"We're delighted and honored that the true travel experts -- travel agents -- continue to recognize our Alaska cruise program each year," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "We're passionate about the Great Land and sharing it with visitors, and this award acknowledges that we offer the best Alaska vacation experience in the industry."

Drawing upon more than 40 years of experience cruising the 49th state, Princess Cruises offers Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage sailings and an extensive selection of cruisetours, with accommodations at five Princess-owned and operated, scenic wilderness lodges. The company's immersive Alaska experience is created by combining a seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruise, including two distinct glacier viewing opportunities, with a land tour ranging from three to nine nights, along with travel by glass-domed railcars.

In addition to experiencing the state's charming port towns, spectacular scenery and marine life while on a Princess ship, passengers who extend their vacation with a land tour will explore Alaska's dramatic interior including at least one night among the wilderness of Denali National Park, one of the state's top attractions. And only Princess offers Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail travel to give visitors more time in the Denali area.

Princess' 2013 Alaska cruise season features seven ships, including a fourth ship added to the Gulf of Alaska route, and three ships sailing the Inside Passage. They will depart on 122 voyages, and travelers can choose from more than 20 different cruisetour options.

Additional information about cruises to Alaska and Princess Cruises is available through Alaska Cruisetour Experts,  a professional travel planner, and Princess Certified Alaska Expert by calling 800.365.1445, or by visiting the company's website at www.alaskacruisetourexperts.com

THE CRUISE ALASKA PLANNING GUIDE  From planning to packing, from discount rates to departure dates, everything you need to know about Alaska and Alaska cruises and cruise tours. We find great Alaska cruise deals for you. Check here for where, when, and how to get them. Alaska Cruise Only Search  Sail from $449!^^ Online deals & exclusive extra's. Shop the best Alaska cruise deals departing from Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, Whittier or Seward (for Anchorage) • Princess Cruises   • Royal Caribbean • Celebrity Cruises • Holland America Line Looking for an Alaska Land and Sea Vacation? ( That's called a Cruisetour - a combination of a 7 day cruise and land tour ) If so, go here.   Get up to $200 Off* on a spring or summer cruise! With an in-depth land tour and a special offer to receive $200 onboard credit* on a 2013 Northbound Alaska Cruisetour.   Experience Alaska Alaska Lodges Departing From? Any San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Seward, AK Vancouver, B.C. When do you want to go? All Available Dates April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 What cruise length do you prefer? All Lengths 0 to 3 days 3 to 7 days 7 to 14 days 14 days or more Do you have a cruise line preference? All Cruise Lines Celebrity Cruises Holland America Line Princess Cruises Royal Caribbean International Silversea Cruises      Cruisem@il FREE Price Quote Just call 800.365.1445 FIND SOME OF ALASKA'S BEST 2013 CRUISE AND CRUISE TOUR DEALS Sample Prices^ May 2013 Jun 2013 Royal Caribbean $599 $799 Celebrity Cruises $749 $649 Holland America Line $599 $699 Princess Cruises   $449 $699 Jul 2013 Aug 2013 Sep 2013 $1,049 $799 $729 $979 $679 $749 $899 $849 $729 $889 $749 $689 ^All rates shown are for lowest Inside cabin, based on double Occupancy. Ocean View, Balcony, Mini-suite and Suite accommodations priced higher. Prices are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the cruise line. Your rate may vary from those shown, as all rates and categories are subject to availability at actual time of booking. These are sample prices to use as a planning guide only. Call us for the latest up-to-date prices and avilability. Where do you want to sail from?  Alaska Cruises From Seattle  Alaska Cruises from Vancouver (NB)  Alaska Cruises from Anchorage (SB)  Alaska Cruises from San Francisco  Alaska Cruises from Whittier  Alaska Cruises from Seward   Ask about bonus extra's such as shipboard credit, reduced deposits, cash back, exclusive rates, family, military, community service or senior discounts, or free cabin upgrades. While some sailings do not include a bonus, many do.  So, check with us if your choice includes any of these great offers. Call Today 800.365.1445 Money-Saving Tip: Booked Directly With The Cruise Line? If you booked your Alaska cruise or cruise tour directly with the cruise line, you could be paying too much. Even if you are currently under deposit, call us and find out if we can save you money, provide insider knowledge and extra benefits such as shipboard credit, cabin upgrades and more. It's easy to do. You keep all the arrangements you made, including your cabin assignment and possibly get a much better deal! Call us for details 800.365.1445 Whales, Wonders and Wilderness... That is Alaska! Alaska is a grand American Vacation destination you don't want to miss! We hope these stories help you plan your travel to Alaska. Alaska Cruise Tips: About Alaska

