After six cruises in Southeastern Alaska, Heidi and I were ready to see more of this 49th state. So, we headed into the interior on a 12-night Princess Alaska Cruisetour. Now that we are back, we’re sharing what it is really like on one of these land-and-sea journeys to help you decide if a cruisetour is right for your next Alaskan adventure.
Key Takeaways
- A Princess Alaska cruisetour is a great way to see more of Alaska, combining a cruise with time spent in the interior of Alaska at one (or more) of the cruise line’s lodges.
- All of the logistics (including transportation!)are organized by the cruise line for the entire trip; although, the land portion does not include dining as part of the package.
- The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge was our favorite, with an included tour of Denali National Park, a variety of amenities, and several dining options.
- Our seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise on Sapphire Princess included stops at popular Alaskan ports of call, including Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Due to weather, scenic cruising of Hubbard Glacier and our stop in Juneau were cancelled.
- The ship’s onboard enrichment, viewing spaces, various dining options, and onboard North to Alaska program made it a good option for experiencing Alaska by sea during this cruisetour.
Taking a Princess Alaska Cruisetour
A Princess Alaska Cruisetour typically involves three distinct experiences. First, there is a stay in at least one Princess-owned lodge. The cruise line actually has five different lodges in Alaska. Then, you travel via scenic train to/from Whittier as part of Princess Cruises’ Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service. Finally, this land and sea Alaska adventure includes a 7-night one-way cruise to/from Vancouver, British Columbia. This cruise sails the popular Princess Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary.
One of the key decisions to make when planning a cruisetour is determining the direction of travel. You’ll either take the cruise first then head north from Whittier further into Alaska or complete the land portion first with the cruise heading south from Whittier to Vancouver.
There are also various cruisetour lengths ranging up to 17 days in total, so you’ll have to determine how long you want to spend on land and how many lodges you want to visit during that timeframe. In fact, there are over 40 different combinations from which to choose.
With our Princess Alaska cruisetour, we extended the typical 7-night Alaska cruise with a cultivated 5-day land portion visiting three lodges, including Fairbanks, Denali Lodge, and Mt. McKinley Lodge. Each lodge offers a unique perspective of interior Alaska.
We opted to do the land portion first, or a southbound route, and we’re glad we did. One reason we love cruising is that we can unpack once and explore multiple destinations during the same trip. Yet, this was not the case with the land portion of the cruisetour. The routine of packing/unpacking and waking up early to put the luggage out for transfer at each lodge did become a bit tiring, so we were happy to get that out of the way up front.
As guests of Princess Cruises for this trip, we were booked on the most popular cruisetour option, the Denali Explorer. Still, there are many combinations which range from 10 to 13 days and include either Fairbanks or Anchorage as a start (or end) point. Our specific itinerary, IB5, included 1 night in Fairbanks, 2 nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, and two nights at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali State Park.
Then, after five days on land, we took the rail service from Talkeetna (near Mt. Mckinley Lodge) to Whittier to board Sapphire Princess.
Given the flight schedule from the East Coast, we actually decided to add an extra night in Fairbanks before the official start of our cruisetour to help us adjust to the 4-hour time change after 16+ hours of travel. Again, this was a smart move.
Discovering Fairbanks
While Princess does own a lodge in Fairbanks, we were auto-assigned to an overflow lodge next door, the Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. This hotel was our first taste of the “rustic” lifestyle of Alaska’s interior. Though, the nearby Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge did look a bit more modern.
Arriving at the airport in Fairbanks, we were greeted by a Princess representative. She issued documentation for this leg of the journey and explained the luggage process. Soon after, we were whisked away with the rest of the group for a transfer to the hotels.
We used our first full day in Fairbanks to rest up and explore the waterfront area. Alternatively, Princess did offer shuttle service into the Downtown area for $10 per person.
Along with accommodations and all transportation, our Princess Alaska Cruisetour included two complimentary tours (one in Fairbanks and one in Denali). However, there were also a variety of optional shore excursions that guests could purchase in addition.
