Latest news with #GrandPrincess
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Princess Cruises Celebrates the Opening of the 2025 Alaska Cruise Season
Recognized Leader in Alaska, Ready to Bring Guests "North to Alaska" for Wildlife, Glaciers and Absolute Natural Beauty FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Delightfully carrying more guests to Alaska than any other cruise line, Princess Cruises begins its 2025 season in less than a month with seven amenity-filled ships, five pristine wilderness lodges and an expanded catalog of renowned cruisetours, visiting five awe-inspiring national parks – featuring the most visits to Glacier Bay National Park. Departing from five convenient home ports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier), Princess delivers once-in-a-lifetime experiences where wildlife thrives, the cobalt blue of majestic glaciers can be seen up close, and rugged shores with the greenest mountain views surround guests on deck and from glass-domed rail cars. "From our welcoming crew to our inviting partners at the national parks and award-winning 'North to Alaska' program, we are ready to begin our highly anticipated 2025 season," said Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises president. "We know our guests can't wait to experience their perfect Alaska vacation, meticulously planning what they will do onboard and ashore. Our 2025 season is packed with incredible offerings to ensure they leave having had amazing experiences, big adventures and lasting memories to cherish forever." CruisesNew for 2025! Ultimate Alaska with Glacier Bay National ParkTwo new cruises for 2025 focus on glaciers and less-visited ports: Grand Princess: 17-day roundtrip from Seattle, visiting 10 ports and 3 glaciers, including Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park (May 6). Ruby Princess: Ultimate Alaska Solstice 22-day roundtrip from San Francisco that coincides with the Summer Solstice with 11 ports and 4 glaciers, including Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park (June 6). Voyage of the Glaciers Northbound from Vancouver, B.C. to Anchorage (Whittier), or southbound from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, B.C., Coral Princess, Caribbean Princess, and Sapphire Princess sail past glaciers like Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, with stops in Skagway, Ketchikan, and Juneau. Cruises range from 7 to 14 days. (May – Sept.) Guests can add a cruisetour for a land exploration to the vast interior of Alaska and visit Denali National Park. Inside Passage Seattle: 7-day roundtrip voyages on Royal Princess (Glacier Bay) and Discovery Princess (Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier) visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C. (May–Sept). San Francisco: 11-day roundtrip voyages on Ruby Princess, visiting Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway or Haines plus Victoria or Prince Rupert (May–Sept). Vancouver: 5 to 11-day roundtrip cruises onboard Grand Princess, Coral Princess, and Caribbean Princess, featuring stops in Icy Strait Point and Sitka on many voyages (May–Sept). Antorcha added, "This summer, as we start into our 56th season, we're continuing to operate to the highly desired national parks of Alaska through our long-standing partnerships. From Glacier Bay to the Kenai Fjords, Denali and beyond, we give our guests the experiences they want when visiting Alaska." What's Still AvailableSeveral sailings are still available to book, including: Coral Princess – 11-day roundtrip Vancouver, departing May 3 Grand Princess – 7-day roundtrip from Vancouver, departing June 24 Discovery Princess - Jeff Corwin's Nature & Adventure Voyage – 7-day roundtrip from Seattle, departing August 17 - Wildlife biologist and Princess Nature & Adventure Ambassador Jeff Corwin hosts an adventure cruise through Alaska featuring bear watching, whale viewing, and glacier tours. Corwin will lead excursions in each port, with onboard interactions and presentations. Ruby Princess – 11-day roundtrip from San Francisco, departing August 22 CruisetoursPrincess has expanded its renowned cruisetours catalog in 2025. The new itineraries give guests more opportunities to discover awe-inspiring national parks, including Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, and Katmai. Princess is offering 9- to 15-day itineraries, visiting from three to five national parks, that combined with the cruise line's award-winning "Voyage of the Glaciers" seven-day cruise with scenic rail travel, and multiple days on land, featuring stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges. New for 2025, Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge debuts a newly renovated grand lobby with a grand fireplace, comfy seating and spectacular viewing opportunities of Denali. Coffee lovers will fill up another cup at a fun new coffee trailer with nostalgic Airstream vibes, specialty drinks and pastries at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Onboard with "North to Alaska"Princess' award-winning locally inspired and thoroughly immersive "North to Alaska" partner-led programs allow guests to dive deeper into the Great Land through authentic dining, educational events and engaging entertainment. Glacier Bay ExperiencePrograms for all cruises visiting Glacier Bay National Park include Park Rangers hosting information desk and guest activities including commentary from bridge and roaming the decks while in Glacier Bay. In addition, a Park Ranger presentation will be offered in the Princess Theater, plus a Junior and Teen Rangers program for younger cruisers. All guests can enjoy hot chocolate and bouillon stations on open decks. North to Alaska StorytellersA curated feature series of some of the most dynamic and enriching speakers whose experiences speak to the legacy and history of Alaska, some of which include: Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show Tlingit/Alutiiq Cultural Ambassador Patrick Anderson Alaska Photographer and Author, Nick Jans Sled dog Champion Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile race And many more! Campfire Movies Under the StarsCozy up under the stars to enjoy a truly unique movie experience with Campfire Movies Under the Stars, set against the stunning Alaska natural backdrop. Families gather under cozy blankets with "fire pits" and popcorn to watch family classics and Alaska-themed movies. New Northern Lights LoungeThis new nightly pop-up experience of an Alaskan pub, anchored by a resident folk and country guitar vocalist. Adults can enjoy local beers and liquors, along with hot cocoa, popcorn and cookies for the youngers with pub-style trivia between sets. StargazingOn deck where the lights are dimmed to create the perfect atmosphere, guests join a guided presentation about the prominent constellations visible in the night sky. Indoor virtual stargazing is also available with a special presentation, enhanced by a stunning video that brings the celestial journey to life. The Great Big Adventure – Alaska EditionThis interactive game challenges nine daring survivalists to navigate the rugged Alaska wilderness in pursuit of three essential survival elements: food, shelter and water. Through thrilling 60-second challenges and all-new Alaska trivia questions they'll put their skills to the test – all for the chance to be crowned the ultimate Survival Champion. Puppies in the PiazzaGuests learn about sled dogs from an expert dog handler – their behaviors, eating and exercise habits, while watching real-life sled-dog puppies interact together in the Piazza. Youth & Teen Centers – Special activities bring the destination to life for younger cruisers like the Glacier Bay Junior Rangers, Gold Rush Treasure Hunt and Great Alaskan Fishermen's Race. The Flavors of AlaskaOf course, no cruise to Alaska would be complete without seafood, including: Main Dining Rooms, World Fresh Marketplace and Specialty Restaurants all featuring locally sourced Keta, King and Sockeye salmon, halibut and rockfish. Balcony Breakfast, perfect for scenic glacier viewing, brings Smoked Salmon and Crab Quiche right to the balcony. Guests sailing to Alaska aboard Discovery Princess can savor their own freshly caught fish at The Catch by Rudi after enjoying a day of fishing with the exclusive "Cook My Catch," shore excursion offered by Princess. Crown Grill serving up King Salmon and an Alaska Crab Cake. Sabatini's Trattoria featuring a River Steelhead Salmon Carpaccio. Crab Shack stirring up Shellfish and Clam Chowders and an Alaska Seafood Pot, complete with specialty bibs. While taking in the views of Alaska, guests can sip on specialty beverages, from a Bloody Mary Collection to upscale hot beverages and selected cocktails and beers. In addition, a themed cocktail menu features the Glacier Shake, Peanut Butter Bear Hug, Into the Wilderness and Campfire Daiquiri. Locally sourced spirits have been expanded, and this year will include Anchorage Distillery and Denali Spirits. Beers from Alaska Brewing Company and Denali Brewing will be available onboard. Also, this season, guests can enjoy several favorite cocktail offerings from our Love Line Collection in the Alaska lodges. Ashore for Scenic Beauty, Up-Close Wildlife and Alaskan StorytellersWith such diverse activities and unique experiences ashore, Princess offers guests the opportunity to connect to the locals and soak in the culture in a memorable way. From the White Pass Rail and Dog Sled Musher's Camp in Skagway to the Fisherman's tour in Ketchikan, or a Glacier Seaplane journey in Juneau, adventure awaits for all preferences. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting About Princess Cruises Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. Sun Princess, the brand's new, next-level Love Boat named Condé Nast Traveler's Mega Ship of the Year, introduces the groundbreaking Sphere Class platform and will be joined by sister ship, Star Princess, in Fall 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK). View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Princess Cruises Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Five years after cruise ship quarantine, Grand Forks man recalls his wife's final months
Mar. 19—GRAND FORKS — Five years after the discovery of COVID-19 onboard his Grand Princess cruise left him quarantined aboard the ship, a Grand Forks man easily recalls details of the trip. It was the last vacation he spent with his wife, Kari, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and died within six months. "We had a lot of people cheering for us," Paul Kolstoe recently told the Grand Forks Herald. "That was cool." In spite of Kari's 2018 diagnosis of stage four neuroendocrine cancer, which had then metastasized to her spine, they decided to proceed with their long-held Hawaii plans, hoping the cruise would serve as a reprieve. Altru Cancer Center staff even found a way to schedule Kari's radiation therapy appointments — which helped manage her pain — to accommodate for the cruise, which began Feb. 21. "The medical people were all cheering us on to get on the cruise and get going," Kolstoe said. His wife loved to travel, and they had a fantastic time in Hawaii, he said. Kari even checked off a bucket list item: touring an island by helicopter. But on March 4, as they approached the U.S. mainland, the ship went into lockdown when staff learned that some passengers had tested positive for COVID-19, Kolstoe said. Everyone had to stay in their rooms, food was left outside their doors, and they were not supposed to interact with each other. As the ship sailed in circles off the coast, many throughout the country — and beyond — followed the complex journey. "Suddenly our existence became known to the news media, and that grew fairly rapidly," Kolstoe said. "There were several people on the ship who they were talking to, but I think Kari kind of became the 'poster child' for the ship, because she was the lady with cancer." People were concerned for her because they knew she needed to get back home for her next round of radiation therapy. Her pain worsened as treatment was delayed, yet she was didn't want to be seen as a "sad story." "She didn't want