What Can I Do When I Get To A Princess Lodge? Just about anything you can think of -- by land, sea or air! Check out the variety of activities available. Excursions range from easygoing to high energy and offer in-depth experiences tailored to your interests. Did you know: Grizzly bears have been a threatened species since 1975 in the Lower 48 states?  Alaska however has over 32,000 grizzlies. Considering Alaska's population is only 670,000, that's 1 bear for every 21 people. Alaska is home to magnificent glaciers, giant halibut, hardy outdoorsmen.... and lots of moose.  Alaska has 39 mountain ranges.  Did you know? The larger ranges include: Alaska Range, which includes 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley, the continent's tallest peak , Aleutian Range, a volcano-ridden range on the Alaska Peninsula, Brooks Range, which is above the Arctic Circle; the Continental Divide runs through it and Boundary Ranges, along the Canadian border of the Inside Passage.

Our Biggest State is Your Ultimate Adventure MORE TO EXPLORE

ALASKA CRUISETOURS  Depart from Fairbanks, Vancouver or Seattle.       Looking for a just a cruise? Inside Passage or Gulf of Alaska. Go Here. Denali Explorer & On Your Own Cruisetours Our signature Denali Explorer cruisetours include up to four nights at our Princess wilderness lodges at Denali. Most tours include our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail service and all include the Natural History Tour into Denali National Park. ( Optional Tundra Wilderness Tour )  Find out More About These Cruisetours Here On Your Own options have no scheduled activities so you can customize how you want to spend your free time.  3 days on land from just $299 more than a 7-day cruise!* With no scheduled sightseeing activities included, you’ll have the flexibility to create your own adventure with optional land excursions. Off The Beaten Path Cruisetours These cruisetours include key benefits of our Denali Explorer itineraries, plus visits to less-frequented regions like Copper River and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, the Kenai Peninsula or Prudhoe Bay above the Arctic Circle. Find Out More About These Cruisetours Here ALASKA SHORE EXCURSIONS   Connoisseur Escorted Cruisetours Welcome to a Summertime adventure with an ocean-inspired cruise and an exhilarating land tour of Alaska. Alaska...where Summertime memories last forever. These deluxe escorted cruisetours represent the highest level of service with a tour director on land and most meals included. They include up to four nights at a combination of both Mt. McKinley and Denali Princess wilderness lodges, with enhanced sightseeing experiences, such as the longer Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park. Plus, there are options to visit the Kenai Peninsula and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park.  Find out More About Them Here Experience the breathtaking views Alaska with great balcony stateroom savings! • 2013 Alaska cruises and cruisetours • Save up to $1,000 per stateroom* • Free balcony upgrades** • 10-day Alaska cruisetours from just $898* or Free Balcony Upgrades** from $1,448 per person* Did You Know? The most popular cruisetours and most desirable balcony, midship,  starboard or port side locations and mini-suite staterooms book up early. Plan at least 9 months before, to get the best prices, ships, and staterooms. Additional information about cruises to Alaska and Princess Cruises is available through Alaska Cruisetour Experts,  a professional travel planner, and Princess Certified Alaska Expert by calling 800.365.1445, or by visiting the company's website at www.alaskacruisetourexperts.com Princess Direct-to-the-Wilderness® Rail Service Experience even more of Alaska’s natural wonders and enjoy a complete escape — with the exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail service. From your ship, step onto waiting luxury railcars, bound north for Denali. Enjoy Alaska’s natural wonders en route, and arrive in time for dinner at one of our wilderness lodges — a full day earlier than on other cruisetours. Download a brochure about the Direct To The Wilderness rail service. What a View! Huge wrap-around glass-domed windows provide awe-inspiring views of spectacular sights such as the towering Alaska Range, scenic Matanuska Valley, Hurricane Gulch, raging rivers and lush forests.   