Alaska: Where the Great Land Meets the Sea — with Princess Cruises

by Belt Drive Betty | Jul 1, 2026 | Travel Features

For Albertans, Alaska is practically in the backyard — and yet it remains one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet. Vast glaciers, untamed wilderness, breaching whales, and bald eagles circling above old-growth forests. When people say you have to experience Alaska for yourself, they mean it. And nobody does Alaska better than Princess Cruises, with over 55 years of experience and 21 “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” awards to their name.

Voyage of the Glaciers — The Signature Itinerary

Consistently Princess’s top-rated Alaska offering, the Voyage of the Glaciers gives you not one but two days among magnificent glaciers — including Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that only a select group of cruise lines have permission to enter. You’ll also visit three of Alaska’s most compelling towns: gold rush-era Skagway, salmon-rich Ketchikan, and Juneau, the state capital. The sense of scale here — towering ice walls, endless wilderness, wildlife around every corner — is something photographs simply can’t capture.

Inside Passage Sailings from Seattle

For those who want flexibility, Princess offers Inside Passage itineraries with weekend departures from Seattle — making it easy to connect from Alberta without a complex routing. Late-night departures in Juneau and Victoria give you extra time to explore these favourite ports at a relaxed pace. Shore excursions range from whale watching and salmon fishing to helicopter rides over glaciers.

Go Deeper with a Cruisetour

For the full Alaska experience, a Princess Cruisetour combines a seven-day glacier cruise with scenic rail travel and nights at a Wilderness Lodge deep in the interior. The Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service takes you from the ship directly to the Denali area through glass-domed windows, with Denali National Park and its extraordinary wildlife viewing waiting at the other end. This is how Albertans — who appreciate big sky, wide open spaces, and genuine wilderness — should experience Alaska.

Alaska Trip Planning — Where an Agent Earns Their Keep

Alaska cruise and cruisetour packages can be complex to assemble — especially when you’re adding flights from Grande Prairie or Edmonton, pre-cruise nights in Vancouver or Seattle, and shore excursion bookings. Having Renée in your corner means the logistics are handled, the pricing is competitive, and your Alaska experience is exactly what you hoped it would be.