VOYAGES
Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises ALASKA
PLEASE RETURN MAGAZINE TO STATEROOM AT VOYAGE END
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© KABANA. All designs protected by copyright laws. All rights reserved. Reproduction/Duplication prohibited.
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PHILIP STEIN © 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WATCHES FEATURED: CLASSIC ROUND COLLECTION , STYLES 44-RGMOP-CVSBG, 44SD-RGMOP-ILBL, 44-RGMOP-IPL
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SO MUCH MORE THAN A WATCH. Inside each Philip Stein watch is our unique Natural Frequency Disc designed to help you feel less stress, more focus and improve your overall wellbeing. FEEL THE POWER OF WHAT’S INSIDE.
KETCHIKAN: DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL, BLUE DIAMOND • JUNEAU: DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL, BLUE DIAMOND • SKAGWAY: DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL, MILANO DIAMOND GALLERY
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SEBASTIAN VETTEL Scuderia Ferrari SF15-T
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BIG BANG FERRARI KING GOLD CARBON
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DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL Ketchikan · Juneau · Skagway hublot.com
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FENDI.COM/TIMEPIECES
THE MANY FACES OF ELEGANCE A QUICK TURN OF THE CROWN CHANGES THE LOOK OF YOUR WATCH Passionate. Playful. Mysterious. These are all feminine emotions that make each of us the individual we are. Now, there is one watch that lets you express your different moods perfectly. The chic, stylish and glamorous Crazy Carats watch is as daring as you. The multi-color gem choices that grace the dial can be selected accordingly to your own personal desires. The Crazy Carats was designed for women who dream of transforming time to suit their needs. This watch brings excitement and flair to your wrist, and it communicates luxury and uniqueness. Why settle for one look when you have many moods?
WHITE, PINK, RAINBOW TOPAZ
JUNEAU– DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL, BLUE DIAMOND KETCHIKAN -DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL, BLUE DIAMOND SKAGWAY– DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL
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Punctually Unpredictable
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LEGENDS ARE FOREVER EL PRIMERO
I Chronomaster 1969
DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL
Ketchikan - Juneau - Skagway
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TABLE
OF CONTENTS
VOYAGES Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises 2016 Cruises
34 38 34
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Let Your Journey Begin
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The Night Belongs to You
At Your Service
When the sun goes down, the curtain rises on a constellation of thrilling nighttime enticements.
3 8 Delicious Dilemma
Nighttime Activities
Freshly prepared cuisine
Dining options to match your tastes and mood — that’s dining on board your Princess ship.
40 Do It All or Nothing At All Daytime Activities
You’ll discover an incredible variety of activities, enrichment programs and other entertaining options each day on board.
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Lotus Spa ® & The Sanctuary
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Boutiques Onboard
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Princess Photography
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Enrichment Programs
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Fine Art Auctions
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Movies Under the Stars
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Youth & Teen Programs
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54 Casino 56
Shows & Entertainment
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Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle SM
The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, including but not limited to transmission by any means, in any form — digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise — is forbidden without express, written permission from the publisher. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photography, artwork or other material. Electronic queries only will be acknowledged. E-mail to: editor@onboardmedia.com. Commentary and opinions expressed in Voyages: Charting a New Course ®
with Princess Cruises are not necessarily those of the cruise line. Princess Cruises is not responsible for any claims or offers made in advertisements appearing in Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises.
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BOLT-68 SWISS MADE
THE BOLT-68 COLLECTION INCLUDES THE CHAIN AND MEDALLION FOR TURNING YOUR EXCLUSIVE TIMEPIECE INTO A DISRUPTIVE POCKET WATCH
BLUE DIAMOND
LUXURY AT DUTY-FREE PRICES
KETCHIKAN WWW.BOMBERG.CH • FOLLOW US ON
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E X PL ORING T HE GR E AT L A ND 28
DISCOVER STYLE CRUISING THE INSIDE PASSAGE DENALI NATIONAL PARK WHERE THE WILD THINGS ROAM
PORTS OF CALL MAP OF ALASKA JUNEAU KETCHIKAN SKAGWAY REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Notes on other destinations to visit in Alaska and Canada and on the U.S. West Coast
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PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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BLUE DIAMOND 400 Mission Street, Ketchikan | 495 S. Franklin Street, Juneau
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Earn rewards and relax more with the Princess Cruises Rewards Visa card! ®
®
Enjoy great benefits like these: • NO annual fee1 • NO foreign transaction fees1 • Earn 5,000 BONUS points after your first Princess Visa purchase2 • Earn DOUBLE points on all Princess purchases – onboard and ashore3 • Redeem points with Princess toward cruise discounts, airfare discounts, Lotus Spa® treatments and other onboard amenities - with NO blackout dates4
See your Princess Captain’s Circle Host or Future Cruise Consultant and apply today! 1 Annual Fee: $0.0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening is applicable for the first 15 billing cycles that immediately follow each balance transfer made within the first 45 days (the “Introductory Period”). For purchases, and for balance transfers after the Introductory Period, the variable APR is 14.24%, 17.24% or 21.24% depending upon our review of your application and your credit history at account opening. The variable APR for cash advances is 25.49%. The APRs on your account will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $0.50. Balance Transfer Fee: 3% (min. $5). Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%. The fee for the purchase of cash equivalent transactions (purchase of money orders, traveler’s checks, foreign currency, lottery tickets, gambling chips or wire transfer): 5% (min. $10). This information is accurate as of 03/21/16 and is subject to change after this date. Contact 800-307- 0341 or visit Princessvisa.com for updated information and for more information about the terms of this offer.
Offer subject to credit approval. Not everyone will qualify for the Visa Signature credit card and its benefits. If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit criteria previously established for this offer, or the income you report is insufficient based on your obligations, we may not be able to open an account for you or you may receive a Platinum card. Benefits will vary depending upon the card for which you are approved. Please review the materials provided with the Cardmember Agreement you will receive after account opening for more information about the benefits that will apply. This offer is available to new Cardmembers only. For information about rates, fees, and other costs associated with the use of the credit card program, please see the Terms and Conditions.
2 Bonus Points: Five thousand (5,000) Bonus points will be awarded to your Princess Rewards Visa Account at the close of the first billing statement in which you make your first purchase or balance transfer. Balance Transfer Bonus Points: Earn one point per $1 in balances that post to your Princess Rewards Visa in the first 30 days after your new account is opened, up to a maximum of 5,000 points. There is a fee for Balance Transfers. Balance Transfer Checks and Convenience Checks do not qualify for balance transfer points. See the Terms and Conditions for complete details about this offer. 3 Earning Points: The Primary Cardmember will earn one (1) Princess Point for every one U.S. dollar ($1.00) of Net purchases made on the Account rounded to the nearest dollar and two (2) Princess Points for every one U.S. dollar ($1.00) of Net Purchases from Princess Cruise Lines including online and onboard purchases. Balance Transfers (after the first 30 days of account opening), Convenience Checks, and Cash Advances are not eligible to earn Points. 4 The Princess Rewards Program offers cardmembers the opportunity to earn rewards towards discounted, reduced, and even free cruise redemptions. Taxes and fees may apply. Cardmembers will be responsible for all charges incurred in connection with their cruise (including travel to port of departure). Additional charges may include, but are not limited to, gratuities, onboard purchases, and other charges. Other cruise related redemption options are available such as onboard spa experience and merchandise offers. See the Terms and Conditions for complete details about this offer.
The Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Card is issued by Barclaycard pursuant to a license by Visa USA Incorporated. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa USA Incorporated.
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© Forevermark Limited 2016. Forevermark™,
™,
™ and A Diamond is Forever™ are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies.
IT’S A LONG JOURNEY TO B E CO M E T H E O N E . In our constant pursuit of absolute beauty, every Forevermark® diamond undergoes a journey of rigorous selection. This is why less than one percent of the world’s diamonds are worthy of the Forevermark® inscription our promise of beauty, rarity and responsible sourcing.
AVAILABLE AT DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL® 1-800-51-JEWEL www.DiamondsInternational.com
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1691 Michigan Avenue, Suite 600, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Tel: (305) 673-. 0400, Fax: (305) 674.9396 www.onboardmedia.com Robin Rosenbaum-Andras Senior Vice President, Marketing Carrie Julier Vice President & General Manager Editorial & Design Virginia C. Valls Publishing Director Virginia Gil Editor in Chief Kate McClare Managing Editor Beth Wood Senior Art Director Dayana Ramirez Art Director Christian Rosario Associate Art Director Raquel Figueroa Associate Art Director Jose Cuevas Graphic Designer Kat Williams Graphic Designer James Perdomo Production Coordinator Gail Abrams Ad Services Director Violeta Manco-Rojas Ad Services Manager Contributing Writers/Editors John Anderson, Richard Carroll, Ginger Dingus, Nick Gallo, Janet Groene, Stanton H. Patty, Edward Readicker-Henderson, Lynn Seldon, Jonathan Siskin Advertising Sales Tasha Riekstins Director of Cruise Shopping Anna Riekstins Director of International Sales & Brand Marketing Rod Musum Executive Director of Sales Tyler Condon Sales Manager Lèmar Scott International Sales Coordinator Video/Film Production Todd Hedge Executive Producer Dan Shaw Director of Operations Juan Carlos Peña Director of Photography Caroline Keith Associate Producer Kevin Maschke Senior Editor Enrico Caschetta Assistant Editor Alexa Caravia Videographer/Editor Port Shopping Revenue Jimmy Marks Retail Program Manager Robert Yonskie Regional Marketing Manager Vince Mikulus Regional Marketing Manager Brandon Slater Regional Marketing Manager Port Shopping Rachel Castro Director of Operations Rina Alvarado Operations Coordinator Anaias Gonzalez Operations Sales Coordinator Nadine Winter Customer Relations Manager ©2016 Onboard Media. No claim to original works of Princess Cruises or advertisers.
Printed in Canada. All articles, descriptions and suggestions concerning activities, tourist attractions and other vacation opportunities described in this publication are merely expressions of opinions by contributing writers, do not constitute the opinions of Onboard Media, Inc, or Princess Cruises, and under no circumstances constitute assurances or guarantees concerning the quality or safety of any such attraction or activity. Onboard Media, Inc, and Princess Cruises specifically disclaim any liability for damages incurred due to the attendance or participation by readers of this publication in any such activity or attraction, and the attendance or participation in any such activity or attraction shall be made solely at the reader’s own risk. We and our content providers (“we”) have tried to make the information in this publication as accurate as possible, but it is provided “as is” and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
FEATURED BUSINESSES HAVE PAID TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS PUBLICATION THE 60-DAY GUARANTEE ASSURES BUYERS THAT THE STORES LISTED IN THIS PUBLICATION STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THEIR MERCHANDISE. BUYER’S REMORSE, BUYER’S NEGLIGENCE AND LOST OR STOLEN MERCHANDISE ARE EXCLUDED FROM THIS GUARANTEE. MANY STORES IN PORT, INCLUDING STORES THAT DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, MAY OFFER THEIR OWN GUARANTEES, BUT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE GUARANTEE STATED ON THE MAP.
SARAH JACKSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Ships of Bermudan registry. All rights reserved. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
*THE FULL BUYER’S GUARANTEE IS LISTED ON YOUR SHOPPING MAP.
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K E T C H I K A N : J U L I E ’ S F I N E J E W E L R Y | A L A S K A N H E R I T A G E | B E V E R LY ’ S J E W E L E R S JuNEAu: JEWELS BY KRIS | JuNEAu GEM HOuSE SKAGWAY: SKAGWAY JEWELRY CO.
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Available exclusively at
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HEL L O from your PRINCE S S SHOPPING HO S T
S AV V Y T R AV E L E R 20 16 AL AS
A few of the resources available for your days on board and ashore. FREE FREE HEART NEC
DEL SOL
KLACE
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ON
BAG
FOR GRE ONBOAR AT OFFERS D
TURN TO
KA EDITI
Welcome aboard! We’re glad you have joined us on this cruise to the incredible ports of Alaska. It’s our job to help you make the most of your vacation, especially when it’s time to shop. During this voyage, I’ll provide you with helpful advice about shopping on board and in the ports of call. I’ll be hosting the live Shopping Spotlight Show and special events on watches and jewelry, and I’ll be available each evening at the Princess Shopping Desk. I’ll also provide you with maps, brochures and other guidance upon request. You’ll find even more expert guidance on your television, with video replays of the Shopping Spotlight Show and special features about our boutiques on board. With all this advice, you’ll know exactly how to enjoy the unsurpassed experience of shopping on vacation.
BACK OF
At your service, Your Princess Shopping Host
BOOK
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RIGHT: An American bald eagle. BOTTOM: Mushing in Alaska.
Excitement builds as Alaska’s shore comes into view. A hunger for adventure brought you here, and soon your passion will be fulfilled as you explore one of the world’s greatest wonderlands. It is a land of incredible natural beauty, both on land and at sea. Vast stretches of unspoiled wilderness are home to amazing wildlife and majestic mountains. Charming towns combine modern life with a fascinating heritage of ancient culture. From the Gold Rush that forever changed the land to the Native traditions that remain forever true, Alaska is an experience that will change you as well. Your journey to Alaska will also be an exciting one, as you can see from this edition of Voyages. It’s packed with information on the many shipboard amenities you’ll enjoy, from mouthwatering cuisine to exquisite boutiques and rejuvenating spa treatments. We think you’ll find your visit even more meaningful after reading our guide to the ports of call. It’s an in-depth look at Southeast Alaska’s history and culture, focusing on the region’s Native people and the big-dreaming pioneers adopted by this Great Land. You’ve begun a journey that we are sure you will never forget. Bon voyage!
PHOTOS BY: (MUSHING) TYLER OLSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (EAGLE) FLORIDASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
T HE GR E AT L A ND BECKONS!
The staff of Voyages
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MBII
A PI LOT ’ S WATCH S H O U L D E N D U R E E V E RY T H I N G T H E PI LOT D O E S . The Bremont MB range is built in collaboration with British firm Martin-Baker, the pioneers of the ejection seat. At their test centre, the watches are strapped to the wrist of a crash-test dummy and shot out of the cockpit. Enduring forces of between 12G and 30G in the process. But this doesn’t mean the MB is built for endurance at the expense of performance. It’s a beautifully-engineered mechanical chronometer certified 99.998% accurate by COSC.
B R E M O N T. CO M / T E S T I N G
Diamonds International: Juneau • Ketchikan • Skagway
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IGNITE SOMETHING O N LY T H E P E R F E C T C U T C A N U N L E A S H A DIAMOND’S BRILLIANCE.
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H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , H E A R T S O N F I R E . C O M
Available at:
Blue Diamond
Fine Jewerlry & Watches 495 S Franklin Street, Juneau | 400 Mission Street, Ketchikan
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FINALLY, YOU’RE HERE. Now is the time to do as much or as little as you like. Get out on deck and experience the fresh air, explore your ship and all its amenities. Every aspect of this vacation was designed for you because we provide you with a variety of enriching ways to discover more about yourself and the world around you. On the following pages, you can learn a bit more about what you can expect in the coming days in
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our book: Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises. We call it that for a reason — not only because of the wonderful ports you’ll be visiting, but also because of all the distinct pleasures you will find, one by one, on your Princess ® ship. What will be your favorite venue, activity, restaurant? Enjoy the freedom to spend your days your way.
PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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WELCOME
ABOARD
L E T YO U R JOURNEY BEGIN
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AT YO U R SERVICE Princess Cruises — The Consummate Host
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®
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THE CONSUMMATE HOST
SERVICE
On your Princess® ship, gracious and attentive crew members are there to serve you and make your entire vacation memorable.
YOU FIRST NOTICED IT on the lapel of the officer who welcomed you aboard as you crossed thegangway: a blue-and-gold pin that read “Cruise.” Then you saw it again worn by the concierge, and your stateroom steward, and ... What are these pins, and what does CRUISE stand for? CRUISE began as a program to help keep the guest experience top-of-mind for all Princess staff and crew, and that is still one of its important goals. But CRUISE is also how we recognize and reward employees for great performance. CRUISE is how we educate our employees for career and personal growth. CRUISE is how we support our employees’ health and welfare so they can perform their jobs with excellence every day. CRUISE is the vehicle through which Princess delivers our core values — we serve, we respect our team, we innovate,
we are consistent, we are accountable and we do it right — to our staff, and motivates them to live out those values and be The Consummate Host. What does CRUISE mean to you? It means you can expect consistently warm, welcoming service — from courteous greetings in the dining room at dinner to friendly smiles by the stewards — on every ship in our fleet. It means everyone on board is working together to make your vacation a relaxed, rejuvenating retreat at sea. It means all of us know your vacation memories are infinitely precious — and we want you to remember not only our spectacular ships sailing to fantastic destinations, but also how valued you felt while you were on board.
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DINING
FRESHLY PREPARED
DELICIOUS DILEMMA Your ship is a floating destination of culinary delights, with options to match every taste and mood.
