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7 Things I Loved, Plus 4 Things I Didn’t During Princess’s Alaska Cruisetour

• Cruises and Sailing
• Types of Travel

On my first morning after embarking on the Royal Princess Hamilton Cruise ship on a sea and land cruise from Vancouver through the Inside Passage of Alaska and up to Fairbanks, I sat on my portside balcony and watched the gray seas as the pale morning sun rose.

A sudden movement caught my eye, and the head of a humpback whale rose directly out of the water, suspended for a brief moment before it disappeared under the sea.

“Did I just see that?” I muttered sleepily to myself. As if to answer me, the telltale poof of water shot out of the sea, followed by the dark, subtle hump of the whale as he followed alongside our massive 1,083-foot long ship .

Instantly, I ran inside to wake my travel buddy, but by the time he got to the balcony, the whale was long gone. However, that whale sighting was a premonition of extraordinary adventures to come on the Princess Cruises’ 12-17 day Connoisseur Alaska Cruisetour .

From luscious food choices and all-day entertainment to excursions and off-shore adventures through Alaska’s small coastal communities, the Alaska Cruisetour was probably one of the most fun trips I had taken all year. While I had my first cruise in January on a small excursion ship, I was invited and hosted by Princess Cruises to experience my first “big” cruise ship. For some reason, I had poo-pooed the idea of the big “floating city” cruise ships in the past, but the 12 days of sailing and traveling with Princess changed my mind.

I get it now. I get why people dream of cruises and just how easy it is to relax and just enjoy when you are being pampered, cared for, and catered to by a cruise ship company. Coming from the eyes of a brand-new cruiser (this won’t be my last cruise, I guarantee you), here are the seven things I loved — plus the four things I didn’t — during the Princess Alaska Cruisetour.

7 Things I Loved

1. medallion magnificant and the staff.

The Royal Princess is a Princess MedallionClass™ ship with a capacity of 3,560 guests. The MedallionClass ships use touchless technologies in the form of a small, quarter-sized customizable Medallion and an app to enhance and personalize individual experiences and health protocols. 

This thing is so cool. I had my Medallion customized with an astrological symbol and ordered the rubber wristband. While wearing it, the Medallion automatically unlocks and locks my stateroom door as I enter it, allows staff to find me anywhere on the ship to deliver my daily Bloody Mary, allows for touch-free boarding and purchases, let me find my travel companion on the ship, and more. 

“So let’s say you’re out tanning by the pool and you want to get some extra sunscreen, you can go on the app on your phone and order sunscreen which will be purchased through the app and delivered to you where you are anywhere on the ship,” said Briana Latner, public relations and marketing for Princess Cruises. “We’ve also introduced ‘Dine My Way,’ which helps you make reservations in the main dining rooms and the specialty dining, helps get rid of wait times and helps you with your special preferences.”

Another feature of the Princess Medallion is the Ocean Compass, which allows you to locate and message your travel companions. Whomever you are traveling with is automatically named as travel companions in the app, but you can remove each other if you choose to.

“Sometimes there are kids who are teenagers. They can go off on their own, but you want to make sure you know where they are and they’re safe,” Latner said. “Many people who are traveling with parents or the elderly who may get disoriented find it’s been really helpful  to be able to find each other too.”

Travel blogger Erin Cohen said the Medallion created a level of ease on her trip that shocked her.

“It makes you eat too much,” she laughed. “Everything comes to you at the snap of a finger or the touch of a button. The Medallion makes life almost too easy, but it’s great.”

Combined with the Princess Medallion, the staff on the boat is top-notch. Our stateroom was cleaned twice a day at least (the Medallion lets staff know when you are out of your room so they don’t disturb you), the bartenders all know your name and preferred drink, and every crewmember greets you with a cheerful hello.

Using the app and the Medallion was super convenient when it came to purchases, ordering, getting around, and more.

Pro Tip: Download the app before you embark on the cruise to upload safety and health documents, pre-book activities and dining, and get used to all the features. It’s a lot to learn. You can order the Medallion ahead of time and either have it sent to you prior to the cruise or you can pick it up upon embarkation.

Fun Fact: The Pacific Princess was the star ship in the 1977 television series called The Love Boat . That series also made the concept of a sea-going vacation popular with millions of people and has been widely credited with fueling the dramatic expansion of the cruise industry.

2. By Land And By Sea

The Royal Princess Alaska Cruisetours are a combo land and sea experience. In addition to a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise that includes two glacier-viewing experiences and stops in the small Alaskan communities of Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Whittier (Anchorage), you’ll also explore Alaska’s interior with a guided land exploration tour.

Once you’ve disembarked from the ship, you can spend 3 or more nights on land at the various Princess Wilderness Lodges , including the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, and the Fairbanks Princess Wilderness Lodge.

These lodges are situated riverside near the legendary Denali National Park and Preserve, on the stunningly beautiful Kenai Peninsula, and in Fairbanks. Each lodge offers its own unique personality.

You will also travel by rail in a private Princess Cruises scenic railroad car and by tour bus to the various locations.

We were on the Connoisseur Alaska Cruisetour , which offers the highest level of service with a dedicated tour director, the 7-day Voyages of the Glaciers cruise, 5-10 nights on land, travel on the Princess Alaska rail service, stays at Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park , a Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park (We saw three grizzly bears!), sightseeing opportunities, and most meals included.

What I loved about this option was the ability to see not only the glaciers and wonders of coastal Alaska along the Inside Passage, but a chance to explore the famed national parks of Alaska’s rugged and beautiful interior. It truly was the best of both worlds.

“You see pictures but to see it in person is just like, it’s hard to believe this is even real. The whole time I was in Alaska, I just kept saying it was like a movie set,” said Cohen.

3. All The Choices (And Unlimited Drinks)

So maybe you are craving a pepperoni pizza while you lounge in one of the many hot tubs on the 16th-floor deck. Maybe one night, all you dream of is a big juicy steak with a Maine lobster tail. Maybe you want a lot of choices from the all-day buffet.

