From Mountains to Glaciers: Alaska with Princess Cruises

This summer, I had the chance to experience Alaska again, this time with Princess Cruises, and it truly lived up to the hype. Princess is consistently ranked number one in Alaska, and after this trip I can see why. They don’t just sail there—they own and operate their own wilderness lodges, motorcoaches, and rail cars, which makes the cruise and land journey completely seamless.

The land tour

We started with a three-night land portion, and it was the perfect way to dive straight into Alaska’s beauty.

• Night one: Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage—This hotel stay is included in your land tour and a comfortable start in the heart of the city. Princess has a registration table right in the lobby where you pick up your room keys, registration packet, and everything you need to kick off your land tour. It was located in a very walkable area with many shops and restaurants close by, giving us a taste of Alaska’s largest hub before heading into the wilderness.

Princess check-in desk in the Hotel Captain Cook Lobby

• Night two: Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge—Nestled in Denali State Park, this lodge offers sweeping views of “The Great One.” Waking up here with the possibility of seeing Mt. Denali (weather permitting!) was a trip highlight. We were lucky enough to see it in all its beauty, unobstructed for the first time this season!

Clear view of Mt. Denali from Mt. McKinley Lodge deck

• Night three: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge—Just outside Denali National Park, this lodge made it easy to take advantage of the park’s excursions, from wildlife tours to river rafting and hiking. Included in the land tour price is the Denali Natural History Tour, with an option to upgrade to the longer Tundra Wilderness Tour. We chose the five-hour Natural History Tour, which took us into Denali with stops along the way to learn about the history and culture that still shape life in the park today.

The transition between each lodge was very smooth, thanks to Princess’ motorcoaches and organization. It never really felt like a travel day, but more like part of the adventure. They also handle everything with your luggage. When you arrive at each stop, you receive a welcome packet with a letter outlining your tour times, departure information for the next day, and luggage tags for your next stop. The packet will also include a time to place your luggage outside your room on departure day. Princess picks it up, and the next time you see it is waiting in your lodge room at the next destination. Because of this, it is important to pack a small carry-on or day bag with essentials you may need during the day such as documentation, medications, or personal items.

Luggage tags to designate if your bags should go to the ship or your next lodge

A helpful tip: If you prefer not to get up early to place your luggage outside each day, you can pack a separate bag with everything you need for the cruise portion and have that sent directly to the ship when you check in on day one. This way you only manage your carry-on throughout the land tour. Just remember that you will need to carry this bag yourself and store it under your seat or in the small overhead compartment on the motorcoaches. Soft-sided bags, such as a backpack, work best.

Princess offers so much flexibility when it comes to the land portion of the trip. You can choose from three- to 10-day itineraries that visit up to six of their wilderness lodges. They also offer fully escorted tours, which include extra excursions, most of your meals on land, and a dedicated guide who stays with you for the entire journey. Whether you want something simple and independent or all-inclusive and guided, there’s an option to fit every style of traveler.

The train ride

My favorite part of the trip was the 10-hour train ride from Denali to the ship. The train itself was such a memorable experience, with glass-domed railcars offering panoramic views of Alaska’s mountains, rivers, and wildlife. Onboard, they serve made-to-order breakfast and lunch, and there’s even a bar with drinks and snacks available for purchase. Our tour guide was fantastic, narrating along the way with history and stories, pointing out sights, and keeping it fun so everyone knew to call out whenever wildlife appeared. The highlight came at the very end when the train pulled right up to the ship in Whittier, making the transition from land to sea feel completely effortless. Princess calls this their Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service, and it truly is one of the most unique and seamless ways to experience Alaska.

Dome train experience. Each car has a dining room below, a bathroom, and a bar serving drinks and snacks.

The cruise

After our land adventure, we boarded the ship in Whittier and began the cruise portion of our journey. The itinerary was a perfect mix of scenic cruising and time in port, each day offering something completely different.

• Whittier (embarkation)
  Boarding the ship in Whittier was smooth, and sailing away that evening felt like the official start of the second half of our adventure.

• Hubbard Glacier (scenic cruising)
  Our first full day was all about the scenery, and Hubbard Glacier did not disappoint. Watching the massive sheets of ice calve into the sea was an unforgettable sight and a reminder of Alaska’s raw power and beauty. For those who want an even closer look, there is an optional excursion where a smaller boat picks you up right from the ship and takes you directly up to the glacier for an incredible, up-close perspective.

Hubbard Glacier from the ship

• Glacier Bay (scenic cruising)
  Glacier Bay was another highlight of the trip. The ship spent the entire day cruising past glaciers, fjords, and snow-capped mountains. Park rangers came on board to share history, geology, and wildlife spotting tips, which made the experience even more meaningful.

Lunch with glacier views in Glacier Bay National Park

• Skagway
  In Skagway, we spent the day wandering around town, soaking in the Gold Rush history. We stopped by the Red Onion Saloon, one of the most famous landmarks, and then found our favorite crab legs of the trip at Woadie’s South East Seafood, a casual local spot we’ll definitely remember.

• Juneau
  Juneau was all about adventure. We joined a whale watching tour booked through Princess, and it was absolutely incredible. The day ended on a high note when we spotted a pod of six dolphins—such a magical experience.

Whale watching tour in Juneau—pod of six whales surfacing

• Ketchikan
  In Ketchikan, we took a slower pace, strolling to Creek Street, the town’s historic boardwalk filled with character and charm. We capped off the day with a delicious seafood lunch at a locally owned restaurant, which gave us a real taste of the town.

• At sea
  Our day at sea was filled with relaxation, but also plenty of activity options for those who wanted them. Princess’ activity calendar was packed with entertainment, enrichment programs, and events, so you could be as busy or as laid-back as you wanted.

• Vancouver (disembarkation)
  We arrived in Vancouver early in the morning, marking the end of our incredible Alaska land and sea journey.

Why Princess for Alaska?

The cruise and land combination makes this a true bucket-list experience, and Princess’ infrastructure (their own lodges, buses, and railcars) ensures a level of comfort and convenience you won’t find elsewhere. Everything felt seamless, and yet still adventurous—exactly what Alaska should be.

Final thoughts

If Alaska is on your bucket list (and it should be!), I can’t recommend the Princess Cruise & Land Tour enough. It’s the best way to see both the coastline and the interior, with smooth logistics and immersive experiences every step of the way.

Sun setting on our last day at sea

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Alaska page.