Choosing the best Princess cruise ship to Alaska depends on your travel style, budget, and must-see destinations. Whether you prefer modern luxury, family-friendly amenities, or intimate exploration, Princess Cruises offers a range of ships designed to enhance your Alaskan adventure with comfort, scenic views, and expertly curated excursions.
Key Takeaways
- Best Overall: Discovery Princess – Offers the latest technology, spacious staterooms, and immersive Alaska programming, making it ideal for first-time and repeat cruisers.
- Best for Families: Grand Princess – Features extensive kids’ clubs, multiple dining options, and a full-service spa, perfect for multi-generational trips.
- Best for Scenic Views: Coral Princess & Island Princess – Mid-sized ships with dual-level viewing lounges and outdoor promenades, optimized for glacier viewing and wildlife spotting.
- Best for Luxury & Intimacy: Sapphire Princess – Combines upscale amenities with a refined atmosphere, ideal for couples or travelers seeking a quieter experience.
- Best Itinerary Variety: Ruby Princess – Sails diverse routes including Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, and Inside Passage, offering flexibility and iconic Alaskan sights.
- Best for Shore Excursions: All Princess Ships – Princess excels in curated land tours, from dog sledding on glaciers to wildlife cruises, enhancing your Alaska journey.
- Best Value: Caribbean Princess – Offers competitive pricing with solid amenities and reliable service, great for budget-conscious travelers.
📑 Table of Contents
Why Choose Princess Cruises for Your Alaska Adventure?
Alaska is one of the most awe-inspiring cruise destinations on Earth—towering glaciers, rugged coastlines, abundant wildlife, and charming coastal towns await around every bend. And when it comes to exploring this wild frontier in comfort and style, Princess Cruises stands out as a top choice. With decades of experience sailing Alaskan waters, Princess has perfected the art of blending luxury, adventure, and education into one unforgettable voyage.
But with a fleet of over a dozen ships, how do you know which one is right for you? The “best” Princess cruise ship to Alaska isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your priorities: Are you traveling with kids? Do you crave panoramic views of glaciers? Are you looking for a romantic getaway or a budget-friendly escape? In this guide, we’ll break down the top Princess ships sailing Alaska, highlighting their unique features, itineraries, and onboard experiences so you can make an informed decision and set sail on the trip of a lifetime.
Understanding Princess Cruises’ Alaska Fleet
Princess Cruises operates a diverse fleet of ships specifically designed to enhance the Alaskan cruising experience. From large, resort-style vessels to mid-sized ships with panoramic viewing areas, each offers something different. Most Princess ships sailing Alaska are part of the “Love Boat” legacy, known for their reliability, attentive service, and strong focus on destination immersion.
Visual guide about What Is the Best Princess Cruise Ship to Alaska
Image source: princess.com
Ship Categories: What Sets Them Apart
Princess categorizes its ships into three main groups: Grand-Class, Sun-Class, and Royal-Class. Each class has distinct features tailored to different traveler preferences.
- Grand-Class Ships (e.g., Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess): These are larger vessels with extensive amenities, multiple dining venues, and robust entertainment options. Ideal for families and first-time cruisers who want a full-service resort experience at sea.
- Sun-Class Ships (e.g., Coral Princess, Island Princess): Mid-sized ships known for their dual-level viewing lounges and outdoor promenades. Perfect for travelers who prioritize scenic viewing and a more intimate atmosphere.
- Royal-Class Ships (e.g., Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess): The newest and most technologically advanced ships in the fleet. They feature modern design, expanded outdoor spaces, and innovative Alaska-themed programming.
Understanding these categories helps narrow down your options. For example, if you’re traveling with children, a Grand-Class ship might be your best bet. If you’re a nature lover who wants to spend hours on deck watching glaciers calve, a Sun-Class ship with its panoramic lounges could be ideal.
Alaska-Specific Features Across the Fleet
All Princess ships sailing Alaska are equipped with features designed to enhance your connection to the destination. These include:
- Outdoor Viewing Areas: Expansible decks, glass-enclosed lounges, and open-air promenades ensure you never miss a glacier or whale sighting.
- Alaska-Themed Programming: From lectures by naturalists to cooking demos featuring local seafood, Princess brings Alaska to life onboard.
- Shore Excursion Expertise: Princess offers over 100 guided tours in Alaska, including dog sledding, helicopter tours, and wildlife cruises.
- MedallionClass Technology: Available on newer ships, this wearable device streamlines boarding, payments, and activity bookings, letting you focus on the scenery.
