Princess Cruises Announces New Alaska Fishing Cruisetour

Princess Cruises has introduced a new 14-day Alaska cruisetour option for fishing enthusiasts as part of the 2011 season. 

The new vacation includes special excursions just for anglers, with opportunities to cast their lines in some of the state’s premiere fishing spots.

Participants on the new tour can try their hand at salmon fishing in the Inside Passage from Ketchikan, bottom fishing for halibut near Juneau, and river fishing on two Alaskan rivers – the Kenai and Talkeetna – on excursions from Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

“Fishing is such an iconic part of the Alaska experience, that it made sense to offer a special tour especially for those who want to focus their time on the sport,” said Jan Swartz, executive vice president of Princess Cruises. 

The new fishing cruisetour includes a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise through the Gulf of Alaska featuring scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, plus two nights at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and one night in Anchorage.  Participants will not only enjoy fishing tours throughout their vacation but also scenic travel via Princess Rail and a Natural History Tour in Denali National Park.

Fishing excursions include:

Alaska Sportfishing Expedition (Ketchikan)
Participants can experience the thrill of fishing in the "Salmon Capital of the World" in the protected waters of the Inside Passage.  Passengers will travel in a large, heated cabin cruiser and can test their salmon sportfishing skills on a five-hour expedition to troll for king salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon, and silver salmon, depending on the season.

Halibut/Bottom Sportfishing Adventure (Juneau)
This excursion takes a small group on a journey to experience bottom fishing for halibut, Pacific cod, arrow-tooth flounder and nearly a dozen species of rockfish, depending on the season.  The five-hour experience includes fishing in 180 to 350 feet of water with bait or plastic lures near the ocean’s bottom.  Bottom fishing appeals to anglers of all experience levels, as fish are easy to hook and usually very abundant.  During the trip to the fishing grounds, participants may also spot some of the region’s other wildlife, including whales and sea lions.

Kenai Upper River Sportfishing
(Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge)
Famed for its trophy-sized fish, the upper Kenai River is one of the finest recreational areas in Alaska.  Tour participants can experience world-class fishing surrounded by sweeping mountain scenery aboard a non-motorized drift boat or raft.  Anglers will be catching either sockeye salmon, Dolly Varden or rainbow trout, according to the season.

Alaska Sportfishing (Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge)
Both experienced and novice fishing fans will enjoy testing their luck on the Talkeetna River.  Anglers will travel by boat to a secluded fishing spot in the shadow of Mt. McKinley, where they will cast for king, silver or red salmon, rainbow trout, grayling and Dolly Varden, depending on the season. 

All tours follow fishing seasons and regulations as determined by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).  Fishing licenses are not included in the package price; participants can purchase appropriate licenses at each location or directly from the ADF&G.  Passengers must be at least 12 years old to participate in the cruisetour.

Fares for the new fishing cruisetours begin at $3,248 per person, based on double occupancy.