Alaska's sheer size is hard to comprehend: more than twice the size of Texas, it contains America's northernmost, westernmost and, because the Aleutian Islands stretch across the 180th meridian, its easternmost point. If superimposed onto the Lower 48 (the rest of the continental United States) it would stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and its coastline is longer than the rest of the US combined. All but three of the nation's twenty highest peaks are found within its boundaries and one glacier alone is twice the size of Wales.

A mere 600,000 people live in this huge state - over forty percent of them in Anchorage - of whom only one-fifth were born here: as a rule of thumb, the more winters you have endured, the more Alaskan you are. Often referred to as the " Last Frontier ," Alaska in many ways mirrors the American West of the nineteenth century: an endless, undeveloped space in which to stake one's claim and set up a life without interference. Or at least that's how Alaskans would like it to be. Throughout this century tens of thousands have been lured by the promise of wealth, first by gold and then by fishing, logging and, most recently, oil. However, Alaska's 86,000 Native peoples , who don't have the option of returning to the Lower 48 if things don't work out, have been greatly marginalized, though Native corporations set up as a result of pre-oil boom land deals have increasing economic clout.

Traveling around Alaska still demands a spirit of adventure, and to make the most of the state you need to have an enthusiasm for striking out on your own and roughing it a bit. Binoculars are an absolute must, as is bug spray; the mosquito is referred to as the "Alaska state bird" and it takes industrial-strength repellent to keep it away. On top of that there's the climate , though Alaska is far from the popular misconception of being one big icebox. While winter temperatures of -40°F are commonplace in Fairbanks, the most touristed areas - the southeast and the Kenai Peninsula - enjoy a maritime climate (45-65°F in summer) similar to that of the Pacific Northwest, meaning much more rain (in some towns 180-plus inches per year) than snow. Remarkably, the summer temperature in the Interior often reaches 80°F.

Alaska is far more expensive than most other states: apart from two dozen hostels there's little budget accommodation, and eating and drinking will set you back at least twenty percent more than in the Lower 48 (perhaps fifty percent in more remote regions). Still, experiencing Alaska on a low budget is possible, though it requires planning and off-peak travel. From June to August room prices are crazy; May and September, when tariffs are relaxed and the weather only slightly chillier, are just as good times to go, and in April or October you'll have the place to yourself, albeit with a smaller range of places to stay and eat. Ground transportation , despite the long distances, is reasonable, with backpacker shuttles ferrying budget travelers between major centers. Winter , when hotels drop their prices by as much as half, is becoming an increasingly popular time to visit, particularly for the dazzling aurora borealis .

DESTINATION ALASKA Featuring Princess Cruises. There remain few places on earth where you can truly breathe. Where space is measured not in feet or miles, but in endless horizons. A place where nature is so powerful, so dramatic, a personal encounter can change you forever. Thrill to white thunder in Glacier Bay, marvel at sunlight at midnight and close-ups of whales, eagles and caribou. Delight in Mt. McKinley's majesty and meadows carpeted with wildflowers. Amid unsurpassed grandeur and serenity, the true wilderness of Denali is calling. Alaska Highlights  Wildlife  Alaska Cruises   Alaska Cruisetours   Alaska Highlights Experience all of Alaska from cruise ships, wilderness lodges and rail cars. Discover the many facets of this exciting destination, including it fortress-like glaciers, treasured national parks, and diverse wildlife.   Alaska Cruises Choose from three types of cruises and enjoy affordable balcony staterooms, Personal Choice Dining®, and all the perks of a big ship without losing any of the personal attention you'd expect to find on a small ship.   Alaska Cruisetours Combine a seven-day cruise with a four- to ten-day land tour and see more of Alaska. Stay a custom-built wilderness lodges and enjoy Direct-to-the-Wilderness® service aboard our exclusive railcars.   Alaska Highlights Up north there's a land without fences. Animals outnumber people, sunlight shines at midnight and nature reigns. Life is different. This northern frontier still boasts pristine landscapes, majestic wildlife and a coastline that is one of the most enthralling waterways in the world. Beyond Alaska's fortress-like glacier walls lie scenic ports of call, treasured national parks, and abundant wildlife. And, with more than 1,400 miles north to south and 2,400 miles east to west, it's truly, a land of epic proportions. Ice Age Glaciers The glaciers of College Fjord, Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Bay National Park offer some of the most spectacular sights and sounds you'll experience on your Alaskan adventure. Abundant Wildlife Whales, sea lions, otters, eagles, bears and an incredible diversity of seabirds can appear seemingly from out of the blue. It's just one of the thrilling aspects of Alaska - the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats National Parks If you consider that one-half of all U.S. national park land is in Alaska, you can begin to understand the scope of this vast expanse. Stretching across a staggering 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest... Alaska Onboard The difference between seeing Alaska and understanding Alaska is what Princess brings to life on your Alaska Cruise. Their onboard enrichment programs introduce the real Alaska for a personalized perspective of America's Last Frontier Rail Service Princess Rail Service travels through some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. You'll see it all from roomy railcars, which feature large domed windows, Alaskan cuisine, and friendly staff. Princess Wilderness Lodges Strategically located near the top attractions across the state, these deluxe lodges offer the same premier level of accommodations and amenities that you would find in any luxury hotel as well as the service you'd receive. Abundant Wildlife Whales, sea lions, otters, eagles, bears and an incredible diversity of seabirds can appear seemingly from out of the blue. It's just one of the thrilling aspects of Alaska - the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife, all in their natural habitats. And an onboard naturalist is always on hand to add insight into each thrilling discovery. Giants of The Sea For most, the concept of Alaskan wildlife doesn't extend beyond polar bears and salmon. But those who venture north know there's nothing like the sight of a 40-ton humpback whale breaking the surface of the water for air. During the summer months, more than 2,000 humpbacks are known to feed in the waters off Alaska, offering visitors plenty of chances to enjoy the splendor of these magnificent giants of the sea Putting on A Show Killer (orca) and beluga whales are equally abundant, as are the sociable Pacific white-sided dolphins, which often entertain with their acrobatic leaps and somersaults. In Prince William Sound, seals and sea lions congregate along the shore and on chunks of glacier ice floating in the water. But the animal that seems to be enjoying itself the most is the irresistible sea otter, which often can be seen swimming on its back or hugging a friend as they frolic together in the water. Salmon-Rich Waters Another active denizen of the sea is the salmon, famous for its gravity-defying leaps up waterfalls and streams in order to spawn. While this arduous trek only occurs at the end of an adult salmon's life, it never fails to coincide with feeding time for the brown bears that inhabit the Alaska Denali Big Five Grizzly and black bears can be found farther inland, in places like Denali National Park and Preserve, where a plethora of berries keeps these permanent residents well fed. In addition to bears, Denali is an ideal place to observe the wide-antlered caribou, moose, gray wolves and Dall sheep, the latter identified by its curled horns. Together, these wondrous animals constitute the "Denali Big Five," a sightseer's dream. A Birdwatcher's Paradise Flying high above it all is the majestic bald eagle, which boasts a wingspan of up to eight feet. Some 40,000 bald eagles reside in Alaska today, with most nesting near water for easy fishing. They are one of more than 300 species of birds that can be found here, each a delight to observe and photograph. Other signature birds include the horned and tufted puffins, which thrive on the western end of Prince William Sound and along the Kenai Peninsula; the docile kittiwake, which nest in colonies along Glacier Bay; and the red-tailed hawk, a fixture at Wrangell-St. Elias.   Alaska Cruises So incredibly beautiful, you’ll think you stepped into a painting. This is Alaska as seen from the panoramic perspective of your dazzling Princess ship. Monumental glaciers are nature’s draw and Alaska’s waterways reveal more of these thrilling Ice Age giants than anywhere else on earth. Alaska’s Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world, home to bald eagles, whales, sea lions, otters, brown bears, mountain goats and flocks of seabirds. Plus you’ll visit a variety of flavorful ports of call full of rich history and native culture. Visit Alaska Cruisetours Online for more information about Alaska cruises and cruisetours.   Voyage of the Glaciers All of the top coastal attractions are on this voyage. This cruise takes you 500 miles farther north.   Inside Passage Head to Alaska's Inside Passage and visit the historic towns of the gold rush, roundtrip from Seattle or San Francisco.   Alaska Connoisseur New 14 day destination-rich voyage goes to out-of-the-way places rarely visited on other cruises.   Alaska Cruisetours Cruise + Land Tour = Cruisetour There is no better way to see more of Alaska than on a Princess cruisetour combining our seamless cruise, rail and lodge vacations. Embark on a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus four- to ten days touring the interior of Alaska. You'll experience magnificent scenery via luxury rail and stay at picturesque Princess wilderness lodges with at least two nights at Denali National Park. It's the premier way to see it all - by land and by sea. Heart of Alaska Denali National Park is the centerpiece of these tours plus overnights in Anchorage and/or Fairbanks. Explorer: Copper River Explore Wrangell-St. Elias National Park from our Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. Explorer: Kenai Capture the best of the Kenai Peninsula with two nights at our own wilderness lodge on the Kenai River. Explorer: Arctic Experience the Arctic Ocean, migrating caribou, and the Prudhoe Bay oil fields as you cross the Arctic Circle. Escorted Alaska The ultimate Alaska experience featuring the personal attention of a tour guide on the land portion Escorted Canadian Rockies See Western Canada's most celebrated national parks and stay at world-class luxury hotels by Fairmont.

Subject to availability, reservations are open to guests 21yrs. old or higher

and arefor residents of the United States and Canada only.