You can soon cruise to Alaska directly from Singapore with Princess Cruises

Cruising to Alaska is probably one of the "things to do before you die" on many people's bucket lists.

If you have time to spare, or ample annual leave, this 29-day direct cruise from Singapore to Alaska may be a good option for those who do not like taking long-haul flights to US or Canada.

From April 14, 2018, Princess Cruises will set sail from Singapore to Anchorage, Alaska, with stops at 11 ports across Asia.

The ship, the Golden Princess, will stop by Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, Hong Kong, Taipei, Busan, and a couple of ports in Japan, such as Osaka, Shimizu, Yokohama, Sakaiminato, Hakodate and Muroran.

After the first leg of the trip that covers these Asian ports, the cruise will then cross the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean towards Alaska.

This is where guests can take in the icy and majestic scenery that Alaska has to offer, as well as its diverse wildlife such as humpback whales and dolphins, while on board the Golden Princess.

And the best way to enjoy the Alaskan scenery? Right in the comfort of your own cabin. There are 700 rooms with balconies among the 1,300 cabins on the Golden Princess, and these staterooms will allow guests to enjoy the scenic tour in privacy.

Director of Southeast Asia at Princess Cruises, Farriek Tawfik, said: "This cruise appeals to Asians as the ship calls at many North Asian ports, especially in Japan, where guests will be able experience various local cultural activities and cuisine before they arrive in Alaska."

The 29-day cruise to Alaska starts from $4,520 per person. Guests can also choose to extend seven more days to a 36-day cruise at an additional $1,160 per person. 

The additional 7-day Alaska Grand Adventure tour will continue cruising through Alaska, visiting the picturesque Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway and Juneau before arriving in Vancouver, Canada.

There, travellers have the option to take a flight back to Singapore.

This is the first time Princess Cruises, which is operated by American company Carnival Group, is operating a direct cruise to Alaska from Singapore. 

According to a spokesperson from Carnival Group, the cruise line is currently accepting bookings online and by phone. The 29-day Epic Adventure Cruise from Singapore to Alaska is also sold at all travel agents in Singapore.

Princess Cruises also operates a Southeast Asia round-trip cruise from Singapore from Nov to March this year. 

klim@sph.com.sg