ONE OF THE MOST ENTICING THINGS
FOR VARIETY, you can choose a specialty
about your spectacular Princess® ship is the wide variety of tempting onboard options to delight your palate. From specialty restaurants and gracious dining rooms, a warm, freshly cooked meal is never far away. You can have a burger grilled to order out on deck, or grab a slice of handmade pizza to eat by the pool. Or maybe all you need is some soft-serve ice cream to fend off the heat. From breakfast to dinner to late-night snacks, Princess raises the bar on dining at sea.
restaurant like SHARE by award-winning chef Curtis Stone; Sabatini’s, SM with traditional Italian fare; the elegant Crown Grill SM or Sterling Steakhouse SM for an aged prime steak; or the Bayou Café & Steakhouse for a more Southern ambience.
WE UNDERSTAND how important dining is to the vacation experience, which is why we put such an emphasis on the quality and range of our dining options. We’ve designed the menus for our Traditional and Anytime Dining SM rooms to truly make sure the food is the star. From our signature pastas to our lighter selections, you’ll savor freshly prepared cuisine, utilizing ingredients with regional influences.
Ask about the Chef’s Table, yet another unique offering — you’ll be invited into the galley for champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and you'll later enjoy an exclusive multi-course dinner with a menu created by the Executive Chef on board. Or if you happen to have a balcony stateroom, you can stay in one evening and we’ll bring the experience to you — with Ultimate Balcony Dining.
WE INVITE YOU to indulge in all this and more during your cruise.
Note: Please reference your Princess Patter or log on to Princess@Sea for information about the restaurants and dining venues onboard.
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ACTIVITIES
DAYTIME
DO IT ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL FREE TIME — something each of us has precious little of these days. Of course, that’s why you take a vacation. And on your Princess ship, you’ll find you have plenty of time to enjoy the fabulous options your ship offers. WHAT’S YOUR TYPE? Are you a fitness fanatic? Do you like
arts & crafts? Do you wish you simply had more hours in the day after work and family commitments to just sit down and read a book? On a Princess voyage, we offer opportunities for every interest to be engaged, which is one of the reasons people often unexpectedly find that it is their time on the ship they remember most fondly. So now that you’re here, we encourage you to follow your mood to whatever activities and entertainment most interest you. You’ll find a full schedule of what’s offered each day in your Princess Patter or Princess@Sea.* This is your time to do as much as or as little as you like. *Princess@Sea available on select ships.
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RENEW YO U R S E L F BODY & SOUL
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
REJUVENATE
Rejuvenate with luxurious treatments in the Lotus Spa ® or on deck in The Sanctuary.
SITTING OUT ON DECK, you’ll be lulled into a
THE SANCTUARY – TRULY SPECIAL.
blissful state by the sound of waves, the fresh sea air and the knowledge that while you are out here with Princess, you don’t have a single care in the world. And if you think that’s a good feeling, just imagine how you’ll feel after a massage or spa treatment!
Rejuvenate in the open air at the outdoor oasis reserved exclusively for adults, The Sanctuary, available on select ships.*
PAMPERING never felt as good as it does on a Princess ship. The onboard Lotus Spa® rivals most you’ll find on land — offering a sensational selection of services and treatments from facials, scrubs and massages to hot stone therapy, body therapy and body wraps, as well as a full-service salon should you choose to beautify after you unwind.
In this popular haven you can get a massage under a cabana to the sound of the sea lapping far beneath you. Or you can find yourself an empty chaise lounge in which to enjoy healthy smoothies, energy drinks and flavored waters. A menu exclusive to The Sanctuary highlights a variety of light snacks served by special Serenity Stewards. MP3 players are also available with themed playlists, so you can enjoy the soothing sounds of music.
The Lotus Spa Fitness Center offers fitness programs designed to help you maximize your wellness with Tour de Cycle, personal training and classes such as Pilates, yoga, Body Sculpt Boot Camp and TRX suspension training. The Lotus Spa Fitness Center also features world-class exercise equipment so you can tone on your own. * The Sanctuary is available on most ships. Covered cabanas and massages not available in The Sanctuary on all ships.
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DISCOVER THE FINER THINGS AND COME BACK NEW Visit the Boutiques onboard and discover tax and duty free shopping. Enhance your shopping experience with exciting events like our Runway at Sea, trunk shows and our exclusive onboard outlet.
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BEST ONBOARD SHOPPING MAGAZINE
8 CONSECUTIVE YEARS - READERS’ CHOICE AWARD
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ENRICHMENT
EXPERIENCES
THE PRINCESS PHOTO & VIDEO TEAM CAPTURES
YOUR MEMORIES AT SEA A PICTURE IS WORTH a thousand words — especially of your cruise with Princess. And we offer many ways for you to relive your vacation with both photos and video including:
• Formal & casual portraits with multiple backgrounds • Candid photos from gangways and ports to onboard events • Wall portraits, turning your memories into works of art
• Reflections DVD, featuring video highlights from your cruise • Digital cameras, binoculars & accessories
• Souvenir and decorative frames, albums & scrapbooks
Best Onboard Photography - Portholes Magazine 2014 Readers Choice Award
PLATINUM STUDIO by Joe Craig
YOUR LIFE. OUR ART. YOUR LEGACY. Created by internationally recognized photographer Joe Craig, the Platinum Studio experience puts the focus on your inner spirit. Using creative lighting techniques, our specially trained Platinum Artist creates a unique style of art with sessions taking place in a private studio, with no session fee and no obligation to purchase.
CALL OR VISIT THE PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!
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ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS SET SAIL WITH PRINCESS, and you’re in for an adventure that’s more than just sightseeing. You will discover an array of engaging onboard offerings to expand your cultural horizons.
An adventure in the
CULTURAL Engaging enrichment opportunities and exciting art auctions bring refinement to your cruise.
Among the wonderful offerings of our enrichment programs is an array of classes, from singing to culinary skills and art history. You can brush up on your cooking knowledge, expand your navigational awareness, or join the Zumba® Fitness dance party.* Get creative and have fun learning new craft activities and much more. Enrichment programs also present intriguing lectures on select cruises, including those focusing on the history, culture and geography of the region you are visiting.
GET INTO THE AUCTION** Our live art auctions are fun, fast-paced and offer an exciting opportunity to collect exceptional works of art. You’ll find some of the art world’s biggest stars — from Picasso to Chagall to Rockwell to Max — all represented, with hundreds of works available from contemporary art’s most popular figures. So immerse yourself, and experience our auctions, gallery events and enrichment lectures this voyage. And don’t worry about carrying your new collection off the ship, because most works are shipped to your door. * Zumba available on select voyages. ** N ot available on Pacific Princess.
PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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MOVIES
UNDER THE STARS®
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT Princess pioneered the concept — guests enjoying ®
a feature film poolside on a giant screen — Movies Under the Stars. ®
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ORDER A DRINK,
grab a bag of complimentary popcorn, get yourself a lounge chair by the pool — or even better, a coveted spot in the hot tub for the greatest show on the sea. Movies Under the Stars® is a real crowd-pleaser, with up to five movies shown poolside during the day, and two feature films at night. What a great way to take advantage of warm nights in the region. A high-tech 300-square-foot LED screen and 69,000watt stereo system assure clarity and quality of sound from wherever on the deck you might be sitting.
EVEN KIDS GET IN
on the fun. Some of the most popular offerings on the Movies Under the Stars big screen are our special Playstation® or Nintendo® Wii TM tournaments. And teens will enjoy late-night screenings just for them, while younger cruisers can take in a colorful matinee with newfound friends!
TO KEEP THE ENTERTAINMENT FRESH, there are other showings besides movies. Major sporting events such as the NBA Finals, World Series, are shown on the big screen. And you’ll often find yourself grooving to a concert video of one of the world’s most popular performers.
*Satellite coverage permitting. Note: Movies Under the Stars is featured on most Princess ships.
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YOUTH
AND TEEN
Kid-sized fun that’s simply
“ S E A S AT I O N A L ”
MOMS AND DADS,
OUR YOUNGEST GUESTS
be forewarned — aside from mealtimes, you may not see your kids much on this cruise. That’s because Princess® has one of the best programs for children and teens from 3–17 of any cruise line. On days at sea and in port, the fun begins in the morning and continues throughout the day and into the evening in our supervised Youth Centers & Teen Lounges.
ages 3–7 will love our Princess Pelicans program. They can participate in a variety of programs including art projects, sports and games, educational activities, and even pizza and ice cream parties. Plus, kids can take part in fun events such as talent shows, dance parties, pajama parties and special gettogether dinners. They’ll even paint their own T-shirts and create
other custom souvenirs of their cruise.
’TWEENS WILL REVEL in Shockwaves — a special venue with activities just for them. They can enjoy parties, join sports tournaments
and scavenger hunts, watch movies, learn to cook with our Jr.CHEF@Sea program, participate in talent shows, or enjoy educational programs. Whatever their age, kids on a cruise with Princess will find fun-filled activities suited just for them. *Ocean and Pacific Princess offer youth/teen programs only when 20 or more children, ages 3-17, are traveling on a given voyage.
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PARTIES • GAMES • DANCE PARTIES PLAYSTATION ® • NINTENDO ® WII TM SPORTS COMPETITIONS • AND MORE
REMIX What’s a teen to do
on a Princess ship? Plenty — because
our Remix teen program is the hottest thing on the ocean. Come make new friends and hang in your own dedicated Teen Lounge with music, games, dance parties, yoga and Playstation.® There are hip hop classes, karaoke, mocktail parties, late-night poolside movies, talent shows, and sports competitions.
If you haven’t checked it out,
come to Remix.
It’s the place to be at sea!
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THE NIGHT BELONGS T O YO U Step out for an evening of adventure and excitement on a ship of dreams.
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ACTIVITIES
NIGHTTIME
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME you could go out without a single worry — and have so much to choose from? It’s a rare luxury to be able to walk out of your stateroom any evening, and within a short stroll be able to take in a musical, roll the dice in a lively casino, settle into a piano bar for some cocktails and live music or dance the night away in a state-of-the-art nightclub. From comedy and magic acts to movies by the pool to champagne in an intimate lounge, there’s always more to do than you could fit in an evening. Fortunately, you’ve got many nights ahead to enjoy all the evenings Princess® holds in store for you.
Whether for a few hours in the lounge or an evening of dancing, don’t miss this chance to cut loose and be enchanted by the night.
Be sure to drop by the Atrium for the fabulous champagne waterfall, or get out on deck for a stroll beneath the stars in the balmy tropical air.
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CASINO
GAMING
Princess is your
LADY LUCK The onboard casinos offer a chance to play, watch the wheel spin, press the slot buttons and bring home the winnings.
ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? An evening of gaming and good fortune is beckoning you to the casino, where you can try your luck at any of your favorite games of chance. Our fabulous, contemporary casinos blend a bit of the excitement of Vegas with an elegant ambience to create a gaming experience unique to Princess. In these lively rooms, you can join other guests for blackjack, roulette and, of course, an array of slot machines. There may even be a poker tournament getting under way with a seat just for you. Whether you’re an avid gamer or just an occasional enthusiast, you’ll love the Princess casinos. Those on our grand ships are some of the largest at sea!
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SHOWS
ENTERTAINMENT
Music, dance & a little
MAGIC LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, please take
your seats. The lights are dimming, the curtain’s opening, and the show is about to begin.
OUR THRILLING PRODUCTION SHOWS are unforgettable — combining lavish stage sets and compelling scores with the song and dance of a troupe of professional singers and dancers. On every voyage with Princess,® you’ll have the opportunity to attend several different musical productions, specially created just for our guests. Check your Princess Patter or Princess@Sea* each day to find out about that evening’s offering. And we’ll see you at the show! *Princess@Sea available on select ships.
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PRINCESS CRUISES CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE
®
WELCOME TO
THE CIRCLE
Whether it’s your first cruise with Princess,® or you’ve sailed with us many times before, you’re sure to enjoy the benefits and rewards of the best loyalty program at sea.
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GOLD MEMBERS After your 1st completed cruise • Special Launch Savings • Reduced Deposit • Preferential pricing offers • Circle CenterSM Online - StandBy Program - Refer-a-Friend - Circle Savings AccountSM • Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle Magazine • Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle eNewsletter • Access to a Circle Host on board • Members-only onboard events • Princess Passport • Gold Member Pin
RUBY MEMBERS
BY VOYAGE’S END, it’s likely
TO THE RIGHT YOU’LL FIND
you will have made a new circle of friends at dinner or perhaps in the fitness center, boutiques, bars and lounges of your Princess® ship. Like you, they’re all members of a very special group — those who’ve sailed with Princess, and those we hope will sail again.
a chart listing the benefits of the various levels of membership. To learn more about the program, we encourage you to visit with the Circle Host on board, who can answer any questions you may have.
WELCOME to the best loyalty program at sea. The Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle® was created to thank those guests who cruise with us frequently — and to offer an incentive to our new guests joining us for the very first time. A range of rewards awaits you, from exclusive onboard events to access to a Circle Host on board every cruise who can answer any questions you might have about benefits. At higher levels, you’ll receive other perks like Preferred Check-In, complimentary wine tasting, complimentary Internet credit, priority disembarkation and more!
You’ll receive a special Member Number as a Circle Member. Be sure to provide this number each time you make a booking so you can be certain to take advantage of all your benefits.
From your 4th–5th cruise, or 31–50 cruise days • Exclusive shoreside access to the Captain’s Circle Help Desk phone line • Upgrade to Princess Platinum Vacation Protection - Double benefits for Accident & Sickness Medical Expense and Baggage/Personal Effects coverage - Increases Special Cancellation Credit Feature to 100% • 10% discount off the purchase of our Reflections DVD on board • Ruby Member Pin
PLATINUM MEMBERS Platinum Members get all Ruby Member benefits plus the Platinum benefits.
From your 6th-15th cruise, or 51-150 cruise days • Internet credit
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE... Complete 20 cruises and you’ll earn Loyalty Commends onboard credits from $25 to $100. Other benefits include a private event for the top 20 Most Traveled Guests or a commemorative gift and bottle of champagne for the top 3 Most Traveled Guests on each voyage.
NOTE: Captain’s Circle Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the Captain’s Circle Program. Please visit princess.com or your Captain’s Circle Host on board to review the full terms of the program and to obtain further details on Member benefits.
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Platinum Members get all Gold Member benefits plus the Ruby benefits.
Voyage Duration
Minutes
7 days or less
150
8 - 20 days
250
21+ days
500
• Preferred check-in at Embarkation • Platinum Disembarkation Lounge • Complimentary Cruise Atlas • Platinum Member Pin
ELITE MEMBERS Elite Members get all Platinum Member benefits plus the Elite benefits.
From your 16th cruise on, or 151+ cruise days • Complimentary shoe polishing, laundry and professional cleaning services • Priority ship-to-shore tender embarkation • Priority disembarkation • 10% boutique discount • Complimentary Grapevine Wine Tasting • Complimentary mini-bar setup • Deluxe canapés on formal nights (upon request) • Upgraded stateroom amenities • Traditional afternoon tea in stateroom (upon request) • Elite Member Pin PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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PLAN
A FUTURE JOURNEY
BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE
ON BOARD
Let a Future Cruise Consultant help you plan a future getaway, and you’ll get a reduced deposit and up to $300 in shipboard credits, even if you don’t yet know where you want to sail. Book a cruise or place a deposit while you’re on board and receive a special offer — up to $300 shipboard credit per stateroom. With a reduced refundable deposit of just $100 per person, you’ll get a shipboard credit good on your next cruise with Princess. If you’re unsure of your future travel plans, simply make a deposit and take up to two years to decide. This exclusive offer is available only to our onboard guests. See your Future Cruise Consultant for details.
Shipboard Credit*
Cruise Length
Stateroom Type
3-6 days
Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites
$15 $25
7-10 days
Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites
$25 $50
11-16 days
Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites
$75 $100
17+ days
Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites
$125 $150
(U.S.)
C heck the Princess Patter and Princess@Sea* daily for office hours and location. Shipboard credit is per person, for 1st and 2nd guest only. Shipboard credit converts to AUD while ship operates. Australian currency onboard.
Note: Future Cruise deposits are available to international guests. See Future Cruise Consultant for details.
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IMAGE BY DE VISU / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Discover Style | Test Of Time
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TEST OF TIME PRECISION IS EVERYTHING TO THESE FIVE BRANDS THAT TAKE THE ART OF TIMEKEEPING TO A NEW LEVEL. By Andrea Carneiro To most consumers, the luxury watch is a status symbol: a way to express their individual style, an accessory to complement their attire or, at its most basic, a way to tell time. But for some in the sports world, a timepiece means everything. Accurate timekeeping down to a millisecond can mean the difference between first and second place, or a gold or silver medal. In the spirit of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics (official timekeeper: Omega), here’s a look at five luxury watch brands raising the competitive stakes.
