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Deals
Alaska cruise deal alert: 5 amazing deals to book now for prime summer travel
Featured image by DAVIDGOLDMANPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES/IMAGE SOURCE
Melissa Klurman is a freelance travel reporter. Combining her journalism background with her love of exploring, Melissa turned her passion for travel into a profession, venturing everywhere from the Arctic to Zimbabwe in search of stories. She has worked as an editor at both Frommer's and Fodor's travel guides, editor at large for Bonnier's Travel Group (Islands/CTL/Saveur) and was a media spokesperson for both Fodor's and Travelocity. At Fodor's she created the first Southern Africa and African Safari guidebooks, which in turn has led to more than a dozen trips to southern and eastern Africa, including gorilla trekking in Uganda and a comically unfortunate horseback ride in the Kalahari Desert.
May 20, 2022 • 9 min read
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Quick summary
Alaska cruise prices for July and August are currently lower than pre-pandemic levels, with balcony cabins on new ships available at attractive rates.
Several cruise lines are offering weeklong round-trip and one-way itineraries, with some packages including land tours and onboard credits.
Shorter and longer cruise options are available, and some deals include extras like beverage packages or reduced solo traveler supplements.
Travelers should act quickly, as these discounted fares may sell out and some offers mentioned are no longer available.
What to consider
Suites remain significantly more expensive than balcony cabins, with entry-level suites often costing double or more.
One-way itineraries may require additional airfare and passport arrangements, especially for cruises starting or ending in Canada.
COVID-19 testing and travel requirements still apply, particularly for sailings ending in Vancouver.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of specific Alaska cruise itineraries, pricing, and value-added perks available for summer 2024 sailings.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
"Wave season" deals may have come and gone, but if you're in the market for an Alaska cruise, you're in luck: The Points Guy is seeing exceptional prices for high-season July and August cruises that you can book right now. These deals are for prime outside and balcony cabins, so you can keep an eye on the stunning scenery as you float past the glaciers and sparkling waters of Alaska.
"There are quite a few cruises that are priced at $600–$700/person for weeklong sailings in a balcony cabin this summer," says cruise specialist Judy Tudor, an advisor with Fora. "At this time, Alaska cruises are priced lower than what we've seen pre-pandemic with many deals to choose from."
The good news doesn't end there. "Overall, cruise lines are sending more new ships to Alaska," says Tudor. "For example, Discovery Princess [Princess Cruises] came out in January. Their balcony cabin is $809/person for a weeklong cruise starting July 10, which is an amazing deal for a brand-new ship in Alaska."
One caveat, though: Suites are still selling for a big premium over balcony cabins. Even most entry-level junior suites (which are not much larger than balcony cabins, notes Tudor) are selling for double or more than balcony cabins. However, with prices this discounted on rooms with a view, it's still a great time to book.
Here are some of the top deals we're seeing right now for summer Alaska cruises. Cruise prices change quickly and these deals may sell out, so act soon if you're ready to explore The Last Frontier.
7-night round-trip cruise from Seattle (Princess Cruises)
We first spotted this stellar deal on TravelZoo: $699 per person, based on double occupancy, for a seven-night sailing in an unobstructed-view balcony cabin on Princess Cruises' Crown Princess, Royal Princess or the newest ship in the fleet, Discovery Princess. The ships sail roundtrip from Seattle and visit Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska; and Victoria, Canada.
Departures are available June 25 or 26, July 2, 9, 16 or 23 and Sept. 4, 10 or 11. For slightly more — $749–$799 — departures July 3 and 10 are available. Additional dates later in the summer cost more, but are still under $1,000 for the same room class.
Additionally, these deals come with $50 onboard spending credit per cabin (with email sign-up); add a third or fourth guest to your cabin from $299, or add the optional Princess Plus package for $280 more per person, which includes beverages, Wi-Fi and gratuities.
7-night one-way cruises between Vancouver/Whittier (Princess Cruises)
Princess is also offering one-way Alaska cruises, sailing from Vancouver, Canada, to Whittier, Alaska, or the reverse, starting in Whittier and finishing in Vancouver. (Note that the change in airports could mean additional costs when you're flying to and from your cruise.) These cruises start at $699 for a balcony cabin, with stops that include Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway and Juneau, Alaska; and Victoria, Canada.
