Alaska's tourism industry continued to grow in 2013 and is anticipating a quality return in 2014, with a total of 28 large cruise ships scheduled to call; an increase in itineraries for small-ship cruise lines and increased international and domestic flight service.

Cruise News

Princess Cruises' Crown Princess will make its debut as the cruise line's largest ship in the state to date in 2014, accommodating up to 3,082 passengers and sailing the popular “Voyage of the Glaciers” route that runs through the Gulf of Alaska. Summer 2014 will also see the return of Princess Cruises' small-ship cruising on the Pacific Princess, which will sail the Inside Passage from Vancouver. (www.princess.com) Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruises will add Icy Strait Point, an Alaska Native-owned cruise ship destination, located 50 miles west of Juneau, as a port of call for two ships, the Celebrity Solstice and Norwegian Pearl. (www.celebritycruises.com) Small-ship cruise line Alaskan Dream Cruises is adding a new nine-day itinerary that will sail round trip from Sitka, stopping in the Tlingit village of Kake, Petersburg, Juneau and at the company's exclusive Orca Point Lodge. Alaskan Dream Cruises has also added the six-day “Tracy Arm Fjord Trek,” which offers the adventure and cultural experience of cruising Alaska's Inside Passage with a shorter travel itinerary than any other Alaskan Dream Cruise and will depart on July 7. (www.alaskandreamcruises.com) Un-Cruise Adventures has added a new vessel, the 88-passenger Legacy, to its fleet for 2014. The replica coastal steamer will sail 10 weeklong adventures between Ketchikan and Juneau and will highlight historical and culturally significant destinations in Southeast Alaska. (www.un-cruise.com)

Alaska by Air  

Travelers to Alaska in summer 2014 will now have access to flights between Fairbanks and Dawson City, Yukon, with nine flights per week scheduled on Air North. (www.flyairnorth.com) The flights will be utilized by Holland America Line for its Land + Sea Journeys to reduce guest travel time between Dawson City and Fairbanks from two days by bus to a short, one-hour flight. (http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/alaska-2014-yukon) Yakutia Airlines and AirRussia.US announced the return of seasonal flights between Anchorage and Petropavlovsk, scheduled to operate for 10 weeks on Saturdays, running July 12 to Sept. 13. (http://www.yakutia.aero/en/ and http://airrussia.us/) On the domestic front, Delta Airlines announced seasonal flights between Seattle and Juneau beginning May 29, and has added an additional flight to its seasonal Seattle to Anchorage route. (www.deltaairlines.com)

Taste of Alaska

The recently renovated Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is offering a new culinary program for 2014 that includes behind-the-scenes access to the lodge kitchen, where guests will learn the basics of handling and cooking fresh Alaska seafood. (www.kenaifjordslodge.com) Ursa Major Distilling became the second Alaska spirit product to be accepted into the Alaska Grown program, which recognizes Alaska businesses working together to source products locally. (www.ursamajordistilling.com) Port Chilkoot Distillery, based in Haines, is a new distillery producing small-batch whiskey, gin and vodka. The micro-distillery recently released 12 Volts Moonshine, an un-aged corn whiskey. (www.portchilkootdistillery.com). High Mark Distillery, a new distillery located in Sterling, uses a secret family recipe, mixed with ideas borrowed from backwoods jack makers, to create its popular Nickel Back Apple Jack, a smooth, apple-pie-flavored liqueur. (highmarkdistillery.com)

Alaska Flying Adventures

In addition to scenic tours and charter services, Talkeetna Air Taxi is partnering with Alaska Nature Guides to provide a remote drop-off in the Talkeetna Mountains. Guests will be dropped off with a guide to embark on an Alaska wilderness hike catered to their skill level. (www.talkeetnaair.com) Tanalian Aviation has introduced its “City of Lights” sunset helicopter tour, circling Anchorage and the surrounding bowl, for a scenic view of the Chugach Mountains, Cook Inlet coastline and the metropolitan skyline. (www.tanalianaviation.net) Denali Zipline Tours out of Talkeetna is expanding operations to Seward at an 80-acre park that will serve as the new grounds for high-flying fun and sightseeing amongst the beautiful backdrop of Alaska forests. (www.denaliziplinetours.com)

 For more information, visit www.TravelAlaska.com.

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Contact: Jennifer Thompson, Thompson & Co. Public Relations, 800-327-9372

Contact: Bri Gordon, Thompson & Co. Public Relations, 800-327-9372