Heidi BucoloPlanning an Alaska Cruisetour? Well, we just returned from our first land-and-sea adventure and learned quite a bit along the way. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for a successful cruisetour, from choosing the right itinerary to maximizing your experience. These insider tips will help you navigate the complexities of cruisetours and make the most of your Alaskan journey. Even if you’re a seasoned cruiser, you might not fully know what to expect during the land portion. That’s why we’re sharing what we wish we knew before taking our first Princess Alaska cruisetour.
Before You Book
1. There Are Lots of Cruisetour Options – Choose Wisely
Princess Cruises offers over 40 different cruisetour combinations, all including three essential components: stays at wilderness lodges, Direct-to-the Wilderness scenic rail service, and a 7-night cruise between Whittier, Alaska and Vancouver, BC.
However, several variations exist. These include direction (northbound vs. southbound routes), length (10-17 days in total), start/end points (Fairbanks vs. Anchorage), number of lodges visited, which specific lodges you’ll experience, and even which cruise ship you’ll sail on. So, be sure to review them carefully and choose the itinerary that best aligns to your travel goals.
Key considerations:
- “Denali Explorer” tours are the most popular
- “On Your Own” options are available for independent travelers but include less
- “Connoisseur” tours are escorted for premium experiences
- “Off the Beaten Path” options venture deeper into the wilderness for unique adventures
2. Most Logistics Are Handled for You
One of the biggest advantages of a Princess cruisetour is the seamless organization. With most cruisetours, Princess handles all transportation including from the airport, between lodges, from lodges to the train, and from the train to the ship. This includes motorcoach transfers, luggage handling, and coordination between different components of your journey.
When booking a cruisetour, you can simply enjoy yourself and not have to worry about arranging hotel accommodations or how you’ll get from one destination to the next. Princess even coordinates everything for the included tours. If you book additional tours, these are handled much like shore excursions on a cruise.
3. Pick a Southbound Route
While cruisetours run in both northbound and southbound directions, we suggest you choose a southbound cruisetour (land portion first, then cruise).
The land portion involves considerable packing/unpacking, early mornings, and constant movement between locations. Getting this more demanding segment out of the way first means you can truly relax once aboard the ship. As seasoned cruisers know, one of the best parts of cruising is unpacking once and visiting multiple destinations.
4. Use a Travel Advisor
Given all the moving parts of cruisetours, itineraries, and logistics, working with an experienced travel advisor who is familiar with Princess Alaska products can save time and ensure you select the best option for your preferences and budget.
Even if you’ve cruised before, we recommend using an advisor as they can assist with any special requests, add-ons, and/or needs you may have.
MEI-Travel is our preferred travel partner, and they’d be happy to help you investigate your Princess Alaska Cruisetour along with provide a free no-obligation quote.
Planning Your Land Portion
5. It’s a Great Way to Visit Denali National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve is over 6 million acres and is home to North America’s highest peak. And thankfully, every Princess cruisetour includes time at Denali National Park. In fact, Princess introduces more people to this incredible destination than any other cruise line.
When booking a Princess cruisetour, you’ll stay at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge that is just minutes from the park entrance. Not to mention, Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, located in the state park, offers some of the best views of the mountain.
As a Princess guest, you won’t have to worry about driving from the nearest airport, securing accommodations, paying entrance fees, or booking tours in the park.
6. You’ll Meet Fewer People on Your Exact Schedule Than You Think
While we knew there were lots of different cruisetour options, one thing that surprised us the most was the complexity of all the moving parts. At each lodge, guests are constantly coming and going. We encountered surprisingly few travelers following our identical itinerary.
Some guests were traveling in the opposite direction, some were boarding a different cruise ship, some had a different series of lodges, and some had fewer days in each lodge.
Despite this constant flow of visitors, Princess manages arrivals and departures smoothly.
7. Plan for Limited Time at Each Lodge
Depending on the specific cruisetour you choose, you likely won’t spend much time at each location. Most stays are just 1-2 nights per lodge. While this might be fine for some people, it’s really not enough time to take advantage of everything the resorts and surrounding areas have to offer.
Based on our experience, we recommend choosing itineraries with at least two nights at each lodge. We actually would have preferred three nights at the impressive Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge to fully enjoy its amenities and activities. Next time, we’d opt for fewer lodges to afford more time at each one and less transfers.
8. Don’t Overschedule Yourself
While there’s plenty to see and do, avoid the temptation of booking too many tours. The land portion already involves significant travel time, early mornings, and physical activity. So, pace yourself to avoid exhaustion.
