From the USA TODAY CRUISE LOG
Princess Cruises this week unveiled plans for one of the most ambitious shore excursions ever in Alaska -- an all-day outing that combines whale-watching, bear viewing and a flight over the famed Juneau Icefield.
The exclusive-to-Princess experience will be offered during port calls in Juneau and cost $399 per adult and $329 for children.
Dubbed the "Whales, Bears and Glaciers Adventure," the trip will start with an 2.5 hour whale-watching and nature cruise that begins in Juneau and ends at the Tlingit village of Hoonah, located on Chichagof Island. Humpback whales, sea lions and bald eagles are among the wildlife likely to be encountered, the line says.
After arriving in Hoonah, participants will board a van for a drive to a boardwalk trail leading to a salmon-bearing stream known for bears, where they'll spend about 1.5 hours searching for the animals and other wildlife. The boardwalk is located in the Tongass National Forest.
After bear viewing, participants will transfer to the local Hoonah airport to embark on a flightseeing tour of the Juneau Icefield to view several glaciers, including the famed Mendenhall Glacier, before returning to Juneau.
Princess says passengers must be at least four years old to participate. The tour will be available for purchase on all Princess ships stopping in Juneau between May 31 and Sept. 23 except the Royal Princess.