Princess Cruises has announced its largest deployment ever to Alaska for the 2018 cruise season, with itineraries going on sale December 1.
Representing a 15 percent increase in capacity, in summer 2018 Princess will offer 130 Alaska cruise departures, with more than 75 percent of all voyages sailing to Glacier Bay National Park, departing from Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier). In addition, the cruise line has over 22 cruisetour options, providing guests the opportunity to journey into the interior of Alaska, visiting five Princess Wilderness Lodges.
New for 2018, Island Princess will offer a full season of calls to Icy Strait Point, a remote wilderness experience, on every seven-day northbound Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary. Also new for 2018, guests looking to cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles can choose from two 12-day cruises.
While on board, guests will encounter a variety of Alaska experiences through the North to Alaska program, which includes Cook My Catch, a culinary program allowing guests to return from select Princess fishing excursions to have the chef prepare their very own catch of the day. Also on offer is Puppies in the Piazza, where real Alaska sled dog puppies are brought on board for guests to interact with. On land, guests will hear first-hand tales from mountain climbers who have conquered Denali as they tell the stories of their journey at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.
The 2018 May – September Alaska program includes:
Alaska Cruises
With 130 departures from Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, B.C. and Whittier featuring unique ports, options include:
Voyage of the Glaciers – Princess’ most popular Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver, B.C., and Whittier offer two glacier-viewing experiences on every voyage, with visits to the UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay National Park plus either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. These cruises are aboard Island Princess, Coral Princess, Star Princess and Golden Princess.
Inside Passage – This part of Alaska, known for its lush scenery and pristine fjords, will be highlighted on seven-, 10- and 12-day roundtrip voyages from Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Ruby and Emerald Princess sail on seven-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle with all Ruby Princess cruises including a visit to Glacier Bay National Park. Grand Princess sails out of San Francisco, with five departures visiting Glacier Bay. Two 12-day cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles aboard Emerald Princess and Golden Princess will also include Glacier Bay.
Alaska Cruisetours
In addition, cruisetours offer flexible ways to delve deeper into Alaska. Land tours are combined with a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise and include the company’s wilderness lodges, Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service, plus visits to Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park.
Princess offers guests more than 22 cruisetour options in 2018, most with multiple nights at Princess-owned Wilderness Lodges in Denali. Guests will once again be able to purchase a pre-paid meal package for the land portion of their vacation in 2018. Options include:
Denali Explorer – The line’s most popular cruisetour option, these itineraries include multiple nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Most offer Princess exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service between the ship in Whittier and the Denali area in one day, plus the opportunity to explore Fairbanks and/or Anchorage.
On Your Own – An affordable option for independent-minded travelers, these tours follow similar routes as Denali Explorer options, but do not include any pre-planned excursions, giving travelers the opportunity to customize their own experience.
Off the Beaten Path – These itineraries are designed to take travelers beyond Denali to more remote regions of the state, such as the Kenai Peninsula and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
Connoisseur – The line’s highest level of service, these cruisetours provide a professional tour director, most meals included on land and enhanced sightseeing.
Heart of the Rockies Plus Rail – This 14-night cruisetour originates in Calgary and includes daylight Silverleaf rail service on the Rocky Mountaineer. The fully escorted land tour combines with a seven-day northbound Voyage of the Glaciers cruise on Star Princess and Golden Princess and includes most breakfasts and dinners. Overnight accommodations are offered at Fairmont Calgary Palliser Hotel, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Four Seasons Vancouver.
Captain’s Circle Savings
Princess Cruises past guests are eligible for a special promotion when they book before August 31, 2017. Captain’s Circle members booking a seven-day cruise will receive a savings of $50 per person. For those booking 10- to 12-day cruises, a discount of $75 per guest will be applied and those booking an Alaska cruisetour will receive a $100 discount (does not apply to third and fourth berth guests).
Club Class Mini-Suites
Summer 2018 Alaska guests can choose a new premium stateroom category featuring VIP amenities and exclusive dining with the new Club Class Mini-Suite. This elevated mini-suite category offers perks including new Club Class Dining, a reserved dining area with expedited seating and expanded menu options; priority embarkation and disembarkation; complimentary wine and luxurious bathrobes.
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