Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge Image: Princess Cruises

Make More of Your Alaska Cruise in 2024 with a Princess Cruises Cruise Tour

Is Alaska on your bucket list? It has definitely been on mine for quite some time now, and I have been researching ready to finally make the trip in 2024. I had pretty much narrowed my choice down to Princess Cruises, and one other premium line. However what finally swayed my decision are the fabulous and unique cruise tours on offer with Princess Cruises, together with their vast experience of the area.

Princess Cruises Alaska History

Did you know that Princess Cruises has over 50 years experience of creating fabulous holidays in Alaska? In fact 2024 will mark its 55th year in the region? Princess Cruises first began cruising to Alaska on 3 June 1969 with Princess Italia carrying just 525 very privileged guests.

Princess Wilderness Lodges - Cruisetours

This is the ultimate Alaska experience, and what makes Princess Cruises my preferred choice for this once-in-a-lifetime holiday. For guests looking to explore more of Alaska, Princess Cruises offers a variety of cruisetours combining a seven-night “Voyage of the Glaciers” cruise (see below), with an extended three to 10 nights on land, staying at the cruise line’s exclusive Princess Wilderness Lodges. All cruisetours include a visit to Alaska’s top-two attractions – Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, both of which are my personal must-sees.

The only Alaska tour company that has custom-built wilderness lodges expressly for its cruisetour guests, Princess owns and operates five lodges that are unique in the industry for combining upscale accommodations and amenities with dramatic riverside locations and renowned service levels. What makes them even more attractive to me is that they are operated by Princess Cruises themselves, rather than being a hotel chain, so you are assured of the same seamless attention to detail, service and luxury that you experience on the cruise itself.

It’s worth noting, although this article is actually looking at a pre/post-cruise add-on, the lodges can be booked independently if you are exploring the region on land.

Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge

This 85-room lodge is the only hotel of its kind bordering the nation's largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias -considered one of the most spectacular destinations in the state. Located on more than 200 acres in the Glennallen and Copper River area of south central Alaska near the park's visitors' center, the lodge is situated at the junction of the Klutina River and the Copper River, of Copper River King Salmon fame, and features breathtaking views of the awe-inspiring Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Drum and Mt. Blackburn. In keeping with its dramatic location, Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge combines the special architectural elements of historic national park lodges with old Alaskan mining buildings to create a unique environment for its visitors. The newest of Princess' lodges, opened in 2002, Copper River's public areas include a signature two-story "Great Room" featuring a stone fireplace, 25-foot ceilings and stunning views of the surrounding region. From flightseeing over the park's mountains, to river rafting, hiking and dog sled rides, the Copper River Wilderness Lodge also offers guests a variety of excursions.

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

The first of Princess' Alaska wilderness lodges, the Denali property debuted in 1987. Since then, it has grown to include 656rooms, four restaurants, a main street walking village with Alaska gift shops, the "Music of Denali" dinner theater, and a newly built main lodge building with a dramatic vaulted-ceiling great room. Located just one mile from the entrance to the six-million-acre Denali National Park, the lodge features a park-like setting overlooking the lovely Nenana River. With convenient access to tours of Alaska's most popular national park, the lodge is the perfect home base for visitors who want to view the awesome Mt. McKinley and Denali's famous wildlife, such as moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, wolves and red foxes. Lodge guests can also choose from a variety of optional tours such as, flightseeing, river rafting and hiking.

Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge

Fairbanks Princess Wilderness Lodge Image: Princess Cruises

The premier hotel property in Fairbanks, this lodge is ideally located along the banks of the Chena River, just minutes from the airport, downtown shopping and attractions, the rail depot and the University of Alaska. Open year-round, the lodge is among the modern properties in Alaska's "Golden Heart City," and is not only home to Princess cruisetour guests, but also host a variety of local meetings and events. Recently remodeled, the 326-room lodge, which first opened in 1993, now features an expanded main restaurant with a new outdoor deck featuring scenic views from the banks of the Chena River and a 100-seat covered dining area. The lobby features a rustic look with a tour desk, and houses an expanded bar area featuring full food service and a cozy fireplace. A gallery area serves as a showcase for local artwork. Guests will also find a business center, a coin-operated laundry room, a children's playground area and an expanded gift shop. To capture the local atmosphere, the lodge's decor includes dark woods, natural colors and Alaskan artwork.

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

Located on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula in Cooper Landing and nestled among 43 acres on the banks of the Kenai River, the lodge offers all the luxuries of a small resort in a relaxing wilderness environment, just two hours south of Anchorage. Cruisetour guests will find that the Kenai Peninsula, renowned as a sportsman's and scenic paradise, offers a spectacular setting with dramatic mountain and river views. Optional activities include nature hikes, sportfishing, river rafting, horseback riding and sightseeing day cruises to the Kenai Fjords National Park. The lodge opened in 1990 and features 86 bungalow-style rooms with private porches, cathedral ceilings and cozy sitting areas with wood burning stoves. The lobby has vaulted ceilings, with a fireplace and seating for relaxing and visiting with friends. Just beyond the lobby, an expansive deck provides optimal viewing of the Kenai River valley and nearby mountains.

Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

The only cruisetour hotel within sight of Mt. McKinley, the lodge dazzles guests with one of the most spectacular views in all of Alaska. Situated on 146 acres of land owned by Princess inside of Denali State Park and bordered by the Chulitna River, the property offers one of the closest encounters with the famed mountain a visitor can experience, as it is just 41 miles from the peak of "The Great One." Opened in May 1997, the now 460-room lodge, with its bungalow-style guestrooms, was specially sited to take advantage of the area's spectacular mountain views. It features a dramatic lobby and Great Room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Alaska Range, a massive natural stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Its expansive outdoor deck, view restaurant, coffee shop, gift shop, fitness center and tour desk allows Princess visitors to enjoy the heart of Alaska's vast wilderness in the comfort that has become a Princess Alaska trademark. Several recent expansions have added new casual dining options with stunning views of Mt. McKinley. Don’t miss the Exclusive Treehouse which features a rustic structure where guests can explore and catch a glimpse of Denali.

How do you Travel to The Princess Wilderness Lodges?

If you book a Princess Cruises Cruisetours there are several options available to you. You can travel by luxury motor coach. You can take the scenic opportunity to experience Princess’ “Direct-to- Wilderness" rail service, departing directly from the ship in Whittier all the way to the Denali area for more time in the wilderness. There are other route options available on the Princess Cruises Website.

My Recommendation for the Ultimate Alaska Adventure

If you have the luxury of time, the 17-night Ultimate Princess Connoisseur cruise tour features a 7-night cruise followed (or preceded) by two nights at each one of the five Princess Wilderness Lodges, on the doorsteps of legendary national parks including Kenai Fjords and Wrangell St. Elias and Denali National Park.

Let me close with a Native American blessing:

“May the warm winds of heaven blow softly upon your house.

May the Great Spirit bless all who enter there.

May your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows and may the rainbow always touch your shoulder”

— Native American Blessing

For prices and to book visit Princess Cruises

Tell me in the comments if you have already taken a Princess Cruises Cruise tour, or like me, are planning to do so in the future.

Source/Images: Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises Alaska Cruise Tours