16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions

Table Of Content

• Runner up: Princess Cruises
• $3,899 pp — 12-Nt. Alaska – Free Shore Excursions, Gourmet Dining & Wi-Fi
• Winner: Seabourn
• Skagway
• Alaska, from Seattle
• Small Ship Alaska Cruises

From savory options like made-to-order omelets and bacon to sweets like french toast, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes, I was never disappointed. There was a nightclub/DJ each night at the Starquest Lounge and live music/dancing in the Centrum. Even if it didn’t have the party vibe of a weekend cruise from Miami, there was always something to do in the evenings. I almost immediately noticed that the vibe on this Alaska cruise would be different from not only Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean cruises, but also my Alaska cruise last year on Ovation of the Seas.

Runner up: Princess Cruises

The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill. In the center of the state, Denali National Park is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day.

$3,899 pp — 12-Nt. Alaska – Free Shore Excursions, Gourmet Dining & Wi-Fi

Walking tours are also offered, although with the exception of the state capitol tour, they come with a cost of $31.50 per person. The cost to visit Mendenhall Glacier is just $5, which includes access to the trails and visitor center. That being said, I have never encountered a place to pay the fee on my four previous visits to the glacier, although I never visited with a guided tour. Another free activity is the 5-minute walk to Lower Reid Falls—the trailhead begins at the Gold Rush cemetery.

Winner: Seabourn

A special zone for solo travelers is a rare concept in the cruise world, where almost all rooms for vacationers are designed for two people and sold with per-person fares that are based on two people occupying the room. Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss are also our top picks for ships operating the best Alaska cruises from Seattle for solo travelers. Between these two, it's a tossup, though we put Norwegian Bliss in the headline above since, well, we already gave Norwegian Encore a turn in the limelight with the best-for-luxury category. Yes, the 3,998-passenger Norwegian Encore is a cruise ship that generally caters to the masses, not the luxury crowd. However, it has its own "ship-within-a-ship" luxury zone that offers a much more swanky experience for those willing to pay.

Skagway

If you’re only going to visit Alaska once, I’d book at least 1-2 excursions, such as whale watching and the White Pass & Yukon Railroad train, in order to make the most out of Alaska’s attractions. Looking back, I probably could have booked a more expensive cruise fare on a newer ship from Seattle and still saved money due to cheaper flights and other transportation expenses. There wasn’t too much to do in Hoonah, but it was worth the ~2 hour trip. Icy Strait Point is well developed and has many free attractions, including nice walking paths, a museum, and a beach.

16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog

16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions.

Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Last year I spent $100 to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad from Skagway. I would 100% recommend doing this while in port, but as I had done it already, I decided to simply walk around town without a plan. Once back at Icy Strait Point, we enjoyed a bag of mini donuts ($5 each) before walking around a bit more and getting back onboard.

Alaska, from Seattle

I also visited the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey. Admission to the center was $15 which felt fair as I was contributing to a good cause. I was impressed with the food overall and never got tired of visiting the same venues for meals. I’m glad I did not purchase a dining package as this allowed me to save money for a nice, fresh lunch in port each day.

Small Ship Alaska Cruises

The outdoor decks on Radiance of the Seas were really nice as well, although I didn’t expect to spend much time there during an Alaska cruise. Having access to the helicopter pad is always a plus, and the indoor pool area in the Solarium was a beautiful space. Because the cruise started in Vancouver and ended in Seward, I needed to purchase two one-way flights. Flying to Vancouver was $189 and flying from Anchorage was $347, bringing the total flight cost to $536. Booking the cheapest cruise you can find often comes with low expectations, but my expectations were set pretty high. I took an Alaska cruise last year, and it remains one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.

Certain cities, like Juneau, are only easily accessible by air or sea, which makes a cruise a reliable and convenient way to get there. Whether served up in jams, candies, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats. Sourdough is such an important part of Alaskan culture that long-time Alaskans are actually called sourdoughs in local parlance. Try a sourdough bread bowl filled with salmon chowder for a hearty lunch. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes.

The two-level complex also has upstairs nooks for playing Xbox, ping pong and foosball. It's like one big play zone for families that will keep your kids busy for hours. Both of the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska from Seattle are loaded with attractions that are protected from the elements, including those bumper car pavilions and skydiving simulators. In fact, both Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas were specifically built to operate in areas of inclement weather.

