Carnival Cruises Alaska: Budget-Friendly Guide

Carnival offers Alaska cruises from Seattle and Vancouver, typically visiting ports like Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. The cruise line provides budget-conscious travelers with all-inclusive amenities, onboard activities, and scenic glacier viewing. Inside and oceanview cabins offer the most affordable options, while shoulder season sailings provide additional savings opportunities for Alaska adventures.

Quick Facts: Carnival Alaska Cruises

Want to know more about all your Alaska cruise line options? We’ve got you covered with comprehensive comparisons.

Why Carnival Makes Sense for Budget Alaska Cruising

Carnival doesn’t have the Alaska pedigree that Princess Cruises has built over decades or the Alaskan heritage of Holland America Line, but here’s the thing—sometimes being the underdog works in your favor. Carnival prices their Alaska sailings aggressively to compete with those established names, which means you get to see glaciers and whales without taking out a second mortgage.

The ships might not have the onboard planetarium you’ll find on Celebrity Cruises’ premium Alaska vessels or the rock climbing walls on Royal Caribbean ships, but they’ve got something better for budget travelers: straightforward pricing and fewer nickel-and-dime charges.

What’s Actually Included in Your Fare

Unlike some cruise lines that make you feel like you need a calculator at every turn, Carnival keeps things refreshingly simple:

• All main dining room meals and buffet access
• Room service (small delivery fee applies)
• Most onboard entertainment including shows and comedy clubs
• Fitness center access
• Kids clubs and programming
• Pool and hot tub facilities

What you’ll pay extra for: specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, soda, espresso drinks, spa services, shore excursions, and gratuities. But compared to the sticker shock on luxury Alaska cruise lines, Carnival’s add-ons remain reasonable.

Choosing Your Cabin Without Breaking the Bank

Here’s a truth bomb: inside cabins on Alaska cruises are perfectly fine. Yes, you heard that right. While everyone obsesses over balconies, inside cabins on Carnival’s Alaska routes offer something magical—you’re forced to actually go outside and experience Alaska instead of watching it through glass.

That said, oceanview cabins represent the sweet spot for value. You get natural light and a window to peek through for morning glacier checks without the balcony premium. Our guide to finding the best budget cabin options breaks down exactly which cabin numbers offer the best bang for your buck.

Cabin Selection Strategy

• Inside cabins: Perfect if you’re out exploring all day and only sleep in your room
• Oceanview: Best value compromise—natural light without the balcony markup
• Balcony: Worth it only if you find a deal or genuinely plan to use it daily
• Midship rooms: Less motion but slightly pricier
• Forward/aft rooms: Better prices, slightly more movement in rough seas

Timing Your Booking for Maximum Savings

Carnival typically releases Alaska itineraries about 18 months in advance. The absolute best deals appear during wave season (January through March) when cruise lines compete fiercely for bookings. But here’s an insider trick: last-minute deals pop up if ships haven’t filled, especially for shoulder season sailings.

Check out our comprehensive guide on how to save serious money on Alaska cruises for strategies that work across all cruise lines.

Shoulder Season Advantages

May and September sailings cost 30-40% less than peak summer dates. You’ll trade slightly cooler temperatures for:

• Fewer crowds at popular ports
• Better availability for shore excursions
• More aggressive pricing on cabin upgrades
• Longer daylight hours in May (seriously, sunset after 10 PM)
• September brings fall colors and active wildlife preparing for winter

Shore Excursions: Where Budget Plans Go to Die

This is where Carnival Alaska cruises can become expensive fast. Ship-organized excursions run $100-$300 per person for standard tours. A helicopter glacier landing? Try $500-$700. But you have options.