In addition to the included tours, we’d recommend only booking one or two additional tours if you want any time to experience the lodges. They’re not just hotels– they feature restaurants, activities, fire pits, hiking trails and nature walks, observation decks, and more.
9. Some Tours Are Included, Others Cost Extra
Your cruisetour includes select tours (typically in Fairbanks and Denali), but many additional excursions are available for purchase. In Fairbanks, most guests will experience the included Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise. Some itineraries also include a Gold Dredge 8 Tour. In Denali, most guests will experience the Natural History Tour; Connoisseur cruisetours get the Tundra Wilderness tour instead.
Popular add-ons include flightseeing tours, ATV adventures, ziplining, jet boating, and more. Budget accordingly and prioritize based on your interests.
Guests can also choose to upgrade their Natural History Tour in Denali National Park to the Tundra Wilderness tour for somewhere around $50 per person. We definitely recommend doing so as this will get you further into the park (mile 43 vs. mile 17) and greatly increase your chance of seeing wildlife.
10. Expect Considerable Travel Distances
Alaska is vast, and the distances between lodges are substantial. You’ll spend significant time on motorcoaches traveling between destinations during your Princess Alaska Cruisetour.
For example, the journey from Fairbanks to Denali takes about 3 hours by bus, and Denali to Mt. McKinley Lodge is approximately 2 hours. The rail service from McKinley to Whittier is approximately 5.5 hours and the rail service from Denali to Whittier is approximately 9.5 hours.
Be sure to bring entertainment, snacks, bottled water, and comfortable clothing for these transfers.
Lodge Life and Logistics
11. Lodges Are Not All-Inclusive Like Cruises
Unlike cruise ships, meals, coffee, and all other beverages at the Princess wilderness lodges cost extra. We recommend bringing snacks for your room and budget for meals ranging from $15-40 per person per entree. Most lodges have a coffee shop, a casual restaurant, and a sit-down restaurant, with prices very similar to what you’d pay on land.
You can pre-purchase meal plans for added convenience, and we did see many guests using these vouchers. The plans vary as to how many breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals are included based on the lenght of the tour. For example, our cruisetour (IB5) for 2026 includes 10 meals (5 breakfast, 1 lunch, 4 dinner) and costs $412.
12. WiFi May Be Spotty
Don’t expect consistent internet connectivity throughout your voyage in interior Alaska. WiFi may be limited, slow, or unavailable entirely. Embrace this digital detox opportunity and focus on the natural surroundings and activities.
Our cell service and lodge WiFi did work pretty well in Fairbanks and Denali but was spotty at Mt. McKinley. Further, cell service is often nonexistent during the transfers via bus and train and there is no WiFi available on either.
13. Check Each Lodge’s Daily Activity Schedule
These Princess wilderness lodges aren’t just a place to sleep. Every lodge offers a variety of amenities and activities. They can include naturalist talks, guided walks, wildlife or Northern Lights presentations, cultural demonstrations, hiking trails, and interactive programs that are included in your stay.
You’ll want to check each lodge’s daily activity schedule, usually displayed in the lobby, for a complete list. During our stay at Mt. McKinley, we attended a presentation by a mountain climber who has scaled Denali multiple times in his decades-long career.
14. Lodge Attire Is Casual
While you might like to get dressed up when you cruise, there’s no need to pack any fancy attire for the land portion of your cruisetour. The Alaska lodges maintain a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day, even at the more upscale dining venues.
Casual, comfortable attire is appropriate for outdoor daytime activities as well as lodge dining and nighttime activities. We did change most nights for dinner, but that usually just meant putting on a pair of jeans and a nicer shirt.
15. Most Lodges Offer Shuttle Service for a Fee
Between the included tours and all the optional activities, you might not have much free time to explore on your own. But if you opt to forego the more organized tours, most lodges do offer shuttle service.
The Fairbanks Lodge offers a shuttle into downtown for $10, while the Mt. McKinley Lodge offers a shuttle to Talkeetna for $10 (approximately 1 hour drive). Similarly, the Denali Lodge offers shuttle service to and from the National Park vistor center.
16. Make Dinner Reservations Ahead of Time
At most lodges, there is one restaurant that requires reservations. This is King Salmon at Denali Lodge, North Fork at Mt. McKinley Lodge, and The Edgewater at Fairbanks Riverside Lodge. Especially during peak season, it is advisable to make these reservations ahead of time to secure your ideal time.
