No cruise line knows Alaska better than Princess,® and they prove that yet again with their Summer 2012 expanded schedule to the majestic 49th state. Princess has been sailing to Alaska for more than 40 years and they consistently win awards for having the best itineraries and insider knowledge of the region. They offer Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage sailings, as well as an extensive selection of land and sea vacations to let you experience the heart of Alaska.

For the upcoming season, they will deploy seven ships, including a fourth ship – Sapphire Princess® — added to the Voyage of the Glaciers route, and three ships sailing the Inside Passage. All land and sea vacation options will include Alaska’s top two attractions – Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks. Princess takes more passengers to Glacier Bay than any other cruise line. They also have the youngest ships going to Alaska and the most balcony staterooms for viewing the spectacular scenery. Their most popular and best-value land and sea vacations, Denali Explorer, focus on Denali National Park with three new itineraries in 2012. They also have new options on their Off The Beaten Path adventures, and their Connoisseur cruise tours that include a Tour Director and most meals on land. Anyone who has visited Alaska will tell you this unique state is unsurpassed for its natural beauty and one-of-a-kind adventures. Experience it for yourself with those who know it best. Contact your Certified Alaska Cruise Experts, call 800.365.1445, or visit www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com

View the complete 2012 Princess Cruises, Alaska Cruises and Alaska Cruise Tours Brochure online. Click on the link below.

2012 Alaska Brochure

The yellow flowering bushes near the entrance of the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge® are always perfectly trimmed by the time passengers arrive in spring. Most assume it must be staff who prune the hedge, but actually it’s an unpaid, though highly skilled, worker who does it. “Our resident moose,” explains general manager Tracy Smith. “It saves us time and money because we don’t have to trim the hedges ourselves.” A helpful moose is just one way that the Alaska staff make the most of this beautiful, but challenging state. Running a large hotel requires hard work under the best of conditions. Doing it in an arctic state, in remote locations that must be largely self-sustaining, requires Herculean efforts and great creativity. Clearing snowfall of nearly 30 feet after the winter is not uncommon at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge,® says general manager Dave Arnott. The lodge also must provide all its own electricity from generators. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge® is 120 miles from the nearest commercial airport, making supplies sometimes harder to get, says general manager Berit Snyder. On the other hand, being situated in the wilderness definitely has its perks when it comes to enjoying fresh, local food. Last year at the Mt. McKinley lodge, Arnott says, “We had one of the first Copper River salmon. It was out of the water and on the table in no more than 24 hours.” Getting the lodges ready requires a lot of work, but there’s so much joy in seeing how much Princess passengers appreciate it.                                                                                                                       Source: Princess Cruises