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

• Cruises and Sailing
• Types of Travel

On my first morning after embarking on the Royal Princess Hamilton Cruise ship on a sea and land cruise from Vancouver through the Inside Passage of Alaska and up to Fairbanks, I sat on my portside balcony and watched the gray seas as the pale morning sun rose.

A sudden movement caught my eye, and the head of a humpback whale rose directly out of the water, suspended for a brief moment before it disappeared under the sea.

“Did I just see that?” I muttered sleepily to myself. 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 .

Instantly, I ran inside to wake my travel buddy, but by the time he got to the balcony, the whale was long gone. However, that whale sighting was a premonition of extraordinary adventures to come on the Princess Cruises’ 12-17 day Connoisseur Alaska Cruisetour .

From luscious food choices and all-day entertainment to excursions and off-shore adventures through Alaska’s small coastal communities, the Alaska Cruisetour was probably one of the most fun trips I had taken all year. While I had my first cruise in January on a small excursion ship, I was invited and hosted by Princess Cruises to experience my first “big” cruise ship. For some reason, I had poo-pooed the idea of the big “floating city” cruise ships in the past, but the 12 days of sailing and traveling with Princess changed my mind.

I get it now. I get why people dream of cruises and just how easy it is to relax and just enjoy when you are being pampered, cared for, and catered to by a cruise ship company. Coming from the eyes of a brand-new cruiser (this won’t be my last cruise, I guarantee you), here are the seven things I loved — plus the four things I didn’t — during the Princess Alaska Cruisetour.

7 Things I Loved

1. medallion magnificant and the staff.

The Royal Princess is a Princess MedallionClass™ ship with a capacity of 3,560 guests. 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. 

This thing is so cool. I had my Medallion customized with an astrological symbol and ordered the rubber wristband. While wearing it, the Medallion automatically unlocks and locks my stateroom door as I enter it, allows staff to find me anywhere on the ship to deliver my daily Bloody Mary, allows for touch-free boarding and purchases, let me find my travel companion on the ship, and more. 

“So let’s say you’re out tanning by the pool and you want to get some extra sunscreen, you can go on the app on your phone and order sunscreen which will be purchased through the app and delivered to you where you are anywhere on the ship,” said Briana Latner, public relations and marketing for Princess Cruises. “We’ve also introduced ‘Dine My Way,’ which helps you make reservations in the main dining rooms and the specialty dining, helps get rid of wait times and helps you with your special preferences.”

Another feature of the Princess Medallion is the Ocean Compass, which allows you to locate and message your travel companions. Whomever you are traveling with is automatically named as travel companions in the app, but you can remove each other if you choose to.

“Sometimes there are kids who are teenagers. They can go off on their own, but you want to make sure you know where they are and they’re safe,” Latner said. “Many people who are traveling with parents or the elderly who may get disoriented find it’s been really helpful  to be able to find each other too.”

Travel blogger Erin Cohen said the Medallion created a level of ease on her trip that shocked her.

“It makes you eat too much,” she laughed. “Everything comes to you at the snap of a finger or the touch of a button. The Medallion makes life almost too easy, but it’s great.”

Combined with the Princess Medallion, the staff on the boat is top-notch. Our stateroom was cleaned twice a day at least (the Medallion lets staff know when you are out of your room so they don’t disturb you), the bartenders all know your name and preferred drink, and every crewmember greets you with a cheerful hello.

Using the app and the Medallion was super convenient when it came to purchases, ordering, getting around, and more.

Pro Tip: Download the app before you embark on the cruise to upload safety and health documents, pre-book activities and dining, and get used to all the features. It’s a lot to learn. You can order the Medallion ahead of time and either have it sent to you prior to the cruise or you can pick it up upon embarkation.

Fun Fact: The Pacific Princess was the star ship in the 1977 television series called The Love Boat . That series also made the concept of a sea-going vacation popular with millions of people and has been widely credited with fueling the dramatic expansion of the cruise industry.

2. By Land And By Sea

The Royal Princess Alaska Cruisetours are a combo land and sea experience. In addition to a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise that includes two glacier-viewing experiences and stops in the small Alaskan communities of Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Whittier (Anchorage), you’ll also explore Alaska’s interior with a guided land exploration tour.

Once you’ve disembarked from the ship, you can spend 3 or more nights on land at the various Princess Wilderness Lodges , including the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, and the Fairbanks Princess Wilderness Lodge.

These lodges are situated riverside near the legendary Denali National Park and Preserve, on the stunningly beautiful Kenai Peninsula, and in Fairbanks. Each lodge offers its own unique personality.

You will also travel by rail in a private Princess Cruises scenic railroad car and by tour bus to the various locations.

We were on the Connoisseur Alaska Cruisetour , which offers the highest level of service with a dedicated tour director, the 7-day Voyages of the Glaciers cruise, 5-10 nights on land, travel on the Princess Alaska rail service, stays at Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park , a Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park (We saw three grizzly bears!), sightseeing opportunities, and most meals included.

What I loved about this option was the ability to see not only the glaciers and wonders of coastal Alaska along the Inside Passage, but a chance to explore the famed national parks of Alaska’s rugged and beautiful interior. It truly was the best of both worlds.

“You see pictures but to see it in person is just like, it’s hard to believe this is even real. The whole time I was in Alaska, I just kept saying it was like a movie set,” said Cohen.

3. All The Choices (And Unlimited Drinks)

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.

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. 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.

The ship also has numerous bars, and because we were given the unlimited drinks option, we put those to good use. From the poolside bars to the cozy Wheelhouse Bar with its live music, you’ll not have to worry about finding the perfect cocktail or Alaska beer to sip on. 

Although I dined at the fancy Crown Grill and Sabatini’s, the buffet was our go-to option most days due to the sheer variety of foods to choose from. Be warned, though: It’s easy to let your eyes be bigger than your stomach, and you can end up eating more than you planned because the food is just so tasty.

4. Lots Of Viewing Areas

The Alaska Cruisetour I was on started from Vancouver and sailed through Alaska’s Inside Passage through some of the most beautiful scenery I’d ever seen. With glaciers, waterfalls, misty mountains, and otters and whales frolicking in the waves, it would be a crime not to take it all in.

I loved all the decks and viewing areas on the Royal Princess. From our own private balcony to picture windows throughout the ship to expansive decks, the views just kept coming.

Pro Tip: Bring binoculars! I really regretted not bringing the pair I own. Trust me, you won’t regret taking them when the whales and otters make their appearance.

5. Performances And Special Programs

You’ll never get bored on this Cruisetour. Starting as early as 6 a.m. every day, the Royal Princess has events, special programs, classes, naturalist talks, and fun activities. From morning stretching on the deck to art auctions and contests to game shows and line dancing classes, this ship doesn’t stop!

In addition to the hourly activities, excursions, and options during the day, The Royal Princess presents big musical shows, comedians, naturalist talks, and more in its expansive Princess Theatre. The smaller bars and venues feature live musicians and fun, silly game shows while the main Vista area of the fifth floor holds concerts and dance parties. The ship even has a disco, a hopping casino with slots and table games, a very large fitness area on the 17th deck, poolside movies, a pickleball court, a Discovery Camp for kids, and more.

Every day, a daily newsletter listing all the activities on the ship is delivered to your room, so it’s easy to find and choose what performances or classes you’d like to take part in. If you are bored at all on this ship, that’s on you! Seriously, you’ll have a hard time picking which fun activity to do.

6. Being Pampered

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. The Royal Princess’ onboard Lotus Spa brings you to a place of peace and Zen with services like traditional massage, acupuncture, facials like the La Therapie HydraLift facial, couples massage, and Aroma Stone Therapy Massage.

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.

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.

7. All The Excursions

With 12 days of adventure, it would be impossible for me to list all the land and sea excursions available through the Royal Princess Cruisetour. Thankfully, you’ll be able to find all the options through the Medallion app and with the onboard concierges.

For my excursions, I went out on a crab boat in Ketchikan to learn about crab harvesting and to stuff myself silly on Dungeness crab, roared up winding mountain trails on a UTV, spotted whales, climbed glaciers, kayaked pristine mountain glacial lakes, toured and spotted wildlife on a Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park and so much more.

The excursions range from the sedate and relaxing to the wild and extreme, so there’s a little bit of everything for anyone. You can see the list of available excursions here .

4 Things I Didn’t Love

1. prices of excursions.

Alaska is expensive. There’s no getting around that fact. Being able to enjoy the Alaska landscape on a guided excursion is going to cost you. Some of the most expensive excursions include flights on small planes and helicopters, but they tend to be the most popular as well, like the Denali Flightseeing tours and helicopter tours of surrounding glaciers.

You aren’t required to purchase excursions, however. If you’d rather explore the different ports on your own, you can do that too.

2. Not Enough Time In Each Port Or Land Lodge

When you are cruising, you have a schedule to keep. You might fall in love with tiny little Skagway, but you only have a day in port. You may want to spend more time at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge with its cozy rooms and fireplaces, but you only have one night.

The fact that you do not have control over how long you can stay in any one place is certainly not Princess’ fault, but it is a bummer and a fact of life when cruising.

3. No Coffee In The Room

One of my biggest pet peeves in life is not having coffee available in my room when traveling. Yes, ordering coffee to the room was easy and the staff at Princess were on top of my caffeine addiction, but it would have been nice to have one of those little coffee makers tucked away so I could make my own coffee.

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.

4. Staffing Problems At The Lodges

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. While the Royal Princess ship boasts 1,346 crew members from more than 30 different countries, some of the lodges had problems filling spots, which led to slowdowns, some maintenance issues, and longer wait times.

My best advice is to stay patient with the destinations and with the staff that is working. Everyone is doing the best they can with less.

All in all, my first “big cruise” experience was stellar and has made me a believer! Hopefully, this won’t be my last cruise, and if you yearn for an easy, well-organized way to experience Alaska, the Royal Princess Alaska Cruisetour is the way to go.

For more on cruises and sailing , explore these articles:

• My 7 Favorite Meals On Viking’s New Expedition Ship
• 6 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall
• 9 Tips For Cruising The Mediterranean With Costa

Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer based in Oklahoma. She loves outdoor adventures, exploring different cultures, and finding off-the-wall, bizarre, and wondrous experiences to enjoy. Heide writes for numerous national and international publications and is an award-winning member of the Society for Professional Journalists, North American Travel Journalists Association, and Society of American Travel Writers. Besides traveling and writing, Heide is also a professional Bellydancer, a medieval re-enactor, and a quirky chick who lives in Oklahoma City.

The 6 best Alaska cruise shore excursions — from heli-hiking to whale watching

There are some cruise destinations — Barcelona, for instance, or Venice — where you really don't need to sign up for shore excursions . You can just walk off the ship and head to the major attractions on your own.

For the most part, the ports of Alaska aren't like that.

To get the most out of an Alaska cruise , you'll want to sign up for a tour in most if not all of the ports you visit. And not just any old tour. You'll be looking for the best Alaska shore excursions that get you out into the Alaska backcountry.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

In Alaska, many of the biggest "attractions" — breathtaking mountain landscapes, glaciers, fjords, breaching whales and feeding bears, for instance — are related to the Great Outdoors. As a result, many of the best Alaska shore excursions for cruisers are found outside of the towns where ships stop. If you just stay in the towns and explore on your own, you'll miss a big part of what Alaska is all about.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

Picking the best Alaska shore excursions

People who know me know that I love talking about Alaska port towns. This isn't just because I spent more than two decades writing about Alaska and other cruise destinations for major newspapers. For many years, I was the co-author of Frommer's "Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call" guide. In researching nearly half a dozen editions of that book, I spent many days exploring each of the major cruise ports in the state. I've tried a large number of the shore excursions in places such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. I've also poked around these towns a lot on my own.

As noted above, my biggest message to anyone planning an Alaska cruise is to get out of the towns . Sign up for something — a hike, a rafting trip, a train ride, a fishing outing — that gets you out into Alaska's spectacular outdoor settings.

But I also have a few specific, top-line pro tips when you're thinking about the best Alaska shore excursions:

• Get up in the air . It'll be expensive. We're talking $250 or more per person. But there's nothing like seeing the grandeur of Alaska from a helicopter or floatplane. The Juneau Icefield, in particular, is a sight to behold. It covers around 1,500 square miles. You can see it on a flightseeing tour from Juneau, with some tours including landings on the ice.
• Don't miss the whales. Even if you're not a big wildlife person, you'll be mesmerized by the humpback whales of Alaska. They are huge (at up to 52 feet, longer than a Greyhound bus), and there are boat tours that will get you up close to them. The best places to do this are out of Juneau and also Icy Strait Point if your ship stops there.
• Splurge for a trip to Misty Fjords National Monument . This glacier-carved wilderness area, not far from Ketchikan, is another don't-miss sight. It's everything you think of when you think of Alaska: icy blue lakes, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and glacial valleys. The only way to get there is on a boat or floatplane tour, and they typically start at over $200 a person.

