If using FF miles- you may already be limited on availability. I would verify what is still available. Alaska cruises have been in oversupply with excellent late booking deals in the past. If you are flexable- I would book a 10 day spead of time for a round trip cruise and late book. If going one way 16- 18 day spread to allow for interior touring. I never book more than 90 days ahead with 60 my usual. I haven't paid over $500 inside pp since 1999, going yearly. Post also on www.cruisemates.com bargain finder board and cruise bazzare. Look at several online agencies and compare.

thanks! unfornately i only have about a 10 day window and was leaning toward the Gulf cruise.
if i rolled the dice and booked air for a "particular" cruise and waited to book would i at least be able to get it cheaper or the same price that it is now?

No guarantees on prices or availability. What dates are you looking at?? I don't recommend any one ways without at least 5 additional days for interior touring. My opinion only. 3 days is just not enough time to do much or get very far. I would say if you are NOT flexable on ships then book your choice now with an agency that has low cancelation fees/or none. Keep track of trends yourself and be especially agressive a couple weeks before final payment. Princess especially- often offers great deals. But you will pay rock bottom by being willing to accept any ship sailing within your time frame, for me all I sail Alaska for is outside the ship so this works perfectly for me. As mentioned- look at the cruisemates site and see what agents come back with on your dates.

I booked the end of April this past year for an end of May cruise. The cruise was one way from Seward to Vancouver and I paid $399 pp. A lot of the May/early June cruises this year went for $399-$499 at the last minute.

thanks for all the help. the only problem with waiting for a one-way is FF miles would be tough to get at that time unless i roll the dice and pick a ship and just hope the prices drop.

I recommend- get your air for a 10 day trip- there are PLENTY of one way cruises and then be flexable on the ship choice. With your extra days add some touring of Vancouver or Anchorage. May is a poor time for one ways if interior travel is a priority, and significant deals have been available in the past- Denali park roads not fully open. I never recommend a trip there until AFTER June 1- when the Eielson shuttle starts (my min. distance in ).

ok so are the late booking discounts usually on the one-way itineraries?