1. Departures from Vancouver
Chances are, we don’t need to tell you why Alaska is worth visiting. From glittering glaciers to magnificent grizzlies, there’s plenty to wax lyrical about. And with Princess Cruises, you have the chance to experience the wonders of The Last Frontier in style, from glacier-view sea kayaking to whale watching and gold panning experiences.
Better still, the adventure begins before you ever glimpse Alaska. That’s thanks to Princess Cruises' impressive line-up of round-trip departures from Vancouver.
Nestled between mountains and sea, this scenic port city in British Columbia has an incredible variety of experiences on offer: Stanley Park with its 1,000 acres of coastal rainforest and totem poles; a celebrated culinary scene with a focus on ocean-fresh dining; and easy access to sea-to-sky gondola rides with expansive vistas.
Beyond the city itself, the rest of the Canadian province beckons with the promise of alpine peaks, centuries-old forests and remote rivers teeming with fish, drawing bears and birds of prey.
All in all, it’s the ultimate companion piece to an Alaskan adventure.
2. Pre- and post-cruise hotel stays
Between shucking oysters by the dozen and taking ecotourism tours, time flies in Vancouver. There are simply not enough hours in a single day to pack in all its highlights, much less venture further into the province, to soaring mountains, picturesque islands or the capital of Victoria.
With Princess Cruises, that’s not a problem. You can take your time to explore at your leisure, thanks to flexible hotel packages that extend your stay, either before or after your cruise.
With your pick of a curated selection of harbour-front hotels, close to Canada Place, where Princess Cruises ships dock, and landmark properties in the centre of the city, you’re always ideally located for exploring.
Best of all, you’re able to unlock extra value with Princess Cruises’ hotel packages that bundle your accommodation with airport and pier transfer and the support of a Princess representative. It’s an ABTA-protected and hassle-free experience that leaves you more time for leaf peeping, whale watching and museum hopping.
3. Extraordinary shore excursions
When you’re in destinations like Alaska and British Columbia, the last thing you want is to waste precious hours second-guessing if you’re spending your time well.
With Princess, fussing with logistics is taken out of the equation, but more than that, you can rest assured that you’ll be having an extraordinary experience.
At every port, expect excursions designed to suit a wide range of travellers, from foodies led by their taste buds to would-be wildlife photographers. In both Alaska and British Columbia, you’re likely to find something to match your interests to a T.
In Vancouver, you might take a behind-the-scenes tour of artisan breweries or spend your day exploring Capilano Canyon, where you walk amongst giant cedars, towering Douglas firs and mature hemlock. In Juneau, meanwhile, you might fly over glaciers by seaplane or sample an authentic Alaskan salmon bake.
Wherever you are, be sure to look out for Local Connections excursions. Each offers authentic, personal insight from local experts looking to share their way of life. For example, you might find yourself dog sledding under the guidance of veteran mushers by Norris Glacier in Alaska, getting an insider look at the tricks of the trade.
Plus, as well as experiences that go beyond the bog-standard tourist attractions, a big bonus of Princess excursions is practical: there’s a guaranteed return to ship. Essentially, that means if your excursion is delayed, your ship will wait. It’s a great way to ensure peace of mind.
4. No fussing with flights
Discover Princess Plane Sailing: an offering where you can get flights that fit your cruise, frequently at lower rates than you’ll find otherwise, thanks to specially arranged fares. It’s an excellent way to take the logistical headache out of your holiday, particularly because you can also opt for a Princess airport-to-hotel or ship transfer to maximise ease.
Crucially, as well as being ATOL protected, you get late arrival protection. This means in the event of a flight delay or cancellation on the day of travel, you can rest easy that Princess Cruises will assist with getting you to your original port of embarkation or the next available port on your itinerary.
They’ll also make sure you get home if you miss your returning flight because of your cruise or transfer.
5. The perfect itinerary for you
One of the greatest advantages of sailing on Princess Cruises is its impressive range of Vancouver to Alaska itineraries, including a wide selection of durations and departures.
Families will find round-trip Vancouver and Alaska itineraries during the summer holidays, which happen to coincide with the peak season for wildlife encounters and glacier calving. It’s perfect for making incredible memories together and enjoying both the kid- and adult-friendly amenities aboard Princess’s state-of-the-art ships.
Or perhaps you’re working within the constraints of annual leave, but still want something immersive that shows you the sights most worth seeing. You’ll find great weeklong options from Vancouver to the Inside Passage that tick off bucket-list sights such as Endicott Arm and Ketchikan.
If you’re working with more time, you’ll also find longer itineraries, from fortnight-long sailings exploring grand glaciers to extensive cruisetours. With these, you can explore Alaska’s many wonders by sea, rail and land, with stays in Princess-owned wilderness lodges and inland cities like Fairbanks, where you may even spot the Northern Lights if you time your cruise for September.
The right time to book
Our advice? Plan ahead and book well in advance to secure your choice of stateroom and maximise your experience. While you can occasionally snag good value last-minute deals, savvy travellers often reserve their cabin or suite from six months to over a year in advance, meaning now is the time to look into 2026 sailings.
Plus, Princess Cruises has unveiled its 2027 Alaska season, including expanded itineraries and exclusive cruisetour adventures into the Great Land. With the headline-making Star Princess returning for its second season, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting line-ups yet.
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