Inside Passage: Shaped by the staggering force of massive glaciers millions of years ago, Alaska’s Inside Passage boasts wildlife-filled fjords and lush island scenery — habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises, and whales. Its mountains are carpeted with majestic forests. The coastal mountain ranges and islands make for excellent wildlife viewing and opportunities for outstanding boating, fishing, kayaking, camping and hiking. Keep your binoculars and cameras handy as you explore new wonders around every bend.
Ports: During your cruise through the Inside Passage, you'll visit the charming towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. Rich in native history, these former gold rush towns offer plentiful options for sightseeing and exploration during your port call. Dog sled on a glacier, journey into the Yukon to retrace the paths of pioneers, indulge in local flavors, pan for gold, or peruse the local handicrafts. Whatever you choose, these fascinating ports will not soon be forgotten. See our Ports page for more information.
Gateways: Most Inside Passage cruises sail 7-day roundtrip from Seattle. Easily accessible with great airfare rates, the "Emerald City" of Seattle is a great launching port for your Alaskan adventure. As an alternative, some cruise lines offer 7-day Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Princess also offers a 10-day roundtrip Inside Passage cruise from San Francisco.
Your Inside Passage cruise will include a full day of glacier viewing while sailing through either Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm Fjord.
Glacier Bay: Princess is one of a select few cruise lines permitted to cruise the pristine waters of Glacier Bay. Just west of Juneau, this breathtaking national park and preserve boasts some of the world's most spectacular tidewater glaciers, such as Margerie Glacier, which often drops colossal chunks of ice into the sea. Not surprisingly, Glacier Bay National Park and its epic ice giants are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Alaska's magnificent park system.
During your scenic cruise, friendly Park Rangers will join the ship to share their knowledge of this amazing place and host a fun Junior Ranger program for kids. They may even be able to help you identify Glacier Bay's abundant wildlife, including humpback whales, sea otters, porpoises, harbor seals, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and large colonies of seabirds.
Tracy Arm Fjord: This narrow fjord is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Juneau. Breathtaking Tracy Arm extends over 30 miles long, with nearly a quarter of its area covered in ice. In fact, it encompasses some of Alaska's largest glaciers, including the twin Sawyer glaciers, which often expel enormous chunks of ice into the waters below in a magnificent process known as calving. During the summer when ships visit, icebergs float along the surface of the glistening water in an array of sizes, from just a few inches up to three stories wide.
Protected within the Tongass National Forest, Tracy Arm Fjord is a haven for wildlife. Black and brown bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, mountain goats and a variety of seabirds have been spotted in the area. As you glide through the pristine fjord, you'll first pass by a lush forest where several beautiful waterfalls cascade down, and then you'll be treated to views of snowcapped mountains and blue-tinged glaciers more spectacular than you could ever imagine.
Ports: During your cruise through the Inside Passage, you'll visit the charming towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. Rich in native history, these former gold rush towns offer plentiful options for sightseeing and exploration during your port call. Dog sled on a glacier, journey into the Yukon to retrace the paths of pioneers, indulge in local flavors, pan for gold, or peruse the local handicrafts. Whatever you choose, these fascinating ports will not soon be forgotten. See our Ports page for more information.
Gateways: Most Inside Passage cruises sail 7-day roundtrip from Seattle. Easily accessible with great airfare rates, the "Emerald City" of Seattle is a great launching port for your Alaskan adventure. As an alternative, some cruise lines offer 7-day Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Princess also offers a 10-day roundtrip Inside Passage cruise from San Francisco.
Your Inside Passage cruise will include a full day of glacier viewing while sailing through either Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm Fjord.
Glacier Bay: Princess is one of a select few cruise lines permitted to cruise the pristine waters of Glacier Bay. Just west of Juneau, this breathtaking national park and preserve boasts some of the world's most spectacular tidewater glaciers, such as Margerie Glacier, which often drops colossal chunks of ice into the sea. Not surprisingly, Glacier Bay National Park and its epic ice giants are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Alaska's magnificent park system.
During your scenic cruise, friendly Park Rangers will join the ship to share their knowledge of this amazing place and host a fun Junior Ranger program for kids. They may even be able to help you identify Glacier Bay's abundant wildlife, including humpback whales, sea otters, porpoises, harbor seals, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and large colonies of seabirds.
