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Alaska
Journal of The Ideal Alaska
Vacation
There's no better way to experience Alaska that with a
Princess cruisetour. A cruisetour combines a 7-night
Gulf of Alaska cruise with 3 to 8 nights on land for
the ultimate Alaska vacation. You'll experience
glaciers, wildlife, national parks, wilderness, the
finest lodges and, of course, a world-class cruise.
Here is an excerpted day
by day Journal of The Ideal Alaska Vacation found in
Princess' Captain Circle newsletter.
Day 1
Sail from Vancouver
Embarkation was a breeze, and we were excited when we
found our shore excursion tickets waiting for us in
our cabin. Now we can relax without standing on line.
We made sure we had plenty of film in the camera as we
set sail for Alaska under the Lion's Gate Bridge. We
took advantage of Anytime Dining with a late dinner at
the Bayou Cafe' Coral Princess' exclusive New Orleans
restaurant.
Day 2
Sail The Inside Passage
We slept in this morning and enjoyed room service and
the spectacular view from the comfort of our own
private balcony. Spent the afternoon listening to the
naturalists talk about Alaska marine life and whale
watching as we cruised the Inside Passage. I
discovered a cozy spot in the library to read my book
and commented to my wife that the ship has an intimate
feel, despite its grand size
Day 3
Ketchikan
We experienced the breathtaking beauty of Misty Fjords
National Monument with a flightseeing trip that left
us awestruck. We learned about Tongass National Forest
from the U.S. Forest Service Ranger onboard. Then,
scheduled a Sweedish massage in the Lotus' Spa before
dinner.
Day 4
Juneau
We woke up in Alaska's capital with a full day of
sightseeing ahead. Enjoyed a buffet breakfast in the
Horizon Court before getting started. Spent the
afternoon on an exciting Mendenhall Glacier float
trip. Then, dropped in to hear a presentation from
Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod.
Day 5
Skagway
We thoroughly enjoyed our White Pass and Yukon Route
rail adventure, an excursion we signed up for long
before the cruise. We then saw a performance by famous
storyteller Buckwheat Donohoe who made a special
appearance on board the ship.
Day 6
Glacier Bay National Park
We enjoyed a champagne breakfast on our balcony this
morning in front of Margerie Glacier. Listened to a
narration by the National Park Ranger then enjoyed the
Taste of Alaska buffet on deck for dinner.
Day 7
College Fjord
We entered College Fjord and the Captain took us all
the way to Harvard Glacier at the end of the fjord. We
passed right next to Bryn Mawr and Smith Glaciers and
saw ice floes all around us. Took plenty of pictures
of the porpoises, sea otters and killer whales
swimming through Prince William Sound. It was
absolutely amazing.
Day 8
Whittier to Cooper River
Our cruise has come to an end, but our adventure is
just beginning. Now it's time to see the "real"
Alaska. We enjoyed breakfast onboard, then disembarked
for a scenic catamaran trip across Prince William
Sound to Valdez - Alaska's "Little Switzerland". We
saw the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and
drove right up to Worthington Glacier and Bridal Veil
Falls on the way to Cooper River. We arrived at the
Cooper River Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Day 9
Cooper River
We had a day at leisure at the gateway to Wrangell-St.Elias
National park, the largest national park in the U.S. (
as big as six Yellowstones).
Princess' Alaskan Outfitters set up the perfect day
for us. I fished the famous Cooper River while my wife
visited the old town of McCarthy and once thriving
turn-of-the-century Kennicott Mines. Even walked right
up to Kennicott Glacier.
We enjoyed the signature Alaskan Cuisine at the lodge
and warmed up by the fireplace as we watched the
alpenglow on the mountains.
Day 10
Cooper River to Fairbanks
We walked the nature trail surrounding the lodge this
morning. Then took a motorcoach trip along the scenic
Richardson Highway across the Alaskan Range en route
to Fairbanks. We spent the night at the Fairbanks
Princess Riverside Lodge.
Day 11
Fairbanks to Denali
We boarded the Midnight Sun Express rail for our
journey to Denali National Park. Breakfast on board
with a breathtaking view as a backdrop. After checking
into the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge we decided
on a flighseeing adventure. Landing on a glacier at
Mt. McKinley's base camp.
Day 12
Denali to Mt. McKinley
We woke up and felt refreshed knowing the great
outdoors was just beyond the lodge. We caught a
glimpse of Mt. McKinley as we approached Talkeetna by
motorcoach.
Day 13
Mt. McKinley to Anchorage
We enjoyed a morning at our own pace on a guided
horseback ride through the wilderness. Then we were
off to Talkeetna, where we board the train. The huge
doomed windows and friendly car managers really made
the trip enjoyable. We spend our last night in
Anchorage, saying good by to the friends we met.
Day 14
Return Home
Out tour ended this morning in Anchorage. We're
getting ready to head home, but already we're making
plans for our next Princess cruise vacation.
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