Helicopter & floatplane flightseeing: ship vs independent, port by port
Carnival charges a median $435 and NCL charges a median $599 per adult for flightseeing excursions, against $608 per person for independent versions (8 ports, November 2026). Booking independently is cheaper in 67% of the 3 ports with both prices.
Helicopter & floatplane flightseeing in 8 cruise ports, with the cruise line's own price next to the median of the top independent tours of the same type. Booking independently was cheaper in 67% of the 3 ports where we have both prices.
| Port | Carnival | NCL | Independent | Best saving for 4 | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReykjavikEurope | – | $956 | $608 | $1,393 | 4/5 |
| Maui (Kahului)Hawaii | – | $592 | $459 | $530 | 4/5 |
| JuneauAlaska | $526 | $483 | $769 | −$972 | 2/5 |
| CozumelWestern Caribbean | – | $1,380 | – | – | 4/5 |
| Grand CaymanWestern Caribbean | $145 | – | – | – | 3/5 |
| Catalina IslandMexican Riviera | $280 | – | – | – | 3/5 |
| KetchikanAlaska | $435 | $493 | – | – | 2/5 |
| SkagwayAlaska | $593 | $606 | – | – | 4/5 |
Ship prices: median adult "starting at" price of that line's excursions of this type (NCL converted from euros). Independent: median per-person price of the top GetYourGuide matches. Methodology.
Helicopter, glacier-landing and floatplane prices depend mostly on flight time. Compare minutes in the air.
Questions
How much does a flightseeing excursion cost on a cruise?
Across the ports we track, the median ship price for this tour type is Carnival $435, NCL $599 per adult. Independent versions have a median of $608 per person.
Is it cheaper to book flightseeing tours independently?
In 67% of the 3 ports where we have both prices, the independent version is cheaper. The ship was cheaper in Juneau.
Is it safe to book a flightseeing excursion on your own?
It depends on the port. 4 of 8 ports score 4 or 5 out of 5 for this tour type; tender ports and long transfers score lower. Always finish at least an hour before all-aboard.
Other tour types
Dolphin & marine encounter Submarine / glass-bottom Scuba / helmet dive Whale watching Dog sledding Fishing Party / sunset cruise Catamaran / sail & snorkel Kayak / paddle Zipline ATV / buggy / jeep Snorkel tour Ruins / history Food & tasting Beach break / beach club Nature / waterfall / park City / island tour