To thank the local community of Ketchikan, Alaska for supporting Princess Cruises over the last 50 years, the cruise line recently hosted a special golden anniversary ceremony at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau to dedicate a specially crafted totem pole to the coastal town.
The Masters of the Sea totem pole, now permanently housed at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, was crafted by local carver, Kelly White. In addition to his role as a carver, White also serves as Princess Cruises’ cultural ambassador of its “North to Alaska” program. In fact, as part of the “North to Alaska” program, White carved the totem pole onboard Ruby Princess and Grand Princess for guests to see and learn more about Alaska’s culture.
Inspired by strong and important sea creatures, the totem pole features a killer whale, a powerful hunter and navigator of the seas; an octopus, a mysterious, intelligent and complex creature of the seas; and halibut, a proven reliable food source throughout the year.
“We’re proud to dedicate this beautiful totem pole, inspired by the sea, to the community of Ketchikan, visible long after our cruise ships depart each season,” said Lisa Syme, vice-president of marketing at Princess Cruises. “We hope it reminds the local residents of Ketchikan of the key role they play in introducing the culture and passion of Alaska to our guests. We’re grateful to Kelly White for his incredibly talented craftsmanship.”
A local resident of Ketchikan, White is a Northwest Coast artist who is Teikweidí, Sanyaa Kwáan of Tlingit descent. As a guide at the Totem Heritage Center, located in Ketchikan, he has shared his knowledge of traditional art and culture with visitors from around the world for several summers.
In the last 50 years, Princess has brought more than five million guests to Ketchikan.
Princess offers a variety of cruise and cruisetour options highlighting the state’s must-see attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and Denali National Park and Preserve. Alaska cruises range in length from seven to 14 days and depart from Vancouver, Anchorage (Whittier), Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The cruise line also owns and operates five wilderness lodges nestled in scenic riverside locations near national parks offering more than 20 unique cruisetour options for guests.
