Alaska Cruise

[lilsaver]

I'm going on a cruise to Alaska, round trip from Seattle. Any travelers really into cruises? I'm looking for some tips on where I can save a bit here and there. I'm going on Princess, and found out today that they allow travelers to bring a limited amount of soda and wine on board.

[sisto]

I've only been on 1, but I would say book your own excursions if your are doing any. Also pack ziplock bags to take advantage of all that buffet food. You can basically get together enough food for lunch and if planned right eat breakfast and dinner on the ship.

[CheapScholar]

I cruise a lot.  Have cruised Alaska twice round trip from Seattle.  Both times on NCL, but I think pretty much same itinerary as you will have.  I’d say to people looking to save money cruising, you can save a LOT by booking off peak season or booking last minute.  What you do on the ship will only marginally save at best unless you have a gambling problem or book the most lavish excursions every port.

I’d suggest taking the tram up in Juneau and hiking around.  It costs some money (don’t buy from the cruise line) but I think it’s worth it.  If you’re not into hiking, the capitol tour is actually kind of interesting and free.

The white pass train ride in Skagway is definitely worth the price IMO but not cheap.  If you’re traveling all that way and spending money on the cruise you owe it to yourself to go the extra mile and do something like the train ride.  Just my opinion, but you really need to book some kind of excursion for Skagway.  It’s a very small town and there’s not enough to do in them to fill an entire day.

Ketchikan is pretty cool.  You don’t need to spend any money to walk around and have a nice time there.

Not sure if you’re going to Victoria, CAN but it’s just amazing. 

You’ll pay through the nose if you drink on a cruise ship.  My advice, abstain from alcohol and soda as much as you can.  If that's not appealing consider the beverage package I guess.

Enjoy!  Truly the trip of a lifetime!

[IslandFiGirl]

Check out cruisecritic.com lots of great advice there on the message boards.

[Chris Pascale]

Please post about your experience when you return. I've been wanting to do this trip - but from NY.

[soccerluvof4]

Yes please post a follow up as this is the only cruise I have thought about considering

[Kazyan]

I once went on a luxury cruise with my parents back during adolescence. Antimustachian as it sounds, that cruise is my happiest memory, and I'm simultaneously 1) eager to relive it and 2) afraid to go on another, because what if the next one is just-okay and it ruins the magic?

"Repositioning cruises" seem like a good way to take a cruise less expensively. I'm more into cruising because of the all-inclusive freedom-filled floating city of a ship rather than the destinations, after all.

[couponvan]

I just did the Alaska cruise on RCL, but it was expensive....Things you could do to save $

Bring your own wine- 2 bottles per cabin.
Bring bottled water - 12 pack per cabin.

This is a risk, BUT. No one was really checking our bags. We had 2 cabins, and brought a 24 pack o to one cabin.

They had iced tea and lemonade for dining free. The water in the ship is filtered. I probably could have not done the beverage package, but we were in a group that was doing it. If the adults get the bev package, the kids probably can do without.

The right side of the ship had better viewing of glaciers and scenery IMO.

I didn’t realize this, but because the extra packages are so expensive vs the base cost of the cruise, having a luxury cabin and a base cabin could actually save you $ vs one cabin where 4 people all have to upgrade. (Definitely would Break some ethical rules though if you used the drinks from one cabin for another cabin.)

My kids are under 21, so we got 2 cabins. We could have gotten away with just the adults on the beverage package vs buying the kids the soda package. Also, we normally don’t drink that much to make the beverage package with it. In hindsight, I wouldn’t buy it again.

[CheapScholar]

I once went on a luxury cruise with my parents back during adolescence. Antimustachian as it sounds, that cruise is my happiest memory, and I'm simultaneously 1) eager to relive it and 2) afraid to go on another, because what if the next one is just-okay and it ruins the magic?

"Repositioning cruises" seem like a good way to take a cruise less expensively. I'm more into cruising because of the all-inclusive freedom-filled floating city of a ship rather than the destinations, after all.

I agree, repositioning is by far the best value.  I haven’t done one yet because I have a young child in school and reposition cruises are pretty much always during the school year.  But yeah, it’s crazy to think how cheap they can be.  I’m looking forward to retirement and taking advantage.

I’d especially like to do a repositioning cruise from Seattle or Vancouver to California in the fall.

