- Alaska Certified Travel Experts presented by Alaska Cruises Direct | Contact Us At 800.365.1445
Featuring Alaska Adventure Vacations
Welcome To Alaska
Listen To Our Audio Greeting
Alaska : dream. see. inspire.
Let your spirit of adventure guide you to the Last Frontier. Be Ready To Be Wowed. Explore What's Possible In Alaska. An Alaskan vacation is a must for the seasoned or first-time cruise traveler. Where else can you see amazing wildlife like moose, bears, and eagles in a virtually pristine wilderness? Combine flightseeing with cocktails beside a rushing river. Or treat yourself to a night at a fabulous lodge after climbing America's tallest peak, and traveling in comfort and style doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the opportunity for real adventure.
50 must-do activities when sailing to Alaska
#1 Be sure to check out the Northern Lights Experience
in the planetarium on board your ship.
#2 Try Reindeer Sausage at any of our Princess
Wilderness Lodges or onboard the train.
#3 Join the Alaska-inspired Chef’s Table with special
dishes featuring fresh Alaska seafood.
#4 Experience the thrilling Zip Rider in Icy Strait
Point with a top speed of 65mph!
#5 Sample a variety of brews at our Alaska Beer Tasting
event.
#6 Pan for gold at Gold Dredge 8 in Fairbanks.
#7 Try a Bison slider or Bear Lard Pie at Fannie Q’s
Saloon at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge®.
#8 Bite into a juicy Ernesto Burger – awarded the best
burger at sea by Cruise Critic – at the Grizzly Burger
at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge®
#9 Roast marshmallows, make s’mores and share stories
with friends at the fireside patio at the Denali
Princess Wilderness Lodge®.
#10 Enjoy stunning scenery through glass-domed windows
as you travel between ship and lodge via exclusive
Princess Direct-to-the-Wilderness® rail service.
#11 Indulge in a Bering Sea Crab trio at the King Salmon
Restaurant at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
#12 Take a little bit of Alaska home with you by
purchasing a McKinley ‘Mac’ the Moose or Stanley the
Bear plush.
#13 Meet and hear from Libby Riddles in Juneau, the
first woman to win the grueling 1,150-mile Iditarod
sled-dog race.
#14 Be on the lookout for Stanley the Bear mingling with
guests on board.
#15 Watch for wildlife above, below and on land, from
whales to orcas, eagles to puffins, plus moose, caribou
and bears.
#16 Take part in a nostalgic can-can dance class and
kick up your heels with fellow guests.
#17 Cuddle with future sled-dog puppies in the Piazza in
Skagway – and be sure to take photos!.
#18 Join an exciting Lumberjack presentation or try your
hand at axe-throwing.
#19 Discover the secrets of capturing the perfect shot
in Alaska from award-winning photographers on board.
#20 Join National Park Rangers on deck as they offer
commentary and insight on Glacier Bay National Park.
#21 Learn about the fauna and flora of Alaska from
naturalists who come aboard.
#22 Watch an Alaskan local carve a totem pole and
explain its rich history.
#23 Hear exhilarating stories from Capt. David Lethin,
from the popular Discovery™ show, Deadliest Catch.
#24 You hook it, we’ll cook it. Reel in a fish on select
Princess shore excursions and our chefs will prepare it
for you with our Cook My Catch program.
#25 Meet the Mountain Climbers who share tales of
conquering Denali, North America’s tallest peak, at Mt.
McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge®.
#26 Try favorites from local Alaska eateries on board,
including crab cakes from Tracy’s King Crab Shack in
Juneau, fish tacos from the Alaska Fish House in
Ketchikan or seafood chowder from Bonanza Bar & Grill in
Skagway.
#27 Kids will love our Alaska Explorers youth program
and they can even earn their own Jr. Ranger badge!
#28 Visit Alaska’s top two attractions – Glacier Bay and
Denali National Park – on any Alaska cruisetour.
#29 Spend time in Denali National Park on a Natural
History Tour or a Tundra Wilderness Tour, on most Alaska
cruisetours.
#30 Step out onto the viewing platform and take in the
fresh Alaska air and wilderness while enjoying scenic
Princess rail travel.