What we didn’t know prior to our cruisetour was that you can make these reservations on the OpenTable restaurant booking platform. As an added tip, Holland America‘s Denali Lodge is right next door so you can even make a reservation there if you’d like.
17. Wildlife Is Plentiful But Sightings Aren’t Guaranteed
While Alaska teems with wildlife, animal encounters depend on factors like season, weather, location, and timing. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see the “Big Five” (moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears) during your visit to the interior of the state.
Some guests saw moose and bears in Denali National Park, some even reported seeing moose alongside the road during transfers. Yet, we did not see any of these “big five” aside from distant white dots on a hillside. I guess that means a return visit is a must!
18. Only 30% of Visitors Actually See Denali
Just like spotting wildlife, catching a glimpse of Denali is probably at the top of your agenda. However, there’s even less of a chance at checking this one off the list. The mountain is notoriously shy, often shrouded in clouds. Don’t base your entire trip satisfaction on seeing the peak. Enjoy the incredible wilderness, fall colors, and overall Denali experience regardless of mountain visibility.
19. Shoulder Season Visits Have Pros and Cons
Early and late season cruisetours have their benefits, like cheaper prices and fewer crowds. Late season visits even offer beautiful fall colors and a chance at seeing the Northern Lights. However, guests can face more unpredictable weather, including early snow, which can impact tours.
Since we were the last cruisetour of the season, the lodges were running out of supplies too. Every restaurant had at least one or two menu items that were no longer available.
Thus, weigh these factors carefully when choosing your travel dates.
20. Prepare for Lots of Early Mornings
One of the reasons we prefer cruising to land-based travel is the ease of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. Acting as a floating hotel (with plenty of other benefits), there’s no need to pack and unpack several times during the trip. Unfortunately though, that’s not the case with a cruisetour.
Each time we were departing for a new destination, we needed to place our luggage outside our room usually between 6:30 and 7 AM. This didn’t only prevent us from “settling in”, it also meant lots of early mornings. Transfers and tour departures can be early too.
21. Southbound Routes Mean Late Ship Boarding
If you choose a southbound cruisetour, you’ll arrive at the ship much later on embarkation day than you usually do (potentially not until around 7:30 PM) due to the 5+ hour train journey.
This means missing most of the typical embarkation day activities and exploration, along with those early dinner seatings. However, you can head directly onto the ship and to your cabin once you arrive in Whittier as the entire check-in process is completed on the train. Just remember to complete your muster drill immediately upon boarding.
22. Rail Service Differs From Denali and Mt. McKinley
The biggest difference in the rail service from Denali and Mt. McKinley lodges is the duration. The transit to/from Denali is approximately 9.5 hours, whereas it’s only 5.5 hours to/from Talkeetna (Mt. McKinley area).
The other big difference though is the train itself. While both feature enclosed glass-domed cars, the Denali transfer is a double-decker rail car with outdoor viewing platforms and the Mt. McKinley transfer is a single-level rail car with no open-air access. So, set your photography and viewing expectations accordingly.
Further, we’re not sure if this is true of all McKinley rail service, but seats on our train were arranged in groups of four around a table. This means you will sit with others AND half the seats will be traveling backwards. We know this is not ideal for those with motion sensitivity.
What to Pack and How to Prepare
23. Know What to Pack and Be Weather-Ready
Alaska’s weather is unpredictable, with temperature swings up to 40 degrees depending on location, time of year, and time of day. Pack in layers with waterproof outer shells, warm base layers, and comfortable hiking shoes. Don’t forget sun protection and bug spray either.
Essential items:
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Warm fleece or wool layers
- Comfortable, lightweight shoes (preferably waterproof)
- Gloves and a hat
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Camera
- Extra power banks and charging cords for all devices
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Bugspray
- Lightweight, water resistant daybag
- Casual evening wear for lodges
- Refillable water bottle
- Medications
- Small first-aid kit
24. Understand Luggage Tag Systems
Similar to the luggage tags that you need to print out for a cruise, Princess uses different luggage tags during the land portion that are issued when you arrive at the lodges. Pay attention to the tags and instructions.
At your first lodge, you’ll receive “Join Me Onboard” tags. These indicate that the luggage can go directly to your cruise cabin. This should only include items that you won’t need until you board the ship, like cocktail dresses, sports coats, and the like. “Join Me Tonight” tags should be placed on the remainder of your suitcases. This luggage will be left outside your room the morning of departure and transported separately to your next lodge. Be sure to keep any essentials in a small carry-on backpack that you’ll take on the bus with you.