Unfortunately, as you can see from the above, many of the most spectacular excursions in Alaskan ports are expensive. But Alaska is not a place to skimp. Alaska is a place where you may want to budget almost as much per person for your shore excursions as you do for your cabin.

That said, you don't have to splurge for a big outing at every call. In Juneau, for instance, you can get an outdoor experience with a relatively inexpensive trip to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. It's just 12 miles from the cruise ship docks and reachable by bus or taxi. The bus will set you back an astounding $45 per person, round-trip, which I find an intolerable gouge (but … it is what it is). If you have a few people, you're probably better off with a taxi, which runs around $35 each way. For two or three people traveling together, it's not all that pricey a trip.

Either way you do it, you'll find some nice hiking trails around Mendenhall Glacier and a visitor center. There's a creek there, too, where I've sometimes seen salmon running. One time, I even saw a bear. Speaking of which: A bear is something you think you want to see in Alaska until you actually see one. Then you're just hoping you don't get eaten.

Related: The best Alaska cruises for couples

I should also be clear that the towns themselves aren't devoid of attractions. While I highly encourage Alaska-bound cruisers to get out into the wilderness, there are plenty of worthwhile things to do in each of the main port towns.

In Juneau, food tours have become popular; think King crab bisque and Alaska salmon. The Alaska State Museum is beautiful and worth a visit. Skagway is like a Gold Rush-themed movie set. You should at least walk its main street (Broadway), with its wooden-board sidewalks. If you're a craft beer fan, like me , you also might want to sample a Spruce Tip Blonde Ale at the Skagway Brewing Company. It's made with Sitka spruce tips picked locally in the spring.

In Ketchikan, you should save a few minutes to stroll up Creek Street, along Ketchikan Creek, where you might spot salmon running. It's the ultimate Alaska selfie spot.

Related: The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle

How to book the best Alaska shore excursions

The simplest way to book an Alaska shore excursion is through your cruise line. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof! — it's all arranged. They send a ticket to your room, and when you walk off the ship, a tour guide will be waiting for you.

Another way to go is to book directly with a tour operator in one of the ports. Many of the tour operators you'll find in Alaskan ports are the same tour operators that operate the ship-sponsored excursions. Often, the tours that the local tour operators will sell you are the same tours that the cruise lines are selling you, at the same price . Shopping around isn't necessarily going to get you anywhere.

Indeed, in some cases, the cruise lines own the tour operators in Alaska ports, or at least a piece of them. For instance, the parent company of Princess Cruises and Holland America is a part-owner of Skagway's big attraction, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

That said, you can sometimes get discounts by calling a tour operator directly. I've had some luck with that over the years. It's hit or miss.

Related: 8 tips for booking the best cruise shore excursion for your money

The 6 best Alaska shore excursions

Below, I've listed six of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions. These all are tours that you'll find in the tour lineups at every major cruise line that operates in Alaska. That said, different lines sometimes have different names for these tours — and sometimes different pricing.

For the listings below, I've used the tour names and pricing listed in the current tour sheets at Princess, which along with sister line Holland America, is the biggest cruise operator in Alaska.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line

Dog-sledding and glacier adventure by helicopter

Cost: $669.95 per person

Port where available: Juneau

For those with a hefty bankroll, this might be the ultimate Alaska shore excursion. Combining helicopter flightseeing over the seemingly endless Juneau Icefield with a landing on a glacier for dog sledding, it hits two of Alaska's most iconic experiences.

It's also insanely expensive, as I know from firsthand experience. I once took my entire family of five on this excursion, dropping more than $2,000 in the process. That's a huge chunk of change for an outing that lasts three hours.

But I'll tell you this: I don't regret doing it. Not one bit. For starters, the views of the Juneau Icefield as you fly to and from the dog-sledding camp are incredible (assuming the weather cooperates). But the real joy was seeing my three young girls interacting with the teams of Alaskan huskies that live at the camp.

Once you arrive at the camp, you'll meet the dogs and their mushers, see where they live, get a quick tutorial in mushing, and then head out for a spin around the camp on a dog-pulled sled.

Related: These are the best times to visit Alaska

Whale watching and wildlife quest

Cost: $189.95

If it's Alaska's famous humpback whales that you want to see, you'll want to book a whale-watching tour. The waters around Juneau are particularly known for humpback whales — so much so that the operator of this excursion offers a whale-sighting guarantee.

Setting off from the Juneau harbor in a whale-watching boat, you'll cruise to nearby areas to see not just humpback whales but harbor seals and sea lions, too. You might even spot a killer whale or porpoise.

The boat used for this excursion has both inside and outdoor viewing areas. The trips last about four hours, including transfer time from your cruise ship to the whale-watching boat.

Related: The ultimate list of Alaska cruise tips

Note that if you have a big enough group, it sometimes pays to arrange a private boat out of Juneau to take you to see humpback whales. Many lines offer a private boat charter for whale watching as a tour option, or you can arrange one through a local company.

Klondike rock climbing and rappelling

Cost: $119.95

Port where available: Skagway

If you're like me, you may be a little terrified at the idea of climbing the sheer face of a rock cliff. But don't let that scare you away from this 3 1/4-hour tour. It's a hoot.

Experienced climbing guides will meet you at your ship and drive you up the Klondike Highway to an area of granite cliffs that's the perfect playground for beginner and more seasoned climbers alike. Upon arrival, the guides provide you with all the gear you need — climbing shoes, helmets and harnesses — for a safe scramble up a 70-foot-high wall. They'll also offer plenty of instruction (and encouragement) plus a snack of trail mix and hot chocolate.

If it all sounds a bit daunting, know that you don't need any experience at climbing to do it; I sure didn't have any when I tried it, nor did my young daughters, who absolutely loved it. There are multiple routes up the cliffs, some perfect for beginners. After making it to the top, you'll rappel back down — an entirely different kind of thrill.

Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles

White Pass & Yukon Route Railway ride

Cost: $149.95

Call it the iconic attraction of Skagway, Alaska. A ride into the mountains on this narrow-gauge railroad is the tour everybody takes when visiting the Gold Rush town-turned-tourist hub. And for good reason. It offers an easy way to get deep into the Great Alaskan Outdoors.

Truth be told, I'm a fan of more active excursions. But for someone who isn't going to hike, bike, horseback ride or raft their way through the wilderness around Skagway (there are tours for all of those things, too), a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railway is one of the best ways to get a glimpse of the area's classic Alaskan scenery.

Related: 13 things you should do before every cruise

From the comfort of a vintage rail car, you'll get stunning views of mountains, gorges, glacial rivers and waterfalls as you climb nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass — the headwaters to the mighty Yukon River. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the 20-mile route is a marvel in its own right, with improbably steep grades at times and segments that pass over soaring wooden trestles and around tight, cliff-hanging curves.

Heli-hike and rail adventure

Cost: $399.95

This is another tour with a sky-high cost. But, in my opinion, it's well worth the money. Indeed, it's one of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions.

The five-hour, Skagway-based outing begins with a transfer from your ship to a nearby helicopter pad, where you'll find a helicopter waiting to whisk you high into the surrounding Sawtooth Mountain Range.

On a quick flight to your destination — a mountain trail in the Tongass National Forest — you'll get spectacular views of the mountains and Goat Lake. You'll land at Glacier Station, a remote mountain helicopter pad alongside the White Pass & Yukon Railway tracks. From there, you'll set off on a two- to six-mile guided wilderness hike on a trail along the Skagway River. The highlight of the hike: a magnificent view of Laughton Glacier.

Returning to Glacier Station, you'll end the day with a ride back to Skagway on the White Pass & Yukon Railway, which makes a special stop to pick you up.

Misty Fjords National Monument by seaplane

Cost: $299.95

Port where available: Ketchikan

There's nothing that says Alaska quite like a trip in a floatplane. And, if you're going to do a floatplane ride, there's nowhere better than in Ketchikan. You'll find a small armada of floatplanes waiting to take you to nearby Misty Fjords National Monument.

Misty Fjords is one of those quintessential Alaska destinations that's so beautiful you just want to cry. That is, if it's not too "misty" to see it. It got its name for a reason. The area is often shrouded in clouds and drizzly rain. Ketchikan is known as one of the rainiest places in North America, with over 13 feet of rain each year. So, yeah, bring a rain jacket.

But, also get ready for lovely views of glacier-carved fjords, cliffs and rock walls jutting thousands of feet out of the ocean. The whole thing is covered with temperate rainforests and features huge waterfalls (thanks to all that rain). It's definitely a sight to see.

Note that there often are two versions of this tour available: One that is about two hours in length and only includes flightseeing and a slightly longer version that includes a water landing within Misty Fjord National Monument.

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Alaska Cruise Excursions

Experience true adventure in alaska.

Feel like a local with our unique land and shore excursions that give you a taste of true Alaska life. From the historical fortunes of the Klondike Gold Rush to the glacial treasures of the Inside Passage, get up close to the Great Land’s famous riches and best kept secrets.

Find Shore Excursions

Discovery & Animal Planet Excursions

Unlock a world of adventure with Discovery at SEA™, our exclusive partnership with Discovery™ and Animal Planet™. Immerse yourself in Alaska and see the best the region has to offer with "Recommended" tours or choose "Exclusive" Alaska cruise excursions that you can only experience with Princess – like fishing for king salmon, dogsledding through beautiful terrains and canoeing past Mendenhall Glacier.

Alaska is teeming with wildlife. See the Great Land’s most famous animals — like humpback whales — on our Alaska shore excursions. Marvel at bald eagles in their natural habitats while in Ketchikan. See humpbacks play alongside sea lions in Juneau. Or keep a lookout for Denali National Park’s Big Five — including moose, caribou, grizzly bears, wolves and Dall sheep — while on a bus tour in the park.

Learn more about Alaska wildlife

The Great Land was built on a strong culture. On our Alaska shore excursions, step back in time to learn how these traditions came to fruition and how they're practiced today. Attend a lumberjack axe-throwing competition, watch a Native dance performance and excite your taste buds at a salmon bake with locals. Or watch a craftsmen thoughtfully carve totem poles at a Native Alaskan village.

Gold Rush History

Strike it rich on any of our cruise excursions in Alaska where you can pan for gold like the many treasure hunters before you. Tour mining camps and meet experienced miners. Visit a restored saloon to craft cocktails from age-old recipes. Or board a gold rush-era train that takes you through Yukon territory and brings you up close to some of Alaska's most historical sites.

With waters as prosperous as the treasures on land, discover what lies below the surface on our Alaska cruise excursions that take you out to sea. Hear thrilling tales from members of the award-winning TV series Deadliest Catch . Or learn to fly fish from an expert guide. As a part of our unique culinary experience, Cook My Catch, bring your fresh-caught fish on board and have our chefs prepare it for your dinner.

Glaciers are the epitome of Alaska. Sailing past them is a sensory experience that inspires both the mind and heart. Watch as Hubbard Glacier calves into the water and listen for the rumble of “white thunder” that it leaves in its path. Land by helicopter on top of Mendenhall Glacier, and feel its strong roots beneath you. Or navigate its rugged terrain by way of flightseeing or dogsled with our Alaska shore excursions.

Learn more about glaciers

Sightseeing

There’s a world of sights to be seen in the Great Land and our Alaska cruise excursions give you a front-row seat to it all. Bring history books to life when you tour Skagway, the former gateway to the gold rush, and visit Gold Dredge 8 in Fairbanks to learn even more about mining. Travel along the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, or aboard a riverboat sternwheeler for sweeping views of Alaska’s greatest treasures.

Outdoor Adventures

There’s a reason it’s called the Great Land — including its great outdoors. Get up close to renowned glaciers on a flightseeing tour, zipline through Tongass National Forest and hike along the mountainside of Ketchikan’s Deer Mountain Trail which takes you 3,000 feet above sea level. Whether you prefer to traverse by land, sea or air, our cruise excursions in Alaska will bring you on a wild ride.

Denali National Park Tours

Home to the highest mountain in North America, Denali National Park is brimming with magnificence. Search for the Big Five — grizzly bears, Dall sheep, wolves, caribou and moose — while on a bus tour in the park. Most Princess Alaska cruisetours include a tour into Denali National Park.

Learn more about Denali National Park

Why Book Excursions with Princess?

Award Winning Excursions: Discover age-old traditions, relive mining history and make local connections with the people lucky enough to call the Great Land home. Experience the very best of Alaska with Princess.

Exceptional Value: Book shore excursions with confidence! We offer competitive pricing, friendly service and unmatched destination expertise.

Guaranteed Return to Ship: Take full advantage of your Alaska cruise activities when you book a shore excursion through Princess. Rest assured that we won’t leave without you, so you can focus more on the moment and less on the clock.

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The 16 best alaska shore excursions for 2024.

Venture off the boat to see wildlife, glaciers, railways and more.