#31 Take a sternwheeler riverboat cruise while in
Fairbanks.
#32 Take a shuttle from Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier,
the only drive-in glacier in Alaska.
#33 Retrace the original route to the White Pass Summit
of Yukon on a nostalgic ride on the White Pass Scenic
Railway.
#34 Explore picturesque Kenai while rafting through
Kenai Fjords National Park.
#35 Learn the history of totem poles at Totem Bight
State Park or visit quaint Creek Street in Ketchikan.
#36 Take in stunning views of Denali from the deck at
Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge®.
#37 Enjoy a cold brew while soaking in views of Nenana
River from the expansive deck at Denali Princess
Wilderness Lodge®.
#38 Fish for famed Copper River salmon and admire the
Wrangell St. Elias range while staying at the Copper
River Princess Wilderness Lodge®.
#39 Take a stroll back in time in Skagway along wooden
boardwalks from the gold rush era.
#40 Enjoy our custom-built Tree house at Mt. McKinley
Princess Wilderness Lodge®, as seen on Animal Planet’s
Treehouse Masters
#41 Experience the excitement of a real Klondike
festival that celebrates the spirit of the Alaska gold
rush in the Atrium.
#42 Marvel at Hubbard Glacier, 76 miles long and 1,200
feet deep, visit the 16 dazzling glaciers of College
Fjord or venture through Endicott Arm Fjord to Dawes
Glacier.
#43 Experience Princess Medallion Class™ while cruising
in Alaska. #44 Listen for “white thunder” as you watch a
glacier calving at Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay
National Park.
#45 See if you can spot Denali’s Big 5 in Denali
National Park: Bears, wolves, moose, caribou and Dall
sheep.
#46 Try to capture a photo of a whale tail or a pod of
orcas as you sail across the Gulf of Alaska.
#47 Take a ride on the Mt. Roberts Tramway in Juneau for
spectacular views of Alaska’s capital.
#48 Go flightseeing or land on a glacier and then take a
thrilling sled dog ride.
#49 Experience unique Alaska adventures on a Discovery™
or Animal Planet™ Exclusive Shore Excursion like the
Black Bear, Wildlife & Nature hike in Ketchikan or a
Glacier landing from Juneau.
#50 Find out if you can endure the Alaska tundra, as you
compete with fellow guests in Can you Survive, part of
our Discovery at SEA program.
Don't just visit this famous land, live it on Alaska excursions. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience.
Learn more about Alaska Excursions
Inspiration & Advise
Certified Alaska Cruise Advisors
Raye & Marty Trencher
Certified experts in their field, representing over 40 years of hands-on "been there and done that" travel experience and expertise. In 2020, they celebrated 20 years of helping like-minded people plan their once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Alaska.
Representing all major cruise lines and a certified member of several consumer and travel trade organizations including the Cruise Lines International Association, Alaska Travel Industry Association and the Travel Leaders Group. To our new friends, we're happy you found us, and we look forward to welcoming you to our avid cruise traveling family. To our long-time seasoned cruise travelers, we offer you a warm welcome back. We are grateful for your loyalty, as you are an intrinsic part of our company's success.
Their mission is plain and simple. Leave no sea unsailed.
To provide real-life accounts and expert advice, not just a flood of information. They literarily have cruised "round the world", sailing thousands of nautical miles, visiting ports of call, inspecting ships, sampling itineraries and critiquing shore excursions.
And now they hope to pass on that knowledge and information to you. Their stories offer the best possible cruise options based on your lifestyle, interests, budget, travel experience, etc. plus they'll point out where to get group rates ( without joining a group!), free upgrades, shipboard credits and other amenities or discounts. Get advise about tipping; packing; clothing; flights and schedule options; shore excursions, proper immigration documentations and much more.
The Value of Knowledge And Know-How, from Alaska Certified Experts.
