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Deal alert: Alaska cruises starting at $269

In:
11 Apr 2023

If you are looking to take a cruise to Alaska in the next two months, you will want to act quickly.

On April 11 and 12, Royal Caribbean is having a "Going, Going, Gone" sale with fares as low as $269 per person for an interior room on a 7-night Alaska cruise. That breaks down to less than $40 per night before taxes, fees, and gratuities. 

As with any last minute cruise, you are going to have to act fast to secure your booking. Plus, you will have to think about the potential cost of airfare.

Here's a look at the great deals that you can find on Alaska cruises. 

Brilliance of the Seas

brillance-of-the-seas

Brilliance of the Seas has the most availability, with cruises departing as soon as April 23. All sailings are roundtrip from Vancouver, meaning that you might have better luck securing flight deals. One-way tickets are often more expensive. 

  • 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on April 23 is priced at $564 for an interior, $449 for an oceanview, and $629 for a balcony. Regardless of which stateroom you select, there will be an additional $232.65 in taxes and fees added to your fare. 
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on April 30 is priced at $449 for an oceanview and $599 for a balcony. There are no interior staterooms left for this sailing. Taxes and fees are another $233.42. 
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 7 is priced at $459 for an oceanview and $699 for a balcony. You will have to pay $231.76 in taxes and fees. 
Haines, Alaska
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 14 is priced at $559 for an oceanview stateroom and $749 for a balcony. Again, there are no interior cabins available for this sailing. Expect to pay $226.16 in taxes and fees. 
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 21 is priced at $519 for an oceanview and $699 for a balcony, with taxes and fees being another $226.16.
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 28 is priced at $559 for an oceanview and $749 for a balcony. Add another $228.48 in taxes and fees to whichever fare you select. 

Read more: How much does an Alaska cruise cost?

Radiance of the Seas

Radiance of the Seas in Alaska

With only two options, Radiance of the Seas has the fewest cruises during this sale:

  • 7-night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier from Vancouver, Canada departing on May 19 starts at $329 for an oceanview and $509 for a balcony. Taxes and fees are an additional $240.86. The cruise concludes in Seward, Alaska. 
  • 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier from Seward, Alaska departing on May 26 is priced at $269 for an interior stateroom, $319 for an oceanview, and $509 for a balcony, with taxes and fees costing $278.06. This one-way cruise ends in Vancouver, Canada. 

Ovation of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas in Sydney

Those looking for availability in June will have to opt for a sailing on Ovation of the Seas from Seattle, Washington. This might be the best option for families with children whose academic years do not conclude until early or mid-June.

Note, though, that these are the most expensive options, as you get to sail roundtrip from Seattle on a newer ship. 

  • 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 2 only has balcony cabins available for $1,049 per person. This does not include the $246.42 in taxes and fees. 
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 9 is priced at $749 for an interior and $1,149 for a balcony, plus $214.85 in taxes. 
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 16 costs $799 for an interior and $1,199 for a balcony. Taxes are another $242.96. 
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 23 has balcony staterooms for $1,299 per person. You will have to pay $231.24 in taxes, too. 
  • 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 30 starts at $849 for an interior and $1,349 for a balcony, with taxes costing an extra $238.91. 

Other deals during the sale

Ship at CocoCay

If you are not interested in cruising to Alaska, there are other offering during the "Going, Going, Gone" sale, including sailings to the Greek Isles, Bahamas, Iceland, Ireland, Bermuda, and Mediterranean. 

Most of the cruises depart in May; however, there are a couple that leave in June:

  • 4-night Bahamas from Miami, Florida on Freedom of the Seas departing June 2, 5, and 12
  • 4-night Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida on Independence of the Seas departing on June 5 and 12
  • 12-night Iceland & Ireland from Amsterdam on Jewel of the Seas departing on June 5 and 29
  • 12-night Arctic Circle from Amsterdam on Jewel of the Seas departing on June 17
  • 7-night Greek Isles from Rome on Odyssey of the Seas departing on June 4
  • 7-night Western Mediterranean from Rome on Symphony of the Seas departing on June 1
  • 7-night Western Mediterranean from Barcelona on Symphony of the Seas departing on June 4
  • 9-night Bermuda & Perfect Day from Baltimore on Vision of the Seas departing on June 8

Unfortunately, this sale does include any cruises later in the summer for families that have yet to plan their summer trip. There is no way to tell if there will be another sale, either. 

In general, cruise pricing tends to favor those that book early, so let this be a lesson! If your schedule does not permit much flexibility, you are better off booking in advance. 