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Longines Boasting the oldest registered logo of any watchmaker, this Swiss house has been producing watches since 1832. Its history with sporting events winds through baseball (think some of the early scoreboard clocks at Yankee and Shea stadiums, as well as Crosley Field), basketball (they were the “official timepiece of the Los Angeles Lakers” in the 1970s and ’80s) and the Kentucky Derby since 2011, when it was named the race’s official timekeeper. Today the company remains the official timekeeper of the French Open, an honor bestowed on them in 2007, and count tennis greats Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf as ambassadors of the brand. This year, in anticipation of the tournament, the brand unveiled a new chronograph that keeps time to one hundredth of a second: the Conquest 1/100th Roland Garros. Created as a tribute to the French Open, the watch was designed and engineered especially for high-precision timing and features touches of orange — paying homage to both Roland Garros’ iconic clay courts and the stadium’s logo. Tissot Acting as the official timekeeper for MotoGP, ice hockey, cycling, the FIE Fencing World Championships, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and others through the years, is a job that luxury Swiss brand Tissot takes seriously. Calling their timekeeping role a privilege and responsibility, Tissot prides itself on “absolute accuracy” in all efforts, including motorsports (where riders can be separated by just thousandths of a second) and fencers (milliseconds). In fact, ties to sports are so ingrained in the brand that parent company Swatch announced in April 2015 the naming of the complex in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland — home to the city’s two largest sports clubs. The brand also held the title of official timekeeper at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, presenting the best players with a specially engraved Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar watch.
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Clockwise from top left: Longines Conquest Classic; Derrick Rose, formerly of Team USA, in action at the FIBA World Cup basketball game versus Mexico in 2014; Longines Ambassador of Elegance Simon Baker at Royal Ascot 2015; Tissot Flamingo.
LONGINES IMAGES COURTESY OF LONGINES; FIBA IMAGE BY NATURSPORTS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Discover Style | Test Of Time
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Left: Rolex Yacht-Master II; Omega Seamaster Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition.
PHOTOS BY ALVOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; OLEG PCHELOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ NEALE COUSLAND/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Below: Omega official time clock for Paralympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi, Russia; Tissot ambassador Roger Federer at the 2013 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia.
Role x Arguably the most wellknown luxury watch brand in the world, Rolex has maintained close relationships with more than a few sports around the globe, including tennis, golf and sailing, as well as equestrian tournaments. Holding court as the official timekeeper of Wimbledon since 1978, Rolex features ambassadors such as Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki, but its ties to yachting are just as deep. A sponsor of some of the most pres-
tigious regattas in the world, Rolex is known for their Yacht-Master II, a unique regatta chronograph designed to give both experienced yachtsmen and sailing hobbyists a racing edge. The watch, which showcases a special countdown feature to sync with race times, was created especially for yacht racing with a face designed to be legible in all conditions, programmable memory and a winding crown that is resistant to water pressure at depths of up to 300 feet.
Omega Calling athletes the embodiment of the Olympic motto of “faster, higher, stronger,” Omega returns this year as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, measuring “the memorable fractions of seconds and millimeters of each race and every event.” Since 1932, the brand has worked closely with the famed event, taking credit that year for the first occasion that winners and medalists were timed to the nearest 1/10th of a second and supplying 30-caliber 1130 stopwatches, which were used in all the competitions. The innovation of those stopwatches? A split-second facility that meant intermediate times could also be measured. Omega’s timekeeping was once again put to the test in 2008, when Michael Phelps defeated Milorad Čavić by just a hundredth of a second. In honor of its 27th time as official timekeeper of the games, Omega launched the Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016” Limited Edition. The watch, modeled after the original 1969 Omega Seamaster, features subtle stitching in yellow, green, red and black along each side as a nod to the iconic Olympic rings. Fittingly, only 316 pieces will be produced. PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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RARE/re r/: Adjective: not common, very unusual; Marked by unusual quality, merit or appeal.
Take a look at the brightest blue glaciers and you will begin to know the color of Paraiba Tourmaline, except Paraiba is this color made doubly intense. Described by experts as “neon” or “electric”, the blue of Paraiba Tourmaline is unlike anything you’ve probably seen before. Is there any point in trying to show a gemstone so unbelievably blue that a camera can’t capture its intensity and a printing press can’t recreate its depth? A stone so remarkably blue that it can’t be shown on paper? Well then, it looks like you’ll have to come and see these amazing gemstones in person.
Blue Diamond ● Ketchikan
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Jewels by Kris ● Juneau
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ILLUSTRATION BY ED VEBELL/GETTYIMAGES.COM
Discover Style | Flying High
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INNOVATIVE TIMEPIECES THAT GIVE EVEN THE MOST SKILLFUL PILOT A COMPETITIVE EDGE. By Haley Struthers Even with GPS and an instrument panel packed with sophisticated controls and indicators, the simple wristwatch is still one of the pilot’s most-relied-on devices. Sure, experience informs execution and maneuvering, but what sets a veteran apart from a novice is a skillful balance of know-how and “what now?” — all of which is easier when you’re wearing a trusty timepiece. Consider the Bremont Wright Flyer, especially if you’re an American-history buff. The watch, an ode to two of the greatest and earliest pilots there ever were, Orville and Wilbur Wright, showcases Bremont’s first ever proprietary movement, the BWC/01. It is produced in limited quantities and features a piece of wing cloth from the 1903 Wright Flyer, the brothers’ first successful foray into aviation, which means the wearer will literally have a piece of history with him at all times.
Bremont Wright Flyer in rose gold.
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Discover Style | Flying High
Watch-brand Zenith recognized another pioneer in aviation with the Pilot Type 20, a later evolution of the pilot watch created for Louis Blériot to wear on his journey over the English Channel in 1909 (a 37-minute flight incited by a dare from the Daily Mail). The timepiece helped set certain aviation standards: a crown built for gloved handling, a large dial, oversized Arabic numeral font and luminescent coating. Blériot’s watch, like many sold today, withstood fluctuations in temperature and atmospheric pressure as well as sudden jolts.
Clockwise from left: Zenith Pilot Type 20; Breitling Chronomat 44; Omega Speedmaster; IWC Big Pilot Top Gun.
Unlike the innovations introduced with the Type 20, some pilot-watch features don’t always stand the test of time. IWC’s Big Pilot Top Gun, which was designed with numerous military specifications in mind, is a staple for both the aviation-watch industry and the brand itself. Thanks to its pronounced crown, the Top Gun was perfect for pilots needing to wear thicker gloves while flying in unheated cockpits. Though today the innovation is more aesthetic than ergonomic, the crown remains one of its signatures. Ernst Benz’s Instrument series also is more about form than function, featuring a collection of watches whose dials are reminiscent of the cockpit gauges produced in the 1960s and ’70s. As aviation continues to evolve, the next frontier for watchmakers is outer space. Omega has found its way to the International Space Station with the Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph, a NASA-approved timepiece for all piloted space flights. Breitling, known for their precision-made chronometers useful to aviators, has made a fan in astronaut Mark Kelly. Over the course of six space shuttle missions, he’s worn various models, namely for their illuminated dials that offer quick readability in low light. “For a pilot, a watch is a really important thing to have — not just to hit targets, but taking off on time, landing on time, being on schedule,” says Kelly. Flight delays? Not on his watch.
Get to know
Breitling Jet Team Leader Jacques “Speedy” Bothelin knows the synergy between aeronautics and watches quite well. He has clocked in more than 11,000 flight hours on 145 types of planes and performed around 2,800 demonstrations in 25 countries. Though Bothelin has mostly relied on a Breitling Chronomat 44 to keep the jet team’s formation, he’s been a fan of the brand since the 1970s, long before joining the team. “My first Breitling was a waterproof Navitimer,” says Bothelin of the 63-yearold Navitimer model, the world’s oldest mechanical chronograph still in production. But Bothelin still likes to try on others too. “I love discovering the new models and products. I encourage everyone to push open the door and explore what’s in the cases because it’s my favorite thing to do.” When he’s not flying, of course. 72
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Discover Style | Pop Rocks
ROCKS Glimpse the gemstones that have everyone swooning over colored stones. By Anna Voisard Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but gemstones also make excellent company. With options in practically every color of the rainbow, finding the perfect jewel to adorn your wrist, hand or décolletage is easy. But as is true of friends, you’ll need to get to know these stones before you find the right one — or two or three — to surround yourself with.
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Hidden Treasures In the mid ’60s, shortly after it was found deep in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Tiffany and Co. declared tanzanite “the most beautiful blue stone to be discovered in 2,000 years.” Said to be 1,000 times rarer than a diamond, tanzanite holds the honor of being the first gemstone added to the birthstone list by the American Gem Trade Association since its creation in 1912 by Jewelers of America.
A Tour of Tourmaline Tourmaline’s abundance (you’ll find it from Brazil to Madagascar) is only rivaled by the kaleidoscope of colors in which it’s found: shocking pink, neon blue, yellowish brown. Its name is derived from the Singhalese phrase tura mali, meaning “stone of mixed colors,” and according to folklore, it exists in all colors because it traveled along a rainbow and collected all of its hues. It’s that sort of whimsy that makes tourmaline — said to inspire creativity — a favorite of artists and writers.
Red Light, Green Light Alexandrite magically beams green in sunlight and a seductive red under lamplight. Russian to its core, this dual-tone jewel named for Czar Alexander II was discovered on his birthday and deemed the national stone of czarist Russia. Alexandrite’s changeable nature renders it both a symbol of good luck and misfortune. Statement Squeeze Named after citron, the French word for lemon, citrine casts a hue that’s more golden than any citrus fruit. It shines as bright as a diamond at a fraction of the cost, making it a popular stone for statement pieces and cocktail rings. Referred to as the “success” or “merchant’s” stone by gem experts in certain circles, this yellow jewel is said to promote abundance and prosperity in all facets of life. Royal Rocks From adorning tiaras, scepters and all sorts of royal regalia to punctuating Elizabeth Taylor’s most-prized diamond pieces, rubies transcend time and trends. The red of a ruby varies — from rich and full with a slightly bluish hue to a darker, almost-brown shade to a bright raspberry. Placed under a pillow, the ruby is said to ward off nightmares. Sleeping with gemstones: what sweet dreams are made of. Green With History Steeped in cultural significance and global history, emeralds have been coveted for thousands of years. To the Incas and Aztecs of South America (still the center of emerald mining), this rare, green rock was considered a holy gemstone. To the Egyptians, emeralds symbolized rebirth and eternal youth, while in India, the stone is believed to bring good luck.
From top: Safi Kilima tanzanite ring; Le Vian® Passion Ruby™ ring; Mark Henry alexandrite ring.
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BRAND
FINDER Juneau
Ketchikan
Skagway
Blue Diamond
Beverly's
Diamonds International Watch & Design
Fendi Timepieces Hearts On Fire Mark Henry Orocal Gold Nugget Jewelry Orocal Gold Quartz Philip Stein Shinola TrueLove Diamonds
Diamonds International Watch & Design Hublot Kabana Korite Zenith
Diamonds International Bremont Crown of Light Day2Night Fendi Timepieces Forevermark Gift Kabana Korite Philip Stein Safi Kilima
Blue Diamond
Bomberg Danyal Paraiba Fendi Timepieces Hearts On Fire Mark Henry Philip Stein Shinola TrueLove Diamonds
Diamonds International Watch & Design Crown of Light Hublot Kabana Korite Safi Kilima Zenith
Diamonds International
Alex & Ani Danyal Paraiba Memoire Shinola
Bremont Crown of Light Day2Night Fendi Timepieces Forevermark Gift Kabana Korite Philip Stein Safi Kilima
Tanzanite International
Julie’s Fine Jewelry
Jasmine Gems
TrueLove Diamonds
Jewels by Kris
Crown of Light Day2Night Gift Kabana Korite Safi Kilima
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Alex & Ani Mark Henry Alexandrite Memoire Omega TrueLove Diamonds
Alex & Ani Orocal Gold Nuggets Orocal Gold Quartz Shinola
Crown of Light Hublot Kabana Korite Safi Kilima
Diamonds International Bremont Crown of Light Day2Night Fendi Timepieces Forevermark Gift Kabana Korite Philip Stein Safi Kilima
Tanzanite International Crown of Light Day2Night Gift Kabana Korite Safi Kilima
Alex & Ani
“Places We Love” Bangle
Tanzanite International Crown of Light Day2Night Gift Kabana Korite Safi Kilima
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Special Advertising Feature
DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL : ®
An American Success Story From the Ground Up
Those who understand the earth and its possibilities by planting develop a deep appreciation for the miracle of seeds. They also see the benefit of giving back. It’s simply a wise decision that has stood the test of time.
A
s a diamond company in Africa, we embrace a distinctly American work ethic producing diamonds, using environmentally friendly methods and building trust locally. Our straightforward approach allowed us to become the top manufacturer of diamonds in Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Angola, and to become a significant contributor to the growth and development of the local communities where we are planted. As with every successful crop, it begins by planting the right seeds.
in 1987 with one small store planted in the Caribbean that blossomed into a chain of 125 stores throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska. This hard-earned experience in staffing, training and working alongside local communities made way for us to enter Africa. We planted seeds of goodwill and beneficiation with local communities, watering and cultivating them until they thrived. Our determined contribution has made us the No. 1 diamond manufacturer in the region. Our core philosophy mandates that real success means that others around us must succeed too. We choose to express the American Dream in action and recognize how fortunate we have been in these regional communities. By giving back to these regions we continue to plant seeds of benefit and opportunity. Some practical ways we plant seeds are by creating jobs that boost the local economy, with training that imparts transferable skills for the employees’ future endeavors. We bring in our experts to educate and to mentor our employees. Our employees welcome the opportunity to learn new trades without having to leave the region and to experience pride in a job well done. To date, our seeds in action have produced 158 talented employees in our cut-and-polish facility with another 40 being trained in cutting diamonds.
GIVING BACK: SEEDS IN ACTION Diamonds International’s hard-work ethic extends to benefiting the region where our diamonds are produced. We are a family-owned business that began
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But planting seeds that produce skilled jobs is not the only way we give back. We also support Baby Haven, a caring center for infants and children orphaned by the AIDS/HIV epidemic. These are Namibia’s most vulnerable citizens and we are proud to be able to support Baby Haven both financially and emotionally.
your diamond is a standout everywhere you wear it. With our perfecting its exclusive design, the Crown of Light cut is quickly leading the way to the future of diamond cutting.
A DIAMOND LIKE NO OTHER In the pursuit of developing a diamond that is second to none, Diamonds International also farms the earth for the highest-quality diamond rough, from which an extraordinary diamond will be produced. Our passion for working the earth utilizing American ingenuity has resulted in the Crown of Light®, an exclusive premium diamond cut. The exquisite Crown of Light stone travels from deep within the earth to our retail stores where customers are thrilled with its splendor. Our patient farming for the rough, followed by careful growth and cultivation, reveals a harvest of opportunity and income for many lives.
Today, the exclusive 90-facet Crown of Light diamond is avidly collected by diamond connoisseurs who appreciate an extraordinary natural wonder. This American dream and our giving-back philosophy shines through every shimmering Crown of Light diamond. EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE
Journey with us and discover the Crown of Light’s revolutionary rise to the pinnacle of the diamond industry. Crown of Light diamonds begin with quality rough harvested from alluvial (riverbed and ocean fronts) mining in the Republic of Namibia located in southwest Africa.
On your next cruise to a resort destination, bring home a meaningful tribute to your special holiday with a Crown of Light diamond. Please say hello to the friendly sales experts at each Diamonds International store, and mention you read about us in this cruise guide to receive a special “thank you” discount on your next purchase.
The Crown of Light diamond’s cut is so remarkable that it was awarded a U.S. patent for its unique facet design. This proprietary design produces diamonds that clearly out-sparkle other diamonds. Our customers can experience this extraordinary diamond by personally examining one with a Diamond Light Performance Scope in any Diamonds International store. The Crown of Light diamond is easily recognizable by its iconic profile — a higher, rounder dome producing superior sparkle and fire. So,
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HAVE A PER FEC T DAY
Bring your Shopping Spotlight newsletter into port. Tuck it into your purse or pocket and put the port at your fingertips.
CAN BALCIOGLU/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Your Shopping Spotlight newsletter will be delivered to your stateroom each night. Make sure to take it with you into port. You can also see your Princess Shopping Host for more specific information. The host’s desk hours are listed in your Princess Patter.
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LOCAL TREASURES
Symbols of Alaska to Take Home and Treasure
Gold jewelry.
Claim your own piece of Alaska with a souvenir version of the state’s emblems. Look for a list of local retailers in the Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway port of call sections.
Gold The buzz started sometime after the U.S. purchase of Alaska in 1867. All-out gold fever finally struck in the 1880s. The precious metal was found in Juneau, on the Klondike River and on the beaches of Nome. Prospectors rushed to Alaska to find their own fortunes. Knives Hunters and other outdoor ent hu sia s t s r ely on t hei r k n ives ’ sharpness, but beauty also counts for at least one: the ulu (OO-loo) knife. It has been used for thousands of years, serving as a multipurpose blade used for everything from skinning animals to trimming blocks of ice to build igloos. The original ulu had a bone, ivory or wood handle, often embellished with distinctive marks carved by the knife’s creator. Masks Inuit masks are ranked among the finest tribal art in the world, traditionally worn by dancers in religious ceremonies
honoring the spirits of birds or animals that are hunted or need to be appeased. The Tlingit and other coastal tribes produce transformation masks with several faces concealed within a single face, while the Aleuts create bone masks worn at burials that are broken and thrown away after completion of the funeral rites.