The Best Alaska Shore Excursions

Courtesy of Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour

A cruise to Alaska is one of the best ways to visit many parts of the 49th state, including the Inside Passage and the southeastern port towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. You can also see dozens of glaciers on a cruise, plus remote places reachable only by water, like Glacier National Park & Preserve. Traveling by ship allows you to get closer to one-of-a-kind experiences in Alaska's interior, especially if you extend your vacation with a cruisetour (a package that includes the cruise and a land portion either before or after your voyage).

When it comes to excursions, many cruise lines offer the same experiences ashore for larger ports of call, often with a slight variation in the itinerary. The most popular tours highlight the best activities and attractions, such as the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour in Juneau, the Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Skagway. You'll also find entertaining offerings from cruise lines that call on smaller, less visited ports, like Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Sitka, Seward and Haines.

While some tours cost less than $100, don't be surprised to find over-the-top experiences that run about $750 per person – such as heli-flightseeing tours, where you'll land on a glacier and go dog-sledding with a team of Alaskan huskies. If you're comfortable with going it on your own, you might find lower prices on some excursions by booking directly with tour operators. Alaskan outfitters are used to working around cruise ship arrival and departure times, so their tours tend to fit into those schedules.

U.S. News has compiled this list to help you find the best Alaska shore excursions, from the most popular (and affordable) options to once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)

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Even though it's surrounded by water and mountains – and there's no road into town – Juneau is one of the most visited ports in Alaska, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer. You'll find plenty to do in Alaska's capital, including whale watching tours, salmon bakes and more.

Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of the top attractions in Juneau, so many tours include a visit to the Tongass National Forest to view the 12-mile-long sheet of blue ice. Some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises , offer self-guided trekking excursions that include a ride on the Juneau Goldbelt Tram, which affords views of the Chilkat Mountains and other panoramic scenery. You can also opt to see the glacier from the water by boat or kayak, or on a float trip.

However, if you're going to splurge on any one excursion, it's this one: Sign up for a helicopter landing on Mendenhall Glacier, followed by a dog-sledding adventure with a team of Alaskan huskies. During the approximately 30-minute helicopter ride, you'll fly over rainforests and spectacular summits, but the real fun is when you arrive at the camp to go zipping through the snow led by your team of dogs and a professional musher.

The Mendenhall Glacier helicopter excursion is offered on Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises.

Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest

Whale watching is another top activity when visiting Juneau, and many cruise lines offer several options for tours. Holland America Line has a five-hour, small-group excursion for just 20 guests; you'll search for humpback whales on a safari vessel, then hike on Mendenhall Glacier where you can look for beavers, Arctic terns, porcupines and black bears. If you prefer an even smaller group, Princess Cruises offers a 3.5-hour private whale watching tour for six people. Possible sightings include humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, eagles, harbor seals, lighthouses, glaciers and maybe even a bear along the shoreline.

One of Viking Ocean Cruises ' excursions, the Best of Juneau, lasts more than six hours and takes guests on a naturalist-led whale watching cruise by catamaran. Before heading back to shore, you'll have a lunch of local wild-caught Alaska salmon on remote Colt Island, followed by a scenic drive to Mendenhall Glacier to end the day.

Alaska whale watching and wildlife excursions are offered on Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

Taku Lodge Salmon Bake

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a 3.5-hour Taku Glacier Lodge Flight & Feast excursion that will tick several quintessential Alaska adventures off your bucket list. After flying over the Juneau Icefield (the fifth-largest ice field in North America) in a classic De Havilland seaplane, guests will land in the river at the historic Taku Glacier Lodge across from Juneau's largest glacier, the 5-mile-wide Taku Glacier.

A traditional Alaska salmon bake (with all the fixings) and drinks made with glacier ice are another highlight of the day. You might even see a black bear sniffing around for leftovers after your feast. Following lunch, take a walk in the lush Tongass National Forest before heading back from the wilderness.

Salmon bake excursions are offered on Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

Ketchikan sits at the southernmost entrance to Alaska's Inside Passage. It is one of the most visited ports in Alaska, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Visitors come to this part of the state for the beautiful scenery, Alaska Native culture and fresh seafood, including Alaska salmon and king crab. And they just might enjoy an entertaining lumberjack show or floatplane ride to kick off their day while in town.

The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Watch Alaska's hearty lumberjacks battle British Columbia's tough woodsmen in a head-to-head competition to see who can win the title of "Bull of the Woods." The thrill-a-minute show – a guest favorite – features a 50-foot tree climb, ax throwing, log rolling, buck sawing and springboard chopping, along with plenty of lumberjack lore. Some lines, like Princess Cruises, offer just the show; it lasts a little over an hour, so there will be plenty of time for a self-guided tour of Ketchikan before heading back to the ship. You may also be able to book a combination tour that includes the show and an ax throwing lesson (plus a competition of your own), or a trip to Totem Bright State Park, where you'll learn about the significance of totem poles and the Native Tlingit and Haida cultures.

Holland America Line offers a tour with the lumberjack show and a feast of local Dungeness crabs. For another culinary option, check out the 3.5-hour excursion with Norwegian Cruise Line . It includes a visit to Saxman Native Village, where you'll sample smoked wild game meats, dine on chef-selected dishes prepared with regional ingredients, and taste local wines and beers.

Lumberjack shows are offered on Alaska voyages with Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises , Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour

Embark on the Aleutian Ballard, the Bering Sea fishing boat made famous by the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" television series. The approximately three-hour excursion gives guests a firsthand experience of what it's like to sail on the vessel as a Bering Sea crab fisherman and catch massive king crabs, octopuses and other marine life with 700-pound crab pots. The boat may also stop at nearby Annette Island, where you'll have the chance to see whales, sea lions, seals and bald eagles soaring overhead (one may even try to snag your catch!). You may also get to watch local fishermen at work.

Some lines that offer the fisherman's tour include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

Misty Fjords by Floatplane or Cruise

The more than 2 million-acre Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the top attractions in Alaska . Described by naturalist and author John Muir as "the Yosemite of the North," the awe-inspiring destination is best viewed from above on a floatplane. From the sky, you'll see towering 1,000-foot waterfalls, the volcanic Revillagigedo Island, snowcapped peaks, verdant forests and 3,000-foot walls of granite descending into the fjords. On a floatplane tour, you'll also have the chance to land on the water and take in the spectacular scenery from another viewpoint.

If you're not a fan of small planes, some lines offer the option of taking a cruise from Ketchikan's harbor. You'll sail into Behm Canal surrounded by the scenery of Misty Fjords, and you may even see wildlife or bald eagle nests. You'll also cruise by Eddystone Rock, a massive volcanic spire emerging from the sea, as well as waterfalls and 3,000-foot cliffs sculpted by glaciers.

Cruise lines that offer floatplane or cruisetours of Misty Fjords include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Viking Ocean Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

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Skagway is another busy and popular cruise port in Alaska. It's one of the most popular towns on the Inside Passage itinerary; its fascinating Klondike Gold Rush history dates back to 1897. Take notice of the historic false-front shops reminiscent of the gold rush days as you explore. Many of these buildings are part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and you may even see people strolling down the streets dressed in period costumes.

White Pass & Yukon Route

One of the top-rated attractions in Skagway is the White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad journey through Alaska's wilderness. The narrow-gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – an honor shared by the Panama Canal, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Dating back 125 years, the historic railway features vintage rail cars and climbs to a steep 2,865 feet at the summit over just 20.4 miles. Along the way to the summit – located at the official international border between the U.S. and Canada – you'll listen to the history of the Klondike Gold Rush while passing by Inspiration Point, Dead Horse Gulch and Bridal Veil Falls. After making a loop at the top, the train will head back down the mountain. You might even see snow on the ride if your cruise to Alaska is early in the season.

Excursions on some lines combine the rail journey with other activities, like biking on the Klondike Highway from the summit or visiting Liarsville, a gold rush trail camp. Others include a stop (and a cold beer) at the Skagway Brewing Company. In addition, some cruise providers offer the train ride in a luxury class rail car, which includes complimentary beverages, snacks and a private guide who will explain the history of the railroad as you watch the scenery pass by.

Norwegian Cruise Line's six-hour excursion features a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route, a salmon bake at Liarsville and an adult beverage with one of the "madames" at the renowned Red Onion Saloon. Meanwhile, Silversea Cruises ' new 5.5-hour tour includes the train ride; a trip to the Yukon Suspension Bridge, which sits 65 feet above the white water rapids of the Tutshi River; and a hearty lunch of bison chili.

Cruise lines that offer the railroad (and combination) tours include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Musher's Camp and Sled Dog Discovery

If you want to cuddle with Alaskan husky puppies, then this excursion is for you. Norwegian Cruise Line's approximately three-hour excursion takes guests to a professional musher's summer camp in Dyea Valley, where they train sled dogs for the Yukon Quest and Iditarod races. After a thrilling ride into the rainforest on a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you'll head out on a summertime dog sled with 16 Alaskan huskies at the helm. Before puppy play time, you'll learn how the mushers care for the dogs and prepare for the races. Depending on the cruise line, some tours may end with roasting s'mores by the fire.

Some lines that offer this excursion are Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Chilkoot Trail Hike and Float Adventure

The historic Chilkoot Trail was the main route for those in search of untold riches during the famous gold rush years. Today, the trail, located in Gold Rush National Historical Park, is a rainforest full of birds and wildflowers. Excursions to the park include hikes with river floats on the Taiya River (there are no rapids) or bike tours of the trail. There are also wilderness kayaking outings to Chilkoot Lake, which is home to the five species of Pacific salmon, waterfowl, bald eagles and one of the largest brown bear populations in southeast Alaska.

Some cruise lines that offer these excursions include Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Sitka is the only community in the Inside Passage that sits on the Pacific Ocean. The small city – home to just 8,500 residents – was owned by Russia before the U.S. purchased the land in 1867. Today, you'll find remnants of this Russian heritage, like onion-shaped domes and Saint Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Sitka also has a strong Tlingit culture. In terms of shore excursions, you'll find plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing surrounded by pristine landscapes.

Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest

Royal Caribbean International's three-hour jet boat cruise on Sitka Sound features panoramic scenery (including snow-capped peaks) and the chance to see abundant wildlife. During the tour, look for playful sea otters, whales and brown bears walking along the coast. The line also offers another tour – Sea Otters, Raptors and Bears Oh My – that features a naturalist-guided catamaran cruise followed by visits to the Alaskan Raptor Center (a rehabilitation center for birds of prey) and the Fortress of the Bear (a rescue operation for orphaned bears).

In comparison, Carnival Cruise Line 's VIP wildlife quest in search of whales, sea otters, coastal brown bears and more concludes with a feast of wild salmon cooked over a wood-fired grill, Alaska crab and prime rib at the Fin Island Lodge. Following a wildlife Zodiac cruise around the archipelago, Holland America Line's version of this excursion also visits the lodge for lunch in partnership with Food & Wine magazine.

You can find this excursion on Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

The Best of Sitka

Several cruise lines offer a version of this tour, which features an exploration of the top attractions in Sitka. On this excursion, you'll visit the Fortress of the Bear in Tongass National Park to learn about the facility's work with orphaned bears. There's also a stop at Sitka National Historical Park, where the 1804 "Battle of Alaska" between the Russians and the Tlingits was fought. Here, you'll see handcarved totem poles created by skilled Tlingit artists and get to meet local Native artists to learn more. The excursion also includes a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center.

Lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Icy Strait Point in Hoonah may be a much smaller port than others on this list, but it is a jumping-off point for endless outdoor explorations, including whale watching tours and searching for coastal brown bears. Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native-owned and -operated and is home to the largest Native Tlingit village in Alaska. While here, explore the wilderness areas of Chichagoff Islands, visit the 1912 cannery museum, and grab lunch with fresh Alaska king and Dungeness crabs before taking a ride on the world's largest ZipRider. (Or, play it safe and plan to take that ride down the mountain before lunch.)

Whale Watching & Bear Search

The waters surrounding Icy Strait Point host the largest summer population of humpback whales in the state, especially around the Point Adolphus area. If you purchase a tour directly with the Icy Strait Point website, they'll even guarantee you'll see whales – or they'll refund your money. During the tour, look for orcas, Steller sea lions, porpoises and seals. But be sure to also gaze overhead for bald eagles and search along the shore for bears; the Spasski River Valley in the remote wilderness of Chichagof Island has one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world. Some cruise lines offer a variation of this excursion that includes a boiled seafood feast back on shore at Icy Strait Point.

You can find this excursion on voyages with Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Scenic Mountain Ascent & World's Largest ZipRider

Thrill-seekers (who love heights) will jump at the chance to ride the world's largest and longest zip line, which sits more than 1,300 feet above sea level at the top of Icy Strait Point. The ride to the summit on the SkyGlider mountaintop gondola is also a rush, but the real excitement comes as you zoom down 5,330-foot zip lines with five other riders at 60 mph – with views of the forest below and Glacier Bay National Park in the distance. A break-activated landing on the beach brings riders safely back to the ground. The price also includes unlimited rides on the gondola.

