Alaska
How much does an Alaska cruise cost? Not as much as you might think – The Points Guy
Glaciers so immense and blue they don’t seem real. Snow-dome mountains. A never-ending parade of caribou, whales, bears and seals. All the spectacular things you’ll see on an Alaska cruise will take your breath away — but the price tag doesn’t have to.
These voyages can be pricey, and costs can add up beyond the cruise fare. However, with smart planning, you can experience all the soul-stirring beauty Alaska has to offer without breaking the bank.
Entry-level cabins cost less than you think
Alaska cruises may seem like a splurge, but entry-level cabins are surprisingly affordable. Inside cabins (those without windows) offer the best value, with prices around the $500 mark. For instance, a seven-day “Voyage of the Glaciers” sailing with Princess Cruises in May 2026 starts at just $433 per person. It’s a clever hack if you value adventure over comfort, giving you more cash to spend on shore excursions, the cost of which can quickly add up to more than the actual fare. While you will miss out on private views, you’ll find no shortage of viewing decks and lounges.
Ocean-view cabins add a window and natural light, sometimes for only a few hundred dollars more. Prices vary by cruise line, ship and itinerary. Balcony cabins cost more again but offer front-row seats and a private viewing platform for all the action that makes an Alaska cruise so breathtaking. Watching whales breach or a glacier calve from the privacy of your balcony is a once-in-a-lifetime experience many travelers don’t mind spending for.
At the top end are luxury suites, with the price tag to match. These cost north of $2,000 and come with perks like priority boarding, premium dining and sometimes even shore excursions — making them the ultimate way to cruise Alaska in style.
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Extras can add up
Luxury cruise lines can seem expensive, but they often deliver more value than you’d expect. Per-person prices for a luxury Alaska cruise generally start around $3,000 or $4,000 but can climb to more than $6,000 for the most exclusive lines and cabins. On lines like Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Crystal, fares typically include premium drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and curated shore excursions such as glacier hikes and dogsled rides. These experiences can run into the hundreds if booked separately. Add the convenience, attentive service and style that come with a high-end cruise, and the appeal becomes clear.
Budget cruise fares, by contrast, rarely tell the whole story. Taxes, fees and steep port charges are usually added at checkout, and once on board, expenses can mount quickly. Drink packages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities and even bottled water often come at an extra cost. Shore excursions — a highlight of any Alaska cruise — can range from $50 to several hundred dollars per person. Meals, souvenirs and transfers off the ship can further stretch your budget. Tally up the costs, and the difference between a high-end cruise and a mainstream sailing may be smaller than you think.
Flights can make one-way cruises pricier than they seem
One-way sailings from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seward, Alaska (or the reverse) can look like a bargain. However, it’s a good idea to check flight prices before booking a spot. Getting to and from different ports, particularly in more remote Alaskan towns, can be expensive due to limited schedules and higher fares. Bad weather can also cause cancellations and delays, sometimes for days.
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Round-trip cruises from Seattle seem more expensive but often work out cheaper overall — and that’s because you are getting to and from a major airport. Whether you fly, drive or take the train, reaching Seattle is generally easier and more affordable than coordinating one-way travel in and out of Alaska.
How much does a cruise cost?
Cruising is sometimes the only way to explore Alaska
Juneau, Alaska, is the only U.S. state capital without road access, so you have to fly or cruise there. The same is true for Alaska’s remote towns and wild coastal areas, many of which rely on ships as their main connection to the outside world.
Add in the cost of accommodations, food, entertainment and travel between ports, and that Alaska cruise suddenly offers a good value. Plus, it also offers a seamless way to explore Alaska’s untamed frontier.
Cruisetours that combine a coastal cruise with guided inland adventures are another great option. These offer an affordable way to experience both Alaska’s dramatic coastline and its vast interior without the hassle of booking multiple trips or facing hidden costs along the way.
Consider shoulder season for fewer crowds and better deals
Alaska’s shoulder season — typically April through May and again in September — is a sweet spot for travelers looking to avoid peak-season prices and crowds. The weather is cooler, the days are shorter and there’s a higher chance of rain. However, you’ll also enjoy spectacular fall foliage, a chance to spot the northern lights and a quieter, more relaxed onboard experience outside of school holidays. Plus, lower demand often means better deals on cabins and excursions.
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Longer cruises can offer better value
A 10- or 11-night Alaska cruise might seem high in price, but don’t let the price put you off. Longer itineraries often offer better value per night than shorter ones, with more ports, more time in the wild and a more relaxed pace — plus fewer logistics to worry about once you’re on board.
