Princess Cruises first began cruising to Alaska on June 3, 1969 with Princess Italia carrying 525 guests to this breathtaking bucket-list destination. This year, the #1 cruise line in Alaska is celebrating its 50 years of sailing to the Great Land by introducing new entertainment, shore excursions and culinary offerings to mark this significant milestone.
Alaska with its glaciers, wildlife, national parks and beautiful port cities is a truly stunning destination and there’s no better way to explore it than via a cruise.
During the last 50 years Princess Cruises has taken more people than any other cruise line to Alaska. Over the past 5 decades the cruise line has sailed more than 5 million guests to America’s last frontier.
From May through September seven Princess Cruises ships will be sailing in Alaska, marking the cruise line’s largest deployment ever and featuring the debut of Royal Princess, the first time a Princess MedallionClas ship is sailing in America’s last frontier.
Considered a breakthrough in the vacation industry, the OceanMedallion wearable device features leading-edge technology that offers the fastest way to a hassle-free, personalised cruise, giving guests more opportunity to enjoy their time onboard. Ocean Medallion is available on Caribbean Princess, Regal Princess and Royal Princess. It will be introduced on Crown Princess at the end of July 24 and on Sky Princess when it enters service on October 20. Next year the OceanMedallion will be activated six more ships (Ruby Princess, Grand Princess, Enchanted Princess, Emerald Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess).
“We’ve spent half a century developing our legacy in Alaska and host more guests there than any other cruise line – more than 5 million over the last 50 years,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We invite guests to celebrate this 50-year milestone with us, to try new and authentic experiences, combined with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Great Land and embark on an unforgettable journey.”
Princess offers a variety of cruise and cruisetour options highlighting the state’s must-see attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park.
Princess also owns and operates five wilderness lodges nestled in scenic riverside locations near National Parks offering more than 20 unique cruisetour options for guests. Princess cruisetours highlight the best of Alaska by combining a seven-day cruise with a multi-night land tour and exclusive “Direct to the Wilderness” rail service – giving travelers a seamless Princess vacation experience in the Great Land.
An exclusive treehouse experience at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters offers guests the ultimate Denali view in an unforgettable setting.
New for 2019, as part of the Alaska cruisetour offerings, is the grand opening of Fannie Q’s Saloon at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. This new restaurant and bar named after famed Alaskan pioneer, Fannie Quigley, will showcase her story and locally inspired dishes in a modern saloon setting, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Just outside of Fannie Q’s Saloon, the new Fireside Patio also debuts with three firepits offering a new gathering place for guests to roast marshmallows, talk about their adventures and have a drink in the midnight sun. Light refreshments will be available for purchase at this new cozy spot.
Last, newly named Grizzly Burger offers a fast-casual restaurant serving up the cruise line’s award-winning “Ernesto” burger, named “Best Burger at Sea” by Cruise Critic. This uniquely crafted ribeye burger was created exclusively for Princess by burger expert Chef Ernesto Uchimura.
Several new initiatives have been introduced to mark the 50th anniversary. They will be offered alongside Princess Cruises’ ‘North to Alaska’ onboard programme, which includes ‘puppies in the piazza’ – when some of Alaska’s newest sled dogs and their handlers come aboard – and the ‘cook my catch’ fishing shore excursion.
Alaska cruises range in length from seven to 12 days and depart from Vancouver, Anchorage (Whittier), Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
For more information visit Princess Cruises.
