Alaska Cruises 2023-2024 Cruise to Alaska Best Alaska Cruise

Table Of Content

• Exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska Rail Service
• or 11-day Alaska cruises
• National treasures
• Connoisseur

Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history. The nearby Spasski River Valley holds one of the world’s largest populations of brown bears, who are often found hunting for salmon in the rivers. Zipline over the wilderness, watch a tribal dance or kayak in coastal waters to see the wildlife up close during your Alaska cruise vacation. Don't just visit this famous land, live it on Alaska excursions.

Exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska Rail Service

Princess Unveils 2025 Alaska Season With Exclusive Cruises - Cruise Hive

Princess Unveils 2025 Alaska Season With Exclusive Cruises.

Posted: Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Like many cruise ships, the Royal Princess has a buffet that features Asian, Indian, American, and Latino cuisine, as well as breakfast items, fresh fruit, a pastry bar, and more. On the fifth floor in the central Vista, a small deli is open 24/7 for the late night/early morning crowd. So maybe you are craving a pepperoni pizza while you lounge in one of the many hot tubs on the 16th-floor deck. Maybe one night, all you dream of is a big juicy steak with a Maine lobster tail. Maybe you want a lot of choices from the all-day buffet. “You see pictures but to see it in person is just like, it’s hard to believe this is even real.

or 11-day Alaska cruises

Or choose a cruisetour which combines a 7-day cruise with scenic rail travel and overnight stays in our Princess wilderness lodges near Denali National Park. Every ship will feature our MedallionClass™ technology for a TrulyTouchless™ experience. It's no wonder why more guests choose Princess in Alaska than any other cruise line. Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise.

National treasures

We stopped at a way side station to stretch were we all took turns peeping thru a spotting scope a Dahl sheep on the side of a mountain and using the one toilet they had. Rounded us up again and off we went, galavanting thru the Alaskan tundra. We learned to sing the Alaskan state song, and about ten others,which was great because everything looked dead. At hour five we stopped at a grocery store in the middle of NO WHERE! Caribou jerky, dried beans, coffee (instant) they even had Tang!

We did the Off The Beaten Path tour instead - and paid for all our own meals and drinks, and it was "worth it" to do it that way. We had a guide with us all the way, great room locations, and way more variety for meals versus eating at the lodges with the same menus at all of them.. A sea day doesn’t have to mean a lazy day on an Alaska cruise. The information was broadcast across the ship and on individual stateroom TV’s, and we were given a schedule of when we would reach certain highlights (like the breathtaking Margerie Glacier). Between the weather and the dress code, the clothes you need for your land tour may be very different from the clothes you need on the ship. Being able to enjoy the Alaska landscape on a guided excursion is going to cost you.

With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise. When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park.

Connoisseur

7 Things I Loved, Plus 4 Things I Didn't During Princess's Alaska Cruisetour - TravelAwaits

7 Things I Loved, Plus 4 Things I Didn't During Princess's Alaska Cruisetour.

Posted: Sun, 02 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

McKinley Princess Lodge is an hour from anything (i.e. Talkeetna) and really is just a "holding area" to/from Denali. The only redeeming quality of the property is its view of Denali (the mountain), if it is even visible. We thought it was well worth the money when we did one of these in 2015 pre-cruise. The food in the lodges was excellent (frankly better than on the ships). We had premier hotel rooms in the lodges (in terms of views, quiet locations, etc.). We had all our dinner reservations at the lodges handled by our tour guide (who asked us ahead of time did we want to eat early, late, by ourselves or with others).

A sensory experience

Departure times are staggered and will be assigned in Denali. Every effort will be made to reserve your tour at the time requested, but please note that due to National Park Service bus limitations, you may be moved to a different time slot. Please check your welcome packet upon arrival to confirm the exact tour departure time. Please visit the Guest Service Desk for pricing information.

Prices Of Excursions

But, as there is a 70% chance you WON”T see the mountain on any given day, that’s fine. Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali.

I’m surprised the Captain Cook’s rooms have 2 full beds as it’s the most iconic hotel in town. The drop off point has a little store that is not connected to the visitor center store. Restrooms are just up the hill, and follow the signs to the visitor center store and visitor center itself. Watched one of the movies, got our NPS passport stamp. We arrived at the Princess Denali about 4pm, give or take a few minutes.

