PRINCESS DEBUT
Princess Cruises is introducing the largest ship to sail in Alaska to date, the 3,082-passenger Crown Princess, sailing the Voyage of the Glaciers route that runs through the Gulf of Alaska. This summer will also see the return of Princess Cruises’ small-ship cruising on the Pacific Princess, which will sail the Inside Passage from Vancouver. princess.com or book.princess.com
KENAI FJORDS WILDERNESS LODGE
The recently renovated Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, located on a privately owned parcel of land on Fox Island, and nestled in the woods between the oceanside pebble beach and a quiet island lagoon, is offering a new culinary program that includes behind-the-scenes access to the lodge kitchen, where guests will learn the basics of handling and cooking fresh Alaskan seafood. kenaifjordslodge.com or ciritourism.com/travel-trade-resources.html
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S LAND + SEA
Holland America Line has rebranded its CruiseTour program as Land+Sea Journeys, with more time in marquee destinations and less overland travel time. There’s now a 1-hour flight that brings Fairbanks, AK, and Dawson City, Yukon closer together, replacing up to two days of motorcoach travel and an overnight hotel stay. The Land+Sea Journeys run May-September and are simplified with 12 options ranging in length from 10 to 20 days in two series: Yukon+Denali Land+Sea Journeys and Denali Land+Sea Journeys. They combine a 3- to 7-night Holland America Line cruise with an overland adventure that includes a 1- to 3-night stay at Denali National Park. hollandamerica.com
CRUISE + AIR NEWS
Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line will add Icy Strait Point, a small-ship cruise port located 30 miles west of Juneau, as a port of call for two ships, the Celebrity Solstice and the Norwegian Pearl. Delta Air Lines will offer seasonal flights between Seattle and Juneau beginning May 29. ncl.com; celebritycruises.com; delta.com
WINTERLAKE LODGE
Located 198 trail miles northwest of Anchorage, along Alaska’s Iditarod Trail and with views of the Trimble Glacier, Winterlake Lodge launched three outdoor excursions this winter, including an overnight snowmobile excursion that follows the Iditarod National Historic Trail, as well as a cross-country ski opportunity on nearby Wolverine Mountain. Winter rates start at $1,050 pp for a 1-night stay, and that includes roundtrip air from Anchorage, accommodations, meals, most excursions, complimentary yoga and massage. After the first night, it’s $600 pp for additional nights, so a 2-night stay is $1,650. withinthewild.com or withinthewild.com/agents
BOOK IT WITH TAUCK
With Tauck, you can book your family clients on an 8-day Tauck Bridges Alaska: Call of the Wild tour that includes a night in Anchorage; travel into the northern interior for a jet boat ride, a wilderness hike and two nights at a wilderness lodge; the opportunity to meet Alaskan huskies at a dog sled training facility and soar above the foothills of Mt. McKinley on a flightseeing experience; an adventure in Kenai for a 2-night wilderness lodge stay and a choice of activities including kayaking, river rafting and a guided wilderness hike in the Kenai River region; and there’s even panning for gold at the Crow Creek Mine. Recommended age: 8+; June-August (many dates are sold out); $3,990. tauck.com
ALASKAN DREAM CRUISES
The newest itinerary from Alaskan Dream Cruises is the 9-day Point Adolphus, Frederick Sound & Stephens Passage Explorer, sailing on the 58-passenger Admiralty Dream on May 16, and the 49-passenger Baranof Dream May 15 and Aug. 11. The cruise sails roundtrip from Sitka, calling at the Tlingit village of Kake, Petersburg, Juneau and the line’s exclusive Orca Point Lodge. alaskandreamcruises.com or alaskandreamcruises.com/travel-partners-login
ALASKA BEAR FESTIVAL
This year, visitors to Wrangell can experience the fifth anniversary of the Alaska Bear Festival, July 23-27, celebrating the bears of Alaska. Activities include workshops; bear symposiums; kids’ activities, trips to Anan Wildlife Observatory and music. alaskabearfest.org
