Deal alert: 7-night Alaska cruises starting at $38 a day
It's deal time for Alaska cruises — if you're willing to travel on short notice.
Several of the world's biggest cruise lines — including Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean — have recently been offering unsold cabins on soon-to-depart Alaska sailings for as low as $38 a day.
Some of the lowest-priced offers in absolute terms are coming from Princess. As of Tuesday, the line was showing a five-night Alaska voyage out of Vancouver, British Columbia, for just $249 — or about $50 a day.
The "Alaska Sampler" sailing on the line's 2,600-passenger Grand Princess includes calls in Juneau and Ketchikan in Alaska. It kicks off May 1 — just 20 days from now.
Royal Caribbean on Tuesday was marketing a seven-night Alaska sailing scheduled for May 26 for even less on a per-day basis. The one-way trip from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver started at $269 — or about $38 a day.
Royal Caribbean's sister line, Celebrity Cruises, on Tuesday also was selling seven-night voyages to Alaska for under $300. Several upcoming departures started at just $299.
Notably, the one major line that wasn't offering at least one early season Alaska departure in the $300 range as of Tuesday was the line that is best known for super-low fares: Carnival Cruise Line. The line's early season Alaska departures on Tuesday were priced starting at $629 — more than twice the starting rates at most of its competitors.
The last-minute offers come as cruise lines look to fill unsold cabins for the very early part of the Alaska cruise season, which is just beginning this month. The Alaska cruise season typically begins in late April and lasts until the fall.
Related: The TPG guide to Alaska cruise itineraries, planning tips and things to do
Here are more of the best cruise deals in Alaska that we're seeing right now, all available as of midday Tuesday:
- A seven-night sailing out of Vancouver on Holland America's Volendam departing May 17. Fares start at $309 — or about $44 a day.
- A seven-night sailing from Vancouver to Seward on Norwegian Spirit departing May 17. Fares start at $349 — or about $50 a day.
- A seven-night sailing from Whittier, Alaska, to Vancouver on Grand Princess departing May 13. Fares start at $329 — or about $47 a day.
- A seven-night sailing from Whittier to Vancouver on Sapphire Princess departing May 24. Fares start at $329 — or about $47 a day.
- A seven-night sailing from Seward to Vancouver on Celebrity Millennium departing May 19. Fares start at $299 — or about $43 a day
Princess on Tuesday also was offering a four-night Alaska Sampler sailing from Vancouver scheduled for Sept. 26 for just $228 — the lowest price for any Alaska sailing currently for sale in 2023. The trip will take place on the line's Crown Princess.
The sailings above typically include stops at the southeastern Alaska towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, as well as a visit to at least one glacier. Some bring a visit to Glacier Bay National Park.
The fine print on Alaska cruise deals
It's worth noting that the deeply discounted fares above are only available for windowless interior cabins. These are the lowest-category cabins on each of the ships. You'll sometimes pay considerably more for a room with an ocean view or a balcony cabin.
Related: The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler
For instance, ocean-view cabins (cabins with a window) on the Grand Princess sailing from Whittier to Vancouver departing May 13 were listed Tuesday on the Princess website for $599. That's a whopping $270 more than a windowless cabin. Balcony cabins on the sailing were listed for $1,132 — more than three times the amount of an interior cabin.
All the fares are also per-person rates and are based on two people staying in a cabin. They're not available for solo travelers.
Additionally, while the rates include accommodations, meals and entertainment, they don't include port taxes and fees. Those mandatory extras will add another $164 to $335 to the cost of the trips mentioned above, depending on the ports the ships visit.
Cruise lines typically advertise their fares without port taxes and fees included, then add these costs to final bills at checkout.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.