 Image by jimg944 via Flickr |
| Alaska Cruise |
 Image by philip pannenko via Flickr |
| Alaska Cruise |
 Image via Wikipedia |
| Cruise ships in Juneau, Alaska. Photograph by Robert A. Estremo, copyright 2002 |
Whether you plan an Alaska cruise aboard an Alaska small cruise ship or a large cruise ship, there are some good options for cheap Alaska cruises. Discount Alaska cruises are available through the famous Inside Passage and through many of Alaska’s most popular ports, including Anchorage, Sitka and Juneau. You can also search for cheap Alaska cruises from southern United States cities such as Vancouver, BC or Seattle, Washington. In general, the key to finding Alaska cruise deals is to look for cruises that are likely to have the least amount of attention or popularity, such as during the off-season or not coinciding with popular holidays.
The cruising season for Alaska cruises starts in April and runs through September. Cheap Alaska cruises can be found by searching for your cruise during the least busy times, which are at the beginning and end of the season. June, July and August are the busiest cruise season and will be the most difficult time to find discount Alaska cruises. Try searching for cheap Alaska cruises during April and during the last few weeks of the season in September, when many travelers may not realize that cruises are still available and many cruise companies offer deals to fill up their last few cruise trips of the season.
Alaska cruise deals can be found on small cruise ships, but are more likely on the larger ships. While cheap Alaska cruises on smaller ships can be found (usually about a 10 – 15% discount off of the highest prices), larger cruise companies sometimes offer discounts of up to 25 or 30%. Due to their larger size, these cruise companies often are able to offer lower prices on discount Alaska cruises.
Travelers can also search for cheap Alaska cruises by booking Alaska cruise packages. An almost endless number of separate activities (generally not included in cruise prices) can be booked in the towns and ports of Alaska. Wildlife tours, whale watching tours, whitewater rafting, fishing trips and other historical walking tours through towns like Anchorage can be booked with your cruise price. If you plan to fly into the town your ship leaves from (usually Anchorage, Seattle or Vancouver), you can also package your flight with your cruise ship price. Often by booking all of these travel amenities together, companies will offer a discounted price overall.
Last minute Alaska cruise deals are yet another way to find cheaper cruises. You can sometimes find 7-night cruises for as low as $599 per person by searching for last minute deals on ships that are about to leave but still have a few empty rooms. If your travel plans are somewhat flexible, try searching for last minute deals. Early booking discounts are also offered by Holland, Cruise America and other major Alaska cruise carriers. They do not offer discounts off of the bottom line prices for early booking, rather, they offer luxury and ocean-view rooms at a discounted cost (usually for the same price as a standard room). As with regularly priced cruises, all cruise trips include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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