On the Royal Princess, the more than a dozen dining choices come in many different flavors, ranging from high-end steakhouse to Italian cuisine to sushi. Like many cruise ships, the Royal Princess has a buffet that features Asian, Indian, American, and Latino cuisine, as well as breakfast items, fresh fruit, a pastry bar, and more. On the fifth floor in the central Vista, a small deli is open 24/7 for the late night/early morning crowd.

The ship also has numerous bars, and because we were given the unlimited drinks option, we put those to good use. From the poolside bars to the cozy Wheelhouse Bar with its live music, you’ll not have to worry about finding the perfect cocktail or Alaska beer to sip on. 

Although I dined at the fancy Crown Grill and Sabatini’s, the buffet was our go-to option most days due to the sheer variety of foods to choose from. Be warned, though: It’s easy to let your eyes be bigger than your stomach, and you can end up eating more than you planned because the food is just so tasty.

4. Lots Of Viewing Areas

The Alaska Cruisetour I was on started from Vancouver and sailed through Alaska’s Inside Passage through some of the most beautiful scenery I’d ever seen. With glaciers, waterfalls, misty mountains, and otters and whales frolicking in the waves, it would be a crime not to take it all in.

I loved all the decks and viewing areas on the Royal Princess. From our own private balcony to picture windows throughout the ship to expansive decks, the views just kept coming.

Pro Tip: Bring binoculars! I really regretted not bringing the pair I own. Trust me, you won’t regret taking them when the whales and otters make their appearance.

5. Performances And Special Programs

You’ll never get bored on this Cruisetour. Starting as early as 6 a.m. every day, the Royal Princess has events, special programs, classes, naturalist talks, and fun activities. From morning stretching on the deck to art auctions and contests to game shows and line dancing classes, this ship doesn’t stop!

In addition to the hourly activities, excursions, and options during the day, The Royal Princess presents big musical shows, comedians, naturalist talks, and more in its expansive Princess Theatre. The smaller bars and venues feature live musicians and fun, silly game shows while the main Vista area of the fifth floor holds concerts and dance parties. The ship even has a disco, a hopping casino with slots and table games, a very large fitness area on the 17th deck, poolside movies, a pickleball court, a Discovery Camp for kids, and more.

Every day, a daily newsletter listing all the activities on the ship is delivered to your room, so it’s easy to find and choose what performances or classes you’d like to take part in. If you are bored at all on this ship, that’s on you! Seriously, you’ll have a hard time picking which fun activity to do.

6. Being Pampered

After days of hiking, exploring Alaska’s small communities, whale watching, dancing all night, and maybe having one too many cocktails, it’s nice to be pampered. The Royal Princess’ onboard Lotus Spa brings you to a place of peace and Zen with services like traditional massage, acupuncture, facials like the La Therapie HydraLift facial, couples massage, and Aroma Stone Therapy Massage.

After relaxing, cruisers can head to The Enclave , a getaway of thermal suites and a hydro-therapy pool with a cascading rain shower and therapeutic air jets. Sweat out your worries at a Turkish-style steam bath, steam rooms, and dry saunas for purification and detoxification, then doze off on the heated stone beds or relaxing water beds.

Another pampering experience is Royal Princess’ The Sanctuary , an adult-only retreat on the top deck with private cabanas, food and drink, and al fresco massages. The “Serenity Stewards” are quietly efficient in delivering everything you need, from fresh mimosas to towels.

7. All The Excursions

With 12 days of adventure, it would be impossible for me to list all the land and sea excursions available through the Royal Princess Cruisetour. Thankfully, you’ll be able to find all the options through the Medallion app and with the onboard concierges.

For my excursions, I went out on a crab boat in Ketchikan to learn about crab harvesting and to stuff myself silly on Dungeness crab, roared up winding mountain trails on a UTV, spotted whales, climbed glaciers, kayaked pristine mountain glacial lakes, toured and spotted wildlife on a Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park and so much more.

The excursions range from the sedate and relaxing to the wild and extreme, so there’s a little bit of everything for anyone. You can see the list of available excursions here .

4 Things I Didn’t Love

1. prices of excursions.

Alaska is expensive. There’s no getting around that fact. Being able to enjoy the Alaska landscape on a guided excursion is going to cost you. Some of the most expensive excursions include flights on small planes and helicopters, but they tend to be the most popular as well, like the Denali Flightseeing tours and helicopter tours of surrounding glaciers.

You aren’t required to purchase excursions, however. If you’d rather explore the different ports on your own, you can do that too.

2. Not Enough Time In Each Port Or Land Lodge

When you are cruising, you have a schedule to keep. You might fall in love with tiny little Skagway, but you only have a day in port. You may want to spend more time at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge with its cozy rooms and fireplaces, but you only have one night.

The fact that you do not have control over how long you can stay in any one place is certainly not Princess’ fault, but it is a bummer and a fact of life when cruising.

3. No Coffee In The Room

One of my biggest pet peeves in life is not having coffee available in my room when traveling. Yes, ordering coffee to the room was easy and the staff at Princess were on top of my caffeine addiction, but it would have been nice to have one of those little coffee makers tucked away so I could make my own coffee.

One great thing about the Royal Princess is the ability to order coffee and breakfast the night before. Each day, you can fill out a form listing what items you’d like to order and what time they should be delivered, so that’s convenient.

4. Staffing Problems At The Lodges

Like so many other destinations, Alaska has a worker shortage. That desperate need for seasonal and long-term employees has led to some staffing issues at some of the lodges. While the Royal Princess ship boasts 1,346 crew members from more than 30 different countries, some of the lodges had problems filling spots, which led to slowdowns, some maintenance issues, and longer wait times.

My best advice is to stay patient with the destinations and with the staff that is working. Everyone is doing the best they can with less.

All in all, my first “big cruise” experience was stellar and has made me a believer! Hopefully, this won’t be my last cruise, and if you yearn for an easy, well-organized way to experience Alaska, the Royal Princess Alaska Cruisetour is the way to go.