Independent Excursion Strategies

• Juneau: Walk to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center via city bus ($2 each way) or book private tours through local operators at half the ship’s price
• Skagway: The entire town is walkable and charming—skip the excursion entirely or book the White Pass Railroad directly
• Ketchikan: Creek Street and totem poles are within walking distance; save your money for fresh seafood
• Icy Strait Point: This private port makes independent touring trickier, but the free cultural demonstrations are actually excellent

The risk with independent touring? If you’re late returning to the ship, Carnival won’t wait. Ship excursions guarantee they’ll hold departure or get you to the next port. Weigh your risk tolerance accordingly.

Onboard Spending: The Sneaky Budget Killers

Carnival’s drink prices rival what you’d pay at a resort. The unlimited beverage package runs about $60-$70 per person per day, which seems steep until you do the math. Individual cocktails cost $10-$15, beers $7-$9, and sodas $3 each. If you’re a moderate drinker (3-4 drinks daily), the package breaks even.

Beverage Package Hack

Carnival allows each passenger over 21 to bring one bottle of wine (750ml) per person in their carry-on. Bring a quality bottle you’d actually enjoy and save $40-$60 right there. You can also bring 12 sealed cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages per person.

Dining Upcharges Worth Skipping

• Specialty restaurants like the steakhouse ($42-$55 per person) are nice but unnecessary—the main dining room serves quality meals
• Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina are free and legitimately good
• Skip the Alchemy Bar’s $15 craft cocktails unless you’re celebrating something special

How Carnival Compares to Other Budget Options

When stacking up budget Alaska cruises, Carnival competes primarily with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska itineraries. Norwegian offers more freestyle dining and newer ships on some routes, but typically costs 10-20% more for comparable cabins.

If you’re considering the differences between budget and luxury Alaska cruise experiences, understand that you’re mainly paying for dining quality, service ratios, and included amenities on luxury lines. The scenery looks identical from every ship.

For families, Carnival beats Disney Cruise Line’s Alaska sailings on price by a significant margin—sometimes 50% less for similar itineraries. Disney offers more character experiences, but Alaska itself provides plenty of wonder for kids.

What Carnival Gets Right in Alaska

Despite not being an Alaska specialist, Carnival delivers where it counts:

• Deck space: Plenty of outdoor viewing areas for glacier and wildlife spotting
• Naturalist commentary: Park rangers and naturalists provide free educational talks throughout the sailing
• Family-friendly atmosphere: Kids programs keep children entertained while parents enjoy scenic cruising
• Casual vibe: No pressure for formal nights or stuffy dress codes
• Comedy clubs: After a day of excursions, the comedy shows provide perfect low-key entertainment

The Challenges Worth Knowing

Carnival’s fun ship atmosphere doesn’t appeal to everyone. If you want a quieter, more refined Alaska experience, Holland America’s Alaska-focused approach might suit you better despite the higher cost.

The ships are larger than the small ship Alaska cruise options offered by UnCruise Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, or Alaskan Dream Cruises. This means more passengers competing for shore time and less access to remote locations.

Service can feel more transactional compared to premium lines. Your cabin steward and dining staff work hard, but they’re managing more guests than on upscale ships.

Bonus Tips for Carnival Alaska Cruises

• Book your spa appointments on port days when most passengers are off the ship—prices drop and availability opens up
• Deck 10 forward (on most ships) offers the best free glacier viewing without crowds near the pools
• The embarkation day lunch buffet is often less crowded than dinner—get oriented with the food options early
• Download the Carnival Hub app before sailing for the ship’s daily schedule, deck plans, and messaging (texting other passengers costs $5 per week and actually works well)
• Pack binoculars and a good camera with zoom—whale watching from the ship can be spectacular but wildlife doesn’t pose up close
• Bring layers and waterproof gear regardless of the forecast; Alaska weather changes fast
• The Seaday Brunch (on sea days) offers more upscale options than the regular buffet at no extra charge
• Casino players can earn free cruises or cabin upgrades through Carnival’s casino program if you play enough—just don’t gamble solely for comps
• Medicine for seasickness: The Inside Passage is generally calm, but the Gulf of Alaska crossing to/from Seattle can get bumpy
• Victoria, BC evening stops are brief (usually 6 PM to midnight)—just walk around the Inner Harbour area rather than booking excursions

