Princess passengers picked Kenai Fjords Tours as the best shore excursion in Seward.
January 1, 1970
For the tenth year, Princess Cruises ended the Alaska season by recognizing top-rated local tour operators with the line's C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards for best shore excursion experiences, based on passenger feedback.
The annual awards, which underscore the important role that Alaska and Northwest tour operators play in a passenger's cruise experience, celebrate the most popular tours, individual guides and dock representatives in the communities where Princess ships call. Winners are determined primarily by tour scores and comments made on passenger surveys throughout the season, and are chosen from the extensive line-up of more than 200 Alaska shore excursion options offered on Princess ships.
"The local tour operators who provide tours to our passengers really contribute to the overall Princess experience in Alaska," said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "So many visitors rave about their adventures in port, and these awards recognize the role of our shore excursion providers and thank them for making the Great Land experience extra special for our passengers."
The 2009 winners include:
Icy Strait Point: Shore Excursion: ZipRider Adventure, Icy Strait Point; Tour Guide: Dottie Johanson, Icy Strait Point.
Juneau: Co-Shore Excursions: Helicopter Glacier Walkabout, NorthStar Trekking; Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures; Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest, Allen Marine Tours Co.; Tour Guides: Julie Kinamore, Alaska Zipline Adventures; Stacy LaMascus, Gastineau Guiding Company, Dock Representative: Nathan Barzee, Allen Marine Tours.
Ketchikan: Co-Shore Excursions: Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour, Commercial Fishing Adventures; Misty Fjords Seaplane Exploration, Promech Air and Taquan Air; Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures Co.;Tour Guides: Bob Haskell, Lighthouse Excursions; Kurt Trennert, Snorkel Alaska Dock Representative: Jill Gates, The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.
Kodiak: Shore Excursion: Best of Kodiak; First Group Tour Guide: Dee Ann Valdivia, Kodiak Tours.
Seward: Shore Excursion: Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise, Kenai Fjords Tours; Tour Guide: Nick Allen, Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking Company.
Skagway: Co-Shore Excursions: Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float Adventure, Chilkat Guides; Glacier Discovery by Helicopter, TEMSCO Helicopters Klondike Rock Climbing & Rappelling, Alaska Mountain Guides; Co-Tour Guides: Jessica Blick, Chilkat Guides; Nicki Bunting, Skagway Street Car Co.; Dock Representative: Brian Hart, White Pass & Yukon Route.
Valdez: Shore Excursion: Columbia Glacier Cruise, Stan Stephens Cruises; Tour Guide:Laura Hering, Pangaea Adventures.
Whittier: Shore Excursion: Blackstone Glacier Adventure Cruise, Prince William Sound Cruise & Tours; Tour Guide: Megan Davis, Alaska Sea Kayakers.