Alaska 2017 Cost

[Rambler5678]

What would be a ballpark figure for a family of four in the cheapest Veranda? Kids ages 13 and 6.

Thanks,

 

[dclpluto]

What would be a ballpark figure for a family of four in the cheapest Veranda? Kids ages 13 and 6.

Thanks,

Look at 2106 prices and probably add about 20 percent on top of that will give you a good idea

 

[over50visits]

Next summer they start at about $11,000. More in 2017. Plus airfare and tips. And of course you may choose excursions. And the 50+ things on the list you can spend more on. $15,000+ neighborhood? Time to start saving!

 

[dclpluto]

Next summer they start at about $11,000. More in 2017. Plus airfare and tips. And of course you may choose excursions. And the 50+ things on the list you can spend more on. $15,000+ neighborhood? Time to start saving!

OUCH

 

[Krissy22222]

Also what time of year you go makes a huge difference, for Alaska, May and August are less than June and July.

 

[Rambler5678]

Right now for 2016 they are $11.200 to $11,900 from mid June thru July.

 

[Bree]

Opening day prices can be found here http://www.cruisefish.net/finder.md?id_cruise_type=16425846

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

If you book on opening day and are willing to book a room with a porthole window (instead of a veranda), the price goes down significantly.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts.... which month makes the biggest cost difference....

• May and September will be the cheapest. Weather is colder.
• May can have too much ice in Tracy Arm to see the Sawyer glacier.
• September can be stormier. Some Alaskan ports can close on you if it's too windy to dock.
• May to July is driest in Alaska. August starts getting wet with very few dry days in September.
• July to August will have the best weather in Vancouver and Seattle
• I like July for dry weather..... but it also cost more

Also consider...

• how much does it cost to fly into Vancouver. Some fly into Seattle, but you need to budget extra time to get to Vancouver. There is a $50 shuttle from Seattle's airport to Vancouver.
• which hotel do you plan to stay at. Pan Pacific above the cruise terminal has a lot of recommendations.... especially those who can justify the cost. I found significant savings staying at hotels a few blocks away from the cruise terminal. The savings can mean additional nights to see Vancouver.
• Vancouver is bigger than all the Alaskan ports combined. Many find they need more than a few days to enjoy this bonus port.
• do you need to be snorting all that pixie dust? Also do a price comparison with HAL and Princess. While lacking kids programs... you get to see Glacier Bay and other ports.

 

[KristiMc]

We sailed on the June 8, 2015 cruise. Family of 4 in a cat 5c which is the cheapest verandah room that sleeps 4. We booked on opening day and paid around $6600. It varies depending on the week. Just 2 weeks later was $1000 more.

 

[Ofinn]

Next summer they start at about $11,000. More in 2017. Plus airfare and tips. And of course you may choose excursions. And the 50+ things on the list you can spend more on. $15,000+ neighborhood? Time to start saving!

Start saving or cruise on another line for 1/3 the cost. I'd choose the second option.

 

[Geomom]

You could book an oceanview and then try to get an upgrade to a verandah at port--I remember reading that someone on the Disboards was able to do that, and it was an upcharge of less than $1000. It is risky if you 'need' a verandah as there might not be any available, but it would save you $1000's. For our Alaskan cruise for next August, we have an oceanview on deck 2. When we first booked the verandahs cost $3000-$4000 more ($10,000 range). We just can't justify that amount for our family of 4, DH is having a hard enough time justifying the amount we're already spending!

 

[cruisehopeful]

You could consider the the cheapest room you'd be willing to stay in and then try a port upgrade. That is what we are doing this time. I'll be fine with my ocean view room, but will try for a balcony if they are significantly discounted when we board.

 

[over50visits]

Start saving or cruise on another line for 1/3 the cost. I'd choose the second option.

I agree completely. So far, DCL is our carrier of choice (by far) everywhere EXCEPT Alaska. First, their prices are unreasonably higher than other quality lines. Thousands and thousands of dollars. They charge that because people pay it, more power to them, but we sure don't.

Second, and this would be a deal breaker even if they lowered their price, they don't go to Glacier Bay. They don't have a permit as I understand it. This is the highlight of the trip to Alaska, without question. Spending a couple of hours parked right next to a calving glacier, in the middle of nowhere, is a spectacular "bucket list" sight and sound experienced that it matched nowhere else.

Alaska is beautiful everywhere, Disney is a first rate experience, and they have a ship full of people happy to pay their price. But this one is not for us. We saw Alaska on another cruise line, and it was magical.

 

[mlayton14]

Slight change of subject, Princess seems to be on par in terms of how nice the ship's are (forget RCI explorer of seas which I def don't want), I'm guessing they don't have nearly as many (or any?) Activities that the whole family can enjoy together as a group? Think ages from 6 years old to 80, interested to hear from those that have sailed Princes , thank you

 

[bcwife76]

Start saving or cruise on another line for 1/3 the cost. I'd choose the second option.

And ultimately this is what we are going to do. We had the last August 2016 Alaska sailing booked on DCL and cancelled it two weeks ago in favour of a Jan 2017 DCL Bahamas cruise. HALF the price. Yes we still need to fly to Texas (we live in Vancouver so no airfare for Alaska) but it still won't equal close to what the Alaska cruise would have cost us. We'll do Alaska in a couple more years, it just won't be on DCL me thinks

 

[Ofinn]

I agree completely. So far, DCL is our carrier of choice (by far) everywhere EXCEPT Alaska. First, their prices are unreasonably higher than other quality lines. Thousands and thousands of dollars. They charge that because people pay it, more power to them, but we sure don't.

Second, and this would be a deal breaker even if they lowered their price, they don't go to Glacier Bay. They don't have a permit as I understand it. This is the highlight of the trip to Alaska, without question. Spending a couple of hours parked right next to a calving glacier, in the middle of nowhere, is a spectacular "bucket list" sight and sound experienced that it matched nowhere else.

Alaska is beautiful everywhere, Disney is a first rate experience, and they have a ship full of people happy to pay their price. But this one is not for us. We saw Alaska on another cruise line, and it was magical.

Im glad to here you enjoyed Alaska on another line. I could have sailed on RCI or NCl in a balcony for around 4k for 2 adults and 2 kids if I would have booked in the Spring. I drug my heels so we'll most likely wait to 2017. We could take 3 offseason cruises for 11k so no way could I pay Dcls summer prices