Guides

3 ways Princess Cruises stands out in Alaska

Jeri Clausing

October 9, 2026 • 7 min read

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Quick summary

Alaska is a top cruise destination, offering glacier views, historic towns, national parks and abundant wildlife.
One cruise line stands out with over 50 years of experience, operating eight ships from multiple West Coast ports and providing a wide range of itineraries and cabin options.
Special access to Glacier Bay National Park allows for extended glacier viewing and onboard educational programs led by park rangers.
Comprehensive "cruisetours" combine cruises with land stays at exclusive wilderness lodges, offering seamless transfers and immersive experiences in Alaska's interior.

What to consider

Itineraries range from seven to 20 nights, with options for round-trip or one-way sailings and weekend departures from select ports.
Access to Glacier Bay National Park is limited by permit, so not all cruise lines can offer this experience as frequently.
Cruisetours include stays at five distinct lodges, each with unique amenities and proximity to different national parks and attractions.

What you'll miss from the article

Detailed insights into each lodge's features, activities and how cruisetours enhance an Alaska trip beyond a standard cruise.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Alaska is one of the world's most popular cruise destinations, and it's certainly easy to see why. From its majestic glaciers — many of which are viewed best from the sea — to its historic frontier towns, national parks, wildlife and outdoor activities, there truly is something for every type of traveler.

Maybe you just want to catch the highlights on a seven-day cruise through the Inside Passage — or maybe you're seeking more in-depth cruise and land tour combos that take you to spectacular glaciers and national parks. Either way, Princess Cruises has you covered.

Princess, one of the longest-running companies in Alaska, has more ships sailing from more ports than just about any other operator. The cruise line's 50-plus years of operating in Alaska translate into more choices and perks for passengers, including special access to national parks and a broad array of "cruisetours."

More ships from more ports of call

A Princess ship sailing into Skagway, Alaska. PRINCESS CRUISES

With the October launch of its newest and most luxurious ship, Star Princess, Princess will have a total of eight ships — ranging in size from 2,000 to 4,300 passengers — sailing in Alaska in 2026. Itineraries include round-trip sailings from convenient West Coast ports like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver. It also offers more options from Seattle than most cruise lines (including weekend departures), and even one-way cruises between Anchorage and Vancouver.

The variety of ships means more varied price points and cabin options. You can choose from budget and solo-friendly interior cabins to a range of balcony cabins and, finally, its famed Sanctuary luxury suites — which include perks like unlimited drinks and fitness classes, priority dining reservations, a private adults-only pool and exclusive access to the Sanctuary Restaurant, Signature Suite Lounge and Sanctuary Club.

But Princess really stands out in the breadth of its itineraries and access. The company offers more than 15 sailing options ranging from 7 to 20 nights and "cruisetours" that visit up to 5 national parks.

Among its shorter seven-day sailings are Inside Passage cruises that stop at Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau with scenic sailing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. If you want more glacier time, the line's one-way trips between Anchorage and Vancouver also stop at Sitka and Icy Strait Point and include scenic sailings in Glacier Bay National Park.*

The line offers a host of longer itineraries on its cruisetours and sailings lasting up to 20 days.

Special access to Glacier Bay National Park

Guests onboard the Royal Princess in Glacier Bay National Park enjoy the view of the Margerie Glacier whilst on their summer vacation — Glacier Bay National Park.* JAMES D MORGAN/GETTY IMAGES/PRINCESS CRUISES

Few places outside the polar regions let travelers get as close to living ice as Glacier Bay National Park.* Spanning about 3.3 million acres and containing over 1,000 glaciers, this protected wilderness forms one of the most spectacular stretches of Alaska’s Inside Passage. But not all the ships sailing in Alaska can enter the park. To protect this pristine bay and its abundant wildlife and ecosystems, the National Park Service restricts access to two ships a day — and those with the longest history in the state get priority in the permitting process.

That's why Princess can offer more sailings in the bay than most other cruise lines. And while almost any cruise to Alaska includes at least one glacier viewing somewhere along its route, nothing compares to the daylong sailings through the famed Glacier Bay.

The ships spend nine to 10 hours coasting through the waters, allowing passengers ample time to take in the scenery from all angles while watching for bears, whales, harbor porpoises, rare birds, sea lions and otters. And of course, travelers can see the ice calving from the dynamic tidewater glaciers.

During the daylong glacier viewing, NPS rangers come on board to narrate highlights of the sailing and host special presentations and Junior Ranger activities for kids.

"Cruisetours" provide an in-depth experience

The view from Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. LYNDSEY MATTHEWS/THE POINTS GUY

In addition to its numerous ships, Princess has five upscale lodges that take you deeper into Alaska's wilderness. Since Princess operates both the land and cruise portions, transfers are seamless and include options for coach trips and glass-domed trains.

During a cruisetour, you can get up close and personal with Denali, fly-fish on the Kenai River, take a dog sled ride, go flightseeing or take in the mountain views and look for wildlife from the luxurious comfort of your hotel. Princess offers some 30 cruisetours that combine a seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruise with a three- to eight-night land tour including stays in one or more of the Princess lodges.

Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge

This 85-room property opened in 2002 but is the newest Princess lodge. It sits near the town of Glennallen, which is home to many tour operators and outfitters, and serves as one of the gateways to Wrangell-St. Elias Park and Preserve — the nation's largest national park. The surrounding nature means guests can enjoy views of Mount Wrangell, Mount Drum and Mount Blackburn from the lodge's grounds. Those who want to get closer to this nature can book additional excursions through the property, such as salmon fishing, glacier cruising in Prince William Sound, river rafting and coastal kayaking. The lodge also offers multiple dining venues, a gift shop and kid-friendly activities on-site.

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

The largest of Princess' Alaska wilderness lodges, this 666-room property offers plenty in the way of amenities. There are multiple dining options, whether you're looking for a sit-down meal or a quick bite. There's also a nearby gift shop village where you can buy any supplies you may have forgotten. The lodge is just a mile from the entrance of Denali National Park, making it the perfect jumping-off point for hiking, fly fishing, river rafting, zipling or other nature excursions.

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

This 86-room property is located along the Kenai River in Cooper Landing and offers scenic views of both river and mountains. Known as a sportsman's paradise, the Kenai Peninsula is a great jumping-off point for nature hikes, sportfishing, river rafting, horseback riding and sightseeing day cruises to Kenai Fjords National Park. Travelers interested in seeing some museums, food and wildlife can also book a day trip to Seward through the property. Back at the lodge, guests have access to a restaurant and lounge, a general store and wood-burning stoves to make the stay extra cozy.

Mount McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

At this Princess lodge, guests can enjoy resort conveniences in the wilderness. The property's grounds span 146 acres inside Denali State Park and are bordered by the Chulitna River. It also offers some of the most majestic views of Denali (also known as Mount McKinley). The 460-room lodge features an expansive "Great Room" with a stone fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Alaska Range and a massive outdoor deck. Activities in the surrounding area include a float down the Talkeetna River, a horse-drawn wagon ride, river rafting, kayak tours and of course, plenty of hiking.

Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge

Get a taste of urban living in Alaska at this contemporary hotel in Alaska's second-largest city, Fairbanks. The 328-room lodge is close to both the airport and the downtown attractions, making it convenient for travelers. Guests can eat and drink while admiring views of the neighboring Chena River or even book a cruise down the river on a sternwheeler riverboat. Other activities include panning for gold at Gold Dredge 8, riding ATVs through surrounding forests underneath the midnight sun and taking tours of town.

*Princess Cruises is an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park.

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