2003 Alaska Cruise ($1.25) International Rate

These stamps were issued as a pilot project by Canada Post and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for trips between Canada and Alaska. They were advertised as Picture Postage Plus: Canada-Alaska Cruise Edition.

The stamps were placed on sale aboard cruise ships for passengers to purchase, and the passenger’s photo was to be printed on the right-hand side, within the stamp frame. A separate keepsake portion of the sheet, on the left side with three images, is decorative only and cannot be used as postage.

The stamps could used on post cards or letters, posted on board ship and inducted at Canadian ports of call, or used on personal mail after the passengers arrived home.

The stamps were place on sale July 19, 2003, with 40,000 available to the cruise company, and 10,000 sold to collectors through the National Philatelic Center.

Personalised Stamp

Production Details

Original Face value: 48c, current face value, 59c
Date of Issue: July 19, 2003
Printing Quantity: 50,000
Design: Geoff Kehrig
Dimensions: Stamp: 57 mm x 22 mm (horizontal)
Sheet: 10, 2 different stamps in 5 pairs plus 3 different labels
Gum Type: Pressure sensitive
Paper Type: TRC
Perforations: Kiss cut, 11.7 x 11.7
Printer: Ashton Potter (U.S.A.) Ltd
Printing Process: Lithography in 8 colours
Tagging: General, 4 sides