Cruise lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Viking Ocean Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

A less visited port than some others on this list (according to CLIA), Seward is the ancestral home to the Alutiiq, or Sugpiaq, people. Its breathtaking natural beauty – with mountains on one side and Resurrection Bay on the other – has been shaped by glaciers over thousands of years. Top attractions in Seward include the Alaska SeaLife Center and a charming downtown area. It also offers access to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

During your stop in Seward, take a full-day excursion to see the astounding beauty of Kenai Fjords National Park. The impressive fjords are surrounded by mountains standing more than 6,000 feet tall and an ecosystem rich in wildlife. While there, watch for a variety of whale species, sea otters, porpoises and sea lions, and onshore, you might see bears and mountain goats. There are also 191 documented species of birds in the park and many glaciers. As you get up close to Holgate Glacier, listen as chunks of blue ice calve into the water.

Some cruise lines, such as Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, offer this as an individual tour, while others like Holland America Line include it as part of a cruisetour. You can also book the excursion directly with a local tour operator if you're embarking or disembarking in Seward.

Haines, a small port about 20 miles north of Skagway, is best known for its Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The 49,000-acre preserve has the largest natural gathering of eagles during the late salmon runs and boasts pristine forests, marshlands and rivers brimming with wildlife.

Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

Norwegian Cruise Line's five-hour excursion takes guests on an adventure into the wilderness by boat while cruising North America's deepest and longest fjord, the upper Lynn Canal. You might even see breaching whales and playful sea lions en route to Glacier Point, where you'll disembark at the beach upon arrival. After a drive through the forest and a hike in the woods, you'll have unforgettable, up-close views of the Davidson Glacier by canoe.

Lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises. Holland America Line offers this excursion from Skagway.

Eagle Preserve Rafting Float Adventure

Look for bald eagles soaring overhead as you raft down the gentle Chilkat River through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The waters are overflowing with salmon that come to spawn, serving as food for as many as 400 bald eagles living in the Chilkat Valley. Don't be surprised to see brown bears or 1,600-pound moose coming to feast along the riverbank during your rafting adventure.

Some lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Lin e. Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises host this excursion from Skagway.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times both by land and sea to view wildlife and chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She's even considered moving to The Great Land as a full-time resident. Pratesi used her deep knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• The Top Alaska Cruise Lines
• Alaska Cruise Packing List
• The Top Things to Do in Alaska
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

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Princess Reports Passengers' Favorite Alaska Excursions -- and We Report Ours

By Matt Hannafin

With the 2008 Alaska cruise season now past, Princess Cruises ( www.princess.com ) has announced the winners of its ninth annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards, which recognize Alaska's best shore excursions. Winners are determined by Princess's passengers themselves, through responses they gave in surveys throughout the season.

"It's always gratifying to receive so many positive comments about the experiences passengers have on their Alaska shore adventures," said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "These awards are to recognize and thank those who make the shore experience special for our visitors."

To add a little perspective, I went through and added some commentary to Princess's list -- sometimes agreeing, sometimes dissenting, and sometimes taking off in a different direction altogether.

For 2008, Princess's top-rated Juneau excursions (along with their operating companies) were:

• Alaska's Whales & Rainforest Trails (Gastineau Guiding Company): A small-group eco-tour that combines whale-watching with an easy hike on a rainforest trail near the Mendenhall Glacier.
• Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour (TEMSCO Helicopters): Several different options take you up above the massive (and massively receding) Mendenhall Glacier, outside town. Seeing glaciers from above is a completely different experience from seeing them at the waterline, exposing just how big they really are.
• Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition (Alaska Canopy Adventures): A trip through Juneau's rainforest canopy, along more than 6,000 feet of ziplines and suspension bridges. The trip begins with a high-speed water crossing of Gastineau Channel to the site of the old Treadwell Mine, and a trip up the mountain in a 4x4 vehicle.

Frommer's Commentary: Princess's passengers sure have it right about the Mendenhall Glacier helicopter flightseeing tours , which are among the very best shore excursions I've ever taken, anywhere. I rarely advise spending above your limit, but in this case it's worth taking a hit on your credit card to sign up for the Helicopter Glacier Trek ($399, 4.25 hr.) or Extended Helicopter Glacier Trek ($499, 6.5 hr.), which include 2 or 3 hours respectively of rugged hiking and climbing on the glacier surface, using special boots, helmets, parkas, and ice axes provided by the company. With climate change shrinking the glaciers at an alarming rate, it may be an experience neither you nor your children nor their children will ever get to do again.

I also like the 4.5-hr., 11-mile Bike & Brew Tour , which sets off outside town along Fritz Cove Road. offering views of picturesque Auke Bay and the Mendenhall Glacier. The ride ends at the Alaska Brewing Company ( www.alaskanbeer.com ) for a tour and sampling of the product. Don't miss tasting the smoked porter, which is produced in limited vintages each year. A tasting goes through several years, showing how the taste changes over the years, like wine. The brewery notes that, "As it ages, the smoke becomes more of a subtle background note. Around the third and fourth years the beer's other flavors such as sherry, currant, raisin, and toffee-like nuances come forward. The fifth year sees the reemergence of the smoky character to the forefront."

Also, don't miss the tours of Alaska's governor's mansion , where you can see Sarah Palin's collections of moose antlers and also polar bear trophies.

Just kidding.

In rainy Ketchikan, Princess's passengers liked:  

• Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour (Commercial Fishing Adventures): The Bering Sea may be 1,000 miles from Ketchikan as the raven flies, but that doesn't stop this excursion from pretending. Aboard the F/V Aleutian Ballad -- a vessel featured on the Discovery Channel program Deadliest Catch -- the crew tells fish stories while sailing in calm waters and hauling in cages of crab and other sea creatures for viewing.
• Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure (Snorkel Alaska): A quarter-inch-thick wetsuit and surprisingly warm water allow you to snorkel an area rich with marine life.
• Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition (Alaska Canopy Adventures): More zipping, this time over eight ziplines and three aerial bridges suspended above a network of nature trails and boardwalks.

Frommer's Commentary: Princess passengers have the right idea getting out of too-touristy Ketchikan and into the surrounding waters and forest. Another great destination is Misty Fjords National Monument, which lies about 20 miles from Ketchikan and is only accessible by boat (or very small ship) or plane. The 2.3-million-acre, Connecticut-size monument starts at the Canadian border in the south and runs on the eastern side of the Behm Canal, which is bounded on its other side by Revillagigedo Island (where Ketchikan is located). It's topography, not wildlife, that makes a visit here worthwhile, with volcanic cliffs rising up to 3,150 feet and plunging hundreds more feet below the waterline -- a good reminder that this whole area is nothing but long-submerged mountains, and what's below the water was once green, forested valleys. The stock in trade of Misty Fjords is its quiet, unearthly serenity, its namesake mists imparting a storybook, Lord of the Rings kind of atmosphere abetted by dense hemlock and spruce forests, high ridges covered in alpine grass, and the occasional petrified lava flow reaching toward the shoreline.

Several excursions visit the area: a seaplane flightseeing trip that includes a brief water landing within the monument; a different flightseeing trip in which you fly to the monument and transfer to a boat for sea-level sightseeing and the trip back to Ketchikan; and a round-trip boat excursion.

A gorgeous island located about 265 miles southwest of Anchorage -- far off the usual Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska route -- Kodiak is not a frequent stop on Alaska cruises, though it should be. Princess's great little Pacific Princess visits as part of her 14-night "Alaska Connoisseur" cruises, and other ships visit as part of Alaska-Asia sailings. In port, Princess's passengers liked:

• Near Island Sea Kayak Adventure (Orcas Unlimited Charters of Kodiak): A four-hour paddle trip along Near Island, a part of the city of Kodiak located just south of downtown. Participants paddle through a boat harbor and along the shoreline to watch puffins, cormorants, and sealife, and stop at a quiet beach for lunch. (Note: Tour not available on all cruises.)

Frommer's Commentary: Kodiak is a great town. In 1784, its namesake island became the first permanent European settlement in Alaska when Russian fur traders established a presence here. Today it's Alaska's seventh largest population center with 13,466 residents (some 11,000 of them in and around the city of Kodiak), but the Russian presence is more cultural than ethnic. The oldest Russian building left standing in North America sits on Marine Way, and now houses the Kodiak Baranov Museum and its displays of Russian and Native artifacts. Across the street, the modern Holy Resurrection Cathedral is home to Alaska's oldest Russian Orthodox congregation, established in 1796. Some cruise lines offer a very cozy little excursion that visits the Monk's Rock Coffeehouse & Bookstore ("Music, Coffee, Icons, Books"!), a tiny, funky spot opened years ago by the Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska. A group of mostly non-Russian amateur musicians called the Kodiak Russian Balalaika Players put on a performance accompanied by borscht and the shop's own coffee.

Of all the towns commonly (or semi-commonly) visited on Alaska cruises, Sitka is my favorite. Partly due to its location (in a sheltered spot on the Pacific coast of Baranof Island, and not on the Inside Passage itself) and partly due to the fact that its location cuts down on big-time cruise traffic, Sitka retains a more residential feel than other large Southeast towns. It's also got a tremendous history (it was the capital of Russian Alaska, and saw huge battles between the Russians and Tlingits) and a lovely physical setting. Among the excursions available there, Princess's passengers liked:

• 4x4 Wilderness Adventure (Greenling Enterprises): An off-road trip through the temperate rain forest on Sitka's Kruzof Island, using Yamaha Rhino 4x4 vehicles -- which are sort of a cross between an ATV and a golf cart.
• Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest (Allen Marine Tours): A water-jet-driven tour boat takes you in search of sea otters, whales, sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals, brown bears, blacktail deer, bald eagles, and a variety of marine birds, while a naturalist provides commentary.

Frommer's Commentary: I actually advise cruise passengers against taking shore excursions here. The town is lovely enough by itself, most sights are within easy walking distance of each other (and the docks), and the various attractions all have very good interpretive programs of their own. Highlights include:

• St. Michael's Cathedral: a Russian Orthodox church sitting right at the center of town, and filled with precious icons, paintings, vestments, and jeweled crowns.
• The Russian Bishop's House: The home of 19th-century bishop Innocent Veniaminov, with downstairs displays of Sitka history and an upstairs that retains the bishop's living quarters and chapel. National Park Service rangers provide surprisingly enjoyable and informative tours.
• Sheldon Jackson Museum: A fine collection of artifacts from the Tlingit, Aleut, Athabascan, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, as well as the Native peoples of the Arctic. The core of the collection was assembled by the museum's founder/namesake, a Presbyterian missionary, during his travels around the territory in the 19th century.
• Sitka National Historical Park: In 1804, the native Tlingit people made their stand here against the Russians, holding off imperial gunboats and Aleut mercenaries for 6 days before finally melting away one night after taking heavy losses. The land was officially protected starting in 1890, and in 1910 the site was designated a National Historic Park, emphasizing the Native perspective. In the visitor center, exhibits explain the history and the art of totem carving, displaying 19th-century poles as well as new ones created in the on-site Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. Outside, a rainforest trail winds along the coast of the 113-acre park past a collection of towering totems nestled among the spruce and hemlock.
• Castle Hill: Located in the center of town, this was where the first U.S. flag was raised on Alaskan soil, after the U.S. and Russia held a transfer ceremony here in 1867. You get a great panoramic view of town from the top.

Southeast Alaska's tourist central, Skagway in summer comes very close to being an Alaska theme park, but cruise passengers can take excursions out of town once they've gotten their fill of shopping and historic hokum.

• Dog Sledding & Glacier Flightseeing (TEMSCO Helicopters): A helicopter takes you from Skagway to a dog camp on the Denver Glacier, where guides introduce you to mushing. Participants can either drive the sled or just go along as passengers.
• Klondike Rock Climbing & Rappelling (Alaska Mountain Guides): A rock-climbing experience on the smooth granite walls of the White Pass, with dfferent climbing routes available for different levels of skill and fitness. At the top, all offer a view of the Skagway River, the White Pass & Yukon Route railway, and the surrounding forest.
• Takshanuk Mountain Trail by 4x4 (Takshanuk Mountain Trail): A high-speed catamaran takes you to the nearby town of Haines, where you transfer to the Takshanuk trailhead and strap yourselves in to automatic-transmission 4WD Kawasaki Mules -- yet another golf cart cum ATV. The trail drive up to 1,500 feet passes waterfalls, creeks, and forest. Try not to scare the squirrels.

Frommer's Commentary: My usual approach to Skagway involves walking into town from the cruise docks, taking a few minutes to admire the historic 19th-century buildings that have been collected along Broadway, then heading out. (Though I usually set aside a few minutes at the end of the day to pick up a bear-print oven mitt or other tsotchke, then duck in the Red Onion Saloon -- a former brothel turned professional former brothel -- for a beer.) Walking maps describing the town's historic buildings are available at the Arctic Brotherhood Hall on Broadway between 2nd and 3rd. You can also get trail maps that describe the network of 1- to 10-mile trail routes that branch out right from downtown into the thick forest. Most of them involve some fairly strenuous hill-walking.

