princess cruise alaska damage

• Updated Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Princess cruise ship from Alaska with thousands onboard damaged after hitting San Francisco pier

The princess cruise ship made contact with the dock and passengers and crew got off, a cruise spokesperson said.

Woman rescued after falling off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

A woman was rescued after falling out of the 10th deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship near the Dominican Republic. It is unclear whether the woman accidentally fell from the ship or intentionally jumped. (Credit: @matthew_kuhn/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)

A cruise ship docking in San Francisco crashed into Pier 27 as passengers and crew were on board, Princess Cruises said. 

The Ruby Princess was arriving in the port just after 6 a.m. when it made "unexpected contact with the dock" at the pier, a Princess Cruises spokesperson told Fox News Digital. 

"We had gotten up and we were in our stateroom and I just felt a bump and thought, ‘here we are,’" Melinda Van Nort, a passenger on the Ruby Princess, told Fox San Francisco . "Just felt like a little nudge that we'd run into something."

MAN FALLS FROM CRUISE SHIP OFF FLORIDA COAST: 'LIFE OF THE PARTY'

A Princess Cruises ship was damaged when it crashed into a San Francisco pier Thursday morning.   (KTVU)

A dent in the port side rear was visible, according to images of the damage. Other photos showed that there were some black, circular smudges on the bottom of the white ship.

There were no injuries and everyone was asked to disembark the ship, the cruise line said. An assessment of the damage to the ship and pier was being conducted.

The front of the Ruby Princess is seen damaged in San francisco.  (KTVU)

The cruise ship was sailing with 3,328 guests and 1,159 crew members, according to the news outlet. 

"While the specific departure time for the upcoming 10-day roundtrip voyage to Alaska is still being determined, embarkation of passengers will begin at 11:30am PT" the cruise said. 

The Ruby Princess docked in San Francisco.  (KTVU)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The ship had just completed its 10-day journey to Alaska, which left San Francisco on June 26, the news station reported.

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to  [email protected] .

The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.

By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use , and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

Cruise ship finally leaves San Francisco after pier crash with hundreds fewer passengers

• Copy link to this article

After three unscheduled days in San Francisco, thousands of passengers and crew aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship could finally wave goodbye to the city’s Pier 27.

Ruby Princess finally embarks #abc7now #RubyPrincess pic.twitter.com/AKIZm5MdWw — Madge Bagala (@sfmadgic) July 9, 2023

After final checks and clearance from the U.S. Coast Guard over the weekend , the Princess Cruises ship pulled away from the pier Sunday afternoon to resume its travels with 2,677 passengers—or 579 fewer than last Friday—and 1,161 crew, two more crew members than it docked with. 

“Repairs on Ruby Princess have been completed and following inspection and certification by the United States Coast Guard, the ship is safe and fit to sail,” Princess Cruises said in a statement on Monday.

The 951-foot Bermuda-registered Princess Cruises ship struck the pier early Thursday morning, causing damage to both the port and the vessel before setting sail for Ketchikan in Alaska.

The 113,561-ton ship will visit Prince Rupert in Canada on Thursday before returning to San Francisco next Sunday, July 16.

Ruby Princess finally makes her way under the Golden Gate Bridge after this week’s “unexpected contact” with Pier 27 pic.twitter.com/l1OXepFs9l — Fidelma Butler (@fidelmabutler) July 9, 2023

The ship’s original load of 3,328 passengers and 1,159 crew members returned to San Francisco after leaving the city on a 10-day round-trip cruise to Alaska, but its planned 4 p.m. Thursday departure was further delayed by repairs to the pier and ship.

Pier Damages

Boris Delepine, the Port of San Francisco’s legislative affairs manager, said on Friday crews are still determining the extent of the damage to the pier and required repairs.

“The port continues to assess the damage to Pier 27 and will work to make the necessary repairs for continuity of operations,” Delepine said. “With multiple berths throughout the Port of San Francisco, we stand ready to receive our scheduled cruise calls in the week ahead and do not expect cruise flow to be impacted.”

The port did not respond to a request for updates on pier damage by publication time on Monday.

By Friday, Princess Cruises said all guests and crew had remained on board after boarding the ship Thursday. Teams from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Port State Control shop inspected the ship that afternoon and located various areas of the hull that needed additional repairs, a spokesman said Saturday morning.

“Princess has considered all possible alternatives and has selected this itinerary to preserve as much of our guests’ precious vacation time as possible,” the company said in a statement Saturday.

#SanFrancisco #rubyprincess #cruise pic.twitter.com/5EbBVGIX78 — Neeraj Sabharwal (@123nsab) July 9, 2023

Princess Cruises said those who decide to cancel their trip will receive a full refund with an additional 50% of future cruise credit. Passengers who continue their cruise will also receive a 75% refund with an additional 75% of future cruise credit.

According to KRON4, four family members traveling aboard the Ruby Princess to San Francisco contracted Covid.

George Kelly can be reached at [email protected]

Filed Under

Repaired Ruby Princess makes it to Alaska as passengers share updates

A Twitter user with the handle @Cmptlfamily caught a time-lapse of the Ruby Princess hitting the pier July 6, 2023.

SAN FRANCISCO - It appears to be smooth sailing for passengers aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship that left San Francisco Sunday. 

Guests from ‘Injured Ruby’ posted to social media Wednesday that they had arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska, and on Thursday, the Prince Rupert Port Authority confirmed an 8 a.m. arrival to Prince Rupert in British Columbia.

The cruise ship was delayed leaving San Francisco after it smacked into the pier July 6 causing a gash in its underside. Crews worked through the weekend to repair the hole before the U.S. Coast Guard gave approval Sunday for a departure.

TikToker Janna Damigeana, who is on the cruise with her mom, shared details about the cruise with KTVU. She has been posting about their decision to stay on the ship and how it's going so far.

"We stayed and we asked for an upgrade," said Damigeana adding Princess Cruises not only upgraded them to a suite, but gave them a private balcony too. 

"We have seen whales, jellyfish, and a shark from our balcony!!" she said.

Damigeana said her mom was "living her best life" sharing a video of her dancing away on the ship.

"So far, I’m loving the Ruby. I love the water pressure in the shower! The staff are all wonderful and attentive," posted one passenger to Facebook, adding they were making the best of odd circumstances on ‘injured Ruby.’

Originally there were 3,256 passengers going on the cruise, but after the collision only 2,677 guests decided to stay on the ship, according to Princess Cruises. The crew number remained the same at 1,161.

A Twitter user surprisingly caught footage of the ship hitting the pier and didn't realize it until a few days later.

"I was up early for an East Coast meeting and decided to get a time-lapse of the docking to show my kids," wrote @Cmptlfamily. "Didn't know what I had captured until I saw the news 2 days later."

The ship is scheduled to return to San Francisco on July 16. It was originally scheduled for a 10-day voyage, but that was cut short due to the damage.

ALSO: 'Do we stay or do we go': Ruby Princess passengers face decision before ship departs

• ABC7 Bay Area 24/7 live stream Watch Now
• Watch the latest ABC7 newscast here Full Story
• ABC7 proud new home of SF Chinese New Year Parade Full Story
• Track wildfires across CA with this interactive map Full Story

'Go with the flow': Ruby Princess passengers anxious to leave as ship repairs continue

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The waiting game continues this weekend for passengers on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which remains docked in San Francisco.

The ship was supposed to be in Alaska by now but a crash damaged the hull of the vessel while it was docking on Thursday.

SUNDAY UPDATE: Ruby Princess cleared to depart San Francisco for Alaska after damage repaired, coast guard says

A new departure date has been announced for 4 p.m. Sunday if repairs can be done and approved the U.S. Coast Guard by then. In the meantime, those on board are trying to make the best of it.

"It's Hello Kitty day. We stepped off the cruise ship for some Giants game fun," said Anita Lawhon.

RELATED: Damaged, delayed Ruby Princess won't depart San Francisco until Sunday, cruise line says

Lawhon took in a Giants game Saturday with her husband and friends, but it's not what they had planned. The group was supposed to be sailing to Alaska on the Ruby Princess. The ship was scheduled to depart three days ago.