Ulu knives.
Sa lmon Ma ny of A la sk a’s Nat ive communities rely on salmon as a food and an economic source, and the rest of the world has caught up to them. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 oils, the “good” fats. Alaska salmon is sold fresh as whole fish, steaks and fillets, as well as preserved in cans.
Reindeer fur.
Totem Poles A traditional art form among Natives of Southeast Alaska, totem poles reflect ancestral pride by depicting the lives and history of the people who create them. They are carved out of huge cedar trees and often display carvings of animals found in the region, such as eagles, ravens, frogs, bears, wolves and whales. After they are erected, totem poles stand as long as nature permits, typically 50 or 60 years. When the pole eventually falls to the ground, it is left to decay or is used for firewood.
Mouthwatering salmon.
See our guide to the distinctive creations that make Alaska so exceptional. Detail of a totem pole. 84
Inuit mask.
PHOTOS BY: ONSUDA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; BMJ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; SETHISLAV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; GEORGE BURBA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; ANDREA IZZOTTI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; JOSHUA RESNICK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Fur Most people think of the Gold Rush when they think of Alaska, but the region’s first hot commodity was fur. Russian traders and Native hunters had their most profitable relationship in the early to mid-1800s.
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Over 100 years in bloom
Victoria, British Columbia Canada www.butchartgardens.com
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By Christine Blank
Shaped by massive glaciers millions of years ago, Alaska’s Inside Passage is truly one of the most scenic spots in the world, offering stunning views of dense forests, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and majestic wildlife that includes whales, sea lions, bears and bald eagles.
Seals hanging out on the rocks along the shore.
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A view from the Lynn Canal, part of the scenic Inside Passage.
As you travel through the Inside Passage, wh ic h s t retc hes f rom P uget Sou nd , Washington, to the Gulf of Alaska, the scenery constantly changes. The route includes nearly 1,000 tiny islands and passes by serene shorelines that give way to massive walls of forested mountains, sparkling rivers and dazzling glaciers. When disembarking at port cities — including British-influenced Victoria, BC, in Canada, as well as Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau — you’ll have the opportunity to explore the spectacular sites further inland. Highlights include landlocked glaciers such as the half-mile-wide Mendenhall Glacier, botanical gardens, national parks, historic totem poles and myriad natural wonders — all alongside modern cities filled with shopping and attractions. Natives, including the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian, first settled this gorgeous region hundreds of years ago. They often used the area as a summer fishing camp. However, they weren’t the only early settlers in the area. By 1741, Russian explorers, led by Vitus Bering, discovered the Inside Passage for themselves. Russian pioneers built and sailed ships, farmed, fished, logged, mined, whaled and operated sawmills, but the main draw was the
PHOTOS BY: MISHELLA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; CALEB FOSTER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
C RUISING T HE INSIDE PA S S A GE
fur trade. Russian hunters quickly realized that the wide variety of animals in the region produced valuable furs that they could trade with Chinese merchants for silk, spices and tea. Between 1743 and 1799, more than 100 Russian fur-hunting expeditions sailed into Alaskan waters, returning with 187,000 pelts worth more than $6 million, a hefty sum at the time. At first, they hired Natives as experienced hunters and guides, but before long, the Russians began enslaving the indigenous population, especially the Aleuts. In the end, the Natives revolted against their unjust treatment and won their freedom back. Today, all along the Inside Passage, you can see many examples of Russian culture. The original Russian settlers left behind beautiful cathedrals such as St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka, as well as historic sawmills, canneries and other buildings left over from this era. Native populations maintain a strong presence in the Inside Passage, having a direct influence on the culture of a region many still call home. They have also continued the tradition of crafting stunning totem poles, including some of the largest and oldest collections of totems in the world at Potlatch Totem Park in Ketchikan and Sitka National Historic Park.
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INDULGE IN NATURAL LUXURY Enjoy Cariloha’s softest bedding on the planet™, Made from Cariloha Bamboo™.
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By Jonathan Siskin
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PHOTOS BY: (PARK) CAROL M. HIGHSMITH/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS; (BEAR) DAN KOSMAYER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
DEN ALI NATIONAL PAR K
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ABOVE: An aerial view of the park. OPPOSITE: A park resident.
North America’s highest point was The High One, or The Great One, to the Athabascan Native tribes who were Alaska’s first inhabitants. But Denali is much more than the name given to the crown of the 600-mile Alaska Range. It’s also the name of the vast national park and preserve that is the quintessential Alaskan interior experience. This immense preserved and protected area started with about 2 million acres in 1917 as Mount McKinley National Park, named for then-U.S. Representative (and later President) William McKinley. In 1980, park boundaries were enlarged by 4 million acres and the name was changed to Denali National Park & Preserve; the highest peak continued to be called Mount McKinley until 2015, when the U.S. Department of the Interior officially changed its name back to Denali. At its current 6 million acres, the park is larger than the entire state of Massachusetts. The park and its surroundings came into being largely due to the work of two men: Charles Sheldon,
a conservationist, naturalist and hunter; and guide Harry Karstens, with whom, between 1906 and 1908, Sheldon explored the region that would eventually become the park. Sheldon got the park established after working diligently for a decade, while Karstens went on to make the first ascent of Denali and become the park’s first superintendent. As it did then, the Denali experience involves more than getting a glimpse of the mountain. In fact, many visitors never even get to see it, for it's “out” from the clouds only one in three days, on average. But with so much else to see and do, a sighting of the peak is just one of the many jewels in the Denali crown.
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there are still more than 650 unique species of flowering plants and dozens of species of moss, lichen, algae and more along the valleys and slopes of the park. The Wildlife Many visitors remember their wildlife viewing long after seeing (or not seeing) Denali. Quite simply, the sheer variety and uniqueness of the wildlife here make each trip into the park special. From spring to fall, wildlife viewing in Denali is simply spectacular. Just listing them here doesn’t do the experience justice, but a trip can include grizzly bear (and cubs), moose, caribou and Dall sheep. In fact, these four animals are known as the “Big Four” of Denali wildlife viewing, and any visit that includes all of them is considered a big-time success. Wolves, which usually travel in packs, are rarely seen. Park rangers concur that a wolf-spotting makes a park visit even more special. Smaller animals often seen during a Denali visit include red squirrels, ground squirrels, porcupines, beavers, hoar y
marmots, weasels and snowshoe hares. More than 35 different mammal species live in the park and preserve. At around 160 species, the bird life is also incredibly varied; bird-watchers travel thousands of miles to Denali in order to add to their bucket lists. The possibilities include ptarmigans, Lapland longspurs, owls, eagles and other raptors. Many birds travel phenomenal distances to spend the summer in Alaska, including wheatears f rom A f r ica a nd A rc t ic ter n s f rom Antarctica and southern South America. Seeing It All Visitors can choose from many different ways to explore the Denali area. From a simple hike in the shadow of Denali to a helicopter tour of the area, from river rafting to naturalist-led activities, the possibilities seem as infinite as Denali’s landscape and wildlife.
PHOTOS BY: (HELICOPTER) LEHVIS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (WOLVES) JKLINGEBIEL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
The Landscape It all star ts with the incredibly beautiful and diverse scenery. Sitting below the peaks of the Denali massif is a land of rivers and landscape unmatched in North America. Situated about 240 miles nor th of Anchorage and less than half that distance south of Fairbanks, Denali National Park spreads to the west of bustling George Parks Highway and into a wilderness rarely matched in the world. Denali is an ever-present part of the landscape. Its height of 20,237 feet makes it one of the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on the world’s continents. The formation of this majestic mountain and the rest of the Alaska Range began tens of millions of years ago, thanks to a massive collision of two tectonic plates. Today, more than 75 percent of the mountain is covered in snowfall and glaciers year-round, and conditions are virtually always harsh. Below Denali and the other towering mountains, the plant life of the park has adapted over thousands of years to the quite-cold winters and short summers. But
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RIGHT: A grizzly bear in a snowy meadow. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: A bald eagle catching a fish; a young moose grazing on grass.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS
Roam
By Lauramay LaChance
Soaring Through the Sky Bald eagles, the national bird of the United States, are far more abundant in Alaska than any where else in the countr y. It ’s nearly impossible to cruise to Alaska and not see one of these fierce birds of prey, with its distinctive white head and gigantic wingspan of up to 7 feet. Watch for the white “snowball” of the eagle’s head in the tops of the trees. Once you learn to spot them, you tend to recognize them everywhere. “During the peak of salmon spawning season , ba ld eagles feed in droves of sometimes 50 or more out over the inlets,” says Michele Morris, one of Carnival’s onboard naturalists. Morris started with Carnival on their first Alaskan cruise back in 1996, and if she’s not onboard, you can be sure to find one of the other naturalists to answer any wildlife questions you may have. Bear Spotting Bears, both brown and black, are typically solitary animals. Grizzly bears, the mainland subspecies of brown bears, are much larger than their black bear cousins, weighing between 500 and 900 pounds and having a more prominent hump on their shoulders. Black bears, despite their name, can range in color from a sandy blond to an almost 94
bluish shade of gray and weigh between 200 – 500 pounds. Black bears tend to live in dense forests, and there are about 100,000 black bears throughout the state. Grizzly bears typically live along Alaska’s southern coast, where they primarily feed on salmon. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, there can be one grizzly bear per square mile in portions of southern Alaska, especially in areas with plentiful food sources. Spotting bears is easier than you think. When you’re out on the ocean, look along the shoreline for shiny black rocks that stand out against the typical dull black rocks. Once you spot one, watch for any signs of movement. Typical boulders will appear dull, but a bear’s fur looks particularly oily, and that distinct sheen will stand out against the landscape. Once the salmon begin to swarm the rivers in late July through early September, many bears will move to the streams to feed. Just keep in mind that bears are best when seen from a distance. If you are hiking in bear territory, especially along a river teeming with salmon, make your presence known. “If you do come across a bear, stand your ground, wave your arms in the air and speak loudly,” says Dan Irelan, a park ranger for Denali National Park & Preserve. “I had
DID YOU KNOW?
Grizzly bears have a better sense of smell than hound dogs and can detect food from miles away.
PHOTOS BY: (BEAR) DAWN WILSON PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (EAGLE) FLORIDASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (MOOSE) KRZYSZTOF WIKTOR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Alaska’s wildlife is unpredictable, captivating and raw, encompassing hundreds of species, ranging from determined salmon swimming up the rivers to spawn to the magnificent grizzlies roaming the untamed terrain in search of their next meal. The dream of observing wildlife in its natural habitat is what lures many visitors to Alaska, a state bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined. Every moment is an opportunity to see rare animals in their natural environment. Training your eyes to properly spot wildlife means knowing not just where to look, but how to tell the difference between the wild landscape and the wild animals.
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DID YOU KNOW?
PHOTOS BY: (BEAR) DAWN WILSON PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (EAGLE) FLORIDASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (MOOSE) KRZYSZTOF WIKTOR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Bald eagles in Alaska have been documented living as long as 32 years.
a bear approach me as I was walking along a river. I stood my ground and eventually the big momma bear and her curious cubs turned around, leaving me with a racing heart and a good story to tell.” Moose It’s a deer. It’s a horse. No, it’s a giant moose! Unlike many of Alaska’s wildlife, these iconic creatures don’t stick to the wilderness. Moose seem to appear when you least expect them, whether prancing through the parking lot as you’re hopping on a tour bus or simply standing in a small pond by the side of the road, sipping the cool water as cars pass by. Alaska has anywhere from 175,000 to 200,000 of these longlegged mammals. They’re frequently seen in areas that have been recently affected by forest fires and along the major rivers of Southcentral and Interior Alaska. Their sheer size is hard to appreciate from a distance. A bull (male) moose stands 7 feet tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 1,600 pounds. If that’s not massive enough, the bulls can also grow an 80-pound antler rack in a single summer. That’s about 1 pound of bone growth a day. It’s quite impressive to see how gracefully they move throughout the forest, despite all that additional weight.
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Caribou Caribou are one of the most recognized symbols of the great wild north. Much smaller than moose, caribou weigh between 175 and 400 pounds. They have the distinction of being the only member of the deer family whose males and females both grow antlers. They spend most of their time in the open country and have adapted to the cold, wind and snow of even the harshest Alaskan winters. Caribou are difficult to spot even for wildlife peeping pros, but it’s possible with a keen eye and a little patience. In the summer, caribou spend most of their time in the remaining snow patches high on the mountains. Keep your binoculars handy while scanning the spines of the mountains. Allow your eyes to adjust and look for out-of-place silhouettes. You just might get a peek of the elusive caribou. Mountain Goats and Dall Sheep Agility and strength are a necessity for these all-white mountaineering ungulates (hooved animals) as they spend most of their time clambering through steep and rocky terrains. Dall sheep and mountain goats look similar, but one look at
DID YOU KNOW?
Caribou and reindeer are the same species, but reindeer are usually privately owned and have some genetic differences.
PHOTOS BY: (SHEEP) CHRISTOPHER BOSWELL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (CARIBOU) NANCYS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Dall sheep climbing high in Denali National Park.
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PHOTOS BY: (SHEEP) CHRISTOPHER BOSWELL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (CARIBOU) NANCYS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
A caribou bull in Denali National Park; in the background is Denali, the high mountain.
their horns and you’ll know which is which: Dall sheep have ram-shaped horns that curve on the side of their head, while mountain goats flaunt pointed horns. Though they have comparable body shapes, Dall sheep can weigh up to 300 pounds. Mountain goats weigh up to 380 pounds and often seem much bigger due to their long fur and fluffy beards. Peeping either of these two bovids will require a lot of neck bending, because these rugged climbers are high country dwellers. Dall sheep roam throughout every mountain range in Alaska. They tend to huddle in dry habitats in open alpine ridges, meadows and steep slopes. Mountain goats, on the other hand, are most frequently found in the southeast, where they feed low in the early summer and move higher as the snow melts. If Juneau is one of your ports of call, you’re in luck. Mountain goats were actually reintroduced to Mount Juneau in 1989 and have become a common sight since the early 2000s. From afar, both mountain goats and Dall sheep
look like small mounds of snow on the mountain, and you can easily miss them with the naked eye. Use binoculars to scan the cliffs, and you’ll realize that, yes, that mound of snow is in fact three Dall sheep resting, or a scruffy mountain goat browsing for food. If they seem to be moving swiftly up the mountain, pay careful attention as it might mean one of their predators, such as a wolf or coyote, is nearby. Like No Place Else The rugged wilderness may seem daunting, but the creatures that have adapted to thrive under its extreme conditions are one of the many reasons Alaska has enthralled visitors for generations. As longtime ranger Irelan puts it, “The amazing and unusual aspects of the far north — the midnight sun, vast spaces and incredible mountain surroundings, winters of darkness and solitude, northern lights — each continue to inspire me. Even the feel of the forest and the air itself is almost indescribable.”
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ALASKA
Bering Strait
ALASKA
RUSSIA
Fairbanks Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge®
Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge®
Denali National Park Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge®
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Denali
Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge®
Mt. McKinley
Talkeetna Anchorage
Whittier
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge®
Bering Sea
MAP
College Fjord
Kenai Peninsula
Glacier Bay National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Icy Strait Point
CANADA
Hubbard Glacier
Skagway Juneau Tracy Arm Fjord
Ketchikan
Prince William Sound
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Gulf of Alaska
ag e
Vancouver San Francisco
Victoria Seattle
UNITED STATES
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JUNE AUAL ASK A Alaska’s bustling capital and gateway to Glacier Bay, Juneau charmingly blends past and present. It’s a modern city built upon the tailings of an old gold mine. The city’s cosmopolitan style is evident in contemporary museums and office buildings, sophisticated shops and fine restaurants. Yet many are drawn to its fascinating history, which is lovingly preserved in and around its original false-fronted buildings and narrow, winding streets. Wildlife and nature are major attractions. The area surrounding the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is a showcase for glacial activity and boasts a network of trails to explore. Juneau is home to 114 species of birds, all five species of salmon and several species of whales — not to mention brown and black bears. Ten miles outside the city, Admiralty Island National Monument shelters the largest brown bear population in Southeast Alaska.
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PHOTOS BY: RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DARRYL BROOKS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Ports of call | Juneau
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Quick Guide Famed for: The “drive-up” Mendenhall Glacier, which survives from the Little Ice Age of more than 3,000 years ago. It’s a Fact: The city is named after Joe Juneau, who started a gold rush with fellow prospector Richard Harris in 1880.
PHOTOS BY: RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DARRYL BROOKS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Signature Souvenirs: Whale-themed gifts; gold nuggets; Native art from local galleries.
OPPOSITE PAGE: A Princess ship takes in a glacial view. TOP: Glacier Bay National Park. RIGHT: A view of Juneau from the Gastineau Channel.