These features are consistent across the fleet, but the ship you choose will determine the scale, ambiance, and specific amenities available during your voyage.
Top Princess Cruise Ships to Alaska: A Detailed Comparison
Now let’s dive into the standout ships currently sailing Alaska and what makes each one special. Whether you’re looking for luxury, family fun, or scenic immersion, there’s a Princess ship that fits your vision.
Discovery Princess: The Best Overall Choice
Launched in 2021, the Discovery Princess is the newest and most advanced ship in the Princess Alaska fleet. As the sixth vessel in the Royal-Class series, it combines cutting-edge technology with elegant design and a strong focus on Alaskan immersion.
With a capacity of just over 3,600 passengers, it’s large enough to offer a full range of amenities—think multiple pools, a spa, theaters, and 10+ dining venues—but still feels spacious thanks to smart layout and abundant outdoor space. The ship features a two-story Lotus Spa, a Chef’s Table Lumiere for intimate dining, and the Princess Theater with Broadway-style shows.
What truly sets Discovery Princess apart is its Alaska programming. The ship features the “North to Alaska” experience, which includes live wildlife presentations, cooking classes with local ingredients, and a dedicated naturalist onboard. The Outdoor Discovery Atrium offers floor-to-ceiling windows and interactive exhibits about Alaskan culture and ecology.
Itineraries typically include Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, with options for both 7- and 10-night voyages. If you want a modern, well-rounded experience with top-tier service and immersive destination content, Discovery Princess is hard to beat.
Grand Princess: Best for Families
For families traveling with kids or multi-generational groups, the Grand Princess offers the most comprehensive onboard experience. This Grand-Class ship can accommodate over 2,600 passengers and is packed with activities for all ages.
Kids will love the Camp Discovery Youth Center, which offers age-appropriate programs from toddler playgroups to teen dance parties. There’s also a dedicated teen lounge, video arcade, and outdoor sports court. Parents appreciate the flexibility of multiple dining options, including casual buffets, specialty restaurants, and 24-hour room service.
The ship features a stunning Atrium with a glass-enclosed staircase, a full-service spa and fitness center, and a movies under the stars pool deck experience. Evening entertainment includes live music, comedy shows, and themed parties.
Grand Princess sails popular 7-night itineraries from Seattle or Vancouver, visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and often Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm Fjord. Its size and amenities make it ideal for families who want both adventure and relaxation without sacrificing comfort.
Coral Princess & Island Princess: Best for Scenic Views
If your top priority is soaking in Alaska’s natural beauty, the Coral Princess and Island Princess are your best bets. These twin Sun-Class ships are mid-sized (around 2,000 passengers) and specifically designed for scenic cruising.
The standout feature? The dual-level viewing lounges—indoor and outdoor spaces on two decks that offer 180-degree views of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. Whether you’re sipping coffee at sunrise or watching a glacier calve at sunset, these lounges provide unmatched vantage points.
Both ships have open-air promenades, perfect for walking or jogging while taking in the crisp Alaskan air. They also feature the Princess Wilderness Lodge experience, with ranger-led talks and nature documentaries.
Itineraries often include Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, and the Inside Passage, with port stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. These ships are ideal for couples, solo travelers, or small groups who want a more intimate, nature-focused experience without the crowds of larger vessels.
Sapphire Princess: Best for Luxury & Intimacy
For travelers seeking a refined, upscale experience, the Sapphire Princess delivers elegance and comfort in equal measure. This Grand-Class ship (launched in 2004, refurbished in 2019) combines classic cruise luxury with modern touches.
With a passenger capacity of around 2,600, it feels less crowded than some newer mega-ships. The décor is sophisticated, with rich wood finishes, marble accents, and tasteful artwork. Dining options include the Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Steakhouse, and Chef’s Table, all offering high-quality cuisine.
The Sanctuary adult-only retreat is a highlight—a serene outdoor space with plush loungers, private cabanas, and complimentary beverages. The spa offers premium treatments, and the theater hosts elegant productions.
Sapphire Princess sails 7- and 10-night itineraries, often including Glacier Bay, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. It’s perfect for couples or travelers who want a quieter, more polished experience with top-notch service.
Ruby Princess: Best Itinerary Variety
The Ruby Princess stands out for its diverse and flexible itineraries. This Grand-Class ship (launched in 2008, refurbished in 2020) offers some of the most varied routes in the Princess Alaska fleet.
It sails from multiple homeports—Seattle, Vancouver, and even San Francisco—and offers 7-, 10-, and 14-night voyages. This means you can choose a route that fits your schedule and interests. Some itineraries focus on the Inside Passage, while others venture further north to Hubbard Glacier or even Whittier (gateway to Denali).