us to be victims," Kolstoe said. "She wanted to point out that, yeah, she needed to get back for treatment, and that was important — but everybody on the ship had something important to get back to." For a brief time, this was her mission: showing that it's possible to face adversity with a positive attitude and faith. This was perhaps the best distraction she could have had, Kolstoe said. As his wife did interview after interview, he supported her by being her cameraman and discussing possible questions with her in advance of interviews. On March 9, the ship docked and occupants were taken to Travis Air Force Base in northern California, where they anticipated a potential weekslong stay, but the Kolstoes were spared from this and were able to fly home on March 13. When they returned to Grand Forks, they had to quarantine for two weeks before Kari could return to radiation therapy. "At least we were back at our house, and we could position her with pillows and things like that to try and minimize the pain," Kolstoe said. The Grand Princess crew was fantastic, he said, but could only do so much to make his wife more comfortable. She recalled a nice chair on the uppermost deck of the ship, which staff delivered outside their room, but they couldn't fit it through the door. The cushions, at least, were able to be removed and brought inside. While on the base, they shared one bed with two pillows, which Kari needed to prop herself up. Her husband rolled up a pair of jeans to rest his head on at night; she repeatedly expressed how sorry she felt for him. One of their daughters ordered body pillows from Target, which an employee tried to deliver, but he couldn't get onto the base. "He was trying to come up with ideas (of how to get them to us, and he thought) he might just go to the fence of the base and throw them over, so that we could have them," Kolstoe said. One person had to go downstairs to collect their meals three times each day. Rules were made in one moment and changed or discarded entirely the next. People herded together — despite instructions to stand 6 feet apart and not interact — asking what the others knew. There was uncertainty, especially in the early days of the pandemic, and it was especially difficult for those already prone to anxiety, according to Rhonda Dockter, psychotherapist and owner of Therapy Works Midwest, PLLC. She met with clients who never before felt their anxiety impacted their lives enough to warrant treatment. All of the unknowns had caused their mental health to drastically worsen. Providers were generally able to quickly and easily transition to telehealth. Some were resistant prior to the pandemic, but were forced to participate if they hoped to continue providing care during a time when more people needed it. "I think, overall, that change has been positive for accessibility," Dockter said. "But we were just super busy. You couldn't always get in." Also in the psychology field, Paul Kolstoe was able to work remotely during the final months of his wife's life, which they spent together at his parents' lake cabin. Their children and grandchildren visited, staying in a living space inside the garage, keeping their distance to reduce any chance of infection. "My youngest grandson had been born in the early summer," Paul Kolstoe said. "(My wife) didn't get to hold him, but she could see him through the screen door." The COVID-19 pandemic was traumatic for many people, for the fear it caused as well as the impactful life events that had to be altered or foregone entirely, Dockter said. For the Kolstoes, the pandemic was something like background noise. Because they had known for more than a year that Kari was terminal, and nothing would change that, "nothing was going to come along that was going to interfere with our commitment to each other to get through that," Kolstoe said. The couple had also lived through a traumatic experience decades earlier; they lost their home in the Flood of 1997. Kolstoe believes that experience prepared them for this one, more than any of his professional training or experience. Knowing they'd gone through something so difficult, yet powered through and came out the other side, gave them strength. Kari died on her birthday, Aug. 17, 2020, at age 61. It was a little more than a week after the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. Paul Kolstoe recorded his wife's funeral to later show his mother, who was in an assisted living facility and couldn't attend. "I went over, and I stood outside her apartment and showed her the funeral through the window, and we talked through the window," he said. That is the most challenging thing Dockter observed about the pandemic — the inability to be with loved ones, to support them during illness or to say goodbye. "That impacts the grief process, because then there's difficulty with closure," she said. Isolation was difficult for many, but it especially impacted the elderly, particularly those in assisting living or nursing homes, where no one could visit, Dockter said. "The people who are already lonely and depressed were more lonely and depressed," she said. After the loss of his wife, Kolstoe found support through his friends, children, grandchildren and Watson, his Labradoodle. "I have our dog, who is missing her, but he seems to think I am passable, so he stays with me," he said with a laugh. Now 66, Kolstoe still lives in Grand Forks and works as clinical director of the Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton. He originally planned to retire about two years ago and travel the world with his wife, but his retirement plans were derailed after her death. "As of right now, I'm planning to work another three years," he said. "That's quite a change in strategy and lifestyle, but you have to deal with what life deals you, and take it as it comes, and that's kind of where I'm at now. My agency can use me. If I were to retire right now, it would be a hardship on them. Psychologists are very hard to find, especially willing to work in developmental disabilities. There's not many of us out there. So I'm welcome at work."
