The third largest cruise line in the world, Princess Cruises has a 17-ship fleet and more than 150 unique itineraries across the globe. Princess has been a leader in Gulf of Alaska cruising for many years, and has a strong presence in the region, with numerous sailings throughout the summer months. Discover the natural beauty of Alaska with Princess Cruises, visiting national parks, observing wildlife roaming freely, and learning more about the local customs and traditions of Alaska.
Princess Cruises sails to Alaska from April to September, leaving from Vancouver, Seattle, Anchorage, or San Francisco. Travelers visit ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, Haines, and the Tracy Arm Fjord, cruising by stunning glaciers and catching glimpses of wildlife along the way. As with any Princess Cruise, you'll "Come Back New," refreshed and invigorated from time spent playing, relaxing and exploring aboard their premium cruise ships.
Princess' magnificently decorated ships have all the bells and whistles of a five-star hotel, with the added bonus of being able to bring you to each new destination in style. The cafes, restaurants, pool decks and even nightclubs are all whimsically decorated, with nods to the sea in many of the details. With between 2,200 and 3,000 passengers, these ships are quite large, but have plenty of public spaces and dining options to cater to all guests comfortably. Several Princess ships sail to Alaska, including the Coral Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, and Ruby Princess. On each ship you'll find a spa, wellness center, casino, library, theater, many dining venues and bars, and of course, spacious, comfortable accommodations.
A hallmark of the Princess experience is its attentive and friendly staff, who are experts in making guests feel at home while also creating an escape from the ordinary. Your stewards will know you by name, and be sure to keep you feeling pampered and comfortable throughout your journey.
Princess Cruises aims to provide the best in affordable luxury. As such, the line has one of the highest percentages of balcony cabins in the industry, available across almost all room categories. The most affordable rooms, Interior Staterooms, come with a comfortable queen bed (or two twin beds), a refrigerator, flat-screen TV, a spacious closet and desk, and a hair dryer. Beds are made up with 100% cotton, high-thread count linens, and showers are stocked with fine bath products. Oceanview, Mini-Suites, and Suites are also available, featuring these amenities plus many more, as well as more space and spectacular views of the sea. In suites, guests can enjoy floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, a complimentary mini-bar setup and free daily bottled water, and complimentary laundry and professional cleaning services.
Princess Cruises offers shore excursions designed to match every interest, activity level and taste. By booking with Princess, you'll be guaranteed an on-time return to the ship, and can feel safe knowing you're being led by reputable operators with local expertise on high quality excursions. Search for excursions based on categories such as sightseeing and city tours, nature and wildlife, activities and adventures, and special interest. Excursions are tagged with descriptors like "most popular," "off the beaten path," and "kid-friendly" to make decision-making even easier.
Some of the shore excursions Princess Cruises offers in Alaska include:
In addition to traditional cruises, Princess offers several cruise + land tour options for guests who want to spend more time in port. Combine a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with 3 to 8 nights touring Alaska on land. Spend time at the Denali and Glacier Bay national parks and enjoy Princess' exclusive domed-glass rail service and the comfort of Princess' Wilderness Lodges.
There's a reason Princess Cruises was voted "Best Cruises for Food Lovers" by Food & Wine Magazine, and it starts with menus in the main dining room designed by Princess chef and restaurateur Curtis Stone. His delicious "Crafted by Curtis" menus feature fresh seafood and simple ingredients that combine to create delicious meals inspired by Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Fresh King crab, local salmon, and popular dishes from local Alaskan restaurants are likely to be on the menu, as well as Seawitch craft beer brewed in partnership with the Denali Brewing company.
Throughout each vessel you'll find nothing but fresh, local cuisine. There are a number of dining options to suit every mood, including the Salty Dog Gastropub, created by Umami Burger chef Ernesto Uchimura. A 24-Hour International Cafe is the perfect spot to satisfy late-night cravings or grab a mid-day snack, and serves breakfast parfaits, paninis, soups and salads, tasty desserts and more.
Princess Cruise Ships also have steakhouses, 24-hour pizzerias, a burger and hot dog grill, and of course, 24-hour room service. Kids (and kids at heart) can enjoy complimentary chocolate and vanilla soft serve on deck, as well as for-purchase sundaes.
