Princess Cruises announce the wnner of the 10th annual Alaska Shore Excursions award

 For the tenth year, Princess Cruises is ending 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 C.R.U.I.S.E. program is the longest running customer service program in the cruise industry.  The Alaska awards were begun in 2000 and cap off a season-long effort to recognize the role that Alaskan-owned tour partners play in passengers' cruise experiences.  Tour Guide of the Season and Dock Representative of the Season award winners receive $100, a letter of commendation, a plaque, a ship tour and lunch onboard with their family.  Operators of the Shore Excursion of the Season receive a plaque and a letter of commendation, a tour of the ship, and lunch onboard for company officials.

 

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

 

Seattle:

Shore Excursion:

Best of Seattle, Gray Line of Seattle

 

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

 

Vancouver:

Shore Excursion:

Vancouver Overview, Horizon Coach Lines

Tour Guide:

Michael Lawrence, Rockwood Adventures

 

Victoria:

Shore Excursion:

Enchanting Butchart Gardens, Gray Line West

Tour Guide:

Norman Archer, D'Costa Ports of Call

 

Whittier:

Shore Excursion:

Blackstone Glacier Adventure Cruise, Prince William Sound Cruise & Tours

Tour Guide:

Megan Davis, Alaska Sea Kayakers