Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner for add-ons like specialty dining, internet, spa treatments, and drink packages.
I received $75 onboard credit when I booked my cruise, so I used this credit to offset my expenses.
Ultimately, I decided against pricier add-ons like drink packages and spa treatments. I tried to stretch my onboard credit as much as possible.
Related: Royal Caribbean onboard credit: How to get it and where to spend it the smart way
I looked for specialty restaurant options for lunch on embarkation day. The first day of a cruise can be chaotic, so I always prefer a leisurely meal at a specialty restaurant as opposed to the busy buffet.
To my surprise, lunch at Jamie’s Italian was only $18 per person, so my brother and I booked the meal.
I also booked lunch at Chops Grille for the following day, which cost $21 per person.
Finally, I purchased a VOOM internet package for one device. This set me back $147.
In total, two lunches and an internet package cost $225. After applying my $75 onboard credit, I paid $150 out of pocket.
While onboard, I spent just $31
Although it’s easy to spend a lot of extra money onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s just as easy to stick to a budget.
Throughout my week on Anthem of the Seas, I spent just $31 on extra purchases. For the most part, I stuck to complimentary dining, entertainment, and activities.
First, I spent $3 on popcorn at the theater before a show. The buttery smell was hard to pass up, and it was worth the small splurge.
Later, I spent (wasted?) $10 at the casino. I typically avoid the casino, but it can be fun to test your luck from time to time.
Related: 10 ways to maximize casino perks on Royal Caribbean
Finally, after a great experience on embarkation day, my brother and I booked a second lunch at Jamie’s Italian. For just $18 per person, we couldn’t resist the truffle arancini, homemade pastas, and decadent chocolate brownie topped with salted caramel ice cream.
One way I was able to save so much money onboard was by utilizing my Crown & Anchor Society benefits.
As a Diamond Plus member, I receive five free drink vouchers per day. Throughout the sailing, I used these vouchers around the ship, whether for a coconut mojito at Boleros or Aperol spritz at the Solarium bar.
Additionally, on sailings five nights or longer, Diamond Plus members receive complimentary wash and fold laundry service. I utilized this benefit, helping me save over $30 and return home with clean clothes.
I only spent $85 in port. Instead of booking excursions, I explored Alaska on my own
Alaska cruise excursions can easily blow even the biggest budget. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on excursions, I decided to explore without organized tours.
My itinerary had three ports of call: Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria. Here’s what I did in each.
Juneau
After disembarking Anthem of the Seas in Juneau, I started my day with an $8 latte from Heritage Coffee Roasting Co.
Now adequately caffeinated, my brother and I wanted to visit Mendenhall Glacier, but organized tours and shuttles cost more than we wanted to spend.
Related: Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska
Royal Caribbean’s tours to the glacier can run over $150, and round-trip shuttle transportation from downtown Juneau costs around $80.
Instead, we took a local city bus for just $2 per person each way. The bus station was just a few minutes’ walk from the pier. Instructions were easy to follow on Juneau’s public transportation website here.
The closest bus stop to the glacier is a 30-minute walk from the entrance. We decided to walk the rest of the way, but there were bike rentals available at the bus stop, too.
Before getting back onboard, I spent $17 on salmon tacos from Deckhand Dave’s. Finally, I ended the day with a $10 block of fudge from Alaskan Fudge Company.
Skagway
In our next port of call, Skagway, we spent a leisurely day walking around downtown.
We disembarked the ship in the morning and headed to Glacial Coffeehouse, where we each spent around $10 on iced lattes. Prices of food and drinks in Alaska’s cruise ports are shockingly high, so prepare for some sticker shock.
Related: Local's guide of what to do in Skagway, Alaska
Next door to the coffee shop is Klondike Doughboy, home to the famous Alaska fry bread. I spent $8 on a generously-sized fried dough, which came topped with cinnamon and brown sugar.
After visiting downtown, we took a brief hike to Yakutania Point for a stunning view of the Lynn Canal.
Victoria
Our last port of call was Victoria, British Columbia, and we had a low-key day exploring the city.
Like always, we started the day with coffee, this time from Milano Coffee Roasters, which cost $7. We then explored Chinatown and took a stroll through peaceful Beacon Hill Park, which led to some beautiful views of the ocean.
For lunch, we spent $14 each on noodle bowls from Ox King Noodles, which kept us warm on a rainy day.
Despite spending only $85 in all three ports of call, I still felt like I saw the highlights of each destination.
In total, I spent $909 extra
On top of my $1,468 cruise fare, I spent $909 extra on my Alaska cruise.
Given that this price includes my airfare, pre-cruise hotel, three specialty restaurants, and my expenses in port, the cruise actually wasn’t as expensive as I thought it would be.
Related: I've been on 6 Alaska cruises, and I can't wait to go again. The beauty is unmatched.
Other expenses to consider on an Alaska cruise, though, are extra tips for crew members. I never include extra tips in my roundups, as appropriate tips can vary greatly from passenger to passenger.
Nonetheless, you’ll want to budget for tips for your stateroom attendant, dining room waiters, bartenders, and other crew members as you see fit. Because you already pay gratuity in your cruise fare, these extra tips are optional, but many passengers like to give extra thanks.
All in all, if you’re planning an Alaska cruise, it’s important to budget for these additional expenses. I stuck to a budget, but other passengers could spend significantly more on shore excursions and upgraded cabins.
Regardless of how you spend your money on an Alaska cruise, you’re sure to have a fantastic time exploring this magical, unforgettable region of the world.
