My Princess Alaska Cruise Tour Review as a Wheelchair User
When traveling to Alaska, I wanted to see as much of this incredible state as possible and thought a cruise tour would be a great way to accomplish this goal. I ultimately decided to choose Princess as I had sailed with them before and had a good experience. Here is my Princess Alaska cruise tour review to help you decide if this type of trip is right for you.
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What is a Princess Alaska Cruise Tour?
A Princess cruise tour is one of their Alaskan cruises combined with a land tour. This trip is all organized by Princess as they own lodges in Alaska. This ensures that you get the customer service and experience that you’ve come to know when you travel with this cruise line.
Princess will arrange all the transportation and lodging during your inland trip to Alaska when you choose this option. They also offer excursions or tours at each of the destinations to make for easy exploration.
Of course, other cruise lines offer land and sea tours as well. However, compare itineraries as they are not all the same.
My Itinerary
Princess offers a plethora of land and sea options (or cruise tours) to choose from. I knew I wanted to see as much as possible and have at least 2 nights at each stop, so I chose the Off the Beaten Track 15-night option (which combines the length of the cruise with the length of the land tour).
My Princess Alaska Cruise Tour Review: A Brief Overview
As a wheelchair user, I wanted an easy way to get around Alaska without having to worry about accessibility. That is one of the main reasons I chose to do a cruise tour. Additionally, I wanted to experience both the coastal towns (which is best done on a cruise) and some of the inland areas.
Princess made sure that all my accessibility needs were met so that I could fully enjoy my trip. It was a fantastic experience that I would do again in a heartbeat! I genuinely hope that this review helps you plan your own cruise tour as well as calms any worries or concerns you may have about accessibility.
Pro Tip: Make sure you remember to fill out the accessibility questionnaire and return it to the accessibility office well in advance of your trip. This will ensure your accessibility needs will be met.
Majestic Princess Alaska Cruise Review
Taking a cruise along the inside passage has been on my Alaska bucket list for a while now. I ended up choosing to accomplish this goal by sailing on the Majestic Princess from Vancouver to Whittier.
The Majestic Princess was built in 2017 and holds 3,560 passengers, making it one of the larger ships in the fleet. While I’ve sailed with Princess before, it has typically been on some of their smaller or mid-sized ships. Admittedly, the Majestic Princess is the largest cruise ship I’ve been on.
While the ship was beautiful, it did feel a bit crowded sometimes and elevators were often full, with people rushing in front of you (even though they saw that I was in a wheelchair). Likewise, venues such as Princess Live, the theater, and the buffet filled up quickly. Seating in the piazza was also hard to come by.
Overall, I enjoyed my trip but if I were to plan a similar trip in the future, I would choose a smaller ship like the Saphire. This is something you may also want to consider depending on your preferences.
👉🏻 Make sure to read my Alaska Cruise Tips post for more helpful information to plan your cruise to Alaska.
Wheelchair Accessibility on the Majestic Princess
Many of the major cruise lines offer accessibility options on their ships. However, it is still common to have questions about specific ships within a fleet to determine if it would be a good fit for your needs. I will attempt to address those questions in this section.
Balcony Cabin
For Alaska, I splurged on a balcony cabin (which I normally do not do) so that I could make the most of my time and enjoy all the gorgeous scenery we would be passing. I booked as soon as itineraries were released so I could score on of the coveted accessible balconies.
My room had beds that were set up as two twins (I was traveling with a friend) and there was room underneath for a patient or Hoyer lift if needed. I did not see a way to easily lower the bed if you find that it is too high, but talk to your room steward as there may be options to remove the box spring or something similar to accommodate your needs.
The accessible bathroom had a slight incline (which was barely noticeable to me) to enter with a flat threshold. Inside, there was a roll-under sink, a roll-in shower with a fold-down bench (and grab bars), as well as a toilet that was about the height of my wheelchair (this had grab bars also).
The balcony was also wheelchair accessible with a ramp built into the floor and a fold-down threshold when the door opened. Furthermore, there was also a short ramp on the other side so that you could actually sit on the balcony to enjoy the views. While the space was a bit tight outside, I was able to maneuver the wheelchair and enjoy using this feature.
Restaurants
The ship had several restaurants to choose from including three main dining rooms, two specialty restaurants, a casual pizzeria, and a buffet. Each was wheelchair-accessible allowing you to stay in your chair (or have the option to transfer to one of their seats) during your meal.
The staff was very friendly and helpful, and since I tended to eat at the same place and time each night, they would reserve me the same table. My server, John, even got to know my preferences and would make a game of guessing my order each night (most of the time he was right too!).
The food was also delicious and could be made to accommodate any food allergies you may have. Each night, you are treated to a 3 course meal and have the option to order more than one main or even dessert if you have a hard time deciding on what to choose.
In the Theater
There are several entertainment venues onboard the ship including the main theater, Princess Live, and another lounge area. All have ramps to access the seating areas but only the main theater has designated seating for people with mobility problems and wheelchair users.
Venues filled up quickly (especially Princess Live) so make sure to get there well in advance to get a seat or have room for your wheelchair. The theater wasn’t as bad since there were designated spaces but people often sat in the chair right next to the one reserved for people with mobility problems making it hard if you had someone with you to sit together.
Pools
There are a couple of pools on the ship to choose from, with one being an indoor pool (in the Hollywood Conservatory). No lifts were permanently out, but they are available upon request, just ask a crew member. There were stairs leading into the indoor pool, but for the other ones I only remember seeing ladders.
Hot tubs would be trickier to use as they were generally up a few stairs. I’m not sure if a lift would be available to use for them or not (it looked like it would be difficult).
Since we were in Alaska, the indoor pool got the most use with lots of kids splashing around. Take this into consideration if you have balance problems or just don’t like being splashed.
Getting On and Off the Ship
Princess has a dedicated assistance team on board to assist passengers with mobility problems with getting on and off the ship, both at embarkation/debarkation and at ports during the cruise. In Alaska, there were usually two levels to disembark at ports. One had stairs and the other a ramp, which could be steep at times.
Tendering
In Skagway, although we were docked, we had to tender ashore to avoid the rock slide area (which is still unstable) from last year (2022). Princess has what they call a stair stepper. This is a tiny elevator that is large enough for one wheelchair, that takes you down the stairs to the tender platform. There was then a ramp onto the ship.
On the dockside ashore, there was another ramp with a step at the end. The crew carried me down the short step. However, when I tried to return to the ship, a crew member on shore tried telling me I had to climb the step and walk over the gap to the tender. She finally gave in and allowed the crew to assist me by lifting me in my chair.
This just goes to show you that obviously there was some inconsistency in how the crew approached tendering for wheelchair users. I had no problem getting off and encountered multiple crew members (including an officer) but one person could have forbidden me from getting back on the ship.
To ensure you won’t have to tender, choose a smaller ship and make sure that it isn’t scheduled to dock at the railroad dock. You can check this by googling “Skagway port schedule” for the year you will be visiting. Check the calendar for the date your ship will be visiting the port and look to see where it’s scheduled to dock. I suggest doing this before you book your cruise.
Princess Alaska Cruise Tour Review: the Land Portion
So, we’ve talked about my experience onboard the ship (I’ll talk about my reviews of the ports and excursions later), now let’s talk about the land portion of the tour. I’ve divided this section into two main areas: transportation and traveling, and lodges.
Transportation and Traveling
Transportation to each of the land destinations takes place by a large tour bus. To board the bus, you can climb the steps at the front (which can be steep) or if you notify Princess in advance of your needs, they will arrange a lift-equipped vehicle that will allow you to stay in your wheelchair.
My driver was fantastic and made sure that I knew how long the trip would be each day when bathroom breaks would be available and ensured that I always had the option to get off the bus at each stop.
Traveling
Traveling varied but could last up to 8 hours a day. During this time, you would have scheduled bathroom breaks and a lunch break (at your own expense). There was also a bathroom on the bus, but it was not an accessible one.
The road to the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge was in good condition, but the roads to the other destinations could be very bumpy at times. This is due to the permafrost which shifts and heaves the roads. If you have back or pain problems, this is something to take into consideration.
Train Transportation
One of the highlights of the cruise tour is taking the glass-domed train ride. Depending on which tour you chose, it will determine when you will take the train. This two-tiered train car has a glass dome for 360-degree views so you can fully enjoy the scenery around you.