"Now we have decided to make lemonade out of lemons. We're going to the Giants game and playing it by ear," said Lawhon.

"We thought maybe it was cursed. We were a little worried. It's working out well now," said passenger Debbie Lombardi.

Lombardi and Lawhon have chosen to stay on board the ship, which could set sail on Sunday. That's when Coast Guard and Princess officials say repairs should be complete on the vessel. Those repairs are progressing.

MORE: Search suspended for man who fell from Carnival cruise ship

On Friday, our cameras captured a large hole in the ship's hull near the stern.

On Saturday, the hole appeared to be sealed.

"Yes we're going to miss a couple of ports, but we're going to be compensated in a certain way, a good deal. You can't control it. You just have to go with the flow," said passenger Jennifer Ma.

Princess Cruises is offering passengers two options:

MORE: Man allegedly hid secret camera in bathroom of Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Stay on board for a shortened 7-day cruise and get a 75% refund and 75% discount toward a future voyage or leave the ship and get a full refund and 50% off a future cruise.

"So they're not making all the stops. It's not what I signed up to do," said passenger Dan Faltings.

Dan and Debbie Faltings from Livermore say they've had enough stress and disappointment for one trip -- they're going home.

"I feel disappointed. At this point, our mood has changed. I'd rather do it at a different time when we can just get on the boat and have our cruise," said Debbie Faltings.

MORE: Record-setting year for cruising out of San Francisco predicted

"It's all good. Safety is what matters," Lawhon said.

Others on board say they're here for the duration.

"We're all from different areas. We've already planned this. Why not stay?" said Shirley Bartel.

Princess says passengers have until 11 a.m. Sunday to decide if they stay on board or get off the ship. An investigation into Thursday's docking accident is being led by the U.S. Coast Guard.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

Related Topics

• SAN FRANCISCO
• CRUISE SHIP

Top Stories

1 dead after 2 cars go over cliff near the Cliff House in SF: police

Teen suspect facing attempted murder charge in Pearsall shooting: DA

• 2 hours ago

Man who was groomed online as kid shares what he wants parents to know

• 3 hours ago

Bay Area scam victim loses life savings, owes more than $30K in taxes

CA bill would allow missing rental cars to be tracked after 24 hours

• 6 minutes ago

49ers longtime season ticket holders angry over new tailgating rules

49ers' John Lynch gives update on Ricky Pearsall after SF shooting

Antioch seeks stricter ordinance to clear homeless encampments

Ruby Princess cleared to travel to Alaska after dock collision in San Francisco

Ketchikan's police chief resigns, criminal charges dropped

Large storm set for landfall early Wednesday

Potential shift in balance of power in Alaska legislature debated by lawmakers

Ahead of Dunleavy Eklutna Dam decision, Anchorage Assembly sends Dunleavy preferred proposal

Whimpering leads firefighters to save 2 dogs trapped in house buried in landslide after 7 days

Palmer family mourns loss of son killed while working at Mat-Su gas station

Crashes and Disasters | ‘We were spinning pretty quick’: Ruby…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Today's e-Edition

• Latest News
• Environment
• Transportation

Breaking News

Crashes and disasters | teen charged with attempted murder in shooting of 49ers rookie ricky pearsall, crime and public safety, crashes and disasters, crashes and disasters | ‘we were spinning pretty quick’: ruby princess cruise ship crashes into san francisco pier.

A Princess Cruises ship crashed into a pier in San Francisco as it was preparing to dock after a 10-day Alaskan cruise, officials said.

The 113,561-ton Ruby Princess “made unexpected contact with the dock at Pier 27” at the port of San Francisco Thursday morning, Princess Cruises said in a statement obtained by CNN.

“There were no injuries and at no time were any guests or crew in danger,” the company said. “The ship is safely alongside and disembarkation is complete.”

Passenger Paul Zasso said he knew something seemed off as the ship approached the pier.

“I noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock,” Zasso told CNN affiliate KGO . “I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window, and we smacked into the dock.”

The US Coast Guard is now investigating the crash, Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel told CNN.

The ship, which can accommodate 3,080 guests and 1,200 crew , suffered damage to its left rear side. The dock was also damaged, Princess Cruises said.

While investigators assessed damage to both the ship and the pier, Princess Cruises said it was still planning to board passengers for another 10-day, roundtrip journey to Alaska. But it was not immediately clear when the Ruby Princess would be able to start its next voyage.

“I don’t swim that good. I just think they patch it up,” Simpson told KGO .

But he said he’s not worried.

“It’s a 10-day cruise, there’s plenty of time,” he told the affiliate. “We can make up time moving and things like that. So I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

• Report an error
• Policies and Standards

More in Crashes and Disasters

Crashes and Disasters | Bear Fire in Tahoe National Forest grows to 2,000 acres

Crime and Public Safety | Driver charged in Los Altos Hills crash that left bicyclist dead

Crashes and Disasters | On Conception boat fire anniversary, NTSB chair calls out Coast Guard over safety requirements

Crashes and Disasters | Vandals tamper with cameras set up by Los Gatos resident

Cruise ship damaged after striking pier while docking

A ruby princess cruise ship sustained heavy damage after it collided with a pier while docking from a trip, officials said., july 6, 2023, what’s next for russia, what comes next after texas school shooting, what's next for abortion rights in america, the new battle for voting rights, how we can build a clean and renewable future, the fight for kyiv, examining extremism in the military, gun violence: an american epidemic, border crisis: what’s happening at the us-mexico border, remembering george floyd: a year of protest, the source of covid-19: what we know, how did the gamestop stock spike on wall street happen, why are people hesitant to trust a covid-19 vaccine, how climate change and forest management make wildfires harder to contain, disparity in police response: black lives matter protests and capitol riot, 2020 in review: a year unlike any other, examined: how putin keeps power, why don’t the electoral college and popular vote always match up, us crosses 250,000 coronavirus deaths, 2nd impeachment trial: what this could mean for trump, presidential transition of power: examined, how donald trump spent his last days as president, how joe biden's inauguration will be different from previous years, belarus’ ongoing protests: examined, trump challenges the vote and takes legal action, 2020’s dnc and rnc are different than any before, what is happening with the usps, voting in 2020 during covid-19, disinformation in 2020, abc news specials on, impact x nightline: on the brink, impact x nightline: unboxing shein, the lady bird diaries, impact x nightline: it's britney, impact x nightline: natalee holloway -- a killer confesses, impact x nightline: who shot tupac, impact x nightline, power trip: those who seek power and those who chase them, the murders before the marathon, the ivana trump story: the first wife, mormon no more, leave no trace: a hidden history of the boy scouts, keeper of the ashes: the oklahoma girl scout murders, the orphans of covid: america's hidden toll, superstar: patrick swayze, the kardashians -- an abc news special, 24 months that changed the world, have you seen this man.

• Breaking News
• University Guide
• Meghan Markle
• Prince Harry
• King Charles III

Cruising for a bruising! Ruby Princess sustains heavy damage after slamming into San Francisco pier 'when captain made "insane" decision to dock ship in strong current'

• The Princess Cruise ship made 'unexpected contact' with Pier 27 shortly after 6am PST on Thursday morning
• The ship had just completed a 10-day tour to Alaska and is due to begin another at 4pm PST 
• No crew or passengers were injured or in danger, the coastguard confirmed 

By Dailymail Reporter

Published: 15:06 EDT, 6 July 2023 | Updated: 21:44 EDT, 15 September 2023

View comments

A large cruise ship crashed into a San Francisco pier while attempting to dock on Thursday morning, the Coast Guard has said. 

The Ruby Princess, run by the Princess Cruise conglomerate, has sustained serious injury to its hull as well as caused considerable damage to Pier 27.

The Cruise company described the collision as 'unexpected contact' during docking shortly after 6am PST, as the vessel returned from a cruise to Alaska packed with holidaymakers.

Officials are assessing the damage but there were no injuries and guests and crew were not in danger, the Coast Guard confirmed.

Accusations that the captain made the 'insane' decision to attempt docking during a strong current have been reported by ABC .