25. Accommodations Are Auto-Assigned
Unlike cruises, you cannot select specific room locations within the lodges. In some instances, you don’t even have a say in your lodge assignment. For instance, Princess partners with Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks for overflow accommodations.
While you can specify your preferred bed configurations, room assignments are automatic by the hotel. Keep in mind that these hotels can be quite spread out so you might be placed in a building quite far from the main lodge’s facilities. Most lodges do offer on-property shuttle service for guests though.
26. Hotel Rooms May Not Be Ready Upon Arrival
Much like other hotels on land, lodge check-in times are typically 3-4 PM, but cruisetour schedules are set by the cruise line and may have you arriving earlier. Be prepared for potential delays in room availability and plan activities accordingly. Use this time to explore common areas, grab coffee, or take orientation tours.
With our specific tour schedule, we did have to wait a little over an hour for our Mt. McKinley room to be ready. Arriving at the other lodges in the afternoon or evening, this wasn’t an issue.
27. Lodges Have Water Refill Stations
Interior Alaska is a subarctic climate that has low precipitation. This means that you can dehydrate quite easily. That’s why it’s very important to drink lots of water especially during outdoor, physical activities even if you don’t feel warm or thirsty.
Thankfully, you can stay hydrated by using water refill stations available at the Princess wilderness lodges. This saves money on bottled water purchases and is environmentally friendly. So, be sure to pack that refillable water bottle and take it to the main lodge building for refills.
28. Contact Princess for Accessibility Needs
As we’ve already touched upon, the Princess wilderness lodges are remote, and the buildings are often spread out across the property. This means that your room could be a considerable distance from the main lodge and its amenities. Further, many lodge buildings are two-stories (or more) and often do not have elevator access.
Thus, if you have mobility concerns or require accessible accommodations, contact Princess well in advance. Lift-equipped motorcoaches, accessible lodge rooms, and other specialized equipment are limited and must be secured before departure. This is where a travel advisor can come in handy.
29. Laundry Facilities Are Available for a Fee
To help you avoid overpacking, the Princess lodges have self-service laundry facilities available for an additional cost. There are typically several laundry rooms throughout the property, so just refer to a resort map to find the closest location. This might be necessary if it’s excessively rainy or muddy during your trip.
However, we suggest you pack sufficient clothing for the entire land portion that way you don’t waste any precious time. Princess cruise ships also have self-service laundry facilities, so try to do laundry on the ship instead. Of note, the cost is roughly the same.
Maximizing Your Cruise Experience
30. All Cruises Follow the Voyage of the Glaciers Itinerary
Every Princess cruisetour includes the same 7-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, typically featuring stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, plus glacier viewing in Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier. This means the only decision you’ll have to make when it comes to the cruise portion is the ship.
In 2026, Princess will have four cruise ships offering Alaska cruisetours. We suggest you review the ships’ offerings and deck plans to see which will suit your travel party best. It’s important to note that not all ships sailing in Alaska offer cruisetours– for instance, the brand-new Star Princess will sail roundtrip from Seattle.
31. Know Exactly What’s Included in Your Cruise Fare
If you’re new to cruising or new to Princess Cruises, it’s important to know what’s included in the standard cruise fare. It does differ from the land portion.
Your cruise includes accommodations, main dining room meals and a buffet open most of the day, most entertainment and onboard activities, basic beverages, and transportation between ports. Specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, internet, gratuities, and shore excursions cost extra unless you purchase packages.
32. Don’t Miss the North to Alaska Programming
Part of what makes Princess Cruises a leader in Alaska is its North to Alaska program. Enrichment opportunities include presentations from Iditarod champions, lumberjacks, storytellers, and cultural experts sharing authentic Alaska experiences. These talks provide valuable insights that are often missing on other cruise lines. And the highlight for many is Puppies in the Piazza during the ship’s visit to Skagway.
Additionally, all Princess ships sailing in Alaska feature a naturalist who will give lectures on wildlife, glaciers, and more. The naturalist will often narrate scenic cruising as well, pointing out wildlife sightings for all guests to enjoy.
If that’s not enough, the North to Alaska program also features fresh Alaska seafood on the menu, along with locally sourced ingredients and local beer, wine, and spirits.
33. Go All-Inclusive With Princess Plus or Premier Packages
While guests can certainly have a great Princess Alaska Cruisetour without paying for onboard extras, Princess does offer the Plus and Premier packages. These packages bundle add-ons to provide a more all-inclusive experience.
