Season’s Best Alaska Shore Excursions Chosen by Princess Cruises Passengers 2008 C.R.U.I.S.E. Service Awards Recognize Importance of Exceptional Service by Local Tour Operators, Guides and Dock Representatives

As Princess Cruises wraps up another successful Alaska cruise season, the line has announced the winners of its ninth annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards, which recognize the best shore excursion experiences in Alaska and the Northwest as determined by Princess passengers.

The awards acknowledge the importance of local tour operators and their staff and the vital role they play in a passenger’s Alaska cruise experience. The most popular tours, individual guides and dock representatives are determined by passenger surveys taken throughout the season, and are chosen from the extensive line-up of more than 200 Alaska shore excursion options offered on Princess ships.

“The Alaska tour operators we work with do a wonderful job of continuing Princess’ culture of service once passengers go ashore,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “It’s always gratifying to receive so many positive comments about the experiences passengers have on their Alaska shore adventures. These awards are to recognize and thank those who make the shore experience special for our visitors.”

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 2008 winners include:

Juneau:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Alaska’s Whales & Rainforest Trails, Gastineau Guiding Company
Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour, TEMSCO Helicopters
Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures
Co-Tour Guides:
Jami Likins, Gastineau Guiding Company
Matt Failor, Gold Rush Tours/TEMSCO Helicopters
Dock Representative:
Aubrey Reece, TEMSCO Helicopters

Ketchikan:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour, Commercial Fishing Adventures
Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure, Snorkel Alaska
Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures
Co-Tour Guides:
“Kiwi” Allan Brann, Commercial Fishing Adventures
Rob Holston, Lighthouse Excursions
Dock Representative:
Jill Gates, The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Kodiak:
Shore Excursion:
Near Island Sea Kayak Adventure, Orcas Unlimited Charters of Kodiak
Tour Guide:
Sue Rohrer, First Group

Seattle:
Shore Excursion:
Best of Seattle, Gray Line of Seattle

Seward:
Shore Excursion:
Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise, Kenai Fjords Tours
Tour Guide:
Whitey Van Deusen, Trails North
Sitka:
Co-Shore Excursions:
4×4 Wilderness Adventure, Greenling Enterprises
Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest, Allen Marine Tours
Tour Guide:
Justin Horn, Sitka Tours

Skagway:
Co- Shore Excursions:
Dog Sledding & Glacier Flightseeing, TEMSCO Helicopters
Klondike Rock Climbing & Rappelling, Alaska Mountain Guides
Takshanuk Mountain Trail by 4×4, Takshanuk Mountain Trail
Co- Tour Guides:
Mike Fortney, Chilkat Guides
Nicki Bunting, Skagway Street Car Co.
Dock Representative:
Rebecca Hylton, White Pass & Yukon Route

Valdez:
Shore Excursion:
Columbia Glacier Cruise, Stan Stephens Cruises
Tour Guide:
Chris Arrate, Keystone Outfitters

Vancouver:
Shore Excursion:
Capilano Canyon’s Natural Beauty, 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

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*News Release provided by Princess Cruises