A great shore excursion option that didn't make Princess's list is the Eagle Preserve Scenic Float & Wildlife Cruise , which, like the Takshanuk Mountain 4x4 excursion, involves a catamaran trip to Haines. From there, you head by bus to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve ( www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/eagleprv.htm ), then suit up in boots and a life vest for a gentle float by rubber raft down the Chilkat River. An expert guide both rows and provides commentary on the area's natural environment, steering the raft close to shore to spot animal tracks and keeping an eye out for moose, bears, eagles, and wolves.

And let's not forget the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway ( www.whitepassrailroad.com ), Skagway's major claim to fame. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, it crosses the White Pass Summit, the boundary between Canada and the United States, and continues on to the towns of Fraser (British Columbia), and Carcross and Whitehorse (Yukon Territory). Excursions on the train are a crap-shoot: If you book one and arrive on a very overcast day, you may not see a thing from the windows of your vintage parlor car. If it's nice, though, you'll glimpse waterfalls, mountains, and still-visible parts of the famous "Trail of '98" miners' route.

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5 reasons why Princess® is the #1 cruise line in Alaska

Incredible shore excursions, unique local culture, stunning glaciers, and so much more.

Have you ever dreamed about dog sledding through the Great Land? Catching and eating your own salmon? Or exploring breathtaking glaciers? Whatever you love to do on vacation, a Princess® cruise to Alaska has something for you. From ship to shore, they make the experience more authentic and memorable, so it’s no surprise they’ve been named the #1 cruise line in Alaska.

Read on for five compelling reasons why you should set sail to Alaska with Princess®.

1. Exclusive excursions that unlock a world of adventure

Princess Cruises® has an exclusive partnership with Discovery™ and Animal Planet™ called Discovery at SEA™ , which immerses you in Alaska expeditions that cannot be booked independently. Discover what life is like aboard a Deadliest Catch crab boat, dog sled through beautiful snowy terrains, or canoe past the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. These are just some of the small-group tours that offer once-in-a-lifetime ways to experience the best Alaska has to offer.

But the fun doesn’t stop there, as there are so many other Princess® excursions to enjoy. Zipline over 100 feet in the air as you take in breath-taking views of glacier-fed waterfalls, bald eagles and the ocean. Relive the Gold Rush by touring mining camps, meeting experienced miners, and panning for gold like the many treasure hunters before you. Or step back in time to watch craftsmen carve totem poles at a Native Alaskan village.

Whether you prefer to traverse by land, sea or air, Princess® offers unique excursions in Alaska that will take you on a wild ride.

2. Onboard experiences that bring the best of Alaska to you

With the award-winning North to Alaska program , you can enjoy local cuisine and culture without even leaving your Princess® world-class ship. Not only can you sit down for destination-themed dinners and taste unique Alaska seafood items, you can actually catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert. In the evening, talented chefs will prepare your fish for dinner--a Princess® exclusive.

While onboard, you’ll be introduced to local personalities who love to share what makes their state unique. Listen to harrowing tales from Deadliest Catch anglers, learn tips and tricks on how to take frameable Alaska snapshots from award-winning photographers, and hear Iditarod sled dog race stories from a retired dog musher.

Dog lovers can even snuggle up and snap a picture with Skagway’s youngest sled dogs in training during Puppies in the Piazza. And put your skills to the test in an axe-throwing competition overseen by an actual Alaskan lumberjack.

3. At least one glacier-viewing experience

The beauty of Alaska’s glaciers are a must-see, so it’s a huge plus that all Princess® Alaska cruises take you up close and personal to at least one glacier during your voyage. Depending on your itinerary, you can see Glacier Bay National Park* , known as Alaska’s crown jewel. Covering millions of acres and seven tidewater glaciers, it’s home to whales, seals and otters. Another true wonderland of nature is the nearly 14-mile-long Mendenhall Glacier , tucked into the coastal mountains around Juneau and ending in a freshwater lake.

To maximize your glacier viewing, spend seven days traveling from Vancouver, B.C. to Anchorage (Whittier) on the Voyage of the Glaciers cruise , and enjoy two glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary.

4. Access to some of the most amazing animals on the planet

Alaska is a dream destination for those who appreciate nature. On a Princess® cruise, you’ll be surrounded by wildlife. Depending on when you visit, you can see humpback whales feeding, killer whales hunting, and harbor seals lounging on floating ice. Step on land for sightings of grizzlies, black bears, and moose that stand at over six feet tall. Keep your eyes peeled for migrating caribou, and horned Dall sheep in Denali National Park . You may even spot a bald eagle along the coast or near rivers teaming with spawning salmon.

5. All-encompassing sea and land packages

If you want to see Denali, a Princess® Alaska Cruisetour is the way to go. A Cruisetour enables you to experience the breathtaking waterways of southeast Alaska as well as the most beautiful parts of its interior – helping you adventure further and traverse more of this great state.

Start your journey with the top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise , then enjoy scenic rail travel on their exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service that takes you directly from the ship to one of the pristine Princess® Wilderness Lodges in the Denali-area. Located riverside next to some of the most renowned national parks, these custom-built lodges feature comforting amenities and breathtaking scenery.

Whether you want a fully pre-planned itinerary or a more affordable option, a Princess® Alaska Cruisetour lets you explore the heart of Alaska like no one else.

*Princess Cruises® is an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park.

The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024

T he best Alaska cruise excursions can range from the thrilling to the serene. Passengers can fly on sleds led by huskies , ogle bald eagles and salmon-gobbling grizzlies , and soar over towering glaciers in a helicopter. And the best part? All these activities are planned for you as part of the cruise itinerary—as a way for travelers to sample the diverse wonders of The Last Frontier in one fell swoop.

Wildlife sightings may be the more popular Alaska cruise shore excursions, but travelers shouldn't overlook incredible opportunities to learn about the state’s Indigenous cultures , as well as culinary experiences centered around local delicacies such as fresh salmon, halibut, berries, and craft beer.

Just know that the real Alaska , teeming with natural beauty and wildlife, primarily lies away from crowded touristy ports. (Pro tip: for fewer people and more animals, the best time to cruise Alaska is in the spring.) Know, too, that different cruise lines can offer similar excursions, so first choose a ship that speaks to you, then immediately book excursions (popular ones sell fast). Here, an array of Alaska-bound ships with the best cruise excursions, sure to resonate long past your vacay.

Princess Cruises: Dogsledding and Glacier Adventures by Helicopter

Family-friendly Princess Cruises, in its 55 th season plying Alaskan waters, delivers exemplary excursions that include learning about gold rush history and gold-panning, as well as fishing trips on which one of the ship's chefs cooks your catch. The Dog Sledding and Glacier Adventure by Helicopter, created by an Iditarod musher (they lead huskies on annual 1,000-mile races over Alaska’s roughest terrain), combines two top-notch thrills. Don glacier overboots, board a helicopter, and fly over the Alaskan ice field as the pilot points out icefalls and rock formations. After landing on Norris Glacier, meet top Iditarod race veteran mushers and their dogs. Soon you’ll be whisked on a sled pulled by a team of exuberant huskies for the ride of a lifetime.

Ships and sailings to know: From May to September 2024, Princess offers Alaskan cruises ranging between 7 and 17-days on seven ships, including the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess .

Book now with Princess Cruises

Celebrity Cruises: Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feasts

Adventurous couples relish Celebrity’s adult-oriented amusements, including inviting bars and lounges, fine restaurants, and relaxing spas. Big spenders book the Retreat, a luxurious private enclave—its Luminae restaurant showcases dishes by famed French chef Daniel Boulud. In Ketchikan , a four-hour Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feast in Tongass National Forest (America’s largest national forest) scores big buzz. Drive past jaw-dropping sights, like Native Alaskan totem poles, snowcapped mountains, and thunderous waterfalls. Relish a sightseeing vessel ride, assist crew pulling in crab pots (if you like), before tearing into unlimited fresh Dungeness crab with warm clarified butter, and cheesecake drenched in Alaskan blueberries.

Ships and sailings to know: Three premium ships, Celebrity Summit , Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity Edge , cruise in Alaska from May until September 2024. The newest and most glam, 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge, on its maiden Alaska season, offers eight-day voyages between Vancouver and Seattle .

Book now with Celebrity Cruises

Holland America Line: Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Quest

Holland America Line serves sustainable wild Alaskan seafood, with park rangers and local Indigenous tribe members often boarding for presentations. In Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Quest rocks everyone’s boat. Gawk at one of North America’s most spectacular glaciers and learn about glaciers’ remarkable force in a compelling visitor center. Ride to Auke Bay and board a water-jet-powered expedition vessel designed for superior wildlife viewing. When sailing Stephens Passage—renowned as a summer breeding ground for humpback whales—you may well get close enough to hear these giants breathe.

Ships and sailings to know: This cruise line has plied Alaskan waters for more than 75 years, with seven ships sailing 6-19 day itineraries from May to September 2024.

Book now with Holland America Line

Crystal: Klondike Highway and White Pass

Formerly Crystal Cruises, the ultra-luxury two-ship Crystal, now owned by global travel leader Abercrombie & Kent, has been beautifully remodeled while maintaining its primary lures: beyond-attentive crew and superb dining. Note this sensational Skagway outing offered on Crystal Serenity Alaskan cruises: Motor along on iconic Klondike Highway to White Pass, reaching its 2,865-foot majestic summit and the Yukon Suspension Bridge. Take an exhilarating walk on this iconic bridge, suspended some 57 feet above Tutshi River’s churning rapids below, if you dare. (Make sure somebody gets a pic.) Even if you beg out, you still get the astonishing view and a hearty bison chili lunch.

Ships and sailings to know: The 740-passenger Crystal Serenity offers eight-and-nine-day Alaska voyages in July and August 2024.

Book now with Crystal Cruises

Seabourn: Anan Creek Bear Viewing and Photography

The outings on this adventure-minded Alaskan cruise exceed typical cruise ships, featuring Ventures by Seabourn excursions with Zodiac explorations, kayaking, and hiking led by expedition experts. In Wrangell, sign up for Anan Creek Bear Viewing and Photography, joining the expedition team bear expert and a photography specialist for this rousing small-group bear-viewing experience. Travel by boat to the Anan Estuary and Wildlife Observatory in the Tongass National Forest (Anan Creek has Southeast Alaska’s largest pink salmon run) and climb to the observation deck overlooking cascading waterfalls. Expect an electrifying view of salmon jumping and black and brown bears snatching their next meal.

Ships and sailings to know: The ultra-luxury 458-passenger Seabourn Odyssey offers seven-day sailings between Vancouver and Juneau, as well as 10- and 11-day roundtrip Vancouver cruises from May to September 2024. Seabourn fares include all-suite accommodations, dining, alcohol, WiFi, gratuities, and 24-hour in-suite service.

Book now with Seabourn

Norwegian Cruise Line: Spasski River Valley and Wildlife

Looking to cruise Alaska with your family in tow? Consider Norwegian Cruise Line. On offer are children and teenage clubs, plus families can come together to play video arcade games, laser tag, and race cars. During a Glacier Bay passage, a park ranger hops aboard to narrate scenic sights. Explore majestic Icy Strait Point—one of the world’s few places where wildlife outnumbers humans—with family-minded excursions like the Spasski River Valley and Wildlife tour. Motor to an elevated observation area in a postcard-perfect remote valley to safely observe bears, deer, and bald eagles in their natural habitats. Learn, too, about Tlingit Indigenous Alaskans who reside in nearby Hoonah, Alaska’s largest such settlement.

Ships and sailings to know: NCL primarily offers seven-to-10-day voyages, April through October 2024, on multiple ships.

Book now with Norwegian Cruise Line

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Taku Lodge Feast and Seaplane Discovery

The Alaska-sailing 746-passenger Seven Seas Explorer is mega glam, with a museum-worthy art collection. This writer gives a shoutout to the Taku Lodge Feast and Five-Glacier Seaplane Discovery excursions. Soar by floatplane over the majestic Juneau Icefield, land in a river near Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, and feast on fresh-caught wild salmon by a roaring fire at a 100-year-old lodge. On this outing, I inhaled two salmon filets that slid down my throat like silk. Spoiler alert: After this culinary escapade, I couldn’t eat salmon for two years anywhere else.

Ships and sailings to know: Regent's Seven Seas Explorer mostly offers eight-day cruises running between Seward and Vancouver, from May to September 2024. On this ultra-luxury line, fares include airfare, unlimited shore excursions (other than select tours), alcohol, dining, WiFi, valet laundry, and gratuities.

Book now with Regent Seven Seas

Royal Caribbean International: Kroschel Wildlife Refuge

Animal lovers of every age relish visiting the Kroschel Wildlife Refuge in Haines, a popular excursion among Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise passengers. Steven Kroschel, a wildlife expert who devoted decades to training wild animals for TV and films, owns the center that is home to orphaned and rescued animals, like lynx, Kodiac bears, arctic fox, porcupines, and wolverines. It’s also interactive; get close for photos and learn how the refuge protects these animals.

