FAQ Alaska
Frequently Asked Questions
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Since 1999, our Certified Alaska Cruise Experts have immersed themselves in extraordinary places all around Alaska, encountered wildlife ranging from Wolf, Moose, Caribou, Eagles, Whales and Bear!
They have spent time exploring the Alaskan culture that draws from many lands, languages and peoples and investigated all the most popular destinations of Alaska; including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Haines, Denali National Park, to name a few.
Took
in
Alaska
both
from
the
sea
and
shore
as
well
as
interior
Alaska,
firsthand.
At
Alaska
Cruises
Direct,
we
present
some
of
the
most
authentic
and
meaningful
Alaskan
travel
experiences
that
highlight
the
whales,
wonders
and
wildlife
of
Alaska.
From pre-cruise preparations to
post-cruise disembarkation, choose a
topic below for common questions and
answers.
The following information refers to
trips with Princess Cruises.
Sailing with a different cruise
line? Visit their website for
details of their sailings and FAQ. For more
information call us at 800.365.1445
Pre-Cruise Questions
Onboard Questions
Post-Cruise Questions
There's nothing else like it in the world, an Alaska cruisetour with Princess Cruises.
From the incredible glaciers and charming Inside Passage towns of your voyage, to stays in dramatic Princess wilderness lodges at Denali National Park and beyond, it's certain to be the land-and-sea adventure you've always dreamed of. We look forward to welcoming you and being your host in the Great Land.
Click the links below for supplemental information for your cruise only and the land portion of your cruisetour.
Alaska Cruisetour Answer book (pdf 541kb)
Pre-Cruise Questions
Onboard Questions
Post-Cruise Questions

Cruisetours Questions
Additional Questions
About Us
We are eager to share our own "been there, done that" travel experiences that we hope will inspire that thirst within you for discovery and a passion for the wonders of Alaska, America's last frontier!
The strength of our service is our certified travel experts' experience. Our staff are some of the best Alaska experts in their fields: sharing their in-depth knowledge as well as the intimate perspective of their own travel experiences to draw a more complete picture of Alaska and places you can explore.
Alaska Cruises Direct - part of Cruise Direct Online is a national top sales leader when it comes to Alaska cruises and Alaskan land and sea vacations. This opens doors for you, as we have exclusive access to special promotions, unique finds, private deals, and a wealth of information you will need to know, before you go.
At Alaska Cruises Direct, you also hear from other like-minded travelers, whose discoveries you can read about in the pages of guest comments at our website. For example, Walt Stout wrote: "Pat and I returned from an 11 day trip to Alaska. Truly The Last Frontier. We had the pleasure of traveling with 6 of our very dear and close friends, Mike & Susie, Ron & Rachel and Craig & Diane. We saw incredible scenery, moose, mountain sheep and goats, humpback whales, dolphins, and a wolf. We examined Mt. McKinley up close and personal in a small airplane. We watched in awe the calving of the immense glaciers in Glacier Bay. The weather was absolutely beautiful."
With over 65 innovative itineraries, from the least expensive 4 day Alaska Sampler to the most expensive 32 day Ultimate Alaska Cruise, our top-notch Certified Alaska Cruise Experts have a vast amount of resources to draw from, and the privilege of offering you exceptional Alaskan travel experiences carefully selected for their exceptional quality, experience, and value. We are prepared to help you with all details so you can relax, enjoy, and immerse yourself in the Alaskan places you about to explore.
To get started, just give us a call at 800.365.1445. The call is free, and so is the advice, with never an obligation to book.
Ask all your questions, take all the time you need. If you do decide to travel with us, that's great. But, if not, it's still ok. We enjoy sharing our life's travel experiences with you and like-minded travelers, none the less.
Want an example? Read our latest Alaska Land & Sea Vacation Review of our last trip to Alaska, then give us a call.
We've explored Alaska since 1999. Now, let us take you there!