For instance, we took the hour-long drive to the Chena Hot Springs and Aurora Ice Museum. This remote spa spans extremes, from the world’s largest year-round ice environment to the warm, natural springs bubbling nearby. While the geothermal-heated waters were nice, we don’t really think the whole experience was worth the drive.
But our adventure really began the next morning.
Starting bright and early, we met our guide Stephanie for the short bus ride to Riverboat Discovery. Boarding the impressive Discovery III, we set off for a 3-hour cruise on the Chena River. With beautiful weather, a cruise on the river while listening to the narration and witnessing the fall colors would have been a great welcome to Alaska; little did we know what else was in store.
Shortly after leaving the dock, we encountered a bush pilot who came over the loudspeaker to discuss the aircraft in more detail and provide a demonstration of takeoff and landing.
Next, we stopped by the Trail Breaker Kennel, home of four-time Iditarod champion, the late Susan Butcher. We received a dog sledding demonstration and crash course from the kennel’s current master, Butcher’s daughter, Tekla.
The final stop included a roughly one-hour tour of a replica early 20th-century Athabascan village. Guided by two sisters, we learned about the history and culture of these First Nations people. From their nomadic past to more modern semi-permanent villages, we learned about fishing, hunting, and the impact of settlers on their way of life.
Off Roading in Denali
After a quick lunch, it was back on the bus for our 3-hour journey to the next stop, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge (DPL). This comfortable lodge overlooks the Nenana River and is just one mile from the entrance of Denali National Park.
Upon arrival, we we given our room key cards and itinerary while at the resort. This included our tour times, when luggage needed to be placed outside, and when we would depart for the next destination. Admittedly, the towering main lodge and wooded grounds felt like a different world from the more city atmosphere in Fairbanks.
With less than an hour until our next tour, we dropped off our belongings, freshened up, and met for our second optional excursion, a side-by-side ATV adventure. Joining a group of approximately 20 other thrillseekers, we zoomed through dirt paths, creeks, and rocky river bottoms all with the 6 million acres of Denali National Park as our backdrop. The light rain didn’t put a damper on this exhilarating tour. In fact, it was one of our best ATV adventures to date.
Back at DPL, we did our best to quickly clean up before grabbing some dinner. Tonight, we decided to try Fannie Q’s Saloon. Named after the famous Alaskan pioneer, the saloon boasts a late 19th-century industrial décor fitting of a boom town, complete with an upright piano player in period attire.
After a long day of touring, a local draft beer, grilled salmon sandwich, and the blueberry bear paw dessert were the perfect ending to a memorable day.
Going Back in Time in Denali National Park
Our second day at DPL featured another included tour, the Denali Natural History Tour. Our 9 am departure gave us just enough time for our morning espresso from the River Run Espresso coffee shop, located on the ground floor of the main lodge.
NOTE: Unlike a cruise, food is not included in the land portion of the cruisetour. The cruise line does offer the option to upgrade to a meal plan for an additional fee, and we did see many guests using these vouchers.
Our driver and tour guide for today was Sharon. From the moment the tour set off, I knew this one was going to be by the book given her straightforward and no-nonsense narration and mannerisms.
With overcast skies and light rain blending into the background, our group of about 60 guests boarded the retrofitted school bus for the 4.5-hour tour of Denali National Park which included three stops along the way.
Our first stop, the bus depot, was for an introductory movie. This was also the last chance to use flush toilets during the tour. From here, the bus weaved up and around the park, reaching mile 17 (Primrose Ridge) and an elevation of about 3,000 feet. Along the way, we all kept our eyes out for wildlife. We also made a brief stop at Savage Cabin for a first-hand experience of what the first visitors to the park would have experienced.
At our turnaround spot, local Athabascan cultural expert, Greg, offered an emotional reflection about his people and their connection to the land and modern-day park.
While we did enjoy some incredible vistas and fall foliage in the park, unfortunately, we did not encounter any sightings of the “big five”. Nor did we see Denali’s towering peaks. Other buses did report seeing moose and grizzly bears, but we were not so lucky.
