For the family short on vacation time but who nonetheless demand a true Alaska adventure, Princess Cruise Lines has packaged a cruise that begins in Seattle and visits ports in Canada, navigates through the Inside Passage, stops in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, cruises along glacial fjords and then returns you to where you began, in Seattle, WA.  A full week long, the Princess cruise ship Star Princess weaves a route along and through British Columbia’s and South East Alaska’s inter- coastal waterway and concludes with a final international port of call in the City of Victoria, British Columbia.  In the northern hemisphere where the sun during the summer month dips just below the horizon in the wee hours of the morning, the days are long and beautiful and filled with an abundance of delights that are timeless and will be remembered and shared for years to come.

The first day is spent at sea, enjoying the luxury of your stateroom, the elegance of the common areas, fine dining that is non-stop, a casino, spa, fitness center and Broadway productions.  However, the beauty part of an Alaska cruise is that you can tailor it to be exactly as you want it to be which means it can include doing nothing more than simply lounging in a deck chair with a favorite book while enjoying a favorite beverage that has been delivered to you.  An Alaskan Princess cruise can involve total immersion into all of the events and opportunities that lace the daily program or it can yield 5-Star quality down-time.  Yes, life on board the Star Princess is good!

The first port of call is Ketchikan, a fishing village tucked in the wonderland of South East Alaska that is also known as “Alaska’s first city” for it is the first major stop for many who go north to Alaska.  Strolling along Ketchikan’s Creek Street boardwalk, the photo ops are bountiful as are the many shops that can be visited at whatever pace works best for you.  However, the shore excursions Princess Cruises offers are to die for.  Deep sea fishing, seeing totem poles and visiting and immersing yourself in the culture and history of the first Americans who called this neck of the woods home, canoeing, zip lining and wilderness exploration; the possibilities are endless.

A day of scenic cruising along the Tracy Arm Fjord brings into focus the magnificent vistas and pristine landscapes Alaska has to offer.  For those who are outside on deck, hot beverages are served and wool wraps are available should the comfort of one be needed.  Following a day of cruising the Inside Passage, Juneau (the Capital of Alaska) becomes your next stop.  Here a plethora of excursions are available that include unique opportunities such as touring the Mendenhall Glacier and Four Glaciers by helicopter and even landing on same.  This is the place where you can earn bragging rights to the fact that you have walked on a glacier.

Skagway, the northern most point on this seven day cruise was the jumping off point for the thousands of fortune seekers who came north to find gold.  And no better place to try your hand at panning for gold than in Skagway where it is guaranteed that gold will be found in every pan and yes, you can take it with you.  Bidding farewell to Skagway after nearly twelve fun filled hours of enjoying the excursion and opportunities this town has to offer, you set sail where following a day at sea you enter the harbor at Victoria, BC, for the final and one of the truly unique places this cruise will take you.  

The Provincial Capital of British Columbia, the architecture of Victoria’s early 20th century parliament building is an awesome sight to behold.  The harbor is lined with fun stuff that will amuse the child that resides in all of us.   High tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel can be enjoyed as can a visit to the Butchart Gardens , horse drawn carriage rides and an excellent museum that features British Columbia’s rich history.  For those who enjoy micro brews a pilgrimage to the many excellent pubs that line the streets of downtown Victoria are among the many things to enjoy during your stop in this beautiful port city.  With the sun setting at 11 PM, you can make you way back to the Star Princess where for one last night you will be immersed in the lap of Princess Cruises luxury.  Happy Traveling!