Princess Cruises Unveils New ‘North to Alaska’ Experiences for 2026 – Biggest Alaska Season Yet

Princess Cruises is turning up the wow factor in The Great Land, unveiling four new “North to Alaska” experiences for the 2026 Alaska season, just as it prepares for its largest Alaska program ever. The line, long recognised as the highest-rated cruise line in Alaska, will roll out this enhanced programming across all eight ships sailing the region in 2026: Star Princess, Coral Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Grand Princess, Emerald Princess, Discovery Princess and Island Princess.

New 2026 ‘North to Alaska’ Experiences

Launched in 2015, Princess’ award-winning North to Alaska program is all about bringing local people, culture, food and storytelling on board so guests can feel truly connected to Alaska – not just sail past it. For 2026, Princess is adding four new signature experiences:

• The Glacier Experience: A Signature Princess Day – Scenic glacier cruising elevated with close‑up glacier views, live commentary from National Park Rangers, expert narration and access to VIP bow viewing areas on select Glacier Bay sailings. Guests can visit Ranger information desks, attend talks in the Princess Theater or Arena, join Junior and Teen Ranger programs, and warm up on deck with hot chocolate and consommé stations.
• Welcome to Alaska – A one‑time‑per‑voyage presentation hosted by the Cruise Director, introducing guests to Naturalists, enrichment speakers and North to Alaska activities, helping them personalise how they explore the region.
• Après Sea: Elevated Post‑Adventure Experience – After a day of glacier viewing or shore excursions, guests can relax in a chic, après‑ski‑style lounge with warm drinks and panoramic views, with Star Princess hosting Après Sea in The Dome at the top of the ship.
• Candlelight Concert Series: Fire & Ice – An intimate, Alaska‑inspired extension of the existing Candlelight Concert Series featuring Alaskan singer‑songwriters performing live amid candlelight and stunning scenery, offered only twice per voyage.

A Taste of The Great Land – New Alaska Dining

Princess is also extending Alaska to the plate with new à la carte dishes in specialty restaurants, showcasing sustainably sourced, wild‑caught Alaskan seafood. At Crown Grill, guests can savour Wild King Salmon, Alaskan Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and Jumbo Lump Crab with Butter‑Broiled Lobster Tail, while Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria adds Halibut alla Mediterranea, pairing delicate Alaskan halibut with bright Mediterranean flavours. These creations celebrate Alaska’s glacier-fed waters while maintaining the refined dining cruisers expect from Princess.

Returning North to Alaska Favourites

Alongside the new offerings, Princess is bringing back guest-favourite immersive Alaska experiences that bring the destination to life on board:

• Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show activations – Axe‑throwing recruits, themed trivia and presentations on Timbersports and Ketchikan’s logging heritage.
• Puppies in the Piazza – On ships visiting Skagway, guests meet husky puppies and learn about sled dogs and Iditarod culture, with appearances by Iditarod Champion Ryan Redington on select sailings.
• Deadliest Catch presentations – Captains and crew from the hit TV series share real‑life stories of crab fishing in the Bering Sea.
• Curated Native Alaskan Speaker Series – Talks by cultural leaders and experts such as Rachel Moreno, Patricia Adkisson, author Nick Jans and photographer Daryl Pederson, highlighting Indigenous culture, Alaska history and the northern lights.
• Campfire Movies Under the Stars – Families cosy up under blankets to watch Alaska‑themed and family films outdoors, complete with popcorn and that signature Princess Movies Under the Stars magic.
• Stargazing Nights – Guided outdoor stargazing sessions on select ships, with deck lights dimmed and Activity Staff pointing out constellations in Alaska’s dark skies.
• The Great Big Adventure – Alaska Edition & Officers vs Guests – Alaska Edition – High‑energy games and challenges themed around survival, the wilderness, lumberjack skills and friendly competition between officers and guests.

Kids & Teens: Alaska Brought to Life

Younger cruisers get their own immersive slice of Alaska through dedicated youth and teen programming:

• Glacier Bay Junior Rangers – In partnership with the National Park Service, kids complete activity books, attend presentations and earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate.
• Gold Rush Adventures – Families follow a Klondike Gold Rush‑inspired trail around the ship on a quest to “strike it rich.”
• Great Alaskan Expedition – A three‑hour, team-based experience for youth and teens that explores Alaska by land, sea and air through interactive challenges.

Biggest Alaska Season Ever in 2026

With more than 55 years of experience sailing Alaska, Princess is using these new experiences to anchor its largest Alaska deployment to date. The 2026 Alaska season will feature eight ships, 180 departures and 19 destinations, plus a wide choice of sea‑only itineraries and combined land-and-sea cruisetours from five convenient departure ports. From Glacier Bay National Park scenic cruising to Denali and the Interior on cruisetours, travellers have more ways than ever to experience The Great Land with Princess.

To learn more about North to Alaska, view the new experiences and explore 2026–2027 Alaska cruises and cruisetours with Princess Cruises, visit the official website:
https://www.princess.com/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises