The prices of Alaskan cruises are generally higher than cruises to other locations such as the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Despite that, their popularity is ever-increasing, and the growing demand naturally pushes the price higher. However, there are many ways of obtaining discounts on Alaska cruises.
One of the surest ways to get a good discount on Alaskan cruises is to book during the winters. Though Alaska has extreme winter conditions from December to January, a cruise can be booked in October when the winters are just setting in. Winters are off-season and the cruise lines try to make the most of it. Hence, the off season cruises are low in price, in an attempt to attract people. A weekend Alaskan cruise can be available for less than $500 during the winter.
Most ships that cruise in Alaska during the summer turn to warmer southern locations in the winter. Generally, these ships have to move southward without passengers. Such rerouting ships may conduct one-way southbound cruises to earn some money. Rerouting cruises are very cheap compared to regular cruises. However, rerouting cruises have their disadvantages. Rerouting ships do not give much scope for exploration, and many locations that are part of regular cruises are missed by rerouting cruises. Also, people booking for these cruises have to manage return journeys on their own, and airfares may be exorbitant.
Sometimes people who have made bookings for cruises cancel their reservations. Such reservations are then available as last-minute cruises. As the time for the cruise approaches, the price of the cruise gets cheaper. Websites of cruise lines advertise such sudden vacancies, and people looking for a discount cruise can take advantage of such opportunities.
Booking a package deal, such as a cruise tour, provides a discount to the cruiser. A package vacation includes transport (to Vancouver, Seattle, Seward, or Whittier), lodging, food, and other facilities that normal cruises provide. Being reserved for a package entails high discounts sometimes, if a large group such as a family, friends, or staff is booked together.
Many credit cards have ongoing travel schemes for people who book cruises. Clubs and associations also provide such discounts for cruises.