Ships and sailings to know: Royal Caribbean's nearly 4,000-passenger megaships, Quantum of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas , thrill families via free-fall skydiving, outdoor movies, and escape room games. Their Alaska cruises run from 8-14 days, April to September 2024.

Book now with Royal Caribbean

Viking: Scenic Train and Rafting

The Scenic Train and Rafting excursion delivers an inspired eight-hour shore tour, beginning with a train ride on the Alaskan Railroad through the vast wilderness. Gaze out windows, eying otherworldly views of the Placer River Valley and soaring peaks of Spencer Glacier, while enjoying a box lunch. Then meet guides to go rafting, paddling between dramatic icebergs and down the serene and scenic Placer River.

Ships and sailings to know: Viking’s adults-only 930-passenger Viking Orion sails 11 days May to September 2024, between Seward, Alaska and Vancouver. Viking ocean-liner fares include amenities like king-bed accommodations with spacious baths equipped with heated floors and anti-fog mirrors, dining, complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and spa access.

Book now with Viking

Silversea: Sitka Culinary Adventure

Silversea’s lauded S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program features Alaskan ingredients and recipes on all its S.A.L.T. Kitchen menus, S.A.L.T. Lab culinary classes, and S.A.L.T Bar mixology offerings. Soon-to-be-scheduled S.A.L.T excursions will showcase regional chefs and ingredients. Meanwhile, foodie fun unfolds with Sitka’s Culinary Adventure shore excursion. Visit a tap room, tasting beers made with filtered glacial water. Then graze about town, tasting pelmeni (popular dumplings evoking Sitka’s Russian heritage), and other local goodies like chowders, shrimp, black cod tips, and “reindeer dogs.”

Ships and sailings to know: Three ultra-luxury Silversea ships offer 7-16 day sails from May to September, but only the 728-passenger Silver Nova presents Silversea’s lauded S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program. Fares include all-suite accommodations, butler service, most dining, alcohol, a shore excursion in each port, caviar, WiFi, and gratuities.

Book now with Silversea

UnCruise Adventures: Explore Glacier Bay National Park’s Rarely Visited Outback

Attracting high-energy explorers drawn to less conventional shore excursions, this expedition-driven small-ship line visits bays and coves inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Traditional ships just cruise UNESCO World Heritage Site Glacier Bay; on Wilderness Discoverer , the captain drops anchor in Fern Harbor, Sawmill Bay, and Dundas Bay during the Explore Glacier Bay National Park’s Rarely Visited Outback excursion. Count on a full day of activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff expeditions, and beach strolls. Expert-led hikes take you deep into the breathtaking beauty of the backcountry of one of Alaska's most remote national parks . Few Alaskan cruisers can ever claim this experience.

Ships and sailings to know: The 76-passenger Wilderness Discoverer offers eight-day voyages from April to August 2024.

Book now with UnCruise

• SOUTH DAKOTA

Best Ketchikan excursions that I did in 2023 (Princess cruise + book Ketchikan tours on your own) 🏔 Alaska cruise travel blog

I went to Ketchikan on Princess cruise ships, so my experience is looking for excursions for Princess cruises.

But of course, most of the excursions can apply no matter what cruise line you are on.

And in fact in Ketchikan, I did everything booked independently or things on my own and I didn’t actually do anything booked through Princess.

Still, in case you want to go through Princess shore excursions, I’ll mention that too!

Here is your quick list of best Ketchikan cruise excursions you must consider:

• Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness seaplane tour with remote landing
• Snorkel Alaska tour
• Deadliest Catch tour

If you will be doing any sort of flightseeing tour during your Alaska cruise, I highly recommend you do one with some sort of landing!

It will make the experience that much more epic!

In the case of the Ketchikan seaplane tour, it was a wilderness landing on a tiny island in Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness, and it really felt like we were in remote Alaska!

Ketchikan snorkeling excursion

Snorkeling in Ketchikan?!?!

Won’t you be cold?!?!?!

Actually, NO!

It’s all about what you wear, and you will be given cold water swimming gear (aka a thick wetsuit) to keep you warm!

Almost everyone says that you will NOT be cold!

Even as someone who gets cold easily, I went snorkeling in Ketchikan and can happily say, I agree! Read the reviews!

Ketchikan Deadliest Catch excursion

The Deadliest Catch tour is one of the most popular tours in Ketchikan.

You have heard of the TV show the Deadliest Catch .

And if you haven’t, you need to watch it before your Alaska cruise! The Deadliest Catch is about Alaskan fishermen who go fishing in some of the roughest and deadliest waters in the world. Here’s a preview!

The Deadliest Catch show takes place in the Bering Sea.

You will go nowhere near that in Ketchikan or your Alaska cruise.

Instead, they bring a bit of the Bering Sea to you in an interactive way.

They won’t bring you the rough seas, but they’ll bring you some of the marine life. (aka crabs)

And, you’ll be on the Aleutian Ballard boat, as seen on TV .

It is a rather touristy experience, but almost everyone who goes on the tour loves it.

And tons of people say that the tour exceeded their expectations. Read the reviews!

More popular Ketchikan outings

One of the most popular “cheap” activities in Ketchikan is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show .

If you are interested in exploring Alaska’s native culture through an excursion, then you will want to do the Saxman Native Village, Dance Performance & Totem Park excursion .

You can go to Saxman Park on your own to see totem poles, but that won’t give you the cultural performance.

If you are interested in seeing totem poles in Ketchikan , then you will also want to consider going to Totem Bight State Historical Park on your own. You can take the Ketchikan bus to get there.

If your Alaska cruise will be taking you to Sitka cruise port , then you can also go to Sitka National Historical Park on your own to see totem poles.

How to search for Princess cruise excursions for Ketchikan

It just so happened that I didn’t do any excursions through Princess while in Ketchikan.

What I wanted to do most was either not offered through Princess so I didn’t get the chance to compare between booking through Princess or direct, or I had other things I wanted to do on my own.

But if you do want to look through the offerings of Princess, you can do so by logging into your account at princess.com .

Once you are logged in, go to: my account > manage this booking > excursions > view excursions for Ketchikan!

You can also look directly at the Ketchikan shore excursions with Princess without logging in if you just want to browse.

But when you want to book, you’ll need to go into your account.

You can also book through the Princess app, but I personally don’t even like the way the shore excursions show up on the app so I wouldn’t even want to look through them!

And then when you are on the cruise ship, you can book through your stateroom TV, and of course directly at the shore excursions desk.

If you are getting on your Princess cruise ship without having booked excursions but are interested in doing so, then there is also a live shore excursions presentation with recommendations on shore excursions to book for Ketchikan and all the other cruise ports you’ll be going to.

If you miss the live presentation, then there will also be a replay available on your TV. If you can’t find it, you can call guest services or do a “crewchat” with them on the app to find out how to find it.

Only budgeting for ONE excursion during your Alaska cruise? Also take a look at the best Juneau excursions and the best Skagway excursions to see if you want to do an excursion in Ketchikan or Juneau or Skagway!

More below about the Ketchikan tours that I did!

• cruise luggage tags
• no-surge power strip
• basic binoculars for wildlife watching on glacier sea days
• cocktail dress for formal night
• Read the reviews and check availability for Pan Pacific Vancouver
• How to find your boarding time for a Princess cruise
• What is embarkation day like? Sample: Vancouver embarkation day
• Dinner food menu on my Alaska cruise

Best Ketchikan tours that are so Alaska

1. misty fjords national monument wilderness seaplane tour.

The Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness is one way you can experience the largest national forest in the United States.

According to the US Forest Service :

Tongass National Forest is the nation’s largest national forest and covers most of Southeast Alaska.

You Alaska cruise will be mostly if not all in Southeast Alaska. If you have a cruise between Vancouver and Anchorage , then you’ll be traveling more than just Southeast Alaska!

Tongass National Forest is the largest, intact coastal rainforest in America. Misty Fjords is a piece of this treasure.

The US Forest Service also says that Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness is the “largest wilderness area” in Tongass National Forest.

The seaplane takes off near the Ketchikan cruise port, then flies over Tongass National Forest, and then soon you’ll be over the Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness.

You can see fjords (of course) and waterfalls as you’re flying.

We then landed on a small island in Punchbowl Lake.

And when I say small… I mean SMALL!

More about the Ketchikan seaplane tour:

• Island Wings
• Viator reviews + cost
• Tripadvisor reviews

2. Ketchikan snorkeling tour

Snorkeling in Alaska?!?!?!

I was VERY nervous about this, and even upon booking the tour, I was immediately having regrets!

But to reassure myself, I read all the reviews (again), and basically everyone who mentions the water temperature says that you will not be cold because you’ll be wearing a wetsuit and other cold water swimming gear!

And, even as someone that gets cold easily, I must agree!! 

For most of the time in the water, the water temperature didn’t even occur to me!

It was a water temperature of 50 degrees.

I was excited about seeing tons of small little clear jellyfish. And I saw a couple of red ones too.

I was also excited about seeing so many starfish.

Plus, I got the experience of cold water swimming and snorkeling in Alaska!

More about the Ketchikan snorkeling tour:

• Snorkeling in Alaska

And those are Ketchikan tours that you must consider!

Ketchikan on your own:

• What to see: Totem Bight State Historical Park totem poles
• What to see: Saxman Village totem poles
• Creek Street

More epic Alaska excursions not in Ketchikan:

• Dog sledding in Alaska
• Whale watching in Alaska
• Seaplane tours in Alaska
• Best Skagway excursions
• Best Juneau excursions

What I did to give you more ideas for your Alaska cruise:

• My Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage
• My Alaska cruise from Vancouver round trip

HAPPY TOUR FROM KETCHIKAN CRUISE PORT!

• Best whale watching in Alaska
• Best dog sledding in Alaska (on a glacier, on snow, in summer!)
• Snorkeling in Alaska 😂
• Deadliest Catch tour (as seen on TV!)
• Juneau icefield seaplane + Taku Glacier Lodge salmon bake
• Nugget Falls in Tongass National Forest (Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area)
• Helicopter + glacier walk to see blue ice
• Klondike Highway to Fraser BC + White Pass summit train
• What I did on another Skagway cruise ship arrival: Dog sledding and Yakutania Point
• Totem Bight State Historical Park
• Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness seaplane + wilderness landing
• Icy Strait Point to Hoonah
• Sitka National Historical Park totem poles
• Things to do in Sitka
• What is it like: Glacier Bay National Park from a cruise ship
• This was not available on my early season cruise: Hubbard Glacier excursion (yes, you can get off the ship on a sea day! available until early September... if it's not already sold out!)
• Tips for first Princess cruise (getting familiar with Princess food + more!)
• Ideas for your first Alaska cruise

7 Best Cruises to Alaska, According to Travel Experts

Book a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see glaciers, national parks and wildlife!

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

While some travelers dream of lounging on a beach in the Caribbean, others might be itching to put on hiking shoes and explore the great outdoors. If glaciers, wildlife and picturesque coastline have long been on your bucket list, consider booking a cruise to Alaska. The northernmost American state offers an activity for everyone's interest and level of adventure. You can take a thrilling helicopter flight to explore a glacier on foot or observe miles of Alaska’s lush scenery and spy whales from a comfortable seat on a boat.

Princess Cruises

A top choice for multi-generational families and larger groups seeking on-board experiences for a wide age range, Princess will sail seven ships to Alaska in 2024 — more than any other line. Princess also offers the most departure cities , potentially saving you money on airfare. Alaska sailings range from 4 to 22 days, though a week is the sweet spot. The line is also only one of seven permitted to enter the magnificent Glacier Bay National Park (shown); check out the tips at the end of the story for details.

Good Housekeeping Contributing Travel Editor Karen Cicero and her daughter recently sailed on Majestic Princess, a Family Travel Awards Winner , and raved about the ship's amenities, especially the Hollywood Pool Club. She described it as “an indoor space with a heated pool, plush loungers, and cabana-like spots that are free for all guests to use.” Cicero was also impressed with the entertainment and activities suitable for all ages, the excellent dining options and a supervised kids’ club for ages 3 to 12. "We saw grandparents and grandkids on the dance floor, at the shows, on the excursions — bonding moments were everywhere," Cicero said.

In 2024, Majestic Princess and Discovery Princess, the line's newest Alaska ship, will both sail roundtrip from Seattle. "You can't beat Princess if you're looking for an experience that will please all ages," said Cicero.

Departure Cities: Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; Vancouver; Whittier, Alaska Cruise Ships: Crown Princess (2024 only); Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess (2025 only), Royal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess (2024 only), Crown Princess, Coral Princess (2025 only)

Norwegian Cruise Line

Passengers are loyal to Norwegian for its beautiful ships, top-notch service and innovative amenities. The cruise line pioneered the concept of “freestyle cruising," which includes a flexible dining time. Flexible cruising continues to be a major selling point , according to our testers who recently sailed roundtrip from Seattle to Alaska on the Norwegian Encore (pictured). "We enjoyed not having to rush back to the ship after an excursion because we had a dinner reservation," said our tester who sailed with her spouse.