Increased demand for cruises

Voyager of the Seas sunset

2022 and 2023 have been successful years for the cruising industry, with many cruise lines breaking their personal booking records!

In fact, Royal Caribbean broke their own record three times in 2022 in less than five weeks. Black Friday of 2022 was the cruise line's single largest booking day.

Other cruise lines are seeing a similar trend. Carnival Cruise Line reported that bookings for the first quarter of 2023 were the highest volume for any quarter in the company's history!

Why you should not always rely on last minute deals

top deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Since the demand for cruise vacations is so high, there is no guarantee that the sailing you are eyeing will have any last minute availability. Many of Royal Caribbean's ships have been sailing at or close to maximum capacity, even outside of peak season. 

Additionally, as shown with the current "Going, Going, Gone" sale, cabin selection will be limited; there are no suites included for any of the Alaska deals, and some are sold out of interior and oceanview, too.

The lowest price may also be for a guarantee cabin, which means that there is no way to tell where it is located until assigned by Royal Caribbean. 

Radiance of the Seas in Alaska

If you want a specific stateroom, you are better off booking in advance to secure the best rate and guarantee that you will get the cabin that you want. 

Booking the cheapest cruise does not mean it is going to be the cruise that you have been envisioning. In addition to potentially not getting the stateroom you want, you may find that certain add-ons have limited availability-- some shore excursions sell out in advance!

Read more: Why booking a last-minute cruise isn't always a great idea

Talk with your travel agent before booking

Wonder of the Seas aerial rear night

Last minute sales are great for those with whose lives are able to accommodate the flexibility of taking off on short notice. 

If you see a price listed on a "Going, Going, Gone" deal that you are interested in, ask your travel agent to price it out! 

There is no harm in sending them an email or giving them a call, as you never now what kinds of agency rates and special offers they have!

Royal Caribbean expands "kids sail free" promotion to include Grandeur of the Seas

In:
14 Mar 2014

Earlier this month, Royal Caribbean announced a very popular promotion offering third and fourth passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise would sail free on select cruises between May and December 2014 but it excluded Quantum of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas.  Until now.

Royal Caribbean has now expanded the offering to include the Baltimore-based cruises on Grandeur of the Seas.

The details of the deal remain the same: Royal Caribbean is giving free cruise fare to third and fourth passenger of any age sharing a cabin with two paying passengers on sailings departing from May 1 to December 15. Bookings must be made by March 31.

The deal is advertised as "kids sail free", but the reality is there is no age restriction on the offer so any third and fourth passenger

Royal Caribbean offering kids sail free on select May to December cruises

In:
03 Mar 2014

This month only, Royal Caribbean is offering a deal for families where their kids can sail for free on select cruises and they also are offering complimentary upgrades and reduced deposits on all bookings.

From March 1 through 31, 2014, Royal Caribbean is offering the option of kids sailing for free, complimentary upgrades and 50 percent-reduced deposits aboard select ships sailing Australia, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean and Europe, departing May 1 through Dec. 15, 2014.

Kids Sail Free

Royal Caribbean’s “Kids Sail Free” limited-time offer provides free cruise fare for third and fourth guests of all ages in triple or quad occupancy staterooms.

The “Kids Sail Free” offer is available fleetwide, excluding Quantum of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. Third and fourth berth staterooms are limited on select sailings and the offer is only applicable while inventory last.

Complimentary Upgrades and 50 Percent-reduced Deposit

Royal Caribbean is also offering as an option the chance to upgrade your stateroom. Guests may book a balcony stateroom for the same price as an ocean view stateroom on Oasis of the SeasAllure of the SeasFreedom of the SeasLiberty of the SeasIndependence of the SeasExplorer of the Seas,Adventure of the SeasNavigator of the SeasVoyager of the SeasBrilliance of the SeasJewel of Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas, or an ocean view stateroom for the price of an interior stateroom on Enchantment of the SeasLegend of the SeasRhapsody of the SeasSplendour of the SeasVision of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas.

Those that book a Royal Caribbean cruise aboard the ships noted above also will enjoy 50 percent-reduced deposit, starting at $50 per guest. 

March 05 Update: It turns out this deal is NOT age restrictive.  Essentially, any 3rd and 4th passenger in a stateroom are free!

Deal Alert: Royal Caribbean planning a Super Saturday Sale

In:
16 Aug 2013

Royal Caribbean has announced it will hold a Super Saturday Sale with deals on fall cruises for all of its ships, including Oasis of the Seas for as little as $749 per person.

