Sarah Bretz, ContributorPrincess Cruises is set to begin its 2025 Alaska season in less than a month with seven ships, five wilderness lodges, five national parks, and an expanded catalogue of renowned cruisetours.
Ships will sail from five homeports: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and Whittier (Anchorage).
“From our welcoming crew to our inviting partners at the national parks and award-winning ‘North to Alaska’ program, we are ready to begin our highly anticipated 2025 season,” said Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises president. “We know our guests can’t wait to experience their perfect Alaska vacation, meticulously planning what they will do onboard and ashore. Our 2025 season is packed with incredible offerings to ensure they leave having had amazing experiences, big adventures and lasting memories to cherish forever.”
Cruises
New for 2025 are two voyages that focus on glaciers and less-visited ports:
- Grand Princess: 17-day roundtrip from Seattle, visiting 10 ports and 3 glaciers, including Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park (May 6).
- Ruby Princess: Ultimate Alaska Solstice 22-day roundtrip from San Francisco that coincides with the Summer Solstice with 11 ports and 4 glaciers, including Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park (June 6).
Returning itineraries include:
Voyage of the Glaciers
- Northbound from Vancouver, B.C. to Anchorage (Whittier), or southbound from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, B.C., Coral Princess, Caribbean Princess, and Sapphire Princess sail past glaciers like Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, with stops in Skagway, Ketchikan, and Juneau. Cruises range from 7 to 14 days. (May – Sept.)
- Guests can add a cruisetour for a land exploration to the vast interior of Alaska and visit Denali National Park.
Inside Passage
- Seattle: 7-day roundtrip voyages on Royal Princess (Glacier Bay) and Discovery Princess (Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier) visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C. (May–Sept).
- San Francisco: 11-day roundtrip voyages on Ruby Princess, visiting Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway or Haines plus Victoria or Prince Rupert (May–Sept).
- Vancouver: 5 to 11-day roundtrip cruises onboard Grand Princess, Coral Princess, and Caribbean Princess, featuring stops in Icy Strait Point and Sitka on many voyages (May–Sept).
What’s Still Available
Cruises that are still available to book include:
- Coral Princess: 11-day roundtrip Vancouver, departing May 3
- Grand Princess: 7-day roundtrip from Vancouver, departing June 24
- Discovery Princess: Jeff Corwin’s Nature & Adventure Voyage – 7-day roundtrip from Seattle, departing August 17 – Wildlife biologist and Princess Nature & Adventure Ambassador Jeff Corwin hosts an adventure cruise through Alaska featuring bear watching, whale viewing, and glacier tours. Corwin will lead excursions in each port, with onboard interactions and presentations.
- Ruby Princess: 11-day roundtrip from San Francisco, departing August 22
Cruisetours
Princess Cruises has expanded its cruisetour roster for 2025. The new itineraries give guests more opportunities to discover national parks including Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, and Katmai. Nine to 15-day itineraries are available, visiting three to five national parks combined with the Voyage of the Glaciers seven-day cruise. The journey includes scenic rail travel and multiple days on land with stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges.
New for 2025, Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge debuts a newly renovated grand lobby with a grand fireplace, comfy seating, and spectacular viewing opportunities of Denali. Coffee lovers will fill up another cup at a fun new coffee trailer with nostalgic Airstream vibes, specialty drinks, and pastries at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
North to Alaska
Princess’ North to Alaska programs allow guests to dive deeper into the Great Land through dining, educational events, and entertainment.
Programs for all cruises visiting Glacier Bay National Park include Park Rangers hosting information desk and guest activities including commentary from the bridge and roaming the decks while in Glacier Bay. In addition, a Park Ranger presentation will be offered in the Princess Theater, plus there’s a Junior and Teen Rangers program for younger cruisers. All guests can enjoy hot chocolate and bouillon stations on open decks.
A curated series of speakers whose experiences speak to the legacy and history of Alaska will also be on board as part of the North to Alaska program. Some of them include:
- Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
- Tlingit/Alutiiq Cultural Ambassador Patrick Anderson
- Alaska Photographer and Author, Nick Jans
- Sled dog Champion Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile race
In Alaska, Princess Cruises offers a unique Movies Under the Stars experience with Campfire Movies Under the Stars. Families can gather under cozy blankets with “fire pits” and popcorn to watch family classics and Alaska-themed movies.
Also on bard will be a new nightly pop-up experience called Northern Lights Lounge, reminiscent of an Alaskan pub. Anchored by a resident folk and country guitar vocalists, adults can enjoy local beers and liquors at the lounge. Hot cocoa, popcorn, and cookies will also be available for kids with pub-style trivia between sets.
Other North to Alaska programming includes:
- A nighttime stargazing presentation on deck (an indoor virtual stargazing experience will also be available)
- The Great Big Adventure – Alaska Edition game challenges
- Puppies in the Piazza sled dog experience
- Special Alaska-themed programming for kids and teens in the youth clubs
Of course, no cruise to Alaska would be complete without Alaska seafood. Special dining offerings will include:
- Main Dining Rooms, World Fresh Marketplace and Specialty Restaurants all featuring locally sourced Keta, King and Sockeye salmon, halibut, and rockfish.
- Balcony Breakfast, perfect for scenic glacier viewing, brings Smoked Salmon and Crab Quiche right to the balcony.
- Guests sailing to Alaska aboard Discovery Princess can savor their own freshly caught fish at The Catch by Rudi after enjoying a day of fishing with the exclusive “Cook My Catch,” shore excursion offered by Princess.
- Crown Grill serving up King Salmon and an Alaska Crab Cake.
- Sabatini’s Trattoria featuring a River Steelhead Salmon Carpaccio.
- Crab Shack stirring up Shellfish and Clam Chowders and an Alaska Seafood Pot, complete with specialty bibs.
Alaska themed cocktails will include:
- Glacier Shake
- Peanut Butter Bear Hug
- Into the Wilderness
- Campfire Daiquiri
Locally-sourced spirits have been expanded, with this year’s season including Anchorage Distillery and Denali Spirits. Beer from Alaska Brewing Company and Denali Brewing will also be available onboard.
Comments
Are you planning to take a cruise to Alaska this year and if so, with what line? Have you ever sailed with Princess in Alaska? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