Our Certified Alaska Cruise Travel Experts are the key element of what differentiates us from others. Our staff is the number-one reason people return to travel with us, again and again. Management and staff each have over 40 years experience in travel. We offer our knowledge, experience, expertise and service; and then provide travel services if requested. All with no agency fees. We have been highly specialized in Alaska travel since we started offering the destination over 20 years ago, and know the destination inside and out. Each of us is a cruise vacation professional. We're a valuable resource of first hand knowledge coupled with contagious enthusiasm for our work, here to help you plan the perfect Alaska cruise vacation. You'll find we're just like you, sharing one common dream, the dream of cruising and the spirit of the sea. Call today and let us plan your most memorable vacation experience ever. Our services and advice are complimentary and we have lots of valuable information that we love to share.
We have Certified Alaskan Cruise Experts who are eager to help you sort through all your options, answer all questions, give you their best advice and book your cruise or cruise tour. Certified Alaskan Cruise Experts have years of hands-on destination experience and expertise in travel to Alaska.
And, we've been recognized by Princess Cruises as one of their top Alaska Cruise Advisors in North America so our buying power and connections go a long way to getting you a great deal! Plus, we offer some amazing shore excursions. Choose salmon fishing, taking a helicopter and flight see over and land on glaciers, kayaking, trekking, panning for golf or feel the exhilaration of riding a dogsled, Alaska shore excursions are all adventure!
We Are Avid Travelers Just Like You
Whether you're looking to book an all-inclusive land & sea package, or just a cruise, we can provide you with the best options available. We have access to the best choices and prices, and Bonus Extras that aren't available everywhere else. If you need help planning an upcoming Alaska cruise, Alaskan Land & Sea Vacation, or you just have questions about a specific destination or trip, call us at 800.365.1445. Offering free advice and insider tips you can trust from someone who is not only a certified travel expert, but an avid traveler, with over 30 years experience and expertise.
We'd love to help plan your next unforgettable cruise or vacation. Do you have a vacation in mind? Call us at 800.365.1445 to get started.
Looking for better perks @ sea? Never hurts to Ask.
Q&A
Q.
"I notice most name-brand cruise lines offer pretty much the
same perks: Shipboard spending credits, cabin upgrades, free
gratuities, complimentary specialty dining, free wi-fi etc.
Are there any better perks?"
A.
Cruise lines change promotional offers every few weeks, but
often the total "real" value of the offer is the same, just
the list of inclusive features shuffles about. So, it never
hurts to ask about what's on offer now. There may even be a
group deal you can get in on, or a special offer you've not
heard of. To learn about those hard-to-find " unpublished"
deals, make that phone call. It could save you
hundred's of dollars off the cruise fare and an even sweeter
deal with one or more bonus extras.
Q.
You probably have a lot questions about Alaska. We've been
there and done that, so we have the answers you need.
A. Call us and we'll be glad to share our first hand
up-close stories and adventures, knowledge and expertise to
help you travel with confidence. You'll get valuable
insights on how to customize your itinerary based on your
tastes and budgets, from Certified Alaska Travel Experts. We
look forward to having you call us at 800.365.1445. The call
is free and so is the advice. Never an obligation to book.
What's Trending Now
Travelers are spending more and embarking on 'bucket list'
cruise adventures and new cruise destinations According to the
latest Outlook Report, when it comes to cruising, travelers are
looking for a few things: unique and exclusive experiences
(92%), exotic itineraries (90%), wildlife (87%), enrichment and
education (84%) and thrills (61%). For people looking for
next-level travel, cruising is the new cool. Known for eschewing
"things" in favor of experiences, Millennials, are choosing
cruises in increasing numbers to visit bucket-list destinations,
unique and exclusive excursions, seek out wildlife and exotic
itineraries and, ultimately, discover the thrill of
other-worldly adventure.
Alaska Leads The List!
Alaska is the top destination for adventure or expedition travel
with nearly eight of 10 (78%) travelers choosing the region as
their destination when booking adventure travel. In some
cases like Alaska, where capacity is limited, planning starts a
year ahead of time. So, if your looking for the best advertised
prices, largest selection of available accommodations, and deals
available for next year, cruise travelers should focus their
efforts to find a professional certified cruise travel expert
during mid-summer.
ALASKA CRUISETOURS
3 - 8 day land tours combined with a 7 day Alaska Cruise.
We've created this Photo Gallery to give you a little jumpstart. Feel free to pick and choose what catches your eye!
