Alaska Cruises 2025 / 2027 (2024)

FAQs

What's the best time of year for Alaska cruise? ›

Alaskan cruise season is May through September with July and August being the highest season attracting the most travelers. Convention holds that the best months to cruise Alaska are July and August when the temperatures are at their highest and the weather is generally sunnier.

Average starting price (per person)

The starting price is $409 per person for an inside cabin, and veranda staterooms start at $2,114 per person (cruise-only fare).

While there are exceptions, Alaska land and sea cruise packages tend to feature 7 - 14 day itineraries from either Seattle or Vancouver, BC.

The cheapest Alaska cruises tend to be in the months of May and September, but booking an open-jaw Alaska cruise can lead to even bigger savings not only in the shoulder season, but during the peak summer months as well. Open-jaw Alaska sailings are one-way cruises to or from Alaska.

The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season. So yes, there are some very lucky cruise passengers who will see the northern lights in the Inside Passage late in the summer and fall, but don't bank on it.

Most Alaska cruises depart from Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Anchorage Alaska, which includes departures from Seward and Whittier. Tap the links below for cruises from theses ports of call.

Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

The average price for a 7-day Alaskan cruise can range from $1,300 to $3,500 per person, depending on the cruise line, type of cabin, and time of year.

Is a passport required for an Alaska Cruise? For almost all Alaska cruises, a passport is required to travel.? All foreign flagged cruise ships traveling to Alaska will make stops in both the United States and Canada; and, some longer, repositioning Alaska cruises may begin and end in Mexico or another country.

How much should I budget for an Alaskan cruise? ›

A typical Alaska Cruise can cost between $600 and $5,000 per person, depending on the length of your cruise, the type of cruise you choose, and your room choice. We recommend budgeting an additional $1,000 to $1,500 per person for shore excursions to get the most out of your Alaskan cruise.

While most meals are covered on the cruise, once you depart, you're on your own for meals. Even if your shore excursions include food, you may not like what they offer.

If it's a typical tour, six months in advance is probably going to work. If it's last minute, well then you take what you can get.

A General Rule to Follow

If possible, you want to book early on any cruise vacation. A recommended time-frame is 6-12 months in advance. This is especially true for an Alaska cruise with its short season of May - September.

Beginning in July and stretching through to the end of August the summer is the nicest time of year to travel. July is the best month to visit, although it is also the busiest. Warm days and short nights make this a really nice time of year to visit and much of the state's iconic wildlife is very active.

The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer months. While our summer season is short, it is the driest, warmest time to visit. Starting mid May and ending mid September you are sure to see the best the State of Alaska has to offer...

While it's difficult to book a northern lights Alaska cruise since cruises only sail during summer season, you may get lucky enough to see them if you take to the seas in September, which is the earliest you can expect the Aurora to appear.

However, if you prefer warmer weather adventures, then visiting Alaska in July will suit you best. It's the hottest month of the year, with a daily average temperature that sits around 67 °F (19.4 °C). June and August also boast summer weather, but the temperatures tend to fluctuate a bit more.