For more on cruises and sailing , explore these articles:

• My 7 Favorite Meals On Viking’s New Expedition Ship
• 6 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall
• 9 Tips For Cruising The Mediterranean With Costa

Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer based in Oklahoma. She loves outdoor adventures, exploring different cultures, and finding off-the-wall, bizarre, and wondrous experiences to enjoy. Heide writes for numerous national and international publications and is an award-winning member of the Society for Professional Journalists, North American Travel Journalists Association, and Society of American Travel Writers. Besides traveling and writing, Heide is also a professional Bellydancer, a medieval re-enactor, and a quirky chick who lives in Oklahoma City.

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Our Alaska cruises are your ticket to adventure amidst the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife and national parks. Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect with loved ones, locals and Alaska's wilderness with Princess®.

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Alaska cruisetours combine our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with three to ten nights on land exploring Denali National Park. Travel aboard our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® train and unwind at Princess Wilderness Lodges®. Every year Princess introduces more people to Denali National Park than any other cruise line.

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Voyage of the Glaciers

Twice the glaciers.

Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. Spend seven days traveling from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Enjoy two glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, and Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.

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Inside Passage Roundtrip Seattle

7-day alaska cruises.

Sail the Inside Passage, a series of channels and waterways formed by the march of glaciers, on your 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle. With an abundance of landmarks and wildlife, take in the sights and sounds of the Inside Passage from the comfort of your ship or on a thrilling excursion ashore. Explore fjords, glaciers and Gold Rush-era towns on weekend voyages out of Seattle.

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Inside Passage Roundtrip San Francisco

10 or 11-day alaska cruises.

Travel the Inside Passage on 10 or 11-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco and allow the natural landscapes to inspire your day’s adventures. Begin by sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and along the Pacific Coast. As you voyage into the Inside Passage, enjoy one of the best ways to explore the fjords, small towns and natural landmarks with your favorite people.

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Inside Passage Roundtrip Vancouver

Alaska cruises that inspire.

Feed your hunger for adventure on a roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver, B.C. Wind your way through fjords, by bright-green forests and through quaint Gold Rush-era towns on your way to the wonders of Glacier Bay National Park. Then experience age-old traditions with the locals.

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Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure

14-day alaska cruises.

Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our back-to-back Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise. Spend 14 days roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Enjoy three glacier-viewing experiences on every itinerary — including Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.

NEW Alaska Long Voyages

New for 2025, we have crafted longer adventures at sea with a 22-day roundtrip voyage sailing from San Francisco that coincides with Summer Solstice and a 17-day roundtrip cruise from Seattle, featuring three days of scenic glacier viewing as well as charming ports like Wrangell and Valdez. For those voyagers seeking to sail from Southern California all the way up the Pacific coast to Alaska, try a new 16-day roundtrip Inside Passage voyage from Los Angeles.

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With its roaring glaciers, rugged mountains and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park feels like a dream. With 3.3 million acres to explore, cruise to this world-renowned landmark — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and let the landscapes inspire your next adventure. Princess Cruises is an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park.

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Alaska Glaciers

One of the biggest reasons people visit.

Glaciers feel alive. They groan, creak and shudder on their march to the sea, punctuated by the booms and crashes of "white thunder" — a sound that echoes across the water when ice calves into the ocean below. On an Alaska cruise, let us show you Glacier Bay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier.

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Untamed, just like alaska.

Alaska is home to a rich array of wildlife, from the famous Big Five animals that live in Denali National Park — grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep and caribou — to bald eagles and humpback whales that migrate through the Inside Passage. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights.

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Alaska Mountains & National Parks

National treasures.

With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay National Park has over 2,000 square miles of glacial coverage. Along with Wrangell-St. Elias and Kenai Fjords, a world of natural wonders awaits on an Alaska cruise or cruisetour.

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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.

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Alaska Cruise Ports of Call

College Fjord

The Harriman Expedition discovered College Fjord in 1899 and named the towering glaciers after the great East Coast universities of the United States, like the Harvard Glacier. With the largest collection of tidewater glaciers in the world, your scenic Alaska cruise through the fjord will make a lasting memory.

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Endicott Arm

Endicott Arm is a jewel in Alaska’s crown. This 30-mile waterway is surrounded by cliffs, valleys and dozens of waterfalls. Icebergs and harbor seals decorate the water below while Dawes Glacier soars into the sky above. Revel in the beauty of Mother Nature’s masterpiece and listen closely as the scenery whispers secrets of times long ago during your cruise to Alaska.

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Glacier Bay National Park

When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park.

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Hubbard Glacier

The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface. See it for yourself on an Alaska cruise with Princess.

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Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is home to the remote Tlingit village of Hoonah, home to fewer than 800 people and a deep Native history. The nearby Spasski River Valley holds one of the world’s largest populations of brown bears, who are often found hunting for salmon in the rivers. Zipline over the wilderness, watch a tribal dance or kayak in coastal waters to see the wildlife up close during your Alaska cruise vacation.

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Juneau is unlike any other city in the United States. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise.

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Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. Cast your rod into a sea of opportunity on a cruise to Alaska.

View cruises with Ketchikan | View Ketchikan shore excursions | Watch video: Ketchikan port overview

On an Alaska cruise, take your pick of attractions in the port of Sitka. See how bald eagles and local bird populations receive first-class treatment at the Alaska Raptor Center. Encounter wildlife in their natural habitat at the Fortress of the Bear. Or experience the culture of Russian Alaska on a visit to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, and relive Native history at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.

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Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training.

View cruises with Skagway | View Skagway shore excursions | Watch video: Skagway port overview

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Victoria, B.C.

At first glance many mistake Victoria for an English coastal city or northern European town. Full of greenery, pubs and Victorian architecture, it's difficult to believe that this was a tent city full of rough and tumble miners just 150 years ago. On a cruise to Alaska, explore the Butchart Gardens, tour the pub scene and taste some of the local brews or sail the bay for a whale-watching adventure.

View cruises with Victoria, B.C. | View Victoria, B.C. shore excursions

Wrangell is a charming and scenic harbor known for its local fishing industry. It is not as bustling as larger ports in Alaska and maintains its historic charm and offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Explore its historic downtown and learn about the local culture and Native heritage while in Wrangell.