Guests can upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour which ventures further into the park’s interior with the primary goal of wildlife viewing. If we return to Denali in the future, we would definitely pay to upgrade to this tour. Alternatively, the lodge provides shuttle service to the Denali National Park Visitor Center if you’d like to explore on your own for the day instead.
Home on the Lodge
Back at the Princess Lodge by the early afternoon, we had some time to explore the sprawling grounds. From gift shops to a river walk, decks overlooking the Nenana River, fire pits, and organized talks, the lodge offers numerous opportunities to connect with nature.
Of course, we couldn’t pass up grabbing a few souvenirs and some pizza at the on-property Lynx Creek Pizza. Though, there are more options for dining and shopping at the nearby “glitter glutch”.
Wanting to get a complete DPL experience, we made dinner reservations at the sit-down restaurant King Salmon. While we received a QR code with restaurant info when we arrived, it is possible to make reservations for this restaurant on OpenTable as well. We would later learn this is also true at the other sit-down restaurant, North Fork, at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.
If you are traveling during peak season, we definitely recommend reserving ahead of time.
Of the available dining options, we enjoyed the food here the most. I couldn’t pass up getting the signature King Salmon entrée, which had just a touch of salt for added flavor.
Into the State Park We Go
The one thing that surprised us most about the cruisetour was the complexity of scheduling and all the moving parts.
We were surprised at how few people we met at the lodges were doing our exact itinerary. And this wasn’t just the difference between heading northbound or southbound, but guests were staying at a different series of lodges, sailing on a different ship, or starting/ending in Anchorage rather than Fairbanks. Despite this constant flow of visitors, arriving and departing each destination was a smooth experience (even if the rooms weren’t always ready when we arrived).
After spending two nights at Denali Princess Lodge, we departed for our final land stop.
Buried in the forest of the Denali State Park is Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge (MPL). The approximately two-hour bus ride to this lodge flew by. Our driver/guide, Rebekah, was a cheerful transplant who had been calling Alaska home for several years.
Unlike the other two lodges, a stay at MPL does not include a tour. Instead, guests have a variety of options to head out and discover on their own, whether that be hiking one of the trails on property, taking a tour from the nearby town of Talkeetna, or just relaxing at the resort hoping to become one of the 30% to actually see the mountain.
Before our trip, we opted for one of the more weather-dependent tours, a flightseeing trip of Denali. This tour was scheduled for the second day at the lodge.
Arriving at the Mt. McKinley Lodge around lunchtime, the rooms were not ready yet. Thus, we had time to grab some much-needed coffee from Coffee Bruin Espresso and explore the main building.
Unfortunately, our weather luck had finally run out. With mostly seasonable and cloudy weather up until now, the rain decided to dampen our stay at this resort. Thus, we opted to hold off on exploring the rest of this remote lodge for now.
While smaller than the Denali Lodge, MPL felt more spread out, with several smaller buildings scattered across the grounds. As luck would have it, our room was in one of the cabins furthest from the main lodge, building 21. Although when we finally arrived at our room, we realized we were assigned one of the suites! For those who need it, there is on-property shuttle service.
With our luggage arriving shortly after, we changed up and headed out to dinner at the more upscale restaurant on property, North Fork. I opted for some light and airy crab fritters as an appetizer. Based on our waiter’s recommendation, I went with the crab-topped filet as an entree, which was a perfectly seared medium steak. This was definitely the best meal we had across the three lodges.
Since the weather wasn’t conducive to enjoying a drink out on the deck overlooking the mountain or sitting by one of the firepits, we called it an early night.
Out on Our Own in Alaska
We were up at a reasonable hour on the second morning of our stay at MPL to catch the 9 am shuttle into Talkeetna. While it was rainy and wet, and we had doubts about our flightseeing tour, we hadn’t heard from the tour company or lodge representatives that the tour was cancelled.
After the hour bus ride and a short walk to the tour provider’s office, it wasn’t much of a surprise when we learned that operations were cancelled for the day. Well, I guess we made an unplanned detour into this small town…and the next shuttle back to the lodge wasn’t for another 1.5 hours!
