Alaska is likely one of the world’s hottest cruise locations, and it is actually straightforward to see why. From its majestic glaciers — a lot of that are seen greatest from the ocean — to its historic frontier cities, nationwide parks, wildlife and out of doors actions, there actually is one thing for each sort of traveler.
Possibly you simply wish to catch the highlights on a seven-day cruise by way of the Inside Passage — or perhaps you are looking for extra in-depth cruise and land tour combos that take you to spectacular glaciers and nationwide parks. Both manner, Princess Cruises has you coated.
Princess, one of many longest-running firms in Alaska, has extra ships crusing from extra ports than simply about some other operator. The cruise line’s 50-plus years of working in Alaska translate into extra selections and perks for passengers, together with particular nationwide park entry and a broad array of “cruisetours.”
Extra ships from extra ports of name
With the October launch of its latest and most luxurious ship, Star Princess, Princess can have a complete of eight ships — ranging in dimension from 2,000 to 4,300 passengers — crusing in Alaska in 2026. Itineraries embrace round-trip sailings from handy West Coast ports like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver. It additionally affords extra choices from Seattle than most cruise strains (together with weekend departures), and even one-way cruises between Anchorage and Vancouver.
The number of ships means extra various worth factors and cabin choices. You’ll be able to select from price range and solo-friendly inside cabins to a spread of balcony cabins and, lastly, its famed Sanctuary luxurious suites — which embrace perks like limitless drinks and health courses, precedence eating reservations, a non-public adults-only pool, and unique entry to the Sanctuary Restaurant, Signature Suite Lounge and Sanctuary Membership.
However Princess actually stands out within the breadth of its itineraries and entry. The corporate affords greater than 15 crusing choices starting from seven to twenty nights, and “cruisetours” that go to as much as 5 nationwide parks.
Amongst its shorter seven-day sailings are Inside Passage cruises that cease at Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau with scenic crusing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. In order for you extra glacier time, the road’s one-way journeys between Anchorage and Vancouver additionally cease at Sitka and Icy Strait Level and embrace scenic sailings in Glacier Bay Nationwide Park.
The road affords a bunch of longer itineraries on its cruisetours and sailings lasting as much as 20 days.
Particular entry to Glacier Bay Nationwide Park
Few locations outdoors the polar areas let vacationers get so near dwelling ice as Glacier Bay Nationwide Park. Spanning about 3.3 million acres and containing over 1,000 glaciers, this protected wilderness kinds one of the crucial spectacular stretches of Alaska’s Inside Passage. However not all of the ships crusing in Alaska can enter the park. To guard this pristine bay and its plentiful wildlife and ecosystems, the Nationwide Park Service restricts entry to 2 ships a day — and people with the longest historical past within the state get precedence within the allowing course of.
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That is why Princess can supply extra sailings within the bay than most different cruise strains. And whereas virtually any cruise to Alaska contains at the very least one glacier viewing someplace alongside its route, nothing compares to the daylong sailings by way of the famed Glacier Bay.
The ships spend 9 to 10 hours coasting by way of the waters, permitting passengers ample time to soak up the surroundings from all angles whereas anticipating bears, whales, harbor porpoises, uncommon birds, sea lions and otters. And naturally, vacationers can see the ice calving from the dynamic tidewater glaciers.
In the course of the daylong glacier viewing, NPS rangers come on board to relate highlights of the crusing and host particular displays and Junior Ranger actions for youths.
“Cruisetours” present an in-depth expertise
Along with its quite a few ships, Princess has 5 upscale lodges that take you deeper into Alaska’s wilderness. Since Princess operates each the land and cruise parts, transfers are seamless and embrace choices for coach journeys and glass-domed trains.
Throughout a cruisetour, you possibly can stand up shut and private with Denali, fly fish within the Kenai River, take a canine sled journey, go flightseeing or take within the mountain views and search for wildlife from the luxurious consolation of your resort. Princess affords some 30 cruisetours that mix a seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruise with a three- to eight-night land tour together with stays in a number of of the Princess lodges.
Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
This 85-room property opened in 2002 however is the most recent Princess lodge. It sits close to the city of Glennallen, which is dwelling to loads of tour operators and outfitters, and acts as one of many gateways to Wrangell-St. Elias Park and Protect — the nation’s largest nationwide park. The encompassing nature means company can take pleasure in views of Mount Wrangell, Mount Drum and Mount Blackburn from the lodge’s grounds. Those that wish to get nearer to this nature can e book further excursions by way of the property, equivalent to salmon fishing, glacier cruising in Prince William Sound, river rafting and coastal kayaking. The lodge additionally affords a number of eating venues, a present store and kid-friendly actions on-site.
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
The most important of Princess’ Alaska wilderness lodges, this 666-room property affords lots in the best way of facilities. There are a number of eating choices, whether or not you are in search of a sit-down meal or a fast chew. There’s additionally a close-by present store village the place you should purchase any provides you will have forgotten. The lodge is only a mile from the doorway of Denali Nationwide Park, making it the right jumping-off level for climbing, fly fishing, river rafting, zipling or different nature excursions.
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
This 86-room property is situated alongside the Kenai River in Cooper Touchdown and affords scenic views of each river and mountains. Generally known as a sportsman’s paradise, the Kenai Peninsula is a superb jumping-off level for nature hikes, sportfishing, river rafting, horseback using and sightseeing day cruises to Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park. Vacationers desirous about seeing some museums, meals and wildlife also can e book a day journey to Seward by way of the property. Again on the lodge, company have entry to a restaurant and lounge, a normal retailer and wood-burning stoves to make the keep further cozy.
Mount McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge
At this Princess lodge, company can take pleasure in resort conveniences within the wilderness. The property’s grounds span 146 acres inside Denali State Park and are bordered by the Chulitna River. It additionally affords a number of the most majestic views of Denali (also called Mount McKinley) that you’ll find. The 460-room lodge options an expansive “Nice Room” with a stone fire, floor-to-ceiling home windows overlooking the Alaska Vary and a large out of doors deck. Actions within the surrounding space embrace a float down the Talkeetna River, a horse-drawn wagon journey, river rafting, kayak excursions and naturally, loads of climbing.
Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
Get a style of city dwelling in Alaska at this up to date resort in Alaska’s second-largest metropolis, Fairbanks. The 328-room lodge is near each the airport and the downtown sights, making it handy for vacationers. Visitors can eat and drink whereas admiring views of the neighboring Chena River and even e book a cruise down the river on a sternwheeler riverboat. Different actions embrace panning for gold at Gold Dredge 8, using ATVs by way of surrounding forests beneath the midnight solar and taking excursions of city.
