Book by: ASAP
Travel by: Various through August 2007
The deal
The Alaska cruise season will soon be in full swing, but that doesn’t mean you should pay full price for your sailing. Prices are increasing daily, but we've found four fantastic deals (with savings up to 47 percent) to get you to Alaska for less. Take in the monumental scale of Alaska’s glaciers, mountains, and wildlife while saving some serious dollars from the comfort a first-class cruise ship, because week-long voyages to the Hubbard Glacier, Inside Passage, and more start at just $599. Savings on spring and summer departures are available on Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, or Regent Seven Seas.
Princess Voyage this May for $599
Can’t wait to sail the scenic shores of Alaska? We found an unbeatable spring special with a late May departure. CruisesOnly has a southbound seven-night voyage from Whittier to Vancouver aboard Coral Princess for $599! Rack rates are $1059, but the cabins on this May 28 sailing have been reduced by 43 percent. The itinerary takes in Alaska’s towns of Juneau and Skagway and the Ketchikan peninsula; it also covers sailings of College Fjord and Glacier Bay. CruiseCritic.com describes the ship as " ... a vacation destination that offers up a pleasing amount of glitz — yet makes you feel right at home." Ocean view cabins are also on sale for $698. Summer departures on the same cruise in an inside cabin are priced at $899.
Holland America Sailing in June for $754
If you prefer a later voyage to Alaska, Orbitz offers a seven-night glacier discovery cruise aboard Holland America’s Statendam. The June 3 and June 17 departure is now priced at only $754 for an ocean view stateroom — 47 percent off the hefty brochure cost of $1,599. The journey from Vancouver to Seward covers the same ports of call as the above Princess cruise, with sailing time in the Inside Passage. All of this happens aboard Statendam which CruiseCritic.com describes as " ... a floating masterpiece of shipbuilders' art, Old World tradition, and state-of-the-art modern technology." Note that you’d be dishing out up to $1,029 for later summer sails!
Alaska Odyssey with Norwegian for $749
Want to sail Alaskan coasts on a brand-new ship? We found a Travelocity offer that lets you do that at a discount of 44 percent! A week-long Alaska cruise departing round-trip from Seattle on June 3 aboard Norwegian Pearl starts at $749 for inside cabins. Ocean view staterooms on the earlier May 20 fling are also on sale for $999! Leave even sooner, on May 13, and enjoy lodging in a balconied unit for $1,249 or a suite for $1,399. The route includes stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan; two days of twisting through glaciers and passages; and a visit to Victoria, British Columbia. Of this just-launched ship, CruiseCritic.com writes, " ... with Norwegian Pearl, NCL has cemented its own quite distinctive and whimsical style, both in its offerings and in its amenities."
Five-Star Alaska Jaunt now for $3,957
If you want to see Alaska in style, we found a discounted five-star cruise you simply can’t skip. Starting this May, Regent Cruises’ all-suite Seven Seas Mariner sets sail on a seven-night voyage from Vancouver to Seward at 34 percent off the regular price! Instead of the wallet-busting $5,955, you’ll pay $3,957 if you book one of these departures on CruisesOnly — May 23; June 6 & 20; July 4; August 15; and September 5. In addition to visiting the same destinations as the above cruise, you’ll see Alaska’s quaint town of Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, and the dazzling Hubbard Glacier. If the $3,957 still seems high, consider that you’ll be aboard the striking Seven Seas Mariner of which CruiseCritic.com writes, "The style of the ship is classic without seeming to be a self-conscious imitation of the past, sophisticated without pretense." One more bonus: Regent includes all gratuities and beverages — even wine and spirits — in their fares.
The dollars
The above cruise specials are priced per person, based on double occupancy. The cost covers on-board accommodations, meals and entertainment, as well as port charges. Unless otherwise noted, you'll have to dish out extra for government taxes and fees, gratuities, any shore excursions you may decide to take, and airfare.
The catch
While the state is home to some 35,000 Bald Eagles, there's no guarantee you'll actually see one on your cruise. Keep your eyes open and maybe you'll get lucky!
ShermansTravel is a guide to top travel deals and destinations. Sign up for Sherman's Top 25 e-newsletter which features the best editor-screened deals from hundreds of travel providers and is delivered to over 2.5 million subscribers, free, each week. ShermansTravel also publishes trip ideas and travel features to inspire, guide, and go.