Dates for these itineraries are a bit earlier in the summer, with departures June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2.
As with the Seattle departures, these deals come with $50 onboard spending credit per cabin (with email sign-up) and reduced single-supplement charges, which means solo travelers can cruise for $1,049 in a balcony cabin (instead of paying double). In addition, add a third or fourth guest to your cabin from $299 or upgrade to the Princess Plus package for $280 more per person, which includes a beverage package, Wi-Fi and gratuities.
10-night land and sea package (Holland America)
Holland America is a major player in Alaska cruises. (Photo courtesy of Holland America)
Even with a great deal on a cabin, expenses can start to climb on an Alaska cruise when you factor in land extensions and excursions, both of which add value to a trip, but can be costly. With this deal, which we also found on TravelZoo, not only do you get a seven-night cruise aboard Holland America's Noordam or Nieuw Amsterdam, but also a three-night land package including a two-night hotel stay in Denali and an overnight in Anchorage. Prices start at $999 per person, based on double occupancy, for a partial ocean-view room, $1,099 for a true ocean-view cabin or $1,299 for a room with a balcony.
Cruises sail northbound one-way from Vancouver and disembark in Whittier, Alaska, with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. The land portion includes rail transportation from Whittier to Denali on the McKinley Explorer, where every passenger is seated under dome windows with exceptional views of the scenery, a tour of Denali National Park and a deluxe motor coach transfer from Denali to Anchorage, which includes lunch.
Eligible departure dates include July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, Aug. 28 and Sept. 4.
5- and 9-night round-trip cruises from Seattle (Norwegian Cruise Line)
If you're looking for something a bit shorter than the standard seven-night sailings we've been seeing, Norwegian Cruise Line offers several roundtrip itineraries from Seattle that allow you to squeeze a cruise and travel to and from Seattle into a one-week vacation.
The five-night sailings on Norwegian Spirit, July 13, and Norwegian Sun, August 18, include a free Premium Beverage Package for passengers 21 and up (including all spirits and cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice and soda priced up to $15) for $600 per person in a balcony cabin. They are not the newest ships at sea, points out Tudor, but this deal is still appealing due to the cost savings.
Want even more Alaska? You can also sail for nine nights on Norwegian Spirit from $799 for an ocean-view room on July 27 or Aug. 5.
7-nights from Seward to Vancouver (Royal Caribbean)
For this offer, which we discovered on VacationsToGo, you can set sail on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas for an itinerary that launches from Seward, Alaska, meaning you're in the heart of the state from the start instead of having a sea day or two before you start seeing the majestic mountains, wildlife and glaciers.
The cruise terminates in Vancouver (plan accordingly for airfare), with port stops in Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Icy Straight Point and Ketchikan, and is just $638 per person for an ocean view cabin. For this deal, you'll depart on July 23, a peak Alaska cruise sailing date.
When booking your Alaska cruise, don't forget to use a credit card that earns extra points on travel purchases, so your cruise purchase can earn you free travel faster. Among our top-rated credit cards for travel are the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which gives you 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel purchases, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 points per dollar on travel.
You can get even more rewards for your cruise if you use a booking portal affiliated with your airline of choice. For example, if you're a MileagePlus member and book through the United Cruises portal, you can earn 2 miles per dollar spent when you book inside and ocean-view cabins, and 4 miles per dollar for balconies and suites. (Miles are awarded on the amount of the base fare only; they won’t be accrued for taxes or additional purchases, such as Wi-Fi or drink packages.) If you’re a United MileagePlus Visa cardholder, you can earn up to 2 additional miles per dollar spent on travel purchases — including cruises — depending on the type of card you have.
Bottom line
Before you head off on your cruise adventure, remember that although Alaska may be close-to-home, cruisers still need a COVID-19 test in advance, and for sailings ending in Vancouver, you will also need a negative test to be able to fly back home to the U.S. Don't forget to add airfare into your budget.
If you are flying into or out of Vancouver, you will also need to carry a passport.
With hotels and airfare skyrocketing this summer, under-priced Alaska cruises could be the solution to your vacation woes. If you're looking to get a great deal on an Alaska cruise in an ocean-view or balcony stateroom in peak summer season, there has never been a better reward for not being an early planner.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
