Princess Cruises Alaska: Complete Guide

Princess Cruises offers multiple Alaska itineraries from May through September, featuring destinations like Glacier Bay, Inside Passage, and Denali. Routes depart from Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Whittier. Ships range from mid-sized to large vessels with amenities including specialty dining, entertainment, and excursions. Princess pioneered Alaska cruising and maintains specialized glacier viewing areas onboard.

Quick Facts

Want to know more about all the Alaska cruise lines available? Different cruise lines offer varying experiences and price points worth considering.

Why Princess Dominates Alaska Cruising

Princess didn’t just show up to Alaska cruising – they invented the modern version of it. They’re the only major cruise line that owns wilderness lodges in Denali and the Kenai Peninsula, which gives them a serious edge for cruisetours. Their ships have custom-designed features specifically for Alaska including heated outdoor viewing decks and those massive forward-facing lounges where you can watch glaciers calve while sipping coffee.

The North to Southbound routes (or vice versa) give you a genuine one-way journey feel rather than backtracking. You’ll embark in one port like Whittier and disembark in Vancouver, seeing entirely different coastline the whole way. Round-trip sailings from Seattle or San Francisco work better if you prefer not dealing with one-way flights.

Choosing Your Itinerary

Princess runs three main route types and the differences matter more than you’d think:

• Inside Passage: Calm protected waters with frequent port stops. You’ll visit Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Better for wildlife spotting close to shore and ideal if anyone in your group gets seasick easily.
• Glacier Bay: Includes a full day cruising Glacier Bay National Park with park rangers boarding the ship to narrate. This is the money shot itinerary with towering tidewater glaciers.
• Gulf of Alaska: One-way cruises between Whittier and Vancouver (or reverse). More open ocean but you see both sides of the Alaska coastline plus you can add land tours easily.

The Glacier Bay permit system limits how many ships can enter each day, so Princess’s multiple permits give them more sailing dates there than most competitors. If seeing massive glaciers up close tops your list, make absolutely certain your itinerary specifically lists Glacier Bay National Park – some cruises substitute Hubbard Glacier or Tracy Arm instead.

Ship Selection Strategy

Princess deploys six ships to Alaska and they’re not interchangeable. The smaller ships like Coral Princess and Island Princess (around 2,000 passengers) can navigate tighter waterways and dock at more ports instead of tendering. The larger ships like Majestic Princess and Discovery Princess have more dining venues and entertainment but might anchor offshore at smaller ports.

The Crown Princess, Royal Princess, and Majestic Princess all have the signature SeaWalk – a glass-floor walkway extending over the ocean. Sounds gimmicky but it’s actually thrilling when cruising past glaciers. Every Princess ship in Alaska has the Sanctuary (adults-only retreat) which becomes prime real estate during scenic cruising.

Comparing Princess to Competitors

If you’re weighing options, understanding how Princess stacks up against Holland America helps since they’re sister companies with different vibes. Princess skews slightly younger with more contemporary entertainment while Holland America goes for traditional elegance.

Against the other major lines, here’s the honest breakdown:

• Celebrity Cruises in Alaska offers more modern luxury with higher-end finishes
• Royal Caribbean Alaska cruises bring flashier entertainment and activities but fewer Alaska-specific features
• Norwegian Cruise Line Alaska sailings give you more dining flexibility with their freestyle concept
• Disney Alaska cruises excel for families with young kids but run limited Alaska season
• Carnival’s Alaska cruises provide the most budget-friendly option with a party atmosphere

For a completely different experience, luxury Alaska cruise lines like Seabourn and Silversea offer all-inclusive pricing and more intimate ships. On the adventure side, UnCruise Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions with National Geographic, and Alaskan Dream Cruises run small vessels reaching remote locations impossible for large ships.

The choice between small ships versus big ships for Alaska cruising really depends on whether you prioritize destination access or onboard amenities.

Shore Excursions Worth the Money

Princess shore excursions run expensive but some justify the cost. The White Pass Railway in Skagway books solid months ahead – reserve this immediately when your booking window opens. The Mendenhall Glacier helicopter landing experience in Juneau costs a fortune but walking on an actual glacier beats viewing from afar.

Here’s where you can save money: skip the overpriced “city tour” excursions in Ketchikan and Juneau. Both towns are tiny and walkable. Download offline maps beforehand and explore independently. The totem poles in Ketchikan sit within easy walking distance of the pier. In Juneau, the tram to Mount Roberts offers better views than most paid tours and you can book it directly for less.

Sitka requires more planning since most ships anchor offshore and tender in. The Russian cultural sites and Raptor Center make good independent exploration but they’re spread out. This is one port where booking a Princess excursion actually makes logistical sense.

Onboard Alaska-Specific Features

The North Star Naturalist program puts trained experts on every Alaska sailing who give lectures about wildlife, geology, and ecosystems. They’ll also make announcements when whales or bears are spotted and tell you which deck to rush to. The Encounters port talks preview each destination and help you decide between excursions.