The station's reporter Dan Noyes claimed a bar pilot - captain who boards the ship to help guide it into port - 'tried docking on a 3knot ebb current which is insane.'

Princess has yet to comment on that claim, and hasn't named the person who was in charge of the ship when it crashed.   

The Ruby Princess, run by the Princess Cruise conglomerate, has sustained serious injury to its hull

The large cruise ship also caused considerable damage to Pier 27 in San Francisco's bay 

The ship had 3,328 guests on board with 1,159 crew members and was completing a 10-day cruise to Alaska that left San Francisco on June 26.

The ship is due to depart again at 4pm PST for Alaska, with Noyes claiming its departure would likely face a delay so repairs could be carried out.

At the time of the accident, the Ruby Princess was under the partial control of a San Francisco Bar Pilot. 

Bar pilots are experienced mariners who meet large ships coming into the San Francisco Bay 11 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge and help navigate them to their final destination. 

'We can confirm a pilot was involved in an incident at Pier 27 this morning,' a spokesperson for San Francisco Bar Pilots told KRON4. 

'We are cooperating with all necessary agencies in looking into this matter.' 

Paul Zhaso a passenger on board the ship told ABC how he 'noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock, and I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window and we smacked into the dock.' 

Another passenger from Sacramento Jeremy Jordan told the network: 'It was surreal and you could definitely feel it.

The Cruise company described the collision as 'unexpected contact' during docking shortly after 6am PST

At the time of the accident, the Ruby Princess was under the partial control of a San Francisco Bar Pilot

The ship had 3,328 guests on board with 1,159 crew members and was completing a 10-day cruise to Alaska

'It wasn't like things falling off the shelves or anything like that, kind of like when you get the tugboats coming up against us. So yeah... it was different.'

'It's ironic, because I think it was yesterday the captain was talking about how he goes into docks and how unpredictable the currents are' the avid cruise goer said. 

Share or comment on this article: Ruby Princess sustains heavy damage after slamming into San Francisco pier

Share what you think

• Worst rated

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

• Follow DailyMail
• Subscribe Daily Mail
• Follow @dailymail
• Follow MailOnline
• Follow Daily Mail

From the Makers of Candy Crush

• Back to top

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd

Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group

Princess Cruises: Cancel Few Alaska Port Changes

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• July 26, 2022

UPDATE — 7/26 at 6:40 pm: This evening, Princess provided an update saying that Royal, Discovery, and Grand Princess’ canceled Skagway visits will be replaced with a call to Sitka.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Princess Cruises has canceled some calls to Skagway, Alaska, due to an increased risk of highly damaging rockslides at the port area.

Earlier this month, geotechnical engineers put together a report for the Municipality of Skagway detailing the impending rockslides above the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway Dock, where cruise ships tie up during visits to the Alaskan town.

The report said, in part, “We believe that there is a significant risk associated with complete failure of this feature… the consequences of such failure will be catastrophic in nature with significant risks to life and property. The timing of such a failure is difficult to predict but accelerating movement rates suggest that the failure event is approaching.”

The port has closed the forward berth at the dock, which is the primary location where Princess Cruises’ Royal-class ships dock.

In a statement, the line said “The July 26 call of Majestic Princess will instead call on Icy Strait Point, but Crown Princess will continue with its scheduled call in Skagway Tuesday, as it docks at a different Skagway pier. This development also will affect the July 27 call of Royal Princess, the July 28 visit of Discovery Princess and the July 30 visit of Grand Princess, the specifics of which are still being coordinated.”

In addition to closing the forward berth at the dock, Skagway port officials have also moved the security area where passengers go to get back on the ship, as well as the coffee shop and shore excursion booths.

A rockslide already recently occurred at the port area in the early morning on June 23rd. It damaged the dock, but no passengers were on the dock then and no one was injured. The additional rockslides that will happen in the near future are expected to be far more damaging.

The end of Princess’ statement says that it will “continue to work with officials from Skagway and the White Pass Rail Road to determine when scheduled calls can return.”

READ NEXT: Virgin Voyages Ship Featured on ABC Show ‘The Bachelorette’

• Norwegian Gem Set to Launch Cruises from Jacksonville in 2025
• Tender Issues Cause NCL Cruise Ships to Skip Venice
• The First Cruise Line in History Will Homeport in Washington, D.C.
• Carnival Expects Revenue Hit by Scraping Red Sea Transits on 12 Ships

Recent Posts

• Cruise Lines Put New Zealand on Notice Over Protests and Fee Hikes
• Royal Caribbean Employee Gets 30 Years in Prison for Voyeurism
• First Timer Cruiser on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 [Podcast]
• Margaritaville at Sea Islander 2024 Updated Review + Cruise News [Podcast]

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.   

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Alaska Cruise Ports

Skagway (Alaska)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Alaska

Local Time 2024-09-03 19:23

Port Skagway cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Skagway, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Skagway is an Alaskan cruise port located on the northernmost point of Inside Passage . The town has population around 1,000 and lies in the narrow plain of Skagway River (at the head of Lynn Canal).

Skagway is also the northern terminus of Alaska Marine Highway (abbre AMH, state-operated ferry service). The settlement was familiar to thousands of gold rushers as the gateway to the Alaskan goldfields. It offered the shortest route to Klondike, but it was far beyond from being the easiest one. The gold rush was a blessing for Skagway and by 1898 the town became the largest in Alaska (with population ~20,000). When in 1900 the gold yield dwindled, Skagway's population of mostly miners shifted to Nome .

To serve the tourist influx during summer, Skagway's population doubles. Port Skagway (locode USSGY) is among the most popular Alaskan cruise ship stops. For mainly tourism purposes is operated the White Pass Yukon Route (abbrev WPYR) gauge railroad. This service runs throughout the summer months only. The railroad is also used for shipping copper ore from Alaska's interior.

Of all the tourists (~1 million annually), roughly 3/4 are cruise ship passengers. Most tourists come here to visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, as well as the Coast Mountains' White Pass Trail (from Skagway to Yukon River and the lakes Crater, Lindeman, and Bennett) and Chilkoot Trail (33-m / 53-km long trail connecting Dyea AK with Bennett BC Canada). The town has a historical district with ~100 gold rush era authentic buildings.

In June 2018,  Carnival Corporation (via the subsidiary company Holland America - Princess Alaska Tours) entered into a deal to purchase "White Pass and Yukon Route" division of the company TWC Enterprises Ltd. The deal included Skagway's White Pass Dock/Port, also railroad (White Pass Scenic Railway) and retail operations. The money transaction was scheduled for July 31.

Skagway's most popular "shore excursion" options for cruise tourists include White Pass Railroad Excursion (aka White Pass Summit Excursion, provided by the train travel company White Pass & Yukon Railroad), Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (30-min live presentations given by a ranger), Yakutania Point (overlooking Tailya Inlet, walking and hiking), Dewey Lake Trail hiking (the Lower loop has length 2,5-mi/4-km, the Upper loop has length 3 mi/5 km).

The most-booked White Pass Summit Excursion features traveling in vintage coaches (pulled by an original steam locomotive) on the route to the White Pass Summit. The route passes attractions like Bridal Veil Falls (waterfall flowing from Lake Serene to South Fork Skykomish River), Inspiration Point Mine, Dead Horse Gulch (3000+ horses died on the trail during the Klondike Gold Rush, and their bones can still be seen near the summit). The unique train travel also features breathtaking views of the mountains, glaciers, gorges, tunnels.

In June-July-August 2022, three rockslides caused damage to the port, the dock used for the mountain train excursion remained closed for the rest of the season, and dozens of cruise ships were diverted to other Alaskan ports.

CCL-Carnival reveals 2026-2027 cruise plans with new European and Alaska itineraries

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled the initial phase of its 2026-2027 deployment plans, starting with summer 2026 sailings to highly sought-after...

Princess Cruises announces 106 Alaskan voyages for 2016 season

Princess Cruises has announced plans to offer 106 voyages to 15 destinations in Alaska from May to September 2016. These voyages will depart from...

