Princess Cruises will offer several sailings to Alaska in 2023, adding the Sapphire Princess this season, for a total of seven ships.
No matter which Princess ship you pick, each offers onboard activities, signature attractions, and specialty dining options that will be a perfect complement to a vacation to the Last Frontier.
In addition, the cruise line offers a number of add-on tours, giving guests a chance to stay at the cruise line's wilderness lodges and explore the natural beauty and wildlife of the region.
Since there are a few different options for a Princess Alaska cruise, here is a breakdown of what to expect.
Overview of Princess Ships
All the Princess ships sailing to Alaska in 2023, have been refurbished or are new to the fleet. Although not mega-ships, they offer several amenities and activities that cater to both adults and families. Key features include:
- A variety of inclusive and specialty dining such as Italian, a steakhouse, a gastropub, with flexible dining times
- Entertainment, including original shows, casinos and lounges
- Adult-only deck area and luxurious spas, poll/ deck area Complimentary kids programs
- Sports courts, movies under the stars
- Numerous excursions and programs in partnership with Animal Planet and Discovery
- MedallionClass next-level technology for a customized onboard experience
- A wide variety of cabin options, including suites
Alaskan Itineraries
Princess Cruises has a wide selection of itineraries, 19 in total across 7 ships. Cruisers will get to experience incredible glaciers, plentiful wildlife, and the panoramic vistas of the rustic terrain. The cruise line sails to numerous ports throughout Alaska, along with plenty of scenic cruising of fjords and glaciers.
Princess has a vast array of excursion options to allow guests to explore the area's culture, and Gold Rush history, in addition to activities like fishing, sightseeing, kayaking, and helicopter tours, to name a few. The cruise line also has a partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet that provides extraordinary excursions as well as customized kids' programming,
Cruisers have the ability to extend their vacation with cruise add-ons that include the option to travel inland via train and stay at the Wilderness Lodges close by to parks in Denali and visit Whittier, Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Ships Sailing to Alaska in 2023
Crown Princess
Alaskan itineraries
For 2023, Crown Princess will be switching to Vancouver, Canada, for its homeport.
The ship has a range of itineraries that span from 4 to 11 days. It will visit a number of ports, including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Seattle, Icy Strait Point and Sitka, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. Cruisers will also enjoy scenic cruising of Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park.
The 4 day “Alaskan Sampler” starts at $468 for a September sailing, a great way to get a taste of Alaska.
Ship overview
Launched in 2006, the Crown Princess was refreshed in 2022 and welcomes up to 3,080 passengers and 1,200 crew.
Part of the Grand class of ships, the Crown Princess is well known for providing great activities for adults and kids in a traditional cruising environment. The three-story atrium is a hub of fun, and the ship has numerous complimentary and specialty dining programs - even afternoon tea.
Close to 60% of cabins have balconies, in addition to a variety of staterooms such as a 2-bedroom family suite for those wanting more room.
Why pick Crown Princess?
- A good option for cruisers wanting to try a shorter sailing and the 4 day sampler is well priced. There is also a longer, 11 day alternative for those who want to explore Alaska in more depth.
- The ship’s layout is well liked by cruisers, especially the pool areas that has ample deck space.
- For those who love newer ships, the recent refurbishment is appealing.
Discovery Princess
Alaskan itineraries
For 2023, Discovery Princess will be sailing out of both Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The ship will visit a number of ports, including Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia.
There is plenty of scenic cruising, such as Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park.
The ship will sail from April to September on five different itineraries with prices as low as $644 per person in April.
Ship Overview
Launched in 2022, the Discovery Princess has a capacity of 3,660 guests and 1,346 crew. It is the newest of the Royal class of ships, the largest in the Princess fleet.
Being the biggest Princess ship sailing to Alaska, it will offer a lot for guests in terms of amenities, specialty dining and adult-focused experiences such as a massive piazza, a hub for events and activity.
The ship has world class dining options, including some from Michelin-star chefs, all the way to casual eats such as the Salty Dog Gastropub. After dinner, guests can enjoy a range of activities and entertainment, such as live productions, a casino and a Sinatra inspired "Crooners" lounge.
Why pick Discovery Princess?
- A new ship always has great interest, and Discovery Princess offers much to like, a bonus for those who want the latest and greatest in onboard experiences.
- Sailing from Seattle, it is one of the most affordable options and a convenient choice for ports.
- There are some great prices for a 7 day itinerary, which, along with current promotions that include drinks, wi-fi and tips.
Grand Princess
Alaskan itinerary
Grand Princess offers a little bit of everything for 2023 - both 7 day northbound and southbound sailings from Vancouver, and Anchorage (Whittier), as well as a 5 day Alaskan sampler, and a 14 day Grand Adventure out of Vancouver as well.
Ports of call include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Anchorage, Alaska, as well as scenic cruising: Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord and Hubbard Glacier,
A cruise starts as low as $536 for a 7 day cruise, a great price for a weeklong sailing.
Ship overview
Grand Princess set sail in 1998, but was refurbished in 2019. It has a capacity of 2,600 guests and 1,150 crew.
This ship was the first in the Grand class of ships for Princess, which are 20 % bigger than the Coral class of ships. The refurbishment provided some new restaurants, enhanced audio in the theatre and more amenities in cabins.
Why pick Grand Princess?
The ship gets good reviews for its customer service and its amenities. Recent refurbishments make it feel much newer. For those really wanting to truly experience Alaska, its offers up to 14 day sailings with plenty of port visits and scenic cruising.The cruising prices for this ship are a great value, with their 7 day sailing, being the lowest among the Alaskan offerings.