Tracy Arm Fjord: This narrow fjord is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Juneau. Breathtaking Tracy Arm extends over 30 miles long, with nearly a quarter of its area covered in ice. In fact, it encompasses some of Alaska's largest glaciers, including the twin Sawyer glaciers, which often expel enormous chunks of ice into the waters below in a magnificent process known as calving. During the summer when ships visit, icebergs float along the surface of the glistening water in an array of sizes, from just a few inches up to three stories wide.
Protected within the Tongass National Forest, Tracy Arm Fjord is a haven for wildlife. Black and brown bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, mountain goats and a variety of seabirds have been spotted in the area. As you glide through the pristine fjord, you'll first pass by a lush forest where several beautiful waterfalls cascade down, and then you'll be treated to views of snowcapped mountains and blue-tinged glaciers more spectacular than you could ever imagine.
GLACIER BAY INSIDE PASSAGE
|
|
DAY |
PORT |
1 |
Seattle |
2 |
Cruising the Pacific Ocean |
3 |
Juneau, AK |
4 |
Skagway, AK |
5 |
Cruising Glacier Bay National Park |
6 |
Ketchikan, AK |
7 |
Victoria, B.C., Canada |
8 |
Seattle, WA |
*Itinerary may vary based on sail date.
INSIDE PASSAGE
|
|
DAY |
PORT |
1 |
Seattle, WA |
2 |
Cruising the Inside Passage |
3 |
Ketchikan, AK |
4 |
Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm (morning); Juneau, AK (afternoon) |
5 |
Skagway, AK |
6 |
Cruising the Pacific Ocean |
7 |
Victoria, B.C., Canada |
8 |
Seattle, WA |
*Itinerary may vary based on departure date.
While all the major cruise lines offer Inside Passage Alaskan Cruises, only Princess features "North to Alaska" onboard every sailing. This award winning program brings local entertainment, culture, and cuisine onboard and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska. Princess has been voted the #1 cruise line in Alaska for the past 9 years. Princess brings more Alaska onboard than any other cruise line. This makes them our first recommendation for Alaskan cruises. Below are some of the things included in this program:
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Fresh Alaska Seafood! In the spirit of the wild, untamed Great Land, Princess is providing a variety of fresh Alaska Seafood onboard including King Crab, King Salmon and Halibut. Not only will there be a dedicated Alaska cuisine themed night in the main dining rooms, but there will also be a special Alaska Cuisine menu in the Crown Grill and Bayou Cafe restaurants. |
|
Puppies in the Piazza
Meet some of Skagway’s newest sled dogs onboard as they prepare for a life of dog mushing! Get to know their handlers and snap a picture with these adorable pups in the piazza! 
Logger Heads
Guests will be treated to a stimulating and exciting presentation that reveals the life and adventures of your host, an actual Alaskan Lumberjack, and will include an authentic axe-throwing competition with selected guests. 
Discovery at Sea
In partnership with the Discovery Networks, Alaska cruises will feature content from the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet on the wildlife, terrain, history, and adventures from Alaska. |
Meet the Mountain Climber
Hear first-hand from mountain climbers who have conquered Denali as they tell the exhilarating stories of their journey and present thrilling photos in the new Hudson Theater at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. 
Libby Riddles & Steve Hites
Meet renowned dog musher Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the grueling 1,100-mile Iditarod sled dog race. Or enjoy a “North to Alaska” show by Alaskan storyteller and musician Steve Hites as he brings the regions folklore and history to life. 
Klondike Festival
Fun for the whole family, the festival includes performances depicting the glory days of the gold rush, Alaska icon & sled racing presentations, harmonica music classes, Tlingit art projects and North to Alaska dance performances. |
Tales from the Deadliest Catch
From the popular Discovery Channel program, “Deadliest Catch”, Captain David Lethin and his shipmates from The Aleutian Ballad relate their true-life adventures and experiences in the Bering Sea in pursuit of crab. 
Tales from the Wild
New York Times best-selling author, and renowned storyteller Nick Jans comes aboard to tell his compelling, emotional story of Romeo, the wolf, and the effect he had on the people of Juneau, as told in his book, “A Wolf Called Romeo.” 
Alaska Explorers Youth Program
In partnership with the Glacier Bay Rangers and the Discovery Channel, kids and teens will explore their adventurous side with activities such as our Jr. Ranger Program, Panning for Gold, and the Deadliest Catch Crab Sorting Game. |
