A Princess Alaska cruise costs $1,800–$6,500+ per person all-in, depending on cabin category, sailing length, and how many extras you add — with the average couple spending $5,000–$9,000 total for a 7-night voyage in 2025.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Princess dominates Alaska cruising like no other line — they've been sailing these waters for decades and it shows. But "starting from $799" fares are just the opening bid, and by the time you add gratuities, drinks, excursions, and a pre-cruise hotel in Seattle or Vancouver, that number looks very different.
What a Princess Alaska Cruise Actually Costs All-In
For a standard 7-night Alaska cruise (the most popular itinerary) sailing in 2025–2026, here's what you're realistically looking at per person, based on double occupancy:
| Cost Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise Fare (Interior/Balcony/Suite) | $799–$999 | $1,200–$1,800 | $2,500–$4,500+ |
| Gratuities (pre-paid) | $168 | $168 | $168 |
| Princess Plus Package (drinks + Wi-Fi + gratuities) | — | $600 | $600 |
| Shore Excursions | $150–$300 | $400–$700 | $800–$1,500+ |
| Flights to Seattle/Vancouver | $200–$400 | $400–$700 | $700–$1,500+ |
| Pre/Post Hotel (1–2 nights) | $150–$250 | $250–$400 | $400–$800 |
| Specialty Dining | $0 | $100–$200 | $300–$600 |
| Spa / Extras | $0 | $100–$200 | $300–$1,000+ |
| Total Per Person | $1,467–$2,117 | $3,018–$4,168 | $5,768–$10,668+ |
| Total for Two | $2,934–$4,234 | $6,036–$8,336 | $11,536–$21,336+ |
The honest middle ground: Most couples spending a first-time Princess Alaska cruise walk away having spent $7,000–$9,500 total when everything is counted.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. Cabin Category Is Your Biggest Lever Interior cabins start around $799–$999/person in shoulder season (May or early September). Balcony cabins — which I'd strongly argue are worth it in Alaska because you will be on that balcony watching glaciers — run $1,200–$1,800/person. Mini-suites jump to $2,000–$2,800, and full suites can exceed $4,500/person.
2. Sailing Dates Make a Massive Difference Alaska season runs May through September. Peak weeks (late June through mid-August) cost 30–50% more than shoulder dates. A balcony cabin that's $1,200/person in early May can hit $1,900 in July. If you have flexibility, early May or post-Labor Day sailings are the sweet spot for value.
3. The Princess Plus Package — Worth It or Not? Princess pushes their Princess Plus package hard at ~$60/person/day (roughly $420 for 7 nights). It bundles drinks up to $15/drink, MedallionNet Wi-Fi (one device), and crew appreciation (gratuities). If you drink 3–4 cocktails/glasses of wine per day, it pays for itself. If you're a light drinker, skip it and pay gratuities ($16.50–$18.50/person/day) à la carte.
4. Shore Excursions Are Where Alaska Gets Expensive This is Alaska's dirty secret. The marquee experiences cost real money:
- Whale watching: $120–$180/person
- Helicopter glacier landing: $450–$600/person
- White Pass & Yukon Railway (Skagway): $140–$180/person
- Denali add-on (cruise tours only): $800–$2,000/person extra
Book the helicopter and rail excursions directly with local operators and save 15–25% vs. booking through Princess. For safety-critical excursions (small boats, floatplanes), stick with Princess-vetted vendors.
5. Itinerary Length and Type Most Princess Alaska sailings are 7-night round trips from Seattle or Vancouver, or 7-night one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises (Whittier to Vancouver or vice versa). One-way Gulf of Alaska itineraries often hit more dramatic scenery (Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord) but require positioning flights to/from both ends — factor in an extra $200–$500/person in airfare complexity.
Princess also sells 10–14 night Cruisetours combining the ship with land-based Denali/Fairbanks exploration. These run $4,000–$8,000/person before extras — a very different budget conversation.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Practical Tips to Cut Costs Without Cutting the Experience
Book Early or Book Last-Minute — Not In Between Early-bird fares (booked 9–12 months out) often include free Princess Plus, onboard credit, or reduced deposits. Last-minute deals (within 30–60 days of sailing) can appear if inventory is soft — check CruiseHub for current Princess Alaska availability and flash sales.
Choose Inside Passage Over Gulf of Alaska for Lower Airfare Round-trip sailings from Seattle mean you fly in and out of one city. That simplicity alone can save $300–$600/person versus one-way Gulf itineraries requiring separate origin/destination flights.
Skip the Ship's Excursion Markup in Port Towns In Ketchikan, book your own floatplane or kayak tour. In Juneau, independent whale watching operators (Allen Marine, Orca Enterprises) charge the same or less than ship prices. In Skagway, the White Pass Railway is worth booking through Princess since the train fills fast.
Eat on the Ship More Than You Think You Will Princess's included main dining rooms are legitimately good — especially on Alaska sailings where they serve Alaskan king crab legs on select nights. Resist the pressure to do specialty dining every night. Budget $100–$150/person for one or two specialty meals (Crown Grill steakhouse at ~$39/person, Sabatini's at ~$35/person) and call it done.
Bring Your Own Binoculars and Layers This saves nothing monetarily, but I'd feel bad not mentioning it. Half the passengers who buy disposable ponchos and ship-branded binoculars on board are just paying a 200% convenience tax.
Best Princess Ships and Itineraries for Alaska Value
Princess runs several ships on Alaska routes. For 2025–2026, standouts include:
| Ship | Itinerary | Best For | Relative Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majestic Princess | 7-night Inside Passage (Seattle) | Families, first-timers | Mid |
| Discovery Princess | 7-night Inside Passage (Seattle) | Tech lovers, larger ship fans | Mid-High |
| Island Princess | Gulf of Alaska (Whittier–Vancouver) | Scenic maximalists | Mid |
| Coral Princess | 10-night Inside Passage | Deeper Alaska exploration | High |
| Ruby Princess | 7-night Inside Passage (San Francisco) | West Coast travelers avoiding flights | Mid |
Ruby Princess departing San Francisco deserves special mention for West Coast travelers — if you're flying into or near SFO anyway, this eliminates a Seattle positioning flight and the savings can offset a higher cabin category.
The Bottom Line
A Princess Alaska cruise is one of the few cruise experiences that genuinely delivers on its promise — glaciers, wildlife, and dramatic scenery that justifies the price tag. But budget $3,000–$4,500 per person all-in for a realistic mid-range trip, and don't let that teaser fare fool you into under-planning your budget. Use CruiseMutiny to build a full cost estimate before you book, so the only surprise on your Alaska cruise is a breaching humpback whale off your balcony.