Majestic Princess
Alaskan itineraries
The Majestic Princess will be sailing out of Anchorage, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2023. There are five unique itineraries that include a 7 day northbound and southbound sailings as well and as 8,10 and 14 day voyages.
Ports of call include Skagway, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, and Vancouver, British, Columbia.
Guests will have the opportunity for scenic cruising of the Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier and College Fjord.
Ship overview
Part of the Royal class of ships, the ship first sailed in 2017 and was originally designed to sail from Shanghai and has many unique offerings, such as a classic Chinese dining venue from acclaimed chef Richard Chen. It also has the Hollywood Pool Club.
One of the larger ships sailing to Alaska, Majestic Princess, has a capacity for 3,560 guests and 1,346 crew. It has plenty of activities and fun, such as the breathtaking 60 foot SeaWalk that lets passengers stroll above the waves.
Why pick Majestic Princess?
- A great opportunity to try a distinctive ship on an Alaskan sailing. It has good prices, starting at $536 a person for a 7 day cruise in May.
- For those who want to experience more of Alaska, the 14 day tour has 11 ports as well as plenty of scenic cruising.
- Its specialty restaurant, Harmony is considered to have superb food. It also features Yao Family Wines and Bistro Sur La Mer, The Hollywood Pool Clun brings a bit of the Los Angeles vibe, with a great indoor pool /leisure space.
Royal Princess
Alaskan itineraries
This year Royal Princess will be sailing from Seattle, Washington, instead of Vancouver. For the 2023 season, the ship will be doing weekly sailings starting in May all the way through to September.
Weeklong cruises will voyage to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria, British Colombia, and scenic cruising of Glacier Bay National Park.
The best deals are found in the month of May, as low as $739 per person for an interior cabin, versus a high of $1,212 in July.
Ship overview
Launched in 2013 by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, this ship is aptly named a royal. It was refurbished in 2018 and holds 3,560 passengers and 1,346 crew.
It was the first ship of the Royal Class, the largest class of ships in the Princess fleet, providing cruisers with lots of amenities and venues onboard.
Royal Princess has a bevy of dining venues, a lively piazza, plenty of shows and entertainment, and activity to keep busy when not in port. It has a glass paneled SeaWalk that stretches 28 feet off the ship’s edge and an impressive spa.
Why pick Royal Princess?
- This ship offers a lot of great traditional amenities of a cruise ship in addition to specialty dining options.
- Guests love their destination theme events in addition to daily bingo and trivia.
- For a 7 day cruise it does a lot, visiting four ports in addition to scenic cruising. A great introduction to cruising. Seattle is also a good option for flying for those needing it.
Ruby Princess
Alaskan itineraries
Once again, the Ruby Princess will sail out of San Francisco, California, on two different 10 itineraries, which include ports of call such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia.
The main difference between the two itineraries is that one visits Glacier Bay National Park, and the other Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
Prices are best in May, starting at $1,143 for an interior cabin on a 10 day cruise.
Ship Overview
The Ruby Princess set sail in 2008, but it had a multi-million dollar refurbishment in refurbished in 2018. The ship welcomes 3,080 Guests and 1,200 crew. The ship features 900 balcony cabins, a great bonus for cruising to Alaska.
Guests onboard can enjoy a traditional cruise experience, with the added bonus of Princess MedallionPlus technology, and great entertainment, including a lively Piazza area. The ship also has a gastropub called Salty Dog.
Why pick Ruby Princess?
- For cruisers wanting a more in-depth Alaskan experience, the Ruby Princess offers excellent itineraries.
- The ship’s size allows for a wide range of options for dining and entertainment and numerous cabin options. The Sanctuary, an adult-only retreat, is a bonus, for those travelers wanting to escape to a serene area.
- A Californian departure port is convenient for those living in the region.
Sapphire Princess
Alaskan itineraries
For 2023, Sapphire Princess will be sailing out of both Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier), visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Anchorage, Icy Strait Point and Sitka, Alaska.
Itineraries include 7 day northbound and southbound roundtrip and 11 day and 14 day – 5 different itineraries.
Cruises include scenic cruising of Glacier Bay National Park as well as College Fjord and the Hubbard Glacier.
Ship Overview
Originally launched in 2004, the Sapphire Princess was refurbished in 2018, and can hold 2,670 guests and 1,100 crew. It is part of the Grand class of ships, with many of the same features and amenities as its sister ships, although it only has 18 decks, as compared to 19 in ships like Sapphire Princess, which also has about 200 more cabins.
Guests can expect a wide range of activities, lounges and dining venues onboard. The ship has Princess MedallionClass technology as well as kids' programs.
Why pick Sapphire Princess?
- Great value with prices starting at low as $536 per person for 7 days. There are some port intensive, longer voyages that are great for those interested in seeing more of Alaska.
- Being an older Grand Class ship, it has a slightly more intimate feel than some of the larger new ships, which is great for those who love a more traditional cruising experience.
- Sapphire Princess offers some unique itineraries, including some that commence in Alaska, an excellent option for those who want more time to explore the region.
Chantal McPhee
Chantal McPhee has a great passion for travel since first venturing to the Bahamas as a child with her grandparents. Today, she loves cruising with her husband and two daughters to new places and aspires one day to do a world cruise. Living on the east coast of Canada, she shares cruising tips and information with fellow Canucks seeking a reprieve from the great white north. She also teaches business studies at a university, with a focus on strategy