Raye & Marty Trencher
Certified Alaska Cruise Travel Experts
Alaska Cruises Direct
Visit our web site for a lot more information.
Get
in
touch
Have
a
question
or a
comment?
Call
us
at
800.365.1445
We'd love to hear from you.
ALASKA
There
remain
few
places
on
earth
where
you
can
truly
breathe.
Where
space
is
measured
not
in
feet
or
miles,
but
in
endless
horizons.
A
place
where
nature
is
so
powerful,
so
dramatic,
a
personal
encounter
can
change
you
forever.
Thrill
to
white
thunder
in
Glacier
Bay,
marvel
at
sunlight
at
midnight
and
close-ups
of
whales,
eagles
and
caribou.
Delight
in
Mt.
McKinley's
majesty
and
meadows
carpeted
with
wildflowers.
Amid
unsurpassed
grandeur
and
serenity,
the
true
wilderness
of
Denali
is
calling
Certified
Alaska
Cruise
Experts
Meet
Raye
and
Marty
Trencher,
who
are
part
of
an
exclusive
group
of
travel
agents
who
are
recognized
by
Princess
as
Certified
Alaskan
Cruise
Experts,
and
the
Alaska
Travel
Industry
Association,
earning
that
distinction
for
their
unique
qualifications
and
knowledge
as
Alaska
cruise
planning
professionals.
No
one
knows
Alaska
like
they
do.
From
planning
to
packing,
from
discount
rates
to
departure
dates,
and
where
and
what
to
see,
everything
you
need
to
know
about
Alaska
and
Alaska
cruises
and
cruise
tours.
ABOUT PRINCESS CRUISES ALASKA
No other cruise line offers it - Direct-to-the-Wilderness Alaska rail service on most itineraries. Step directly off your Princess ship onto a waiting rail car that delivers you the very same day to your Princess Wilderness Lodge, without needless time spent in transfers. Which means you get more time in the wilderness. When you reach the Alaska wilderness, you'll want to experience as much as possible, which is why we built and operate exclusive Princess Wilderness Lodges on the doorsteps of legendary national parks. They are the perfect home base for exploring the Great Land.
Direct-to-the-Wilderness
- A
Princess
Exclusive
A Princess exclusive, our Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service takes you between your ship and the Denali area the very same day for more time to enjoy the wilderness. This private pull by the Alaska Railroad, available on select land & sea vacations, gets you to Denali a full day earlier without an overnight hotel stay en route and all your luggage transfers are conveniently handled.
Princess
Rail
Princess Rail is offered on most land & sea vacations, featuring glass-domed rail cars, open-air observation platforms to take in all the wilderness, onboard rail guides providing expert commentary and trademark Princess service. There is also full beverage service and delicious cuisine is available for purchase while onboard.
Denali
Princess
Wilderness
Lodge
Located just one mile from the entrance to Denali National Park, this lodge is your base camp for adventure. It features an expansive campus of lodging and amenities, including a Great Room with 30-foot high glass windows for stunning views and a spacious deck overlooking the Nenana River. Here guests can go on tours into Denali National Park, raft the Nenana River, experience a thrilling helicopter flightseeing trip, or just enjoy the main lodge and setting. Shuttle service is offered between the lodge and the Denali National Park Visitors Center, the Wilderness Access Center and Horseshoe Lake.
Fannie
Q's
Saloon
Princess Cruises is introducing the new Fannie Q's Saloon for the 2019 season at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Named after the famous local Alaska pioneer Fannie Quigley, the restaurant is located in the center of the property and features a modern saloon ambience with indoor and outdoor seating, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Fireside
Patio
Just outside of Fannie Q's Saloon and in the heart of the Princess Village at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Fireside Patio debuts with three fire pits offering a new gathering place for guests to roast marshmallows, talk about their adventures and have a drink in the midnight sun. Light refreshments will be available for purchase at this new cozy spot.
Mt.
