When Should I Book My Alaska Cruise or Cruisetour? Is 12 to 18 Months Too Far Out? A Real Comparison
“Is a year and a half too early to book Alaska?” I hear this question almost every week, and my answer is always the same. No. For Alaska, it may be exactly right.
I was born and raised in Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula and lived in Anchorage for 13 years. I have spent more than 30 years exploring the same places my clients now visit on their cruises and cruisetours. Today I plan Alaska vacations as a Cruise Specialist with Cruisin Couple Travel Agency, a Travel Leaders Network affiliate. Here is what I share with every client who asks about timing.
Is Booking an Alaska Cruise 12 to 18 Months Out Too Early? Alaska has a short season. Ships sail from roughly May through September, so every cruise line is filling a limited number of sailings with very high demand. Most lines open Alaska itineraries well over a year in advance, and the best cabins go first. When you book 12 to 18 months ahead, you get:
• First choice of cabin location and category • The widest selection of dates and itineraries • Early booking promotions, which often disappear as ships fill • Time to plan flights, pre-cruise hotels, and excursions without pressure
Booking early also does not have to lock you into a price. Many cruise lines allow a fare adjustment if a better promotion appears before final payment, and I watch for those opportunities for my clients. Deposit and cancellation terms vary by cruise line and fare type, and I walk through them with you before you commit.
Why Does Timing Matter Even More for an Alaska Cruisetour?
A cruisetour pairs your cruise with a land journey into Alaska's interior, often including Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks. The ship may hold thousands of guests, but the lodges near Denali have far fewer rooms. When those lodges fill, those cruisetour dates close, even if the ship still has open cabins.
The most popular cruisetours fill up quickly, especially itineraries with more time in Denali and summer departures from June through August. If you have a specific cruisetour in mind, book 12 to 18 months out.
What If I Have a Family or Group of 4 in One Stateroom?
Most cruise cabins are designed for two guests. Cabins that sleep 3 or 4 use a sofa bed or pull-down upper berths, and each ship has only a limited number of them. Connecting cabins are even more limited. For a family of four, I usually compare three options:
- One stateroom for four guests, the most budget-friendly choice, since third and fourth guest fares are often lower
- A mini-suite or suite with more room for four
- Two connecting cabins, which often works best with teens or four adults
These cabins sell out first on summer sailings, when school is out. For multigenerational families and groups, booking early gives us the best chance to keep everyone together on the same deck and the same sailing.
Thinking About a Suite? Book Early
If you are dreaming of an Alaska cruise in a suite, please book early. Suites make up only a small share of the cabins on any ship, and they are often the first category to sell out. Travelers love the extra space, a larger balcony for glacier viewing, and perks such as priority boarding and dedicated lounges, depending on the cruise line. If a suite is what you want, 12 to 18 months out is not early. It is necessary.
Want to See Glacier Bay? Book Early
Glacier Bay National Park is one of the most requested stops in Alaska, and access is limited. The National Park Service allows no more than two large cruise ships into the park each day, and only a handful of cruise lines hold permits. Princess and Holland America offer the most Glacier Bay sailings by far. Because entry days are limited, itineraries that include Glacier Bay fill up extremely quickly.
What Is the Best Month to Cruise to Alaska? May Through September ~ This May Help You With Your Decision on What Month to Go
May: Often the best value of the season. May tends to be drier, with fewer crowds and snow still on the mountains. Bears are leaving their dens and humpback whales are arriving. Some tours and Denali services open mid to late May.
June: Long daylight, with close to 20 hours of light in Anchorage near the solstice. Moose calves and bear cubs are out, and the weather is often pleasant. Family travel picks up once school lets out.
July: Peak season, with the warmest weather, fullest ships, and highest fares. Salmon runs bring bears to the rivers. Growing up on the Kenai, July meant fishing, and it still does.
August: Salmon runs continue and bear viewing stays strong. Fireweed and berries are everywhere. Expect more rain in Southeast Alaska. Late August brings the first real chance of northern lights inland.
September: Denali turns red and gold, crowds thin, and fares often drop. It is cooler and can be rainy, and some tours close mid-month. For the northern lights, a September cruisetour to Fairbanks gives you the best odds.
A Word From Your Alaska Travel Advisor
“Nothing saddens me more than hearing the excitement in a family’s voice when they call to book the Alaska cruise they have talked about for years, only to tell them the itinerary or cabins they had their hearts set on are already gone. Asking, ‘Would it be okay if we moved it out a year?’ is never easy. I want every family to experience it the way they imagined.” Dawn Knoblock, Alaska Travel Advisor, Cruisin Couple Travel Agency
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book an Alaska cruise? Book 12 to 18 months ahead for the best selection, especially for summer sailings, suites, families, groups, and cruisetours.
Is it cheaper to book an Alaska cruise last minute? Sometimes, for couples who are flexible on cabin and dates. Families, suite travelers, and cruisetour guests rarely benefit from waiting.
How early should I book an Alaska cruisetour? Book 12 to 18 months ahead. The most popular cruisetours fill quickly because lodge space near Denali is limited.
Which cruise lines go into Glacier Bay? Only a limited number of cruise lines hold National Park Service permits. Princess and Holland America offer the most Glacier Bay sailings, and those itineraries fill very quickly.
Can a family of 4 share one cabin on an Alaska cruise? Yes, but cabins that sleep four are limited and sell out early. Booking 12 to 18 months ahead gives you the most options.
When can I see the northern lights on an Alaska trip? Late August through September, most reliably inland near Fairbanks on a cruisetour. Should I buy travel protection when I book?
Yes. Some plan benefits require purchase within a set number of days after your initial deposit, so I review options with you at booking.
About Dawn Knoblock
Dawn Knoblock is an Alaska Travel Advisor and Cruise Specialist with Cruisin Couple Travel Agency, a Travel Leaders Network affiliate. Born and raised in Soldotna and a 13-year Anchorage resident, Dawn brings more than 30 years of firsthand Alaska experience to every trip she plans. She specializes in Alaska land and cruise vacations, worldwide ocean and river cruising, and group travel, including multigenerational families, romantic getaways, luxury travel, and solo sailings. Dawn has sailed personally with Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages and books all major cruise lines. Let's plan your trip!
Email: Dawn@ccta.co | Phone: 907-727-1163 | cruisincouple.com/dawn-knoblock #CruisinCoupleTA #travelbydawn #cruisespecialist #CCTAtravels #cruisincoupletravelagency