Yakutania Point sits on the tip of a peninsula at the end of the Lynn Canal, and it offers wonderful views of the cruise port, town, and nearby mountains. That'll depend on your personal interests and travel style because there are cruises from Seattle that appeal to everyone, including family travelers, budget travelers and retirees. The top decks of Holland America vessels, notably, lack many of the kid-focused attractions found on the top decks of more family-focused ships operated by the likes of Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. While Holland America draws some families with younger children, the passengers on its ships skew heavily toward middle-aged and older travelers, including many retirees. If you're nearing or already have hit retirement age and prefer to travel mostly with people who are at a similar stage in life as you, you'll feel right at home on a Holland America ship.

Sailing late (or early) in the season is a great way to find cheap Alaska deals. In this case, the two come together for a nine-night cruise to the state that starts at less than $500 per person. Search an Aggregator WebsiteIt only makes sense that if you go to a specific cruise line’s website to search for cruises, they will only show you their sailings. That’s why we suggest going to a site that searches across all cruise lines to search for deals. If you’re looking for cheap Alaskan cruises, however, then you need to be prepared to shop around.

A port on Heather’s cruise that fewer Alaska cruises go to is Sitka, but I am pleased to say I did have some low cost and amazing wildlife things to do. It costs $5 per person which includes a guided tour explaining all the totem poles and scenery. It’s also the Rain Capital of Alaska, raining at least 234 days a year, and it has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. Another port on Heather’s trip, like for most Alaska cruises, is Ketchikan. If you go into the Visitor Centre it costs $5 with some displays and films, but it’s free to go on the well paved walkways and trails, to go and view the glacier, see the salmon runs, and do some safe bear viewing. Skagway is a charming historic town with many old buildings, and the ships dock a short walk away.

Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a whale watching tour.

How Much Carnival and Royal Caribbean Pay Their Employees

Table Of Content

• Do cruise employees hook up with passengers?
• Cruise Ship Worker Benefits
• What are some of the biggest challenges that cruise ship workers face?
• Challenges and Drawbacks of Working on a Cruise Ship
• Cruise Ship Doctor
• Hotel Manager

The job requirements and qualifications for each position may vary, but one thing remains constant – the commitment to providing exceptional service to guests. When it comes to housing, most cruise ship employees are provided with accommodation while they work on board. The type of accommodation depends on the position and the ship, but it can range from shared cabins to private rooms with a balcony. Some cruise lines even offer housing for employees in between contracts, which is a great benefit for those who want to save money on rent.

Do cruise employees hook up with passengers?

And if you’ve been a crew member on a ship for several years, the savings can become quite substantial. Cruise ship hotel managers make around fifty thousand USD annually, as well as any tips received by passengers. It is also important to remember that working on a cruise ship is not like a vacation, and will require a lot of dedication, hard work, and long working hours. Business Insider looked at data each company shared with the US government to get a sense of how much they pay their employees. The data Business Insider analyzed is from 2019 and 2020, and represents an average or range among some of the employees included in Carnival and Royal Caribbean's disclosures. Physical stamina, rope and rigging skills, and endurance are requirements for the role.

Cruise Ship Worker Benefits

This commitment to excellence translates into creating a positive work environment for cruise ship employees. Most cruise ships have spas that offer a wide range of services, such as massages, facials, and body treatments. The cost of these services can vary depending on the cruise line and the type of service, but they’re typically more expensive than what you’d pay on land. However, many people are willing to pay the extra cost for the convenience and luxury of having spa services available to them while on vacation.

What are some of the biggest challenges that cruise ship workers face?

When you are in a Port of call you can be tempted to go blow all your money outside. Most likely at the beginning of a contract, you will want to go to explore and see as many things as you can, and saving money won’t be on your mind. Just remember that the places that the cruise ship goes to are well-known tourist places with inflated tourist prices. Once you pay all your fixed bills, depending on your salary and circumstances, you might have some money left. That money, let’s call net income, is the money that’s yours to spend any way you like it; be it at the movies, drinks, parties, travel, etc. That money, your true net income, is the money that you should compare against the salary offered to you by the cruise line.

Is there a cost associated with working on a cruise ship?

Honestly, being a captain on a cruise ship seems like a high-paying and prestigious job. According to the table below, the average salary for a cruise ship captain is $98,000. However, this varies depending on the size of the ship and the captain’s experience.

The money saved onboard was enough for me to pay my bills and travel on my vacation, adding more destinations to my travel bucket list. There are some people that can save a lot of money during their contract onboard. I have heard of stories about crew members opening businesses back in their home country; using the money to buy property; some people made good money that they didn’t have to come back to ships. While some people decide to go for the savings route, others decide to go work on ships for the experience. They do not save a lot of money but they do spend their money in a way that makes them happy, fulfilled for most of the time. While many cruise ship workers work long hours and earn less than the average American employee, there are some benefits to working on a cruise ship.