For wheelchair users and people with mobility problems, there is a lift to allow you to board the train and a tiny elevator to take you to the top level. Bathrooms are available on board and one of them is large enough for a wheelchair to enter and has grab bars. The dining room has no designated wheelchair seating so they will bring your food to you at your seat (which has a small fold-down table).
At the Lodges
Let’s talk about accessibility at each of the Princess lodges as well as the overall experience so you can decide which you may want to stay at.
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
Although this is a lodge, you will not be staying in hotel-style rooms. Instead, you have your own little cabin complete with a wood-burning fireplace. Some of these cabins are wheelchair accessible with a ramp leading to the door and an accessible bathroom with a roll-in shower.
The cabins were cute and comfortable with a balcony off the back where you could sit and relax. The only thing I would change is the layout of the accessible bathroom. It was a little tight and the position of the sink did not allow for wheelchairs to be positioned parallel to the toilet, thereby making lateral transfers impossible.
The main lodge had a tour and registration desk, a restaurant called the Rod and Reel, and a bar where you could also order food. It also had a large deck in the back that overlooked a beautiful river. The lodge also has two hiking trails but unfortunately, neither of them is wheelchair-accessible.
I will admit, this was my favorite lodge (despite the bathroom design). Getting to explore Kenai Fjords National Park was amazing and I would definitely stay here again.
Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
Copper River Lodge is very close to Wrangell St. Elias National Park and is probably the most isolated of the lodges. Here, you will have hotel-style rooms that are decorated to provide a lodge atmosphere.
My accessible room was on the first floor and had an accessible tub with a fold-down seat rather than a roll-in shower. Since I can transfer with assistance, this was doable for me, however, that may not be the case for everyone. I’m not sure if a room with a roll-in shower was available.
The main lobby has a place to relax and chat with your fellow travelers in front of a roaring fire, as well as a bar/restaurant and a second restaurant. Large windows overlook some of the many trails on the property (none of which are wheelchair accessible).
A shuttle bus is available for a small fee to take you to the tiny nearby town and to the national park. The bus used was the same one I came in on, so it was wheelchair accessible.
While I enjoyed my time here, there were very few wheelchair-accessible activities available. When I organize another cruise tour in the future, I will probably skip this location due to this reason.
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
I would call Denali less of a lodge and more of a complex. It had a whole series of buildings as well as several restaurants, and even stores and gift shops. There was an accessible shuttle that was available if you had difficulty walking to get around the property.
My accessible room was located in a building towards the back of the property. There was a ramp leading to my room but the threshold to get in was quite large and a little challenging for my wheelchair.
Inside, there were two beds, a small table, and a sink outside of the main bathroom. The accessible bathroom had grab bars by the toilet and an accessible tub with a fold-down seat and grab bars. Again, I’m not sure if there were rooms with roll-in showers available.
Shuttles to Denali National Park were available from outside the lobby however, not all of them were lift-equipped. Just let someone know you’d like to go to the park and they will either use the accessible on-property shuttle or arrange another accessible vehicle to get you there. When you want to come back, tell one of the bus drivers that run the shuttle and he/she will radio to get an accessible vehicle if they do not have a lift.
Many cruise tours come with an included tour of the national park, either the natural history tour or the tundra tour. Princess will arrange your tour to have a lift-equipped bus as the buses used are the ones from the park itself.
Fairbanks Princess Lodge
This was the most hotel-like property we stayed at. There were a couple of restaurant choices on site as well as laundry facilities and a gift shop. It was also close to town should you want other meal choices.
My accessible room was a little tight but had two beds, a desk, a small table, and an accessible bathroom with a roll-in shower. It was also on the first floor for easy ability to exit the building in case of an emergency.
Princess Alaska Cruise Tour Review: Excursions
Okay, now let’s talk about what tours I took, how accessible they are, and how I felt about them overall. My hope is that this will give you an idea of what you can see and do in Alaska as a wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility.
*I booked almost all of my tours (except one) through Princess as I was having difficulty finding wheelchair-accessible tours on my own.
