GO WILD: Your guide to cruising Alaska

RUNNI NG HEAD

go wild WIN

a Princess cruise to Alaska worth $9,100 See page 25

yo u r guid e to cruis i n g A l a s k a

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explore the great land with the

#1 CRUISE LINE IN ALASKA*

*11 consecutive years winning the “Best Cruise Line in Alaska� by Travel Weekly

*Fares are cruise only, per person, in AUD, in complete twin accommodation based on the lead category for each stateroom type, inclusive of all discounts, taxes, fees and port expenses (which are subject to change). Supplements apply for other stateroom categories. Fares based on specific departure dates only. Higher fares may apply to other departure dates listed. Offer ends 30 April 2019 unless sold out prior. Princess Cruises has set aside a reasonable number of staterooms which are available at these fares. Once these staterooms are sold, fares may revert to a higher fare, but may also be discounted. Valid for new bookings and not combinable with any other offer.

All offers are subject to availability. Some oceanview staterooms have obstructed views. ~Comparison launch fares are based on fares launched into the market from April 2017. ^Onboard spending money is per stateroom as marked on selected itineraries within this publication only and is applied to the first 2 passengers in a stateroom.

Onboard spending money is not transferable, non-refundable, not redeemable for cash and cannot be used at the medical centre or casino. ^Advertised Onboard spending money of up to $400 on the front cover applies to Balcony and above staterooms that have been booked on select voyages sailing for 22 or more nights. <Quad fare based on lead interior or oceanview stateroom when travelling with two adult twin fare paying passengers in the same stateroom, and is subject to stateroom configuration and availability. To be read in conjunction with the Booking and Passage Conditions available at princess.com/legal/passage_contract which passengers will be bound by. A credit card surcharge of 1.1% for Visa and Mastercard and 2.3% for AMEX, and a 1.0% surcharge for PayPal will apply to direct bookings made through our website or call centre. Travel agents may charge additional fees - check with your travel agent. Carnival plc trading as Princess Cruises. ABN 23 107 998 443

BOOK NOW!

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Voyage of the Glaciers

Coral Princess® | Golden Princess® Royal Princess® | Island Princess®

7

Nights

Inside Passage

CRUISE ONLY Northbound Voyage Southbound Voyage

College Fjord Hubbard Glacier

Anchorage

Whittier

ss

Pacific Ocean

Alaska

Ketchikan CANADA

Victoria

Interior*

Balcony*

Mini-suite*

$1,349 $1,139

$2,539 $2,149

$2,979 $2,469

Up to $200 onboard spending money per stateroom^

Interior* Oceanview* Balcony* Mini-suite* LAUNCH FARES PP FROM~ YOUR FARES PP FROM*

$1,399 $1,959 $2,339 $2,589 $1,119 $1,619 $1,919 $2,069

Up to $200 onboard spending money per stateroom^

Quad share from $1,019 per person<

Quad share from $1,019 per person< 59 departures between 1 Jun 19 and 14 Sep 19

2019 DEPARTURES

UNITED STATES

MOST POPULAR

MOST POPULAR LAUNCH FARES PP FROM~ YOUR FARES PP FROM*

British Columbia

Seattle

e

ag

Vancouver, B.C.

Glacier Bay National Park

CRUISE ONLY

CANADA

Pa

Glacier Bay National Park

de Insi

Gulf of Alaska

Nights

Juneau

e sag Pas

Prince William Sound ALASKA

Skagway

Inside

Skagway Juneau Ketchikan

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(with Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay National Park)

Ruby Princess® | Star Princess®

*Fares are per person twin share based on Southbound 7/9/19 sailing Higher fares may apply to other departures

2019 DEPARTURES

36 departures between 11 May 19 and 15 Sep 19

*Fares are per person twin share based on 15/9/19 roundtrip Seattle Higher fares may apply to other departures

Departures from Vancouver, Los Angeles and San Francisco also available. See princess.com

Denali Explorer

Coral Princess® | Royal Princess® Island Princess® HIGHLIGHTS YOU’LL ENJOY:

12

Nights

LAND & SEA 5+7

7 night Northbound Voyage of the Glaciers cruise from 5 night land tour Vancouver to Anchorage before your Direct-to-Wilderness Princess® Rail Service 2 nights Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge® Natural History Tour into Denali National Park Motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge 2 nights Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge® Motorcoach to Anchorage 1 night in Anchorage Interior* Oceanview* Balcony* Mini-suite* YOUR FARES PP FROM*

$2,639 $3,389 $3,699 $4,139

Up to $200 onboard spending money per stateroom^

2019 DEPARTURES

27 departures between 8 May 19 and 4 Sep 19

*Fares are per person twin share based on Island Princess IA5 Denali Explorer 8/5/19 departure only Higher fares may apply to other departures

10 and 11 night Land & Sea Holidays also available.

See princess.com for more details

Off The Beaten Path

Royal Princess® | Golden Princess® HIGHLIGHTS YOU’LL ENJOY:

14

Nights

LAND & SEA 7+7

7 night Northbound Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage before your 7 Night Land Tour.

Direct-to-Wilderness Princess® Rail Service to Talkeetna Motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge 1 night Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge® Motorcoach to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge 1 night Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Natural History Tour into Denali National Park Motorcoach to Fairbanks 2 nights Fairbanks Gold Dredge 8 Tour and Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise on the Chena River Motorcoach to Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge 2 nights Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge Motorcoach to Anchorage 1 night in Anchorage Deluxe Mini-suite* Interior* Balcony* Balcony*

YOUR FARES PP FROM*

$2,889 $4,019 $4,139 $4,389

Up to $200 onboard spending money per stateroom^

2019 DEPARTURES

16 departures between 11 May 19 and 24 Aug 19

*Fares are per person twin share based on Royal Princess NA7 Off The Beaten Path 11/5/19 departure only Higher fares may apply to other departures

C O NTE NTS

contents Why you should cruise to Alaska right now

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An illustrated guide to Alaska ports

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Princessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onboard North to Alaska program

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What to do in the 49th state

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Animal planet: six of the best 14 Review: a Princess cruise to the Last Frontier Exploring Princessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wilderness Lodges

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Packing for your great adventure 22

Go Wild is published by Big Splash Media on behalf of Princess Cruises. All information is correct at time of going to press. Itineraries and cruise schedules can change, however, and advice contained here, including prices, should be considered general in nature. Passengers are advised to check princess.com or talk to their CLIA travel agent before booking.

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W E L C OM E

50 years of Alaska adventure

■ If there is one cruise destination that has

it all, it is America’s 49th state. Incomparable scenery, wondrous wildlife, fascinating history; a visit to Alaska will stir your soul and deliver experiences you’ll never forget.

This magestic land is best experienced on a cruise ship and one line is synonymous with Alaska: Princess Cruises.

Princess first cruised to the Great Land on June 3, 1969, when Princess Italia carried 525 guests through the little-explored waters. Half a century and five million passengers later, Princess still dominates the region.

This year, Princess Cruises is celebrating 50 years of Alaska cruising, carrying more passengers than ever on its newest ships, with fresh entertainment, immersive shore excursions and innovative culinary offerings.

To mark the historic occasion, the line will send the high-tech Royal Princess to the area; the first Princess Medallion-class ship to sail Alaska.

“We’ve spent half a century developing our legacy in Alaska,” Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz said. “We invite guests to celebrate this 50-year milestone with us, to try new and authentic experiences, combined with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Great Land.”

Princess now owns and operates four exclusive wilderness lodges, and offers more than 20 unique cruise-tour options that combine cruises with multi-night land tours and their exclusive rail service.

For this anniversary year, the line’s North to Alaska program will bring more unique Alaska experiences on board than ever before.

This promises to be the best year yet to travel with Princess Cruises to a part of the planet that no traveller should miss. princess.com 5

WH Y TO GO

why you should go If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dreaming of an Alaskan cruise, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no time like the present. Here are six compelling reasons to book a Princess Cruises journey to this incredible region in 2019.

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W HY T O GO

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Alaska’s forests are some of the most spectacular and magical in the world. Princess offers a range of activities that allow you to experience the wild, untamed beauty of the region.