Princess Cruises Flash Sale promotion: £1 deposits on 2025 and 2026 voyages

Princess Cruises has launched a flash sale with a special offer of £1 deposits for 1000+ sailings scheduled for 2025 and 2026. The limited...

Princess Cruises' 2024 Alaska program features Aurora Borealis experience

This summer, guests sailing with Princess Cruises to Alaska will enjoy an exclusive Voyage to the Stars experience featuring the Aurora Borealis, or...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line's summer 2025 fleet deployment (Europe & Caribbean itineraries)

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has unveiled its summer 2025 itineraries, promising families unforgettable voyages to beloved destinations worldwide. Among...

HAL-Holland America enhances Alaska Cruisetours with resort upgrades and new Yukon Tour

HAL-Holland America Line is enhancing its Alaska Cruisetours for the 2024 season with upgrades to accommodations at McKinley Chalet Resort and the...

Cunard unveils Alaska 2025 season (MS Queen Elizabeth ship)

In 2025, enthusiasts of maritime exploration have the opportunity to embark on an exceptional seafaring holiday as the UK-based Cunard Line reveals...

RCI-Royal Caribbean opens bookings for 2025 Alaska cruises

RCI-Royal Caribbean International is expanding its cruise offerings in Alaska for summer 2025. The popular liner Anthem OTS will join the Alaskan...

CCL's ship Carnival Legend cruises from San Francisco to Alaska and Mexico in 2025

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line is set to introduce a lineup of cruise offerings from San Francisco CA in 2025. Carnival Legend, with a passenger capacity...

Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas voyage cancelled due to propulsion issues

Cruise passengers who had booked a trip on RCI-Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas were recently informed of the cancellation of their voyage. The...

•   show more news

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

7 Things I Loved, Plus 4 Things I Didn’t During Princess’s Alaska Cruisetour

• Cruises and Sailing
• Types of Travel

On my first morning after embarking on the Royal Princess Hamilton Cruise ship on a sea and land cruise from Vancouver through the Inside Passage of Alaska and up to Fairbanks, I sat on my portside balcony and watched the gray seas as the pale morning sun rose.

A sudden movement caught my eye, and the head of a humpback whale rose directly out of the water, suspended for a brief moment before it disappeared under the sea.

“Did I just see that?” I muttered sleepily to myself. As if to answer me, the telltale poof of water shot out of the sea, followed by the dark, subtle hump of the whale as he followed alongside our massive 1,083-foot long ship .

Instantly, I ran inside to wake my travel buddy, but by the time he got to the balcony, the whale was long gone. However, that whale sighting was a premonition of extraordinary adventures to come on the Princess Cruises’ 12-17 day Connoisseur Alaska Cruisetour .

From luscious food choices and all-day entertainment to excursions and off-shore adventures through Alaska’s small coastal communities, the Alaska Cruisetour was probably one of the most fun trips I had taken all year. While I had my first cruise in January on a small excursion ship, I was invited and hosted by Princess Cruises to experience my first “big” cruise ship. For some reason, I had poo-pooed the idea of the big “floating city” cruise ships in the past, but the 12 days of sailing and traveling with Princess changed my mind.

I get it now. I get why people dream of cruises and just how easy it is to relax and just enjoy when you are being pampered, cared for, and catered to by a cruise ship company. Coming from the eyes of a brand-new cruiser (this won’t be my last cruise, I guarantee you), here are the seven things I loved — plus the four things I didn’t — during the Princess Alaska Cruisetour.

7 Things I Loved

1. medallion magnificant and the staff.

The Royal Princess is a Princess MedallionClass™ ship with a capacity of 3,560 guests. The MedallionClass ships use touchless technologies in the form of a small, quarter-sized customizable Medallion and an app to enhance and personalize individual experiences and health protocols. 

This thing is so cool. I had my Medallion customized with an astrological symbol and ordered the rubber wristband. While wearing it, the Medallion automatically unlocks and locks my stateroom door as I enter it, allows staff to find me anywhere on the ship to deliver my daily Bloody Mary, allows for touch-free boarding and purchases, let me find my travel companion on the ship, and more. 

“So let’s say you’re out tanning by the pool and you want to get some extra sunscreen, you can go on the app on your phone and order sunscreen which will be purchased through the app and delivered to you where you are anywhere on the ship,” said Briana Latner, public relations and marketing for Princess Cruises. “We’ve also introduced ‘Dine My Way,’ which helps you make reservations in the main dining rooms and the specialty dining, helps get rid of wait times and helps you with your special preferences.”

Another feature of the Princess Medallion is the Ocean Compass, which allows you to locate and message your travel companions. Whomever you are traveling with is automatically named as travel companions in the app, but you can remove each other if you choose to.

“Sometimes there are kids who are teenagers. They can go off on their own, but you want to make sure you know where they are and they’re safe,” Latner said. “Many people who are traveling with parents or the elderly who may get disoriented find it’s been really helpful  to be able to find each other too.”

Travel blogger Erin Cohen said the Medallion created a level of ease on her trip that shocked her.

“It makes you eat too much,” she laughed. “Everything comes to you at the snap of a finger or the touch of a button. The Medallion makes life almost too easy, but it’s great.”

Combined with the Princess Medallion, the staff on the boat is top-notch. Our stateroom was cleaned twice a day at least (the Medallion lets staff know when you are out of your room so they don’t disturb you), the bartenders all know your name and preferred drink, and every crewmember greets you with a cheerful hello.

Using the app and the Medallion was super convenient when it came to purchases, ordering, getting around, and more.

Pro Tip: Download the app before you embark on the cruise to upload safety and health documents, pre-book activities and dining, and get used to all the features. It’s a lot to learn. You can order the Medallion ahead of time and either have it sent to you prior to the cruise or you can pick it up upon embarkation.

Fun Fact: The Pacific Princess was the star ship in the 1977 television series called The Love Boat . That series also made the concept of a sea-going vacation popular with millions of people and has been widely credited with fueling the dramatic expansion of the cruise industry.

2. By Land And By Sea

The Royal Princess Alaska Cruisetours are a combo land and sea experience. In addition to a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise that includes two glacier-viewing experiences and stops in the small Alaskan communities of Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Whittier (Anchorage), you’ll also explore Alaska’s interior with a guided land exploration tour.

Once you’ve disembarked from the ship, you can spend 3 or more nights on land at the various Princess Wilderness Lodges , including the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, and the Fairbanks Princess Wilderness Lodge.

These lodges are situated riverside near the legendary Denali National Park and Preserve, on the stunningly beautiful Kenai Peninsula, and in Fairbanks. Each lodge offers its own unique personality.

You will also travel by rail in a private Princess Cruises scenic railroad car and by tour bus to the various locations.

We were on the Connoisseur Alaska Cruisetour , which offers the highest level of service with a dedicated tour director, the 7-day Voyages of the Glaciers cruise, 5-10 nights on land, travel on the Princess Alaska rail service, stays at Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park , a Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park (We saw three grizzly bears!), sightseeing opportunities, and most meals included.

What I loved about this option was the ability to see not only the glaciers and wonders of coastal Alaska along the Inside Passage, but a chance to explore the famed national parks of Alaska’s rugged and beautiful interior. It truly was the best of both worlds.

“You see pictures but to see it in person is just like, it’s hard to believe this is even real. The whole time I was in Alaska, I just kept saying it was like a movie set,” said Cohen.

3. All The Choices (And Unlimited Drinks)

So maybe you are craving a pepperoni pizza while you lounge in one of the many hot tubs on the 16th-floor deck. Maybe one night, all you dream of is a big juicy steak with a Maine lobster tail. Maybe you want a lot of choices from the all-day buffet.

On the Royal Princess, the more than a dozen dining choices come in many different flavors, ranging from high-end steakhouse to Italian cuisine to sushi. Like many cruise ships, the Royal Princess has a buffet that features Asian, Indian, American, and Latino cuisine, as well as breakfast items, fresh fruit, a pastry bar, and more. On the fifth floor in the central Vista, a small deli is open 24/7 for the late night/early morning crowd.

The ship also has numerous bars, and because we were given the unlimited drinks option, we put those to good use. From the poolside bars to the cozy Wheelhouse Bar with its live music, you’ll not have to worry about finding the perfect cocktail or Alaska beer to sip on. 

Although I dined at the fancy Crown Grill and Sabatini’s, the buffet was our go-to option most days due to the sheer variety of foods to choose from. Be warned, though: It’s easy to let your eyes be bigger than your stomach, and you can end up eating more than you planned because the food is just so tasty.

4. Lots Of Viewing Areas

The Alaska Cruisetour I was on started from Vancouver and sailed through Alaska’s Inside Passage through some of the most beautiful scenery I’d ever seen. With glaciers, waterfalls, misty mountains, and otters and whales frolicking in the waves, it would be a crime not to take it all in.

I loved all the decks and viewing areas on the Royal Princess. From our own private balcony to picture windows throughout the ship to expansive decks, the views just kept coming.

Pro Tip: Bring binoculars! I really regretted not bringing the pair I own. Trust me, you won’t regret taking them when the whales and otters make their appearance.

5. Performances And Special Programs

You’ll never get bored on this Cruisetour. Starting as early as 6 a.m. every day, the Royal Princess has events, special programs, classes, naturalist talks, and fun activities. From morning stretching on the deck to art auctions and contests to game shows and line dancing classes, this ship doesn’t stop!

In addition to the hourly activities, excursions, and options during the day, The Royal Princess presents big musical shows, comedians, naturalist talks, and more in its expansive Princess Theatre. The smaller bars and venues feature live musicians and fun, silly game shows while the main Vista area of the fifth floor holds concerts and dance parties. The ship even has a disco, a hopping casino with slots and table games, a very large fitness area on the 17th deck, poolside movies, a pickleball court, a Discovery Camp for kids, and more.

Every day, a daily newsletter listing all the activities on the ship is delivered to your room, so it’s easy to find and choose what performances or classes you’d like to take part in. If you are bored at all on this ship, that’s on you! Seriously, you’ll have a hard time picking which fun activity to do.

6. Being Pampered

After days of hiking, exploring Alaska’s small communities, whale watching, dancing all night, and maybe having one too many cocktails, it’s nice to be pampered. The Royal Princess’ onboard Lotus Spa brings you to a place of peace and Zen with services like traditional massage, acupuncture, facials like the La Therapie HydraLift facial, couples massage, and Aroma Stone Therapy Massage.

After relaxing, cruisers can head to The Enclave , a getaway of thermal suites and a hydro-therapy pool with a cascading rain shower and therapeutic air jets. Sweat out your worries at a Turkish-style steam bath, steam rooms, and dry saunas for purification and detoxification, then doze off on the heated stone beds or relaxing water beds.

Another pampering experience is Royal Princess’ The Sanctuary , an adult-only retreat on the top deck with private cabanas, food and drink, and al fresco massages. The “Serenity Stewards” are quietly efficient in delivering everything you need, from fresh mimosas to towels.

7. All The Excursions

With 12 days of adventure, it would be impossible for me to list all the land and sea excursions available through the Royal Princess Cruisetour. Thankfully, you’ll be able to find all the options through the Medallion app and with the onboard concierges.

For my excursions, I went out on a crab boat in Ketchikan to learn about crab harvesting and to stuff myself silly on Dungeness crab, roared up winding mountain trails on a UTV, spotted whales, climbed glaciers, kayaked pristine mountain glacial lakes, toured and spotted wildlife on a Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park and so much more.

The excursions range from the sedate and relaxing to the wild and extreme, so there’s a little bit of everything for anyone. You can see the list of available excursions here .

4 Things I Didn’t Love

1. prices of excursions.

Alaska is expensive. There’s no getting around that fact. Being able to enjoy the Alaska landscape on a guided excursion is going to cost you. Some of the most expensive excursions include flights on small planes and helicopters, but they tend to be the most popular as well, like the Denali Flightseeing tours and helicopter tours of surrounding glaciers.

You aren’t required to purchase excursions, however. If you’d rather explore the different ports on your own, you can do that too.

2. Not Enough Time In Each Port Or Land Lodge

When you are cruising, you have a schedule to keep. You might fall in love with tiny little Skagway, but you only have a day in port. You may want to spend more time at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge with its cozy rooms and fireplaces, but you only have one night.

The fact that you do not have control over how long you can stay in any one place is certainly not Princess’ fault, but it is a bummer and a fact of life when cruising.

3. No Coffee In The Room

One of my biggest pet peeves in life is not having coffee available in my room when traveling. Yes, ordering coffee to the room was easy and the staff at Princess were on top of my caffeine addiction, but it would have been nice to have one of those little coffee makers tucked away so I could make my own coffee.

One great thing about the Royal Princess is the ability to order coffee and breakfast the night before. Each day, you can fill out a form listing what items you’d like to order and what time they should be delivered, so that’s convenient.

4. Staffing Problems At The Lodges

Like so many other destinations, Alaska has a worker shortage. That desperate need for seasonal and long-term employees has led to some staffing issues at some of the lodges. While the Royal Princess ship boasts 1,346 crew members from more than 30 different countries, some of the lodges had problems filling spots, which led to slowdowns, some maintenance issues, and longer wait times.

My best advice is to stay patient with the destinations and with the staff that is working. Everyone is doing the best they can with less.

All in all, my first “big cruise” experience was stellar and has made me a believer! Hopefully, this won’t be my last cruise, and if you yearn for an easy, well-organized way to experience Alaska, the Royal Princess Alaska Cruisetour is the way to go.

For more on cruises and sailing , explore these articles:

• My 7 Favorite Meals On Viking’s New Expedition Ship
• 6 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall
• 9 Tips For Cruising The Mediterranean With Costa

Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer based in Oklahoma. She loves outdoor adventures, exploring different cultures, and finding off-the-wall, bizarre, and wondrous experiences to enjoy. Heide writes for numerous national and international publications and is an award-winning member of the Society for Professional Journalists, North American Travel Journalists Association, and Society of American Travel Writers. Besides traveling and writing, Heide is also a professional Bellydancer, a medieval re-enactor, and a quirky chick who lives in Oklahoma City.

Latest fatal landslide in Alaska kills 1 and injures 3 in Ketchikan, a popular cruise ship stop

This drone photo taken by DOT&PF, shows the Ketchikan landslide in AK., Aug. 26, 2024. Credit: AP/Travis Watkins

JUNEAU, Alaska — A landslide cut a path down a steep, thickly forested hillside and crashed into several homes in Ketchikan, killing one person and injuring three in the latest such disaster to strike mountainous southeast Alaska.

The landslide Sunday afternoon prompted a mandatory evacuation of 60 nearby homes in the city, a popular cruise ship stop along the famed Inside Passage in the Alaska panhandle. The slope remained unstable Monday, and authorities said that state and local geologists were arriving to assess the potential for further slides.

Four homes were critically damaged, officials said, and homes next to the slide area were still being assessed. Several homes and businesses reported flooding.

Last November, six people — including a family of five — were killed when a landslide destroyed two homes in Wrangell, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) to the north. Torrential rains were blamed for landslides that killed two people in Haines in 2020 and three people in Sitka in 2015.

“In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude," Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiffer said in a statement. “With the slides we have seen across the region, there is clearly a region-wide issue that we need to try to understand with the support of our State geologist.”

Get the latest breaking news as it happens.

By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy .

He said the loss of life was “heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes.”

Ketchikan officials on Monday identified the victim as Sean Griffin, a 17-year veteran of the city’s public works team who was clearing stormwater drains with a co-worker when they were caught in the landslide.

A worker clears debris after a deadly landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024. Credit: AP/Anna Laffrey

“It was his commitment to the community that caused him to respond to the call for assistance during his scheduled time off,” a statement from Ketchikan Gateway Borough Clerk Kacie Paxton said.

The landslide followed a weekend bout of rain amid an abnormally dry August, said Andrew Park, a meteorologist in Juneau with the National Weather Service. The weather service early Monday said Ketchikan had received about 2.6 inches (66 millimeters) of rain in about 36 hours, though rainfall totals at higher elevations nearby ranged from 5 to 9 inches (127 to 229 millimeters).

Landslides can be unpredictable, but this one occurred without certain other risk factors, such as high winds, Park said.

“There weren’t any of the big red flags we would normally see,” he said.

Leah Canfield was trying to nap when the slide struck. She saw a flash of light — she initially thought lightning, but it was likely an electrical conductor exploding, she said — and then her house started rumbling. She woke her spouse, and they grabbed their dogs and headed outside.

“When we started coming down the stairs, we’ve seen that, you know, there’s a lot of debris that was flying around outside our office window and realized, you know, that this is probably much bigger than just an earthquake,” she said.

They found that their neighbor’s home had plunged downhill, part of it coming to rest in their front yard. Another two-story house next door partially collapsed and slid into a different home, knocking it off its foundation. Trees, debris and a telephone pole landed on the roof of Canfield’s home, but Canfield said she believed the house could be salvaged.

After calling family members to let them know they were OK, they walked about 20 minutes to a hotel, because their pickup truck was buried by uprooted trees.

Ketchikan is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, a temperate rainforest that encompasses much of southeast Alaska. Landslides strike often in the region, but garner little notice when they hit remote, unpopulated areas.

But as climate change intensifies storms and destabilizes soil, they are posing more risk to communities.

Because of the steep terrain, there's limited room for development in the region, and cities and roads are built at the base of slopes. Increasingly, landslides are occurring in inhabited areas of “old infrastructure that’s been built in harm’s way," said Aaron Jacobs, a meteorologist and senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service’s Juneau office.

“It’s just becoming more and more common that they’re impacting people,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs planned to travel to Ketchikan on Monday to study the soil composition in the area and try to pinpoint why it occurred when the area had been in a period of drought before the weekend’s rainfall.

“We’re going to learn more about this and hopefully we can figure out what caused it and then we can move forward on it,” he said.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared an emergency for Ketchikan, while Kiffer and Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor Rodney Dial issued a separate emergency declaration. A shelter was set up at Ketchikan High School.

Two of the victims in Ketchikan were admitted to the hospital and one was treated and released. All other individuals were accounted for, the city and borough said in a joint statement.

Michael Robbins, the superintendent of schools in Ketchikan, said in a statement on social media that a dozen people were staying at the shelter at the local high school as of Monday morning.

But people often stay with friends or relatives after such events, so it remained unknown how many were displaced.

Power was restored to some of the area by 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Other areas will remain without power while the landslide is cleared and broken power poles are replaced.

Landslides include debris flows often triggered by heavy rains. When logging or fire destroys trees, the loss of root structure can weaken soil. Rain that isn’t being sucked up by plants can saturate the ground, making it more likely to slide. Other types include creeps, which move slowly downward, and rock falls.

In Alaska, melting permafrost, retreating glaciers, earthquakes and pounding rains can all trigger landslides.

This story corrects the last name of the borough clerk to Paxton, not Paxon.

Suspect in double killings tries to kill self ... Body found ... Former Hochul aide charged ... Baseball series on LI

Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories

Most Popular

Latest videos.

Stay logged in.

The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in.

Unlimited Digital Access Only 25¢ for 5 months

Protect Your Trip »

The 9 best northern lights alaska cruises for 2024 & beyond.

Consider one of these trips for a chance to see this mesmerizing natural wonder.

The Best Northern Lights Alaska Cruises

Getty Images

There's no other experience on Earth quite like witnessing the northern lights. Also known as the aurora borealis, this spellbinding phenomenon – when brilliant hues of green, yellow and purple dance across the night sky – is visible in Alaska from late August to late April. Clear, dark evenings away from the ambient light of cities provide prime viewing opportunities.

Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis – especially locations in the Interior and Arctic regions, such as Coldfoot, Wiseman, Utqiagvik (Barrow) and Nome. Fairbanks is regarded as a top location due to its position directly under the auroral oval, a ring-shaped area in the far north where aurora activity is generally concentrated. The Southcentral region of Alaska, where you'll find Anchorage, Talkeetna and the Mat-Su Valley, also offers basecamps for northern lights viewing.

If you're hoping to see the magic aboard an Alaska cruise in 2024 or 2025, then you just might be in luck. Experts predict the next few seasons will be particularly good for northern lights sightings, due to increased solar activity. While seeing the northern lights is never guaranteed, your best chance of seeing them is during these high-activity solar cycles, which occur about every 11 years.

Find your perfect cruise

When to take a cruise to view the northern lights

The Alaska cruise season falls between May and September, with a few cruise lines extending the season from April to October.

Holland America Line recommends booking a cruise or cruisetour (a combined sea and land package) during the autumnal equinox, or the official start of autumn, which falls around Sept. 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. Disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field are more likely around the autumn and spring equinoxes, which could increase your chances of seeing the aurora. For the best views, Holland America advises heading to higher ground in Anchorage , to vantage points like Glen Alps, the Knit River Valley and Point Woronzof.

Princess Cruises also suggests booking your vacation in the fall. September is an ideal month to watch for the spectacle in the sky as the nights start getting longer and darker. The elusive display is most likely to appear on crystal-clear evenings between midnight and 4 a.m. While you can see incredible light shows in Anchorage, consider an extended tour of Fairbanks or the Interior that takes you away from light pollution (such as to Denali National Park & Preserve).

U.S. News has compiled a list of the nine best cruises and cruisetours to give you the optimal chance of viewing these whimsical lights in the sky, with a focus on sailings around the autumnal equinox in 2024 and later dates in September 2025. We've also included an early sailing in April, before the end of the aurora season. (Keep in mind: Many of these trips and itineraries are also available on other dates during the season. Cruise fares were accurate at the time of publication.)

Holland America Line

Princess cruises, celebrity cruises, norwegian cruise line, royal caribbean international.

Thierry Guenez | Courtesy of Holland America Line

9-Day Denali: Tour D8l

This nine-day land and sea tour on Nieuw Amsterdam includes an opportunity to search for the northern lights in Fairbanks, one of the best places to see them in Alaska (and in the world). Holland America offers a four-hour aurora borealis viewing tour outside the city in a yurt; it operates between the last week of August and mid-September.

If you'd like more options, there's no shortage of tour operators in town that can take you on a northern lights adventure in Fairbanks. You can even fly into town early to stay in the wilderness in an igloo with clear views of the night sky at Borealis Basecamp, located less than 30 miles from Fairbanks. Be sure to notify your hotel that you'd like a wake-up call or a knock on the door if the northern lights are on display.

You'll have more opportunities to see the aurora when you head to Denali National Park & Preserve for a stay at Holland America 's exclusive 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort, located near the entrance to the park. After a full day exploring the park by ATV or a bucket list flightseeing adventure over Denali, you'll have another chance to see the colorful light display in Alaska's wilderness after midnight. The rest of the cruisetour itinerary includes scenic cruising days, with one spent in beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. You'll also call on Juneau , Skagway and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver .

14-Day Denali: Tour D3c

This 14-day adventure includes scenic cruising of the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord, with stops in the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Whittier and Seward. You'll then have nearly a week on land in Anchorage, Denali National Park & Preserve and Fairbanks to go aurora hunting. If you spend an extra night or two in Fairbanks at the end of the trip, you'll be in town for the autumnal equinox, maximizing your northern lights viewing opportunities.

With the extra time in town, plan to book the Arctic Circle Air Adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company. This unforgettable journey takes you on a flight over the Yukon River and Brooks Range, just east of the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. You'll then land 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the community of Coldfoot and receive an Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate before your return flight to Fairbanks.

7-Day Glacier Discovery Northbound

If you're interested in a cruise-only option and would prefer to arrange the land portion independently, consider this seven-day voyage on Nieuw Amsterdam. The itinerary includes three scenic cruising days, with one day in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, and calls on the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway before disembarking in Whittier, which sits roughly 60 miles south of Anchorage.

From Whittier, there are many options to transfer to Anchorage (by rail or by road), including the iconic Glacier Discovery Train. Plan to stay a few evenings in Anchorage with a multiday guided aurora tour, or reserve a spot on an evening outing in search of the northern lights.

Read: The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

11-Day Denali Explorer – Tour DA4

This 11-day cruisetour begins with a seven-night voyage embarking from Vancouver on Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess . The itinerary includes three sea days, two of which are dedicated to scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord. You'll make stops in the coastal towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Anchorage (Whittier) before disembarking to depart for the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge via the line's direct-to-the-wilderness rail service.

Spending three nights at the lodge – located just outside the entrance to the park – in mid-September will offer excellent opportunities for aurora viewing. Keep your fingers crossed for high solar activity and clear, dark skies. Throughout your trip, learn photography tips to capture the mesmerizing display through Princess' North to Alaska Program. After your stay in Denali, you'll take a motor coach to Anchorage and stay overnight in a hotel there to finish up your voyage.

10-Day On Your Own – Tour BBX

The 10-Day On Your Own cruisetour with Princess Cruises begins with three nights on land, including overnights in Fairbanks, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. While at the Mt. McKinley resort, be sure to check out the lodge's treehouse. Designed by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet's "Treehouse Masters," this vantage point offers impressive views of Denali – the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet above sea level.

Before heading off to bed, get an update on aurora activity from the tracker on your smartphone, especially if you have clear skies that night; the app My Aurora Forecast & Alerts has excellent reviews. Request a wake-up call to have the Princess lodge staff call your room if the dazzling bands of light begin to dance in the sky. The next day, after traveling to Whittier by motor coach, you'll embark on your cruise to Vancouver aboard Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess.

The voyage from Whittier includes three sea days for relaxing activities on board the ship, with two days of scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier and in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. During your time in Glacier Bay, park rangers will board the ship to offer commentary about this captivating wilderness area's pristine glaciers and abundant wildlife. Younger cruisers and teens will also appreciate learning about this spectacular place through the Junior Ranger program, which features interactive games, activities and presentations. (All cruise ships visiting the park participate in this program with the National Park Service.) Ports of call for the rest of the journey include Icy Strait Point or Skagway (depending on the cruise), then Juneau and Ketchikan. The voyage ends in Vancouver.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

The Great National Parks Expedition Cruisetour

Celebrity's pre-cruise national parks adventure takes guests on a wildlife viewing quest to destinations in the north and the Interior where you can watch for the aurora. The 12-night trip begins in Fairbanks with a free day to explore.

Consider a trip to the University of Alaska Museum of the North, which features exhibits on Arctic dinosaurs, diverse wildlife, Alaska Native cultures and 2,000 years of Alaska art. You could also visit the impressive collection of antique cars and clothing at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, or take a walk with the reindeer into the woods at Running Reindeer Ranch. The second day in town includes a Riverboat Discovery ride and a tour of the city, as part of the cruisetour.

On the third day, you'll board the Wilderness Express (a glass-domed railcar) for the ride to Denali. Then, you'll embark on the Tundra Wilderness Tour in search of the park's grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep and other wildlife. Be sure to put your name on the list before bedtime to get a wake-up call for aurora activity. You'll also have one evening in Anchorage, where you can arrange for a northern lights tour, and one night in Seward before setting sail on Celebrity Summit the next morning. Highlights of the voyage include cruising Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage as well as stopping in Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. You'll disembark in Vancouver.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

13-Day Denali Explorer – Pre-Cruise Cruisetour

Norwegian Cruise Line's six-day pre-cruise adventure begins with overnights in Fairbanks, Denali and Anchorage, where you'll have the best chances to view the northern lights. Other highlights for the first part of the trip include a deluxe dome car rail journey from Talkeetna to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad and a private tour to an Iditarod sled dog musher's kennel. You'll also have plenty of time in Denali National Park to book a flightseeing tour, go whitewater rafting, or take a hike with a park ranger to look for bears, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and other local wildlife before starting your cruise in Seattle .

Norwegian Encore will call on Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan (Ward Cove) in Alaska. The Mill at Ward Cove near Ketchikan is a newly built cruise ship port that serves as a jumping-off point for outdoor activities in the Tongass National Forest, from hiking and biking to kayaking and sea cycling. You can even pick up souvenirs, grab a bite to eat and sample a cold Alaska brew at the mill. The cruise itinerary also includes one day at sea and a stop in Victoria, British Columbia, before you disembark in Seattle.

7-Night Alaska: Dawes Glacier, Juneau & Ketchikan

Consider this seven-day cruise on Norwegian Bliss if you prefer to travel early in the spring and take your chances at catching the northern lights toward the end of aurora season, which falls around April 21. This round-trip itinerary from Seattle is one of the earliest sailings of the year to visit the Great Land and features two sea days, with one day of scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. You'll also visit Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan (Ward Cove) and Victoria before disembarking in Seattle.

Juneau will offer one of the best opportunities during the cruise for seeing the northern lights, although chances are dependent on the weather and solar activity. There are several apps and websites with real-time updates for aurora tracking, including My Aurora Forecast & Alerts. If the skies are clear in the evening and the forecast looks promising, ask guest relations if there's a sign-up sheet to get a call or a knock on the door in the event of aurora activity.

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

12 Night Mountain Panorama Adventure Cruisetour 5B (Pre Tour)

This 12-night cruisetour with Royal Caribbean International begins with an overnight in Anchorage before boarding the Wilderness Express, where you'll have a glass-domed rail car for the journey to Talkeetna. The quirky community of Talkeetna is said to be the inspiration for the fictional Alaska town of Cicely in the 1990s show "Northern Exposure." It's also an excellent base for chasing the aurora – especially at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, where you'll be staying.

After an overnight at the lodge, your tour moves on to Denali, where you can search for wildlife by day and look for the aurora at night. Another evening on land at Hotel Alyeska in the remote town of Girdwood affords more opportunities to chase the finnicky lights before heading to Seward to board your ship, Radiance of the Seas .

Ports of call on this voyage include Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. There are also two days of scenic cruising through Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage before disembarking in Vancouver. While there are plenty of activities, dining venues, bars and lounges on board to keep you entertained all night long, be sure to save up enough energy to wake up in the middle of the night should you get a call to see the magical natural wonder that is the northern lights.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times both by land and sea to view wildlife and chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She's even considered moving to The Great Land as a full-time resident. Pratesi used her deep knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
• How Much Does an Alaska Cruise Cost?
• The Best Luxury Alaska Cruises
• The Best Alaska Cruises for Families
• The Best Alaska Shore Excursions

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Alaska Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Top things to do in hershey, pa.

Amanda Norcross Aug. 30, 2024

The Best College Town Hotels

Rachael Hood Aug. 29, 2024

Fun Fall Weekend Getaways

Aug. 29, 2024

Best Hoover Dam Tours from Las Vegas

Holly Johnson and Ann Henson Aug. 29, 2024

The Best London Tours

Kim Foley MacKinnon Aug. 29, 2024

The 18 Best Barcelona Tours

John Rodwan Aug. 28, 2024

Best Fall Family Vacations

Aug. 27, 2024

The Top Fall Festivals in the U.S.

Katie Hearsum and Timothy J. Forster Aug. 27, 2024

Top Music-Themed Cruises

Gwen Pratesi Aug. 23, 2024

The Best Rome Tours

Kyle McCarthy and Ann Henson Aug. 23, 2024

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Deadly Landslide Strikes Ketchikan, Alaska

The disaster killed one person and injured three in the town. Researchers said heavy rains preceding the disaster may have played a role.

By Austyn Gaffney

A violent landslide has raced down a forested hillside in Ketchikan, Alaska, killing one person and injuring three.

“In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude,” Dave Kiffer, the town’s mayor, said in a statement. “There is clearly a regionwide issue that we need to try to understand with the support of our state geologist.”

The disaster, which struck around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, followed a period of unusually heavy rain known as an atmospheric river. Scientists said that intensifying rainfall, driven by climate change, could increase the risk of landslides in the area of Southeast Alaska that includes Ketchikan.

“There’s no single factor that seems to underline each of these events apart from a lot of moisture,” said Josh Roering, professor of earth sciences at the University of Oregon.

