We Finally Tried an Alaska Cruisetour — Here’s What Nobody Tells You
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After six Alaska cruises, we just spent 12 nights with Princess Cruises, exploring Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and the Inside Passage, and honestly, the land portion was not what we expected.
Our favorite lodge by far was the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. It had the best location being just one mile from Denali National Park, an included tour, multiple dining options, and sprawling grounds with river walkways and fire pits.
This program is what sets Princess Cruises apart from other cruise lines.
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💲Save BIG with MEI-Travel cruise deals: https://bookmeicruise.com/?apid=escy 🌎Save Up to 40% On Shore Excursions: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1603014 The Truth About an Alaska Cruisetour (No One Tells You This) After six Alaska cruises, we thought we knew what to expect — until we took a full Alaska Cruisetour with Princess. What no one tells you? It’s nothing like a cruise. Between early mornings, constant packing, and incredible once-in-a-lifetime moments, this trip showed us the real Alaska. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more travel hacks, cruise reviews, and insider tips. https://www.youtube.com/c/EatSleepCruise1 🏔️ WHAT IS AN ALASKA CRUISETOUR? An Alaska land and sea tour (also known as a cruisetour) combines the best of both worlds: a journey through Alaska’s rugged interior and a cruise along the breathtaking Inside Passage. Our 12-day Princess Alaska Cruisetour took us from Fairbanks and Denali to the Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge, then by scenic train to Whittier for a 7-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise aboard Sapphire Princess. ✨ OUR LAND EXPERIENCE (Days 1–5) We stayed at three Princess Wilderness Lodges — Fairbanks, Denali, and Mt. McKinley — discovering that the “land portion” of a cruisetour feels completely different from ship life. Food isn’t included, you’re up early (bags out by 6:30 AM 😅), and the lodges are rustic — but you get incredible adventures in return: Our favorite stop? Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge — amazing views and easy access to the park. 🚂 THE SCENIC RAIL JOURNEY Princess’s Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service connects the lodges to the ship in Whittier. It’s a 5-hour ride with open views, onboard narration, and even check-in before boarding Sapphire Princess. The last hour — along the Turnagain Arm — is pure Alaska magic. ⚓ THE CRUISE EXPERIENCE (Days 6–12) Once aboard Sapphire Princess, we sailed the Voyage of the Glaciers route through Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Despite missing Hubbard Glacier and Juneau due to weather, we had unforgettable moments — from dog-sledding with Iditarod mushers to the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour. The ship may be 20 years old, but it’s perfect for Alaska: huge outdoor viewing areas, a cozy indoor conservatory, and the North to Alaska program with local cuisine, park rangers, and the famous 🐶 Puppies in the Piazza. 🤔 SHOULD YOU BOOK AN ALASKA CRUISETOUR? If you’ve already cruised Alaska and want to see more of the interior — yes, a Cruisetour is incredible. If it’s your first Alaska trip or you’re traveling with young kids — you may want to start with a standard 7-night cruise first. In this video, we share who it’s really for, what surprised us most, and what to expect before booking. Our Princess Alaska Cruise Tour Was Not What We Expected 00:00 The Truth About an Alaska Cruisetour (What No One Tells You) 00:30 What’s Included in an Alaska Land + Sea Tour 01:50 Our Denali Explorer Cruisetour Overview (12 Days) 04:26 Fairbanks Lodge Stay – First Impressions of Interior Alaska 06:10 Riverboat Discovery Excursion – A Classic Fairbanks Experience 06:50 Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Review 07:28 Off-Roading in Denali National Park (ATV Adventure) 08:30 Denali National Park Tour – What We Actually Saw 10:40 Exploring the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Grounds 12:20 Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge – Rain, Views & Reality 14:15 Exploring on Our Own in Alaska (Talkeetna & Beyond) 16:15 Princess Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service (Scenic Train Ride) 18:12 Boarding Sapphire Princess – Voyage of the Glaciers Begins 18:20 Life Onboard Sapphire Princess (Cabins, Decks & Views) 19:28 Dining on Sapphire Princess – Our Favorites & Surprises 21:35 Activities & Entertainment Onboard (North to Alaska Program) 24:53 Glacier Bay National Park Day – The Ultimate Alaska Highlight 25:47 Dog Sledding & Husky Puppies in Skagway 🐾 26:51 Ketchikan Excursion – Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour 28:10 Is a Princess Alaska Cruisetour Worth It? Our Final Thoughts #alaskacruisetour #PrincessCruises #AlaskaTravel #DenaliNationalPark #AlaskaCruise #CruiseTips #AlaskaAdventure Learn What Its Really Like on an Alaska Cruise Tour on the Blog! https://eatsleepcruise.com/princess-alaska-cruisetour-review/ ----TRENDING VIDEOS FROM EAT SLEEP CRUISE------ Best Cruises for Couples: https://youtu.be/fenNj5GmLdM What Nobody Tells You About Alaska Cruises: https://youtu.be/hbU3iTxW5Jw The Cruise Rip-offs Cruisers Never Pay For On a Cruise: https://youtu.be/cjbKOLTVStQ Join us on Social Media as we “Sea the World, One Port at a Time.” Instagram: https://instagram.com/EatSleepCruise Facebook: https://facebook.com/EatSleepCruise Twitter: https://twitter.com/EatSleepCruise TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCEWq5SMTt-0nSCQZLMhoFHA Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/EatSleepCruise