First, we will set sail aboard the Discovery Princess with Princess Cruises on a spectacular voyage from Vancouver through Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage. Along the way you’ll visit charming frontier ports including Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, while experiencing breathtaking glacier viewing in Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord. This unforgettable sailing showcases Alaska’s towering glaciers, incredible wildlife, and dramatic coastal scenery before arriving in Whittier, the gateway to the state’s rugged interior.
Once in Whittier, we will begin our 5-night cruisetour extension by journeying inland using Princess Cruises’ glass-domed Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail and motorcoach system to Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge where we will stay for 2 nights. From there we will make our way to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge where we will also stay 2 nights. While there, you’ll have opportunities to explore Denali National Park and Preserve through tours and optional excursions. The journey ends in Fairbanks, where we hope to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis, one of the reasons this trip is perfectly timed for September.
Canada's third largest city feels like a North American metropolis mixed with a small European town. Explore the rainforest within Vancouver, B.C. — Stanley Park — and visit the continent's second largest Chinatown during your Alaska cruise vacation. Soar above the city's lush natural environment in a sky gondola for panoramic views or get up close to the local sea life at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Step aboard the stunning Discovery Princess to begin our unforgettable Alaska adventure. After settling into your stateroom, explore the ship, enjoy sailaway views of the Pacific Northwest, and get ready for an incredible journey ahead.
Settle into vacation mode as we sail north through the breathtaking Inside Passage. Enjoy everything Discovery Princess has to offer, from relaxing ocean views and world-class dining to entertainment, activities, and time to simply unwind before arriving in Ketchikan.
Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. Cast your rod into a sea of opportunity on a cruise to Alaska.
Juneau is unlike any other city in the United States. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise.
Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training.
When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park.
The Harriman Expedition discovered College Fjord in 1899 and named the towering glaciers after the great East Coast universities of the United States, like the Harvard Glacier. With the largest collection of tidewater glaciers in the world, your scenic Alaska cruise through the fjord will make a lasting memory.
Arrive in Whittier and begin the land portion of your adventure aboard the Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service. Sit back and take in Alaska’s stunning scenery as you travel deep into the heart of the state en route to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, your home for the next two nights.
You have a full day to plan however you choose. Stop by the Tour Desk for a variety of optional excursions. Walk the nature trails around the lodge or sit and gaze at the majesty of "The Great One" from the lodge's treehouse, designed and built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet's Treehouse Masters.
Enjoy a scenic motorcoach drive to the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, located just outside the national park entrance. Check in with the Guest Service Desk for help in planning your own Denali adventure. Or you may enjoy the spectacular main lodge, river view deck, and Princess Village with the popular Christmas cottage and sugar shack. Be sure to check out Fannie Q's Saloon, named after a famed local homesteader, or sit outside at a fireside patio.
Start your morning with a quick stop at Fannie Q's saloon for a hearty buffet breakfast. Explore Denali National Park on a Natural History Tour, watching for glimpses of North America?s tallest mountain as well as Denali's "Big Five"; moose, caribou, bears, wolves and Dall sheep. Later today, you may want to simply relax with a glass of wine on the deck overlooking the Nenana River.
Travel by motorcoach to Fairbanks and immerse yourself in Alaska’s rich culture and history on a scenic sternwheeler cruise along the Chena River. This evening, venture beyond the city lights for an unforgettable Northern Lights viewing experience, where you'll have the chance to watch the aurora dance across the Alaskan sky from a cozy yurt or beneath the stars.
Your memorable adventure ends this morning as you fly home from Fairbanks.