I’d also say that if you can’t book last minute, monitor the price of your cruise.  Every single time I’ve cruised NCL I’ve “rebooked” and upgraded my cabin about a week or two before the final payment is due.  I typically book an interior room and then upgrade to a balcony and still pay less than the original interior price.

[FindingFI]

Went on a cruise with Celebrity several years ago and learned from a fellow passenger while on board that if we ordered a bottle of wine with dinner and didn't finish it, they would save is for us for the next night.  Saved a decent amount over ordering by the glass.  We also brought the maximum allowed per room or passenger (can't recall the exact policy) for consumption in our cabin. We didn't drink enough to bother with the drink packages.

[Noodle]

This won't help now, but when my family did an NCL Alaska Cruise, they were running a deal where you got a free "perk" or two with your room when booking. (They had a menu with about five options to choose from, and the more expensive your room, the more perks you got.) One of the perks was a free alcohol package for one person. I think the catch was something along the lines that everyone from the same cabin had to have the same beverage option, so in most cases it was the equivalent of two people having a BOGO deal. But since I had my own cabin, I just got the free option! (I did have to pay a per-day tip amount, which was fine with me. It was still way cheaper than buying by the glass, and it was wonderful to just decide at 3 in the afternoon that I wanted a cocktail.)

Agree that Ketchikan was very walkable, and I was happy to have a little time on my own after a week of organized activities and crowds. In Victoria, we were really only there long enough to leave the ship and walk to a little outdoor market-type area to get dinner. Everyone in the family had been to Victoria before (we're from the PNW) so we didn't feel the need to be touristy, plus everything was closed when we got there (evening stop).

[exterous]

We've only done a couple of Royal Caribbean cruises and one Carnival cruise out of Puerto Rico but none of the cruises really did anything to enforce the 2 wine bottle limit. Do with that what you will. We did an RC Alaska cruise out of Vancouver and loved it. As a general note we rarely book a ship offered excursion and have never had an issue. The cruise line says you might get stuck with a 3rd party option but my opinion is that any reputable excursion knows where it makes its money and won't screw with passengers. And you get way better and cheaper options.

I'd also pay attention to what side of the ship you're booking cabins on. For our Alaskan cruise 90% of the time the starboard side had much better views (direction of cruise depending of course).

If you're considering the restaurant package the price was much cheaper on day 2. YMMV based on how many people are buying them. It's anti-mustachian but we enjoy these. Better food and FAR fewer crowds. You can still order as much as want. Can't decide between the starters? Order two! (YMMV based on cruise line)

Arrival time in Port is often the latest generally thought of time of arrival. We've been at ports as early as 1.5 hours before. No general announcements were made but we were up already, saw we were in Port and got out before the mobs.

Eat at less traditional times to avoid the crowds.

Consider going back to the ship for lunch depending on distance.

Some ports are walkable to local sights for free. Some are not

Some ships have the 'paid' restaurants open for free for breakfast or lunch. Often the crowds for these are minimal and they can have better options.

Hope you have a great trip!

[bmjohnson35]

We have been on MANY cruises, including one Alaskan.  The costs in Alaska are higher than usual.  If you want to keep costs down, try to eat on board ship.  Of course, you should try to get some local food while there.  I had a really good Reindeer Dog at one stop and some Russian dumplings in a small little place at another. I often try to check out local food that is not available where we live. 

Ketchikan - If it's available on tap, try the local beer known as Ice Axe or something like that.  I believe we found it in a very small pub in the back of the general store.

Bring rain gear or multi-weather gear.  Even if you bring some Ponchos, it would be better than nothing.  Dress in layers and once again, be ready for some rain.

Enjoy,
Bernie




 

[EngagedToFIRE]

Please post about your experience when you return. I've been wanting to do this trip - but from NY.

That would be one hell of an Alaskan cruise!

[EngagedToFIRE]

I cruise a ton. As another pointed out, the way you save is on the fare itself.  Off-season.  Also consider an inside room instead of a balcony.  There is loads of places to sit outside of your room and you'll want to be out of your room most of the time anyways.

NCL, if priced similarly, generally includes the drink package in the fare which could be a huge bonus.  But they are normally more expensive.  Worth comparing though as sometimes it does work out in your favor.