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#PrincessCruises Alaska Connection

Alaska cruise onboard experience.

Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land.

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Alaska's seafood is famous, and we bring the best to you with locally inspired dishes from the state’s best eateries. With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises.

Meet Local Alaskans

Real alaska from local alaskans.

Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique. Watch lumberjacks in action, learn from Glacier Bay National Park rangers and craft with a Native totem pole carver. Or listen to harrowing Tales from the Deadliest Catch fishermen and climbers who have summited Denali during your Alaska cruise.

Unique Alaska Cruise Experiences

Great experiences from the great land.

Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. Snuggle sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, or see the Northern Lights in the planetarium. At the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, explore our treehouse and enjoy unmatched views of Denali. Or savor tree-inspired bites at our very own Sappy Hour. Dive deeper into what makes the Great Land special on your cruise to Alaska.

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Extend your Alaska cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

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Alaska Land Tours are they worth the extra $$$

By chuckles60 , December 17, 2018 in Princess Cruises

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Looking into doing the Land & Sea in Alaska. Is the land tours connoisseur service worth the extra $$$$$.. also how are the meals do you get anything more for the money

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That's really up to you.  When we did Alaska, we stayed a week pre cruise and did things on our own.  It was less expensive than the land tours, by far, but, it was more work to organize.  We had a group of 8, 4 couples.  We did book a couple of nights at a Princess Lodge, and that was nice too.  We've been saying we want to go back because there is so much we did not do last time.  Time and money have kept us from booking,   🙂  

"Worth It" is always subjective. We felt it was a good value, but I am sure others felt it was aver priced.

For us it was worth every penny.  We really enjoyed it.  As far as dinners go: you could get a cold drink and a hot drink, one appetizer, a main meal and a dessert.   I always got the seafood for dinner while my boys would get the surf and turf.  It was always very yummy.

How many days did you do

We did 5 nights post cruise.

reedprincess

Worth is in the eye of the beholder. 

To us, the connoisseur tour was absolutely NOT worth the extra money. We did the Off The Beaten Path tour instead - and paid for all our own meals and drinks, and it was "worth it" to do it that way. We weren't tied to the lodges for meals but rather ate out in town and such, we ate and drank all we wanted along the way, and came out way less expensive than the connoisseur tour would have been for same itineray.  We had a guide with us all the way, great room locations, and way more variety for meals versus eating at the lodges with the same menus at all of them.. 

Worked better for us. Others love the connoisseur tour.  YMMV.. Only you know what's "worth it" to you.. 

If you think going to Alaska is a one shot experience, then yes, a land tour is worth it. However, maybe look into booking your own, versus the cruise line?

We've done two cruisetours neither of which were the Connoisseur version.  We were quite pleased with our tours and actually did eat most of our meals at the lodges which were quite tasty and provided a lot of variety.  If you're interested in seeing the menus, they should be under the specific lodges accessed through this link:   https://www.princesslodges.com/princess-alaska-lodges/  .   Just follow the "Dining" links - there's a few screens you need to go through to get there!

we flew as a group from SeaTac to Anchorage where a new touring coach and guide met us. All our baggage was handled and off we went for an sunset site seeing  around town and arrived at Anchorage Marriott. We went to our room to find our bags already delivered. Cleaned up a little, a clothes change and went down stairs to dine ( first time I tried Elk) my wife had fresh salmon. The guide gave a short presentation (slides included) of what to expect the following day. We set out our clothes for the next day and put our suit case out to be collected later that night. We woke the sound of KNBA giving us the days forecast, clear skies, highs in the mid 60's winds out of the East at 5.  Opened the black out curtains to see the town was already buzzin at 6 am. A quick shower and shave for both of us. (Alaska brings out the beast in all of us) threw our jammies in the carry on and down to the dinning room for a breakfast. Most of the other tour group had already eaten and assembled in the lobby. So took out breakfast to go.  Once on the luxurious Prevost motor coach a quick head count and we were off. Heading west northwest on the A1.  Man let me tell you we covered some ground. We stopped at a way side station to stretch were we all took turns peeping thru a spotting scope a Dahl sheep on the side of a mountain and using the one toilet they had. Rounded us up again and off we went, galavanting thru the Alaskan tundra. We learned to sing the Alaskan state song, and about ten others,which was great because everything looked dead. At hour five we stopped at a grocery store in the middle of NO WHERE! There was asprin dated from 1980. Alka Seltzer from the seventies. No perishables to be found.  Caribou jerky, dried beans, coffee (instant) they even had Tang!  I started to get nervous thinking about what if(s). I asked the guide how much further to the nights lodging. She must of seen fear in my eye's " we're campin out tonite on the open tundra amongst the wolves and starvin' bears. So best fatten up on the caribou jerky PILGRIM!"  .....

Stay tuned for part two.

We thought it was well worth the money when we did one of these in 2015 pre-cruise.  The food in the lodges was excellent (frankly better than on the ships).  We had premier hotel rooms in the lodges (in terms of views, quiet locations, etc.).  We had all our dinner reservations at the lodges handled by our tour guide (who asked us ahead of time did we want to eat early, late, by ourselves or with others).   We had the longer tour included into Denali.   

We've done two cruise tours to Alaska, both pre-cruise which I highly recommend.  One tour was a Princess one, and the other was a private travel agency that runs escorted tours.  Both were excellent.  We flew in to Fairbanks a day early each time, rented a car for the day and explored on our own.  Ate dinner at the Turtle Club and the Pump House restaurants.  Both tours were booked in to Princess hotels and used Princess transportation.  Second (private tour) one included more meals at the lodges.  The crab legs at the Denali Princess were outstanding!  The filet mignon at the McKinley Princess was very tasty.  

Make sure you take the long tour into Denali Park!  Ride the domed train!  Go to Talkeetna!  Eat at some local restaurants, try some new foods, talk to people!  Do a ride on a dog sled!  Enjoy Alaska!

