When it comes to cruising Alaska with Princess, choosing a ship is just the beginning. Next comes the hard part: choosing what to do at all the stops.
From easy walking tours of border towns to gold panning, learning about the state’s indigenous culture, watching bears fishing for salmon, fishing for salmon yourself, hiking, zip lining, kayaking, hiking, dog sledding or taking the train to the Yukon, the Princess offers a wealth of excursion options for travelers of all ages and abilities.
Here are some of our favorite places to get out and explore the best this wild and beautiful state has to offer.
Whales and bears at Ice Strait Point
Whales and bears top the list of Alaska’s iconic wildlife. You can see both of these attractions (hopefully) and more on this 5 1/2-hour wildlife and wilderness tour, which takes you aboard a high-speed catamaran to Cape Adolphus, one of Alaska’s premier whale watching sites outside of Glacier Bay National Park.
The bay’s rich nutrients attract an abundance of marine life, so you may see orcas, sea lions, white-spotted porpoises and humpback whales during your visit. In fact, there are so many whales that you’re bound to see one or you’ll get a partial refund. After your whale watching adventure, you’ll drive through Chichagov Island; keep an eye out for black-tailed deer and bald eagles along the way. Once you reach the Spassky River, climb to the top of the observation deck in hopes of spotting coastal brown bears looking for their next meal.
Dog sledding in Skagway
If you’re a dog lover, you can’t come to Alaska without visiting Musher Camp. Princess offers a variety of excursions with dog sleds, but the best ones let you hop on a sled powered by Alaskan huskies. Your furry racing team might even compete in famous races like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. You’ll learn more about the sport of sledding and even get to cuddle with the playful sled dog puppies after the ride. This half-day adventure includes a scenic round-trip drive from Skagway to Musher Camp in Klondike National Historical Park.
Sea kayaking from Sitka
Alaska is a paradise for adventure lovers, and while the border towns are fun, we recommend heading to the water or wilderness for a true Alaskan experience. One way to get close to the sea is on a kayaking trip.
This three-hour small-group adventure begins with a short motorboat ride to a floating base camp in a nearby bay, where you’ll board a two-person kayak. Your guide will lead you through scenic waterways and introduce you to the area’s natural life along the way. As you paddle, keep an eye out for eagles, mule deer, sea lions, brown bears, and whales.
Flight Sightseeing from Ketchikan
If you thought Alaska’s views of mountains, ocean, and wilderness were stunning from the coast, wait until you get a true bird’s-eye view aboard a real Alaskan bush plane. You’ll take off directly from the waters of Ketchikan Harbor and fly over Revillagigedo Island and the Tongass National Forest to the remote Salmon Falls Resort. Prepare for a water landing and head to the lodge, where you can enjoy a glass of wine or Alaskan beer while the chef prepares a feast of salmon, crab and halibut. Admire the coastal scenery before taking the coach back to the ship to see your surroundings from a different perspective.
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Wrangell’s Island Heritage Adventure
Wrangell’s Aboriginal people are vital to its culture and history, so rangers should focus on interacting with them during their visit. One fun way to do this is to take an island tour with a Tlingit guide.
On this 2 1/2-hour cultural tour, you’ll visit the Chief Shakes Tribal House to see totems and Aboriginal art, listen to stories and watch folkloric performances, then head to Petroglyph Beach to view ancient stone carvings. Walking through downtown Wrangell, you’ll also see Kiks.adi Totem Park, which celebrates the heritage of the Tlingit people, and the original site of Fort St. Dionysius, a Russian Imperial fur-trading outpost that formed the basis of the modern city. While the original fort no longer exists, you can learn more about the cultural exchanges that made up Wrangell’s history at the nearby Wrangell Museum.
Jeep and Canoe Tour near Ketchikan
If you prefer a quick outdoor adventure, this combo tour is for you. First, you’ll drive a four-wheel-drive Jeep Wrangler along abandoned logging roads into the subalpine region of the Tongass National Forest. Your next stop is Lake Harriet Hunt, a secluded alpine lake where you’ll find a fleet of canoes modeled after Alaska Native boats. Follow your guide to the campsite in the forest, where you can hang out in the pavilion and enjoy a snack, or take a walk in the beautiful virgin forest.
Private Salmon Fishing in Ketchikan
In Alaska, the Princess offers anglers a variety of excursions, from river fly fishing to deep sea fishing. But if you can only choose one fishing trip, make sure it’s in Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” If your group is six people or less, you can have more control over your outing (and choose your own fishing companions) with a four-hour private salmon fishing tour. Experienced and novice fishermen alike can try their hand at catching king, coho and pink salmon under the guidance of the boat’s expert crew. Even non-fishermen will enjoy following here for the beautiful views and potential water wildlife viewing.
White Pass Route by Coach and Train from Skagway
Travel to Canada’s Yukon Territory on a full-day train and coach adventure that follows the route of prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. You may not find any nuggets, but the rich scenery is worth the price.
The journey begins with a bus ride from Skagway along the Klondike Highway, passing through the wilderness of the famous White Pass Peak and Torment Valley, and finally into the Yukon Territory. After enjoying a BBQ lunch and stopping at Musher Camp and Carcross First Nation Village, you’ll begin your journey back to Skagway aboard the White Pass and Yukon Railway. During the 27-mile journey, you’ll sit in vintage or replica train cars and use up your phone’s battery to snap photos of mountain and glacier landscapes.
Hiking in the Tongass Forest near Wrangell
Princess offers a variety of hiking and biking tours through Alaska, but you can’t get away with small-group hikes in beautiful natural surroundings. This intimate hiking adventure begins with a 14-mile drive south of Wrangell and features stunning views of the Inner Bay Waterway.
Your guide will lead you on a 1-mile round-trip hike into the Tongass National Forest and then to Point Nemo Beach, giving you the chance to spot wolves, bears, and other wildlife. On the beach, stop to look for whales just offshore, then refuel with a snack before climbing back up to the trailhead.