You can go on a ship and spend nothing.  You don't need to buy drinks or pictures or food or anything at all.  So it's really up to you how you want to enjoy the vacation and how much you want to spend for extras.  You are mustachian, you'll be fine I'm sure.

[pachnik]

You can go on a ship and spend nothing.  You don't need to buy drinks or pictures or food or anything at all.  So it's really up to you how you want to enjoy the vacation and how much you want to spend for extras.  You are mustachian, you'll be fine I'm sure.

My husband and I went on a cruise to Alaska two years ago from Vancouver where we live. 

EngagedtoFIRE has a very good point.  You don't have to spend once you are on the ship.  We didn't get any kind of drinks packages or eat in any of the restaurants that cost extra on board.  We did pay for one of Celebrity's excursions which I thought was good value and we really enjoyed it.   

Believe me, there are plenty of opportunities to spend $$$ but you don't have to do it.  Last year we took a Princess cruise to Hawaii and back and again no drinks packages.  We did try one of the extra charge restaurants and it was good.  But if we'd been on a tight budget we wouldn't have done it. 

[CheapScholar]

Oh, yeah, the pictures they try to sell you.  Uh.  As much as I love cruising, I do hate some of the sales gimmicks you encounter.  Pictures of yourself, jewelry and watches, shitty art.  I understand the cruise lines want to make some money but it makes it feel cheap.  Then there’s the casino.

I wish I had the cash to sail a Viking Ocean cruise.  I could avoid all of that garbage and plus no passengers under 18.  Maybe one day.

[lilsaver]

Thank you all for the feedback. For those interested in prices, here's how much it's costing so far:

7 day Alaska cruise, round-trip from Seattle in September
Cruise was $523 for an inside cabin, cruise fees $233, Flights $250 per person. I'm sure there are better prices, but we had to schedule within a certain time frame, no flexibility in work schedules.

All the ideas to save on costs are great, keep them coming! Appreciate all the advice.

[couponvan]

Make sure to arrive the day before the cruise just in case of travel delays.  My DH's flight was delayed and he was freaking out.  So was I since he had all of our passports.  Also, don't forget your passports! :-)

Hyatt has points hotels available for pretty reasonable redemptions IMO.  The Hyatt Place comes with breakfast and many of the rooms have a view of the Space Needle.  We stayed at Hyatt at Olive 8, and it was nice and centrally located.  I don't know if your cruise fees include tips, but that's about $15/day per person.

If RCL, some of the "paid" restaurants are only paid for certain items - like the ships n fish says it's paid, but regular fish and chips are free.  We ate there after stopping in Juneau and the fish was very good.  I was hopeful it was Alaskan fish, but probably not.  The pastry shop on board had some paid options, but other free ones.

Which cruise line are you on?  That might dictate what additional advice you get.

[CheapScholar]

Thank you all for the feedback. For those interested in prices, here's how much it's costing so far:

7 day Alaska cruise, round-trip from Seattle in September
Cruise was $523 for an inside cabin, cruise fees $233, Flights $250 per person. I'm sure there are better prices, but we had to schedule within a certain time frame, no flexibility in work schedules.

All the ideas to save on costs are great, keep them coming! Appreciate all the advice.

You got a really good rate.  Cruising Alaska in September should be great because the ship won’t be at max capacity with children.  I’ll echo what someone else said about interior/balcony.  You definitely don’t need a balcony to have a great trip.  Plenty of room on deck to enjoy the scenery, especially when the ship isn’t crowded.  That said, you always have the right to call the cruise line and ask about possible upgrades.  If you notice the public price for a balcony is starting to drop right now it never hurts to call and ask if they will give you that rate.  Worst they can say is no.

[TomSelleckJR]

September typically marks the end of cruising season in Alaska, and is also typically rainy, so go prepared for that.  As mentioned before, cruises make most of their money on the ancillaries (bar service, shore excursions, the on-board casino, on-board shopping, the upgraded restaurants, on-board coffee shops, the spa, etc) so avoid or minimize those areas.  The buffets are always free and some ships will often set up additional free food options on the top deck near the pool.  Be aware that you will likely have (depending upon your cruise package) some additional charges coming for gratuities for your cabin steward.  If craft beer is your thing, visit the Alaskan Brewery in Juneau.  We hit it as part of a city bicycle tour.  They were not stingy with the free samples.

Good luck.  I'm sure you'll have a great time.  Alaska is a special place for sure!