These extras include benefits like WiFi, beverage packages, prepaid gratuities, specialty dining, and upcharge casual dining credits. The Princess Premier package even adds in shore excursion credit, a photo package, and reserved seating in the theater.
If you were thinking about purchasing a beverage package and even just one of the other add-ons, upgrading to the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package is probably worth it. But we always recommend crunching the numbers first.
34. Consider Upgrading to a Balcony Cabin
Alaska’s scenic cruising through glacier-filled waters, wildlife viewing opportunities, and stunning landscapes make balcony cabins particularly worthwhile. You’ll have private outdoor space for photography, wildlife watching, and enjoying fresh air without competing for deck space.
Whether upgrading to a balcony cabin is worth it or not is an ongoing debate among cruisers. It’s true that it will cost more and that Princess ships have a variety of indoor lounges and outdoor rail space to take in the scenic vistas, but if you have the ability we definitely recommend the upgrade…especially in Alaska.
35. Download and Get Familiar with the Princess App
The Princess Cruises app is necessary for a seamless cruise experience, so make sure to download it and familarize yourself with it before the cruise. The app allows you to navigate the ship, make dining reservations, order beverages to your exact location, communicate with travel companions, and access the daily schedule.
Even if you don’t purchase a WiFi package, you can still use the app’s features.
36. Understand Your Ocean Medallion
The Medallion is Princess Cruises’ wearable device that serves as your key card during the cruise. It’s issued with a lanyard or you can purchase other accessories like belt clips, wristbands, or bracelets. This means your lifeline on the ship is always accessible without having to fumble around for your room key.
The Medallion enables keyless stateroom entry, is used for scanning on and off the ship, and allows you to make purchases with ease. If you live in the US and book in advance, it’s mailed to your home. Otherwise, you’ll receive it at embarkation.
37. Prepare Your Cabin With Smart Accessories
When we cruise, we have some tried-and-true accessories that we always bring to maximize space in our cruise cabin. We recommended purchasing some magnetic hooks and an over-the-door shoe organizer for your trip.
Since the walls of the cabin are metal, the hooks can be used to hang bags, rain coats, and the like. We actually use the magnets to hang our shoe organizer as well. We don’t use this for shoes but rather to store small items like toiletries, chargers, and sunglasses. This helps to keep everything organized and frees up some valuable storage space.
38. Make Cruise Dining Reservations Early
While it’s not required, we highly recommend pre-booking all your dining reservations before your cruise. Popular dining times at the specialty restaurants do fill up quickly. If you forget to do so, make them immediately upon boarding the ship.
For the main dining room, you’ll need to decide if you want traditional dining or flexible dining. With traditional dining, you’ll have a set table and dinner time each night (early seating or late seating). If you prefer more flexibility, you can dine at different times each evening. Though, making a reservation for your desired time is still advisable so you don’t have to wait when you arrive.
39. Put Your Phone in Airplane Mode
Avoid unexpected roaming charges while out to sea by keeping your phone in airplane mode and relying on the ship’s WiFi when needed. If your cell carrier covers you in Alaska and Canada, you can take your phone out of airplane mode while on land; however, it won’t work while at sea.
If you forget, some carriers will send a “heads up” text message informing you of the prices. For instance, T-Mobile charges $5.99/minute for talk and $0.50/text (and no data) while on the cruise ship’s cell network.
40. Explore the Ship for Prime Glacier Viewing Spots
Alaska cruises are all about scenery, so scout the best viewing locations early in your cruise. Popular spots include forward-facing observation lounges, open-air promenade decks, and the pool/sun decks. Many cruise lines also open up the bow of the ship during glacier-viewing.
Not only in Alaska, but we always recommend taking some time to explore the ship early in the cruise. This will help you get your bearings, locate your favorite venues, and maybe even find some hidden gems.
Bottom Line
Princess Alaska Cruisetours offer an unparalleled way to experience the Great Land’s incredible wilderness, combining cruise amenities with authentic lodge experiences and scenic rail travel. By following these tips, you’ll be ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Whether you’re watching glaciers calve into the sea, spotting wildlife in Denali National Park, or enjoying fresh Alaska seafood aboard your ship, a Princess Alaska Cruisetour delivers memories that will last forever. The key is proper preparation, realistic expectations, flexibility, and embracing both the planned activities and spontaneous moments that make Alaska truly magical.
After six Alaska cruises, we’re glad we finally experienced our first cruisetour!
Comments
Have you taken an Alaska land-and-sea adventure? Do you have any other tips, tricks, or helpful advice to add to this list? Drop us an anchor below to share your Alaska cruisetour reviews.
