Cruising to Alaska is a dream for many, but how much does an Alaska cruise cost?
If you're hoping to book an Alaska cruise, you're probably wondering how much it will cost. Unfortunately, there's no set answer to this question, as the cost can vary greatly from one passenger to another. The price of an Alaska cruise depends on the month you cruise, the cabin and ship you choose, and the shore excursions you book for your time in port.
Cruise fare prices
Cruise fares are dynamic, so that means how much a cruise costs today could be slightly or significantly different from the price of a cruise to Alaska tomorrow. There are two main considerations when determining the price of a cruise: the month you sail and the type of stateroom you book.
The price of an Alaska cruise can vary greatly based on which month you sail.
The Alaska cruise season usually runs from May - September. The most popular times to cruise to Alaska are during the summer months of June, July, and August. Because of the higher demand at this time of year, cruise fares can be more expensive.
The shoulder seasons of May and September, on the other hand, can see less demand and therefore lower prices.
Stateroom selection can also have a huge impact on the price of an Alaska cruise. Interior, oceanview, balcony cabins, and suites all come with varying price points.
Different ships offer different stateroom availability as well. Some ships, like Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, have more balcony staterooms available than smaller ships like Serenade or Radiance of the Seas. Therefore you may find balcony staterooms more affordable on a Quantum Class ship than on smaller ships.
As an example, I priced out cruise fares for two sailings: a 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier cruise on Radiance of the Seas and a 7-night Alaska Adventure/Experience cruise on Anthem of the Seas. Both cruises take place in the summer of 2025.
The price reflects the total cruise fare per person as well as taxes and fees. Note that the inventory on some rooms may be limited for the cruises closest to departure, leading to higher prices.
Radiance of the Seas: 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier Cruise
July:
- Interior: $1,226
- Oceanview: $1,497
- Balcony: $3,464
September:
- Interior: $974
- Oceanview: $1,045
- Balcony: $2,052
Anthem of the Seas: 7-night Alaska Cruise
July:
- Interior: $1,507
- Oceanview: $2,037
- Balcony: $2,268
September:
- Interior: $1,208
- Oceanview: $1,406
- Balcony: $1,796
Unlike destinations like the Caribbean and Europe, sailing on an older and smaller ship to Alaska does not necessarily mean the cruise fare will be cheaper than a new ship. Because smaller ships can fit into more Alaska ports, demand for those ships are often higher than the larger ships.
Related: Sailing on an old vs new ship to Alaska
We recommend booking a cruise as soon as you decide you would like to sail to Alaska. Waiting for a lower price usually does not pay off, as cruise fares tend to get higher closer to the sail date.
Excursions
An Alaska cruise is itinerary-focused, meaning you will want to plan your days in port to get the most out of your visit. Budgeting for excursions is important to ensure you will be able to do what interests you most.
Royal Caribbean offers both budget-friendly and more exclusive shore excursions. Here are a few examples of excursions and their prices as of 2025:
- Mendenhall Glacier Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest: $299/guest
- Alaska Sled Dogs & Musher's Camp: $264/guest
- Best of Skagway: $449/guest
- White Pass Railway and Skagway Highlights: $324/guest
- Victoria Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour: $154/guest
- Goldbelt Tram: $60/guest
- Skagway Street Car City Tour: $66/guest
There are also some higher-end excursions which can offer a truly unique opportunity to view Alaska’s scenery from a different perspective.
The “Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter and Guided Walk” excursion brings guests on a helicopter ride above the Tongass National Forest before landing on Mendenhall Glacier. Following the landing, guests will wear glacier boots for a guided walk around the ice. The cost for this excursion is $579/person.
Those looking for a more comfortable whale watching experience may be interested in the “Luxury Whale Watch” excursion in Juneau. In this excursion, guests will set sail on a yacht with only 8 guests while enjoying refreshments and looking for humpback whales and orcas. The cost for this excursion is $739/adult.
A non-luxury whale watching tour is significantly cheaper, usually costing between $150-300 per person.
Whatever your budget, you will likely be able to find a shore excursion that works well for you. You may also wish to search for excursions through outside providers or explore on your own.
Exploring on your own
If you don't book excursions, you may choose to explore Alaska’s ports on your own. Most Alaska cruise ports are just a short walk from the main area of town, where you will find restaurants, saloons, historical districts, museums, and nature to enjoy.
Related: 16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions
You can also visit popular destinations on your own as opposed to booking an excursion. As an example, instead of purchasing an excursion to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, opt to take the express bus. Located just outside the pier is a stand that sells roundtrip tickets to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation area. The total cost for the roundtrip bus ticket is $79 as of 2025 and includes the entrance fee into the park.
Cruise Tour
Royal Caribbean also offers land-based Cruise Tours before or after a one-way Alaska cruise. These are 3 to 6-day land tours that bring guests to destinations not accessible by cruise ship.
Prices for a Cruise Tour vary depending on how many days the tour runs and the tour’s location.
Those looking to visit Denali can book the “Alaska Wildlife Express” Cruise Tour which includes a 7-night sailing on Radiance of the Seas followed by a 3-night land tour exploring Anchorage and Denali National Park and Preserve. The total cost of the cruise and land tour begins at $2,342 per person for an interior cabin.
A more in-depth Cruise Tour is the “Wilderness Frontier Explorer” Cruise Tour. This tour combines a 7-night sailing on Radiance of the Seas followed by a 4-night land-tour that visits Seward, Anchorage, Denali National Park and Preserve, and Fairbanks. The price for this Cruise Tour begins at $2,351 per person for an interior cabin.
The "Alaska Wilderness Spectacular" Cruise Tour is the most expensive option available, with prices for a 7-night cruise and 6-night land tour beginning at $3,629 per person for an interior cabin. This tour visits Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks in addition to the itinerary's cruise ports.
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