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With a limited amount of roads and other transportation, the easiest way to get around the picturesque coastline is via boat. And as word spreads about the beauty of taking an Alaskan cruise — and as the cruise industry grows in general — more and more people are considering taking a trip. The good news is that with increased interest in cruises to the region, cruise lines are sailing more ships to Alaska.
Today, there a staggering amount of Alaskan cruises to choose from across every budget, cruise line, and itinerary. Trips to this area are seasonal — sailing from May through September. Since there is only a limited window of time to cruise, prices are considerably higher than similar Caribbean cruises you might be familiar with.
As well, prices change frequently. Below, we highlight some of the cheapest Alaskan cruises. But before we get too far, here are some tips on how to find the most affordable trips to this region….
Sail Early in the Season The Alaskan cruising season is short — only five months long. Running from May through September, your opportunities to sail are limited, although there are a number of ships sailing at any given time. If you want to save the most, look for cruises that sail in May.
These trips early in the season are before kids are off school. That means the pool of available passengers is smaller.
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In order to fill the ships, cruise lines slash prices. A cruise departing in May can be hundreds of dollars less than the same trip leaving in July. Well, the same logic applies to sailing late.
If you can wait until September, cruise fares to Alaska are much cheaper. With school back in session and the bulk of the sailing season already past, you can find deals that are hundreds of dollars less than sailing just a few weeks earlier. But if you look around, you can find one-way trips that depart from one port and let passengers off in another.
Since these cruises are one-way, that means you have to find separate transportation back home. The upside? One-way cruises tend to be cheaper. With all of these tips in mind, here are the cheapest Alaskan cruises for Note that prices may change depending on when you book. Calling all adventure travelers: Yes please.
Travel is available from April through September —the best time to cruise in Alaska, as previously reported by Traveler —and you have the rest of October to book. Here are a few of the best offers we found:. You have the option to book any month from May to September Find more information here. The cruise runs from May to September You can check out the full itinerary and see more deal options here.
The itinerary starts in Vancouver and includes Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and the massive Hubbard Glacier , which is seven miles wide and 76 miles long. Plus, there's a Canyon Ranch spa on board offering massages and acupuncture if you need to unwind. The cruise runs May to August ; book here. Discover icy fjords, snow-capped mountains and an abundance of wildlife, when you cruise to Alaska.
Running from late April to September, the Alaska cruise season offers a fairly broad choice of vacation dates. The warmest months are June, July and August, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. May is one of the driest months and cruise fares tend to be cheaper, with less people to contend with on deck.
September gives you the opportunity to see the incredible Northern Lights, however if you get seasick, keep in mind that choppy seas often characterize the Gulf of Alaska at this time. No matter when you choose to embark on an Alaska cruise, the weather can be unpredictable.
Prepare to dress in layers, so you can adjust your clothing according to the weather. The most popular itineraries sail from Vancouver, Seattle, or Whittier, cruising over seven nights through the sheltered Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska.
Other options include round-trip vacations from San Francisco and Los Angeles, and extended 10 to 15 night cruise and land packages.