Cruise Ship Doctor

Entry-level positions such as housekeeping staff, food and beverage servers, and entry-level entertainers typically earn between $1,000 to $2,500 per month. These positions often include free accommodation and meals as part of the compensation package. As with servers, cruise ship bartenders work long hours, with very few days of leave. A typical annual salary for a bartender on a cruise ship is between twenty and thirty thousand USD but it may be even more if gratuities are included.

Strict hierarchy on cruise ships creates gap in pay, living conditions - Business Insider

Strict hierarchy on cruise ships creates gap in pay, living conditions.

Posted: Thu, 28 Nov 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Furthermore, it’s important to consider that salaries on cruise ships are typically indexed to the cost of living on the ship itself. While the salary may seem modest compared to land-based positions, the fact that most onboard expenses are covered can contribute to a higher overall standard of living. It’s important to note that these factors vary from one cruise line to another and are subject to change. Now that we have explored the factors that can affect cruise members’ pay, let’s move on to understanding the average salary ranges of cruise ship employees.

Hotel

When I started working on cruise ships, we got paid in cash, which was not an ideal scenario. Walking around the ship with a stash of money made me feel richer but vulnerable at the same time. Walking around downtown Miami with an envelope full of cash was scary, to say the least. When working on a cruise ship one of the biggest perks is that you don’t have any fixed bills like you would have if you lived on land.

But we wanted to get the real scoop on what a cruise line pays its employees. For that, we turned to some recent financial statements from Carnival Corporation. Ultimately, the decision to work on a cruise ship should align with one’s personal goals, interests, and adaptability to the unique working environment it entails. Due to the demanding and important nature of their job, nurses have some of the higher salaries on the ship and can make around seventy-one thousand USD annually. They are also responsible for members of the crew, such as musicians and performers, youth staff, entertainment/stage staff, activities staff, or technicians for the sound and lighting. Cruise ship servers are in charge of many tables and guarantee prompt, top-notch customer service.

The beauty of working on a cruise ship is that your home is moving away with you. Your commute can be as short as a couple of minutes from your cabin to your workplace. Depending on the cruise liner, living expenses for cruise ship workers may be minimal or nearly non-existent. Any additional costs, such as laundry services, are usually quite nominal and crew members often have discounts.

Apart from their technical responsibilities, Chief Engineers need to have excellent communication skills to interact with other ship departments and outside vendors. They offer technical assistance and organize alterations and enhancements to the ship’s equipment. It’s critical to keep in mind that the yearly compensation figures do not account for the number of hours spent. One of the 74 recommendations of the Healthy Sail Panel is "Crew should be placed in single-occupancy crew cabins whenever possible to minimize extended periods of close contact with other crew members."

Working on cruise ships allows individuals an opportunity to gain experience in a multitude of industries and the ability to encounter diverse cultures. Living expenses are minimal, which allows many workers to save a high percentage of their income. This blend of financial savings, unique benefits, and the opportunity to travel the world makes working on a cruise ship an attractive option for those seeking an unconventional career path. However, potential employees should weigh these benefits against the unique challenges of this work environment, such as long hours, strict regulations, and limited personal space. Like every organization, the salary of cruise ship employees varies by position, experience, and skills. All in all, however, with an average salary of under $24,000, it’s clear that most cruise lines employees aren’t getting rich by American standards.

How Much Money Does a Cruise Ship Employee Make?

Table Of Content

• You Will Not Get Paid While on Vacation
• Must-Have Travel Accessories
• Salaries of Different Cruise Ship Employees
• Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
• How Many Hours a Day Do Cruise Ship Workers Work?

According to Business Insider, cruise ship employees typically make between $16,000 and $20,000 a year. Salary ranges for leadership roles can be significantly higher, ranging from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually. During free time, cruise ship workers can participate in various activities such as visiting ports, watching shows, using the gym, or relaxing by the pool. The recruitment process for cruise ship employees involves rigorous screening, background checks, and interviews.

You Will Not Get Paid While on Vacation

Why cruise-ship workers take brutal jobs, according to lawyers - Business Insider

Why cruise-ship workers take brutal jobs, according to lawyers.

Posted: Fri, 03 Apr 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

A former Carnival Cruise Line galley worker had the lowest monthly earnings, while a former Royal Caribbean International first officer had the highest. Some may need hundreds of staff in various departments, while others may have a more scaled-back crew. High-ranking employees like the captain and officers have solo accommodation and larger cabins. Safety is a paramount concern, and the Chief Engineer must know maritime safety laws and regulations, including fire prevention protocols. This role demands technical expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to manage a diverse team effectively in various situations, including emergencies. This role demands strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, as they manage a diverse staff across multiple departments and maintain high service standards.