Saxman Village in Ketchikan
On the Saxman Village tour, we had a short, narrated drive through town on our way to the village. Once there, we were met by a guide who would lead us through to the main sights in a certain order.
Our first stop was at a native Alaskan clan house where performers shared a little about their culture and demonstrated traditional dances. At the end, the audience was invited to participate. I really enjoyed seeing the house, learning more about it, and experiencing traditional native songs and dances.
The next stop in the village was the totem poles. We learned more about their meaning, symbols, and the stories that they tell. It was incredible to see the craftsmanship and detail.
Finally, we went to the carving studio to see the process of creating these intricate totem poles. We met local masters, one of which has been named a national treasure. It was really cool to see how these works of art come to life.
Accessibility of the Tour
The tour bus had a wheelchair lift, and there were tie-down straps inside for my wheelchair. At the village, the path started out paved and then switched to dirt and compacted gravel. There were some sections with inclines and manual wheelchair users may need assistance in these sections.
The clan house had flat entry and there was seating along the side for people with mobility problems and wheelchair users. Steps led to the totem poles, but there was an alternative path available for wheelchairs. The workshop also had a level entry and the craftsman made sure that people made room for me up front.
Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau)
This half-day tour left in the morning and consisted of a narrated tour through town on our way to the glacier. Once there, we had a couple hours of free time to explore the visitor center (which had a small museum), admire the glacier from the overlook, and hike to Nugget Falls. This was plenty of time to do the activities mentioned.
Overall, I really enjoyed the excursion and would do it again. It was cool to see a glacier that close alongside a beautiful waterfall.
Accessibility of the Tour
Again, a lift-equipped bus with tie-down straps took us to and from the glacier. Once there, there was either a ramp or an elevator to take you to the visitor center, which had accessible restrooms. Large glass windows also provided wonderful views of both Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls.
A short paved trail led to the official observation point for the glacier. There were slight inclines that were easy to manage along the path. This vantage point had beautiful views and was perfect for getting pictures.
The trail to Nugget Falls is not officially labeled as an ADA trail but I decided to try it anyway, It was mostly paved with some short sections of boardwalks and other sections had compacted dirt (which could get muddy with rain). There were some inclines that manual wheelchair users may need assistance with and some sections where a medium cross slope was present.
At the end of the 2-mile trail (out and back), the dirt became more sand-like. To get to the base of the falls, required navigation over large rocks. Once at the bottom, the dirt was very sandy and hard to maneuver in. I was able to get down with a lot of assistance from strong individuals but I would not do it again.
An alternative overlook was to go up a short somewhat steep slope to an observation area. This too had sand-like dirt but was more compacted than at the base of the falls.
You should decide based on the weather and your own comfort whether the Nugget Falls trail is worth it for you. You can view the falls from a distance at both the visitor center and the accessible observation area.
Mt Robert’s Tram (Juneau)
I booked this excursion through the company on the day I was in Juneau. I wanted to wait to see what the weather would be like before committing to the ride.
This is a self-guided tour that has a short question/answer type format as you ascend the mountain with a guide. Once at the top, you can stay as long as you’d like, and there are a couple of choices in what you can do, like admire the view, shop in the gift shop, eat at a restaurant, listen to a presentation by a local native Alaskan tribe, and hike (which are not wheelchair-accessible).
I enjoyed the experience, but I don’t know if I would do it again. It was quite expensive for the little that was available at the top of the mountain (about $100 for 2 people). I did like the views and am glad I got the chance to do it, but I would save my money next time for something else).
Accessibility of the Tour
There is a flat entry to the tram, and staff will put down a metal ramp to help you over the gap. You will be the first to board, and the last one off the tram.
At the top of the mountain, there is a ramp that leads to the gift shop and an elevator to take you down to the restaurant and presentation area. Another ramp leads to doors to the outside and a viewing platform so you can enjoy a 180-degree view of the mountains and bay below.
Whale Watching in Juneau
Whale watching is a classic must-do Alaska shore excursion and one of the best places to do this activity is in Juneau. Since we had a long time in port, the cruise line offered both a daytime tour and a nighttime tour (remember there is A LOT of daylight in Alaska during the summer). I chose the night tour as it allowed me to do other things during the day.
