2 cruise lines are pivoting to offer summer 'land tours' in Alaska - see what it'll be like to take

Portage Glacier Cruises_3
The Portage Glacier Cruise.
  • On top of suspended cruises amid COVID-19, Alaska cruises have been halted due to Canadian restrictions.
  • Now, Princess Cruises and Holland America will be offering land-based Alaska tours.
  • Visitors can stay at the cruise lines' Alaska resorts.
  • Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

Cruising to Alaska has been put on hold, but Carnival Corporation's Princess Cruises and Holland America have found a new way to offer travelers a chance to visit the state, sans cruising.

Last month, the Canadian government announced a cruising ban in the country's waters until February 2022. As a result, the possible return of Alaska cruises by the end of this year was also put on hold due to port call and flag-bearing issues.

Shortly after this ban was declared, Princess Cruises unsurprisingly canceled trips that were once set to cross Canadian waters, and said it would be "engaged with various US and Canadian government officials" to save any 2021 cruises that had plans to sail through the country.

Read more: Leaked memo reveals some Princess Cruise and Holland America crew members will take pay cuts through June as the coronavirus sends shockwaves through the cruise industry

Similarly, Holland America isn't offering any cruises to Alaska before April 2022.

"We understand how much of Alaska is dependent on the cruise economy," Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises' president said in the press release. "We are going to do all we can to help our business partners and the communities of Alaska."
Exterior Aerial Kenai and river kpl_04
The Kenai River.
While lawmakers have been proposing possible solutions, Holland America and Princess Cruises have decided to address these matters by pivoting to land-based Alaska tours instead.
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The wildlife in Alaska.
Starting this summer, the cruise lines' customers can instead travel to Alaska via Princess Alaska Lodges, Holland America's Westmark Hotels, and Gray Line Alaska, the latter a tour company.
Westmark Fairbanks King Guest Room
The Westmark Fairbanks.
"Many people stayed close to home [last year], so this summer, as we're able to reopen some of these land offerings, we are more ready than ever to welcome visitors back through our doors," Dave McGlothlin, vice president of tour operations with Holland America and Princess Cruises in Alaska and Yukon, said in the press release.
190715 MK PRINCESS AK DENALI_PARK 7448_CMYK TB
The wildlife in Alaska.

Source: Princess Cruises

Travelers who miss cruising with Princess Cruises or Holland America can instead stay at Alaska resorts owned by the two cruise lines: Holland America's McKinley Chalet Resort and Westmark Fairbanks Hotel ...
PE2014_McKinleyChalet_Front_26015595
The McKinley Chalet Resort.
... and Princess Cruises' Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge above the Kenai River.
Exterior Main entrance at Kenai kpl_15
The Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge.
These hotels will then offer up different tours and packages so visitors can still experience Alaska without cruises.
Westmark Fairbanks Exterior
The Westmark Fairbanks.
These guests can then opt to take a guided tour or create their own custom itinerary.
KPL_2017_0830_MK_NATUREHIKE_03547_CvD_RGB
The wildlife in Alaska.
Options include tours around Alaska's Kenai, Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks between five to six nights with either tour director or guidance from staffers.
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The McKinley Chalet Resort.
There's also an eight-hour escorted "Tundra Wilderness Tour" available in Denali National Park with a chance to see Alaskan wildlife, such as bears and caribou.
KPL_2017_0829_MK_WILDLIFE_00448_CvD_RGB
The wildlife in Alaska.
Train enthusiasts can book several nights at the national park through the "Denali Rail tours," which shuttles guests to the park from Anchorage or Fairbanks, Alaska.
Denali_Alaska_National_Park_SMartin_080315_180
Denali National Park.
Desperate to get back on a cruise? Opt for the Portage Glacier Cruises offerings, which brings passengers from Anchorage to the Portage Glacier.
Portage Glacier Cruises_3
The Portage Glacier Cruise.
Read the original article on Business Insider


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