[lilsaver]

Make sure to arrive the day before the cruise just in case of travel delays.  My DH's flight was delayed and he was freaking out.  So was I since he had all of our passports.  Also, don't forget your passports! :-)

Hyatt has points hotels available for pretty reasonable redemptions IMO.  The Hyatt Place comes with breakfast and many of the rooms have a view of the Space Needle.  We stayed at Hyatt at Olive 8, and it was nice and centrally located.  I don't know if your cruise fees include tips, but that's about $15/day per person.

If RCL, some of the "paid" restaurants are only paid for certain items - like the ships n fish says it's paid, but regular fish and chips are free.  We ate there after stopping in Juneau and the fish was very good.  I was hopeful it was Alaskan fish, but probably not.  The pastry shop on board had some paid options, but other free ones.

Which cruise line are you on?  That might dictate what additional advice you get.

We're going on Princess Cruises

[h82goslw]

Please post about your experience when you return. I've been wanting to do this trip - but from NY.

That would be one hell of an Alaskan cruise!

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed that post

[SugarMountain]

1) If you do drink a fair amount, get the beverage package.  I think the break even is like 2 to 3 drinks per day (and includes things like lattes and other espresso drinks).  We got some deal where we got it "free" by booking early.  You can bring 2 bottles of wine per room, at least on Royal Caribbean.
2) Check the heck out of your onboard bill.  In our party of 6 staterooms, I think all of us had at least one error. (In our case, they tried to claim that Maker's Mark was included in the beverage package.) 
3) Book your own excursions.  We did our own in Skagway (a raft trip in Haines), Ketchikan (kyaking and a flight over the fjords), and Juneau (hiking trip over looking Mendenhall glacier).  We also went horseback riding in Heeney just outside of Denali.  None of them were cheap, but they were a fair amount cheaper than booking through the cruise.
4) Don't use onboard internet or telephone unless absolutely required.  It's ridiculously expensive (or was 3 years ago, maybe that's changed).  We did get cell coverage at each port and at a few spots along the way along the inside passage from Vancouver.

We had an outside berth with a balcony, which I thought was worth it, especially on the tour of Glacier National Park.  Get the right side if you have the option.

[SugarMountain]

Snorkeling in skagway was one of the best experiences of my life. Would  do it again in a minute. Dogsled racing was also really fun.

I think I could have stayed at least a few days there. The raft trip through the eagle preserve was incredible. I would have liked to do the train trip and I didn't even know about snorkeling. I also heard about an amazing hike from the town.

[pachnik]

The cruise we took a few years ago didn't stop in Skagway.  I'm pretty sure we'll do another Alaska cruise one day and it will have to have a stop there.  I would really like to take the train excursion. 

[Mike in NH]

My wife and I did our first cruise through NCL as part of our delayed honeymoon this year. Norwegian has a 'deal' where you can choose a certain amount of 'free' add ons based on your trip (airfare, upgraded dining, drinks, excursion credits, wifi).

-If you do drink, get the drink package.
-Don't pay for wireless, it's horrible onboard.
-Bring your own water bottles to fill up as needed.
-The free buffets and restaurants are ok. The upgraded dining was well worth it for us. 
-Although I wouldn't normally see the need to pay for a room with a balcony, on the Alaska trip, it was more than worth it due to the scenery.
-The train ride that others have referenced as a cruise excursion was nice, if you can make it work, the train ride from Anchorage to Seward/Kenai was one of the most amazing rides I have ever been on. There was no comparison between the two (photo attached).

We did a week on land in Anchorage, Denali, Kenai, then cruised one way from Seward down to Vancouver. If we hadn't spent the week on land doing our own thing, I don't know that we would have realized a difference. But after doing that, a few of the ports felt like they had either been created by the cruise lines, or like an Epcot Center version of Alaska. Which I guess is to be expected. The cruise was something we were a little apprehensive about since we generally like to go our own way and do our own thing, but we ended up loving it. Still, I have to say if you don't get out on land to do your own thing, you are missing out on what Alaska truly is.

Sidebar: the amount of jewelry shops in those cruise port towns is ridiculous.

Have a great trip!

[Fishindude]

Did the Alaska cruise thing last year with Princess.   First cruise we ever did, I'm not a big fan.
Felt like we were constantly being herded around like cattle going from one place to the next, waiting in lines, etc.    the ship pulls into one of those little towns like Ketchikan, population 8,000 and there are 2-3 other cruise ships there all unloading 2,000 passengers.   Little towns are tourist traps and the sidewalks are jammed.