An enclosed boat takes you to some of the most popular spots for whale activity, and you are pretty much guaranteed to see them. During our tour, we saw several humpback whales as well as stellar sea lions. It is possible you may also see Orca during the voyage, but we weren’t that lucky.
There are plenty of viewing windows, as well as an upper deck if you’d like to get outside for the whale viewing. The ride was relatively calm as well. Since, I chose the evening tour, dinner, and snacks were also served during the trip (which was delicious).
I would definitely do this tour again! The scenery on the water was spectacular and I loved seeing the wildlife as well. The crew and staff were very helpful and I had a wonderful time on the tour.
Accessibility of the Tour
A lift-equipped bus took us to the marina where the boats were launched from. To board the boat there was a ramp leading down to the dock and another smaller ramp to board the ship. Inside the boat, there was room to maneuver and I pulled up to the very front so I could see through the wall of windows in both directions.
Emerald Lake and the Yukon Highway (Skagway)
One of the most popular activities in Skagway is to go into the Yukon region either by the White Pass Railway, by driving the Yukon Highway, or a combination of the two. I did the driving tour with a guide by Tours by Locals as there were no wheelchair-accessible options for the drive and she had a minivan which I could transfer to.
We started out early in the morning to avoid the other larger tour buses and drove to some pretty amazing overlooks in the mountains to admire waterfalls, valleys, the Welcome to Alaska sign, and the mountains themselves. We also stopped at Taggish Dog Kennel to play with sled dog puppies.
However, the highlight of the tour was Emerald Lake. Our guide described it as the northern lights in a lake, and she was so accurate with her analysis. It was one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen and I could’ve spent half the day admiring it.
On the way back to the city, we made several other stops to admire the scenery. We even spotted some mountain goats high up on the terrain. This 6-hour tour definitely was one of the highlights of the trip and having a local guide was wonderful. I highly recommend it and would do it again.
Accessibility of the Tour
Since I can transfer with assistance, I was able to use the minivan that the guide provided. She was patient and offered to help whenever she could. Since the majority of the tour was a scenic drive, I did not need to get in and out of the van much as I could enjoy the views and scenic overlooks from the front seat.
At Taggish Dog Kennels, there was a wooden (somewhat steep) ramp to get into the area where you paid to visit. Then there was another ramp into the fenced-in area where the puppies were. There may be an alternative entrance if you want to avoid another ramp.
Please note that this dog kennel does not breed for tourism. Their goal is to help socialize the puppies so they are used to people and sounds. When the owners don’t have a litter of puppies, other mushers will send their puppies there for the purpose of socialization.
While the driving tour was lovely, visitors should be aware that there are no rest stops or bathrooms along the road. A stop in Carcross will offer the opportunity for restrooms (and accessible bathrooms are available), and there may be bathrooms at the kennel but I’m not sure if they are wheelchair-accessible. Plan accordingly.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
As a lover of national parks, this was a tour I definitely was looking forward to, and it did not disappoint. We were driven from the lodge to Seward where we would board the boat. Along the way, we heard stories from the local Alaskan driver about what it was like to live there.
When he spotted a bull moose in a pond, he pulled over to let us take pictures and get a chance to see this incredible animal. We then continued on and had a small narrated tour of Seward before being dropped off for our cruise.
The cruise itself lasted 6 hours and took us through some amazing scenery and into Kenai Fjords National Park. Along the way, we looked for whales and made a minor detour to see some stellar sea lions. When whales were spotted, we would stop and spend a few minutes with them before continuing on.
Once officially inside the national park, we headed for two glaciers and got up close to them. On the way back, we spotted puffin, more humpback whales, and even Orca. It was an incredible experience to say the least and I would do this excursion again without a second thought.
Lunch and a snack were served on the boat and included in the tour cost. Water was also available free of charge and there were other drinks such as soda and hot chocolate available for purchase.
Accessibility on the Tour
The bus that took us from the lodge to the cruise had a wheelchair lift. There was a ramp to board the boat and the crew allowed me to board first. There was a small threshold to navigate, but the crew was helpful in getting my chair over it.
Onboard, there is an enclosed area with seats and tables. The crew removed one of the tables and folded the seats up so I had a spot right next to the large windows. The captain was aware I was onboard and made sure to turn the ship at each stop so I could see everything that was going on.