We love Alaska so much we are taking our family on a cruise next year.  Unfortunately they cannot take time off from work to do a land tour so it's just the cruise part.  I'm sure we'll have a great time just being together in an amazing state.

You can see our report of an Alaska Princess connoisseur tour from several years ago at https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1656270-details-of-the-tour-part-of-a-princess-alaska-cruisetour/

At that time we felt the connoisseur pricing was definitely worth it.

Kingofcool1947

15 hours ago, chuckles60 said: Looking into doing the Land & Sea in Alaska. Is the land tours connoisseur service worth the extra $$$$$.. also how are the meals do you get anything more for the money

nukesubsailor

We have taken a 3-day land tour before the 7 day cruise.  It was good but way too short.  Years later we took the 8 day Connoisseur escorted tour before the 7 day cruise.  It was fantastic and well worth the cost.  It takes all the hassle out of the vacation so you can really relax and enjoy all the sights and knowledge you will get from the tour director.  We are repeating that same cruise tour next year.  If you can afford the cost and time, you will not be sorry if you take the longest connoisseur tour offered.

I prefer to do a back to back on Princess. 2 stops in each port allows lots of time for multiple excursions. Northbound you are usually in port long enough to do the all day Adventure Bound tour to Tracy Arm from Juneau, 2nd week you can explore the area. Heading North you stop in Glacier Bay and College Fjord, South stops in both Hubbard and Glacier Bay. Lots cheaper than the tours also usually

USCcruisecrazy

11 hours ago, PAKathy said: We've done two cruise tours to Alaska, both pre-cruise which I highly recommend.  One tour was a Princess one, and the other was a private travel agency that runs escorted tours.  Both were excellent.  We flew in to Fairbanks a day early each time, rented a car for the day and explored on our own.  Ate dinner at the Turtle Club and the Pump House restaurants.  Both tours were booked in to Princess hotels and used Princess transportation.  Second (private tour) one included more meals at the lodges.  The crab legs at the Denali Princess were outstanding!  The filet mignon at the McKinley Princess was very tasty.   Make sure you take the long tour into Denali Park!  Ride the domed train!  Go to Talkeetna!  Eat at some local restaurants, try some new foods, talk to people!  Do a ride on a dog sled!  Enjoy Alaska! We love Alaska so much we are taking our family on a cruise next year.  Unfortunately they cannot take time off from work to do a land tour so it's just the cruise part.  I'm sure we'll have a great time just being together in an amazing state.

Alaska truly is a magnificent place.  We lived there for four years and enjoyed the beautiful sites, the wildlife, and the incredible food.  From what you listed here, you did a great job of taking advantage of quite a bit Alaska has to offer!

Princess Cruise tours are one of the great travel bargains in the world.  Absolutely worth the money.  The seamless, efficient organization amazed us each and every day. We would have tried the connoisseur experience but it didn’t match our dates.   We would love to do it in the future.  

frugaltravel

As was said above, whether it is "worth it" is very subjective.  Princess has been operating a long time in Alaska, so they have a good system.  My biggest issue with them is that you are locked into a pretty rigorous schedule.  Bags outside your door 1-2 hours before you need to be leaving, which is a complaint I hear a lot.  But it has to be that way in order to get the luggage retrieved, counted and loaded.

One of the biggest issues I have with Princess cruisetours in Alaska is that almost all of their cruisetours only include the Natural History Tour in Denali.  That only goes 26 miles into the park, whereas the Tundra Wilderness Tour goes 62 miles into the park.  Better yet is a transit shuttle bus that goes at least 66 miles into the park and costs 1/3 the price of the TWT.

If you opt for the cruisetour, just be certain you know what you are buying.  What exactly is included?  How long will you really spend in any one location?  What are the activities available in each location?  If you did the land tour on your own, you will have much more flexibility to stop when/where you want and be able to explore more on your own.  You will also be able to stay in more local type lodging or smaller less commercial properties.  Princess properties are nice, but are big and are designed to move a lot of people through them.  McKinley Princess Lodge is an hour from anything (i.e. Talkeetna) and really is just a "holding area" to/from Denali.  The only redeeming quality of the property is its view of Denali (the mountain), if it is even visible.

I agree with frugaltravel as far as you should know what is included since each cruisetour is different.  

Ours included the tundra wilderness tour which was awesome.  You get a box snack box with a water.  Our guide said might be good to get a sandwich to take as well.  Good idea so we ordered and picked up at cafe in lobby area prior to getting on the bus.

the McKinley lodge was amazing.  The sights from the deck were stunning.  We had great weather and got to see Denali!  There were several awesome restaurants, tons of seating outside and inside and a great fire pit area where we had a party with everyone on the tour!

on our free day the boys went on a fast boat up a river with rapids.  I went horseback riding:  it was great.  Some on our bus took the shuttle to Talkeetna for the day.

this is all imho.  But I would definitively do it again!!!

• 4 weeks later...

On 12/17/2018 at 4:34 PM, reedprincess said: Worth is in the eye of the beholder.  To us, the connoisseur tour was absolutely NOT worth the extra money. We did the Off The Beaten Path tour instead - and paid for all our own meals and drinks, and it was "worth it" to do it that way. We weren't tied to the lodges for meals but rather ate out in town and such, we ate and drank all we wanted along the way, and came out way less expensive than the connoisseur tour would have been for same itineray.  We had a guide with us all the way, great room locations, and way more variety for meals versus eating at the lodges with the same menus at all of them..  Worked better for us. Others love the connoisseur tour.  YMMV.. Only you know what's "worth it" to you.. 

Hi there,  When you mentioned that you ate out in town etc., which stops/hotels were you close enough to eat somewhere other than the hotel?  Could you walk into 'town"?