You can zipline through the Eaglecrest Ski Area for spectacular views of the mountains and rushing streams or kayak through the fjords to see the stunning Mendenhall Glacier.

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Animal Planet and Princess have partnered to bring the best of Alaska’s wildlife to you. One such experience sees Iditarod race veterans introducing you to their dogs before taking you on a thrilling sled ride.

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One of the best reasons to visit Alaska is its fabulous fresh seafood. With Princess Cruises, you can catch your own local salmon by day, and then have it cooked and served to your table in the evening.

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Princess Cruises’ partnership with Discovery means you can discover Alaska on a range of unique shore excursions, like a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park, which most people only see from their coach.

Alaska has 100,000 glaciers, which are constantly calving (breaking off in large icy chunks). Guests can kayak alongside glaciers, trek across them, fly over them or explore the interior of these out-of-this-world ice caves.

If that doesn’t whet your appetite, Princess and Bon Appetit host walking foodie tours of places like Juneau, where a local guide will take you to some of the best restaurants in the capital. princess.com 7

AL ASK A P ORTS

ports of call Map: Tanya Cooper/The Illustration Room

• Anchorage

This picturesque city, Alaska’s biggest, mixes wilderness with a modern attitude. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre or check out the Native Heritage Center.

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• Fairbanks

Famous for its rich gold mining history, Fairbanks is fondly known by locals as the Golden Heart City. Explore gold mines or take a Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise down the Chena River.

• Skagway

Set along the Inside Passage, compact Skagway is home to gold-rush era architecture. This town is also the embarkation point for the White Pass Scenic Railway.

• Juneau

The capital of Alaska is known for thrilling outdoor activities and is one of the best places to see magnificent glaciers.

Go whale watching, take a dog-sled ride, or try a local spruce tip beer.

AL AS K A P OR T S

• Icy Strait Point • Ketchikan Rich with native culture of the Huna Tlingit people, Icy Strait Point is a port that offers activities such as crab catching, ziplining over the pine forest, and whale watching.

Watch people compete in axe throwing and log rolling at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, and visit the Totem Heritage Center to learn more about native history.

• Vancouver

The cosmopolitan city in Canada has a distinctly European feel. It is surrounded by mountains and has a thriving art, theatre and music scene for limitless entertainment.

WAYS TO SAIL Cities from which you can depart on your Alaska cruise: Anchorage (Whittier) Vancouver Seattle Los Angeles San Francisco princess.com 9

REV I EW

state of surprise Alaska is nothing you expect, and everything you want, finds Katrina Lobley on a cruise through the region.

■ Someone’s cranked the country music.

Star Princess’s top deck is a swirl of colour, sound and movement as the Alaska-bound ship slides out of Vancouver under sapphire skies. This isn’t your regular sail-away party.

Crew members – guys clad in plaid and gals in gold-rush-era dance hall frocks and ostrich feathers – are leading a boot-scooting session to the tune of Achy Breaky Heart.

Billy Ray Cyrus is more Tennessee than Alaska but no one seems to mind this minor geographic detail. It’s hard to mind when so much excitement and adventure await.

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Alaska, conjuring visions of a wild and untamed land, is the largest of the united states but it has the lowest population density (it’s home to more caribou than people). It can be explored through a wide range of cruising itineraries but Princess’s seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers journey, which makes its way along the Inside Passage, provides a fascinating introduction.

The first port of call, if you’re sailing north, is Ketchikan, home to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. In an outdoor arena built on a former spruce mill just a block

R E V IE W

from where cruise ships dock, passengers are divided into teams to cheer on the lumberjack athletes, drawn from the world of competitive timbersports. The show features more ham and cheese than a Christmas dinner table but it’s a fun appetiser for what’s to come.

Squeeze in another excursion by heading to George Inlet Lodge, 24 kilometres out of town. Arrive at the waterfront crab shack hungry because the hostess will encourage you to stuff yourself silly with as much crab as you can eat in one sitting; extracting the

steamed meat from its shell then dipping it into pots of melted butter.

Before re-embarking the ship, work off some of those calories by strolling around atmospheric Creek Street – the former red-light district features old-timey former bordellos and boardwalks on stilts.

Next stop: Juneau, the Alaska capital which is only accessible by water or air. If money’s no object and you’re cruising in the early summer, sign up for a float-plane trip to Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on nearby Admiralty Island. The island’s brown bears princess.com 11

REV I EW

‘Alaska isn’t what you expect, and it becomes still more interesting the further north you go.’ are habituated to humans thanks to a bear hunter-turned-hermit who lived on the island until shortly before his death in 1956. From early May to early June, you can watch bears casually snacking on grass in a lush estuary.

Our guide carries a gun on this excursion to an unfenced elevated spot but, sure enough, when two juvenile bears see us, they take little notice and continue frolicking with each other before ambling into a forest thick with western hemlock and Sitka spruce.

Back in the city, stroll the foreshore of Gastineau Channel towards the JuneauDouglas Bridge to see a stunning bronze statue of a humpback whale, which, thanks to misting water, looks like it’s just breached.

On the way back to the ship, push through the swinging doors of the Red Dog Saloon for a beer brought to you by waitresses rushing around the sawdust-covered floor in gold-rush era fancy dress. Perhaps a vinegar12 princess.com

tongued musician, a relic of a previous era, will be in the house, heckling women with vintage lines like, “I thought I told you to wait in the truck.”

No, Alaska isn’t what you expect and it becomes still more interesting the further north you go. Our final stop in Alaska’s panhandle is Skagway, which trades on a fascinating history as a late 19thcentury gold-rush boom town. This port of call is our smallest but is easily the most intriguing. After one excursion is cancelled (bad weather up at the sled-dog camp) and another completed (a Top Gun-like helicopter convoy to Meade Glacier), there’s time to stretch the legs with a walk past the town to Smugglers Cove. Along the way, seasonal workers from the Lower 48 (mainland US) are plucking neon-green spruce tips, which earn them US$5 a pound from the Skagway Brewing Company. A

R E V IE W

spruce-accented brew makes the perfect end to the day after a free tour of Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum – a homespun collection of oddities. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park ranger Katie leads an offbeat tour where participants are asked to consider the very notion of what a museum can be.

Skagway hums during the day but feels like a ghost town as passengers return to their ships in time for dinner (or, with Princess, to cuddle sled-dog puppies in the piazza).

Leaving civilisation behind, our ship noses into World Heritage-listed Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve for what turns out to be the cruise highlight. As the park rangers who boarded Star Princess give a running commentary, the captain manoeuvres the vessel so that we hang right in front of the glittering blue spires of Margerie Glacier, which is grinding into the West Arm of Glacier Bay at a rate of up to two metres a day. As spires snap from the glacier’s frozen face, their release cracks like gunfire and ripples from the bobbing ice reach all the way out to the ship.

By the time you dock near Anchorage at windswept Whittier, where most of the 200 residents live under one roof, nothing will surprise you about Alaska any more – except that you’re ready to turn around and do it all again.

WELCOME ABOARD Wander past Star Princess’s open-air bars while the ship is cruising around Alaska’s pristine coastline, and you’ll see a sign propped on the counters.

“Whilst the ship is in Yakutat Bay, Glacier Bay or College Fjord, the use of all paper and plastic items is prohibited,” it reads. It’s just one of the ways they remind us we’re in a very special spot.

It’s invigorating to cruise Alaska’s waters.

Breezes are brisk while you’re on the open deck but rug up with layers, add a beanie, scarf and gloves, and you’ll be toasty.

A less conventional way to keep warm is to sprawl in a hot tub to soak up the grandeur of the passing peaks. While admiring Glacier Bay, warm your hands and your insides with hot chocolate or coffee spiked with whisky or liqueurs served from a roving trolley.

Alaska is brought aboard to invigorate just about every sense. Look for a symbol on the main dining room menus that indicate regional flavours such as maple and salmon; Prego Pizzeria even offers a Lumberjack Pizza topped with Canadian bacon and smoked gouda. Check the daily schedule for gigs from storyteller and singer Steve Hites, harmonica classes, slideshows by Alaskan photographer, author and wolf aficionado Nick Jans, and opportunities to cuddle cute sled-dog puppies.

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AC TI V I TI ES

The lure of Alaska lies in the scenery, but Princess has arranged plenty more to amaze you on your cruise through the region.