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Raye & Marty with Jeff King at Husky Homestead (Denali)
Leave the crowds behind and join an intimate group to meet champion
sled dogs at the Husky Homestead.
Enjoy a personal tour of the homestead kennel of four-time Iditarod champion, Jeff King.
Meet the champion sled dogs, cuddle the puppies, and see the summer husky training in action.
.Luxury Rail Tours from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Denali
National Park, Talkeetna
Experience the unobstructed views of the Alaska
wilderness and delicious cuisine from the comfort
of a glass-domed luxury rail car on your Alaska vacation.
In addition to wrap-around domed viewing windows, many
railcars feature an open-air platform for the ultimate
viewing experience.
Riding the train through the Alaska wilderness is a
truly magical experience.
Each journey comes with its own unique adventures, breathtaking vistas, and leisurely tours.
Each destination offers different excursions and
viewpoints.
One of the best parts of your rail tour is simply
relaxing in a luxury glass-domed rail car, looking at
glorious Alaska scenery.
Rafting up to a glacier on a scenic float or...
...get your heart racing with three hours of whitewater
adventure.
_________________________________________________________
Hiking
Get incredible off-trail access with a hike and
flight combo.
Experience all the natural beauty Alaska has to offer on
a hike accessible for any level.
Learn about the true-life adventures and experiences in
the Bering Sea in pursuit of crab.
More Things To See and Do!
Cross the Arctic Circle and experience the Far
North
Hit the rails for a little bit of history and a whole
lot of scenery.
Tour the beautiful and remote Kennecott Mines.
Learn which wines to pair with Alaska seafood.
Soak in the relaxing Chena Hot Springs.
Riverboat Discovery - Fairbanks, Alaska
Visit North America's largest tidewater glacier.
The Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America.
A tidewater glacier is one that flows into the ocean.
The glacier is approximately 7 miles wide at its foot and 76 miles long
Fishing
Catch dinner on the Kenai River, you definitely
won't go hungry.
Some of Skagway's newest sled dogs!
Snap a picture with the puppies and meet their dog handlers who will be training them for a life of dog mushing.
"Treehouse" views at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness
Lodge
Helicopter Glacier Landings!
Take a snow day and explore the incredible glaciers nearby.
See spectacular views only available by flightseeing or enjoy an exhilarating helicopter landing on a glacier.
View the ice blue Mendenhall Glacier by kayak or mush along the ice and snowy terrain on a thrilling dog sled ride.
► Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge - Photo Gallery
► Denali Princess Lodge - Photo Gallery
Looking for a Group Cruise Vacation?
Friends, & family have the most fun - especially on a
group cruise.
Whether it's for weddings, reunions, birthday milestones or simply getting together with friends and family,
there are many reasons why groups choose to sail with us again and again.
And, one good reason is our exclusive mini-group rates for as few as 3 couples! Call for details.
Often, visiting Alaska has as much to do with what people may feel as with what they will see. There is a mystique that surrounds Alaska.
To some it represents a dream, a trip of a life time, a life altering event, a chance to reach out and touch
something inside themselves that is wild and beautiful like they imagine Alaska to be.
Our job is to put that dream - or as much as possible of it - within reach of you.
Our friendly faces going to all kinds of places!
Alaskan cruising is affordable, only the memories are priceless!
When it comes to planning your trip, Alaskan Cruises & Land and Sea Vacations are more economical than you might think.
With a wide range of options and choices, there's a cruise or cruise tour to suit most any budget. "
ather your family, grab your friends - start planning your Alaska cruise today".► Learn More
Working with us offers some distinct advantages...
We have been narrowing in on our area of expertise
for years, setting out twenty years ago with a
single
destination - specialty in mind; Alaska...and have been hyper focused on it, since day one.
Our efforts include first hand " been there...done that" knowledge, building travel provider relationships
that leverage value and savings, personal consulting and unique amenities.
Alaska represents our passion and an a result we have become that go-to person to consumers.
That's what we're recognized as, and that's what like-minded travelers are looking for.
We're not trying to cast a very wide net and have thousands of new customers, offering everything under sun.
What we really try to do, is help a limited number of clients plan their Alaska vacation by sharing our knowledge and expertise about their destination.