And the savings don’t stop there. Cruise lines regularly roll out deals during wave season and other promotional periods, offering perks like drink packages, Wi-Fi and gratuities. Bundled offers can bring the overall cost down more than you might expect, sometimes making a longer cruise the smarter choice even if the upfront fare looks higher. More days in Alaska for less money per day? That’s a win.
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Bottom line
Alaska cruises aren’t just for big spenders. With the right timing and itinerary and a little research, you can sail through glacier country without blowing your budget. When you go can matter just as much as how long you stay, what ship you are on and which cabin you choose. It pays to shop around, compare what’s included and look for bundled perks that stretch your dollar further. With a bit of planning, that dream Alaska cruise can come in under budget — and leave you with memories that are priceless.
Alaska
Lavrov Challenges Rubio: Kremlin Says Trump-Putin Reached Deal as Moscow Questions Washington’s Neutrality
The Kremlin has pushed back against US claims that no agreement was reached between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the August 2025 Anchorage summit in Alaska.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Washington presented proposals to settle the war in Ukraine during the talks and that Moscow accepted them.
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Lavrov was responding to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has publicly rejected Russian claims that Washington and Moscow reached an agreement on Ukraine during the Alaska summit, saying no deal was ever finalized.
As reported by DRM News, Rubio said the summit produced only a proposal, not a binding agreement.
He added that the US remains ready to play a constructive role in bringing the parties together and helping end the war, but stressed that while proposals were discussed in Alaska, “there was no agreement.”
Lavrov struck back by calling the response “not very elegant.”
“When my colleague says that in Alaska there were only proposals and no agreement, I wonder what we mean by agreement,” Lavrov said.
“If one side, in this case the US, put proposals on the table, and the other side expressed agreement, then saying there was no agreement is somehow not very elegant,” he added.
According to Lavrov, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visited Moscow days before the summit and delivered the same US settlement plan.
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“Already in Anchorage, when the two presidents sat down for talks, Putin began listing the American proposals point by point. After each point, in the presence of Trump and Rubio, he asked Witkoff whether he had correctly described the ideas brought to Moscow. Witkoff answered affirmatively to each question,” Lavrov said.
He called for clarification from Washington, adding that recent US statements about playing a constructive role in ending the war sounded like an attempt to position itself as a mediator.
Previous claims
In early June, Lavrov claimed Russia had accepted what he described as US proposals presented at the Alaska summit.
Lavrov alleged that Washington initially acted as a mediator but later stepped back from the process after failing to pressure Ukraine to accept the proposed terms.
This week, he also suggested that the Alaska summit may have been used to “buy time” for Ukraine to rearm itself, further arguing that Russia no longer views the West as a credible broker amid sanctions pressure.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov also said Moscow remained committed to implementing the understandings reached in Alaska, while accusing Washington of “apparently [failing] to complete its part of the process.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued that Washington cannot be considered fully neutral in the war because of its military support for Ukraine.
“If we’re talking about absolute neutrality, then, of course, the term is probably inapplicable, because the United States supplies the majority of weapons to Ukraine and provides other forms of assistance,” Peskov said.
At the same time, he said Moscow highly values Washington’s willingness to help resolve the war, as well as its influence over European allies and Kyiv.
Peskov also dismissed remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently said at the G7 Summit that Washington had abandoned neutrality and was now openly backing Ukraine’s territorial integrity, continued aid, and sanctions against Russia.
“Regarding President Macron’s statements, it is difficult to judge. I don’t think President Macron can in any way claim to be Washington’s lawyer or press secretary,” Peskov added.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Free Wi-Fi is available on more Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines planes.
The company said that 150 aircraft are now equipped with Starlink.
“For years, T-Mobile has played a key role in keeping our guests connected, and we’re proud to now offer Starlink, the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky, to Atmos members for free, made possible through our work with T-Mobile,” said Shane Jones, Senior Vice President of Fleet, Products and Guest Experience. “We’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests, and we couldn’t have done it without T-Mobile as we continue to raise the bar for the experience across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.”
Passengers must now be Atmos Rewards members to take advantage of the free service. The company said a new onboarding portal started in June, with the experience to become standard by mid-July.
Existing Atmos Rewards members will connect automatically, and new guests can sign up in just a few steps.
“Our relationship with Alaska Airlines has helped redefine what travelers can expect from inflight connectivity, and today’s milestone is another important step forward, said Mike Belcher, Head of Partnerships and Business Development at T-Mobile. “Bringing complimentary inflight Wi-Fi to more travelers across both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines makes it easier to stay connected throughout their journey. The new, streamlined experience for accessing Wi-Fi reflects our shared commitment to delivering a better, more seamless travel experience.”
The airline expects to finish installing Starlink across its remaining mainline fleet by 2027.
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