“If you’re cold, you’re not working hard enough,“ said Ron Zwahlen, a commercial fishing captain.
He had come onboard Princess Cruises’Royal Princess to talk about fishing and crabbing in some of the most dangerous waters in the world — the Bering Sea. His visit was part of the Discovery at Sea program (a Princess partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet), and his enthusiasm about our stop in Ketchikan was contagious.
The author, Dana Rebmann, with her snow crab during the Discovery at Sea program
Credit: 2022 Dana Rebmann
Less than 24 hours later, as I confidently grabbed hold of a leggy snow crab while onboard the Aleutian Ballad — a ship made famous by the television series "Deadliest Catch” — I realized just how well his stories had captured the thrill of visiting Alaska.
Royal Princess’ Itinerary and Onboard Highlights
Departing from Vancouver, my week-long cruise included stops in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, along with scenic sailings in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord, before disembarking in Whittier. For guests sailing for the first time since the pandemic, consistently masked crew members were a notable change, but otherwise our cruise along Alaska’s Inside Passage was reminiscent of life prior to COVID-19.
Staff speak with more conviction when asking guests entering the Horizon Court buffet area to wash their hands, but buffet service is back to normal. Only very observant clients will likely notice that silverware and napkins, once placed on tables, must now be picked up along the buffet line.
Often sporting a whale-patterned necktie, Rob Raincock, the ship's naturalist, was arguably one of the ship’s most recognizable and appreciated crew members during our sailing.
The ship's naturalist helped passengers spot wildlife.
Credit: 2022 Dana RebmannPositioned at the back of deck 16 almost every night from 6 p.m. to sunset, he helped guests spot and identify everything from humpback and fin whales to orcas, otters, seals and calving glaciers. After dark, he turned his attention to the skies, scanning for the northern lights. During aurora season (late August onward), he maintains a cabin call list to alert guests hoping to catch a glimpse.
MedallionClass Perks and Prizes
The line’s exclusive MedallionClass experience continues to expand and improve the overall Alaska cruising experience onboard Royal Princess. The wearable, quarter-sized device does everything from unlocking stateroom doors to finding friends and family anywhere on the ship.
But now, it also gives adult clients the chance to win prizes — including shipboard credits, wine tastings and even free cruises — every time they enter their stateroom using their Medallion. Princess Prizes is part of the recently launched Princess Premier cruise package option; guests who don’t purchase a package can pay $20 per cabin per day to participate.
Once limited to purchases made onboard the ship, MedallionPay can now also be used at select retail locations in Ketchikan. (More Alaska ports are anticipated next season.) Guests who shop with participating merchants receive a 7% shipboard credit on purchases, which can be used on their current cruise or carried over to future sailings. Push notifications, reminders of upcoming events and an overall faster MedallionClass App experience are a few enhancements still in the works.
The Alaska Cruise Tour Experience
After seven days filled with glaciers, bear spotting and helicopter tours, when our Alaska sailing ended in Whittier, nearly 300 of the 2,600 guests continued on a Princess Cruise Tour, road tripping through interior Alaska by motorcoach and train.
“Every day is a new opportunity to learn,” said Carlos Gomez, tour director for Princess, as guests settled into their coach seats for the approximately two-hour drive from Whittier to Kenai. “I always try to remember, for the majority of our travelers, this [is] a bucket-list trip."
From suggesting how to dress for daily activities to streaming daily, custom playlists during our time onboard the bus, Gomez took care of every detail as we racked up miles traveling to Kenai, Denali National Park and, finally, Fairbanks.
Princess’ Alaska Lodges
All but one of the five Princess Lodges in Alaska reopened for the 2022 season. (Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge opened briefly, but was forced to close in June due to staffing shortages. It is expected to reopen for the 2023 season.) Princess also operates Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge and Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge.
Seeing bears during the tour portion of an Alaska Cruise Tour with Princess
Credit: 2022 Dana RebmannMore than 50 guests made their way to the back deck of the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge at 3:30 a.m. after receiving a call that the northern lights were dancing across the sky. The next morning, both staff and guests seemed equally awestruck by the rare, unobstructed view of Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley). At 20,310 feet, it’s the tallest peak in North America.
Tundra Wilderness Tours are operating smoothly again in Denali National Park & Preserve, though with a shortened route due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide at Mile 45 of Denali Park Road. (There’s no firm timeframe yet on when the road will be passable again.) Pick-ups take place steps from the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge lobby, allowing guests to practically roll out of bed and go.
Every trip into the park is so unique, so different,” said Scott Richardson, a guide for Tundra Wilderness Tour, as he encouraged us to enjoy our time in the park without expectations.
It was good advice. But after a handful of grizzly bear sightings — a season record for Richardson — it was clear to us all we had hit the Denali jackpot.