Onboard, Ruby Princess features all the standard Princess amenities: multiple pools, a spa, theaters, and dining venues. It also includes the Outdoor Discovery Atrium with Alaska-themed exhibits and programming.
If you want flexibility and the chance to explore different parts of Alaska—from coastal towns to remote glaciers—Ruby Princess offers the most options.
Choosing the Right Ship for Your Travel Style
With so many excellent options, how do you pick the best Princess cruise ship to Alaska for your trip? Here’s a quick guide based on common traveler profiles.
For First-Time Cruisers
If you’re new to cruising, go with a Grand-Class ship like Grand Princess or Caribbean Princess. These offer a full resort experience with plenty of activities, dining, and entertainment to keep you engaged. The larger size also means more stability in rough seas—a plus in Alaska’s sometimes choppy waters.
For Nature Lovers & Photographers
Choose a Sun-Class ship like Coral or Island Princess. The dual-level viewing lounges and outdoor promenades are perfect for capturing glaciers, whales, and sunrises. The smaller size also means more time in scenic areas and fewer crowds on deck.
For Couples & Romantic Getaways
Opt for Sapphire Princess or Discovery Princess. Both offer elegant accommodations, intimate dining options, and serene spaces like the Sanctuary. The newer Discovery Princess also has MedallionClass technology for a seamless, personalized experience.
For Families with Kids
Grand Princess is your best bet. With Camp Discovery, teen lounges, and family-friendly shows, it’s designed to keep everyone entertained. Multiple dining options also mean picky eaters won’t go hungry.
For Budget-Conscious Travelers
Consider Caribbean Princess. It offers solid amenities at a lower price point, especially if you book early or during shoulder season (May or September). You’ll still get great service, scenic views, and access to top shore excursions.
Tips for Maximizing Your Alaska Cruise Experience
No matter which Princess ship you choose, a few smart tips can enhance your Alaska adventure:
- Book Early: Alaska cruises sell out quickly, especially for peak summer months (June–August). Booking 6–12 months in advance ensures better cabin selection and lower prices.
- Pack Layers: Alaska weather is unpredictable. Bring waterproof jackets, warm layers, gloves, and sturdy shoes for shore excursions.
- Reserve Shore Excursions in Advance: Popular tours like helicopter landings or whale watching fill up fast. Book through Princess’s website before you sail.
- Use the Medallion App: On newer ships, the MedallionClass app lets you order drinks, book activities, and navigate the ship with ease.
- Attend Onboard Programs: Don’t miss the naturalist talks, cooking demos, and cultural presentations—they add depth to your journey.
- Bring Binoculars: Wildlife spotting is a highlight. Binoculars help you see bears, whales, and eagles from a distance.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Match
So, what is the best Princess cruise ship to Alaska? The answer depends on what you value most. If you want the latest technology and immersive Alaska programming, Discovery Princess is the top choice. For families, Grand Princess offers unmatched amenities. Nature enthusiasts will love the scenic focus of Coral and Island Princess, while couples may prefer the elegance of Sapphire Princess.
Ultimately, every Princess ship sailing Alaska delivers exceptional service, breathtaking views, and access to some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet. With careful planning and the right ship, your Alaskan cruise will be more than a vacation—it’ll be a memory you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to cruise to Alaska with Princess?
The best time is from late May to early September, when weather is milder and wildlife is most active. Peak season (June–August) offers the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours, but also the most crowds.
Do all Princess ships visit Glacier Bay?
Not all ships visit Glacier Bay National Park due to park regulations limiting daily entries. Ships like Discovery Princess, Coral Princess, and Ruby Princess often include it, but always check your specific itinerary.
Are there family-friendly activities on Princess Alaska cruises?
Yes! Ships like Grand Princess feature Camp Discovery youth programs, teen lounges, family pools, and interactive shows, making them ideal for families with children of all ages.
Can I see whales and bears on a Princess Alaska cruise?
Absolutely. Princess offers expertly guided shore excursions like whale-watching cruises in Juneau and bear-viewing tours in Ketchikan or Icy Strait Point, increasing your chances of wildlife sightings.
Is Wi-Fi available on Princess cruise ships in Alaska?
Yes, but connectivity can be limited in remote areas. MedallionClass ships offer faster Wi-Fi packages, but expect slower speeds near glaciers and fjords.
What should I pack for a Princess Alaska cruise?
Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, warm clothing, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, sunscreen, and motion sickness remedies. Don’t forget your camera and extra memory cards!