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A C T IV IT IE S

to Alaska journey will bring the best of this vast and truly unique land directly to you, either onboard or in the exclusive Wilderness Lodges.

On this adventure, every day brings something new. Here’s just some of what’s on offer.

my catch •GoCook on a hands-on fishing

excursion during the day, and that evening, the Princess Cruises chefs will prepare your fresh-caught seafood to your liking and serve it to your table with the perfect accompaniments.

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Capturing the last frontier Capture incredible photos of your once-in-a-lifetime experience by learning tips and tricks from professional photographers.

•This activity is one for the

Puppies in the piazza

entire family – a team of Skagway’s future sled dogs will come onboard for a meet and greet in the Piazza. Have a cuddle, snap some pictures and meet the dog handlers training the puppies.

dives •ForLocal a different culinary experience, Princess has partnered with the most famous eateries along your route so you can try iconic dishes like crab cakes from Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau, fish tacos from Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan and seafood chowder from Bonanza Bar and Grill in Skagway.

Meet the mountain •climber Hear firsthand accounts from fearless climbers who have conquered Denali – the highest mountain in North America. They’ll tell exhilarating stories of their journey, complete with unbelievable photos, in the Hudson Theater at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

Tales from the •Deadliest Catch

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Hear unbelievable behindthe-scenes tales from the popular Discovery Channel program, Deadliest Catch.

Captain David Lethin and his shipmates from Aleutian Ballad share their real-life adventures in the wild Bering Sea in pursuit of crab.

McKinley treehouse •VisitMt.Princess Cruises’ custom-built treehouse at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, where you can sample tree-inspired foods at Sappy Hour, test your Great Land

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■ A Princess Cruises North

knowledge at Trivia in the Treehouse, or hear the story of the first ascent of Denali.

Living like a logger •head Get a glimpse into the life of Alaskan lumberjacks with an intense onboard demonstration that includes an axe-throwing competition between guests.

The Grand Princess •Prospector Be transported back to the Gold Rush days of the 1890s when you visit the Princess Prospector onboard Grand Princess. Displays tell the story of the Alaska Gold Rush (also known as the Klondike Gold Rush) and the lives of the hopeful prospectors.

The Klondike festival •Celebrate the spirit of The Alaska Gold Rush an onboard Klondike Festival – gold-nugget arts and crafts projects, a naturalist exhibition, harmonica music classes, and dance performances.

North to Alaska programs available on select sailings. princess.com 15

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10 must dos Princess’s Alaska experts Natasha Hanson (product development manager) and Jennifer Miller (shore excursions manager) share their favourite things to do in the 49th state and its surrounds.

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Explore the stunning wilderness of Yukon, Canada, with lunch at Caribou Crossing and a visit to a sled dog camp to see the huskies and their adorable puppies. If you’re up for it, go dog sledding with a musher on a custom wheeled training cart along a forested trail.

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From Juneau Port, take a thrilling helicopter tour over the Juneau Icefield and land on the awe-inspiring Herbert Glacier.

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Bird-watchers must visit the Pribilof Islands, a cluster of remote volcanic islands which are home to the biggest colonies of nesting seabirds in the world, plus two million northern fur seals.

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Preserve; four million acres of remote, wild country where you can see brown bears drawn to the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run.

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For the best bears and wilderness adventure, visit Katmai National Park and 16 princess.com

Take a cruise from Icy Strait Point to Point Adolphus, home to Alaska’s largest population of humpbacks. Along the way you may even spot orcas, sea lions, seals and porpoises.

Explore the oldest national park in Alaska. Sitka National Historical Park is

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Stop for a drink at the Red Onion Saloon while you’re in Skagway. Originally an upmarket saloon and brothel, it reached its heyday during the gold rush of 1898 and now includes a fascinating museum.

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Travel in style from Skagway to White Pass Summit on the famous White Pass Scenic Railway. You’ll see Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and the aptly-named Dead Horse Gulch.

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Cruise alongside Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve on southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Stretching north of the town of Gustavus, the bay is flanked by peaks, including Mount Fairweather, and glaciers like the huge Grand Pacific Glacier.