Princess rail cars are rated as Alaska's number one rail experience. 360-degree-view double-decker dome cars Large open-air observation platforms. Full service dining salon. Meals prepared to order. GPS-triggered narration. Alaska Cruise Tips for 2013 by Raye & Marty Trencher Editors, Publishers Cruise Traveler Magazine Some of the ports and destinations that we recommend you visit on your next Alaska 2013 Cruise include ports of call to Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Sawyer Glacier just to name a few great places to visit.  You can embark and disembark from five major ports;  Seattle,  San Francisco,  Whittier (SB),  Seward (SB), the Port of Vancouver (NB) .  If you are considering a land and sea vacation, also known as a "Cruisetour" three cruise lines,  Holland America Alaska 2013 Cruises , Royal Caribbean Alaska 2013 Cruises and our favorite Princess Alaska 2013 Cruises, offer 65 different land and sea adventures.  We are often asked: "when is the best time to visit Alaska?"  Summer's the best time of year to explore Alaska's spectacular wonders — from ice age glaciers and frontier towns to miles of unspoiled scenery.   And the bays and mountains of Alaska are best appreciated from your elegant cruise ship, domed railcars and deluxe motorcoaches. This 4 month sailing season offers the best opportunity to take in the breathtaking beauty and landscape of Alaska and to view its varied wildlife. where you can have a chance to see them up close.  Look closely and you may see many eagles (bald and golden), bear, whales, including those in a breach, seals, wolf, moose and caribou. If you travel during salmon run, you probably will see more bear and eagles. The scenery is to die for, the vistas spectacular.    The Alaskan cruise season begins with May 2013 Alaska Cruises and ends as late as mid-September 2013 Alaska cruises.  It is less expensive to travel at the beginning and end of the Alaska sailing season, then it is to cruise during the peak travel months months of June 2013 Alaska Cruises , July 2013 Alaska Cruises  and August 2013 Alaska Cruises.  Why?  Prices go up as the summer goes on, so you will find the cheapest deals during the first two weeks of May. The weather will be much cooler than in August, but you could save over $1000 a couple by visiting Alaska during the off-peak period.  Your chances of seeing more wildlife, including salmon, moose, bears , caribou and eagles on longer tours of the state's National Parks.   Certified Alaska Cruisetour Experts  Raye and Marty Trencher are part of an  exclusive group of travel agents who are  recognized by Princess as Alaska Cruise  Experts,  earning that distinction for their  unique qualifications  and knowledge as  Alaska cruise planning  professionals.  Call us at 800.365.1445 Heard us on  the radio? Just call 800.365.1445 Alaska Insider Tips   We are also asked: "When is the best time to book a cruise to Alaska? " How can I save the most money, see what I want, and still stay on budget? "  If you book early, at least 6 months to year before departure, you will get the best discounts and accommodation choices for 2013 Alaska cruises. The same thing goes for 2013 Alaska Cruisetours.  The very best deals offered are just around the time the cruise lines announce their Alaska cruise and cruisetour programs for the following year. Mid-March is when most cruise lines open their books for reservations for the following year. As the Summer goes on, and availability shrinks, prices go up.  Unlike the Caribbean in winter, there are a limited number of cruise ships that sail Alaska's waterways, so capacity does sell out fast for the best dates, rates and accommodations. Cruisetours are limited to the size of a motorcoach ( around 40 guests )  and sell out much faster than if you just booked a cruise only without a land and sea vacation. To get the best deal, discounts, cheap fares and best stateroom accommodations, book early.  Browse the web, check your Sunday papers, cor all around to find the discounts, special offers, kids fly free or reduced rate promotions, 2 for1 deals and other incentives, such as past guest offers, or military discounts that can save you money.  Let us help you plan your next Alaska 2013 Cruise or Cruisetour vacation.