Anytime Dining, a Princess original, gives guests both the luxury of fine dining and the freedom to change group size and dining time night to night. Dine anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the main dining room, or choose the Traditional Dining option if you prefer a regular dinner seating every night, available at 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
Princess Cruises has partnered with master chocolatier Norman Love to bring decadent, hand-crafted treats onto Princess ships. Indulge in a chocolate spa treatment at the Lotus Spa, a premium chocolate and wine tasting at the Vines wine bar, or choose one of Love's artful treats in the main dining room and multiple specialty restaurants.
An All-Inclusive Beverage Package is available for less than $60 a day, and includes unlimited cocktails, wine, beer, bottled soda, teas, specialty coffee and more. On Alaskan cruises, there is a selection of Alaskan beers and vodkas onboard. Speaking of beverages, Princess coffee shops serve premium beans sourced in Italy, and baristas trained by the American Barista Coffee School. Of course, afternoon tea is a staple as well, and is served daily - enjoy tea sandwiches, cookies, scones, jams, and a wide selection of teas in the dining room.
While sailing to and through Alaska, you'll find plenty of onboard entertainment to keep you busy and inform you of what to expect in your next destination. Princess incorporates the local community into cruises in many exciting ways, like "Puppies in the Piazza," an Alaska-exclusive program that brings Skagway's adorable new sled dogs onboard. Dog handlers will explain what it's like to train these pups for dog mushing, while you snuggle with the puppies.
"Tales From the Deadliest Catch" is also a local highlight, with Captain David Lethin and his shipmates from the popular Discovery Channel TV show share stories about their adventures at sea. Other interactive experiences include an onboard presentation with a real-life lumberjack, who hosts an axe-throwing competition.
Beyond the Alaska-specific entertainment, Princess offers all the luxuries you'd expect from a premium ship: a spa, fitness center, library, card room, and casino. Complimentary gaming lessons are available for guests looking to sharpen their skills or learn a new game. If you're looking to be pampered, several treatments are available in the Lotus Spa, including facials, body wraps, massages and hot-aroma stone therapy. At the gym, work out on your own or take a group class, like Zumba, yoga or tai chi.
Enjoy live music, comedy shows and performances in the theater or out on deck, like storyteller and musician Steve Hites' "North to Alaska" show or an outdoor movie under the stars. Each night you'll find magicians, illusionists, string quartets and more performing onboard, and even Broadway-style production shows. One thing's for sure - you'll never be bored on a Princess Cruise to Alaska.
Princess Cruise Line warmly welcomes families onboard, and has a youth center and teen lounges designed to keep young cruisers happy and entertained while sailing. Activities like kids' yoga classes, rock band and Wii tournaments, and ship-wide scavenger hunts are planned especially for them. On Alaska cruises, kids and teens can engage in adventurous activities like panning for gold, the crab sort challenge, and the Jr. Ranger program as part of the Alaska Explorers Youth Program, created with the Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and the Discovery Channel.
Additional activities for younger kids (ages 3-12) include face-paint parties, science center classes, and junior chef at sea lessons in the galley. Book worms can join the Princess Cruises Book Club and connect with fellow guests, while athletic types with play on the basketball sports court, ping-pong tables, mini golf putting course and shuffleboards on deck. Late night group kid-sitting is offered from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for $5 per hour per child.
Princess has been ranked the Best Cruise Line for Teens by Fodor's, and has tons of activities planned specifically for older kids, including makeover nights, late-night movies, dinner parties, pool parties and more.
Travelers who have sailed on a Princess Cruise Ship are a member of the Princess Cruises Captain's Circle. Membership is automatic upon disembarkation of your first cruise, and rewards loyal cruisers who return for more cruises. Benefits include a complimentary subscription to the Princess Member's quarterly magazines, savings on select cruises, access to members-only onboard events, and access to the Referral Rewards and StandBy Programs. If you're a Captain's Circle member, let your Cruise Specialist know while booking your reservation so they can check for any potential discounts or complimentary upgrades.
Princess Cruise Lines continues to refine its onboard facilities to better accommodate guests with disabilities. Every Princess ship has wheelchair-accessible staterooms, though collapsible wheelchairs are advised, as door width can vary. Guests can pre-reserve a wheelchair or bring their own. Elevators are equipped with Braille call buttons, and include audible arrival sounds on most ships. For guests with hearing impairments, Princess provides ADA "all in one kits," which include telephone amplifiers, visual smoke detectors, door knocker sensors, text telephones and more. These can be used onboard and at Princess Wilderness Lodges. Princess recommends speaking with your Cruise Specialist about any special needs as early as possible to ensure preparations are made prior to embarkation.