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Ports of call | Juneau
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Juneau is the only capital with a glacier in the suburbs, the only one where you can go from gourmet dining to whale watching in less time than the average network commercial break. The town was founded in 1880, after Joe Juneau and Richard Harris struck gold — so much gold, it seemed the veins would never run out. The works ran 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Meanwhile, the local Auk Tlingits, who had fished and hunted here for thousands of years, wondered what the big deal was and kept on creating some of the most sophisticated art the world has ever known. People still pan for gold at Last Chance Basin, and the Native understanding of the landscape is still vital under the treetops at Glacier Gardens, which gives people a chance to see just what’s in the world’s largest remaining temperate rain forest. Head farther out, to the trails along Mendenhall Glacier, or helicopter up to walk on this huge remnant of the last ice age. Hop on a boat to view humpback whales feeding in the rich local waters — and you’ll still have time for shopping along Franklin Street, where everything from jewelry to the finest Native arts are just a minute’s walk from where the ships dock. — Edward Readicker-Henderson
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PHILIP STEIN Feel it
In Alaska, it’s Blue Diamond that has all the beautiful brand names you’re looking for.
Ketchikan: 400 Mission Street Juneau: 495 South Franklin Street www.bluediamondgems.com salesalaska@bluediamondgems.com Toll Free: 888-205-BLUE
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Ports of call | Juneau
MENDENHALL GL A CIER
By Nick Gallo
Juneau’s wonder offers a stunning trip back to the Ice Age.
Icy Beauty Mendenhall Glacier is named after Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, a prominent scientist who helped oversee a crucial survey that determined the international boundary between Canada and Alaska. Previously, the famed naturalist John Muir had visited the glacier in 1879 and named it Auk Glacier in honor of a local Tlingit Indian village. Muir called the glacier “one of the most beautiful of all the coastal glaciers.” More than a century later, Mendenhall Glacier still is one of the Inside Passage’s top natural sights. Like all glaciers, it can be enjoyed as a spectacle flaunting sublime blue colors and ineffable textures. At the same time, it also serves as a time capsule, an outdoor classroom showcasing Alaska’s extraordinary geology and climatic history. “This is a neat place,” said Laurie Craig, a Visitor Center interpreter. “It’s not just beautiful. You also get to see some very impressive forces that shaped this region.”
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The most accessible of all the stupendous “rivers of ice” in the Inside Passage, Mendenhall Glacier dazzles visitors and makes the region a one-of-a-kind destination. Known as “the drive-up glacier” because it can be reached by car, Mendenhall Glacier lies just north of Juneau. It is the best known of the 38 glaciers that are fed by the Juneau Icefield, a 1,500-square-mile expanse of rock, ice and snow. Bigger than Rhode Island, the ice field is a remnant of the Little Ice Age, a period that started 3,000 years ago and lasted midway through the 18th century. The ice field is perpetually replenished by annual snowfall that often tops 100 feet, with a buildup of snow and ice up to 4,500 feet thick. Mendenhall Glacier stretches 13 miles from the ice field in the mountains to its terminus at Mendenhall Lake, where the glacial face — half a mile wide, 100 feet thick and electric-blue — can be seen from a popular Visitor Center on the shoreline.
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RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Blue ice pools on Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau.
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KERRY L. WERRY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Ports of call | Juneau
Glacier trekkers ascend Mendenhall Glacier.
Nature On the Move The glacier may possess a frozen, still grandeur, but it’s hardly inert, Craig noted. A dynamic, moving force, the glacier is the overflow from a vast ice field, slowly and inexorably drawn down by gravity from 4,500-foot-high mountains to its terminus near sea level. Moving at the proverbial glacial pace, the ice edges forward at an average rate of a few feet per day, taking more than 200 years to make the journey from upper elevations to the 220-foot-deep lake. “It’s like slow-moving lava,” said Craig. “It acquires wrinkles, crevasses and texture as it moves across the terrain.” Mendenhall Glacier doesn’t just move. It displays tremendous erosive power as it grinds through the landscape. Scouring debris from valley walls and scraping underlying bedrock, the glacier burrows deep, leaving enduring marks on the topography. Near the Visitor Center, the presence of grooved, polished rocks is evidence of the glacier’s sandpaper-like effects. The glacier is also responsible for
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the milky, gray-green cast that colors the lake, the result of “rock flour” deposited in the water when bedrock is ground into a fine powder. Like most of Juneau Ice Field’s glaciers, Taku being the only exception, Mendenhall Glacier is receding. Since 1765, the glacier has been in a slow, gradual retreat because its rate of melting has exceeded its rate of accumulation. In the 18th century, at its maximum advance, the glacier’s toehold in the valley extended from its present position to a spot two and a half miles downward. Today, receding ice has allowed land buried for thousands of years to re-emerge and begin a new, remarkable ecological cycle. At first, bare rock and soil are exposed, but lichens and moss soon appear. Then grass and shrubs emerge, followed by alder, willow and other deciduous trees. Finally, Sitka spruce, western hemlock and other conifers take hold, inaugurating the new forest. “These are stages of life,” said Craig.
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439 South Franklin Street, Juneau, Alaska
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B R O W S IN G T HR OUGH HIS T OR Y South Franklin Street offers treasures to take home and nuggets of Juneau’s fascinating history.
As one of Juneau’s “can’t miss” attractions, South Franklin Street provides a well-preserved view into the past with some of the city’s oldest and most architecturally noteworthy buildings. The main thoroughfare of shops, cafés and saloons is also easy to find, running along the lively waterfront where incoming ships dock and into the historic downtown district. Navigating South Franklin Street is a lesson in Juneau’s colorful history, found in the stories of the quaint buildings that date to the early 1900s and the city’s heyday as a mining hub. Visitors can learn about this history by joining walking tours from Juneau-Douglas City Museum or Adventure Flow, complete with guide and audio, offering stories about the old buildings and the city’s early personalities. Included is the Alaskan Hotel from 1913, featuring a beautifully preserved barroom from the period, as well as the Alaska Steam Laundry Building from 1901 which now houses a café and
shops. Or mosey past swinging doors and along sawdust floors at the historic Red Dog Saloon, where you can belly up to the bar under wagon wheel chandeliers and gawk at bear pelts, Wyatt Earp’s pistol and other curios adorning the walls. Of course, a trip to South Franklin Street wouldn’t be complete without shopping at its many stores that feature an array of made-in-Alaska items. Stock up on the region’s most famous food – smoked salmon – caught and processed locally. With a host of gold and silver mines in the state, jewelry is another popular item sold in shops along the street, including silver bracelets with totemic designs carved by artisans from local Native tribes. Totem poles and Native art can also be found on South Franklin, as well as soap made with glacial silt from nearby glaciers. And beer lovers can take home a taste of Alaska with ales and ambers brewed with local alder-smoked malts and Sitka spruce tips.
PHOTOS BY: SARAH CANNARD
By John Anderson
Juneau Alaska
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The “JASMINE” omega necklace
FREE
10ct mystic topaz pendant with purchase of the JASMINE omega
Reversible (gold/silver) Adjustable (18” to 22”)
Ammolite pendant and earrings.
“THE BEAD BRACELET” Beads inspired by Alaska to commemorate your cruise. (fits all brands of bracelets)
True Love Infinity Ring
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Ports of call | Juneau
Where to find local mementos in port
Alaska Fish & Chips Company Alaska
Fish & Chips Company Juneau
If it’s your first trip to Juneau, you have to stop by for the incredible meals and beautiful waterfront setting! Wild Alaskan fish & chips, hearty seafood chowder and stunning views from the bar!
2 Marine Way, Suite 124 | 907-723-2586
Alaska Fur Gallery North America’s largest fur and leather manufacturer, Alaska Fur Gallery specializes in quality furs at affordable prices with “fashion that moves.” Our furs are the perfect gift to give or receive. If you don't know furs, know your furrier! Alaska Fur Gallery, master furrier.
359 South Franklin Street akfurgallery.com | 888-722-3877
Alaska Juneau Mining Company Visit one of Juneau's largest and most unique gift stores. We offer a huge selection of apparel, gifts and souvenirs with prices to fit any budget. Be sure to take a photo of the pod of Orca Whales suspended above the store.
425 South Franklin Street | 907-463-5595
Alaska Knifeworks Alaska Knifeworks is locally owned. We’re in Merchants Wharf on the beautiful downtown Port of Juneau waterfront, the gateway to Alaska’s capital city! Collectors, hikers, campers, hunters, fishermen and allaround knife geek enthusiasts enjoy our store. This is not just another souvenir store; we have custom Alaskan caribou antler pocketknives, fillet knives and top-quality ulus you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re a home chef, if you hunt or fish or if you know someone back home who loves the outdoors, this is a must-stop destination on your cruise. Alaska Knifeworks will easily ship your purchase home; ask about FREE SHIPPING for all pocketknives! We have expert staff ready for your visit. Come see us on the waterfront in the Port of Juneau.
2 Marine Way, Suite 119 | alaskaknifeworks.com
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ALYSTA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
SPEC I A L A DV E RT ISI NG F E AT U R E
J U N EA U FROM UP ABOVE Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway
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Ride Southeast Alaska’s only aerial tramway! At 1800 feet above sea level, the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway treats you to Juneau’s stunning panorama. From the Chilkat Range to Stephens Passage, the expansive views are a photographer’s dream. The short ride to 1,800 feet above sea level is a breathtaking way to see the Capital City, waterfront and surrounding mountains. When you arrive at the Mountain House, enjoy dining with a view at the Timberline Bar & Grill, serving local seafood and a variety of dishes. Try our signature Crab Nachos, with locally brewed Alaskan Brewing beer. “Shop at the Top” in Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery, where you’ll find something for everyone on your list. Raven Eagle features gifts, souvenirs, clothing and original, Alaska Native made art. Then, visit the Chilkat Theatre for our awardwinning film on Tlingit history and culture, Seeing Daylight.
Outside the Mountain House, meet the Juneau R aptor Center ’s education eagle and have a personal experience with one of America’s great birds. The Nature Center’s knowledgeable staff can provide information about the trails, wildlife and environment. Interactive displays entertain and educate all ages. On Mount Roberts, you can hike wellmaintained rainforest and sub-alpine trails. Culturally modified trees are carved with traditional, historic images. Watch for songbirds, deer and marmots from the observation platforms. The interpretive signage and audio tour provides a wealth of information about the natural environment. Indoors or out, there is something for all ages, interests, and abilities atop Mount Roberts! The ADA accessible Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway runs every five minutes and tickets are good all day. Come and go at your leisure. See your Shore Excursion Desk for tickets!
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SP O T T ING AL A SK A’S P L AY F U L G I A N T S Where to find local mementos in port Caribou Crossings Buy “Made in Alaska” products here! Showcasing over 60 of Alaska’s leading artists, they search statewide to bring you crafts found in this distinctive store. Owned and operated by a local Juneau family. Located in the goldenyellow building.
387 South Franklin Street cariboucrossings.com | 877-586-5008
Changing Tides Fabric And Quilting Gift Shop
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Changing Tides fabrics
needleART
gifts
JUNEAU ALASKA
A year-round local quilt shop located in the heart of historic downtown Juneau, we are known for our great selection of Alaskan fabrics, batiks and wools. Barbara Lavallee’s quilt patterns, cross-stitch and fabric panels are designed in our Juneau studio. A “True North” quilter’s paradise!
175 S. Franklin Street changingtidesak@gmail.com
Global Communications Cracked phone or other cell problems? Global Communications repairs cell phones and offers SIM cards with different carriers. We also have prepaid phones. No deposit, no credit check and no cancellation fee. We are your home for cell phones and accessories, including GoPro, Marley, Scull Candy, power banks, chargers, headphones and other wireless products. The home of Boss revolution H20, ATT and more. Call to over 50 countries. E-cigs liquid and hardware are also sold here.
323 South Franklin Street | 907-523-4800
Hangar on the Wharf A local institution! Juneau’s favorite waterfront destination and the best menu in town, serving wild Alaskan seafood, hand-cut steaks, buffalo burgers and more. Over 125 beers to choose from and 25 on tap. Come visit where the locals go!
2 Marine Way, Suite 106 | 907-586-5018
House of Russia Discover Juneau’s rich Russian history! Explore the enormous selection of traditional handicrafts from Russia’s top artists. For over 25 years, the local owners have individually hand-selected every object in this store. Located in the golden-yellow building near the Juneau Tram.
Every February, thousands of whales embark on their yearly migration from the sunny south to the crisp waters off Alaska. These majestic sea creatures have followed the same routes for millennia. Generations of whales have made the yearly trek north from their southern breeding grounds, and humans have often followed along. Previously hunted throughout the oceans, Alaska’s whales now attract more gentle admirers. Visitors who flock to Alaska rarely miss a chance to see these magnificent underwater mammals in action. Humpback whales are often spotted near Juneau and Seward as they visit nearby feeding grounds, unfazed at the ships passing nearby as they bubble feed, tail slap and sometimes even jump straight up out of the water, a spectacular sight known as breeching. One of the largest animals to have ever existed, averaging more than 40 feet in length, these gentle behemoths can be quite inquisitive and have been known to swim right up close and personal to passing ships. Minke whales, which are smaller than humpbacks but still average 24 feet in length, are often spotted in the same areas. While minkes are less inclined to engage in the same kind of aquatic acrobatics as their larger cousins, minkes remain impressive animals in their own right. However, not all whales winter in the south. Unlike their wandering cousins, Baird’s beaked whales and orcas live off Alaska’s icy waters year-round. Baird’s beaked whales, which can reach up to 40 feet long, are seldom seen, but orcas remain fairly common. Known for their distinctive black-and-white patterns, orcas (colloquially known as killer whales) can reach up to 32 feet in length. They’re most often found in the Inside Passage near Victoria, Seward and Juneau, where many pods of orca families reside. Common orca behaviors include tail slapping and leaping out of the water while swimming, known as porpoising. The brilliant white beluga whale also lives in the Arctic all year long, spending summers by the Alaskan shore as they follow migrating fish. They’ve even been found upstream, visiting the Yukon River in Alaska and the St. Lawrence River in Canada to gobble up salmon. Small compared with other whales, reaching just over 14 feet, slow-moving belugas travel in groups of up to 100, gliding through the water at only 5 to 10 miles per hour. There are plenty of other marine mammals to see, from the adorable black and white Dall’s porpoise to the massive 50-foot gray whale. Juneau offers numerous excursions that take visitors to the best whalewatching hotspots on ships ranging from six passengers to more than 100. However, one of the best ways to see Alaska’s whales is right from the deck of a cruise ship, where onboard naturalists know how to spot them from a distance and are happy to answer questions about whale biology, habitats and history.
PHOTOS BY: AMI PARIKH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
By Janet Groene
Humpback whales off the coast of Juneau, a frequent sight.
389 South Franklin Street | 877-770-2778
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LUXURY SWISS TIMEPIECES. AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR: Audemars Piguet, Ulysse Nardin, Omega, Breitling, Longines, Montblanc, Michael Kors, Burberry, Bell and Ross
401 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET
2ND AND BROADWAY
JUNEAU, AK 99801
SKAGWAY, AK 99840
TEL. 907.586.4306
TEL. 907.983.3255
WWW.PRINCESSWORLDJEWELERS.COM
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JOHN M. FUGETT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Ports of call | Juneau
Where to find local mementos in port Juneau Artists Gallery A co-operative representing more than 20 skilled local artists, Juneau Artists Gallery features a wide variety of art and fine crafts made right here in Juneau. It’s the perfect place to find gifts for everyone on your list! Located in the Senate Building, close to the docks.
175 South Franklin Street, Suite 111 | 907-586-9891
Juneau Trading Company Located directly on Juneau’s new sea walk. Come enjoy a free cup of coffee while you shop. We promise to have everything on your list all under one roof, even buy a tour from the tour center.
720 South Franklin Street | 907-463- 4480
Mining rail car.
G O IN G FOR THE GOLD By Ginger Dingus
Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery Ride the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. Hike, dine, and enjoy breathtaking views of Juneau. Then “Shop at the Top” for original Alaska Native art, gifts and souvenirs at Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery. You’ll find unique collectibles and something for everyone on your list! Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery features Native artists working on site. Family-friendly, ADA-compliant.
490 South Franklin Street | 888-461-8726
Seaside Yarns Southeast Alaska’s premier yarn and fiber shopping experience. Locally dyed in Juneau and sourced from American farmers and mills. We offer kits, gifts, exclusive patterns and lots of qiviut yarn from the musk ox. Located in historic downtown Juneau; owned by an Alaskan family.
175 South Franklin Street | 907-723 9227 seasideyarns.com | seasideyarns@gmail.com
Twisted Fish Head this way for a casual waterfront dining experience with the freshest local seafood and Alaska’s largest wine bar. Conveniently located right next to the tram and just steps away from the cruise ship pier.
