Following my return from a recent land and sea Alaska cruise with Princess Cruises, I received a thank you letter from my brother Louis-Simon, who had accompanied me on the trip. Dr. Louis-Simon Gagnon is not only a well-known medical doctor in our hometown of Quebec City, but he also happens to be a very experienced outdoorsman and salmon fisherman. So when Princess Cruises invited me to experience their new and exclusive “Cook My Catch” culinary program in Alaska, whereby the cruise ship’s chefs cook and serve you the salmon that you catch during a salmon fishing excursion, I immediately thought of my brother Louis-Simon as the ideal companion to help me reel in the big fish. He accepted without hesitation. I would like to share with you (translated from French) what Louis-Simon wrote to me a few days after our 12-day land and sea Alaska cruise, aka “cruisetour” …
“Hello Denis,
Louis-Simon at Hubbard Glacier during our Alaska Cruise aboard the Princess Cruises Star Princess
I’m still floating on Cloud Nine.
Mount Denali, one of the tallest mountains in the world (20,310 ft) and the highest peak in the United States
We lived an extraordinary journey together, unique and magical as perhaps only two brothers can experience.
Beautiful Alaska landscape
Extraordinary for the beautiful landscapes that we admired,
Beautiful Alaska landscape
Extraordinary for the Princess Lodges resorts we stayed at,
Lobby of the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge in Alaska
Mount Denali (previously known as Mt McKinley) viewed from Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Alaska
Extraordinary for the excursions that allowed us to share unique experiences, including
Glacier Trekking during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the landscape photography lesson,
Landscape photography lession during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the guided tour of the Mount Denali National Park renowned for its bears, moose and wild mouflon sheep, as well as the highest peak in America, Mount Denali,
Moose watching during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
Denis and Louis-Simon in Mount Denali National Park in Alaska (photo by photographer Laura Grier of LauraGrierTravel)
Bear in Mount Denali National Park during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the helicopter flights over glaciers and the glacier trekking adventure,
Helicopter landing on a glacier during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
Glacier walk during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the airplane flight around Mount Delani,
Flight around Mount Denali during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the rafting excursion down the Talkeetna River,
Rafting down the Talkeetna River during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the panoramic trains,
Aboard Princess Rail and its glass-domed panoramic rail cars during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
Aboard the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the nightime views of the Northern Lights,
Northern Lights during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises (photo by photographer Laura Grier of LauraGrierTravel)
dog sledding in the Yukon and salmon fishing in the Pacific,
Denis and Louis-Simon out salmon fishing near Ketchikan during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
“Cook My Catch” salmon cooked and served onboard the Star Princess during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the sightings of the whales, walruses and seals, the observation of the glaciers in the fjords, the Swiss massage onboard ship, the dinner theater, and so on.
Extraordinary for the chance to do activities and excursions that we could not have done otherwise,
Aboard the Star Princess cruise ship during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the chance to experience with you all the restaurants and bars of the ship, the casino (where I finished even money) and all the special access by-invitation places such as the kitchen and the wheelhouse,
Executive Chef of Star Princess cruise ship preparing food for the Chef’s Table during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
the opportunity to meet with the Executive Chef, the ship’s senior officers and especially the Captain as well as the other members of the press group traveling with us including David, Laura, Christie, Brea.
Three of our fellow travelers during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
Extraordinary for the unforgettable moments like the night of my birthday dinner where, thanks to you, the champagne flowed and the birthday cake was enjoyed with our travel companions.
Extraordinary for all the wonderful moments we enjoyed together aboard the Star Princess.
Louis-Simon enjoying Glacier Bay during our Alaska Cruise with Princess Cruises
Extraordinary, unusual and magical, nothing less. This is surely the most beautiful trip of my life so far.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, A THOUSAND THANK YOU’s to you and to our host, Princess Cruises.
Another fabulous episode of our life together as brothers!
your Kid Brother
Louis- Simon
P.S. When can we take another trip together?”
Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for our writings about other Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world. Luxury escapes, cruises and city breaks to Québec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe and the Mediterranean, places like Paris and Nice in France, Florence, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!
Looks like a wonderful experience. So cool you saw the Northern Lights.
How wonderful that you had the opportunity to experience this cruise with your brother. I am not normally a large ship cruise fan, but
this one might be enough to change my mind.