Important Things to Know
This page provides a variety of information to aid in your planning considerations. Hopefully you will find answers to some questions that are important to you. This information will be updated as new details become available and as new questions are asked and answered. Info is organized in the following categories. Use these links for ease of access.
Everyone needs a passport valid through December 2027. Validity for six months beyond the trip dates is a standard requirement.
Traveling to Vancouver at least one day prior to our cruise departure is recommended to avoid the risk of late arrival due to travel cancellations and/or delays.
Alaska weather is unpredictable—yes, pack a swimsuit…but also pack layers, a warm hat, scarf, and some gloves as temperatures fluctuate.
Scenery, scenery, scenery—often the very best of Alaska’s natural beauty and wildlife is best seen through a pair of binoculars.
Alaska excursions can be pricy—explore your options and plan well in advance; Princess-sponsored activities can sell-out quickly, 1st come, 1st served. There will also be many locally-offered excursions and tours. More info will be shared as we get closer to the trip.
An Alaska cruise compared to other cruises is much calmer and less ‘party’—the atmosphere is decidedly more subdued.
Local cuisine and Alaskan beers are big attractions while in port—it pays to do some research to find what spark your interests.
With as many as 19 hours of daylight in the summer, plan to wake up early/stay up late to be amazed by the scenery around you.
Q: Why are we being asked to book cabins so early in advance?
A: Early booking secures your cabin in the best locations on the ship. Once you make your deposit, you can decide how and when you want to pay your balance. Early booking allows maximum opportunity to choose to make incremental payments if desired, or you can opt to pay the balance as a lump sum as long as the cruise fare is paid in full by or before March 10, 2027.
Q: Can I still reserve a cabin after November 10th?
A: YES, ABSOLUTELY! Cabins can be reserved as a part of Gwen’s group at any time up to March 10, 2027 based on availability and at Princess Cruises prevailing rates at the time of booking.
Q: Do I have to choose from the four cabin types listed in the Announcement?
A: NO. THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE. Cabin types that are generally the most popular were quoted in the initial trip announcement. Other options—such as suites, ocean-view cabins, and premium deluxe balcony cabins—are available at Princess Cruises’ prevailing rates based on availability. Please reach out to your Travel Advisor to inquire about other options if desired.
Q: Can I cancel my reservation?
A: YES, ABSOLUTELY! Deposits made as a part of Gwen’s group are 100% refundable. Princess Travel Protection provides for a 100% refund of your payments for covered reasons. You can review the terms and conditions here – Princess Travel Insurance Terms and Conditions
Q: Recommended travel dates?
A: It is strongly recommended that all cruise passengers travel from their home or point of origin to arrive in Vancouver at least one day prior (June 11) to scheduled cruise departure on June 12th. For those who are interested in pre-cruise activities to be planned in Vancouver, arrival is recommended at least two days prior (June 10) to scheduled cruise departure.
Q: What will airfare cost?
A: It is too early to quote airfare at this time. Princess Cruises offers competitive pricing, and it is recommended to package your entire trip with Princess to ensure support should flight cancellations or delays impact your trip. For passengers who complete cruise bookings, flight options will be reviewed, priced, and offered for consideration as soon as available.
Q: How are accommodations to be arranged?
A: As this is a custom-planned trip for a group, research of a variety of options is underway. As the booking process progresses, details of accommodation options including group-sized Airbnb and/or private hotel rooms will be provided for consideration.
Q: What if I prefer to make my own travel and accommodation arrangements?
A: All passengers can choose to book travel and/or accommodation independently if desired. If so, please be sure to inform your Travel Advisor of your confirmed itinerary.
Vancouver, British Columbia – Major Attractions
Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, and the focus of one of the country’s most populous metropolitan regions. Vancouver lies between Burrard Inlet (an arm of the Strait of Georgia) to the north and the Fraser River delta to the south, opposite Vancouver Island. The city is just north of the U.S. state of Washington. It has a fine natural harbor on a superb site facing the sea and mountains.
The Port of Vancouver
Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia, the Port of Vancouver extends from Roberts Bank and the Fraser River up to and including Burrard Inlet. The Port connects Canada with more than 170 countries and enables the trade of approximately $350 billion in goods annually. It sustains 132,400 jobs, $9.3 billion in wages through port activities each year, and generates $16.3 billion in annual GDP across Canada. It is the largest port in Canada and the third-largest port in the Americas (by tonnage) welcoming over one million cruise passengers annually. Picture your sail away right here on the Discovery Princess from the Port Vancouver.
Science World
Science World is a science centre run by a not-for-profit organization called ASTC Science World Society in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is located at the end of False Creek and features many permanent interactive exhibits and displays, as well as areas with varying topics throughout the years. The building was originally constructed for Expo 86.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a 405-hectare (1,001-acre) public park in British Columbia, Canada, that makes up the northwestern half of Vancouver’s Downtown peninsula. Stanley Park is named after Lord Stanley, Canada’s first Governor-General; National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup is also named after it. The Seawall is always a nice place for a walk, a jog, or a ride on a bicycle. Of course, the views of Lions Gate Bridge, which is often considered to be the little sister of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, are awesome, as are the views of North Vancouver hillside mansions that were built fairly recently for the wealthy Asian immigrants.
Vancouver SeaBus
The SeaBus is our passenger ferry that crosses the Burrard Inlet, connecting Downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver. Each ferry can seat up to 395 passengers at a time, and departs every 15 minutes during the day. It takes a short 12 minutes to cross the Inlet. The SeaBus runs seven days a week from early in the morning to late at night.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge is a 140-meter (460-foot) long bridge that is suspended 70 meters (230 feet) high over the Capilano River. It first opened in 1889, making it one of the oldest tourist attractions in Vancouver. The bridge is inside Capilano Suspension Bridge North Vancouver and draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. Today, there are a ton of attractions in the park beside the bridge itself, including a cliff walk, a Treetops Adventure, and an Indigenous cultural center. You don’t just go to Capilano to walk across a bridge but to experience Vancouver’s unique culture and breathtaking natural beauty.
BC Place
Built and owned by the people of British Columbia, BC Place has a proud history in this province welcoming more than 35 million guests to thousands of events since opening in 1983. The retractable roof over BC Place is truly a technological marvel. The cable-supported fabric roof is the largest of its kind in the world – designed and engineered specifically for Vancouver’s climate, following rigorous engineering and architectural studies. BC Place hosts a diverse range of sporting, cultural, entertainment, commercial and community events & activities in comfort with a year-round events schedule.