Home to rushing waterfalls, soaring eagles, lush forests, and the area’s iconic glaciers, southeast Alaska and its famed Inside Passage draw visitors each year who come to view the breathtaking scenery and experience the many colorful cultures that make up this intriguing region. In 2008, Star Princess, the ship that debuted Princess Seattle cruise program in 2003, returns to the Alaska fleet, adding extra capacity to the line’s popular Inside Passage sailings.

Star Princess will join sister ship Golden Princess for a series of sailings from Seattle, while Sun Princess rounds out the Inside Passage cruise program with a variety of 10-day voyages from San Francisco. Together, the three ships will offer 54 departures on a selection of convenient round-trip itineraries that feature a port-rich experience and dramatic glacier viewing in Tracy Arm.

“Star Princess return to Alaska lets us offer even more travelers the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Inside Passage,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “With Golden Princess also based here, all Seattle passengers will now be able to enjoy these vessels amenity-rich onboard atmosphere with more than 700 affordable balconies for taking in the view, and a dynamic array of dining and entertainment options. And we’ll continue to offer a choice of departure cities with Sun Princess also sailing through the beautiful Golden Gate of San Francisco.”

Golden Princess and Star Princess From Seattle

Golden Princess and Star Princess will each sail on seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Seattle with ports of call in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, plus treat passengers to dramatic glacier viewing in Tracy Arm and its twin Sawyer Glaciers. Golden Princess sails on 20 voyages departing on Saturdays between May 10 and September 20, 2008, while Star Princess offers 20 Sunday departures beginning on May 4 and continuing through September 14.

Sun Princess from San Francisco

Sun Princess will take over the popular “The City by the Bay” departures. These 10-day roundtrip sailings run between May 7 and September 14. The ship will offer 14 San Francisco departures on varying itineraries that include Francisco call at Victoria, Juneau, Ketchikan, and either Skagway, Sitka, Haines or Icy Strait Point, plus the premiere glacier viewing of Tracy Arm.

These Inside Passage cruises complete Princess 2008 Alaska offerings, which also include previously announced Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruisetours, featuring the line’s famed “Voyage of the Glaciers” itinerary, sailing between Vancouver and Whittier, available on four ships, plus a new 14-day Connoisseur voyage aboard Tahitian Princess which sails roundtrip from Vancouver.

Princess Alaska passengers will also enjoy a variety of special guests and onboard programs to help them appreciate the richness around them, whether they’re captivated by a description of local wildlife from the onboard naturalists, want to get a first hand-account from a champion dog musher, or simply savor the taste of region with Princess Signature Alaskan Cuisine.

Early booking fares for Inside Passage voyages start at $749 per person, based on double occupancy. Cruises will be available for booking on May 17, 2007.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.