They also frequented the Encore’s Observation Lounge, where they were able to cozy up and spend hours searching for marine life from floor-to-ceiling windows. Activities and entertainment, like go-karting, slides and laser tag, are abundant. For a premium experience, consider booking a stateroom in The Haven. The Encore's most luxurious accommodations feature spacious rooms — the bathrooms are nearly double the size of those in standard staterooms — a private sundeck and a concierge.

The variety of sailings to Alaska is also another reason to choose Norwegian. "If Hawaii is also on your bucket list, Norwegian is one of the only cruise lines to offer a 16-day cruise departing from Honolulu that sails through both Hawaii and Alaska so you explore two dreamy destinations on one vacation," said Cicero. She added that Norwegian sails to Alaska until late October — about a month longer than most cruise lines.

Departure Cities: Honolulu; Seattle; Seward, Alaska; Vancouver; Whittier, Alaska (2025) Cruise Ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Jewel (only in 2024), Norwegian Spirit (only in May 2024), Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Jade (only in 2025), Norwegian Joy (only in 2025)

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Disney Cruise Line

Disney lovers will have the time of their lives sailing roundtrip from Vancouver to Alaska aboard the Disney Wonder. "It was the best experience ever," said a mom of two young adults who sailed on the ship in May 2023. "We felt like it was a great combination of Disney and Alaska."

On-board experiences brilliantly align with the destination. For instance, Disney characters are dressed in special outfits for Alaska and are on deck during the days at sea. "We were able to get incredible photos with the glaciers behind the characters," said the mom, who also noted that you can order Mickey Mouse ice cream bars from room service. Cicero added, "Disney has the best kids' and teen clubs of any cruise line. They're enormous, filled with epic activities like superhero training and are a great place for kids and teens to make friends."

If you want an equal dose of Disney and Alaska, this is the cruise for your crew. Sailings range from five to nine nights. All routes head to Stikine Icecap so guests can observe stunning glaciers, cliffs, waterfalls and wildlife.

Departure City: Vancouver Cruise Ship: Disney Wonder

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean doesn’t only sail to the Caribbean. This global cruise line whisks passengers to Alaska from popular ports such as Seattle and Vancouver. You can choose a classic seven-night itinerary or a 13-night land-and-sea getaway.

Cruise enthusiasts at the Good Housekeeping Institute are fans of Royal Caribbean for its state-of-the-art ships, exceptional service and high-quality entertainment. "Royal Caribbean had the first rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink on a cruise ship," said Cicero. "Since then, they've brought so many other epic activities to sea." For instance, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class, which includes Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, offers skydiving, a surf simulator and a robot bar. "This line is an especially good fit for families with tweens, teens and young adults ," said Cicero, who sailed on Royal Caribbean with her teen daughter.

Departure Cities: Seattle; Seward, Alaska; Vancouver Cruise Ships: Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas (only in 2024), Ovation of the Seas (only in 2024), Serenade of the Seas (only in 2025)

National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

For an incredible small-ship experience, look no further than the Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic team-up. The largest of its ships that sail to Alaska can accommodate no more than 138 passengers — just a sliver of the 4,900 or so that Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas can hold. " Being on a smaller vessel means that you’ll be able to sail right up to less frequented glaciers, waterfalls and fjords, " said Cicero.

Of course, an intimate experience comes at a higher price tag — its eight-day Alaskan adventure starts at about $6,200 per person, though you won't need to pay extra for excursions. "Voyages tend to be themed and stress the educational component," said Cicero. For instance, one focuses on coastal wildlife while another explores native cultures. A Good Housekeeping staff member who sailed the line to the Galápagos Islands (a providence of Ecuador) raved, "The ship was beautiful! I was super impressed with the staff and the service felt above and beyond.”

Departure Cities: Juneau, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; Seattle; Sitka, Alaska Cruise Ships: National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Resolution

Holland America Line

Holland America has a well-earned reputation for bringing guests to new destinations for more than 150 years. Its ships tend to be mid-sized — larger than Lindblad's offerings but smaller than the Quantum ships from Royal Caribbean. While Holland attracts an older demographic, its Alaskan cruises are often filled with multi-generational families.

One of the cruise line’s most popular itineraries is the Seven-Day Inside Passage, which takes you through Glacier Bay National Park, the Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Inlet and several must-visit port towns. But for adventure seekers curious to see as much of Alaska as possible, you’ll find tons of extended itineraries including a robust 28-day voyage that crosses the Arctic Circle.

Holland America is the only cruise line permitted to serve glacier ice, using it for cocktails like the Blue Iceberg and Juneau Gin & Tonic. The line also launched a new Alaskan-themed brunch menu offered once per cruise.

Departure Cities: Anchorage, Alaska (for land-sea tours only); Fairbanks, Alaska; Seattle; Vancouver, Whittier, Alaska Cruise Ships: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Zuiderdam, Zaandam

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity is popular with adults and couples looking for a premium onboard experience, including delicious cuisine, luxurious staterooms and a high-end spa . We can’t imagine a better way to rest and relax after spending a day exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Our travel experts suggest choosing one of Celebrity's many Alaska itineraries that sail through the Inside Passage and up to Dawes Glacier or Hubbard Glacier, two of the state’s gems.

Of the three Celebrity ships that sail to Alaska, we recommend the Celebrity Edge for those new to cruising or seeking a more contemporary experience. Launched in 2018, the ship features standout innovations like Eden, a multi-level bar with panoramic views, and the Magic Carpet, a multi-purpose floating space suspended directly above the sea.

Departure Cities: Seattle; Seward, Alaska; Vancouver Cruise Ships: Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Edge

Tips for booking your cruise to Alaska

✔️ Check your itinerary. The itinerary you choose is key on an Alaskan cruise. If you have your heart set on visiting Glacier Bay National Park, make sure that your cruise line has it listed on the schedule. "Only seven lines were awarded the Glacier Bay contract by the National Park Service ," Cicero said. If you're not sure whether the cruise you have in mind will go through Glacier Bay, double-check with the cruise line or your travel agent.

✔️ Book shore excursions well in advance. Alaskan cruises generally sail from April to October. Because of the shorter season, your ship will likely be close to capacity and several ships may overlap in ports. Excursions will book up quickly. To secure your spot, book excursions well in advance or as soon as they're available.

✔️ Focus on family. Alaskan cruises are best for kids who are at least 5 years old. "Keep in mind that cruise lines don't allow kids who aren't potty-trained to be in pools, even if they're wearing a swim diaper," Cicero said. It's also worth noting that most cruise lines don't permit babies under 6 months or pregnant passengers who are 24 or more weeks along. Cicero advises families with school-age children to look for on-ship amenities, such as an indoor heated pool, a supervised kids' club and a variety of family-friendly nighttime entertainment. "Before you sail, you should also find out which non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary," Cicero said. "Many cruise lines charge extra for soft drinks, but milk and juice are usually included." Free room service is another big perk for families, she notes, so see if that's offered on the line you're considering.

✔️ Check your passport. Even if your cruise starts and stops in a U.S. port like Seattle, there's a high chance your ship will dock in Canada at some point throughout your trip. Also, " some of the excursions in Alaskan ports venture into Canada and will require a passport," explained Cicero. For instance, you may take the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway from Skagway into Yukon, a Canadian territory. Your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months following the cruise.

✔️ Pack layers. This is especially crucial if you're traveling in Alaska's shoulder season — May and September. While May tends to be drier, temperatures remain relatively chilly. Likewise, September marks the end of the summer season and welcomes cooler temperatures and more rainfall. Because you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors, it's important to prepare for all weather scenarios, including windy conditions common to sailing cruise ships.

✔️ Book next summer's cruise soon. To get the best staterooms and excursions, start looking for a 2025 cruise in 2024, Cicero said, noting that many ships start to fill up at least 6 months in advance. And don't forget about major sale days. "Last year, cruise lines had fantastic Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals," she said.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Good Housekeeping Institute Writer and Product Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to travel, fitness, outdoor, home and more. Not only does she have years of product review experience under her belt, but she’s also a travel enthusiast who has been on more than 20 cruises (and counting)!

The former travel editor at Parents magazine, Karen Cicero specializes in travel, children's book, lifestyle and food coverage. She manages the experience portion of the Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards. She has sailed on four cruise lines with her family and toured several others. She recently was a featured speaker at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA, Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance and the Family Travel Association.

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Home » Cruise » Princess Cruises » Princess Cruises to Alaska: The Pros and Cons

Princess Cruises to Alaska: The Pros and Cons

If you are considering a cruise to the Last Frontier, we detail the pros and cons of sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska.

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If you are considering a cruise to Alaska , the first cruise line that may come to mind is Princess Cruises. You’ve seen the advertisements and marketing campaigns, but are they really the best cruise line in Alaska? Well, we’ve just returned from our 5th Alaska cruise, 2nd with Princess, and want to share our thoughts with you. In this post, we detail the pros and cons of sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska.

It’s true that Princess Cruises has earned quite the reputation when it comes to cruising in Alaska. And for good reason, as there are several pros of sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska.

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Pros of Sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska

Number of ships.

If you look at the sheer number of vessels cruising in the region, Princess Cruises comes out on top with seven ships. This number is matched only by Holland America Line which comes in a close second place with six ships in Alaska this season.

Even within the Princess fleet, there is variety in the ship’s cruising to Alaska in terms of size, age, and amenities. If you enjoy mega-ships, there’s a ship for you. If you’d prefer a smaller, more intimate experience, there’s also a ship for you. Perhaps, you love that new ship smell. Lucky for you, the cruise line’s new Discovery Princess is cruising Alaska as well.

Cruisers have the choice between Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess, Crown Princess, Sapphire Princess, Royal Princess, Grand Princess, and Ruby Princess in 2023 and 2024.

Discovery, Majestic, and Royal all belong to Princess Cruises’ largest class of ships to date, the Royal Class. At over 140K gross tons, these are some of the largest vessels that cruise the region. Crown, Sapphire, and Ruby Princess are similar in size at around 113-115K. Grand is the smallest Princess ship cruising to Alaska at around 107K; yet all four of these ships belong to the same class, the Grand Class.

The ranking of these Princess ships in Alaska from newest to oldest is: Discovery, Majestic, Royal, Ruby Crown, Sapphire, Grand. Discovery Princess launched in 2022, while Grand Princess debuted in 1998.

Variety of Itineraries

Given the number of Princess Cruises ships sailing to Alaska, this allows the cruise line to offer a variety of itineraries. Princess Cruises offers roundtrip sailings that depart from Seattle , Vancouver , and even San Francisco . The cruise line also features one-way sailings from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver and vice versa.

While most of our cruises have been roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver, our recent Majestic Princess cruise was our first one-way sailing. We really enjoyed getting to experience a bit more of the region with this itinerary.

Given the number of ships and departure points, this allows the cruise line to offer a variety of cruise lengths as well beyond the traditional 7-day cruise. Guests even have the option to extend the cruise with a land tour, but more on that in a bit.

The good news is that no matter which ship or itinerary you choose, all Princess Cruises to Alaska include at least one day of glacier viewing. Many of these itineraries include scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park , which we highly recommend. Select sailings even include a visit to both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay.

New Alaska Food and Beverage Offerings

One of the reasons we couldn’t wait to hop onboard Princess Cruises to Alaska this year was to check out the new Alaska food and beverage offerings.

New for 2023, Princess is offering an expanded Wild for Alaska Seafood menu. Guests can expect a rotation of fresh Alaska seafood dishes in the main dining room as well as the World Fresh Marketplace. Some of the dishes on the MDR menus included Wild Alaskan Salmon, Bering Seafood Stew, Alaskan Ale-Braised Short Ribs, Alaska Crab Cake or Salmon Cake, Alaskan-Caught Halibut, Cod, or Tuna, and more.

Along with all the locally sourced food selections, Princess Cruises plans to feature destination-inspired cocktails. While promotional materials indicate there will be special hot chocolate-based creations, themed frozen drinks, and cocktails made with local spirits, they were not yet available on Majestic Princess. However, there were Alaska wines, Alaska beer, and a few spirits sourced from local distilleries like an Anchorage whiskey.

Not to mention, Majestic Princess is now home to a brand new specialty restaurant. Replacing Bistro Sur La Mer, The Catch by Rudi is the first Princess restaurant primarily devoted to seafood. The creative dishes and attractive price of $39 per person will lure you in.

We had a chance to dine at The Catch during our sailing and really enjoyed it. While not much has changed in terms of theming in the venue, the food selections were certainly a step above the former Bistro Sur La Mer.

