Why Alaska cruise is so expensive?

[CRUISING71]

Compare 7 days Alaska cruise to the Carri bean, why is it so much more? Is it because of American's port charges?

[Justsyd]

Which cruise are you interested in? I generally find that Alaska is some what less than the Caribbean.

[crzndeb]

Because the Alaska cruise season is much shorter and in higher demand....ships cruise the Carib year round.

[pspercy]

There's already some great deals going for Alaska this year, check all players !

 

Alaska cruising is expensive because Alaska itself is expensive. The state also charges a head tax for cruisers - or did it get repealed?

[CRUISING71]

I am looking for August 2012. Alaska vs Carribbean and Alaska is much more expensive, not including airfare yet.

 

So I thought maybe because of port charges?

[JLC@SD]

Supply and Demand....the supple is limited because of a short warm weather season.....and the demand is great.....lots of people want to go to Alaska. The cruise lines are profit making companies and they want to price their service as high as possible.

[firefly333]

Because there is more taxes and port fees to Alaska?

 

Did Alaska finally get rid of that $50 per head tax on cruisers?

[Nanaimobound]

It is very expensive to cruise the inside passage and they charge a lot more to dock in Alaska. its all about conservation efforts supposedly, although you can't help but see the huge oil tanks as soon as you pull up to each one! ;)

They charge the ships to go into Glacier Bay, and Hubbord Glacier, although more and more they do Tracy Arm these days, not sure if if costs less there, but although beautiful, there are no large glaciers there.

[Cruzman]

Me thinks you ain't been shopping. We are leaving on a 14 day cruise to Alaska 6/10 that cost us less than $2500. Add airfare of about $800, and the grand total is $3300. That's about $118 per person per day.

[gusandgidgetsmom]

Our trip to Alaska is costing us more than our cruise to Panama. close to 2000. pp. I have always found the west coast cruises we take more expensive than the east coast and Alaska the most expensive. I asked our PVP why once and she said she did not know but she had noticed the same thing. I think Alaska must be supply and demand and the expensive cost of living. Even the excursions are costly.

[maxamuus]

Are you looking at all the cruise lines or just Carnival? Carnival only has one ship in Alaska in the summer and charges almost twice what other lines are charging.

 

Look at HAL or Princess. They have MUCH better pricing to Alaska.

[tiyana4]

Me thinks you ain't been shopping. We are leaving on a 14 day cruise to Alaska 6/10 that cost us less than $2500. Add airfare of about $800, and the grand total is $3300. That's about $118 per person per day.

 

I would be curious to know what type of cabin you are in for that price.

 

Alaska and Hawaii are notoriously higher than any itinerary in the Caribbean and/or Mexican Riviera. With fewer ships in Alaska, the higher docking fees, per person tax (it was reduced but not by much), and the unique scenery they offer, they can pretty much charge what the market will bear. People will continue to go to Alaska regardless of cost, just like they do to Hawaii. In fact, there aren't many people who have been that do not want to return. There really is something to be said about the natural beauty of the scenery there.

[BIGA961]

I've never been, but with this being a domestic cruise, can the casinos operate in Alaska? I'm thinking this could have something to do with it.

[Nanaimobound]

I've never been, but with this being a domestic cruise, can the casinos operate in Alaska? I'm thinking this could have something to do with it.

 

Same rules, at sea yes. In port no, and when scenic cruising to a glacier area no. It is considered a state park, and park rangers board the ship during that time.

[Sailor_Sally]

You also are looking at August which is low season in the Caribbean but high season in Alaska . Try looking at May or September cruises to Alaska .

[Tapi]

We JUST switched to Holland America for our upcoming Alaska cruise. It was actually priced cheaper than many Caribbean cruises we've seen online for this summer.

[arpie05]

Me thinks you ain't been shopping. We are leaving on a 14 day cruise to Alaska 6/10 that cost us less than $2500. Add airfare of about $800, and the grand total is $3300. That's about $118 per person per day.

 

WOW! That is expensive airfare to Seattle! I couldn't afford the $400 airfare back when we sailed in 2008 so we had to hop airlines (round trip on one to Las Vegas and another to Seattle) to get it to $200 pp. I still can't afford $400 airfare this summer to Alabama and will have to drive :o

[CRUISING71]

Carnival only have one ship, the Spirit. I wonder what ship will cruise Alaska once the Spirit sail to Australia.

[Cruzman]

I would be curious to know what type of cabin you are in for that price.