Bathrooms were available on the boat but unfortunately were small and not wheelchair-accessible. It should also be noted, that they will need the dimensions of your wheelchair to ensure it fits through the door. If you are in a large power wheelchair, you may need to transfer to a manual chair for the tour. Since my chair fit and is a small power wheelchair, I was able to stay in my own wheelchair for the whole tour.
UTV Tour (Copper River)
I love getting out into nature and the woods, however, as a wheelchair user that isn’t always easy. So, when I saw that there was a UTV tour option that could accommodate me, I jumped at the chance.
We went to several scenic overlooks and were on the look for wildlife. Unfortunately, the wildlife never cooperated, but we still learned a lot about local bears and moose and saw evidence that they had been in the area (branches had been eaten, and scat or poop along the trail).
I really enjoyed getting out into the woods, seeing all the wildflowers, and the beautiful views. I would do the tour again if given the chance.
Accessibility of the Tour
The UTVs were not adapted, so I had to transfer from my wheelchair to one of the seats in the UTV. The tour operator was very helpful and patient and ensured I had everything I needed during the tour. She even angled the vehicle so I could see all the views, knowing I couldn’t get out without my wheelchair.
Denali Natural History Tour (Denali)
My cruise tour came with the natural history tour of Denali National Park included however, I upgraded (or tried to) to the Tundra Tour as it goes farther into the park and has a better chance of seeing wildlife. Unfortunately, the national park service overbooked this tour so I was downgraded back to the original one.
The natural history tour focuses on the history of the park and how it began. At the beginning, there is a short film you watch to help prepare you for what you will see. Then you drive along and make two other stops.
The first stop involves a short hike along a compacted dirt and gravel path to a 100-year-old cabin that is still in use by park rangers today. The history and use of the cabin is explained and there is a short talk on some of the horned wildlife that lives in the park.
The second stop is at a viewing area for Mount Denali. Only about 15% of visitors get to see the mountain in all of it’s glory on a clear day. I’m thrilled to say that I am now one of that small group of lucky people. I saw not one, but both of its peaks.
The two summits are about 2 miles apart from each other and even from my vantage point (about 75 miles away from the mountain) it was still an impressive sight. In fact, Mount Denali (formerly called Mount McKinley) is the tallest mountain in North America. It’s such a jaw-dropping sight that it’s hard to take your eyes off it and makes visiting Denali worth it.
At that same stop, there was a native Alaskan woman from a local tribe talking about how they use the land to survive during winter. It was an honor to learn more about her culture and for her to share her time with us.
Unfortunately, the wildlife did not cooperate. If your goal is to see moose, bears, caribou, or even dall sheep, then you should plan to do the Tundra Tour. However, this tour was interesting and a great way to learn about the park.
Accessibility of the Tour
For tours within Denali National Park, you use the buses offered by the contracted tour company. These are old school buses and some of them have wheelchair lifts like the one I was on.
All stops on the tour were wheelchair accessible. The short hike has minor slopes and although the terrain was dirt and gravel, it was compacted and not difficult for my small powered wheelchair to maneuver over. There was a similar surface at the Denali viewing area.
Each of the stops we made had accessible bathrooms available. However, most of them were vault toilets (if that makes a difference to you).
Gold Dredge 8 (Fairbanks)
The gold dredge tour was also an included tour (no extra cost) in my cruise tour package. It highlighted a portion of the gold rush era around Fairbanks and taught you how they dredged for gold.
A small train took visitors around the property to see the old dredging machine while a guide taught you how it was used. Then he performed a gold panning demonstration before we got off the train and got to try it for ourselves.
You get to keep the gold you find and there is even a counter that will weigh it for you and tell you how much it’s worth. I found a whopping $6 in gold. It was fun to give it a try and learn about this infamous time in Alaskan history.
At the end, there was also a short talk about the Alaskan Pipeline which runs through the property. We even got to see a section of it as it couldn’t be buried there due to permafrost.
Overall, it was a fun tour and I’m glad I got a chance to experience it. I enjoyed myself, but not sure I would need to do it again, but I would if I had my niece and nephew with me or someone who hadn’t experienced it before.