Lined with small shops and excursion companies, Talkeetna is really only a few blocks. So, we wandered off in the rain and were able to see everything in about an hour. No visit to this town would be complete without some pastries from the Roadhouse Bakery.
Back at the lodge, it was time to explore despite the ongoing rain.
Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge offers amenities including hiking trails and even guided walks each day with a naturalist. Further, the Hudson Theater hosts lectures and informational talks. These talks range from in-depth discussions of local wildlife to mountain climbing. During our visit, we got to hear from Brian McCullough, a local guide who has scaled Denali multiple times in his decades-long career.
While there are no shuttles to the park, the resort does offer shuttles into Talkeetna. It’s a $10 round-trip fee for those who do not already have an excursion meeting in town.
Taking some previously given advice, we hopped on the property shuttle to the opposite end of the Hill Trail loop. This one-mile loop offers some fantastic views of the lodge area and park from an oversized and stylish treehouse. Featured on Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters, it is certainly worth the walk to check it out. By taking the shuttle to the back end of the trail, it means the rest of the walk is mostly downhill.
With a long travel day ahead of us tomorrow, we rounded out our stay here with a casual dinner at the other restaurant on the property, 20,320 Alaskan Grill. My prime rib was a hearty portion, just what I needed after a long, damp day of walking around the area. Of course, we saved some room for the much-hyped blueberry cheesecake, which did not disappoint.
Next Stop, Whittier
Usually, on cruise embarkation day, we are up bright and early to be among the first on the ship.
For this Princess Alaska Cruisetour, we were still hours away from the ship. And our 5-hour train ride from Talkeenta to Sapphire Princess wasn’t until 1:45 pm. This meant that we would be among some of the last guests to board the ship.
Even though we weren’t leaving the lodge until 11:30 am, our bags still had to be placed outside our room by 6:30 am– certainly one of the drawbacks of a cruisetour.
Up and ready with time to kill, we grabbed breakfast at the grill before making our way over the the main lodge. Like much of the cruisetour, the buses were right on time and about 500 or so guests were ushered from the lodge to the train station.
However, calling it a train station is being too generous. Essentially, there is a small pull-off outside of Talkeetna where the train disembarks and embarks cruise ship passengers.
The train was slightly late but was able to make up time as we rallied southbound toward Whittier. Seated in car 6, our host Brianna was a bright and cheery guide on this final leg of our land portion.
Along the journey, we were able to relax and enjoy the views, accompanied by a few Alaskan beers and snacks along the way. The last hour or so from Anchorage into Whittier is really the most scenic. As we hugged the Turnagain Arm, we passed mountains, glaciers, and other beautiful autumn landscapes. Alas, still no wildlife sightings.
While you are allowed to move from car to car during this train ride, unfortunately, there are no outdoor viewing platforms on the rail service from McKinley (only Denali, which is approximately 9.5 hours).
One nice feature is that the train picks up Whittier port staff along the way who complete the check-in process and issue Medallions (if you didn’t receive them at home). This means you can head directly onto the ship upon arrival.
Sapphire Princess docked at the Whittier cruise terminal was a welcomed sight when we arrived just before 7:30 pm.
Sailing the Inside Passage on Sapphire Princess
At 115K gross tons, the 21-year-old, 18-deck Sapphire Princess is a good choice for an Alaska cruise.
The ship boasts several outdoor viewing platforms and spaces at the top of the ship. It also has an open-air promenade on deck 7 offering partially sheltered viewpoints. Guests can get all the way forward on deck 8 for covered views from the bow as well. Or, guests can head all the way forward on deck 15 for a bird’s-eye view.
Along with plenty of outdoor rail space for scenic sailing and glacier viewing, Sapphire Princess also has the Skywalker Lounge, aft on deck 18. This nightclub doubles as an indoor observation lounge overlooking the ship’s wake.
