For Susan, Alaska was more than another vacation—it was a dream trip. She wanted to experience Alaska’s coastal communities, glaciers, wildlife, Denali, and the vast interior without having to coordinate every complicated piece herself.
Princess Cruises’ TA6 Connoisseur Escorted Cruisetour checked virtually every box on her Alaska wish list. The only thing Alaska did not provide was a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, even the best travel advisor cannot control the weather—or the aurora.
“Everything was perfectly planned. He kept us updated on every aspect of the trip. The trip exceeded my expectations.”
—Susan, from her Customer Review
More Than an Alaska Cruise
Susan and her traveling companion began with a pre-cruise stay in Vancouver before boarding the Grand Princess for a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise.
Their northbound itinerary traveled through the Inside Passage, with visits to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord brought the scale and beauty of Alaska into view from the ship.
The Grand Princess provided a comfortable, traditional cruise experience with outdoor viewing areas for Alaska’s scenery. They stayed in a mini-suite and selected the Princess Plus package, which bundled several useful onboard conveniences.
But the cruise was only the first half of their Alaska adventure.
Traveling Into the Heart of Alaska
After leaving the ship in Whittier, they began the land portion of the Connoisseur Escorted Cruisetour. Their route included stays at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, and the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge.
Princess arranged the motorcoach transportation, scenic rail travel from Talkeetna to Denali, and the assistance of a dedicated tour director. Most meals during the land portion were included, removing much of the daily decision-making and expense that can accompany an independently arranged Alaska land trip.
Among the included experiences were:
- The Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park
- Scenic Princess rail travel
- Gold panning at Gold Dredge 8
- A sternwheeler riverboat cruise on the Chena River
- Time at Princess wilderness lodges near Mt. McKinley and Denali
- Two nights in Fairbanks
The cruisetour revealed two very different sides of Alaska: the glaciers, coastal towns, and waterways seen from the ship, followed by the mountains, wildlife, wilderness, and history of the interior.
Making a Complicated Trip Feel Simple
An Alaska cruisetour has many moving parts. This trip required airfare, a Vancouver hotel package, transfers, the cruise, the land tour, and travel insurance—along with flight schedules, luggage instructions, cruise-app requirements, and other details before departure.
My role was to keep those pieces connected and understandable. Before departure, I provided timely updates and straightforward instructions about their flights, arrival in Vancouver, cruise check-in, luggage, embarkation, and onboard package benefits.
The goal was not to overwhelm them with every possible detail. It was to provide the right information at the right time so they could leave home feeling prepared and enjoy the journey without worrying about what they might have forgotten.
Susan later described the personalized planning and attention to detail as making the process stress-free.
Did the Cruisetour Deliver?
For Susan, the answer was yes.
The Connoisseur Escorted Cruisetour provided the convenience and organization she wanted while still allowing her to experience the enormous scale and beauty of Alaska. It brought together the major destinations and experiences on her wish list without requiring her to arrange hotels, transportation, rail travel, meals, and sightseeing independently.
Although the Northern Lights remained elusive, nearly everything else Susan imagined for her Alaska dream trip became part of the journey.
That is one of the most rewarding parts of being a travel advisor: helping someone move a trip from a wish list into real life—and then hearing that the experience was everything they hoped it would be.
Perhaps Susan will simply have to return to Alaska someday for another chance to see the Northern Lights.
Cruisetour names, packages, meals, and other inclusions can change. Current details should always be confirmed for your specific travel dates.
Considering Alaska?
If an Alaska cruise or cruisetour is somewhere on your wish list, I would be happy to help you understand the different ships, itineraries, and land-tour options. There is no pressure or commitment—just a conversation about what might fit your interests, pace, and budget.
Christopher Henfling is an independent travel advisor affiliated with Advanced Travel Consultants. Ask a travel question or start planning here.