Princess worked with Discovery Channel to create exclusive Alaska programming shown on stateroom TVs. It sounds like marketing fluff but the content is actually solid for learning about what you’ll see.

Wake-up calls for scenic cruising happen early – sometimes 5:30 AM for glacier viewing. Set your phone alarm as backup because missing Glacier Bay while sleeping would haunt you forever. The open decks get crowded fast so claim your spot 15 minutes before the announced time.

Cabin Selection Secrets

Balcony cabins make more sense in Alaska than anywhere else you’ll cruise. You’ll want private outdoor space for wildlife watching without fighting crowds on public decks. Book starboard (right side) for northbound sailings and port (left side) for southbound to maximize glacier views, though ships often rotate 180 degrees so everyone gets a turn.

Mini-suites offer the best value jump – substantially larger balconies and priority boarding/tendering for maybe $500-800 more than standard balconies. Inside cabins save serious money if you plan to spend days in port and evenings in public areas anyway.

Forward cabins give better views during scenic cruising since you’re heading toward glaciers rather than watching them recede. Avoid cabins directly under the buffet or above the theater unless you enjoy footsteps as white noise.

What Actually Costs Extra

Princess uses “Plus” and “Premier” packages bundling drinks, WiFi, and gratuities. Run the math based on your drinking habits before buying. WiFi in Alaska is satellite-based and slower than Caribbean cruising – don’t expect to stream Netflix.

Specialty dining costs extra but the steakhouse and seafood restaurant beat the main dining room significantly. The sit-down breakfast at specialty restaurants is an underrated move – no buffet crowds and you get waiter service.

Photos are aggressively marketed but you’ll take better shots yourself. Bring a real camera or good smartphone with zoom capability. The professional photographers can’t capture that whale breach happening spontaneously off your balcony.

Weather and Packing Reality

Alaska cruising means 50-65°F most days with random rain. The “feels like” temperature drops significantly on moving ships. Layers work better than heavy coats because you’ll peel them off during shore walks through town but need them back on deck.

Essential packing list:

• Waterproof jacket with hood (not an umbrella which is useless on windy decks)
• Comfortable waterproof walking shoes (not white sneakers unless you enjoy mud stains)
• Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42 magnification)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (the UV reflects off water intensely)
• Seasickness medication even if you never get motion sick
• Power strip for cabin (limited outlets)
• Reusable water bottle

Skip packing formal gowns or tuxedos. Alaska formal nights mean sports coat and dress for most passengers. Nobody judges if you skip formal dining and hit the buffet in jeans instead.

Money-Saving Strategies

Book 12-18 months ahead when Princess releases inventory. Early booking rates drop significantly compared to last-minute pricing (Alaska cruises don’t see the deep discounts Caribbean sailings get closer to sailing). Shoulder season sailings in May and September cost less and have fewer kids onboard but weather gets iffier.

Understanding what Alaska cruises actually cost helps you budget properly for the whole trip including flights and pre/post hotel nights.

Past Princess passengers get loyalty discounts but they’re not huge. If you’re choosing between cruise lines purely for price, check Holland America’s Alaska cruises which occasionally undercut Princess on identical itineraries.

Booking excursions independently in some ports saves money but research cancellation policies. If your ship can’t dock due to weather, cruise line excursions refund automatically while independent bookings might not.

Planning Your Alaska Cruise

The full process of planning an Alaska cruise involves more than just booking the ship – flights, transfers, and pre-cruise hotel logistics matter significantly.

Flying into Vancouver or Seattle the day before eliminates the stress of missed connections delaying your boarding. Princess offers hotel packages but booking independently often saves money. For Whittier embarkations, you’ll need to arrange transportation from Anchorage (about 90 minutes) unless you book Princess transfers.

Cruisetours combining the cruise with land stays in Denali and Fairbanks make sense if this is your only Alaska trip. Princess owns five wilderness lodges so their cruisetour logistics work smoothly. The 10-14 day cruisetour itineraries let you see interior Alaska’s completely different landscape.

Travel insurance matters more for Alaska than Caribbean cruises. Weather cancellations happen and medical evacuation from remote ports costs astronomical amounts. Read policy details carefully – some exclude “foreseeable” weather events.

Bonus Tips

• Download offline maps for each port before losing WiFi signal when leaving the ship
• Bring a waterproof phone case or pouch for deck photography in mist and rain
• The free pizza and burgers on Lido deck beat waiting in formal dining if you’re starving after excursions
• Request adjoining cabins rather than connecting cabins (adjoining share a wall while connecting have an interior door that’s awkward)
• Tip your cabin steward extra early in the cruise and watch service quality jump
• Book spa treatments on port days when facilities are emptier and therapists sometimes discount
• The last sailing of the season (mid-September) offers the best chance of seeing Northern Lights if you get lucky with solar activity
• Bring quarters for laundry if you’re sailing longer than 7 days and don’t want to pay valet service
• The library stocks Alaska guidebooks you can borrow and wildlife identification guides
• Drink packages don’t include Starbucks coffee – budget separately if you’re addicted to lattes
• Motion sickness hits hardest in the Gulf of Alaska on outside cabins aft – choose midship if you’re sensitive
• Princess rewards loyalty points even on discounted cruise fares unlike some lines that exclude deals

When Wildlife Doesn’t Cooperate

Some sailings see dozens of whales while others spot maybe two in the distance. This is wildlife in natural habitat not a zoo. The cruise line can’t control whether bears wander to shorelines when your ship passes. Manage expectations and appreciate whatever nature provides.

Early season (May) has more whales migrating but also more rain and some shore excursions aren’t operating yet. Peak season (June-July) brings the best weather and longest daylight but maximum crowds everywhere. Late season (August-September) offers fall colors and salmon runs attracting bears to streams but some birds have already migrated south.

The most honest advice: every Alaska cruise delivers stunning scenery but the wildlife viewing involves luck. Go primarily for glaciers and mountains and treat any animal sightings as bonus excitement.

Common Questions and FAQ

Do I need a passport for Princess Alaska cruises?

Not technically required for round-trip cruises from Seattle since you’re not disembarking in Canada. However, if any emergency requires flying home from a Canadian port, you’ll need a passport to board the plane. Strongly recommended to bring passport anyway. One-way cruises between US and Canadian ports legally require passports.

How formal are Alaska cruises compared to Caribbean?

Noticeably more casual. Formal nights still happen but “Alaska formal” means sports coat and dress rather than tuxedos and gowns. Many passengers skip formal dining entirely and nobody cares. Daywear is outdoor gear and comfortable shoes rather than resort wear.

Can I see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise?

Extremely unlikely. The cruise season ends before Aurora season really kicks in (late September through March). The few September sailings might catch displays if solar activity spikes but don’t book expecting this. Midnight sun during June-July means it never gets dark enough anyway.

What’s the drinking age on Princess Alaska cruises?

21 throughout the cruise even when in Canadian waters. Princess enforces this strictly unlike some lines that allow 18-year-olds to drink when the ship is in international waters or Canadian ports.

Do I need hiking boots for shore excursions?

Only if booking serious hiking excursions like Chilkoot Trail walks. Most excursions and town walking work fine with waterproof walking shoes or trail runners. Hiking boots take up luggage space and most passengers never need them. The exception is glacier walking tours which require boots (usually provided).

How rough is the water on Alaska cruises?

Inside Passage routes stay in protected channels and rarely get rough. Gulf of Alaska one-way cruises cross some open ocean and can get bouncy, especially the segment between Seward/Whittier and first port. If you’re prone to seasickness, bring medication and choose Inside Passage routes over Gulf crossings.

Are gratuities included in Princess cruise fares?

No, gratuities are additional unless you purchase the Premier package. Expect about $16 per person per day charged to your account. You can adjust amounts at guest services but most passengers leave the standard rates.

What wildlife will I definitely see?

Bald eagles are virtually guaranteed – they’re as common as pigeons in Alaska ports. Seals and sea lions appear regularly. Everything else (whales, bears, orcas, mountain goats) involves luck and timing. Ships carry naturalists specifically because wildlife sightings are unpredictable enough to need expert spotting.

Finding More Princess Information

For complete details about Princess Cruises across all destinations including ship comparisons and pricing strategies, their Alaska program represents their heritage and strongest offerings but isn’t their only market.

Personal Experience

We took our first Princess cruise to Alaska last summer, and honestly, the Inside Passage route was perfect for spotting wildlife. The ship moves slowly through those narrow channels, so we saw humpback whales breaching right off our balcony near Juneau, and bald eagles were everywhere once we got to Ketchikan. A couple we met at dinner had done the Gulf of Alaska route the year before and said they saw more glaciers but fewer animals up close. They told us to always book around February or March when Princess releases their early booking deals – we saved about $800 per person doing that. The other smart thing they mentioned was waiting until you’re actually in Alaska to buy the heavy souvenirs since lugging them through multiple ports gets old fast.

The packing advice from seasoned cruisers in our tour groups was spot-on. Layers are everything because you’ll go from chilly mornings on deck to warm afternoons exploring towns. I’m glad we brought our own binoculars instead of renting them – they came out constantly. One woman who’d done this cruise three times swore by bringing waterproof pants for the shore excursions, and she was right when we went hiking near Skagway in the drizzle. The onboard naturalists were fantastic too, always announcing over the intercom when wildlife was spotted and which side of the ship to run to. Just remember that Alaska weather does what it wants, so having a rain jacket stuffed in your day bag becomes second nature pretty quickly.