Must-Have Travel Accessories

Crew and staff members can’t make use of room service, but are provided with three meals a day, as well as snacks and hot drinks in between. They can also make use of a drink allowance at the bar reserved for members of the crew. Crew members also often share cabins with one or two other employees, depending on their position. Higher-ranking staff members may have cabins to themselves and cabins with portholes. The maintenance, operation, and repair of the ship’s technical and mechanical systems are the responsibility of the engineering department.

Salaries of Different Cruise Ship Employees

It’s essential to weigh the rewards against the challenges and make an informed decision based on individual preferences. However, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges and drawbacks that come with working on a cruise ship. Long working hours, isolation, tight living quarters, and limited work-life balance can present real challenges for individuals in this industry. If you take advantage of the onboard activities offered for the crew they’ll be little to no money involved on your part. Most cruise ship employees live on the ship itself, in dedicated areas called the crew decks. Accommodation for crew members is free, and most crew ship employees live on the vessel for most of their contract duration.

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

The Hotel Manager plays a crucial role in shaping the passengers’ experience and maintaining the quality and success of the cruise services. They also play a crucial role in enhancing the guest experience by socializing and greeting passengers, attending to guest complaints, and ensuring high customer service. A captain’s multifaceted role demands strong communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm in emergencies, making it a challenging yet rewarding position​​​​. The average salary listed here includes everyone from the captain of the ship to the steward cleaning the room.

Average Salary of Cruise Ship Employees

The salary of a cruise ship captain can be affected by the size of the ship or the level of experience of its captain. Here are some of the most common cruise ship positions and their annual earnings. They are in charge of onboard sales, maintenance, and administrative duties in addition to responding to inquiries and grievances from visitors. The hotel manager is a key player in determining how guests are treated and in preserving the caliber and popularity of the cruise services.

Do cruise ship employees get free food?

Leadership positions can make substantially more with a yearly salary from $30,000 to over $100,000. These benefits can significantly enhance the overall value of their compensation package. In addition to spa services, cruise ships also offer a variety of onboard activities.

It should be noted that all salaries are according to the national average as listed on PayScale, and are recorded in USD. A cruise ship captain’s primary responsibility is navigating the ship, which involves plotting courses, interpreting weather patterns, and making crucial decisions about routes and speeds. The captain also ensures the ship’s maintenance and adherence to safety standards, including overseeing maintenance works and ensuring proper cargo stowage per maritime regulations​​​​. While compiling this post, we checked several sources, including Indeed, Payscale, ZipRecruiter, and Business Insider. We also spoke with 17 current and former cruise ship workers to get an idea of their salaries and what life is like working on a cruise ship.

Cruise ship contracts can last anywhere between 2 and 11 months, with most lasting 4 to 8 months, meaning that employees have the opportunity to earn a significant amount of money in a short amount of time. The salary and compensation of cruise ship employees can vary depending on various factors such as the job position, experience, and length of contract. While some jobs on a cruise ship may offer higher salaries than others, it’s important to consider the additional benefits and perks that come with working in the industry.

As the head of the entertainment department, the cruise director is responsible for organizing and overseeing all onboard activities and events. Entry-level kitchen positions usually have the lowest wages found on cruise ships. However, on the plus side, they have the highest opportunities for advancement. Furthermore, wages may be low in this area, but the tips and gratuities make up for 95% of the difference. This is the area of a cruise ship that specifically deals with passenger requests.

It is the responsibility of cruise ship nurses to respond to medical emergencies, treat illnesses and injuries, and provide medical care to the many crew members and passengers onboard the ship. For example, cruise ship chefs usually have several years of experience working in similar roles in luxury hotels, restaurants or other high-volume food service facilities. The executive chef on a cruise ship can make up to $6,500 per month, depending on the ship. However, cruise ship waiters may only make $1,200 per month for a junior position or $5,000 per month for the head waiter on an ultra-luxury cruise ship. Let me break down the different pay scales for various positions on a cruise ship.

These additional benefits and perks not only contribute to the overall value of the compensation package but also enhance the overall work-life experience for cruise ship employees. However, it’s essential to remember that working on a cruise ship also comes with its challenges and drawbacks. Working on a cruise ship can be a great way to save money while you’re traveling the world. Very few jobs we’ll pay you to travel and when they do it’s usually for a few days to a place that is not as exotic as cruise ships can take you.

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