Royal Caribbean Joins Holland America Line, MSC and More Cruises Appeal to Adventure Cruise Tourists with Spectacular Scenic Alaska Tour

Royal Caribbean joins Holland America Line, MSC and more cruises as adventure cruise tourists seek spectacular scenic Alaska tours, combining glaciers, wildlife, coastal towns and immersive journeys. Alaska is heading into another competitive cruise season in 2028, with major cruise lines expanding their programmes across Seattle, Vancouver, Seward, Whittier and San Francisco. The season will feature new ships, longer itineraries, additional Cruisetour options and expanded scenic cruising.

Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Viking and Seabourn are among the operators with 2028 Alaska programmes. Their offerings range from mainstream seven-night Inside Passage cruises to longer land-and-sea journeys and luxury expedition-style experiences.

For travellers, the expanding choice means Alaska can be approached in several ways. Some itineraries focus on glaciers and coastal communities, while others add Denali National Park, the Alaska Railroad, extended inland stays and less-visited destinations.

Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska programme expands choice across four ships and three gateways. Seven-night cruises will connect travellers with glaciers, wildlife and historic communities, while selected Cruisetours extend journeys inland. With Seattle, Seward and Vancouver departures, the programme provides several ways to experience Alaska during the summer cruise season.

Royal Caribbean has unveiled its 2028 Alaska lineup, offering more ways for vacationers to experience the beauty of the Last Frontier on Anthem, the newly amplified Ovation, Serenade and Voyager of the Seas beginning in April 2028. Adventurers can explore Alaska’s majestic glaciers, diverse wildlife and coastal communities on 7-night vacations departing from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver, with ways to extend select journeys on multi-night Cruisetour land experiences. The 2028 lineup of Alaska vacations is now open to book on Royal Caribbean’s website for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members, ahead of the official opening on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Royal Caribbean Reveals 2028 Alaska Cruise Lineup With Four Ships and New Cruisetour Options

Royal Caribbean has unveiled its 2028 Alaska cruise lineup, expanding its summer programme across four ships and three departure points. The cruise line will offer seven-night voyages from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver, alongside selected multi-night Cruisetour options combining sea travel with land-based exploration.

The programme begins in April 2028 and continues through September, giving travellers several ways to experience Alaska during its principal summer cruise season. The deployment brings together Anthem of the Seas, the newly amplified Ovation of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean says the programme is designed to connect guests with Alaska’s glaciers, wildlife, coastal communities and historic destinations while also providing a broad selection of onboard entertainment and dining.

What Does Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska Programme Include?

The 2028 programme combines seven-night Alaska cruises with longer Cruisetour experiences on selected Anthem of the Seas itineraries. These options allow travellers to extend their cruise with land-based journeys, including opportunities to visit Denali National Park.

The four ships will operate from different gateways. Anthem will sail from Seward and Vancouver, Ovation from Seattle, Serenade from Vancouver and Voyager from Seattle.

This distribution gives travellers flexibility when choosing an itinerary based on their preferred departure city and destinations. It also creates different combinations of Alaska ports, scenic cruising and onboard experiences.

The programme is particularly significant for travellers seeking more than a conventional coastal cruise, as the Cruisetour component links maritime travel with inland exploration.

Where Will Anthem of the Seas Sail in Alaska?

Anthem of the Seas will operate Alaska voyages from Seward and Vancouver between May and September 2028. Its programme will include seven-night cruises as well as two- to six-night Cruisetours.

A major feature of these extended itineraries is access to Denali National Park, allowing guests to continue their Alaska experience beyond the coastline.

The ship’s cruise programme also includes scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier, one of Alaska’s major glacier destinations. Port calls such as Ketchikan provide opportunities for outdoor activities including fishing, kayaking, hiking and zip-lining.

On board, passengers can use the North Star observation capsule for elevated panoramic views. SeaPlex provides indoor activities, while dining options include Jamie’s Italian and Johnny Rockets.

What Will Ovation of the Seas Offer in 2028?

The newly amplified Ovation of the Seas will offer seven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle between May and September 2028.

Its itineraries will feature destinations including Sitka, Skagway and Juneau, together with scenic cruising around Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.