If we do Alaska again, I'll just do my own thing, rent a vehicle and travel around, or stay at a nice lodge.   I've been to AK 6-7 other times on hunting and fishing trips and you really don't see wild Alaska on these cruises, you see tourist trap Alaska.

[skp]

Did the Alaska cruise thing last year with Princess.   First cruise we ever did, I'm not a big fan.
Felt like we were constantly being herded around like cattle going from one place to the next, waiting in lines, etc.    the ship pulls into one of those little towns like Ketchikan, population 8,000 and there are 2-3 other cruise ships there all unloading 2,000 passengers.   Little towns are tourist traps and the sidewalks are jammed.

If we do Alaska again, I'll just do my own thing, rent a vehicle and travel around, or stay at a nice lodge.   I've been to AK 6-7 other times on hunting and fishing trips and you really don't see wild Alaska on these cruises, you see tourist trap Alaska.

I agree.  My cruise was just OK.  I think I would have enjoyed Alaska more if we just drove there and did things on our own.  We did a Holland American cruise tour and enjoyed the Yukon. But Alaska just seemed so commercialized and touristy.  The best days were when we just rented a car and went hiking.  Denali was particularly disappointing.  We stayed in the village which reminded my of a bunch of hotels next to the freeway and took a school bus down the road to look at wildlife that looked like specks on the mountain. We didn't get to "experience" anyting. The only thing memorable in Denali was the wood fired pizza. 
I did the 7 day circle cruise of Hawaii with NCL and really enjoyed that. 

[tyrannostache]

Did the Alaska cruise thing last year with Princess.   First cruise we ever did, I'm not a big fan.
Felt like we were constantly being herded around like cattle going from one place to the next, waiting in lines, etc.    the ship pulls into one of those little towns like Ketchikan, population 8,000 and there are 2-3 other cruise ships there all unloading 2,000 passengers.   Little towns are tourist traps and the sidewalks are jammed.

If we do Alaska again, I'll just do my own thing, rent a vehicle and travel around, or stay at a nice lodge.   I've been to AK 6-7 other times on hunting and fishing trips and you really don't see wild Alaska on these cruises, you see tourist trap Alaska.

I agree.  My cruise was just OK.  I think I would have enjoyed Alaska more if we just drove there and did things on our own.  We did a Holland American cruise tour and enjoyed the Yukon. But Alaska just seemed so commercialized and touristy.  The best days were when we just rented a car and went hiking.  Denali was particularly disappointing.  We stayed in the village which reminded my of a bunch of hotels next to the freeway and took a school bus down the road to look at wildlife that looked like specks on the mountain. We didn't get to "experience" anyting. The only thing memorable in Denali was the wood fired pizza. 
I did the 7 day circle cruise of Hawaii with NCL and really enjoyed that. 

I'm with you two. My own experience of cruising in Alaska was similar. I felt like we were basically running ashore, trying to get as far from the ship as possible to get past the crowds at the Disneyland Port Shops, squeeze in a cool hike or excursion, and then running back to the ship. Not my thing. I really would have enjoyed going at my own speed, and there is just so much to explore that you don't have time to do when you're spending a day or less in each port.

I also think it's relevant to keep in mind that, despite doing a little bit of "greening" over the last few years, cruise ships are still serious polluters of the ocean and the air.

[SugarMountain]

Did the Alaska cruise thing last year with Princess.   First cruise we ever did, I'm not a big fan.
Felt like we were constantly being herded around like cattle going from one place to the next, waiting in lines, etc.    the ship pulls into one of those little towns like Ketchikan, population 8,000 and there are 2-3 other cruise ships there all unloading 2,000 passengers.   Little towns are tourist traps and the sidewalks are jammed.

If we do Alaska again, I'll just do my own thing, rent a vehicle and travel around, or stay at a nice lodge.   I've been to AK 6-7 other times on hunting and fishing trips and you really don't see wild Alaska on these cruises, you see tourist trap Alaska.