550 South Franklin Street | 907-463-5033
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Gold, found in lumps the size of beans, put Juneau on the map. Until 1880, when Chief Kowee led prospectors Joe Juneau and Richard Harris to glittering riches, the remote wilderness spot was best known as a Tlingit Indian fishing site. Within a decade, the Juneau Gold Belt had become a booming center of hard-rock gold mining with miles of cold, dark tunnels blasted underground. By 1915, the Alaska Gastineau Mine and Mill alone crushed a record 10,000 tons of gold-bearing ore a day. The mine, one of the world’s largest, prospered until World War I called miners to the front lines. Postwar gold prices hovering around $20 an ounce soon forced the mine to close. By then, 500,000 ounces of gold had been recovered from 12 million tons of ore. Across the Gastineau Channel, the Treadwell Gold Mining Company helped birth a startlingly modern neighborhood with a dance hall, tennis court and indoor swimming pool. The houses had electricity. Treadwell’s mines went on to extract nearly $70 million in gold before their sudden end in 1917 when the swimming pool mysteriously emptied and the mineshafts flooded with seawater as a result of questionable mining practices. Today, visitors can cruise around Gastineau Channel on a replica steamboat to see the remains of the mines. The Alaska Gastineau Mine offers tours of its underground tunnels, while a marked trail leads through the Treadwell Mine Historical Park.
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JUNE AU-DOUGL A S CIT Y MUSEUM
By Sebastian del Marmol
FROM TOP: The JuneauDouglas City Museum, with Four Story Pole at right; exhibits share local history and culture.
It was July 4, 1959, and the eyes of an entire nation were transfixed on the quaint and attractive Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Juneau. With Mount Juneau and Tongass National Forest towering in the backdrop, politicians, authors and over half of the town’s residents gathered as an honor guard raised both the Stars and Stripes and the Alaska state flag signifying The Great Land’s official induction into statehood. More than a half-century later, the flags still fly over a commemorative marker announcing that history was made in front of what is now the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Nestled between the Alaska State Capitol and the Alaska Fisherman’s Building, the museum is blocks away from the cruise ship docks in Juneau. The museum is hard to miss, with two totem poles flanking it, including the 34-foot Four Story Pole carved by a local Haida artist. From the origins of the museum building, to the history contained within and even the all-volunteer staff that runs it today, the Juneau-Douglas City Museum is a community-driven endeavor. A massive topographical map of Juneau and its environs welcomes visitors upon entering. Made in 1967 by a local family, the five-by-seven-foot map gives a bird’s eye view of Juneau as it stood almost a half-century ago. Since then, the town has more than quintupled in population, while the nearby Juneau Icefield has receded. Among the more popular museum attractions is the documentary, Juneau: City Built on Gold, which visitors watch in the video room. The museum’s Capital City gallery boasts two kiosks with interactive touch screens that show over 20 digital stories each, featuring information about Juneau’s mining, culture, politics and history. Juneau’s role in Alaska’s long haul toward statehood is also on display, from the city’s founding in 1881 to that day almost a century later that the flags were raised just outside the museum’s front door. Hands-on exhibits allow visitors, including children, to experience what it’s like to be a Juneauite. Originally a mining museum when it was founded in 1976, the museum provides insight into the city’s golden history. The Drilling and Milling exhibit allows kids to don a hard hat and take part in simulated gold mining activities. The exhibit also features a model of the historic Treadwell mine, with sliding panels explaining its collapse in 1917. Juneau’s fishing history is brought to vibrant life with a display featuring a 500- to 700-year-old basketry-style fish trap and footage of its excavation. Also featured is a full-size replica of the trap and a hands-on model where visitors can try to figure out how it works. Open year round, the museum honors its building’s past as the Juneau Memorial Library (from 1951 to the mid-1980s) with an extensive collection of books by local writers, along with local arts and crafts. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum always has temporary exhibits that feature local artists, photographers and other stories about Juneau and its eclectic residents. 118
PHOTOS BY: DOUGLAS CITY MUSEUM
From fishing to gold to statehood, all aspects of the region’s past and some of its present are showcased in this museum.
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K E T C HIK A NAL ASK A Ketchikan is often referred to as the Rain Capital of Alaska since rain may fall every day. But Ketchikanners don’t seem to mind. In fact, they proudly predict: “If you can’t see Deer Mountain, it’s raining, and if you can see it, it’s going to rain!” So be careful when you use the phrase “Save it for a rainy day.”
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PHOTOS BY: (HERO) RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BLACK/WHITE) ALITA BOBROV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Ports of call | Ketchikan
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Quick Guide Famed for: Totem poles; Native villages; the vast Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the United States. It’s a Fact: In the 1880s, pioneers came to Ketchikan to fish for salmon rather than pan for gold.
PHOTOS BY: (HERO) RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BLACK/WHITE) ALITA BOBROV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Signature Souvenirs: Salmon products; miniature totem poles; other items from the boutiques on Creek Street.
TOP: Shopping village in Ketchikan. RIGHT: A quiet moorage. LEFT: Princess sails into port.
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Ketchikan peeks out of the mist like a hidden treasure, and when the sun does come out, it shines on one of the prettiest spots in Southeast Alaska. As Alaska’s southernmost town, Ketchikan offers a taste of what visitors are in for — bald eagles diving into the Tongass Narrows almost every evening, catching fishermen’s discarded bait; floatplanes landing after a day of flightseeing to Misty Fjords; a landscape of endless forest; waterfalls; and the whoosh of exhaling killer whales. Walk along Creek Street, a former red-light district that’s now home to a line of boutiques just minutes from the dock, and check for spawning salmon in the waters below. Or get adventurous and see what’s under the water. Ketchikan has some of Alaska’s best snorkeling. This is the best place in the world to see totem poles, whether you’re strolling beside the water at Totem Bight State Historical Park, admiring the antique poles at the Totem Heritage Center or visiting the massive collection at the Tlingit village of Saxman. Other regions have poles, but not this many — and nowhere else do so many people keep totem poles in their front yards. Totem poles represent history, a way of telling a story. Alaska’s story begins here in Ketchikan, under the totems’ watchful gaze.
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PIXACHI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
K E T C HIK A N
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U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507 • © 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET
THE NEW CLASSICS Your go-to charms and bracelets have been reinvented. Some jewelry is always in style. Share your #PandoraStyle and discover more at Pandora.net Shown: Stars and lights pavé charms on sterling silver bracelet
400 Mission St. • Ketchikan, AK 907.225.1880
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Ports of call | Ketchikan
P E R P E T U AT I N G A PROUD H E R I TA G E Story and Photography by Edward Readicker-Henderson
Today’s totem carvers add new faces to the landscape In the old days, a totem-pole carver might have to pay with his life. As far back as 500 years ago, the first thing visitors would see when approaching a village in Southeast Alaska would be a line of totem poles facing the ocean. One glance at the geometric designs would be enough to detect who lived in the town, what clans were represented and something about the people and their history. Totem poles were never religious objects; instead, they told stories, keeping the past alive. Traditionally, the Native men who carved the poles were the only people welcome in every village, and they worked hard for this honor. Entrusted with the memory of a people, carvers went through much the same training as a shaman. Then, before a village hired a pole carver, they’d make him pass the equivalent of a graduate-level exam on local mythology. It could take a year to carve a large pole and if, in the end, the carver got it wrong, if he’d done something that changed the story, his life was in the villagers’ hands. The Totem Renaissance While those days are gone, there’s a new generation — the new wave of totem-pole carvers. Working out of carving sheds in almost every Alaskan town of size, combining innovative styles with time-honored tools, they’re finding ways to tell the story of a region that is changing dramatically. They’re adding words to the language of the totem pole and discovering just how flexible that language is. The carvers are now making totem poles relevant to everyone, expanding their community to encompass the globe. The carving revival happened just in time. Totem poles nearly became extinct in the first half of the 20th century. Poles have a natural life span of about 60 years, and when that period was over, they were formerly left to rot and decay. Many poles were hitting this point right when the Canadian government was suppressing Native traditions and the Alaskan government was making a conscious effort to put Native culture on the back burner.
Totem poles and Native art keep culture alive by telling stories of life in Southeast Alaska. 124
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The carving revival happened just as a new appreciation for Native traditions had begun taking shape. But the tide finally turned in the 1950s with renewed interest in local customs and Native rights. Today, the new breed of carvers reaches out to a new audience. Tlingit Norman Jackson of Ketchikan said he carves so “everybody [will] understand our people. That’s why I learned you have to share the art.” The first step was to bring the old poles back. Most carvers now learn their craft by making faithful reproductions of dying poles. Wayne Price, a Tlingit from Haines, and non-Native Steve Brown from Seattle carved five replicas for the Kik-Setti Totem Park in Wrangell. Tlingit Nathan Jackson of Ketchikan, Southeast Alaska’s premier carver, made a beautiful Masterpieces of expression.
replica of a pole taken from the region in 1899 by the Harriman Expedition, part of a turn-of-the-century pole rush, when museums and private collectors all over the world started grabbing poles while the grabbing was good. Adroit Artisans Poles have always been car ved from wester n red cedar, and most poles are 2 or 3 feet in diameter. To get that smooth inner wood, the carver must hunt through the old-growth rain forest for a tree perhaps three times that size, one that was young when British Captain James Cook sailed in the area in the late-18th century. After a century of logging in the Southeast’s forests, the biggest challenge facing the artisans at present might well be finding a suitable tree. Before carving begins, the log is cut in half and hollowed out to prevent the wood from cracking. Carvers could use modern power tools, of course, but they eschew them. Most poles are still carved with a
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small hatchet, called an adz, and an assortment of drawknives. Even the paint jobs tend to be conventional, with pigments made of plants, charcoal and oxides. Using ancestral techniques doesn’t mean the carvers are adhering to the old styles, however. The new poles offer novel twists: a mirror to represent the sun and a Care Bear to please the carver’s daughter on Native Alaskan Lee Wallace’s poles outside Ketchikan’s Cape Fox Lodge; crossed flags of a state that didn’t exist when the first totems were carved on a Nathan Jackson pole at Ketchikan’s Totem Heritage Center; a stylized mother holding a realistic baby, both sheltered by a classic raven and frog on Nathan Jackson’s son Stephen’s masterpiece pole at Juneau’s tramway. The current generation of carvers freely mixes and matches old and new elements. The tale is more important than how it’s told, and though once limited by tradition, nowadays the stories are about anything from the record of a hunting trip
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to the report of a great vacation. A lot of recent poles are simply about the pole creation itself, focusing on who designed it, who was behind it and the community considering having a pole made a way to come together. Putting up a pole has always been a serious, expensive business. In 1879, the famed naturalist John Muir wrote, “The erection of a totem pole … is often talked of for a year or two beforehand [and] from 100 to 200 blankets, worth three dollars apiece, are paid to the genius who carves them.” Today, a carver can easily be paid upward of $2,000 per foot of artwork. Money is forthcoming. Towns are commissioning poles. Private collectors are putting poles in their houses, and no upscale establishment in Alaska is considered complete without a couple of poles. Worldwide museums are
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commissioning poles, both replicas and originals. A pole raising still brings everybody out. It can take a hundred people or more to carry a big pole. In the past, the carver would dance, with all his tools hanging from him, while someone else told the story of the pole. Now, you probably won’t get the dance, but the storytelling remains the high point of the ceremony and the celebration goes on all night. No matter how the poles alter in form, no matter how the reasons for putting up a pole may change, the spirit behind the poles stays the same. As Nathan Jackson explained in a radio interview, poles tell “what we are, what we belong to, and what we’re born with.” They’re the faces of the coastal landscape, stories of the past and present given to the future.
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SPEC I A L A DV E RT ISI NG F E AT U R E
BERING SE A C R A B FISHERMEN ’S TOUR
and the fun. Take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail aboard a real Alaskan crabbing vessel and to experience what few ever have. Since its inception in 2008, this tour has won “Tour of the Year” seven years running. It is one of the top-rated tours on cruise lines and is one of the most lauded excursions on travel websites. Customer service is a top priority with this company and guests will not be disappointed. Be prepared with your cameras to capture amazing photos of the beautiful Alaskan wilderness and enjoy some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. No other tour offers this experience, and for those looking to immerse themselves in the spirit of The Last Frontier, this is the tour for you. This tour is appropriate for guests with limited mobility as well as wheelchair guests. Minimum age: 5.
CONNIE BARR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
It’s the Alaska you’ve been dreaming of! Bring your cameras and prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as you cruise the calm, protected waters of Southeast Alaska aboard the working boat Aleutian Ballad. Fans of the Discovery Channel program Deadliest Catch may be familiar with this ship, as it was rolled over in a rogue wave during season 2 of the program. It survived that night and has now been retrofitted to welcome guests in comfort and style. On this 3-hour adventure, you will see the crew pull up a variety of fishing gear and pots filled with rockfish, cod, starfish, octopus, prawns, halibut and, of course, a variety of crab, all brought aboard for guests to see and touch. The eagle-viewing portion of the tour is breathtaking as eagles fly and feed within yards of the boat. The fishermen will share their tales of life at sea — the danger, the adventure
TM
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Ports of call | Ketchikan
F I S H FA C T S by Linda Marx
Good news for anglers and seafood lovers: Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game has stocked the state’s waters with a generous supply of salmon, rainbow trout and other species. The best fishing begins in May and lasts through a chilly September. In late July, millions of salmon swim from the sea up the freshwater streams where they were spawned.
Sockeye (Red) Salmon Named for their deep-red color, sockeyes can be differentiated from other salmon by their large black spots. Sockeye meat remains red throughout the cooking process, bringing dramatic impact to the meal presentation. A sophisticated entrée loved by Japanese and Americans, sockeye salmon are graded and marketed as whole fish, steaks or fillets, or preserved in cans. They live in the sea and enter freshwater systems to spawn. Like all Pacific salmon, sockeyes die within a few weeks after spawning. Coho (Silver) Salmon One of the best eating fish, silvers are distinguished by their orange-red flesh, solid texture and delicate flavor. Their size — 10 pounds and 30 inches long — high fat content and appealing color make them popular in both fresh-frozen and smoked steak and fillet cuts. Commercially, these salmon are a valuable fall catch because of their late spawning season. But little is known about their ocean migrations. Pink Salmon The smallest and most abundant of the salmon species, pinks are light and rosy-colored with a tender texture and a mild flavor.
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Economical in price, they weigh about four pounds and are approximately 25 inches long. Following entry into saltwater, baby pinks, feeding on plankton, larval fish and insects, move along the beach in dense schools near the surface. For dining, pink salmon is good grilled in one piece or chopped in pasta dishes, seafood salad or chowder. Rainbow Trout Rainbow, which live in streams and lakes, are the most well-known of the true trouts because they are highly prized game fish and food. Brightly colored fish with black spots and a rosy band along each side of the body, they often migrate from fresh-water to the open sea. A rainbow trout fights long and hard for its freedom. Once the fish reaches the sea, it is called a steelhead since its color changes to steel-blue. Pacific Halibut The biggest flatfish living near the bottom of the ocean, halibut dwell in water depths of 60 to 3,600 feet. They have large mouths, strong teeth and eyes set atop their heads, and they burrow their flat bodies in the sandy ocean bottom when in danger. Of all the whitefish in Alaska, halibut is the preference of many chefs. Its low fat content and dense texture have made it a popular alternative to steak. Pacific Herring Alaska’s herring industry began in 1878, when 30,000 pounds were marketed for human consumption. Today the principal food fish in the world produces about $30 million for the state. With blue-green upper bodies and silvery sides, the Pacific herring, 18 inches long, is devoid of markings. Spawning in Prince William Sound and the Bering Sea, the herring frequents shallow, vegetated areas in the intertidal and subtidal zones. Herring are abundant and provide food for fish, mammals and birds, as well as for people.
ARTEM EFIMOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Alaska King Salmon In size, flavor, texture and color, Alaska king salmon is the crown jewel of seafood offerings. Prized for its polyunsaturated oil content, firm texture and succulent flesh, this important sport fish and commercial fish is also known as spring, quinnat, tyee, tule or blackmouth salmon. In the ocean, this salmon is a robust, deep-bodied fish with bluish-green coloration that fades to silver and white. Unlike other salmon species, chinook, which have been spotted as large as 126 pounds, spawn and grow in inshore marine waters, making them available to fishers all year.
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Ports of call | Ketchikan
The sign of a great time in port.
PIXACHI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Where to find local mementos in port Arctic Spirit Gallery Specializing in authentic Northwest Coast and Alaskan Native art, Arctic Spirit Gallery is locally owned and operated. Featuring baleen baskets and basketry, walrus ivory carvings, whalebone fossil carvings, totem poles, Bentwood boxes, wood masks, Haida argillite carvings and a vast collection of Native art from Barrow to Southeast Alaska.
318 Mission Street arcticspiritgallery.com | 907-228-2277
Fish Pirate’s Gifts Argh, matey! Get your Alaskan Fish Pirate treasures here, including smoked salmon, ulus, jewelry and Fish Pirate Saloon gear, all with plenty of in-store specials. Enjoy your meal upstairs, and then join us afterward on the first floor. Think fun. Think adventure. Think Fish Pirate's Gifts.