McKinley
Princess
Wilderness
Lodge
Located in Denali State Park just 41 miles from the peak of Denali, the mountain, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness lodge offers spectacular views of the Alaska Range, including both Denali, North America's tallest peak at 20,310 feet, and Mt. Foraker. This is the only lodge where you can view Denali, either from its viewing decks, walking trails or in the cozy Great Room, which features a massive freestanding rock fireplace and enormous floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the dramatic scenery.
Copper
River
Princess
Wilderness
Lodge
This lodge, with decor recalling the region's mining heritage, is perched on a bluff overlooking Wrangell-St. Elias - America's largest national park and home to nine of the country's 16 highest peaks. Relax in the spectacular Wrangell Room or on the patio and take in the breathtaking scenery - or fish for the prized Copper River salmon. Located just four miles from the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park visitor's center, the lodge has sweeping views of Mt. Drum, Mt. Wrangell and Mt. Blackburn. Take a rafting trip on the Gulkana River, arrange a flightseeing tour or visit the abandoned Kennicott copper mines.
Kenai
Princess
Wilderness
Lodge
Soak in the natural beauty of the Kenai Peninsula, known to locals as "Alaska's Playground." At the lodge, unwind by the wood-burning stove in your bungalow-style guest room or savor the natural beauty from an expansive deck that overlooks the turquoise Kenai River.
Working with us offers some
distinct advantages...
We have been narrowing in on our area of expertise for years,
setting out twenty years ago with a single destination -
specialty in mind; Alaska...and have been hyper focused on it,
since day one. Our efforts include first hand " been there...done
that" knowledge, building travel provider relationships that
leverage value and savings, personal consulting and unique
amenities. Alaska represents our passion and an a result we have
become that go-to person to consumers. That's what we're
recognized as, and that's what like-minded travelers are looking
for. We're not trying to cast a very wide net and have thousands
of new customers, offering everything under sun. What we really
try to do, is help a limited number of clients plan their Alaska
vacation by sharing our knowledge and expertise about their
destination. While the high tech race moves forward, old
fashioned expert advice is what Raye & Marty offer like-minded
cruise travelers who visit Alaska Cruises Direct. There are some
things only experience can tell you. While our site highlights
many great offers,
planning an Alaska cruise is more than just clicking through a
list of dates and prices. It's learning all about what there is
to see and do in Alaska, and the best way to enjoy your
vacation.
Start Planning
Get Your Free Official State of Alaska Vacation Planner
Summertime is the perfect time to head out on your Alaska trip of
a lifetime. The Official State of Alaska Vacation Planner has
dozens of trip suggestions. Alaska is waiting, for you!
GET THE GUIDE
|
|
Alaska Sightseeing,
Shore Excursions,
Activities &
Adventures
We invite you to
expand the horizons
of your favorite
activities with new
experiences. Explore
the culture, sights,
and adventures
waiting beyond the
shore in the most
active, engaged, and
fun ways
imaginable.. Every
port gives you a
world of
possibilities as you
interact with the
locals and choose
the dynamic,
interactive
activities that
appeal to you most.
It's Alaska in a
whole new way!
Energetic
Exploration :
For the Alaskan
traveler who thrives
on motion and
action, explore a
broad range of
energetic
excursions. You
might find yourself
on a jogging tour
through mountain
trails, or on a
4-wheeler back
country tour around
Denali or even on a
canoe trip right up
close to a glacier.
From a heli-landing
trek on a glacier to
explore crevasses to
hiking in the
forest, these
included excursions
pack real
get-up-and-go for
those who like to do
the same.
Discover More
Nature & Wildlife
Anchorage: Kayaking
in Prince William
Sound
Glide through
pristine waters on
this approximately 3
hour kayaking
excursion in Prince
William Sound.
Copper River:
Worthington Glacier
Hike
Take a snow day and
hike on the ice blue
Worthington Glacier.
After reaching the
glacier, strap on a
pair of crampons,
then take a hike.
