When you think of cruising, most people picture a sunny destination; someplace with tropical beaches, palm trees, and those adorable fruity drinks in hand. For some, though, the ideal cruise destination is someplace further north: Alaska. While the cooler weather might put a damper on your beach and poolside plans, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of soaring mountains and glaciers.
Princess Cruise Line offers a luxury selection of cabins with prices that range from $500 to $2500. Indulge in a balcony cabin (it’s totally worth it), which starts around $1400 for a 7-night cruise. If you book a cruise for early June, not only will you avoid the crowds; you’ll also get numerous opportunities to participate in outdoor activities, on and off the ship. An Alaskan Princess Cruise offers the type of experiences that will satisfy all kinds of travelers.
Princess Cruise offers three Alaskan packages (round trip,
one-way, and cruise and land tour combination) that include these major Alaskan
ports of call.
Skagway
Skagway Town ProperThe first stop on your Alaskan Princess Cruise is Skagway. Skagway is a small town most known for its participation in the Klondike Gold Rush. One offshore excursion worth doing is the White Pass train ride that follows the route of the gold rush. The ride offers beautiful views of the countryside and gives travelers the opportunity to relive Alaska’s “last grand adventure.”
The train’s final destination is Bennet Station. Travelers can visit an historic museum that pays tribute to the area’s gold rush past. Princess Cruises gives passengers the option to purchase tickets onboard that allow easy transfers to the train itself. Note this is a full-day excursion that includes crossing the Canadian border; make sure to bring your passport.
Juneau
Frozen Nugget Fall by John Krumm (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)The next stop on the cruise itinerary is the state capital, Juneau. The city offers plenty of souvenir shopping opportunities and an appreciation for the arts. While at port, visit the Alaska State Museum.
The recently renovated museum holds thousands of historical and cultural artifacts that tell the story of the Alaskan people.
If you want to continue your outdoor adventures, pay a visit to Nugget Falls. You can also sign up for a helicopter tour for a bird’s eye view of the vast natural landscapes.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan Totem PolesYour Alaskan Princess Cruise’s final port of call is likely to be Ketchikan. Known as Alaska’s “First City,” it began as a Native American fishing camp. When the gold rush occurred, the city welcomed the timber industry as well. Its success helped the city become the state’s fourth largest city.
A couple of major attractions of the city include the Totem Heritage Center and the Misty Fjords National Monument. Finally, if you like fishing, Ketchikan’s a good place to lay a line, particularly for salmon.
Alaska offers a plethora of rustic landscape, fascinating wildlife, and vast amounts of historical landmarks to visit. An Alaskan Princess Cruise is a well-rounded trip offering luxuries fit for royalty and outdoor experiences sure to satisfy the nature-lover.