I agree.  My cruise was just OK.  I think I would have enjoyed Alaska more if we just drove there and did things on our own.  We did a Holland American cruise tour and enjoyed the Yukon. But Alaska just seemed so commercialized and touristy.  The best days were when we just rented a car and went hiking.  Denali was particularly disappointing.  We stayed in the village which reminded my of a bunch of hotels next to the freeway and took a school bus down the road to look at wildlife that looked like specks on the mountain. We didn't get to "experience" anyting. The only thing memorable in Denali was the wood fired pizza. 
I did the 7 day circle cruise of Hawaii with NCL and really enjoyed that.

I agree about the lodging outside of Denali. However, we got super lucky with our bus ride through the park.  We got close ups of moose, bear, and lynx, all of which we got within 20 feet of.  The lynx was the first one the driver had seen all season.  We also did a horseback riding trip outside of Healey that we organized on our own that was good and got us away from crowds. (It was a few miles from where the kid died in "Into the Wild", his entry point was basically Healey.)

That said, I would love to do more independent travel in Alaska and will at some point.

[lilsaver]

OP here. Sharing some details from the trip, for those who are considering an Alaskan Cruise.

We had an AMAZING time. We booked a 7 day Alaskan cruise, round-trip from Seattle in September. We booked about a month out. September and May are considered shoulder seasons, so there are sometimes deals here. We went with Princess Cruise. Cruise was $523 for an inside cabin, cruise fees $233, flights around $250 per person. We made all arrangements ourselves (no travel agent), booked the cruise and airfare direct through their websites. Note, there are MANY types of Alaskan cruises, and you might feel overwhelmed in planning (we sure did). We recommend choosing whichever fits your vacation schedule best.

The cruise costs covers your lodging and food (buffet, dining room, cafes, etc). It also includes coffee (not good), orange juice, lemonade, and tea at any of these locations. There are also for fee dining options available, like a fine steakhouse, gastropub, fancy coffee place, etc. On the 7 day cruise, there are two formal nights, if you want to eat in the main dining room, you have to dress up during this time (this is usually when they serve lobster, beef wellington). But if you don't want to dress up, you can go to the buffet or other cafe options. There are LOTS of options.

Cruise ports: started in Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, Victoria BC, back to Seattle.

Seattle - Tons to see there, and you can make a mini vacation before the cruise. We had already been there before, so we didn't. Major touristy areas are Pike Place, Space Needle, etc. We arrived the night before the cruise and stayed at a hotel in Seattle - be sure to book this early, as it can get a bit pricey.

Juneau - First timers should go see Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. You can book a tour bus, but it limits the time you are there, but some offer other attractions as part of the package. You can also rent your own car and explore. The downtown area has lots of souvenirs and jewelry shops. There's also Tracey's Crab Shack - a tourist favorite for super big crab legs.

Skagway - Take the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway - old fashion train ride. They have several train routes. We took the longest one that went to Lake Bennett Canada, and it was a BEAUTIFUL day trip. Definitely recommend. We booked through Chilkhoot Charters - half motor coach tour and half train ride. The tour guide was so funny and informative. It was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Glacier Bay National Park - The views are AMAZING, and you can spot some wildlife. You don't get off the ship. We lucked out with perfect weather. The national park rangers came aboard the ship, gave a presentation, and also answered your questions. We didn't have a balcony room, so we saw the glaciers from the public areas, and it was fantastic. We didn't miss a thing. It was crowded, but not overly bothersome.

Ketchikan - This is souvenir city. Get all of your gifts here. They have everything. The most popular shops were the canned salmon gift shops. There's also Creek Street and the Salmon Ladder to see.

Victoria - This was barely a stop. You get there around 7 pm and have to leave by around 11 pm. Enough time to to walk around downtown and get dinner.

If you're planning on a budget, be sure to account for these items in your budget:
-Cruise - (1) cruise price, (2) fees (port fees and taxes), and (3) gratuity. Cruises book per double occupancy, so if you're going alone, you have to double the room cost.
-Airfare, checked baggage fees
-Transportation (to and from airport, to cruise terminal, etc.)
-Hotel (arrive the night before), dinner, breakfast
-Excursions or activities at each port (also you'll be off the ship for the day, so you'll want to account for dining off the ship). Also, add $ if you're doing a mini vacation at the first/returning port city
-Additional cruise activities (for fee dining/coffee, photo souvenirs, fitness classes, drinks, spa)
-Trip supplies and clothing (cold weather clothing, etc)
-Souvenirs