Treat yourself to a small-group rafting trip and scenic drive through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Look out for humpback whales and seals on the ferry ride en route.

famous for the collection of 20 indigenous totem poles spread throughout the park.

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W I LD L I F E

meet the locals With more animals than people, Alaska is one of the greatest places on Earth to encounter wildlife. While there are countless species to look out for, here are Jocelyn Pride’s top six.

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An Alaska icon, bears usually top everyone’s wish list. There are about 100,000 black bears and 35,000 brown bears and they’re all hungry; follow the food and you’ll have your fill of bear encounters. For coastal bears, it’s all about salmon, while others are more into berries and alpine grasses. Admiralty Island has the highest concentration of brown bears in North America; Brooks Falls has a viewing platform for a bear-on-salmon moment; and Anan Creek is one of the few places black and brown bears feed together.

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Spotting a whale in full breach is an ultimate Alaska cruise moment. Nine types of whales feed in the nutrient rich water of the Inside Passage, but the most common sighting is humpbacks during summer. If you’re lucky you might have an encounter with a pod of orca.

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Mighty moose – the largest member of the deer family – are enormous, and roam all over the state, even through towns and villages. They are often found standing in lakes and ponds munching on aquatic plants, in places like Moose Pond in Denali National Park, the boardwalk at Potter Marsh near Anchorage and Moose Pass out of Seward (which has its name for good reason). The golden hours, early morning and late afternoon, are the best times to capture a perfect photo of a bull with full antlers.

As one of the most curious creatures in the state, harbour seals are likely to pop out of the water anytime to check you out. They also haul out on floating icebergs all through the Inside Passage. You’ll also see (and smell) colonies of comical Steller sea lions.

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Back from near extinction due to fur hunting in the 1800s, playful sea otters are one of the few animals to use tools – they carry rocks under their arms to crack open food. Look out for them in Glacier Bay National Park and around Sitka, floating on their backs in groups known as rafts.

W IL D L IF E

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With more than 500 species, Alaska is a birderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream.

Bald Eagles, the symbol of the USA, are in abundance; look for their large nests in trees along the Inside Passage, and in spring, you might see a courting ritual where the male and female lock talons and spiral towards the ground as a sign of trust. Late in the season, around 3,000 eagles gather near Haines to scavenge for salmon. Other species include puffins, harlequin ducks, kittiwakes, loons and trumpeter swans. princess.com 19

W H AT TO PACK

baggage allowance An Alaska journey has specific packing requirements.

Adventure expert Jocelyn Pride has the lowdown.

■ Leave the stilettoes at

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Feet first •Your shoes need to be your

Body warmers •Modern fabrics now make it easy to pack light but right.

To make the most of your time in the Last Frontier, dress in layers and make sure each layer is specifically designed for its function.

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best friend, so definitely no newbies. Hiking boots have come a long way in style and comfort – lightweight, waterproof and long lasting, a good pair is worth its weight in Alaska gold. Supportive trainers with solid traction are enough for less active excursions and keep your tootsies toastie with woollen or synthetic socks rather than cotton, which absorbs moisture like a sponge.

The layer against your skin is the most important as it manages perspiration. It’s worth investing in a couple of top quality base layers (long and short sleeved) made of lightweight merino wool because they wick away moisture and don’t retain body odour. Mid layers such as a polar fleece or light sweater work as insulation, and you’ll want an outer layer to protect against rain and wind; choose a rain jacket (preferably with a hood) made of waterproof fabric such as Gore-Tex or NeoShell.

Quick-dry lighthiking-style pants are the most practical for excursions as they move with you, give sun protection and are moisture wicking.

Waterproof overpants are also handy, just in case.

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home, Alaska is all about exploring the great outdoors in comfort. Follow these tips and be prepared for weather conditions that change as fast as the flick of a whale’s fluke.

It’s the little things •Although Alaska is known for ice and snow, in summer, temperatures can hit the high twenties. The sun in Alaska is deceptively strong, so you’ll need good SPF, a hat and a strap for your sunglasses so they don't go overboard.

With long daylight hours in summer, you may need an eye mask to sleep. And it’s bug time, so pack spray.