While the high tech race moves forward, old fashioned expert advice is what Raye & Marty
offer like-minded cruise travelers who visit Alaska Cruises Direct.
There are some things only experience can tell you. While our site highlights many great offers,
planning an Alaska cruise is more than just clicking through a list of dates and prices.
It's learning all about what there is to see and do in Alaska, and the best way to enjoy your vacation.
Friends, Family & Couples Cruising
"Hi Marty! I just wanted to take a moment to
thank you so much for all that you did for
our family/friends cruise on Royal
Carribbean. My family loves the RCCL
line....and as concerned as I was that we
had little ones coming on this vacation, I
was so impressed with the Ocean Adventure's
Club. My two little ones wanted to be there
all the time. I now have no reservations
about bringing them on another RCCL cruise,
the staff is just fabulous! When I
originally started to research cruises and
Travel Agents to help with the process, I
was overwhelmed (Let's face it, sometimes
the internet can be a good thing and
sometimes it can be a bad thing). I am so
happy that I can across your website. I sure
didn't expect the response that I received
from our family and friends when I started
planning the cruise, and you were there
every step of the way putting up with my
cabin changes, adding new guests at the last
moment, and removing guests in some cases,
too! You were amazing and I know for a fact
that you are responsible for our worry-free
and amazing journey. Everyone that joined us
on the cruise was extremely impressed at how
well the whole thing fell together with
little trouble on their parts. Again I can
not thank you enough, and don't forget that
we will be planning another one ! Explore
Family Cruises "
"I just wanted to thank you for all your
help. Packer Expeditions was excellent and I
would highly recommend them again for anyone
looking to do a glacier hike. Also, we ended
up being upgraded to an outside cabin... It
was a truly welcome surprise to say the
least. It made all the difference in the
world both having a window (even though it
was an obstructed view) and having a larger
cabin. Alaska was totally awesome and we
thoroughly enjoyed the land tours. All the
coach drivers and tour folks were very
knowledgeable and helpful. So next time we
are looking for a cruise I will be in touch!
Thanks again, Ann."
" Our trip was excellent. The room, with the
upgrades, was amazing! We saw many eagles
(bald and golden), one bear, many whales,
including one breach, seals, one bear, one
wolf, moose and caribou, and many smaller
animals.. If we travelled during salmon run,
we probably would have seen more bear and
eagles. The scenery is to die for, the
vistas spectacular. The ship was great;
service, food, etc were all great. Thanks
for everything. "
" Raye, We had a wonderful time on our vacation. The cruise was fantastic. The service, the food and the entertainment was great. We had great weather at all of our stops. We did the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan which was very entertaining and enjoyed by all of us. In Juneau we did the Mt. Robert's Tram, a whale watch and the Mendenhall Glacier. All three excursions were great. In Skagway we did the White Pass Railroad which was fantastic. My nine year old granddaughter stood on the platform of the train, with her father, and just kept saying how beautiful Alaska is...The land tour was very nice. The lodges were all beautiful. The rooms at the Kenai lodge were our favorite. The rooms were very large and they all had a wood stove and a deck. The Sea Life Center was great. Mt. McKinley lodge was my favorite. We took your advice and went to the fire pits. The restaurant we ate at was good. We took the first shuttle to Talkeetna the next day. That was an interesting little town. I had to try the Fireweed ice cream that was very good. We enjoyed the train ride to Denali. We did see a moose. The Denali lodge was very nice. We took your advice again and went to the Husky Homestead. My granddaughters loved that excursion. Jeff King is such a great speaker. I am sure we will all follow the Iditarod next year. The Natural History Tour of Denali was good. We had a great driver. We saw a moose eating on the side of the road and one caribou. We did like the dining shuttle at the Denali lodge. The Fairbanks Lodge was really nice. We took the shuttle into town and spent some time exploring. The Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 were great. On Saturday we took a shuttle to North Pole and then spent a few hours at Pioneer Park before getting our flight home. The best part of the land tour was not having to handle our luggage. We even checked our luggage, for our flight home, at the lodge in Fairbanks and got our boarding passes. It was a wonderful trip and we all enjoyed every minute of it. The two weeks went by so quickly. Thank you for all your help and making it so easy to book this vacation. "