In the ever-evolving world of cruise travel, Princess Cruises continues to set the bar with their immersive offerings in Alaska. Known as the leading cruise line in the region, Princess is now expanding its renowned Alaska National Parks Cruisetours, offering travellers an even more comprehensive way to explore the untamed wilderness of America’s final frontier. Blending the elegance of ocean voyages with the raw splendour of inland exploration, these new itineraries for 2025 and 2026 will allow guests to journey deeper into some of the continent’s most magnificent natural treasures.
For those new to the idea, a cruisetour combines a traditional cruise with a guided land tour, giving guests the chance to experience Alaska both by sea and by land. Princess Cruises has refined this model over decades, crafting seamless transitions from ship to shore and ensuring that the experience remains just as luxurious on land as it is on board. Each cruisetour features multi-night stays at Princess-owned wilderness lodges, conveniently located near key national parks, and connected by scenic rail routes and motorcoach transfers.
The expansion builds upon the successful launch of the 15-night National Parks Expedition in 2024. The 2025 and 2026 programs include new itineraries with varying park combinations and durations, catering to different types of travellers—from first-time visitors looking to see the highlights, to seasoned adventurers hoping to go off the beaten path.
Among the most exciting aspects of the new offerings is access to up to five legendary national parks. These include Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, and Katmai. Each park offers something entirely unique: Denali with its towering peak, Wrangell-St. Elias as America’s largest national park, and Katmai with its world-famous bear viewing opportunities.
The National Parks Expedition itinerary remains the most comprehensive, taking guests through all five parks over a 15-day journey. With visits to Princess-owned lodges in Copper River, Kenai, Denali and Mt. McKinley, this cruisetour represents a high point in the line’s land and sea integration. On the water, guests sail the celebrated 7-day "Voyage of the Glaciers" between Whittier and Vancouver, which includes scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park.
Princess Cruises isn’t just offering views—they’re delivering fully immersive cultural and culinary experiences too. Their award-winning North to Alaska program ensures that every sailing is infused with local flavour and regional storytelling. Guests can attend presentations by Iditarod champions, meet real Alaskan lumberjacks, or dine on wild-caught salmon fresh from Alaskan waters.
The onboard offerings are further enriched by visits from Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Naturalists, who provide engaging commentary during scenic cruising. These personal touches allow guests to better understand and connect with the landscapes around them, elevating the entire journey beyond sightseeing to something truly transformative.
Flexibility is key in travel planning, and Princess has designed their expanded portfolio with this in mind. New for 2026, the National Parks Adventurer cruisetour provides access to three national parks across 14 days, offering a less intensive but still deeply rewarding experience. Other cruisetours range in length and focus, such as the 9-day Katmai National Park itinerary that includes Anchorage and the 14-day National Parks Explorer, which wraps up in Fairbanks with an extended land segment.
What sets these cruisetours apart is the balance between guided experiences and time for independent exploration. Whether you're kayaking through Kenai Fjords, walking along ancient glaciers, or enjoying a fireside drink at a Princess Wilderness Lodge, the opportunities for personal discovery are endless.
Princess Cruises continues to prioritise accessibility by offering departures from five key North American ports: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and Anchorage (Whittier). This means that guests from all over have convenient options to begin their Alaskan journey, whether they prefer to fly or drive to their embarkation point.
Notably, the 2025 season will see seven ships sailing Alaskan waters, with that number increasing to eight in 2026. With 88 visits to Glacier Bay scheduled in 2025 alone, Princess Cruises is the most frequent visitor to this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site—a major draw for nature lovers.
For seasoned cruisers and first-timers alike, the expansion of Alaska cruisetours by Princess Cruises represents a rare chance to see the continent's wildest regions without sacrificing comfort or convenience. The inclusion of multi-park itineraries, scenic rail experiences, and Princess-owned lodges means every leg of the journey is carefully crafted and consistent in quality.
As more travellers seek experiences that combine relaxation with enrichment, these cruisetours meet the moment perfectly. And with growing interest in slow travel and meaningful encounters with nature, the trend toward combining cruising with land tours is only expected to accelerate.
If you're already dreaming of towering glaciers, grizzly bears, and starlit skies over Denali, it's time to start planning. Use our Cruise Finder to compare Princess itineraries and explore the full range of Alaska cruisetours now on offer.
Whether you crave adrenaline-pumping adventures, cultural insight, or simply serene landscapes from the comfort of your stateroom, Princess Cruises' 2025 and 2026 National Parks Cruisetours deliver it all. With more routes, deeper experiences, and unmatched access to the best of Alaska, your ultimate escape is just a booking away. Get in touch with our expert team today and take the first step toward an unforgettable frontier adventure.