The route gives passengers access to a combination of cultural attractions, historic communities and dramatic natural landscapes. Juneau provides access to Alaska’s glacier country, while Sitka and Skagway offer different perspectives on the state’s coastal history and heritage.

The amplified ship also introduces additional onboard attractions. Guests can use the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, visit the Sound Cellar and relax at the Pesky Parrot tiki bar.

Dining options include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Chops Grille and Izumi Teppanyaki, giving the ship a broad mix of international cuisine.

How Will Serenade of the Seas Explore Alaska?

Serenade of the Seas will operate seven-night cruises from Vancouver from May through September 2028.

The programme will focus on Alaska’s rugged mountains, temperate rainforests and wildlife-rich coastline. Itineraries include Icy Strait Point, Prince Rupert and Juneau, providing access to outdoor activities, cultural experiences and historic areas.

At Icy Strait Point, passengers can experience one of the area’s headline zipline attractions. Prince Rupert provides opportunities for hiking and exploring British Columbia’s coastal environment, while Juneau combines historic districts with access to Alaska’s surrounding wilderness.

The ship itself is designed to maximise views of the surrounding scenery. Its extensive use of glass provides passengers with sightlines towards Alaska’s landscapes while they move between destinations.

Onboard activities include a rock-climbing wall, poolside movie nights and live music at the Schooner Bar.

2028 Alaska Cruises: Cruise Line by Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska programme features Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. The four ships will operate seven-night voyages from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver between April and September, creating several options for travellers planning an Alaska cruise.

Anthem will sail from Seward and Vancouver, combining seven-night cruises with selected two- to six-night Cruisetours. These extended experiences include opportunities to visit Denali National Park, while itineraries also feature destinations such as Hubbard Glacier and Ketchikan.

Ovation will sail from Seattle, while Serenade operates from Vancouver and Voyager from Seattle. The ships combine Alaska’s scenery with onboard attractions including North Star, SeaPlex, RipCord by iFly, dining venues, entertainment and family activities.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line is preparing one of the broadest Alaska programmes for 2028, with six ships: Oosterdam, Noordam, Eurodam, Koningsdam, Westerdam and Zaandam. The programme includes seven- to 18-day voyages operating from Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier and other West Coast gateways.

Oosterdam is particularly notable because it will make its Alaska debut following its Evolution transformation. Other ships will offer Glacier Discovery and Alaska Explorer itineraries, giving travellers different combinations of ports, scenic cruising and voyage lengths.

The programme also introduces longer options, including a San Diego-to-Vancouver itinerary aboard Zaandam. Selected voyages will feature scenic cruising through Nootka Sound, while longer journeys connect Alaska with British Columbia and additional coastal destinations.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is entering the 2028 Alaska season with a major programme involving eight ships and 185 departures. The cruise line is offering 14 different itineraries, with voyages ranging from shorter four-day cruises to extended 16-day journeys.

The programme will use several important gateways, including Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, San Francisco and Los Angeles. This broad network allows travellers to combine Alaska with different West Coast travel plans and choose between round-trip and longer northbound or southbound journeys.

Princess will continue to combine cruises with its Alaska land programme. Denali National Park, Princess Wilderness Lodges and dedicated rail connections form an important part of its Cruisetour offering, allowing travellers to extend their holidays beyond the Inside Passage and coastal ports.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line will deploy Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Jade in Alaska during the 2028 season. The programme runs from April through October and includes departures from Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier.

Encore, Bliss and Joy will operate seven-day voyages from Seattle, with the deployment providing departures across different days of the week. Norwegian Joy will additionally offer longer nine- to 11-day Alaska itineraries, giving travellers more time in the region.

Norwegian Jade will operate seven-day cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, with scenic cruising around destinations such as Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. NCL will also offer Cruisetours incorporating inland experiences, including Denali National Park and Alaska Railroad journeys.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line will bring Carnival Adventure, Carnival Legend and Carnival Spirit to the Alaska market during its 2028 West Coast programme. The deployment includes seven-day cruises as well as longer itineraries designed for travellers seeking additional time in the region.