For a ship of its size and age, we were surprised by all of the features and amenities. The two-story indoor Conservatory is home to a pool, whirlpools, and a bar, which were great when the weather outside was not cooperating. Not to mention, there’s a central pool on deck 14, an adults-only pool on deck 15, and a terrace aft infinity pool on deck 12.
Or, you could upgrade to the Sanctuary on deck 15 to enjoy a semi-private sundeck with scenic Alaskan vistas as the backdrop. Sapphire Princess also features the Lotus Spa with heated stone loungers, saunas, steam rooms, and other unique experiences, along with a fitness center and an outdoor sports court.
Dining on Sapphire Princess
With 5 different dining rooms, guests can opt for traditional dinner times or more flexible options. Regardless of the dining room, all guests enjoy the same rotational menu. This menu includes new selections each night, along with standard “Princess Favorites” like shrimp cocktail or grilled chicken.
Honestly, we were pleasantly surprised by the food in the main dining room. Some of the standout dishes were the pork belly, land and sea, and the nightly pasta specials. Guests seeking local cuisine will not want to pass up the crab cake or roasted duck, among other delicious options as part of Princess Cruises’ North to Alaska program. Of course, you need to sample some baked Alaska for dessert as well. Although, I am more of a fan of the cheesecake, which changes flavor every night.
We tended to eat in the Savoy dining room, where guests with pre-made reservations can enjoy a guaranteed seat at a reserved time. The dining service team of Robert and Vivek was outstanding as was the hostess Jobe.
Additional dining options on Sapphire Princess include some of the best pizza at sea at Alfredo’s Pizzeria on deck 5. We couldn’t help dining here on multiple occasions, including on the first night of the cruise. It was the perfect option for a low-key dinner after a long day of traveling from the lodge to the ship.
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Churrascaria are the specialty dining venues on the ship, and they did not disappoint. We had the Princess Premier package, which includes unlimited casual and specialty dining, so we made sure to test out both venues. I was impressed with the Brazilian steakhouse. The venue featured a wide variety of cuts of meat and a fully loaded salad bar even featuring sushi. It was one of the most filling meals I have ever had on a cruise ship.
While our previous dining experiences at Sabatini’s have been hit or miss, this round hit all the high notes. With al dente pasta bolognese and a tender osso bucco, it was a classic Italian dinner.
Like other Princess ships, the Horizon Court buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s also poolside burgers and fries at the Trident Grill and freshly made pizza by the slice at Prego.
With so many options, we never went hungry. Not to mention, the International Cafe serves up great snacks alongside espresso-based beverages. You can’t pass up the cookies here!
Onboard Activities and Enrichment
Princess Cruises is known for its onboard enrichment when sailing in Alaska. Yes, part of the North to Alaska program includes regional dishes, along with locally produced beers, wines, and spirits. But the true highlight is usually the onboard lecturers and presentations.
Our onboard naturalist hosted a few talks on the wildlife of Alaska and glaciers. She also narrated scenic sailing on two occasions, including one afternoon where we spotted eight humpback whales sailing alongside the ship.
There were also a few guest lecturers. Photographer Daryl Pederson offered a talk on photography in Alaska, focusing on the Northern Lights. Storyteller W.R. Kozey offered a fun and interactive talk on surviving the gold rush.
But perhaps the winner for most guests was “Puppies in the Piazza”. With a Q&A session from 2023 Iditarod winner Ryan Reddington, this session also featured two 8-week-old Alaskan huskies.
While this programming is what sets Princess Cruises apart from other cruise lines, we did expect a few more talks, especially given the additional unexpected sea days due to the weather.
Outside of the North to Alaska events, Cruise Director Drew and Activities Manager Sierra made sure to keep everyone entertained with various trivia, game shows, and cruiser competitions. There were daily guest vs. officer challenges in the Piazza. The Explorers Lounge was home to a nightly game show, like The Perfect Couple and everyone’s favorite Marriage Match game show.
There were a variety of musical acts as well, including piano music in Crooners, live bands in the Piazza, and guitarists and duos in the Wheelhouse Bar. Club Fusion was also home to activities like bingo and comedy, with two different comedians featured during our sailing.
