Each year, Princess Cruises announces the winners of their C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards, honoring the best shore excursions and guides in ports on their Alaska cruise itineraries. The awards are in large part based on passenger feedback throughout the Alaska cruise season. The award winners are chosen from Princess Cruises' extensive array of shore excursions in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

It's excellent that Princess features these awards each year. The C.R.U.I.S.E (Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing In Service Excellence) awards highlight the importance of local community tour operators in the quality of each passenger's overall cruise experience. Winners are determined on the basis of passenger survey tour scores and comments. Launched in 2000, this award program is the longest running customer service program in the cruise industry.

If you're planning an Alaska cruise, take a look at the winners of these awards when planning your shore excursions. Choosing the right tour in each port of call plays a major role in the cruise experience, especially in places like Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. These tour operators and tour guides have won rave reviews from Princess cruise passengers, which is always good information to have when undertaking the selection process.

The 2011 winners are:

Juneau:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Helicopter Glacier Trek, NorthStar Trekking
Taku Glacier Lodge Flight & Feast, Wings Airways and Taku Lodge
Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer, Allen Marine Tours

Co-Tour Guides:
Joe Pawelek, Gold Rush Tours / TEMSCO Helicopters
Stacy La Mascus, Gastineau Guiding Company

Dock Representative:
Nathan Barzee, Allen Marine Tours

Ketchikan:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Back Country Zodiac Expedition, Ketchikan Outdoors
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour, Commercial Fishing Adventures
Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures

Co-Tour Guides:
Annie Bauer, Snorkel Alaska
Rob Holston, Lighthouse Excursions

Dock Representative:
Jill Gates, The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Skagway:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Glacier Discovery by Helicopter, TEMSCO Helicopters
Golden Glassblowing Experience at Jewell Gardens, Jewell Gardens
Heli-Hike & Rail Adventure, Packer Expeditions

Co-Tour Guides:
Matt Hall, Alaska Icefield Expeditions / TEMSCO Helicopters
Matt Hayashida, Gold Rush Sled Dogs / Klondike Gold Fields

Dock Representative:
Julie Martin, White Pass & Yukon Route

Vancouver:
Shore Excursion:
City Sights & Capilano Canyon Walk, Rockwood Adventures

Victoria:
Shore Excursion:
City Highlights & High Tea at the Empress Hotel, TMS Gateway Tours

Whittier:
Shore Excursion:
Kayaking in Prince William Sound, Alaska Sea Kayakers

For more information about Princess Cruises, contact your favorite travel agent, call 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visit the company's website at www.princess.com.