Understanding the Real Cost

When calculating the true cost of an Alaska cruise, factor in more than just the cruise fare. A realistic budget includes:

• Cruise fare: $600-$1,200 per person (inside/oceanview)
• Gratuities: $14-$16 per person per day
• Port fees and taxes: $200-$300 per person (usually included in advertised price)
• Flights to Seattle or Vancouver: varies wildly
• Pre-cruise hotel if arriving early (recommended): $150-$300
• Shore excursions: $0-$600+ depending on choices
• Onboard spending: $200-$500 per person for beverages and extras

Total realistic budget for a week: $1,500-$2,500 per person if you’re mindful about spending.

For more details about Carnival’s overall cruise experience, visit our complete Carnival Cruises guide.

Common Questions and FAQ

Does Carnival provide parkas for Alaska cruises?

No, Carnival doesn’t provide complimentary parkas like some Alaska-focused cruise lines do. Bring your own waterproof jacket or purchase one from the ship’s logo shop (expect to pay $60-$100). Honestly, a good rain jacket from home works perfectly fine.

Can I see the Northern Lights on a Carnival Alaska cruise?

Extremely unlikely. Alaska cruise season runs May through September when daylight hours are long and northern lights are rarely visible. You’d need to visit Alaska in winter months (when Carnival doesn’t operate there) for aurora viewing opportunities.

Are Carnival’s Alaska cruises suitable for toddlers?

Yes, but with caveats. Carnival’s kids clubs accept children as young as two, but long port days and excursions can exhaust little ones. The ship offers plenty of family-friendly activities, though toddlers won’t appreciate the scenery like older kids will. Consider whether a significant investment makes sense when they won’t remember much of it.

How formal are the dining dress codes on Carnival Alaska cruises?

Very relaxed compared to other cruise lines. Most nights are cruise casual (jeans are fine, no tank tops or swimwear in main dining room). Elegant nights happen once or twice per cruise, but even then, a nice shirt and slacks work for men, sundress or pants outfit for women. Nobody checks—you won’t be turned away for underdressing.

Is WiFi reliable enough for remote work on Carnival Alaska ships?

Marginally, but don’t count on it for important deadlines. Carnival’s internet uses satellite connections that struggle in Alaska’s Inside Passage with mountains blocking signals. The premium WiFi package ($20-$25 per day) offers better speeds than the value package, but expect frequent disconnections. Download what you need before sailing.

Do Carnival Alaska cruises get close enough to glaciers for good photos?

Yes, the highlight is usually Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier, where ships get impressively close (typically within a quarter mile). You’ll get excellent photos with even a smartphone camera. Bring a zoom lens if you have one, but it’s not essential. The real showstopper is when glaciers calve and massive chunks crash into the water.

Personal Experience

Last summer, my family finally took the Alaska cruise we’d been dreaming about for years, and going with Carnival turned out to be such a smart choice for our budget. We booked during their wave season sale in February and scored an incredible deal on a seven-day sailing. The price included way more than I expected—most meals, entertainment, and even some activities. We skipped the pricey shore excursions booked through the ship for a couple of ports and instead found local tour operators online who offered the same whale watching and glacier tours for almost half the price. In Juneau, we just walked around downtown on our own, hit up Tracy’s Crab Shack, and had an amazing time without spending much at all.

The biggest money-saver was definitely bringing our own drinks onboard—Carnival lets you bring a bottle of wine per person, which we took full advantage of. We also ate at the main dining room and buffet instead of the specialty restaurants, and honestly, the food was really good and totally satisfying. Going in late May meant we avoided peak summer prices but still had great weather and long daylight hours for viewing scenery. The whole trip felt luxurious without the luxury price tag, and now we’re already planning our next Carnival cruise because we know we can afford to make it a regular thing.