How Much Does An Alaska Cruise Cost? | Royal Caribbean Blog

Cruising to The Last Frontier is a dream vacation for many, but how much does it actually cost to take an Alaska cruise?

If you're considering booking an Alaska cruise, you're likely wondering about the cost. Unfortunately, there's no set answer to this question, as the price varies greatly from one passenger to another.

The cost of an Alaska cruise depends on several factors, including the month you sail, the ship and cabin you choose, and the shore excursions you book in each port of call.

In short, budget-conscious travelers can likely get away with paying around $1,500 per person. However, with some balcony cabin fares starting above $1,500 per person, it’s just as easy to spend over $10,000 on a dreamy Alaskan cruise.

In this article, we'll break down everything that goes into the cost of an Alaska cruise, from base fares to shore excursions and other important considerations, so you can better understand what to expect and plan a trip that fits your style and budget.

Alaska 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. Starting with the former, the cost of an Alaska cruise can vary greatly based on which month you sail.

The Alaska cruise season usually runs from May to September, with the most popular months being June, July, and August. Because of the higher demand during the summer months, cruise fares are often 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 impact 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 vessels, such as Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, have more balcony staterooms available than smaller ships like Serenade of the Seas. Therefore, you may find balcony staterooms more affordable on larger Quantum and Voyager Class ships than on smaller vessels.

As an example, we priced out cruise fares for three sailings during summer 2026. The prices reflect the total cruise fare per person as well as taxes and fees. They, however, exclude gratuities. As the Alaska cruise season is rapidly approaching, limited inventory may result in higher prices and fewer cabin options. These prices were accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change without warning.

Radiance of the Seas: 7-night Alaska Inside Passage Cruise from Vancouver, Canada

June 21, 2026:

• Interior: $1,099
• Oceanview: $1,300
• Balcony: $2,096
• Suite: $3,046

September 20, 2026:

• Interior: $799
• Oceanview: $1,189
• Balcony: $1,735
• Suite: $2,403

Ovation of the Seas: 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver, Canada

June 5, 2026:

• Interior: $972
• Oceanview: $1,089
• Balcony: $1,396
• Suite: $2,735

September 4, 2026:

• Interior: $671
• Oceanview: $1,086
• Balcony: $1,119
• Suite: $2,164

Voyager of the Seas: 7-night Alaska Adventure Cruise from Seattle, Washington

June 19, 2026:

• Interior: $1,234
• Oceanview: $1,584
• Balcony: $2,165
• Suite: $2,469

September 11, 2026:

• Interior: $714
• Oceanview: $1,064
• Balcony: $1,694
• Suite: $1,859

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 on a new ship. Because smaller ships can fit into more Alaska ports, demand for those ships is often higher than for the larger ships.

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.

Related: Sailing on an old vs new ship to Alaska

Excursions in Alaska

Alaska cruises are more 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 can 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:

• 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

Some higher-end excursions can offer a unique opportunity to view Alaska’s scenery from a different perspective.

The "Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter and Guided Walk" excursion, for example, 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 around $579/person.

Those looking for a more comfortable whale watching experience may be interested in the "Luxury Whale Watch" excursion in Juneau. During 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 pricey, coming in at over $730 per adult.

That said, a non-luxury whale watching tour is significantly cheaper, usually costing somewhere between $150 and $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 Alaska 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.

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 round-trip tickets to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. The total cost for the round-trip bus ticket is $79 (as of the 2025 season) and includes the entrance fee into the park.

Related: 16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions

Cruise Tour

Royal Caribbean also offers land-based cruisetours 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 cruisetour vary depending on how many days the tour runs and the tour’s location.

As an example, those looking to visit Denali can book the "Destination Denali Cruisetour," which includes a 7-night sailing on Anthem of the Seas followed by a 3-night land tour exploring the Denali National Park and Preserve and Anchorage. The total cost of the cruise and land tour begins at $1,872 per person for an interior cabin in September 2026.

Another option is the "Heart of the Northern Frontier Cruisetour." This tour combines a 7-night sailing on Anthem of the Seas with a 2-night land tour that visits Seward, the Denali National Park and Preserve, and Fairbanks. The price for this Cruise Tour begins at $2,042 per person for an interior cabin in September 2026.

The "Grand Mountain Marvels CruiseTour" is one of the more expensive options, with prices for a 7-night cruise and 6-night land tour beginning at $3,305 per person for an interior cabin in September 2026. This tour visits Fairbanks, Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage, and Seward, Alaska, in addition to the cruise itinerary ports.

Planning an Alaska cruise? Check out these articles:

• Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing
• 50 Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tips
• Best things to do on an Alaska cruise