 

Alaska and Hawaii are notoriously higher than any itinerary in the Caribbean and/or Mexican Riviera. With fewer ships in Alaska, the higher docking fees, per person tax (it was reduced but not by much), and the unique scenery they offer, they can pretty much charge what the market will bear. People will continue to go to Alaska regardless of cost, just like they do to Hawaii. In fact, there aren't many people who have been that do not want to return. There really is something to be said about the natural beauty of the scenery there.

 

Inside guarantee! On a port intensive cruise, it doesn't matter to me what kind of cabin we end up with. Inside passage, no motion. Total cost is what motivates me! Wanna pay more? "Ya can, but 'ya don't have to!

[zqvol]

Inside guarantee! On a port intensive cruise, it doesn't matter to me what kind of cabin we end up with. Inside passage, no motion. Total cost is what motivates me! Wanna pay more? "Ya can, but 'ya don't have to!

 

Serious mistake. Alaska is all about the scenery from the ship. the only way to go is with a balcony. You are going to end up spending a lot of time on the Lido deck or above in the cold wind. Be sure and take lots of layers.

[VioletHorse]

Inside guarantee! On a port intensive cruise, it doesn't matter to me what kind of cabin we end up with. Inside passage, no motion. Total cost is what motivates me! Wanna pay more? "Ya can, but 'ya don't have to!

 

We've cruised to Alaska twice, both on HAL ships. They are ideally suited for Alaska since they all have spacious, wrap around Promenade decks, as well as open bows which are accessible for scenic viewing of the glaciers. Watching the glaciers from your own balcony limits what you can see. On the open decks they provide wool blankets should you get cold, and serve yummy, piping hot pea soup to keep you warm.

 

That 14 day itinerary is on my wish list. I know you're going to have a great cruise. Alaska never fails to be spectacular.

[tiyana4]

Inside guarantee! On a port intensive cruise, it doesn't matter to me what kind of cabin we end up with. Inside passage, no motion. Total cost is what motivates me! Wanna pay more? "Ya can, but 'ya don't have to!

 

I am motivated by cost as well but Alaska really is one of those cruises where you miss so much if you don't have a view. The inside passage in itself is absolutely beautiful. I took some amazing pics along the passage that you wouldn't believe. Even if this were my second trip to Alaska, I would still want a view.

 

Serious mistake. Alaska is all about the scenery from the ship. the only way to go is with a balcony. You are going to end up spending a lot of time on the Lido deck or above in the cold wind. Be sure and take lots of layers.

 

I agree.

 

When we were in Glacier Bay and the ship was rotating in place it was SOOOOO nice to be able to go out on the balcony and take unobstructed photos of Marjorie Glacier. Now I will admit that the cruiselines do a good job of providing places to view the scenery but I couldn't imagine being huddled up on deck with others or trying to take photos through observation glasses. It's just not the same.

[genegri]

We've cruised to Alaska twice, both on HAL ships. They are ideally suited for Alaska since they all have spacious, wrap around Promenade decks, as well as open bows which are accessible for scenic viewing of the glaciers. Watching the glaciers from your own balcony limits what you can see. On the open decks they provide wool blankets should you get cold, and serve yummy, piping hot pea soup to keep you warm.

 

Totally agree. HAL ships are made for Alaska and Panama transit.

 

And I highly doubt those who book inside cabins will stay in their cabins all the time. They will be highly motivated to go to upper decks and end up having the best viewing.

 

We have an aft balcony booked for our upcoming Alaska cruise. I may stay there for the insight passage section, but I am pretty sure I will still go up to Lido deck or the bow for glaciers.

[gapearl]

I'm doing some research for an Alaskan cruise for next year, and OMG. The prices for shore excursions are OUTRAGEOUS!

 

$185 for ziplining! :eek:

 

$200 for a tour of Juneau! :eek:

 

$605 for dog sledding! :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

There are a handful of excursions for under $100, but either I'm not interested in them, or they're too active for my mother and she won't be able to do it. We're also thinking about bringing along my teenage cousin, so we have to factor in expenses for her too (mom would be paying her way). I'm going to have to do a lot more research on independent excursions before I agree to book Alaska. If it's going to be too expensive, Alaska is out.

[richstowe]

Supply and Demand....the supple is limited because of a short warm weather season.....and the demand is great.....lots of people want to go to Alaska.

Very much supply and demand. This is the summer for European cruises.

Great deals! Too many ships + expensive air = low prices.

I do remember last summer there seemed to be good deals on Alaskan cruises

Serious mistake. Alaska is all about the scenery from the ship. the only way to go is with a balcony. You are going to end up spending a lot of time on the Lido deck or above in the cold wind. Be sure and take lots of layers.

Got to agree but it is a big $$$ difference.