Princess Cruises' 50th year sailing in Alaska is now under way following the arrival of the 3,080-guest Ruby Princess in America's northernmost state. A further six ships will head to Alaska, including the 3,560-guest Royal Princess on May 11, marking the cruise line's largest ever deployment to the region.
 
Princess is offering a variety of cruise and cruisetour options up to September, which will encompass the state's must-see attractions including Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. Alaska cruises range in length from seven to 12 days and depart from Vancouver, Anchorage (Whittier), Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Princess also owns and operates five wilderness lodges in riverside locations near national parks, offering more than 20 cruisetour options for guests. Princess cruisetours combine a seven-day cruise with a multi-night land tour and exclusive 'direct to the wilderness' rail service.

Several new initiatives have been introduced to mark the 50th anniversary. They will be offered alongside Princess Cruises' 'North to Alaska' onboard programme, which includes 'puppies in the piazza' – when some of Alaska's newest sled dogs and their handlers come aboard – and the 'cook my catch' fishing shore excursion.

The initiatives include:

·        A number of new shore excursions in Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point such as:

- A luxury whale watch by yacht in Juneau
- An interactive self-guided jeep adventure in Juneau
- The Ketchikan pub walk
- A rainforest trail bike and hike adventure in Ketchikan  
- A seafood feast and tribal dance show in Icy Strait Point
- A wilderness hike and kayak adventure in Icy Strait Point

·        The introduction of the 'Glacier Tea' cocktail, a take on the Long Island Ice Tea that is topped off with Blue Curacao, which is similar to the brilliant glacier blue colour found in Alaska

·        A special Alaska beer tasting flight, featuring blends from the Juneau-based Alaskan Brewing Company

·        An onboard Northern Lights planetarium in the theatre of every Alaska ship

·        A mini museum exhibit featuring notable images from the 50 years Princess Cruises has sailed to Alaska
 
Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises' vice president UK and Europe, said: “We take more people than any other cruise line to Alaska and have hosted over 5 million guests during the last 50 years.

"Alaska is a truly stunning destination and there's no better way to explore it than via a cruise. A wealth of itinerary options are on offer for anyone looking to book a bucket list sailing to the region this year. The Great Land's glaciers, wildlife, national parks and beautiful port cities are simply not to be missed.”

Princess Cruises is offering a 7-night Inside Passage cruise on Star Princess departing September 15, 2019. Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, ports of call include Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising), Juneau, Skagway and Victoria (British Columbia). Prices from £699 per person.

For more information or to book visit www.princess.com, call 0344 338 8663 or contact your local travel agent.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Further images are available on request.

Fare price is cruise only and based on two guests sharing an inside stateroom.

About Princess Cruises
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year on 170 itineraries to more than 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England and World Cruises. Itineraries range in length from three to 111 days.

In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass cruises enabled by the Ocean Medallion - the cruises industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to a hassle-free, personalised cruise, giving guests more opportunity to enjoy their time onboard. Ocean Medallion will be activated on five ships by the end of 2019. An activation plan will continue across the global fleet in 2020 and beyond.  

Princess Cruises continues its multi-year, “Come Back New Promise” – a £330 million-pound product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign that will continue to enhance the line's onboard guest experience. These product innovations include partnerships with award-winning Chef Curtis Stone; shows created in partnership with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz; immersive activities for the whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet from exclusive shore excursions to onboard activities; the ultimate sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and more.

Three new Royal-class ships are currently on order with the next new ship, Sky Princess, under construction scheduled for delivery in October 2019. Princess recently announced that two new (LNG) ships which will be the largest ships in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately 4,300 guests with expected delivery in 2023 and 2025.  Princess now has five ships arriving over the next six years between 2019 & 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).