In addition to the lower fares, Royal Caribbean is offering on-board credit for anyone who makes a booking during the Super Saturday Sale.  

  • Inside and oceanview cabins will receive $25 in onboard credit
  • Balcony cabins and suites will get $50 in onboard credit.
  • Bookings on Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas will receive double the onboard credit.

The sale applies to cruises between August 23, 2013 and October 31, 2013.  Sale is for residents of North and South America and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.

Deal alert: Royal Caribbean to hold Super Saturday Sale on March 23

In:
22 Mar 2013

Royal Caribbean will hold a special Super Saturday Sale where passengers can get up to $100 onboard credit when they book cruises that depart April 1 through June 30, 2013.

For those that book a Royal Caribbean cruise on Mar. 23, 2013 for all sailings departing April 1 through June 30, 2013, they will receive $25 onboard credit per Interior and Oceanview staterooms, and $50 per Oceanview stateroom with Balcony and Suite-category staterooms.

For sailings from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ, aboard Explorer of the Seas, and sailings from Baltimore, MD., aboard Grandeur of the Seas during the same period, guest will enjoy double onboard credits of $50 onboard credit per Interior and Oceanview staterooms, and $100 per Oceanview stateroom with Balcony and Suite-category staterooms.

The Super Saturday Sale is applicable for all new individual U.S. and Canadian bookings.  For all deals on this sale, check out the Super Saturday Sale website.

Royal Caribbean launches new cruise sale on 6-night or longer cruises

In:
07 Jan 2013

Royal Caribbean has launched a new sale for all of its 6-night or longer sailings for the new Wave Season.  Wave Season refers to the time in the first few months of the year when cruise lines see their biggest surge in bookings for the year to come.

Royal Caribbean is offering customers who book a 6-night or longer Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Europe or Transatlantic sailing in 2013 up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom.

For Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean & Transatlantic Sailings

  • Outside cabin: $50 per stateroom
  • Balcony cabin: $100 per stateroom
  • Suite cabin: $200 per stateroom

For European sailings

  • Outside cabin: $100 per stateroom
  • Balcony cabin: $200 per stateroom
  • Suite cabin: $400 per stateroom

Bookings must be made between January 1, 2013 and February 15, 2013. Offer is valid on 6-night or longer Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Europe, and Transatlantic sailings between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013.

Deal alert: Royal Caribbean begins sale in United Kingdom

In:
10 Dec 2012

Royal Caribbean has begun its seasonal "wave campaign" sale in the United Kingdom, with up to $1,000 on-board credits available.

The sale begins on December 10 and runs through February 28, 2013 and includes flights starting at £59 to connect to ships sailing from other European ports.

Those that book into the sale can find free balcony upgrades on select European and worldwide cruises. 

Head of trade sales Nicki Tempest-Mitchell said: “We are offering up to $1,000 for bookings made during the turn-of-year campaign, which is massive and the largest added-value booking incentive we’ve ever done.

Promotional cruise prices lead in at £1,149 for a 12-night Baltics cruise on Adventure of the Seas in June 2013, including up to $1,000 on-board credit per cabin.

Deal alert: Royal Caribbean launches November sale

In:
01 Nov 2012

Royal Caribbean is putting its 2013 cruises on sale for the month of November in an effort to spur holiday gifts of a cruise vacation.

Throughout the month of November, Royal Caribbean is offering $50 to $1,000 savings on all 2013 Bermuda, Bahamas, Caribbean, Canada, Europe and trans-Atlantic sailings.

For more information about eligible sailings and savings amounts, please visit http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/together. Cruise must be booked from Nov. 1 through 30, 2012, and vacationers should state promotion code “SKC9” at time of booking or apply it to their booking by Nov. 30, 2012. Limit one offer per stateroom and additional restrictions apply.

Royal Caribbean sales event Monday and Tuesday

In:
07 Oct 2012

Royal Caribbean is launching a sale on select cruises on Tuesday, October 9th with a preview for Crown and Anchor Society members on Monday, October 8th.

The sale is on select cruises between October and November 2012 that look to be a means of filling up some cruises that have more cabins available than Royal Caribbean would like.

Included in the sale are itineraries aboard Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. There's also cruises to the Mediterranean, transatlantic, Bermuda, the Bahamas a lot to the Caribbean.

The sale is for new bookings and is not combinable with any promotional offers with the exception of Crown and Anchor benefits and onboard booking bonus.  A valid Crown & Anchor Society Loyalty number is required to book any sailing during the Crown and Anchor preview sale event and must accompany any reservation.

You can view the full list of cruises on sale here.

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