With riverside dining and frontier décor, the Fairbanks Lodge is the perfect excuse to extend your Alaska cruise vacation and dive deeper into your surroundings. Cruise down the Chena River on a sternwheeler riverboat, pan for gold at Gold Dredge 8 or ride ATVs through surrounding forests underneath the midnight sun. We ate and drank all we wanted at every stop and came in way cheaper than a connoisseur tour would have, or even just the add-on meal plan.. And our driver/guides were wonderful, enjoyed them very much. I would have not liked being tied to the resorts for all our meals - the repetition would have been too much. And there was wonderful interesting food at the various stops..

If you can afford the cost and time, you will not be sorry if you take the longest connoisseur tour offered. We've done two cruise tours to Alaska, both pre-cruise which I highly recommend. One tour was a Princess one, and the other was a private travel agency that runs escorted tours. We flew in to Fairbanks a day early each time, rented a car for the day and explored on our own. Ate dinner at the Turtle Club and the Pump House restaurants.

I may have started out slow and a bit hesitant, but by the end I was zooming through the backroads, hurtling myself into puddles, mud-splattered and smiling from ear to ear. One great thing about the Royal Princess is the ability to order coffee and breakfast the night before. Each day, you can fill out a form listing what items you’d like to order and what time they should be delivered, so that’s convenient. After relaxing, cruisers can head to The Enclave, a getaway of thermal suites and a hydro-therapy pool with a cascading rain shower and therapeutic air jets. Sweat out your worries at a Turkish-style steam bath, steam rooms, and dry saunas for purification and detoxification, then doze off on the heated stone beds or relaxing water beds. On the Royal Princess, the more than a dozen dining choices come in many different flavors, ranging from high-end steakhouse to Italian cuisine to sushi.

Alaska Land Tours are they worth the extra $$ Princess Cruises Cruise Critic Community

Table Of Content

• HOW TO BOOK
• Inside Passage Alaska Cruise
• Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska Rail Service
• Portage Glacier Cruises
• Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences
• Voyage of the Glaciers
• Off the Beaten Path (13-15 Nights)

Every Princess Alaska cruisetour takes you to Denali National Park so you can enjoy a land beloved by millions but only seen by the adventurous. This national park is a dream destination for any serious Alaska traveler. With some of the most stunning wilderness in existence and famous wildlife, it’s part of the definitive experience of traveling to the Great Land’s wild interior.

HOW TO BOOK

However, if you don’t get your first choice of excursion, that doesn’t mean your trip is ruined. Situated on the Kenai Peninsula overlooking the Kenai River, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® is surrounded by mountains, rivers and wilderness inviting you to explore. Adventure through Chugach National Forest, cruise past Kenai Fjords National Parks’ glaciers or fish along the Kenai River. Take in the sights of this natural masterpiece at a leisurely pace only on an Alaska cruisetour. An Alaska vacation is a must for the seasoned traveler. Where else can you see amazing wildlife like moose, bears, and eagles in a virtually pristine wilderness?

Inside Passage Alaska Cruise

Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled with the opportunities to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitats. This 13-night cruisetour also features a visit to Alaska’s premier Wildlife Conservation Center. We flew as a group from SeaTac to Anchorage where a new touring coach and guide met us. All our baggage was handled and off we went for an sunset site seeing  around town and arrived at Anchorage Marriott. We went to our room to find our bags already delivered. Cleaned up a little, a clothes change and went down stairs to dine ( first time I tried Elk) my wife had fresh salmon.

Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska Rail Service

With our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Alaska rail service, comfortably travel from ship to train and then directly to one of our Princess Wilderness Lodges® in the Denali area. Most cruisetours includes this effortless and scenic rail transportation along the original route of the Alaska railroad. Second, land tour itineraries tend to be very packed and adventurous — with early wake-up calls, back-to-back activities, and luggage logistics to consider.

Portage Glacier Cruises

Our package was handed to us when we got on the bus, so we had our room assignments and keys in hand. The previous occupant’s luggage was still in our room, so we just set it outside. Checked luggage had to be out by 0700 next am for transfer. Explore Great Land with Princess exclusive rail service. From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise. Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique.

