As appealing and bucket-listy as Alaska is, the Great Land can be a conundrum to adventurous travelers. Where do you start? Should you go inland or sail the coast? Where will you see the most wildlife, or get up close to a glacier?
Enter Princess Cruises. They’ve been cruising Alaska for more than 50 years and their expertise shows. They’ve dialed in the where, what, when, and how, and, of course, the why one shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to see the northernmost state in all its glory.
From gargantuan glaciers to breaching whales, from the rugged coastline to the pristine interior, this is who you want at the helm when you’re venturing north. Here’s why.
1. Princess Knows Alaska.
With decades of experience sailing up north, Princess is a leader when it comes to Alaska cruises and cruisetours (more on that in a minute). As a cruise and tour pioneer, they’ve honed in on the best ways to access the state’s natural wonders with a seamless land and sea vacation.
2. You Can Get Land & Sea in One Vacation.
If you’re seeking a totally immersive, all-in-one Alaska experience, the cruisetour is the way to go. Princess has combined its 7-day Voyages of the Glaciers Cruise with an epic overland experience that includes a stay in a wilderness lodge near a national park and travel aboard their glass-domed wilderness train.
3. You Get More Glacier Bay and Denali National Park.
These are the goods, what you came to Alaska for. And only Princess includes both Glacier Bay and Denali National Park on every cruisetour they sell. You’ll spend a full day cruising the cathedral-sized glaciers of Glacier Bay, and spend three or more nights in the Denali National Park area.
4. But, Wait, There’s More!
Not only will you sail Glacier Bay and visit Denali National Park, your Voyage of the Glaciers cruise will voyage 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound. Over the course of a week, you’ll stop in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and more.
5. You’ll Stay in Comfort in the Wilderness.
Outside, it may be rugged and perhaps a smidge chilly, but you’ll be warm and cozy in Princess’ riverside lodges. They have five of these outposts, in some of the state’s prime wilderness areas: Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.
6. You’ll Ride the Rails in Style.
Go straight from your cruise ship pier to a Princess wilderness lodge in the same day via Princess’ Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska Rail Service. Glass-domed railcars ensure you won’t miss a thing as you’re whisked through the great outdoors to your next stop. It’s a faster, easier, more impressive way to get to the Alaska interior - far more seamless than if you tried to do both land and sea on your own.
7. The Balcony Rooms Are Affordable (and We Recommend Them!).
You came to Alaska for the views - the glaciers, the mountains, the wildlife. Princess understands this and has priced their balcony staterooms at a more affordable price point than other cruise lines, and offers them in standard staterooms, not just suites and minisuites. Not only that, but they have more balconies available than any other cruise line in the region.
8. You Can Learn as You Go.
Your Alaska cruisetour is complemented by special onboard programs, including cultural offerings in each port of call, unique partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, and a lineup of interesting of entertainers, historians, and naturalists who will frame your time in Alaska from a cultural, historical, and local perspective. You’ll usually get a special presentation from a U.S. Forest Service ranger in Ketchikan, a talk by Iditarod winner Libby Riddles, Junior Rangers for your young sailors, and informative ranger chats in Glacier Bay.
Here’s the thing: If you’ve longed to go to Alaska, you likely want to see all of it. And with a destination that big, and so largely remote, that can be a tall order. So why settle for just one side of the Great Land? With a Princess Cruisetour, you’ll see all the wonders of the state…- the glaciers, the quaint seaports, the sealife and wildlife, Mt. McKinley … it’s a full Alaska experience and it’s a Princess specialty. Find a travel advisor to learn more.
Which Cruisetour Is Right for You?
Denali Explorer
10-13 Nights
- Most popular
- 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise
- 3-6 nights on land
- Exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska rail service
- Stay in the Denali area
- Natural History Tour into Denali National Park
- Fairbanks or Anchorage
- Select sightseeing included
Off the Beaten Path
13-15 Nights
- Go deeper into Alaska
- Kenai and/or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- Unique national parks
- 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise
- 6-8 nights on land
- Princess Alaska rail service
- Stay in the Denali area
- Natural History Tour into Denali National Park
- Fairbanks and/or Anchorage
- Select sightseeing included
Connoisseur
12-17 Nights
- Highest level of service
- Escorted by a Tour Director
- 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise
- 5-10 nights on land
- Princess Alaska rail service
- Kenai and/or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- Stay in the Denali area
- Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park
- Fairbanks or Anchorage
- Select sightseeing included
- Most meals included
On Your Own
10-11 Nights
- Most affordable option
- For independent travelers
- 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise
- 3-4 nights on land
- Princess Alaska rail service
- Stay in the Denali area
- Fairbanks or Anchorage
- No pre-scheduled activities
Take Advantage of Exclusive Virtuoso Amenities
Virtuoso guests will enjoy a complimentary specialty dinner for two when booked in a mini-suite or higher on voyages of 6 or more days.