76 Front Street | 907-225-2856
Global Communications Cracked phone or other cell problems? Global Communications repairs cell phones and offers SIM cards with different carriers. We also have prepaid phones. No deposit, no credit check and no cancellation fee. We are your home for cell phones and accessories, including GoPro, Marley, Scull Candy, power banks, chargers, headphones and other wireless products. The home of Boss revolution H20, ATT and more. Call to over 50 countries. E-cigs liquid and hardware are also sold here.
310 Front Street | 907-280-8640
Great Alaskan Souvenirs & Gifts Great Alaskan Souvenirs & Gifts is a locally owned and operated Alaskan souvenir and T-shirt store located next to the Salmon Landing Market. We offer shirts, jackets, souvenirs, salmon, unique gifts and much more. Don’t forget to shop in our fun kids’ shop!
330D Spruce Mill Way insidepassageak@kpunet.net | 907-247-1414
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SIGNS TELL STORY OF K E T C HIK A N ’ S L I V ELY PA S T One of the best ways to take in Ketchikan’s fascinating history and culture may simply be a leisurely stroll around town. And now, thanks to more than a dozen informative signs placed at important sites throughout the city, it is easier than ever to learn about the Ketchikan’s economic, social and even racy past. The Ketchikan Historic Commission installed 15 signs on many historically significant buildings in town. The signs spotlight famous locales like Annie’s Place and Dolly’s House (both former brothels) on Creek Street, as well as the historic New York Hotel & Café. The signage project also recognizes some lesser-known Ketchikan gems like the former location of the once-bustling Ketchikan Shingle Mill. A second signage project resulted in five additional storyboards that feature the historic and present-day relationship between Ketchikan, salmon and the town’s fishing lifestyle in general. Signs highlight the earliest commercial canning operations (including Fidalgo Island Packing Co.), the location of the largest charter fleet in Southeast Alaska, famed Ketchikan Creek (once a summer fish camp for Alaska natives) and more. Signs can be found at the Mountain Point boat harbor, on Stedman Street near Trident Seafoods, at Thomas Basin Marina and at Knudson Cove Marina. All these signs are in addition to the stunning array of public art on display along the dock areas and promenades of historic Ketchikan. — Lynn Seldon
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SOMEDAY THEY’LL CALL GENEVA THE DETROIT OF SWITZERLAND.
THE RUNWELL IN P VD ROSE GOLD CASE, MIDNIGHT BLUE DIAL WITH REMOTE SECOND HAND SWEEP, DE TROIT-BUILT ARGONITE 1069 MOVEMENT AND AMERICAN-TANNED BROWN LE ATHER STR AP. BUILT TO L AST A LIFE TIME OR LONGER UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SHINOL A GUAR ANTEE.
326 DOCK ST. & 120 FRONT ST. KETCHIKAN, AK. 99901 1-800-982-0554
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Ports of call | Ketchikan
IN T O THE WOODS
Brown bears fishing off Admiralty Island, Tongass National Forest. The island is home to an estimated 1,500 brown bears — more than in all the Lower 48 states combined.
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PHOTOS BY: (RAIN FOREST) LEE PRINCE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BEARS) NANCYS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (AERIAL VIEW) LEE PRINCE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.
The Tongass National Forest, encompassing more than 16 million acres, is the largest national forest in the United States and an integral part of Ketchikan’s economy and lifestyle. Most people are surprised to learn that the Tongass is a rainforest, albeit a temperate one; there is no defined rainy season and rain may fall here every day. On the first floor of Ketchikan’s Federal Building, the U.S. Forest Service Interpretive Center runs an excellent program about this natural wonder.
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An aerial view of the Tongass.
PHOTOS BY: (RAIN FOREST) LEE PRINCE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BEARS) NANCYS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (AERIAL VIEW) LEE PRINCE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.
Salmon is the star in our store We sell and ship Alaska’s best hand-processed smoked and fresh salmon
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Ports of call | Ketchikan
SALMON C A P I TA L O F THE WORLD In Ketchikan, salmon is more than just a traditional food. It’s an iconic animal with a deep spiritual meaning for Native cultures. This legendary fish has played an essential role in sustaining local communities. Whether it’s attending a salmon bake, going on a fishing excursion or buying a piece of Native art depicting the legendary salmon of Haida and Tlingit folklore, a visit to Alaska isn’t complete without connecting with salmon in one way or another. The fish is one of the figures that are prominently depicted on totem poles in Ketchikan, home of the world’s largest collection of standing totems. Its presence on the poles, which also portray ravens, eagles, frogs and other creatures, indicates its importance to local communities. The connection between Ketchikan and salmon is more than just spiritual. For generations, Ketchikan was a summer fishing camp for Tlingit tribes. The area’s fame as a fishing site grew, and in 1883, settlers from Oregon built a salmon cannery. Mining, timber and tourism have also played a part in building the community (which was incorporated in 1900), but it’s salmon that continues to feed Ketchikan’s stomach, as well as its soul.
PHOTOS BY: (SALMON JUMPING) SEKAR B/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SMOKED SALMON) CLAUDE HUOT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BEAR) JIM DAVID/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
By Janet Groene
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Sockeye salmon swimming upstream; salmon drying on sticks; Alaskan brown bear with its tasty lunch.
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Where to find local mementos in port Ketchikan Mining Company Visit Ketchikan Mining Company for Alaskan gifts. We have a large selection of souvenirs, apparel, jewelry, smoked salmon and Alaska-made totem poles. Located on the cruise ship dock.
30 Front Street kmc@kpunet.net | 907-247-3444 | 888-994-3444
Ketchikan Souvenir & Candy Co. Located in the heart of Ketchikan, in the Clock Tower Building, Ketchikan Souvenir & Candy Company has a wide selection of Alaskan souvenirs, apparel, jewelry, smoked salmon and madein-Alaska gifts. Please come in and meet our friendly staff. We are proud to be locally owned and staffed. PHOTOS BY: (SALMON JUMPING) SEKAR B/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SMOKED SALMON) CLAUDE HUOT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BEAR) JIM DAVID/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
300 Front Street | 907-225-1413
Scanlon Gallery See Alaskan art by Alaskan artists, including prints; originals; hand-crafted jewelry; gold nugget jewelry mined and made in Alaska; glass; soapstone; bronze; antlers; gifts; and much more.
318 Mission Street | 907-247-4730 scanlongallery.com
Sitka Fur Gallery For over 50 years and four generations, Sitka Fur Gallery has been a pioneer in the Alaskan fur industry. These family owned and operated furriers have produced a fine collection of men's and women’s garments and handmade traditional Alaskan accessories, with sizes ranging from petite to plus. The ultimate Alaskan gift!
312 Mission Street akfurs.com | 907-225-8870 | 888-649-3820
The Outlet Store Located steps from your ship, we are one of Ketchikan's exciting retail locations! We sell souvenirs and have a large selection of bulk candy and delicious homemade fudge. We also have a large section of Hatley pajamas for everyone in the family.
5 Salmon Landing #100 kmc@kpunet.net | 907-225-3008 PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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MIKELEDRAY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
SPEC I A L A DV E RT ISI NG F E AT U R E
NUGGE T S: T H E N E X T B I G T HIN G Over the past 120 years, an immeasurable amount of gold has been mined in Alaska; however, very few gold nuggets weighing over 30 ounces have ever been found. One now belongs to David Conner. In the fall of 2012, Conner, owner of Orocal Natural Gold Co., received a call from an Anchorage area number. He was offered an opportunity that, in over 45 years of doing business in Alaska, he had never seen. The caller was selling a 30-ounce Alaskan gold nugget from his family estate that had been found years earlier. After careful consideration, Conner agreed to the sale. “You see, finding a nugget weighing over 1 ounce is considered rarer
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than a 5-carat diamond, so can you only imagine how rare a 30-ounce nugget is?” According to Conner, most gold pieces found are between one and two millimeters. Nuggets of this size can be bought at any of the Orocal Natural Gold Co. authorized dealers in Ketchikan and throughout Alaska. They can then be cut by skilled craftspeople into a beautiful piece of jewelry or as keepsakes to remember your trip to the Last Frontier. Conner is not sure if he’ll be selling “The Big One” anytime soon, but he hopes to put it on display at one of his authorized dealers to allow visitors a chance to see and even hold it. To learn more, visit www.orocal.com.
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S K A G W AYAL ASK A It was the birthplace of the Klondike Gold Rush, but Skagway was a much different place before gold fever struck. Only one family lived here, and there was only a crude trail over the White Pass. Native Tlingit people lived in the next valley at Dyea, where the traditional trade route over Chilkoot Pass led from the coast to the interior of Canada. Today, Skagway glories in its golden past with such attractions as the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, celebrating the Klondike Gold Rush through 15 restored buildings within the Skagway Historic District. And if you don’t feel like walking, horse-drawn carriages will transport you through town in true 19th-century style.
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PHOTOS BY: RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; STEVE ESTVANIK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.
Ports of call | Skagway
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Quick Guide Famed for: An Old West atmosphere, with horse-drawn carriages and other 19th-century atributes. It’s a Fact: The Gold Rush began here on August 17, 1896, when the precious metal was discovered in Rabbit Creek.
PHOTOS BY: RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; STEVE ESTVANIK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.
Signature Souvenirs: A handpainted miner’s pan; a replica engine of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway; a postcard from the Red Onion Saloon.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Princess arriving in Skagway; a cascading stream on the Dewey Lake Trail; the main shopping area in town.
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A PERFEC T D AY I N S K A G WAY Shopping in Skagway.
Coming ashore in Skagway is taking a walk into history: Downtown hasn’t changed much since it first sprang up as a jump-off point for the great 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Back then, thousands of people walked Broadway, buying gear for the trip north. Today, the false-front buildings are just as busy with art galleries and duty-free shops. Jammed into a tiny box valley, with glaciers shining on the eastern mountain slopes and the deep waters of the Lynn Canal reflecting the ice, Skagway looks like a postcard company designed it. Or maybe a toy train manufacturer. Each summer day, the beautifully refurbished White Pass & Yukon Route Railway runs excursions along trails originally worn smooth by the boots of would-be prospectors. You can still hike the Chilkoot Trail today, or just fly over the glaciers and rugged mountains in a helicopter and look down on the trail. In Skagway itself, almost nothing is more than a few minutes’ walk away. Stop at the Red Onion Saloon or Captain Moore’s House to see what life was like during the rush, and catch the Days of ’98 show at the Eagle’s Hall. Try panning for gold at the old dredge. Or just walk out to Yakutania Point for the best view of the town, the ships and the fjord.
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RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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You’re Invited to Experience Robert Howard Hunter’s
Alaska
Creek Street, Ketchikan
Breathtaking Images
Summer breezes gently bend the treetops. A mist conceals a harbor. Snow freshly dusts the mountains. A bird contemplates flight. Artist Robert Howard Hunter captures these peaceful moments in his mind’s eye. He then translates them into breathtaking images in both realistic and abstract watercolors. Over four decades, he has produced 45 one-man shows and has participated in more than 160 exhibitions. From watercolors to graphite drawings, his work withstands the passage of time.
A Vision of Harmony
Amid the dynamics of a new era, Robert Hunter conveys a world that remains unchanged, unspoiled. His world is tranquil and richly diverse, yet robust with natural beauty. His visual images speak of rural roots, a smalltown heritage and connections to the land and sea. Communicating this is natural and vital to Robert’s existence. His creations are messages that he sends to art lovers throughout the world. Robert’s art reveals a vision of harmony and balance within our world and within the universe. His abstract paintings include beams, arcs and bands of muted and dazzling light. They hint of opposing textures. Spectrums of contradictory hues coexist compatibly, synergistically.
A Special Invitation
We invite you to visit our studio for a quiet preview of Robert Hunter’s work. Capture your treasured memory of Alaska in an original watercolor or signed and numbered print. Proudly display in your own home his vision of world peace and harmony.
When you leave the ship, ride the SMART bus to 750 Broadway.
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4th and Broadway, Skagway
750 Broadway • Skagway, AK 99840
1/28/16 11:38 AM
Ports of call | Skagway
The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
A R A IL WAY B UILT O F GOLD By Stanton H. Patty
Gold brought with it commerce and permanence; the settlers needed a way in and a way out. The line, the White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR), was completed in two years, two months and two days. Now the White Pass & Yukon Route’s narrowgauge railroad, headquartered in Skagway, is one of Alaska’s top visitor attractions. From May to September 2014, it carried approximately 400,000 passengers. Before departing on their ride into history, they can see the story of the WP&YR depicted in a hand-painted mural that wraps around all four walls of the depot waiting room. It’s a colorful story indeed. “This Country Needs This Railroad” Gold was discovered in the Klondike countr y of the Canadian Yukon, almost 500 miles north of Skagway, near the end of the 19th century. The whispered word “Gold!” became a shout heard around the world, and soon the stampede was on. Thousands of hopeful miners poured through Skagway on their way to the gold fields around the Klondike’s nascent boomtown, Dawson City. There were two perilous gold trails from the Skagway area. One was the avalanche-prone Chilkoot Trail. The other was known as the White Pass Trail. Both ended at Lake Bennett, British Columbia, where the gold-fevered
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prospectors built crude boats and rafts to float down the Yukon River to Dawson City. Halfway around the world, British financiers in London were looking for ways to cash in on the Klondike madness. They reasoned there must be a better way to get prospectors over the mountains — and harvest a share of the miners’ gold. Sir Thomas Tancrede, an English aristocrat, was dispatched to Skagway in 1898 to explore the feasibility of building a railroad into the Yukon. Tancrede had a look around and decided that the mountain barriers were too high, the grades too steep. He was just about to file a negative report when Michael J. Heney, a Canadian railroad contractor, hiked into Skagway after scouting the mountain passes around Lake Bennett. Tancrede and his companions invited Heney to join them for a drink at Skagway’s St. James Hotel. The men talked far into the night. Heney affirmed that a railroad could be built through White Pass. “This countr y needs this railroad — and I would like to be the man to do it,” he told Tancrede. “Give me enough dynamite and snoose [snuff], and I’ll build a road to hell!” Heney was hired, and construction began on May 28, 1898. But even as the first ribbons of steel pointed toward White Pass, trouble was brewing back in Skagway.
LEE PRINCE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
More than a century ago, a railroad was born of a gold rush. Gold was discovered in the Yukon Territory in 1896. From 1897 to 1898, the stampeders arrived in Alaska en masse on their way to the Yukon.
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Where to find local mementos in port Alaska Fur Gallery
Alaska Fur Gallery is an Alaska-owned and -operated company, with over 79 years in business and over six locations to serve you. If we don’t have what you need, we will make it for you. Coats, hats, slippers, vests, souvenirs, men’s furs and more… We specialize in quality furs at affordable prices and we ship worldwide. If you don’t know furs, know your furrier! Alaska Fur Gallery, master furrier.
Fourth Street and Broadway akfurgallery.com | 888-722-3877
Alaska Knife & Ulu Store
Huge selection of Alaskan and U.S.-made knives and ulus with beautiful blades and exquisite utilitarian handles. We carry William Henry, Buck, Kershaw, Bob Merry, Eddie Lee, Pierce, Dale Duby and more. Located next to the Skagway Brewing Company and Alaska Fudge Store.
Seventh Street and Broadway | 907-612-0256
Aurora Yarns of Alaska
Featuring Alaskan hand-dyed yarns and knitting/crochet supplies. Qiviut 100% and Blend yarns as well as finished Qiviut hats, scarves, smokerings, gloves and shawls made in Alaska. New location Seventh and Broadway ON Seventh.
aurorayarnsofalaska.com | 907-612-0083
Corrington’s Alaskan Ivory and Museum
LEE PRINCE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Family owned for 45 years. Experts in walrus and mammoth ivory, jade, soapstone, artifacts, masks, totemic carvings and Native art. Beautiful free museum of Alaska history told on scrimshawed (etched) ivory walrus tusks. Come in and meet Trader Corrington, an Iditarod racing veteran. Located in the Golden North Hotel.
Third Street and Broadway | 907-612-0256
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FRANK CORTESE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE ARCHIVES
Ports of call | Skagway
Wicked Ways At the time, Skagway was a rowdy town ruled by an outlaw gang. A visiting Canadian Mountie called it “little better than a hell on earth.” Robberies and murders were common occurrences. Honky-tonk pianos accompanied the crack of gunshots and cries for help. Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith, a sometimes charming, always dangerous con man, reigned over both Skagway and the gold trails. Local merchants decided that Soapy Smith and his gaggle of gangsters had to go. The showdown came on July 8, 1898. Vigilantes gathered on the Skagway waterfront. Smith, hearing about the meeting, downed a glass of whiskey, then, rifle in hand, marched down the street to confront his foes. Frank H. Reid, the town surveyor, blocked his way. There was a brief scuffle. Smith shot Reid in the groin; Reid fired his revolver at almost the same instant, putting a bullet through the scoundrel’s heart. Smith died on the scene. Reid, mortally wounded, expired shortly thereafter. Building a Railroad Thirteen days later, the White Pass & Yukon Route dispatched its first train on a 4-mile excursion for Skagway dignitaries. Two and a half miles out of town, the tracks meandered by the fresh graves of Soapy Smith and Frank Reid. Heney’s men continued toiling toward the White Pass summit. They hacked and blasted through the mountains with picks, shovels and black powder, sometimes dangling on ropes hundreds of feet above thundering 148
rapids. They swatted swarms of mosquitoes in summer and endured winter temperatures plunging to 60 degrees below zero. The tracks reached the 2,865-foot-high White Pass summit in February 1899. And on July 29, construction crews coming from Skagway and Whitehorse met at Carcross, where a “golden spike” was driven into the ground to mark the line’s completion.