If you’d rather explore the different ports on your own, you can do that too. Another pampering experience is Royal Princess’ The Sanctuary, an adult-only retreat on the top deck with private cabanas, food and drink, and al fresco massages. The “Serenity Stewards” are quietly efficient in delivering everything you need, from fresh mimosas to towels. These lodges are situated riverside near the legendary Denali National Park and Preserve, on the stunningly beautiful Kenai Peninsula, and in Fairbanks. As if to answer me, the telltale poof of water shot out of the sea, followed by the dark, subtle hump of the whale as he followed alongside our massive 1,083-foot long ship. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below.

Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences

I stood on the pool deck of Majestic Princess after boarding the ship for the first time, taking in the snow-covered mountains all around me. They were gorgeous, but they weren’t the first I’d seen that week — or even that day. Like so many other destinations, Alaska has a worker shortage. That desperate need for seasonal and long-term employees has led to some staffing issues at some of the lodges. After days of hiking, exploring Alaska’s small communities, whale watching, dancing all night, and maybe having one too many cocktails, it’s nice to be pampered.

Depending on your route, choose from breakfast, lunch or dinner. If a drink is all you’re after, relax in your seat and enjoy our beverage service. With food always nearby, fill up on delicious fare and the Great Land’s beauty that surrounds you. But while it’s important to book experiences (it’s why you’re in Alaska, after all), it’s also important to leave yourself a little leeway. Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains.

Off the Beaten Path (13-15 Nights)

From top-rated cruises that visit Glacier Bay National Park to scenic rail travel and exclusive Princess lodges, you will find a seamless Alaska experience with Princess. Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive.

Princess Cruises Unveils 2025 Alaska Season - Travel Agent Central

Princess Cruises Unveils 2025 Alaska Season.

Posted: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Already that morning I had woken up to the mountains and turquoise waters of the Kenai Peninsula, visited a glacier, and spotted a teeny tiny iceberg floating in the depths. That week I had counted moose, watched a grizzly bear saunter down a snowy road in Denali National Park, traversed the rivers near Fairbanks, and raced four wheeled ATV’s through muddy back roads. With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent.

On an Alaska cruise, take your pick of attractions in the port of Sitka. See how bald eagles and local bird populations receive first-class treatment at the Alaska Raptor Center. Encounter wildlife in their natural habitat at the Fortress of the Bear. Or experience the culture of Russian Alaska on a visit to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, and relive Native history at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

The first doesn’t come with meals and other extras — and those can quickly add up — so it’s a good idea to be prepared. Of course, it’s important to read the description and its rating (easy, moderate, or strenuous) and only sign up for an excursion you feel confident you can do. But if there’s ever a time to challenge yourself, this is it. Unfortunately a trip to Alaska is not the time to pack light. It’s important to pack everything from a warm jacket and light sweaters to a T-shirt and shorts.

Land Excursions cancelled prior to the cancellation deadline will be refunded to the credit card that you provided in the Cruise Personalizer to purchase your tours. Excursions cancelled within three (3) days prior travel are subject to a 100% cancellation fee, unless the operator, at their sole discretion, is unable to operate the program due to unforeseen circumstances. All sales of tours booked while on your land tour are considered final at the time of purchase and are 100% non-refundable except in the case of an operator approved cancellation. Most Alaska cruises start or end in Vancouver, and it’s definitely worth adding on some time in the British Columbia city. The Royal Princess Alaska Cruisetours are a combo land and sea experience. We have a 50-year legacy of sharing the best places and experiences with our guests.

On an Alaska cruisetour, encounter wildlife in their natural habitats and experience their unique personalities for yourself. Embark on an unforgettable Alaska cruisetour to the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge®, where you can take in the beauty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States. Snow-covered mountains dominate the skyline while rivers feed the earth below. Explore your surroundings on a Copper River rafting trip, or fish for Alaska salmon in the mesmerizing waters.

7 top tips for sailing the Alaskan Inside Passage - Escape

7 top tips for sailing the Alaskan Inside Passage.

Posted: Fri, 11 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The MedallionClass ships use touchless technologies in the form of a small, quarter-sized customizable Medallion and an app to enhance and personalize individual experiences and health protocols. Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience. The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface.