PR: Princess Adds 13 New Alaska Adventures Ashore® Options

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Press Release

 

1/31/2005

 

Princess Adds 13 New Alaska Adventures Ashore® Options

Swinging Through a Rain Forest or Riding a Harley Highlight Active New Choices for 2005

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (January 31, 2005) - Whether flying between trees on a zip line, exploring the waterfront on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, or capturing the perfect photo as a whale surfaces, Princess' Adventures Ashore®program offers passengers a variety of new ways to experience Alaska. The company has added 13 new tour options for the 2005 season, bringing the total number of selections to 137 excursions - many available only through Princess.

 

"We are extraordinarily proud of the scope of the tour selection we can offer passengers," said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "Our local knowledge and years of experience in Alaska gives us an edge in finding the best quality tours for our guests. After all, experiencing the Alaskan wilderness and culture is an important part of visiting this magnificent state."

 

All Alaska shore excursions are currently available for pre-reservation. Passengers booked on an Alaska cruise can take advantage of this early reservation process by logging on the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com, to ensure they get their first choice of excursions. Many Princess tours fill up quickly, so passengers are encouraged to make their selections as early as possible. Princess pioneered online shore excursion booking, and this season marks the fifth year in which Alaska passengers have been able to use this convenient reservation system.

 

This season's new tours include:

 

Ketchikan

 

Rain Forest Ropes & Zip Line Challenge - An exciting new option enables passengers to expand their horizons with a skills course set in the heart of the southeast Alaska rain forest. Balance beams, a suspension bridge, a Tarzan rope, swinging log and other obstacles get participants ready to traverse a 175-foot zip line between the trees and a repel back to the ground. Those who are up to the challenge can head back to the starting point and enjoy the adventure again.

 

Harley Davidson Motorcycle Tour - Motorcycle enthusiasts now have a tour just for them - the opportunity to combine the beauty of Ketchikan with the exhilaration of riding a Harley along a scenic waterfront highway. The 55-mile tour includes local scenery, a coffee stop and a visit to the dramatic totem poles of Totem Bight State Park.

 

Raptor Exhibition & Native Storytelling Princess exclusive) - A unique opportunity to meet the majestic birds of Alaska face to face and hear the ancient legends that bind them to the "Great Land." This visit to the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center features Alaska Native interpreters to teach visitors about the state's rich wildlife and Native legends about these intriguing creatures. Passengers can also photograph Alaska's only bonded pair of American bald eagles in captivity and see a presentation of many of the area's avian residents.

 

Totems & Lumberjack Combo - Two of Ketchikan's most popular attractions are combined for a full timber town extravaganza. Passengers will explore the colorful totem poles of Totem Bight State Park and learn the fascinating stories behind them. Then a rollicking lumberjack competition shows off the rugged athleticism of these frontier woodsmen.

 

Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer - An opportunity for Diamond Princess passengers to enjoy a luxury cruise aboard one of the fastest sightseeing vessels in Alaska as they explore the pristine beauty of Misty Fjords National Monument.

 

Juneau

 

Photo Safari by Land & Sea (Princess exclusive) - Photography buffs will enjoy this unique opportunity to see the best of Juneau in the company of a professional photography coach who will direct the group to local photo "hot spots." The flexible itinerary allows the tour to catch seasonal highlights and account for changing light and weather conditions. Guides will provide photo tips for all skill levels as the group travels to prime destinations by land and sea to capture the area's scenic wonder for posterity.

 

A Taste of Juneau (Princess exclusive) - A unique combination of Juneau "tastes" includes a visit to Mendenhall Glacier as well as the savory delights of the Alaskan Brewing Company and the Taku Smokeries' Smokehouse. Visitors will sample the brewery's hand-crafted ales and seasonal beers, as well as the smokehouse's tasty salmon products, plus can take home a souvenir glass and recipe cards.

 

Evening Whale Quest - This evening cruise with guaranteed humpback whale sightings is the perfect way to enjoy a later-in-the-day call in Juneau. Not only will participants get up close and personal with Alaska's graceful giants, but can treat themselves with provided appetizers and dessert.

 

Best of Juneau - A combination of three of the area's premiere attractions - the Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest, the famous Mendenhall Glacier and the Original Alaska Salmon Bake - for a full Juneau experience. Passengers are not only guaranteed a whale sighting, they will also be able to view a world-famous glacier and enjoy an outdoor salmon feast.

 

Skagway Afternoon Red Light Delight - Passengers can enjoy a true Klondike experience, from the scramble for riches in the gold fields to the elegance of a historic brothel. Period entertainment and gold panning highlight a visit to the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp, and later the "madams" of the world-famous Red Onion Saloon and Brothel Museum host the group for a private party upstairs in the former brothel.

 

Deluxe Klondike Experience & Rail Adventure (Princess exclusive) - A unique combination of local attractions makes for a complete Skagway experience. Passengers will not only ride in an old-fashioned parlor car on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad but will also get to re-live the gold rush days with a virtual journey back in time at the Klondike Experience. Lunch is served at the Historic Skagway Inn, former home to many "ladies of the night."

 

Gold Fever Adventure & Exclusive Scenic Railway - An opportunity for passengers to ride the rails in style and experience the life of a prospector. A cast of colorful characters brings the days of the gold rush to life at the rollicking Klondike Gold Dredge where visitors can try their own hand at striking it rich. Then one of the costumed hosts will accompany the group on a private car journey up the town's famed White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. A champagne toast at the summit adds a unique touch to this special way to experience one of the area's most popular attractions.

 

Victoria

 

Dominion Observatory & Stargazing - Passengers can take advantage of an evening visit to Victoria with a tour to the city's historic Dominion Observatory, home of what was once the world's largest telescope. The working observatory still scans the sky for asteroids and other celestial objects, and visitors could get a chance to operate the massive 45-ton Plaskett telescope - which was the first telescope to map the Milky Way. Passengers can visit the facility's science center and planetarium as well as enjoy one of Victoria's best views from Little Saanich Mountain and take advantage of photo opportunities in the city's downtown.

 

Adventures Ashore excursions are offered as part of Princess' comprehensive 2005 Alaska cruise and cruisetour lineup, which will offer 125 departures aboard seven ships, and featuring three popular Alaska routes - seven-day Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Whittier; seven-day Inside Passage from Seattle and 10-day Inside Passage from San Francisco. On land, 35 cruisetours options round out the offerings and feature the exclusive new Direct to the Wilderness rail service - an industry first in which trains will be ready and waiting right at the Whittier dock to whisk passengers directly to Princess' two Denali park-area lodges. As a result passengers will get to the wilderness faster and enjoy more time in the park area.