Accessibility of the Tour
A lift-equipped bus took me on the tour. Once there, the train had a ramp to board and a designated wheelchair area (with fold-down seats for companions).
There was a dirt and medium-sized gravel surface around the gold panning area that was sometimes challenging to navigate but they had reserved a spot at the closest water trough for me to pan in. I was able to roll under the trough and had no difficulty with the panning activity but the staff was present to assist me should I have needed it.
Inside the gift shop and where the gold was weighed was flat and easy to navigate. They also had accessible bathrooms available.
Fairbanks River Boat Tour
The riverboat tour was also included in my tour package and happened right after the gold dredge tour. It included lunch prior to boarding and was located in a small area with shops.
Once onboard, there were drinks available to purchase and a snack was served on the way back from our destination. During the tour, we learned about some of the local history and made two stops.
At the first stop, everyone stayed onboard but got to see a sled dog demonstration (adapted for summer). These Alaskan huskies are STRONG and it was amazing to see them in action. We also learned about Granite, the sled dog that no one believed in. His story was very touching, and you can read more about it here.
Then at the second stop, everyone was able to get off the boat to explore a village that was a replica of one that a local native Alaskan tribe may have used. Representatives from various tribes were there to educate us about how they lived and their culture.
I really enjoyed learning about the culture and sled dogs on this tour. It is one I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Accessibility of the Tour
There were ramps and step-free routes to board the riverboat. The first level is accessible and had a designated wheelchair area by the windows. Accessible bathrooms with grab bars were also available onboard the ship.
10 Princess Alaska Cruise Tour Tips
Ready to start planning your own Princess Alaska cruise tour? Here are some tips that may help you with that process.
1. Consider Pre-Purchasing Meal Vouchers
Alaska is expensive! Meals are no different and you can expect to pay at least $15 for a burger and fries. While some of the lodges are near other restaurants (that may have slightly better prices) costs can still add up quickly.
That’s why I recommend looking at pre-purchasing meal vouchers for the land portion of your trip. I decided to do this so I wouldn’t have to worry about budgeting for that during my trip and for convenience.
I believe I paid about $100 per day for two people for the vouchers, which included breakfast with a drink, and a 3-course dinner with a nonalcoholic beverage. I felt I got my money’s worth but it will depend on your eating habits. Alternatively, you could choose a Connoisseur tour that already has meals included in the cost of the trip.
I’ve included pictures of some of the menus so you can compare prices.
2. Contact the Accessibility Office with Questions
If you have questions about excursions, the cruise itself, or the land portion specific to your individual needs, I recommend contacting the accessibility office as they will be in the best position to address these. While I’ve done my best to share my experience and provide information here, I know I can’t possibly cover every scenario.
3. Avoid Copper River if You’re a Wheelchair User
While I did enjoy my time at Copper River, and it did have wheelchair-accessible rooms, there weren’t a lot of options for accessible activities, even at Wrangell St Elias National Park. As a result, I would suggest choosing a cruise tour that skips this stop if you are a wheelchair user.
4. Spend at Least 2 Days in Denali
Denali was another highlight of the trip for me and there are a lot of options for wheelchair-accessible things to do at the park. As a result, I recommend spending at least two nights in Denali to make the most of your time. I will be writing a post soon on what I did when visiting the park to help you plan your time there.
5. Be Prepared to Be on the Go
The land tour is great, but very busy with early mornings. The bus typically leaves by 8 am and your suitcases will need to be outside of your door between 6:00 – 6:30 am. These can make for long days. Make sure to pace yourself and listen to what your body needs.
6. Do a Northbound Cruise and then the Land Tour
Not only can cruise tours be a little cheaper if you do the cruise first and then the land portion, but you’ll also get the build-up of incredible scenery. This is what I did, and even the onboard naturalist recommended this option.
In Ketchikan, you’ll start out in a temperate rainforest and then as each day continues, the scenery will just get bigger and more impressive. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a southbound cruise, you’ll just see the best scenery first.
7. Bring Binoculars and a Camera with a Good Zoom
There is plenty of wildlife to see in Alaska, but it may be from a distance. Whenever you’re sailing along the shore, keep an eye out for bears. Even whales might not be close to the ship. That’s why I highly recommend bringing binoculars.
