The Costs of Cruising Alaska – July 2017

We arrived in Ketchikan on July 5, and did our first provisioning of the month here.  So, we have an entire month of data showing the costs of cruising Southeast Alaska. 

In general, grocery costs in Alaska have been quite high, and the farther north into the state we travelled, the costs only increased.  For example, a two-week provision in Campbell River, BC in June cost $141 (with another $102 at the liquor store).  In Petersburg, Alaska in July, we did a similar provisioning trip, but we didn’t purchase any meat (or alcohol), because our fishing activities kept us fully stocked with salmon, halibut, and rockfish.  That grocery trip cost us $333.  Costs were no better in Ketchikan, where the comparable provisioning trip (which included some, but not much meat) cost $338.

Fuel is only slightly more expensive than in Seattle.  But, because the wind rarely cooperated, we found ourselves motoring 95% of the time, so fuel was an important provision.  We also used our diesel-boiler heater nearly half the nights, which used additional fuel.

You’ll see additional notes on our spending below.  In short, you can definitely reduce the below budget for your cruise in Southeast Alaska, and although groceries and the fishing license are expensive, the lack of ports can make Southeast Alaska a relatively affordable cruising grounds.