Denali: Denali
Glacier Landing by
Helicopter
Soar over the Alaska
Range for a glacier
landing to view
icefalls, moraines,
ice bridges and
glacial pools as
well as wildlife.
Juneau: Mendenhall
Glacier Native Canoe
Adventure
Be among the select
few, under a limited
U.S. Forest Service
permit, to travel as
Native Alaskans once
did by canoe and
venture within yards
of the majestic
Mendenhall Glacier.
Ketchikan: Alaska
Wilderness Survival
This epic journey
takes you to a wild
and secluded island
where you'll learn
to build a shelter,
collect food, and
start a fire. Back
on the boat, explore
the Inside Passage
coast with
opportunities to
discover a variety
of wildlife species.
Mt. McKinley: Three
Rivers Tour
Board the
fully-enclosed
McKinley Queen jet
boat and cruise
along three rivers
that offer panoramic
views of Mt.
McKinley and
breathtaking flora
and fauna.
Skagway: Horseback
Riding Adventure
Escape the hustle
and bustle of port
and come discover
the awe-inspiring
Alaska beauty just
as the pioneers did
on horseback!
Anchorage: Prince
William Sound 26
Glacier Tour
Hop aboard a
high-speed catamaran
and travel 140 miles
into Prince William
Sound to see 26
named glaciers, as
well as an abundance
of wildlife.
Copper River: Copper
Country Discovery
Tour
Immerse yourself in
the natural wonders
of Copper River
Country. Enjoy a
scenic van ride and
interpretive
discussion with a
professional
naturalist guide.
RECOMMENDED
Juneau: Whale
Watching & Wildlife
Quest
Experience southeast
Alaska's incredible
scenery and amazing
natural history on
this exceptional
wildlife excursion
that offers a
whale-sighting
guarantee.
Ketchikan: Bering
Sea Crab Fishermen's
Tour
Join a 3-hour cruise
aboard the Aleutian
Ballad from season
two of the TV series
Deadliest Catch to
learn about the
world of commercial
fisherman.
Ketchikan: Neets Bay
Bear Watch & Flight
RECOMMENDED
After an
exhilarating
25-minute flight,
embark on a nature
walk to Neets Bay in
Tongass National
Forest, and a
once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to get
an up-close view of
black bears.
Skagway: Haines
Wilderness River
Adventure
A jet boat tour deep
into the heart of
the Chilkat Bald
Eagle Preserve
offers a true
wilderness
experience where you
may see eagles,
moose and bears.
Sightseeing & City
Tours Special
Interests
Fairbanks: Fairbanks
Highlights Adventure
Visit Fairbanks' top
attractions - The
Morris Thompson
Cultural Center,
Museum of the North
and Santa Claus
House in North Pole
where it's Christmas
year-round!
Juneau: Juneau's
Exclusive Highlights
Experience Juneau's
most scenic, unique
and historic sites
from the comfort of
a deluxe minibus on
this small group
adventure.
Kenai: Explore
Historic Seward
Take a guided tour
along Alaska's only
National Scenic
Byway to the
historic town of
Seward, where
attractions include
the Seward Museum,
Alaska Sealife
Center, Exit Glacier
and more.
Ketchikan: Saxman
Native Village &
Totem Pole Park
Visit fascinating
Saxman Native
Village, witness
Native dancing and
see the craft of
totem carving before
taking a motorcoach
tour of historic
Ketchikan.
Seattle: Space
Needle, Pike Place
Market & City Tour
See Seattle's
premier attractions,
from the soaring
Space Needle to
vibrant Pike Place
Market.
Skagway: White Pass
Scenic Railway
Take a thrilling
ride aboard the
historic Gold
Rush-era White Pass
& Yukon Railroad.
Victoria, B.C.,
Canada: Victoria by
Horse-Drawn Trolley
Experience the
beauty of Victoria
by horse-drawn
trolley, a timeless
tradition and
wonderful way to
view this historic
city.
