Princess Cruises Alaska 2026: Star Princess vs. Sun Princess — Which Ship Is Right for You?

Alaska is the destination that turns first-time cruisers into lifelong cruisers. Humpback whales breaching off the bow. Glaciers calving with a sound like distant thunder. Bald eagles overhead in Juneau. No other destination in North American cruising delivers this kind of sustained, unscripted spectacle — and no cruise line delivers Alaska better than Princess.

For 2026, Princess is sending its two newest and most impressive ships — Star Princess and Sun Princess — into the Inside Passage. If you are planning an Alaska sailing and trying to decide between them, this is the guide you need.

Princess has sailed Alaska since 1969 — longer than any other major cruise line. That history is not just a marketing point. It translates into operational advantages that guests feel every day of the voyage.

Glacier Bay National Park access is the clearest example. Princess holds more Glacier Bay permits than any other cruise line, which means most Princess Alaska sailings include a full day of glacier viewing in the park — not a brief pass, but a slow, narrated transit through one of the most spectacular wilderness areas on earth. Lines with fewer permits often substitute other glacier destinations or skip glacier viewing entirely on certain departures.

Princess also owns and operates lodges, domed rail cars, and motorcoaches throughout Alaska — the only major cruise line with a fully integrated land-and-sea experience. The famous glass-domed rail cars on the White Pass & Yukon Route are a Princess operation. The wilderness lodges at Denali and Kenai Fjords are Princess properties. If you want to extend your Alaska experience beyond the ship, Princess makes it seamless in a way no competitor can match.

For 2026, the new mega-ships bring The Sanctuary, Spellbound, and The Sphere to Alaska for the first time — amenities that were previously unavailable on any Alaska sailing.

Launched in 2025, Star Princess is the newest ship in the Princess fleet. At 175,000 GRT carrying 4,300 guests, it is also the largest Princess ship ever deployed in Alaska. The headline features for Alaska sailings:

A 360-degree immersive entertainment venue unlike anything else at sea. On Alaska sea days — and there are several on any Inside Passage itinerary — The Sphere transforms what might otherwise be a quiet afternoon into something genuinely memorable. The panoramic visual experience is particularly well-suited to Alaska's scale.

An exclusive magic and mystery experience developed in partnership with the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood. Unique in Alaska, and one of the most talked-about entertainment offerings in modern cruising. Reservations are required and fill quickly.

The expanded adults-only retreat on Star Princess is the premium Alaska experience. Heated loungers, a dedicated restaurant, and panoramic views from the ship's upper decks make The Sanctuary ideal for glacier viewing days — when you want to watch Glacier Bay in comfort, with a drink in hand, without the crowds on the open decks below.

Launched in 2024, Sun Princess is essentially identical to Star Princess in size and core amenities. At 175,500 GRT, it is marginally larger — a difference that is imperceptible at sea.

The key differences worth knowing:

• Umai, Sun Princess's Japanese-inspired restaurant, is less thematically relevant for Alaska than it is for Asia itineraries — but it remains an excellent dining option
• The Piazza, Sun Princess's central atrium, is considered by many guests to be slightly more refined in its design than Star Princess's equivalent — a matter of personal aesthetic preference
• Sun Princess also carries Spellbound and the same Sanctuary retreat as Star Princess
• Cabin categories, pricing tiers, and MedallionClass technology are identical across both ships

Bottom line: If both ships are available for your preferred dates, the choice comes down to personal preference on entertainment (The Sphere on Star Princess is the more spectacular venue) versus dining aesthetics. For Alaska specifically, Star Princess's Sphere has a slight edge — the immersive visual experience is particularly well-matched to the destination.

Departing from Seattle or San Francisco, the classic 7-night Alaska cruise calls at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Glacier Bay. This is the right choice for first-time Alaska visitors, guests with limited vacation time, and travelers who want to experience the destination before committing to a longer voyage. The itinerary covers the essential Alaska experiences efficiently.

The one-way itinerary — running between Whittier (near Anchorage) and Vancouver, in either direction — adds Sitka, College Fjord, and significantly more glacier time. Sitka is one of the most historically rich ports in Alaska, with Russian Orthodox heritage and a spectacular setting on Baranof Island. College Fjord offers a different glacier experience from Glacier Bay — narrower, more intimate, with glaciers named after Ivy League universities by the 1899 Harriman Expedition.

The helicopter glacier trek is the most exhilarating shore excursion in Alaska — landing on the Mendenhall Glacier and walking on ancient ice with a guide. Book through Princess as early as possible. Weather cancellations are common in Juneau, and rebooking fills fast. This is not an excursion to leave to chance.

The most iconic Alaska shore excursion, period. The narrow-gauge railroad climbs from sea level to the White Pass summit through scenery that defined the Klondike Gold Rush. Princess operates dedicated glass-domed rail cars that provide unobstructed views of the gorges, waterfalls, and trestles. Book early — this excursion sells out on every sailing.

Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the most dramatic wilderness areas in North America — sheer granite walls rising 3,000 feet from the water, ancient forests, and waterfalls that appear from nowhere. The only way to see it properly is from the air. The floatplane flightseeing excursion from Ketchikan is the most spectacular aerial perspective in Southeast Alaska.

Glacier Bay is the rare Alaska experience that requires nothing from you except presence. The ship navigates the bay at slow speed while National Park Service rangers come aboard to narrate the geology, ecology, and history of the park. There is no tender, no shore excursion to book, no logistics to manage. Stand on deck, or settle into The Sanctuary, and watch one of the world's great wilderness areas pass by.

Balcony stateroom is the minimum for Alaska. You will spend hours on your balcony watching glaciers, spotting wildlife, and taking in scenery that no interior or ocean-view cabin can replicate. An inside cabin on an Alaska sailing is a genuine waste of the destination — the view is the experience.

Mini-Suite adds a separate seating area and a larger balcony. On a 10-night itinerary, the extra space becomes meaningful. The separate sitting area allows one person to sleep while the other reads or watches the scenery — a practical consideration on longer voyages.

Sanctuary Collection Suite is the premium Alaska experience. Priority access to The Sanctuary retreat, a dedicated concierge, priority tender boarding in ports, and the best balcony positions on the ship. For Glacier Bay day specifically, having a reserved heated lounger in The Sanctuary while the ship transits the bay is an experience worth the investment.

As a preferred partner with Princess Cruises, Lighthouse Travel Group has access to Princess promotions, cabin upgrade opportunities, and onboard credit packages that are not available through direct booking.

Our team has sailed every major Princess Alaska itinerary. We can advise on the best cabin location for glacier viewing on each ship, the excursions worth booking immediately versus those with more availability, and the practical differences between the 7-night and 10-night itineraries based on firsthand experience — not brochure copy.

Group rates are available for parties of eight or more cabins, making Princess Alaska an exceptional option for family reunions, milestone celebrations, and multigenerational travel. We handle Seattle and Vancouver hotel packages, airport transfers, and pre-cruise city tours as part of a fully integrated Alaska experience.

Alaska rewards the guests who plan ahead. The best cabins, the best excursions, and the best sailings go to the guests who book early and book smart.

Ready to plan your Alaska voyage? Explore our Princess Cruises offerings, discover more about Alaska itineraries and destination details, or contact our team to check 2026 availability and find the right sailing for you.