We went to Alaska in 2008 and took a cruisetour through Princess.   I don't know if things have changed much, but we are planning a second trip to Alaska and will probably just rent a car and do it on our own.  The tour we took used the train, which was never on time.  We hung around waiting for the train on numerous occasions.  The Princess properties were very nice, but we found them to be placed well away from towns so spent time shuttling to and from.  Like I said earlier, if you don't mind the extra planning, rent a car and do it on your own.  It's not like you are in  foreign country ! :-)  

41 minutes ago, Roo said:   Hi there,  When you mentioned that you ate out in town etc., which stops/hotels were you close enough to eat somewhere other than the hotel?  Could you walk into 'town"? Thanks, Nancy

Denali Lodge is literally across the street from a long stretch if shops, restauranrs, bars, etc.  We ate there for both dinners, lunch one afternoon, and grabbed some snacks from the grocery shop. They had the most amazing popcorn and fudge shop there - amazing stuff. Just delicious.

In McKinley, we went into Talkeetna and had lunch and  dinner there on arrival day .  We aren't big breakfast people at all, so had a muffin and water we had picked up in a coffee shop in Talkeetna the next morning on the bus on the way to our next stop.  

In Copper Mountain,  we had to eat at the lodge - the only time we ate at the lodges. The car that ran a shuttle into the one diner into town was broken down, and the shuttle from the lodge itself stopped at 2pm.. So not available to go into town for dinner.. As we hadn't eaten at any of the lodges yet, rhe menus were fresh - to us.  Heard a few folks complaining about the repeats.  Food was fine, nothing special, regular hotel food. Some Alaskan "specialties" that were the same at all the lodges, and weren't all that special.

You can see the menus at the Princess Lodge website. 

We ate and drank all we wanted at every stop and came in way cheaper than a connoisseur tour would have, or even just the add-on meal plan..  We had rooms in great locations, no complaints there.  And our driver/guides were wonderful, enjoyed them very much.   I would have not liked being tied to the resorts for all our meals - the repetition would have been too much. And there was wonderful interesting food at the various stops..  

The land tour is worth it as AK is a fantastic experience.  It all goes down to what you want to pay for from luxury to bare bones.  There is a lot to be said for luggage handling by the staff, superior meals  fancy rooms and top notch tours but you have to pay.  For me who has been to AK several times on land tours only and one tour that ended on a ship, I prefered the self guided tour.  However it required planning on my part making reservations ahead of time etc.  On all trips I rented a car in Anchorage and drove to Denali, Fairbanks and Homer stopping at points along the way at my leisure.  I prefered the independence that it gave me while others want to simply sit back and let someone else take care of everything.  AK is a remarkable natural experience so enjoy your visit no matter which method you pick. 

We are doing the connoisseur tour in May 2019 and were wondering how formal formal nights are?  We usually like to dress for dinner and in the Caribbean, my husband has worn a blazer, etc. but I am worried about weight and the space sweatshirts and sweaters take up.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

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Cruise & Land Tours

Princess cruise and land tours combine a cruise with a thrilling land tour adventure. You're able to see exciting ports along with amazing inland destinations. The company's cruise and land tours are fully escorted by expert guides and feature included sightseeing tours as well as free time to explore on your own.

What's included?

Below are guidelines of what is typically included and excluded on a cruise and land tour. Every package is unique, however, so please verify the details of the trip you select with your Travel Counselor.

The land portion will include:

• Hotel or resort accommodations
• Train, bus or flight transportation between destinations
• Transfers and baggage handling
• Some meals and drinks

The cruise portion of your trip will include:

• Accommodations onboard an incredible Princess ship
• All onboard meals including 24-hour room service but excluding specialty restaurant dining
• Coffee, tea, milk, juice, non-bottled water
• Entertainment, casinos, Broadway-style shows
• Onboard activities, fitness center, pools
• Kids programming on most ships

Your cruise tour WILL NOT include:

• Shore excursions during the cruise
• Spa treatments or gaming
• Beer, wine, spirits or bottled water

Reader's Digest

Best Alaska Cruise for Every Type of Vacationer

Posted: May 5, 2023 | Last updated: July 10, 2023

Best time to cruise to Alaska

An Alaska cruise is such a popular bucket-list item because it's one of the best ways to immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Not only will you get to see breathtaking glaciers closer than you ever dreamed, but you're also likely to see eagles soaring and whales spouting—often from the deck of your ship. The best Alaska cruises give you an opportunity to explore the Far North from both land and sea, and we've got cruise tips to help you optimize your time and your budget.

The state's long, cold winters are not conducive to cruising, so the Alaska cruise season is relatively short. The best time to travel to Alaska is from late spring to early fall, with peak cruising happening during July and August. Those are also the most crowded and expensive months, so don't rule out September, which is actually the best time to see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise. But with dozens of ships sailing to Alaska, how do you decide which are the best cruise lines for you?

Luckily, when it comes to Alaska cruises, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you're traveling solo or with kids, whether you're looking for total luxury or a bargain and whether you love giant ships or something more intimate, we've found the best Alaska cruises to fit your needs. See which one sounds right for you, and once you're booked, get a head start by checking out these hidden cruise features, cruise ship code words and things you can't do on cruises .

How we chose the best Alaska cruises

To find the best Alaska cruises, we followed expert recommendations and read hundreds of user reviews and ratings. Because I've been on several Alaska cruises alone, with my family and with my husband, I also based my choices on my own personal experiences. After combining all that information, we came up with this guide to the best Alaska cruises.

Best overall

Princess cruises.

Princess has been cruising to Alaska for more than half a century, and they continue to lead the industry by bringing more guests to the state than any other cruise line. In fact, they introduced a generation to the idea of cruising via the hit TV show The Love Boat , which was set on a Princess ship and featured many episodes in Alaska! Because of their deep ties to the state, the cruise line is able to offer a variety of itineraries and shore excursions, and they even own a number of Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks , so you can add a land extension to your trip.

Onboard, there are plenty of activities for both adults and kids, including the North to Alaska enrichment program, which brings the state's culture to you so you can sample fresh Alaska seafood and hear from local celebs like Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile Iditarod sled dog race.

• Guests can meet Alaskan Huskies on the ship through Puppies in the Piazza!
• So many options for cruise length, extensions and land and sea packages
• Price is not all-inclusive

Best for families

Disney cruise line.

