Princess Cruises Opens 2028 Alaska Season with 185 Sailings

The strategic timing of this announcement, opening sales years in advance, reflects a growing trend in the luxury and premium travel sectors where consumers are planning complex, bucket-list vacations further into the future. According to Jim Berra, Chief Commercial Officer for Princess Cruises, the 2028 season represents the culmination of sixty years of logistical expertise and destination immersion. By integrating glacier-heavy voyages with the company’s proprietary rail services and wilderness lodges, Princess seeks to offer a "complete Alaska vacation" that bridges the gap between maritime exploration and interior land discovery. This vertical integration—owning the ships, the trains, and the lodges—allows Princess to maintain a level of quality control and seamless scheduling that few competitors in the region can match.

At the heart of the 2028 season is the "Voyage of the Glaciers" itinerary, a staple of the Princess experience that remains the industry benchmark for glacial viewing. These seven-day, one-way voyages sail between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Anchorage (via the port of Whittier). The geographical advantage of this route is twofold: it allows for a deeper penetration into the northern reaches of the Gulf of Alaska and provides the logistical framework for "Cruisetours." Because the ships begin or end in Whittier, guests can transition directly from the gangway to the "Direct-to-the-Wilderness" rail service. These glass-domed railcars offer panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains and the Susitna River valley as they transport passengers toward the interior.

For travelers seeking a more traditional maritime experience without the need for cross-border land travel, the "Roundtrip Inside Passage" sailings offer significant variety. These itineraries depart from major West Coast hubs, including Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The inclusion of San Francisco and Los Angeles as embarkation ports is a strategic move to capture the California market, offering longer 10- to 14-day voyages that eliminate the need for domestic flights to Washington or Canada. These sailings focus on the lush rainforests of the Alexander Archipelago, visiting historic ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, where the gold rush history of the late 19th century remains palpable in the architecture and local lore.

The 2028 fleet deployment is headlined by the Star Princess, a vessel that represents the future of the brand. As a Sphere Class ship, it features the "Dome," a multi-level entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini, which is particularly well-suited for Alaska’s variable climate, allowing guests to view glaciers and wildlife in a temperature-controlled, glass-enclosed environment. The ship is also powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), significantly reducing its environmental footprint in the sensitive ecosystems of the North Pacific. Joining the Star Princess are other prominent vessels such as the Discovery Princess, Royal Princess, and Sapphire Princess, ensuring that the fleet offers a range of experiences from the latest "MedallionClass" technology to more intimate, classic cruising atmospheres.

A defining characteristic of the Princess Alaska experience is the company’s extensive land-based infrastructure. The 2028 season highlights five Princess Wilderness Lodges, each strategically located to provide access to Alaska’s most iconic national parks. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge serves as the gateway to the six-million-acre Denali National Park, while the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge offers what many consider the best views of the highest peak in North America from its expansive "Treehouse" deck. For those looking to explore the southern coastal regions, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge provides a luxury "wilderness outpost" feel on the banks of the turquoise Kenai River. This lodge is a hub for active adventure, including world-class salmon fishing, river rafting, and proximity to Exit Glacier. The more remote Copper River and Fairbanks lodges round out the portfolio, offering glimpses into the state’s mining history and the unique culture of the Alaskan interior.

The "Cruisetours" themselves are organized into tiered categories to cater to different levels of interest and physical activity. The "Denali Explorer" tours are the most popular, typically including a seven-day cruise followed by three to six nights on land, with guaranteed stays at the Denali-area lodges. For those seeking a more comprehensive educational experience, the "Off the Beaten Path" tours head to the Copper River valley and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States, often referred to as the "mountain kingdom of North America." By combining these land stays with the Voyage of the Glaciers, Princess provides a 360-degree view of the state that encompasses both the maritime fjords and the subarctic tundra.

Onboard the ships, the "North to Alaska" program continues to be the primary differentiator for the Princess brand. This award-winning enrichment program is designed to bring the destination to life through culinary, cultural, and educational touchpoints. One of the most beloved features is "Puppies in the Piazza," where local dog mushers bring Alaskan husky puppies onboard for guests to meet, accompanied by stories about the Iditarod and the history of sled dog racing. The "Cook My Catch" program offers a unique shore-to-ship culinary experience, allowing guests who catch a fish on a Princess-sanctioned excursion to have it prepared by the ship’s chefs for dinner that evening.

Cultural immersion is further enhanced through partnerships with local Alaskans. "Tales from the Deadliest Catch" features real-life crab fishermen sharing the harrowing realities of working in the Bering Sea, while Native Alaska cultural presentations provide insight into the traditions, languages, and art of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. For younger travelers, the Glacier Bay National Park Junior Ranger program, conducted in partnership with National Park Service rangers who board the ships in the bay, offers a structured educational path to understanding glacial geology and marine biology.

The 2028 season also reinforces Princess Cruises’ commitment to environmental sustainability and local community support. The company recently celebrated 25 years of utilizing shore power in Juneau, a technology that allows ships to turn off their diesel engines and plug into the local electrical grid while at the pier. This significantly reduces air emissions and noise pollution in the state capital. As the cruise industry faces increasing scrutiny regarding its environmental impact, Princess has positioned itself as a proactive partner with Alaskan municipalities, investing in infrastructure that supports both tourism growth and ecological preservation.

The economic impact of the 2028 season cannot be overstated. Tourism is a vital pillar of the Alaskan economy, and Princess Cruises, as one of the largest employers in the state’s private sector during the summer months, plays a critical role in supporting local businesses. From the excursion operators in Ketchikan to the seasonal staff at the wilderness lodges, the arrival of eight ships represents a massive influx of capital into the region. Shore excursions, such as the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad in Skagway or helicopter glacier landings in the Alaska Range, are major drivers of local revenue, and the 2028 schedule ensures a steady stream of visitors throughout the five-month season.

In summary, the 2028 Alaska season from Princess Cruises is a sophisticated blend of tradition and innovation. By leveraging its nearly 60-year history, the company has created a logistical network that is unmatched in its ability to show guests the full scope of the Alaskan wilderness. With the introduction of the Star Princess, the continued excellence of the "North to Alaska" enrichment program, and the seamless integration of rail and lodge stays, Princess remains the dominant force in Alaskan tourism. For travelers, the 2028 season offers an unprecedented variety of ways to experience the glaciers, wildlife, and cultures of the Great Land, ensuring that the allure of the Last Frontier remains as potent as ever. Sales for these voyages are currently open, signaling a robust outlook for the future of North Pacific cruising.