TOP: Scenic route detail. OPPOSITE: Builders braved dangerous conditions.
Chugging Along Nowadays visitors are immersed in history as they ride the WP&YR train along the old rail trail over White Pass. While passing the Gold Rush Cemetery, passengers see a tall granite shaft over Reid’s resting place, inscribed: “He gave his life for the honor of Skagway.” Smith’s grave is just outside the cemetery boundary. The good people of Skagway were not about to plant his remains in hallowed ground, Skagway tour guides tell visitors. Just beyond the cemetery, the tracks rise quickly from sea level into the snowcapped peaks and blue-white glaciers of the St. Elias Mountains. The train weaves, climbs and grinds toward the crest of White Pass, looping across cliffhanging cuts with dizzying views of misty waterfalls and traversing granite paths where the boot prints of Klondike stampeders can still be seen. The stampede to the Klondike was a frenzy that burned out in little more than two years. But the White Pass & Yukon Route, a nugget from that epic Gold Rush, chugs along as one of the last remaining narrow-gauge railroads in North America.
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FRANK CORTESE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE ARCHIVES
Where to find local mementos in port Global Communications
Cracked phone or other cell problems? Global Communications repairs cell phones and offers SIM cards with different carriers. We also have prepaid phones. No deposit, no credit check and no cancellation fee. We are your home for cell phones and accessories, including GoPro, Marley, Scull Candy, power banks, chargers, headphones and other wireless products. The home of Boss revolution H20, ATT and more. Call to over 50 countries. E-cigs liquid and hardware are also sold here.
363 Second Avenue | 907-738-4725
Gold Rush Gifts
With an array of souvenirs, jewelry and Alaska-made gourmet foods, this store does not disappoint. Come strike it rich at Gold Rush Gifts for all your souvenir and gift needs, and check out our Skagway-made items! Alaskan owned and operated. Located next to Diamonds International.
Second Avenue and Spring Street | 907-983-3921
North to Alaska
Offering a unique selection of gifts and artwork designed and created by Alaskan artist and store owner Tari Eagan. Featured items include handmade Alaskan soaps, limitededition Alaska-made Eskimo dolls, Nanook fleece wear, watercolor artwork and much more! Located across from the post office, at Sixth and Broadway.
634 Broadway | 907-983-3070
Olivia’s Bistro
Olivia’s Bistro is famous for garden fresh mint mojitos and handmade margaritas, along with fresh Alaska seafood and wild game meats. New for 2015 — Potlatch Lunch with great food and quick friendly service. Located at the Historic Skagway Inn, along the SMART bus route, on the corner of Seventh Avenue.
655 Broadway skagwayinn.com | 907-983-2289
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Ports of call | Skagway
FLORIDASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
SPEC I A L A DV E RT ISI NG F E AT U R E
THE S C E NI C R A IL W AY OF THE W O R L D!
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Built in 1898 to open the Klondike region of Yukon Territory to gold seekers, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (WP&YR) — originally stretching from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory — was completed in 1900, just before the end of the Klondike Gold Rush. It took the labor of 35,000 men, using only black blasting powder and crude tools to battle the elements and treacherous landscapes, to hew out the original 110-mile narrow-gauge line. The railway hauled freight and passengers for over 80 years, and was also an early pioneer of intermodal freight containerization. It closed down in 1982 after a dramatic fall in world ore prices. But WP&YR persevered and reopened its doors just six years later as “The Scenic Railway of the World,” providing rail excursions to visitors from all over. In 1994, WP&YR was named an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, joining the likes of the Statue
of Liberty and the Panama Canal with this prestigious honor. Today, guests experience the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, trestles and tunnels from the comfort of vintage rail cars. Hear a fully narrated tour of the White Pass & Yukon Route featuring tales of villainous gunslingers, good-time girls and would-be gold seekers struggling towards the Yukon, and see with your own eyes the untouched, pristine beauty of the Pacific Coast mountain ranges. Trips depart from Skagway, with many of the rail and motor coach combination trips featuring connections in both Fraser, British Columbia, and Carcross, Yukon Territory. Excursions are available between early May and late September each year and are geared around the schedules of all major cruise lines. The White Pass & Yukon Route is Alaska’s most popular shore excursion and a favorite on many Alaska/ Yukon travelers’ must-see lists.
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SKAGWAY, ALASKA Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Experience the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from the comfort of vintage rail cars.
CONVENIENT DOCKSIDE ACCESS See your Shore Excursion Desk to reserve your seat
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Ports of call | Skagway
THE JEWELL OF SKAGWAY In a city known for its gorgeous flowers, Jewell Gardens is a blooming beauty. By John Anderson
Visitors have marveled at the wonder of Skagway’s gardens since the Klondike gold rush days; the city is known as the Garden City of Alaska. It’s no surprise, then, that one of Skagway’s most popular attractions is Jewell Gardens, a lush green space that features a wide variety of colorful perennials, annuals and organic vegetables, as well as glass-blowing classes and demonstrations. Jewell Gardens is located on the original homestead of Henry Clark, Skagway’s first farmer, who became famous for supplying fresh produce to hungry prospectors. The descendants of Clark’s monster rhubarb plants, which reached heights of six feet, still grow at the site. A stroll through the well-manicured grounds reveals beds of purple irises; towering shocks of delphinium in vibrant blue and white; fluffy red and pink hydrangea; and tulips in a range of colors. A miniature train chugs around the garden, puffing through a
town modeled after Skagway of the late 1800s, including a rocky tunnel and the scale-model tents of early miners set in a carpet of wildflowers. Another section of the gardens is dedicated to growing organic produce, such as potatoes, beets, carrots and squash, to supply Poppies Restaurant – the sunny on-site café and tea shop. Many of the flowerbeds are also decorated with beautiful glass art objects, created in Jewell Gardens’ popular glass-blowing studio, Garden City Glassworks. It’s the only “hot shop” in the state open to the public. Visitors can watch a team of professional artisans at work in the studio creating elaborate ornaments, vases and bowls that are later displayed in the Jewell Gardens shop. A tour includes several hours of hands-on instruction in the art of glass-blowing; participants can create a personalized souvenir that can be shipped to their home. After sunset, the garden offers a spectacular outside fire tour with glass-blowing in the dark.
PHOTOS BY: JEWELL GARDENS
Jewell Gardens, a colorful stop in Skagway.
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Ports of call | Skagway
Where to find local mementos in port Rushin’ Tailor’s Quilt Alaska
Featuring Alaskan themed fabrics in cottons, batiks and flannels. Locally designed kits and patterns for quilting, cross stitch, sashiko and needlearts. Visit us near the corner of Third and Broadway.
370 Third Avenue quiltalaska.com | 800-981-5432
THE GHOS TS O F S K A G W AY : T H E Y H A U N T U S S T IL L
Skagway Brewing Company
Drink a piece of history when you visit Skagway Brewing Company. Established in 1897 to hydrate the thirsty prospectors of the Klondike Gold Rush. We continue to create fresh handcrafted ales and delicious pub fare, including local salmon and halibut fish & chips, for today’s local and traveling crowds.
7th Avenue and Broadway | 907-983-BREW (2739) skagwaybrewing.com
Skagway Mining Company
With an outstanding staff and great prices, Skagway Mining is a must-stop for your souvenir shopping. We carry an array of gifts, including bulk candy, apparel, smoked salmon and a huge selection of curios. Think unique, think fun, think Skagway Mining Co. Alaskan owned and operated.
Second Avenue, across from the train station skagwaymining@yahoo.com | 907-983-2015
Skagway Outlet Store
The original outlet store in Southeast Alaska. We’re a little farther down Broadway but worth the walk for great service, the huge variety of items and the authentic Alaskan atmosphere. You won’t want to miss this store.
Seventh Street and Broadway | 907-612-0256
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The false-front buildings of Skagway seem frozen in time, forever standing in that 1890s heyday of long skirts for women and mackinaws for men. Maybe it’s that way because not everybody who came for the gold rush went away when it was over — or when their earthly lives were over. Skagway is literally haunted by some of its long-ago pioneers. Or so the local lore has it. Banshee business The town’s most famous ghost is in the Red Onion Saloon. Besides the usual business of creeping footsteps, clanking chains and pounding hearts, this spectre also seems to like watering the plants. The Golden North Hotel was built as the height of Alaska luxury in 1898. For a hundred years, ghosts enjoyed sharing rooms with live strangers. The hotel has been converted into a shop, but there’s still a chance of the dining room ghost walking by, wondering what all those T-shirts are for. Finally, the most reliable ghost report: A town official was working late and alone in the Eagles Hall, where The Days of ’98 Show has been held for more than 25 years. This official heard banging and clanking and then something that he said was way too close to a scream. He left. Fast. But the ghosts of Skagway remain. — Edward Readicker-Henderson
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425 Broadway • Skagway Celebrate Christmas Alaska Style! Santas Ornaments Nativities Dolls 907-983-2006 www.alaskachristmasstore.com
Enjoy our Alaska style while in Skagway!
Offering a unique selection of gifts and artwork designed and created by Alaskan artist and store owner Tari Eagan. Featured items include limited edition Alaskan made Eskimo dolls, Nanook fleece wear, Watercolor artwork, Handmade Alaskan soaps; and much more!
634 BROADWAY SKAGWAY, ALASKA, 907-983-3070 PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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Ports of call | Skagway
PHOTOS BY: (AUTHORS) WIKIPEDIA.ORG; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS; WIKIPEDIA.ORG; WIKIPEDIA.ORG; BERTON HOUSE WRITERS; (CABIN) WIKIPEDIA.ORG
T EL L ING TA L E S
By Richard Carroll
Skagway’s wild beauty inspired characters both real and imagined. Robert Service, also known as the Bard of the Yukon, perhaps captures Skagway best in his poem, “The Trail of Ninety-Eight,” which recalls the days when he “joined the weltering mass/Clamoring over their outfits, waiting to climb the Pass.” But Jack London is the town’s best-seller. “The dogs dashed up on the street, adding to the gayety of Skaguay,” he wrote (with the spelling of the time) in The Call of the Wild. It was easy to have fun in Skagway. Naturalist John Muir said the town resembled a “nest of ants,” because it was the end of civilization: Beyond lay nothing but that calling wild. Still, Alaska’s wild spirit made even the great gunslinger Wyatt Earp nervous, according to his bride, Josephine Sarah Marcus Earp, who wrote I Married Wyatt Earp. The book also mentions one of Earp’s pallbearers, Wilson Mizner, a member of Skagway’s infamous Soapy Smith gang. Soapy’s crew conned nearly every miner who passed through and inspired endless myths. They developed such notoriety that they earned a cameo in one of Disney’s Uncle Scrooge comics and a major role in James Michener’s Alaska, a novel that seems to be half the size of the state itself. The Gold Rush has passed, the streets are tamed, but Skagway is still proud of when it was, as Pierre Berton recounts in Klondike, “outrageously lawless.” Because that makes for great stories — stories they’re still telling in the town’s streets and beyond.
FROM TOP: Jack London; Josephine Sarah Marcus Earp; Pierre Berton; Robert Service’s cabin in Dawson City, 1958; James Michener.
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PHOTOS BY: (AUTHORS) WIKIPEDIA.ORG; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS; WIKIPEDIA.ORG; WIKIPEDIA.ORG; BERTON HOUSE WRITERS; (CABIN) WIKIPEDIA.ORG
H A R RIE T PUL L EN A DIF F ER EN T R O A D TO RICHES More than 100,000 people headed north during the great Klondike gold rush, sure that their ticket to the good life lay in the Yukon soil. Harriet Pullen saw riches in apples and horses. In 1897, just 27 years old, she arrived in Skagway with the first wave of hopeful miners and saw no need to keep moving north. Pullen had only $7 in her pocket, but it wasn’t long before she was one of the richest women in Alaska. She landed a job cooking for $3 a day and also moonlighted, baking apple pies for the men headed to the Klondike. The money started to roll in. But she wasn’t satisfied. Canadian law required that all miners carry a year’s worth of supplies to the Yukon, so she bought
seven horses and began hauling gear. Her income skyrocketed to $25 a day. She then reinvested once more, this time in the hotel business. With the inspired idea of installing bathtubs in the guest rooms, she soon made Pullen House the finest lodging in Alaska. Pullen died in 1947. Only a few bricks remain of her oncethriving hotel, but no trip to Skagway is complete without a nod to the woman who knew gold wasn’t the only way to riches in the Klondike rush. —Edward Readicker-Henderson
COURTESY OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/OLAF DALE
Pullen House
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San Francisco Ask their favorite American city, and many travelers name romantic, sophisticated San Francisco. Where to begin in this chic city by the bay? Often it’s Fisherman’s Wharf, the waterfront spot where majestic Golden Gate Bridge rises a breathtaking 220 feet at midpoint. A ferry takes visitors across the bay to Alcatraz, which is still remembered as one of the nation’s most feared prisons, decades after it shut down and became a museum. Chinatown also beckons, offering a heady mix of old traditions and new attitudes. The city’s cable cars are the easiest — and most memorable — way to get up and down
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM: Whale watching in Icy Strait Point; Horses in Vancouver; Nanaimo sunset; Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco; Gardens in Victoria. 158
all those steep hills, and as National Historic Landmarks, they offer a piece of living heritage. Just across the bay lies Sausalito, an artists’ colony where boutiques and galleries line the waterfront. San Francisco is also close to the esteemed wine country of Sonoma and Napa Valley. Seattle Founded in 1851, the so-called Emerald City celebrates its past at Pioneer Square, which is a National Historic District, and at Chinatown-International District, where Seattle’s Asian-American heritage is showcased at restaurants, shops and historical exhibits. Shoppers find plenty to keep them happy at lively Pike Place, the oldest open-air market on the West Coast; here, local artisans, farmers and other merchants offer their wares. Seattle’s numerous museums and cultural venues include Seattle Center, which is located on the grounds of the 1962 World’s Fair — birthplace of Seattle’s most famous icon, the Space Needle. Take a ferry across Puget Sound and enjoy a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier. Lovers of the grape raise their glasses in Woodinville, Seattle’s wine country, which is less than 30 minutes from downtown Seattle. Vancouver Lovely parks and exquisite botanical gardens fill this Canadian port, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics. One of the most impressive is Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre forested
PHOTOS BY: (WHALE) FILIP FUXA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (HORSE) SAM DCRUZ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (VANCOUVER) MARCOS CARVALHO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BRIDGE) ANDREW ZARIVNY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (GARDENS) 2009FOTOFRIENDS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Glacier Bay Declared a national monument in 1925, and deemed a United Nations World Heritage Site in 1979, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve’s more than 3.2 acres of rugged terrain aren’t easily accessible. Still, nearly half a million visitors make the journey every year by ship or plane. It’s easy to see why. Glacier Bay features deep fjords nestled between snow-capped mountains, tall glaciers and vast ice fields, all home to diverse communities of unique plants and animals. Cruises to Glacier Bay sail through Alaska’s Inside Passage, the ideal place to watch for whales and other wildlife while on board. Shore excursions range from flightseeing tours to chartered boat expeditions to kayaking adventures.
PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES
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PHOTOS BY: (WHALE) FILIP FUXA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (HORSE) SAM DCRUZ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (VANCOUVER) MARCOS CARVALHO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BRIDGE) ANDREW ZARIVNY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (GARDENS) 2009FOTOFRIENDS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
R EGION A L HIGHLIGH T S peninsula filled with beaches and walking trails, including a 7-mile-long seawall. In the center of the city, perched atop Little Mountain, sits Queen Elizabeth Park. Once a humble quarry, it is now a sunken garden blooming with shrubbery and flowerbeds, and housing an aviary for more than 100 free-flying birds. Eastern inspiration blossoms at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Chinese artisans created the garden with materials imported from China and used traditional building methods dating back to the Ming Dynasty. For a glimpse at old Vancouver, stop by Gastown, from which the city first began to grow. It’s a popular shopping district, with a delightful clock that fills the air with music every 15 minutes. Victoria The influence of Victoria’s English founders remains strong in this pretty city of well-tended gardens and charming homes. During the Gold Rush days of the mid-1800s it was home to thousands of hopeful prospectors. Today, it showcases its nautical past at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, which displays more than 5,000 historical treasures. The heart of the city curves around the quaint stonewalled Inner Harbour, surrounded by attractions such as the Undersea Gardens, the Royal London Wax Museum and the ivy-covered Empress Hotel.
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J U N E AU
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B LU E D I A M O N D J U L I E ’ S F I N E J E W E L RY
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