However, even on warm days, if the ship pulls into a glacial area, you’ll feel the chill. Glove liners are light and flexible and provide warmth even when worn alone. A microfibre tube-style neckwarmer is ideal; it can’t fall off, doubles as a wipe for camera lenses and glasses, and covers your mouth and nose on extra icy days.

A light day pack will be invaluable for carrying your water bottle (reusable, of course, to help keep the state green), your wildlife-spotting binoculars, and your camera, along with extra batteries and cards, so you never miss a Kodiak moment.

extend your holiday and see the heart of Alaska Denali Explorer

Off the Beaten Path

Connoisseur

Our most popular option

Go deeper into Alaska

Our highest level of service

3-6 nights on land

6-7 nights on land

5-8 nights on land

7 night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, including Glacier Bay National Park Exclusive Direct-to-the-wilderness® rail transfer in our glass-domed carriages, from your Princess® ship to our Denali-area lodges+ Accommodation in Fairbanks and/or Anchorage^ At least two nights at our Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge® and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge # Optional nights at our more remote lodges, Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge® and/or Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge® Select sightseeing excursions included such as Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise and Gold Dredge 8 Tour^ Natural History Tour into Denali National Park (approx. 5 hours) Upgraded Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park (approx. 8.5 hours) Most meals included on land Escorted by a Tour Director

Features above are subject to the itinerary of each tour and may vary. #On most tours. Some tours have one night at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge® +Applicable wherever cruise is directly followed by accommodation at Denali-area wilderness lodge or vice versa. ^If applicable to tour itinerary.

W I LD ER NESS LODG ES

• Denali >>

Denali National Park and Preserve, in the centre of the Alaska Range, covers six million acres of wild and beautiful terrain, perfect for outdoor adventures and wildlife spotting. Its namesake mountain Denali – formerly known at Mount McKinley – is the tallest peak in North America and has the dubious honour of being the coldest mountain in the world.

As a result, Denali National Park is a haven for adventure seekers and wilderness junkies, as well as those wanting a spectacular retreat into nature; some 400,000 intrepid travellers journey to Denali National Park every year.

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, a beautiful timber hotel about a mile from the park’s main entrance, was the first of Princess’s custom-built back-to-nature accommodations.

The main building has floor-to-ceiling windows and a large deck offering views of nearby Nenana River Canyon. The rest of the lodge consists of separate buildings connected by trails that also lead to the nearby river.

There are several eateries including an upmarket dining room, the King Salmon Restaurant, which serves freshly caught Alaska seafood, and the soon-to-be-opened Fannie Q’s Saloon with a fireside patio right outside. A nearby property hosts The Music of Denali Dinner Theater, where you can enjoy a meal while watching a musical about pioneer days.

Princess organises a wide variety of excursions for guests of the lodge. Waterbased activities on the Nenana River include a scenic float, an exhilarating jetboat safari, high-octane paddle rafting or white water rafting in the gorge. Off the water, guests can take flightseeing tours, go quad biking on old coal mining trails, play a round of golf under the midnight sun or visit a husky kennel.

Princess operates three other wilderness lodges across Alaska, all perfect bases for your exploration of the Last Frontier.

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a walk in the park Princess Cruises knew people wanted to explore Alaska beyond the cruise ship – so they opened their own wilderness lodges.

The network of paths at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.

• Mt McKinley

The Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, on the southern edge of Denali National Park, is a 460-room retreat with amazing views of the famed Denali. It offers one of the closest encounters of the mountain a visitor can experience.

W IL D E R N E S S L OD GE S

Princess offers a range of Alaska Cruisetours which perfectly combine the seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with their exclusive Direct-tothe-Wilderness train ride and the choice of various three- to eight-night stays at the Wilderness Lodges. These tours are the perfect way to explore every aspect of Alaska.

• Copper River

The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge is a cosy 85-room lodge bordering the country’s largest national park, the Wrangell-St Elias. It offers a variety of excursions including river rafting, hiking and dog-sledding.

• Kenai

The Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge is the perfect mix of tranquillity and adventure as the 86-room lodge is nestled on the banks of the Kenai River. It has dramatic mountain and river views, and activities such as hiking, sport fishing and horseback riding. princess.com 23

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