With lots of outdoor activities and great wildlife sightings, an Alaska cruise is ideal for kids, and not surprisingly, no one does it better for them than Disney . Kids will love whale watching, panning for gold, searching for black bears and going dog sledding—and they'll equally love everything Disney has planned for them on the Disney Wonder, from live shows ("Frozen" takes on a whole new meaning in Alaska) and character greetings to kids clubs they won't want to leave to themed pools and restaurants. Little ones will be just as happy to see Goofy as they are to see a glacier, making this the best cruise for kids . Before you go, check out these Disney cruise tips .

• Disney is beloved by kids of all ages
• The focus is on families
• On the pricier side

Best adults-only

If you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of Alaska without the distraction of little kids, you'll be in good company on Viking . Their gorgeous ocean ships sail with a maximum of 930 passengers, all over the age of 18, so you can indulge in adult conversation over a bottle of wine or a cocktail or two. One of the many features that makes Viking the best adult-only cruise is that every single room comes with a private veranda, so you can take in the views and feel that fresh Alaska air with no one else around—and without paying extra. You can also get away without paying additional fees for shore excursions, because one is included in every port, giving you an opportunity to see the highlights of destinations including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and Valdez.

• Every stateroom has a veranda
• A shore excursion is included in every port
• Optional cruise extensions let you explore Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage on land
• The shortest Alaska cruise is 11 days

Best for solo travelers

Norwegian cruise line.

Cruising has traditionally been a bit of a challenge for solo travelers because of the single supplement that basically makes them pay the same price for a room as two people sharing a room would pay in total. Not with Norwegian , the best singles cruise ! The first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for solo travelers, they've made it easy for singles to cruise to Alaska comfortably and affordably. The Studio Lounge is a welcoming spot to meet other solo travelers so you can join up for meals or shore excursions to places like Dawes Glacier and Icy Strait Point.

• No single supplement
• A dedicated lounge just for solo travelers
• Lots of families and kids, which may not appeal to solo travelers

Best for couples

Celebrity cruises.

The best cruise for couples , both straight and gay, Celebrity offers lots of opportunities for romantic experiences in Alaska, from hiking through a rainforest in Juneau to cuddling up during a ride back in time on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. On the ship itself, there are lots of spots where you can take some Instagrammable selfies with the majestic Alaska scenery behind you. What a backdrop for a wedding, honeymoon or vow renewal! Consider upgrading to The Retreat, Celebrity's exclusive ship within a ship, for a more private and intimate cruise.

• Many options for cruise length
• Offers land tour extensions
• Families with kids may disrupt the romantic atmosphere

Best budget

Carnival cruise line.

Yes, you can visit Alaska without spending a fortune, thanks to Carnival . You may not get all the bells and whistles that you would on more expensive cruises, but the views don't cost anything, and they're all around you as you chill by the pool or take advantage of one of the many activities and dining venues included in your fare. Save money to use for shore excursions by opting for an interior room, since you won't be spending much time in your cabin anyway.

• Affordable way to see Alaska
• Lots of cruise length options
• The party atmosphere may not be for everyone

Best luxury

Regent seven seas.

Regent's Seven Seas Explorer is all about luxury, from its all-suite design to its all-inclusive fares , which cover airfare, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants, gratuities, Wi-Fi, laundry and unlimited shore excursions. With only 750 passengers, service is exceptional and personal. Itineraries can be customized to fit your specific interests, whether you want to take a glacier hike, immerse yourself in Alaska's history or eat your way through the state.

• Truly an all-inclusive cruise
• All-suite accommodations are roomy and plush
• Only one Regent Seven Seas ship sails to Alaska

Best small ship

Seabourn cruise line.

A great choice for fans of smaller, more intimate ships, Seabourn's Odyssey holds 450 passengers and treats them to a personal, all-inclusive luxury experience. Smaller ships can take you to spots where the bigger ones just can't fit, and the Ventures by Seabourn program offers optional excursions where you can get up close and personal with some of Alaska's most awe-inspiring sights via kayak and Zodiac. You'll be sailing with a world-class expedition team, including a marine biologist, ornithologist, geologist, historian, photographer and natural experts who share their knowledge through lectures and casual conversations during scenic cruisings.

• All-inclusive
• Offers 7- to 14-day cruises
• Gets you closer to Alaska's natural beauty

Best large ship

Royal caribbean cruises.

Built for cruisers who believe the bigger, the better, Royal Caribbean's megaship, Quantum of the Sea, is the biggest ship in the region, with the capacity to hold 4,905 passengers. It also boasts the tallest viewing deck on any cruise ship—perfect for enjoying the stunning Alaska scenery. Three other Royal Caribbean ships sail to the state, as well—all big and beautiful and filled with enough activities to keep travelers of every age busy, including their signature Rock Climbing Wall, simulated skydiving and surf sessions on the Flowrider. Yes, you can "surf" in Alaska!

• There's literally something for everyone
• Studio staterooms are designed for solo travelers
• It can get crowded

Best for land and sea

Holland america line.

With more than 75 years of experience in Alaska—the longest of any cruise line— Holland America knows the state inside and out and presents you with lots of ways to enjoy it, from both the sea and land. Not only do they feature the most Glacier Bay itineraries, but they're also the only way to see the Yukon in combination with a cruise. You'll get to stay at Holland America's Westmark Hotels and their beautiful McKinley Chalet Resort at the entrance to Denali National Park, enabling you to get closer to wildlife and explore more of Alaska on land.

The cruise line has also expanded its onboard programming, so guests can engage with an Alaska naturalist, dig deeper into topics like Alaska's bush pilots and learn from a National Park Ranger and local Huna Tlingit guides.

• Every cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska's iconic glacier destinations
• Only cruise line to offer an Alaska cruise combined with an overland tour to Denali and the Yukon
• Land and sea Cruisetours range from 9 to 18 days
• Caters to an older crowd

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Eclipse 2026: The next total solar eclipse will be Europe's 1st in 27 years

The next total solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 12, 2026.

• Why so special?

Path of totality

• Where and when will it be visible?
• Partial solar eclipse viewing locations
• Upcoming total solar eclipses

Additional resources

It's been 25 years since a total solar eclipse passed through Europe, but on Aug. 12, 2026, totality will come to the extreme northwest and southwest of the continent. 