The main theater was home to three signature productions. The ship’s cast of singers and dancers performed “Do You Wanna Dance,” “Bravo,” and “Let Me Entertain You.”
Traditional cruisers will feel right at home on Sapphire Princess, with dinner, a game show, and a main theater show all lined up for them most nights of the cruise. Honestly though, we have never been big fans of the production shows on Princess, and this cruise certainly did not change our minds.
Some Detours to the Itinerary
Of our six previous Alaska cruises, two of them have been with Princess. In fact, just a few years ago, we sailed southbound on Majestic Princess on the same itinerary. Being the last cruise of the season, we knew the weather could impact the trip. And, unfortunately, it did. Just one of the risks of cruising during shoulder season in Alaska.
This seven-night cruise typically includes two glacier viewing days—one of Hubbard Glacier and another day in Glacier Bay National Park. Then, the ship spends full days in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, with one sea day at the end en route to Vancouver, BC.
On the morning of Day 2, we would learn that due to forecasted windy weather and rough seas, the ship was going to forgo sailing Yakutat Bay and the Hubbard Glacier. Instead, we needed to head to sheltered waters and await our Day 3 arrival time slot into Glacier Bay. This was disappointing, as the weather actually turned out to be sunny and mild most of the afternoon.
Later in the cruise, Mother Nature would further alter the ship’s path. Again, strong winds and stormy conditions impacted the ship’s ability to call in Juneau on Day 5. And indeed, the seas were very rough and stormy this morning.
But, through it all, the captain and crew of Sapphire Princess kept all the passengers safe and happy with a variety of activities and events throughout the voyage. Plus, we were still able to salvage the other ports of call with some exciting excursions and scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park.
No Two Visits to Glacier Bay National Park Are the Same
Luckily, the ship survived the rocky weather the day before, and it was smooth sailing into Glacier Bay National Park. Picking up the park rangers before 9 am, we had a full day of exploring the natural wonders of the area.
Although we have visited the park a few times before, each experience remains unique. The ship’s path and day’s schedule are typically the same, but each park ranger brings his/her own perspective. Ranger Rianne gave a presentation on the park’s unique geography, wildlife, and flora to a packed main theater.
Throughout the remainder of the day, she provided ship-wide narration as we glided through the peaceful waters. While it was grey and raining, the visibility was decent. Thus, we were able to catch views of the Grand Pacific Glacier, Marjerie Glacier, Lamplugh Glacier, and John Hopkins Glacier.
Having missed most of embarkation day, followed by the Day 2 detour, this visit into Glacier Bay National Park was just the reset we needed (even if the weather wasn’t ideal).
Time to Race Some Huskies
What could be better than one encounter with Alaskan husky puppies in a day? Well, two chances to interact with these adorable creatures.
With over 12 hours in Skagway, Heidi and I opted to book the Musher’s Camp and Sled Dog Experience in Dyea through the cruise line.
Like anything in Alaska, getting to our destination was half the fun. The scenic ride took us by bays and up the side of the mountain on a Unimog. This large off-road vehicle was the only way the tour group could get to the camp, where plenty of Alaskan huskies were waiting for us.
The sled dog experience started with a one-mile ride on a summer sled. It was exhilerating even while getting pelted with rain. Our guide masterfully ensured her team navigated the muddy terrain with our 4-person sled. After the ride, we were able to meet the lovable team.
But, the biggest highlight was getting to meet even more huskies down at base camp. Here, we got to see dogs at all stages of their careers, from 9-year-old retired huskies to 8-week-old pups. We had about an hour to learn more about these animals and hold some puppies of course.
From our outgoing tour guide Victor to the musher and other trainers, this tour was informative, fun, and well executed.
Heading out to Sea on the Aleutian Ballad
We’ve been fortunate to experience a lot of the bucket list tours and shore excursions in Alaska. From glacier walks and helicopter rides to floatplane sightseeing in the Misty Fjords and bear-watching expeditions, we have covered a lot of ground.
