Princess Cruises Debuts New Immersive Alaska Experiences in 2024
The green and purple lights swirling in the northern sky, known as the Aurora Borealis or “Northern Lights,” is an unforgettable spectacle. And, it’s something all guests sailing this summer with Princess Cruises to Alaska is guaranteed to see. That’s right, Princess Cruises debuts new immersive Alaska experiences in 2024.
This new immersive Voyage to the Stars experience is part of the cruise line’s North to Alaska with Princess program debuting this season. This year, Princess guests will step inside a planetarium in the Princess Theater for a front row seat to the “Northern Lights” presentation showcasing the beauty and wonder of this phenomenon. It will feature live imagery designed to engage adults and kids alike.
“Each season in Alaska we strive to deliver enriching experiences for our guests to feel immersed in the beauty and local culture of this spectacular destination,” said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer of Princess Cruises. “After receiving our highest guest satisfaction ranking ever last season, we knew we wanted to design elevated programming to further connect our guests to all of the wonders of the 49th state for our 55th anniversary season.”
Princess 2024 Alaska Cruise Season
The 2024 season promises to be the biggest and best ever for Princess with 158 departures on 14 unique itineraries. They will include 17 destinations, including five glacier viewing experiences, on seven Princess ships. The cruise line’s 55th anniversary season also features 91 visits to Glacier Bay National Park.
The North to Alaska by Princess program is exclusive to the cruise line and designed by experts to showcase local storytellers, cultural experiences, the flavors of Alaska, and more.
Additional North to Alaska by Princess Offerings:
Cook My Catch comes to The Catch by Rudi
Guests sailing to Alaska aboard Majestic Princess and Discovery Princess can enjoy their very own catch of the day after a day of fishing on special Princess shore excursions in the new specialty seafood restaurant, The Catch by Rudi.
The first Princess restaurant primarily devoted to seafood offers a completely fresh take on seafood with contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, highly creative presentations, and an engaging dining experience.
Crabshack
This fan favorite returns to Alaska in all its shell-cracking glory with casual seafood options not to be missed. The four-course meal features a range of seafood favorites, including popcorn shrimp, clam chowder, even an Alaska-inspired steamer pot full of crab legs, shrimp, clams, and mussels.
Guests will find this pop-up dining event in the World Fresh Marketplace on all seven ships in Alaska in 2024.
Salmon Cooking Demonstration
Embark on a culinary adventure with a new Salmon Cooking Demonstration, an exclusive experience on the last sea day of the cruise. Expert chefs showcase the art of preparing and cooking salmon, a staple in the region known for its flavor and versatility.
Pendleton: A Partnership Highlighting American Craftsmanship
Celebrating the 55th anniversary sailing to Alaska, Princess has partnered with Pendleton, an iconic lifestyle brand that has been based in the Pacific Northwest for over 100 years. Popular Pendleton blankets, flannels, coats, graphic tees, and more will be available for purchase onboard (and at the Princess Wilderness Lodges).
Specially designed for Princess, a limited edition “Alaska, The Great Land” blanket will be available for $299.
Shore Excursions
Princess has added 13 new shore excursions to the already abundant lineup ashore to bring Alaska to life. New shore excursions for the 2024 season include:
- Juneau Highlights: Glacier Gardens & Whale Park (Juneau)
- Treadwell: Living History Walk of Alaska’s Lost Mine (Juneau)
- Crab Feast at George Inlet Lodge (Ketchikan)
- Exclusive Flightseeing & Taste of Alaska (Ketchikan)
- White Pass Steam Train to Bennett Lake, on Friday & Sunday calls only (Skagway)
- Port Chilkoot Distillery Tour & Tastings (Haines)
- Stories of Haines E-Bike Tour (Haines)
- Stories of Haines E-Moped Tour (Haines)
- Metal Torching Alaska Art Class (Sitka)
- Advanced Mountain Bike Adventure (Sitka)
- Guide’s Choice Hike (Sitka)
- Marine Expedition & Wildlife Quest (Sitka)
- WaveRunner Island Exploration (Sitka)
Alaska Adventure Quest: Geocaching Expedition
Guests can embark on an Alaska adventure with a new Geocaching Expedition program at each of the Princess Wilderness Lodges. The program offers a unique blend of outdoor exploration and teamwork, making it the perfect adventure for families.
Guests can use their cellphone as a GPS device or grab a map from the front desk at their lodge and follow clues and coordinates to find hidden caches strategically placed throughout the lodge properties.
Alaska-Themed Cocktails, Mocktails, and Appetizers
Leveraging local ingredients, embark on a taste journey with signature crafted cocktails, mocktails and appetizers infused with the flavors of Alaska. All options vary by lodge to give guests the most exquisite tastes from all over the state.
Garden to Table
At the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge and Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, Princess chefs tap natural resources to provide guests with the freshest ingredients from the on-property gardens in their dishes and drinks made right at the lodge.
The menus are seasonally crafted to accommodate nature’s growing and harvesting season. Using fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs from these gardens will help guests feel more connected with the great land. It will also make a sustainable impact by minimizing the food delivery carbon footprint.
Golden Heart Tea at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
At the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Princess’ Alaska tea experience invites guests to step into a world of sophistication. The attentive staff, well-versed in the art of tea service, will guide them through Alaska sourced tea, helping them choose the perfect blend to enhance each exquisite bite—from scones to salmon mousse, mini cakes and more.
Naturalists Lead Outdoors Program
For those seeking a more hands-on connection with nature, the naturalist program at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge immerses guests in the breathtaking wilderness of Alaska. It offers a unique and educational experience focused on the region’s rich natural environment.
Led by experienced naturalists, the program combines hands-on field experiences with informative lectures on Alaska’s flora, fauna, and geological wonders.
Cocktail-Making Class at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
Guests can immerse themselves in the art of mixology at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge’s Cocktail Making Class. This hands-on experience at Fannie Q’s Saloon invites participants to discover the secrets behind crafting the perfect cocktails and mocktails.
Led by skilled mixologists, the class covers various techniques, from muddling and shaking to garnishing.
Denali Education Center Presentations at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
Discover the wonders of Denali National Park at the Denali Education Center. Expert educators and naturalists lead presentations, sharing their deep knowledge and passion for the unique ecosystem that surrounds the lodge.
Cooking Demonstration at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
Embark on a culinary adventure at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge with a captivating cooking demonstration. Led by an expert chef, guests can discover the artistry behind crafting dishes inspired by the flavors of the region.
The chef will share insights into the use of local and seasonal ingredients, highlighting the fresh seafood of the Copper River region.
2024 Alaska Cruises and Cruisetours
New for 2024 are convenient, seven-day Inside Passage itineraries, many including Glacier Bay National Park, round-trip from Vancouver on Ruby Princess.
Plus, there are more than 20 cruisetours (cruise + land tour) that combine the unmatched Princess cruise experience with visits to Denali National Park, Kenai Peninsula, Copper River, Fairbanks, and Anchorage.
Celebrating the 55th anniversary, two new cruisetours debut in 2024:
- National Parks Tour – A 15-night adventure to five of Alaska’s most breathtaking parks. These include Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords National Parks, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway. This experience combines a seven-day cruise, scenic rail travel, and eight nights land, including stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges.
- Katmai National Park Tour – Nine-day cruisetour includes two nights in Anchorage. Here, guests have the chance to embark on an intimate bear-watching experience at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. This tour immerses travelers in the heart of Alaska’s wilderness, allowing them to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. This tour is combined with a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise visiting Glacier Bay National Park.
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