The landslide cut through a hillside and crashed into several homes at the top of town, a hilly fishing community of about 14,000 where cruise ships often dock. Four ships had been expected there on Monday.

Three people were transported to the Ketchikan Medical Center. One was treated and discharged and two were admitted, city officials said . The city hasn’t made public details about the person who died. An emergency shelter was opened at the local high school where a dozen people were staying as of Monday morning.

The town has two main roads and one of them was hit by the slide, according to Danielle Tessen, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. An evacuation order has closed several smaller streets below the slide as state geologists work to determine the risk of more landslides.

Landslides can be triggered by heavy, long periods of rain or short, intense bursts of precipitation, particularly when they occur in narrow valleys or on steep ridgelines. Along with increases in rainfall, these disasters are also connected to rapid snow melt and retreating glaciers, which are also hallmarks of a warming climate.

Globally, this year has been “exceptional in terms of fatal landslides,” according to Dave Petley, author of The Landslide Blog and vice-chancellor of the University of Hull in England. At least 430 fatal landslides have led to more than 3,600 deaths in 2024. Dr. Petley has said possible causes could include high intensity rainstorms and rising global surface temperatures .

But in Southeast Alaska, perhaps the biggest factors have been atmospheric rivers , or long narrow bands of intense water vapor. While these events are common in the region, lasting for up to two weeks of every month, experts say the moisture they carry is expected to increase under climate change.

Before the landslide this past weekend there was “an abnormally strong atmospheric river for this time of year,” said Deanna Nash, a postdoctoral researcher at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego. It produced two to four inches of rain and strong winds, according to Aaron Jacobs, senior service hydrologist and meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Juneau, Alaska.

“Pretty much anywhere in southeast Alaska that has steep hillsides associated with it is subject to a potential landslide,” said Ron Heintz, senior researcher at the Sitka Sound Science Center, a nonprofit research organization in Alaska. The southeastern part of the state is dominated by fjords and loose soils left behind when glaciers receded some 12,000 years ago.

There have been numerous deadly landslides in the region over the past decade.

In 2015, a landslide killed three people in Sitka, north of Ketchikan. Five years later, a landslide killed two in Haines, a town in the state’s southeast, and in November a landslide killed six people in Wrangell. A state report showed that the Wrangell landslide had been caused by pounding rain over the six-hour period preceding the disaster.

“It’s a pretty tough string of events this region has been dealing with,” Dr. Roering said. He is part of a five-year National Science Foundation study that could lead to the creation of landslide hazard maps and early warning systems for six towns and tribal communities.

Right now, Sitka is the only town in the region to have a landslide warning system , which gives residents real-time forecasts of landslide risk via a phone app.

Immediately after the 2015 Sitka landslide, the community adopted ordinances that limited development in risky areas, but those have since been removed, Dr. Heintz said, because residents felt they were too restrictive.

“In Sitka, like in every community we’ve encountered, everyone wants to see landslide run-out maps,” said, referring to maps that show the possible routes of future landslides. “But once they see where their property is in the run-out map, then they want the map thrown away,” Dr. Heintz said. “It’s a serious problem trying to figure out what to do.”

Austyn Gaffney is a reporter covering climate and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers. More about Austyn Gaffney

Our Coverage of Climate and the Environment

Climate F.A.Q.:  Do you have questions about climate change? We’ve got answers .

America’s Vulnerable Bridges: Extreme heat and flooding caused by climate change are accelerating the deterioration of bridges  across the country, engineers say, posing a growing threat.

A New Type of Geothermal: As electricity demand from data centers soars, big tech companies like Meta and Google are looking to harness clean heat far below Earth’s surface .

Re-evaluating a ‘Worst-Case’ Disaster : Global warming is putting Antarctica’s ice at risk of destruction in many forms. But one especially calamitous scenario might be a less pressing concern , a new study found.

Ask NYT Climate :  Will A.I. ruin the planet or save it? The technology is a notorious energy hog, but it could speed the global transition to cleaner power .

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Princess Cruises Sails to All Regions of the Caribbean for the 
First Time Ever in Summer 2026

More than 90 voyages conveniently embark from ft. lauderdale and port canaveral aboard regal princess and caribbean princess.

By downloading this image you agree to the Princess asset use terms and conditions

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 23, 2024) – Princess Cruises today announced its biggest summer Caribbean cruise season ever for 2026, with two ships—Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess—departing from Ft. Lauderdale/Port Everglades and Port Canaveral respectively.

Now available for booking, guests seeking the ultimate summer getaway can choose from over 90 voyages sailing to every region of the Caribbean from two of Florida's most convenient cruise ports.

“Princess continues to expand access to our world-class premium experience now operating from eight North America homeports. With ships now departing from both Central Florida and South Florida, it’s easier and more convenient than ever to set sail aboard the iconic Love Boat,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president.

Highlights of the summer 2026 Caribbean season include:

Port Canaveral – Cruising roundtrip from Port Canaveral, an easy drive from Orlando, Caribbean Princess offers sailings to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean on 7-day cruises that can easily be combined to see both regions on 14-day Caribbean Adventurer sailings, including:

• 6-Day Eastern Caribbean with Turks & Caicos : Nassau, Amber Cover and Grand Turk – May 11, 2026
• 7-Day Eastern Caribbean with Turks & Caicos : Nassau, Princess Cays, Amber Cover and Grand Turk – May 17, June 7, 28, July 19, August 9, 30, September 20, October 11, 2026
• 7-day Western Caribbean with Mexico : Cozumel, Cosa May and Roatán (Mahogany Bay) – May 24, June 14, July 5, 26, August 16, September 6, 27, 2026
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with Puerto Rico : San Juan, Amber Cove and Grand Turk – May 31, June 21, July 12, August 2, 23, September 13, October 4, 2026

Ft. Lauderdale – Offering sailings that visit all regions of the Caribbean in the summer including, Eastern, Southern and Western, Regal Princess sails 7-day Eastern or Western Caribbean itineraries, or an 8-day cruise Southern Caribbean. Guests who want a longer vacation to visit multiple regions can sail on a combination cruise for 14 days:

• 8-day Southern Caribbean with ABC Islands :  Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao – April 3, 2026. Guests can take advantage of extended port stays with More Ashore in Aruba and Curaçao, offering more time to explore the islands.
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with Bahamas : Princess Cays, Amber Cove, Grand Turk – April 11, May 9, June 6, July 4, August 1, 29, 2026
• 7-day Western Caribbean with Mexico : Cozumel, Belize City, Roatán (Mahogany Bay) – April 18, May 2, 16, 30, June 13, 27, July 11, 25, August 8, 22, 2026
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with St. Thomas : Princess Cays, San Juan, St. Thomas – April 25, May 23, June 20, July 18, August 15, 2026

Princess also sails two Southern Caribbean Islander cruises at the start and end of the season, including:

• Caribbean Princess 13-day Southern Caribbean Islander : From Ft. Lauderdale to Port Canaveral: Princess Cays, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, San Juan, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Nassau – April 28, 2026
• Regal Princess 14-day Southern Caribbean Islander : From Ft. Lauderdale to New York: Curaçao, Aruba, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Maarten, San Juan – September 5, 2026

Onboard Spending Money for Captain’s Circle Members

Captain’s Circle members will receive up to $200 in onboard spending money if they book by October 31, 2024. Summer 2026 guests will receive $50/per person for voyages 7-10 days, and $100/per person for guests booking combined, 14-day Caribbean Adventurer voyages.

The Princess Experience

Caribbean Princess and Regal Princess offer well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities.

No matter the cruise, Princess delivers a premium vacation with the line’s award-winning, signature Princess MedallionClass experience which offers unparalleled service and personalization. Guests booking can take advantage of inclusive packages like Princess Plus and Princess Premier which add popular amenities like WiFi, beverages, desserts, fitness classes, crew appreciation and more at an even greater savings of up 65% when the inclusive package amenities are purchased separately.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.

Media Contacts

Contact information for members of the media

Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

Briana Latter, +1 661-753-1538, [email protected]

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

Not a member of the media? 

Contact us at: 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or 1-661-753-0000

More contact information is available on our Contact Us page