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Ship to train to Denali,
all in one day - only with Princess

GETTING THERE IS
HALF THE FUN
Princess luxury rail
cars, Alaska's best rail experience, transport you
in style. Following the Alaska Railroad route
between Whittier and Fairbanks, the incredible
vistas are complemented by tableside beverage
service and natural history narratives from our car
managers.
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There's nothing
between you and the wonders of Alaska when
you step out to our open-air observation
platform. The route from dock to
Denali is not only spectacular - it's a
National Scenic Byway. |
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Domed
windows are large and provide unobstructed
viewing opportunities. Relax and enjoy the
ride. Awe-inspiring views of spectacular
sights such as the towering Alaska Range,
Matanuska Valley, the monumental; bridge
that spans Hurricane Gulch, raging rivers
and immeasurable forests |
DIRECT TO
THE WILDERNESS
Getting to the
wilderness of Denali is now quicker and
easier. A new exclusive service from
Princess allows you to step off your cruise
ship in Whittier, onto your Princess railcar
and arrive at your wilderness lodge that
same afternoon. Or, on southbound
itineraries, leave the Denali area and enjoy
a direct link to your awaiting cruise ship
in Whittier. Fewer transfers and less time
waiting makes for a more relaxing and
hassle-free trip.
See the Princess Alaska Wilderness Lodges
BREATHTAKING SCENERY
Wrap-around glass
domed ceilings ensure unobstructed views of
Alaska's spectacular scenery while you relax
and enjoy the full beverage service and
informative commentary provided by our
on-board Hosts.
PRINCESS
EXCLUSIVES*
Open air viewing
platforms allow you to step outdoors for the
perfect snapshot or breath of fresh air.
Dining choices include an elegant dining
salon with picture windows, fine china and a
menu of delectable entrees prepared to your
order or a bistro car serving delicious
snacks and beverages in a more casual
setting. Add reserved seating, plenty of
legroom and friendly, attentive service and
the choice is clear. |
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Cross mighty bridges
like Hurricane Gulch
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at 265 feet, it's the
highest
bridge on the Alaska
Railroad. |
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Two new rail
services allow you more time
at Denali
exclusively from Princess.
Denali ExpressSM
Direct to Denali. Travel between Whittier
and the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
McKinley ExpressSM
Direct to McKinley. Travel between Whittier
and Talkeetna, then by motorcoach to the Mt.
McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.
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(times are approximate and subject
to change) |
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Princess Alaska Rail Service
Fact Sheet
Introduction
Traveling daily from May through September between
Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and
Fairbanks, Princess Tours' Ultra Dome rail cars are
the most luxurious of their kind. New for 2005,
Princess also offers Direct to the Wilderness rail
transfers between the cruise terminal in Whittier
and Princess Denali-area wilderness lodges.
Season
Mid-May to Mid-September
Tour Packages
Thirty-five cruisetour packages and several
rail-and-hotel-only itineraries are available. All
cruisetours and rail tours include luxury rail
travel and overnight accommodations at the Denali
Princess Wilderness Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess
Wilderness Lodge.
Amenities
Princess rail cars offer full-dome panoramic view,
bar service and passenger seating in dome, open-air
outdoor observation platforms, full service dining
salon with meals prepared to order, circular
stairways to upper level, stainless steel
self-contained kitchen and wireless public address
system. Six cars comply with American With
Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, including
convenient hydraulic lifts to lower level.
Highlights
Princess rail cars are rated as Alaska's number
one rail experience and have set the standard for
luxury rail travel in the nation.
Princess rail cars feature some of the largest
domed windows ever built for a rail car.
Princess rail cars offer wide aisles and
open-air outdoor observation platforms.
Capacity
Total upper level seating for 10 Ultra Dome cars
combined = 888
History
Princess pioneered luxury rail travel in Alaska with
the introduction of the original Super Dome cars in
1984. As the Alaska travel industry grew, Princess
introduced the largest passenger rail cars in the
world, the Ultra Dome Series I cars in 1988 and the
Ultra Dome Series II cars in 1993. Series III cars
were added in 1997 and Series IV cars in 1999. Built
at a total cost of $14.3 million, these 10 cars will
continue to set the standard for luxury rail travel
in the nation.
Anchorage/Fairbanks Schedule (times are
approximate and are subject to change)
Northbound:
Depart Anchorage 8:15 am, Arrive Talkeetna 11:15 am
Depart Talkeetna 11:25 am, Arrive Denali 3:45 pm
Depart Denali 4:00 pm, Arrive Fairbanks 8:15 pm
Southbound:
Depart Fairbanks 8:15 am, Arrive Denali 11:45 pm
Depart Denali 12:00 pm, Arrive Talkeetna 4:25 pm
Depart Talkeetna 4:40 pm, Arrive Anchorage 8:15 pm
Direct to the Wilderness Schedule (times
are approximate and subject to change)
Northbound Cruisetours disembarking in Whittier:
Denali Express: Whittier -- 8:15am/ Denali -- 5:30pm
McKinley Express*: Whittier -- 7:15am/ Talkeetna --
12:15p
Southbound Cruisetours embarking in Whittier
Denali Express: Denali -- 8am/ Whittier -- 5:15pm
McKinley Express*: Talkeetna -- 12:30p/ Whittier --
5:45pm
* McKinley Express service uses chartered rail
cars with full-view, large domed windows. Operated
by Princess staff, the rail service features onboard
narration and tableside snack/beverage service plus
a bistro car with light fare and beverages.
Number of staff
13 full-time and 175 seasonal, with approximately 6
to 8 service staff aboard each rail car.
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THE
ALASKAN EXPERIENCE
cannot be captured in one single
image or moment. For our guests,
the journey north is a nonstop
odyssey of glorious landscapes,
majestic wildlife and exploration of
some of the most remarkable points
on the planet. And with Princess as
your guide, you can count on seeing
nothing but the best this amazing
land has to offer. |
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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, Alaska is truly
a land of epic proportions. |
GLACIERS
Like frozen sentries standing guard along
the glistening coastline, these massive
bodies of ice offer some of the most
spectacular sights and sounds you'll
experience on your Alaskan adventure.
Regularly shedding enormous chunks of ice
into the sea, these wonders of nature can be
found in pristine Glacier Bay, along the
wandering banks of College Fjord, and amid
the cascading waterfalls of Tracy Arm - all
of which can be savored from the deck of a
Princess cruise ship. |
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NATIONAL
PARKS
When you consider that one-half of
all U.S. national park land is in
Alaska, you begin to understand the
scope and diversity of this vast
expanse. Stretching across a
staggering 13.2 million acres,
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and
Preserve may be the largest, but its
sister parks share in the beauty and
wonder.
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Glacier Bay
National Park
Set on the state's
southeastern coast, this
glacier-rich territory is
equally abundant in
snowcaps, fjords and
wildlife. |
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Denali National Park
Mt. McKinley keeps a
watchful eye on the caribou,
moose, bear and gray wolves
that roam this 6 million
acre wilderness. |
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Wrangell-St.Elias
National Park
The highest coastal
mountains in the world can
be found here, near the
Canadian border in south
central Alaska. |
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Kenai Fjords National
Park
This rocky southeastern
coast of the Kenai Peninsula
in south central Alaska is
home to more than 100 bird
species.
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Gates of the Arctic
Located north of the Arctic
Circle in the Brooks Range,
this wide swath of tundra is
unparalleled in its beauty.
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Money-Saving Tips
Form a Group. Save and sail to Alaska!
Did you know the
most overlooked way to stretch your dollar is to form your own
Alaska cruise group. Traveling with family or friends, can
lower costs enough so you can travel even when the economies not
that good. Of course, most of us don't have the time - or
inclination - to make the calls and do the research for an
entire group.
It's
a big job. However booking a group cruise is easy for a
professional travel agent. Your agent can create a package that
works for you, while your group will realize across-the-board
savings from group discounts that your agent discovers.
 Get
Alaska Group Deals
Step-by-Step
Group Planning Guide |
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Exclusive
Mini-Group Rates.
2 Couples or more extra
savings. Families of 4 or more. Save
even more!
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Notes From The Great Outdoors
"We just finished another
incredible 14 day cruisetour itinerary. Now I'm getting
ready to help a couple decide which one of 68 cruisetours we
offer. I've already heard exciting chatter about our guests
seeing more of Alaska and really getting off the beaten
path. And believe me, between glacier trekking, biking
through Denali National park, and a rail tour on the
Wilderness Express, these folks are going to be impressed."
Bob Andrews,
Explorations Coordinator
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Chicago Tribune
"Book Alaska cruises early,
ships are crowded"
Read
the article
More "In
The News" |
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Plan Ahead:
Alaska Cruises and Cruisetours are now on sale
Reserve the best staterooms, balcony views and tours now. Get
your best savings by booking early!
Timing Is
Everything: The wide array of cruise lines and Alaska
cruisetours that are available create an equally large variety
of prices. The lowest fares tend to fall during the months of
May, and September, while prices rise substantially in
June, July & August. If you are flexible, you can save money by
sailing during May and September.
Good Deals Go
Fast: There are Alaska
cruises in May as low as $649 per person for 7 days! Offered on
the ships of Princess and Holland America. Of course, they are
for an inside stateroom, but at these prices they will go fast.
The Layered
Look:
The weather in
Alaska is unpredictable, so dress like an onion! Go with the
“layered” look so you can peel. Standing in front of a Glacier
is much like standing in front of your freezer with the door
open. Tuck a pair of light gloves in your pocket!
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Sample Savings
Cruisetours (
cruise and land tour )
| Inside
staterooms |
from: |
$1375 |
| Brochure
fare |
from: |
$2749 |
| You
Save..... |
50%! |
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Cruise Only (
7 days - North or Southbound )
| Inside
staterooms |
from: |
$499 |
| Brochure
fare |
from: |
$1399 |
| You
Save..... |
64%! |
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