Denali: Music of
Denali Dinner
Theatre
Delight in a
wonderful, feel-good
musical comedy
paired with an
all-you-can-eat
Alaskan dinner
buffet.
Fairbanks: Chena Hot
Springs
Experience the
"hottest" and
"coolest"
attractions in
Alaska - a natural
hot springs, ice
museum and great
dinner!
Juneau: Salmon
Sportfishing
Adventure
Fish for salmon in
one of the most
productive fishing
grounds in southeast
Alaska.
Kenai: Gold Panning
with "Prospector
John"
Enjoy a true gold
panning experience
with Prospector John
as he takes you back
to the days of the
Gold Rush, then
through the steps of
modern and old-time
techniques.
Skagway: Gold
Panning, Sled Dogs &
Exclusive Scenic
Railway Relive life
as a prospector on
this tour that takes
you back in time to
the Gold Rush. Ride
the vintage railcars
on the historic
White Pass Railway
with a costumed
guide and celebrate
your adventure at
the summit with a
one-of-a-kind
Klondike toast.
Victoria, B.C.,
Canada: Enchanting
Butchart Gardens
This 55-acre floral
wonderland,
featuring themed
gardens and
meandering paths, is
illuminated with
colored lights and
magical effects.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Need Help Planning Your Alaska Cruise Vacation?
Call 800.365.1445
Every Port leads To New Discoveries
"The rugged
grandeur of
the last
frontier
greets you
with its
jagged
peaks,
verdant
valleys and
icy blue
glacial
waters.
It welcomes you with curious wildlife that frolics in its seas, roams in its valleys and soars in its cobalt blue sky.
It shares with you its genuine people and fresh Alaska seafood.
Say hello to Alaska and find out the many ways it can inspire you."
CLIA is the world's largest cruise association. Comprised of the twenty-five major cruise lines that serve North America. Cruises Direct Online is a proud member of CLIA.
In addition, our travel advisors are certified cruise travel experts, recognized with certification, from Princess Cruises, Viking Cruises and others.
Copyright (c) 2019 - Cruise Direct Online : A Travel Direct Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST-31254 | Terms of Use - Privacy Policy
About The Prices
Save as much as
10-70% off brochure
rates for off peak
departures ( select
May and September
dates ). Other
savings available
for peak season
departures ( June,
July August ) Not
every ship, not
every sailing is
discounted. Call us
to find out about
your cruise
selection.
800.365.1445. The
prices and
descriptions of
cruises and tours
shown, are
suggestions to give
you an idea of how
much you can do on
land and on the sea
in Alaska within
your budget. The
prices shown are
just a guide, as
there are over 90
combinations of land
and/or sea tours to
choose from and the
cost varies
depending upon what
cruise line, cruise
ship, destination,
sailing or departure
date you choose.
They are meant to
serve as a starting
point for trip
planning, with a
variety of options
to fit your needs.
For example, you can
easily combine Gulf
of Alaska/Inside
Passage 7-day cruise
itineraries with a 3
to 7 day land tour
to make a 14-day
itinerary, from
Vancouver to
Fairbanks, or
reverse the route
for most trips.
*Princess Cruises Captain's Circle Launch Savings of up to $200 per person discount is applicable in all categories and combinable only with Launch Fares and Group Fares. Specific discount amounts vary by itinerary and cruise length. Regional and other past guest promotions or "new booking only" promotions are not combinable with the discount. Princess Cruises Captain's Circle Launch Savings is not applicable to third and fourth berth guests.
Related Links - Search Terms
Alaska Cruises
Direct Answer Desk
We are here for you
with one-on-one
support and
personalized cruise
vacation planning
help. Whether you
need help finding
the right cruise
line, cruise ship,
destination, ports
of call or shore
excursions or want
to learn more about
us, a professional
Certified Cruise
Vacation Expert is
just a toll-free
phone call away.
Call us today at
800.365.1445. The
call is free. The
advice is free. And
there is never an
obligation to book.
_________________________________________________________________________