Visible in Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, the 2026 total solar eclipse will bring a maximum of 2 minutes, 18 seconds of totality the day before the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower . 

However, this solar eclipse will be about weather and sight lines, as it will occur over potentially cloudy regions and will be relatively low in the sky. At its highest point, the eclipsed sun will be just 26 degrees above the horizon. 

Related: What's the difference between a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse?

What's special about the Aug. 12, 2026, total solar eclipse?

In Iceland — in the auroral zone — the sun won't set until midnight, but the sky will get dark enough in the middle of the night for any faint auroras to become visible. In rural Spain, the skies will get much darker, making it the perfect destination to enjoy the peak night of the Perseid meteor shower, the strongest meteor shower of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the night after the eclipse. 

The 182-mile-wide (293 kilometers) moon's shadow will take around 96 minutes to cross the planet. Touching down in Russia, it will pass across Greenland, touch western Iceland, cross the Atlantic Ocean and cover northern Spain, departing just east of the Balearic Islands. 

Cruise ships will either visit Scoresby Sund in Greenland or catch the longest possible totality just west of Iceland during a circumnavigation of the island nation. The country's capital and largest city, Reykjavik, will be a hive of activity for this eclipse, though it will pay to be mobile, with the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula both potential viewing regions. 

Spain is a risky viewing location for different reasons. The eclipse will arrive on the country's northwest coast very close to sunset, so it will be important to be somewhere with a clear view low to the western horizon. 

"Some parts of Spain have high mountains that can prevent us from seeing the sun during totality, so it is very important to select the location carefully," Oscar Martín Mesonero, an eclipse chaser and astronomer at Startrails in Salamanca, Spain, told Space.com. "On the east coast, the sun will be only 4 degrees high, so any building or small mountain could ruin the view — and traffic there will be very bad."

From Mallorca, the eclipse will occur almost on the horizon, and sight lines will be tricky. 

"Mallorca is a touristy place, and prices will be very high," Mesonero said. "There are few roads and lots of mountains, so you will have to choose the site very carefully — any small obstacle could cause you to miss the eclipse — but if you succeed, you will have a spectacular view of the eclipsed sun over the sea with a golden corona!" 

Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca may be easier and more affordable options, but totality there will be much shorter.

Where and when can I see the August 2026 total solar eclipse?

Here are some of the places eclipse chasers will gather for the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026:  

What will the weather be like for the Aug. 12, 2026, eclipse?

This is an eclipse with a dilemma. "In a way, Iceland is better because the sun will be higher in the sky," Graham Jones, an astrophysicist and science communicator at Time and Date , told Space.com. "By the time it reaches Spain, it's very low, which can be problematic." However, Iceland has a much higher chance of clouds. "It's a question of higher altitude and more clouds versus lower altitude and less clouds," Jones said. 

The coasts of Greenland and Iceland and the north coast of Spain are the most likely to have clouds. There are some potential bright spots — Scoresby Sund in Greenland, according to Eclipsophile — while the cooling of the land during the partial phases could cause convective clouds to dissipate across the path. 

To maximize the chance of clear skies, head for north-central Spain; the Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León regions are least likely to have clouds (but the most likely to have crowds). "It is possible that due to the day's heat, clouds form that affect the afternoon at the time of the eclipse," Mesonero said. "Having a vehicle to move around will be very important."

However, many eclipse chasers don't mind taking risks. "For people who have seen a lot of eclipses but never seen Iceland, a 40% chance of seeing it is a reasonable risk," said Victoria Sahami, owner and founder of Sirius Travel . "It was a no-brainer to put together an eclipse tour to Iceland — it's also where the longest totality is — but the best chance of clear skies will be in the Mediterranean off Mallorca." 

Where to see the partial solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026

A partial solar eclipse will be seen across Europe and some other Northern Hemisphere locations. Here's what will be seen from major cities and destinations in the partial eclipse zone:  

After August 2026, when is the next total solar eclipse?

After the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, these are the dates and locations for the next total solar eclipses: 

• Aug. 2, 2027 : Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, British Indian Ocean Territory
• July 22, 2028 : Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Australia, New Zealand 
• Nov. 25, 2030 : Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Australia 
• Nov. 14, 2031 : Pacific Ocean (totality), Panama (annularity) 
• March 30, 2033 : Russia, U.S. (Alaska) 
• March 20, 2034 : Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China 
• Sept. 2, 2035 : China, North Korea, Japan 

Want to look further ahead? You can find a concise summary of solar eclipses out to 2030 on NASA's eclipse website . Read more about solar and lunar eclipses on EclipseWise.com , a website dedicated to predictions of eclipses, and find beautiful maps on eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler's GreatAmericanEclipse.com and interactive Google Maps on Xavier Jubier's eclipse website. You can find climate and weather predictions by meteorologist Jay Anderson on eclipsophile.com . 

Bibliography

Anderson, J. (February 2024). Total Solar Eclipse

2026 August 12. Retrieved March 4, 2024 from https://eclipsophile.com/tse2026/

Bakich, M. and Zeiler, M. (2022). Atlas Of Solar Eclipses 2020-2045. 

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/books/atlas-of-solar-eclipses-2020-to-2045

Espenak, F. Solar Eclipse Prime Page: Total Solar Eclipse of 2026 August 12. Retrieved March 4, 2024 from: https://eclipsewise.com/solar/SEprime/2001-2100/SE2026Aug12Tprime.html

Jubier, X. (n.d.). Solar eclipses: Interactive Google Maps. Retrieved March 4, 2024 from http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleMaps.html

Time and Date. (n.d.). August 12 2026 Total Solar Eclipse. Retrieved March 5, 2024 from https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2026-august-12

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Jamie is an experienced science, technology and travel journalist and stargazer who writes about exploring the night sky, solar and lunar eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-travel, astronomy and space exploration. He is the editor of  WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com  and author of  A Stargazing Program For Beginners , and is a senior contributor at Forbes. His special skill is turning tech-babble into plain English.

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