This time around, we decided to try one of the most popular shore excursions in Ketchikan, the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour. Booking this tour with Shore Excursions Group, we boarded the Aleutian Ballad for a 3-hour tour that is unlike anything else.
For fans of the show “The Deadliest Catch,” this tour offers a chance to set sail on the infamous vessel featured in Season 2. But for me, the real charm came from listening to the stories of Captain David, Dave, and Ron. These Bering Sea fishermen have decades of experience, as well as tall tales to tell. Their personal narratives are intricately woven into the fishing demonstrations and hands-on experiences.
Yes, there is an opportunity to interact with some of the marine life and time for plenty of photo-ops. After all, who doesn’t want to hold a box crab or a starfish?
The live fishing and crabbing demonstrations, all from the comforts of the heated amphitheater, are conducted in the protected waters of a local indigenous clan. Therefore, the crew of the Aleutian Ballad is able to showcase experiences that other tour boats cannot offer in U.S. waters.
Of course, a trip out to sea on a crabbing vessel wouldn’t be complete without some fresh crab as a snack.
Recap of Our Princess Alaska Cruisetour Review
Sapphire Princess was an admirable vessel for our most recent journey to Alaska. While the ship is over twenty years old, we were pleasantly surprised with the amount of outdoor viewing areas, onboard spaces, and the dining. Some areas did feel a bit dated and the ship lacked some newer Princess venues, but stay tuned, as Sapphire Princess is completing a dry dock and is expected to debut some new features.
But the main reason we ventured back to the Last Frontier this year was to experience our first Cruisetour. We’ve visited all the typical southeastern Alaska ports before, and we’ve even done the same southbound Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary before. However, we were eager to experience more of Alaska’s interior. We wanted to check out Fairbanks, visit Denali National Park, and take a ride on the Alaska Railroad.
As a leader in Alaska, along with sister brand Holland America, Princess was an obvious choice for this land-and-sea adventure. Princess Cruises owns and operates five lodges in the area and has direct rail service to and from the cruise ships in Whittier.
As seasoned Alaska cruisers, it was fun to experience something different. We enjoyed the autumn landscapes and our visit to Denali National Park, even if we didn’t see any moose or grizzlies. I guess that means a return trip is necessary! Of the three lodges we visited, we really liked Denali Wilderness Lodge and wish we had more time there. Next time, we would probably opt for fewer lodges/more time at each lodge.
If you’re considering an Alaska Cruisetour, it’s important to realize that even though it’s a Princess operation, the experience does differ quite a bit from the cruise experience. These are some things to keep in mind:
- Every lodge is unique but they are generally more rustic with fewer amenities than cruise ships
- You’ll spend a lot of time on buses transiting from one lodge to the next
- Food is not included at the lodges (no ship packages work on the land portion either)
- There’s lots of packing and unpacking, along with placing luggage outside early in the AM
- Weather can be unpredictable, especially early or late in the season
- Wildlife sightings may not be as abundant as you think
- Some tours are included, but you can also book additional tours so budget accordingly
- You’ll have lots of different cruisetour options; decide on length and how many lodges you want to cover during the land portion
- Carefully consider if you’d prefer the land portion before or after the cruise- we recommend before
- Pace yourself and don’t overschedule the land portion or you’ll end up exhausted
- Only 30% of visitors to Denali actually see the mountain, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t
So, who should book a Princess Cruisetour and who might want to reconsider?
Book a Princess Cruisetour if:
- You’re a nature lover and want to explore more of the interior state
- You’ve already cruised to Alaska and want to try something different
- You have extra vacation time and budget as they are usually 10+ days in length
- You want to see and do as much as possible without worrying about all the logistics
Reconsider Booking a Cruisetour if:
- You want a nearly all-inclusive experience from start to finish
- You prefer a more slow paced vacation
- You’re a family traveling with young kids
- You are a first-time cruiser or first-time visitor to Alaska (a cruisetour might be overwhelming)
Comments
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