If you aren’t scanning the area with binoculars, you may miss wildlife and not even know it’s there. Then, when you find it, you’ll want to make sure you have a camera with a good zoom lens so you can capture it on film (or nowadays a memory card).
And don’t worry, if you don’t want to lug a heavy camera with you, there are some smaller point-and-shoot options that have a great zoom on them. I personally use this camera because as a disabled photographer want to be, I can’t lift a heavy DSLR camera.
8. Pack Layers
The weather in Alaska is not only very unpredictable but it can also vary widely. You can have cool rainy mornings and then experience warm afternoons. Additionally, inland Alaska will be warmer than the coastal towns.
To be prepared for all that Alaskan weather has to offer, make sure to pack layers so you are prepared. Make sure to pack pants, capris, t-shirts (including long-sleeved ones), a sweater or fleece zip-up, a warm coat, and a rain jacket or poncho. Make sure to check out my travel essentials for women post for more ideas on my must-have travel items.
9. Roads Can Be Bumpy
All the roads around the coastal towns are in good condition, but as you start moving inland, they can become bumpy and more broken up. These poor conditions are due to the permafrost which shifts and heaves the roads.
The road to the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge isn’t bad but the other ones can be a challenge if you have problems with pain or have poor core muscles. Just something to keep in mind if this is a concern for you.
10. Travel Days Can Be Long
Travel days between lodges can range anywhere from 4-8 hours in length. Along the way, you will be given bathroom stops and time for lunch (at your own cost). Additionally, there is a bathroom on the bus but it is not wheelchair accessible. Just be prepared and take this into consideration when booking your trip.
Alaska Cruise Tour FAQS
Is an Alaska Cruise Tour Worth It?
An Alaska cruise tour is absolutely worth it! You get the best of both worlds, the coastal cities that are harder to travel to when doing a land-only trip, and inland Alaska.
In addition, all the stress and logistics are taken care of for you. You have guaranteed wheelchair-accessible transportation, accessible lodge rooms, and a variety of tours you can choose from. It’s a stress-free and easy way to see a variety of what Alaska has to offer.
How Many Formal Nights on a 7-Day Princess Alaska Cruise?
There are two formal nights on a 7-day Princess Alaska cruise. These tend to occur on sea days but make sure to check your patter or in the app to know when they are scheduled for your specific cruise. For me, they occurred on the first sea day after leaving Vancouver, and the day we sailed Glacier Bay National Park.
Is There a Better Side of the Ship for an Alaskan Cruise?
Typically, most people prefer to see the shoreline on an Alaskan cruise and they determine which side of the ship they’d prefer based on the direction they are sailing. If this is your same strategy, then on a northbound cruise you will want the right side of the ship and on a southbound cruise, you will want to left or port side of the ship.
However, there really isn’t a bad side of the ship to be on. On scenic cruising days, you’ll have points of interest on both sides and the captain will turn the ship at the main glaciers so everyone gets to see them.
What Month Is Good for an Alaskan Cruise Tour?
Alaskan cruise tours take place during the summer (May to September) and determining when you should go will depend on what is important to you. For example, May and September will be the cheapest times of the year to go on an Alaskan cruise tour. This chart may help you decide based on your interests or preferences.
What Months Can You See the Northern Lights on an Alaskan Cruise?
Sailing in September will give you the best chance of seeing the northern lights on an Alaskan cruise. However, the cruise ship isn’t necessarily the best place to view them. Light pollution from the ship and any nearby towns will impact your ability to see them.
For the best chance of seeing the northern lights during your trip to Alaska, take a cruise tour that includes Fairbanks. The farther north and inland you go, the better the viewing of this incredible phenomenon will be.
They tend to make their appearance late at night or very early in the morning when most people are sleeping, so notify the ship and lodge you’d like to be alerted if the lights become visible. You can also use an app on your phone to monitor solar activity so you know the days when you may have the most luck.
Recap on My Princess Alaska Cruise Tour Review
I hope that this post has given you a good idea of what to expect on a Princess Alaska cruise tour as well as shown you how accessible it is. Additionally, I hope you’ve seen how much fun I had on my trip and what a great time you can have too. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you on a Princess Alaska cruise tour someday.