MedallionClass Experience

Another pro of sailing with Princess Cruises to Alaska is the MedallionClass experience that its ships offer. This technology is aimed at making your vacation more personalized and contactless.

One of the highlights of MedallionClass is OceanNow where you can order food and drinks anywhere on the ship. Whether you want to order a latte or cappuccino to your stateroom while you are scouting wildlife from your balcony or a pina colada while lounging in the solarium, you can do so through the app.

Other benefits are the wearable technology and keyless stateroom entry. We love the fact that we don’t have to carry around a room keycard. Your Princess Medallion can be worn in a watch band, a belt clip, a bracelet, or a necklace for added convenience. As you approach your stateroom, there is no need to fumble for your keycard as the technology will sense your Medallion and unlock your door for you.

Your Medallion can even be used to pay ashore in select destinations. Further, you can locate your friends and family onboard the ship, watch your digital muster drill, and much more. How’s that for convenience?

Extended Time in Port

Regardless of the cruise line or itinerary, you can expect a pretty typical line-up of Southeastern Alaska ports of call on most contemporary ships. These ports include Juneau , Ketchikan , and Skagway , with Icy Strait Point or Sitka sometimes replacing one of the options. Roundtrip sailings will usually include a call into Victoria, B.C. as well.

What does differentiate Princess from some of the competition is its extended time in port and preferential docking locations. For instance, NCL docks at Ward Cove in Ketchikan which requires transportation to get to the Downtown area unlike other cruise lines who dock closer.

On our recent Majestic Princess sailing, we were literally in port ALL DAY. In Icy Strait Point, we were docked from 6 AM to 7 PM. We were in Juneau from 6:30 AM to 5 PM and in Ketchikan from 10 AM to 6 PM. This is in contrast to other ships that may only dock from 7 AM to 1 PM in Juneau or Ketchikan or for 4-5 hours in Victoria in the evening.

While ashore, Princess also offers cruisers a variety of shore excursions for all types of travelers. Some of these activities are created in partnership with Animal Planet and/or Discovery. Some may also boast small groups or local connections to get you closer to your destinations.

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North to Alaska Programming

While most cruise lines do offer onboard enrichment opportunities when cruising to Alaska, Princess Cruises features an entire North to Alaska program of specially curated activities. These opportunities usually include talks by locals and experts on topics such as history, Alaskan culture, and wildlife of the region.

Some exclusives include Alaskan lumberjacks, Deadliest Catch, and Libby Riddles who is a retired dog musher. We had the opportunity to listen to Libby Riddles share her story and road to victory in the Iditarod race.

Other onboard events include “Puppies in the Piazza” during your visit to Skagway (which we did not get to experience as our ship did not call into this port), a Night at the Klondike, the Midnight Sun Experience, and more.

Further, during the scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park, a park ranger will come onboard the ship to provide real time narration, Additionally, they will offer a formal presentation in the main theater with more in-depth information. This should not be missed during your Princess cruise to Alaska.

Traditional Cruise Experience

When sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska, your cruise ship will provide the perfect backdrop to your majestic destinations. In general, Alaska cruises are more relaxed. But, on Princess Cruises, you won’t feel overwhelmed by trying to do everything on the ship as well as while ashore.

That’s not to say that you will be bored on the ship though. You will still find all the traditional elements of a cruise vacation like pools, bars and lounges, restaurants, and entertainment spaces to keep you occupied between ports of call.

All the usual cruise activities like nightly production shows in the main theater, trivia, game shows, Bingo, Movies Under the Stars, and live music will still occur. You can also find a spa, fitness center, and casino onboard Princess ships. Though, you won’t find all the flashy bells and whistles found on some other cruise lines. In a sense, Princess Cruises provides a more classic cruise experience.

Further, Princess does still offer kids programming to ensure Alaska cruises are fun and engaging for multi-generational families as well.

Best Pizza at Sea

What Princess Cruises lacks when it comes to racetracks and virtual reality arcades, it makes up for with pizza!

Princess Cruises has been consistently voted as having the best pizza at sea, and we agree. On many ships in the fleet, Alfredo’s or Gigi’s serves up delicious handmade pies in a sit-down restaurant setting that is completely complimentary. There’s also a poolside pizzeria on most ships serving up quick grab and go slices.

When devouring your pizza, be sure to save some room for dessert. Princess Cruises now features premium desserts, with and without alcohol. These desserts are included in the Princess Plus and Princess Premier fares or can be purchased a la carte otherwise. These Italian-inspired gelato treats are definitely instagram-worthy.

New Inclusive Fare Options

Like most contemporary cruise lines, Princess Cruises’ standard fare  includes most onboard amenities . Still, there are additional services and amenities not covered in this cruise price. To offer more “all-inclusive” cruise vacations, Princess Cruises has rolled out its Princess Plus and Princess Premier pricing options. These options might make sailing with Princess Cruises to Alaska a bit more attractive for those worried about “nickel and diming” on a cruise.

Guests can upgrade from the Princess Standard fare to the Princess Plus package for $60 per person, per day. This package includes the crew incentive ( also known as gratuities ), WiFi for one device per guest, and the  Plus Beverage package . New in 2023, the Princess Plus package also features two premium desserts per cruise, two fitness classes per cruise, and an unlimited juice bar.

Princess Cruises has also added a third pricing option, Princess Premier. The Princess Premier package is the most inclusive offering and is $80 per person, per day to upgrade. This package includes the Premier Beverage Package, WiFi for 4 devices per guest, Crew Appreciation, and two specialty dining meals per guest. 

With this fare, guests also get a photo package, unlimited premium desserts, unlimited fitness classes, unlimited juice bar, a Medallion accessory, reserved seating in the theater, and entries to win Princess Prizes.

Cruisetours and Lodges in Alaska

In conjunction with your Alaska cruise vacation, Princess Cruises also offers cruisetours and lodges to extend your stay in the Last Frontier. In fact, another differentiating factor is that Princess owns and operates five wilderness lodge properties and several luxury railcars. This makes Princess an easy choice if you are considering adding a land-portion to your Alaska cruise.

These unique cruisetours combine a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise with scenic rail travel from the ship to the lodge via exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service. During the land portion of these cruisetours, travelers can visit some of the state’s most popular areas that are not accessible by cruise ship, spending three or more nights on land at Princess Wilderness Lodges. Further, every cruisetour visits Denali National Park.

The five Princess Lodges include: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, and Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge.

Cons of Sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska

While there are many pros of sailing Princess Cruises to Alaska, there are also some cons of which to be aware.

Fewer Bells and Whistles

If you usually cruise newer ships in the Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line fleet but were considering Princess for your Alaska cruise, you may be disappointed in the onboard offerings. While Princess cruise ships do feature all the cruise staples, you won’t find any bells and whistles on its ships.

This means that you won’t find sky diving simulators or bumper cars like on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas . You also won’t find a race track, laser tag, or a VR complex like on NCL’s Norwegian Encore. If these types of signature attractions are a must for your kids and teens, you should probably consider another cruise line.

Along the same lines, you won’t find Broadway shows on Princess ships either. While some Royal Caribbean and NCL ships feature signature entertainment venues and shows, Princess productions are more akin to traditional cruise ship revue shows.

Further, you won’t find any over-the-top theming at the bars and lounges or any high energy nightlife. In fact, most bars close by 11 PM.

Of course, Alaska cruises are more about the destination than they are the ship anyway.

Lackluster Entry Level Staterooms

Personally, one of our biggest cons of sailing with Princess Cruises to Alaska is the lackluster entry level staterooms. After 65 cruises with various cruise lines, there are some things that we have come to expect in our usual balcony cabins. Yet, they are missing with Princess. This means that you might need to upgrade your accommodations which can increase your Alaska cruise costs . We upgraded to a premium deluxe balcony cabin.

In particular, a sofa or loveseat which comes standard in many competitor cruise lines’ cabins does not with Princess Cruises. Specifically, cruisers will need to upgrade to a deluxe balcony or mini-suite in order to get a sitting area in their stateroom. With more and more travelers never fully disconnecting on vacation and even working remotely, we think the extra seating area is essential.

Further, cruisers who have sailed with other lines might be surprised that even the newer ships in the Princess fleet still feature shower curtains in the bathroom. Yes, that means the dreaded clingy shower curtain while you are trying to bathe. While showering on a cruise ship is never ideal, this makes the situation even worse.

Thankfully, Princess has finally listened, and the new Sun Princess debuting next year will fix both of these issues!

Fewer Dining Options

Compared to some other ships cruising the region, Princess ships tend to have fewer dining options. Of course, Princess Cruises has main dining rooms that offer multi-course meals each evening with some featured “Local Eats Alaska Flavors”.

There’s also the World Fresh Marketplace/Horizon Court. This buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday; however, the venue is not well laid-out in our experience. This made it rather congested at peak meal times during our recent Majestic Princess sailing.

In terms of other casual dining, there’s a sit-down pizza venue on some ships (which we love) and the International Café serving some quick grab and go items. Outdoors, there’s a grill and a pizzeria (or Noodle Bar on Majestic Princess). Though, we were not impressed with the quality or preparation of the grill items during our visits.

In terms of specialty restaurants, there are also fewer options than many mega-ships from competitor brands. On most of the Princess ships sailing Alaska, you will only find a Sabatini’s Trattoria and a Crown Grill steakhouse. Majestic Princess does feature a brand new seafood restaurant, The Catch, which is also coming to Discovery Princess soon. However, you will not find a hibachi restaurant, a sports pub, a Mexican restaurant, etc.

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More Alaska Cruise Tips

If you are planning your Alaska cruise and need more tips, we have you covered. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

• Best time of year to take an Alaska cruise
• Our expert Alaska cruise tips
• Alaska cruise packing guide

Have you sailed with Princess Cruises to Alaska? What are some of your pros and cons for sailing with this cruise line? Drop us an anchor below to share your recent Alaska cruise reviews.

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Even though we cruise Princess we do agree with your assessment. Your comments on food and rooms were spot on. We are always very impressed with their service and hospitality but the buffet, which really could be a blast, becomes quite routine, in particular the breakfast. Lots of positives with Princess and you covered them well.

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Skagway (Alaska)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Alaska

Local Time 2024-03-30 23:01

Port Skagway cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Skagway, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Skagway is an Alaskan cruise port located on the northernmost point of Inside Passage . The town has population around 1,000 and lies in the narrow plain of Skagway River (at the head of Lynn Canal).

Skagway is also the northern terminus of Alaska Marine Highway (abbre AMH, state-operated ferry service). The settlement was familiar to thousands of gold rushers as the gateway to the Alaskan goldfields. It offered the shortest route to Klondike, but it was far beyond from being the easiest one. The gold rush was a blessing for Skagway and by 1898 the town became the largest in Alaska (with population ~20,000). When in 1900 the gold yield dwindled, Skagway's population of mostly miners shifted to Nome .

To serve the tourist influx during summer, Skagway's population doubles. Port Skagway (locode USSGY) is among the most popular Alaskan cruise ship stops. For mainly tourism purposes is operated the White Pass Yukon Route (abbrev WPYR) gauge railroad. This service runs throughout the summer months only. The railroad is also used for shipping copper ore from Alaska's interior.

Of all the tourists (~1 million annually), roughly 3/4 are cruise ship passengers. Most tourists come here to visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, as well as the Coast Mountains' White Pass Trail (from Skagway to Yukon River and the lakes Crater, Lindeman, and Bennett) and Chilkoot Trail (33-m / 53-km long trail connecting Dyea AK with Bennett BC Canada). The town has a historical district with ~100 gold rush era authentic buildings.

In June 2018,  Carnival Corporation (via the subsidiary company Holland America - Princess Alaska Tours) entered into a deal to purchase "White Pass and Yukon Route" division of the company TWC Enterprises Ltd. The deal included Skagway's White Pass Dock/Port, also railroad (White Pass Scenic Railway) and retail operations. The money transaction was scheduled for July 31.

Skagway's most popular "shore excursion" options for cruise tourists include White Pass Railroad Excursion (aka White Pass Summit Excursion, provided by the train travel company White Pass & Yukon Railroad), Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (30-min live presentations given by a ranger), Yakutania Point (overlooking Tailya Inlet, walking and hiking), Dewey Lake Trail hiking (the Lower loop has length 2,5-mi/4-km, the Upper loop has length 3 mi/5 km).

The most-booked White Pass Summit Excursion features traveling in vintage coaches (pulled by an original steam locomotive) on the route to the White Pass Summit. The route passes attractions like Bridal Veil Falls (waterfall flowing from Lake Serene to South Fork Skykomish River), Inspiration Point Mine, Dead Horse Gulch (3000+ horses died on the trail during the Klondike Gold Rush, and their bones can still be seen near the summit). The unique train travel also features breathtaking views of the mountains, glaciers, gorges, tunnels.

In June-July-August 2022, three rockslides caused damage to the port, the dock used for the mountain train excursion remained closed for the rest of the season, and dozens of cruise ships were diverted to other Alaskan ports.

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