Until recently, it was quite easy to find cheap Alaska cruise pricing. Now, such bargains are getting harder and harder to find, with demand for Alaska cruises going through the roof.
So how can you save money on your cruise? Is it even possible to visit Alaska on a budget any more? The answer is a resounding YES! You can still find great Alaska cruise deals -- if you know when and where to look.
Many vacationers think that the best method to get low cost cruise fares to Alaska is to book at the very last minute. But while this method used to work reasonably well (and still works very well for Caribbean cruises, on account of the huge number of cruise ships in that area), it is no longer too effective for Alaska Inside Passage cruises.
Alaskan ships often sell out far in advance for the months of July and August. Despite their higher cost, balcony rooms tend to be the first to sell out, especially on Holland America cruises. If you really must take your cruise in August or July, then you'll be wise to book far in advance of your sale date to make sure you get the best fares. (Alaska cruises can be booked up to 18 months ahead of their sale date.)
Of course, if you are more flexible about your sail date and/or your cabin category, you dramatically increase your likelihood of locating some great Alaska cruise deals.
The best months for deals are May and September, the beginning and end of the Alaska cruise season. Of all the weeks in the Alaska cruise season, the lowest cost fares tend to be found in the very first week of May, when prices can be half of the peak mid-season fares.
Of course you can also save by booking a lower priced room category. Cabins located on the interior of the ship are as much as 50% to 70% less than those located on the outside of the ship. Inside rooms have no windows and can be a little smaller than ocean view rooms, but they can be a wonderful bargain, especially since many people spend so little times in their rooms anyway.
However, if you are at all claustrophobic, an inside room might not be for you. Nonetheless, you can still find a great Alaskan cruise deal on an outside room. On many cruise ships, you will find some rooms have views that are obstructed by poles or lifeboats or the like.
These rooms with obstructed views are frequently far less than regular ocean view cabins. In reality, obstructed view rooms can be nearly as cheap as inside rooms, but they have windows that let in the sun.
So there are still a number of ways to find discount Alaska cruises. Remember, even with rising prices, cruises still represent an incredible bargain. For less than the price of a nice hotel, they include food, entertainment, transportation, and, in Alaska, glacier viewing too.
So how can you save money on your cruise? Is it even possible to visit Alaska on a budget any more? The answer is a resounding YES! You can still find great Alaska cruise deals -- if you know when and where to look.
Many vacationers think that the best method to get low cost cruise fares to Alaska is to book at the very last minute. But while this method used to work reasonably well (and still works very well for Caribbean cruises, on account of the huge number of cruise ships in that area), it is no longer too effective for Alaska Inside Passage cruises.
Alaskan ships often sell out far in advance for the months of July and August. Despite their higher cost, balcony rooms tend to be the first to sell out, especially on Holland America cruises. If you really must take your cruise in August or July, then you'll be wise to book far in advance of your sale date to make sure you get the best fares. (Alaska cruises can be booked up to 18 months ahead of their sale date.)
Of course, if you are more flexible about your sail date and/or your cabin category, you dramatically increase your likelihood of locating some great Alaska cruise deals.
The best months for deals are May and September, the beginning and end of the Alaska cruise season. Of all the weeks in the Alaska cruise season, the lowest cost fares tend to be found in the very first week of May, when prices can be half of the peak mid-season fares.
Of course you can also save by booking a lower priced room category. Cabins located on the interior of the ship are as much as 50% to 70% less than those located on the outside of the ship. Inside rooms have no windows and can be a little smaller than ocean view rooms, but they can be a wonderful bargain, especially since many people spend so little times in their rooms anyway.
However, if you are at all claustrophobic, an inside room might not be for you. Nonetheless, you can still find a great Alaskan cruise deal on an outside room. On many cruise ships, you will find some rooms have views that are obstructed by poles or lifeboats or the like.
These rooms with obstructed views are frequently far less than regular ocean view cabins. In reality, obstructed view rooms can be nearly as cheap as inside rooms, but they have windows that let in the sun.
So there are still a number of ways to find discount Alaska cruises. Remember, even with rising prices, cruises still represent an incredible bargain. For less than the price of a nice hotel, they include food, entertainment, transportation, and, in Alaska, glacier viewing too.
About the Author:
For much, much more information on traveling to Alaska and the Inside Passage, including the ports of Ketchikan and Sitka, along with listings of land tours and a rating of the best Alaska cruise and Tracy Arm Fjord, stop by the Alaska Cruise Advisor website.
No comments:
Post a Comment