Princess Cruises' Alaskan voyages are celebrating their 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the cruise line will be introducing new programs on seven of its ships sailing Alaskan itineraries, including the debut of the Royal Princess as the first ship to feature the new Princess Medallion Class on a route through the "Big Earth." In addition, the cruise line is offering unique experiences for travelers cruising the Alaskan seas, such as staying in one of the five lodges or cabins operated by Princess Cruises in the destination, or enjoying themed offerings that will be added to the award-winning "North to Alaska" onboard program, such as the Northern Lights Planetarium and various Land Adventure packages, among many others.
With 525 passengers on board, the Princess Italia was the first Princess Cruises ship to begin sailing to Alaska on June 3, 1969. This year, the number one cruise line in this stunning destination celebrates 50 years of sailing in this land of wilderness with a new lineup of entertainment, magnificent excursions, and exquisite culinary offerings that will mark this significant milestone.
To this end, new programs will be added to seven of the ships in the Princess Cruises fleet that sail routes through the northernmost U.S. state, and will be available for the upcoming May-September season. This is the largest expansion the cruise line has ever undertaken, and it also marks the debut of the Royal Princess as the first ship to incorporate the new Princess Medallion Class on an Alaskan voyage.
Established as a major breakthrough for the tourism industry, the Ocean Medallion is a wearable device with cutting-edge technology that offers a much more personalized onboard experience; promoting interaction between crew members and other passengers, and eliminating points of friction while enabling interactive entertainment.
“We have been building our legacy in Alaska for half a century and have brought more passengers there than any other cruise line—more than 5 million in the last 50 years,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “We invite our guests to celebrate this important milestone with us, as well as experience new and authentic adventures combined with the extraordinary beauty of the ‘Great Land,’ embarking on an unforgettable journey.”
Recognized as one of the world's leading cruise lines, Princess Cruises offers a wide variety of ships and itineraries to Alaska, including its main attractions such as Glacier Bay and Denali National Parks. Alaska cruises range from seven to twelve days and depart from Vancouver, Anchorage (Whittier), Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
In addition, the cruise line boasts five lodges , or cabin-style accommodations, nestled in uniquely enchanting landscapes along rivers, near National Parks, and offering more than 20 unique itinerary options for its guests. Princess tours showcase the best of Alaska through a seven-day onboard itinerary combined with a multi-night onshore journey and the exclusive "Direct to the Wilderness" train service, a unique way to provide travelers with a seamless Princess experience in the "Last Frontier."
Among the new additions to the Alaskan cruise offerings for 2019 is the grand opening of Fannie Q's Saloon at the Lodge . This new restaurant and bar, named after the renowned pioneer of the Alaskan wilderness lifestyle, Fannie Quigley, will showcase the story of this key figure in the region, as well as dishes inspired by local cuisine, all within a modern saloon setting serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Outside, the new Fireside Patio will provide a gathering area for guests with three fire pits where they can roast marshmallows, share adventure stories, and enjoy a drink under the midnight sun. Light snacks will also be available for purchase in this inviting new space. Finally, the new Grizzly Burger, a casual fast-food restaurant, will serve the award-winning 'Ernesto' burger, recognized by the prestigious cruise website Cruise Critic as the 'Best Burger at Sea'. Made with entrecote meat, this delicious bite was created exclusively for Princess Cruises by renowned chef Ernesto Uchimura.
The Mt. McKinley treehouse lodge , built by Pete Nelson, an expert in this type of construction and presenter of the television program 'Animal Planet Treehouse Experts', offers the best views of Denali in an unforgettable setting
New themed offers
To mark this 50th anniversary, some themed offerings will be added to the award-winning 'North to Alaska' onboard program, which provides unique experiences through elements such as local seafood and visits from authentic natives on board to tell their stories:
- Northern Lights Planetarium. Witnessing the Northern Lights is an unforgettable natural phenomenon. Now passengers have the opportunity to enter an indoor planetarium inside the Princess Theatre and observe this indescribable festival of light through a natural display of colorful lights.
- Adventures Ashore. New excursions will be available in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point, allowing passengers to connect with local nature, culture, and adventures that can only be found in Alaska, including:
- Hubbard Glacier and Wilderness Exploration – Hubbard Glacier
- Luxury Whale Watching Yacht Trip – Juneau
- Self-Guided Interactive Jeep Adventure – Juneau
- Ketchikan Pub Crawl – Ketchikan
- Off-Road Motorcycle Tours through Tropical Forests and Hiking Adventure – Ketchikan
- Seafood Banquet and Tribal Dance Show – Icy Strait Point
- Treetop Adventure Park and Zip Line – Icy Strait Point
- Adventure Park and ZipRider Combo – Icy Strait Point
- Hiking through Wilderness and Kayaking Adventure – Icy Strait Point
- Discovering the birds of Hoonah – Icy Strait Point
- Local Guest Speakers. Passengers will have the opportunity to meet numerous local experts, including naturalists, a captain of the Deadliest Catch, a world champion lumberjack, and the first woman to win the Iditarod (dog sled race). They will hear firsthand how the Alaskan environment has shaped their lifestyles, passions, and professions.
- A Taste of Alaska. From original menu offerings in the main dining rooms to a novel introduction to Alaskan cuisine by the chef, passengers will enjoy exquisite local seafood with dishes featuring salmon and crab, inspired by the region's gastronomy.
- 'Glacier Tea' and Beer Tastings. A new celebratory cocktail will be served, featuring a portion of Long Island iced tea topped with a splash of Blue Curacao, reminiscent of the brilliant blue of the Alaskan glacier. Meanwhile, beer lovers can enjoy a tasting of various local brews from the Juneau-based Alaskan Brewing Company.
- Historical Alaska Display in the Piazza. Passengers will enjoy a small exhibit featuring highlights from Princess Cruises' 50 years of sailing in Alaska.
Now is the perfect time to book an Alaskan cruise or boat trip and take advantage of the 'All Aboard Sale' discounts , available until February 28th . For more information, visit www.mundomarcruceros.com .