Carnival Adventure will operate an Alaska season from Seattle, while Carnival Spirit will also offer seven-day Inside Passage and Glacier cruises from the city. Their programmes provide access to established Alaska destinations while maintaining Carnival’s broader onboard entertainment proposition.

Carnival Legend adds a different option from San Francisco, including 10-day Alaska voyages and a longer Carnival Journeys sailing. The California departures are significant because they allow travellers to combine an Alaska cruise with a wider West Coast holiday.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises will continue its Alaska presence with MSC Poesia, which is scheduled to operate weekly seven-night cruises from Seattle between April and September 2028. The deployment gives MSC another established presence in the increasingly competitive Alaska cruise market.

The itineraries include destinations such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Victoria, British Columbia. Scenic cruising around Tracy Arm also adds a landscape-focused element, allowing passengers to experience Alaska’s fjords and mountainous coastline without leaving the ship.

The 2028 deployment follows enhancements to MSC Poesia, including a new MSC Yacht Club area with suites. Additional dining and hospitality improvements also broaden the onboard offering, giving travellers an alternative to the larger North American cruise brands serving Alaska.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises will operate a three-ship Alaska programme in 2028, with Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Millennium among the ships associated with the season. The deployment combines Seattle round-trip cruises with longer north-south itineraries.

Celebrity Edge offers seven-night Alaska sailings from Seattle, while Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Millennium provide itineraries connecting destinations such as Seward and Vancouver. These routes can include Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan.

Celebrity’s programme also includes Cruisetour possibilities, giving passengers an opportunity to combine a cruise with additional inland exploration. The combination of glacier viewing, coastal ports and land extensions positions the programme towards travellers seeking a more extended Alaska holiday.

Viking

Viking is taking a longer-duration approach to Alaska with its 15-day Alaskan Fjords & the Inside Passage itinerary. The voyage operates between Vancouver and Whittier and places greater emphasis on extended destination exploration rather than a conventional seven-night cruise.

The itinerary is designed around Alaska’s fjords and the Inside Passage, with opportunities for activities such as kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing. The longer format provides additional time to experience the region compared with a standard week-long sailing.

Viking’s Alaska programme adds another dimension to the 2028 market because it targets travellers interested in a destination-focused ocean cruise. Its longer itinerary also creates a natural opportunity to combine coastal Alaska with additional inland travel before or after the voyage.

Seabourn

Seabourn is expanding its luxury Alaska proposition with a 2028 programme featuring six itineraries and 22 destinations. The season includes multiple departures between May and September, with itineraries designed around smaller-ship access and destinations beyond the most heavily visited cruise ports.

The programme includes destinations such as Sitka, Wrangell, Klawock, Glacier Bay National Park, Prince Rupert, Valdez and Chiswell Islands. Several itineraries provide access to less conventional Alaska cruise experiences, strengthening the expedition-style character of the programme.

Seabourn is also introducing summer-solstice voyages from Whittier, alongside its Denali Experience land extension. The combination of smaller-ship cruising, remote destinations and extended land travel provides a luxury-focused alternative to the larger ships operating Alaska’s mainstream cruise market.

“Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska programme highlights the growing diversity of cruise holidays, combining spectacular landscapes, wildlife and heritage with extended land experiences. The four-ship deployment gives travellers greater choice while strengthening Alaska’s position as a compelling destination for immersive cruise and tourism experiences.” says Anup Kumar Keshan, Editor-in-Chief, TTW

Why Is Alaska Becoming More Diverse for Cruise Travellers?

The 2028 Alaska cruise season demonstrates how the market is developing beyond the traditional seven-night Inside Passage itinerary. Major cruise lines are using different strategies, including new ship deployments, longer cruises, Cruisetours, additional departure cities and expanded scenic cruising.

Seattle remains a major gateway, while Vancouver continues to support northbound and southbound itineraries. Seward and Whittier remain important for cruises connecting coastal travel with inland Alaska, while San Francisco provides a longer West Coast alternative.

The result is a broader range of Alaska holidays for 2028. Travellers can select a conventional seven-night cruise, add Denali and rail experiences, choose a longer fjord-focused voyage or opt for a smaller luxury ship visiting less-frequented destinations.

What Can Travellers Expect From Voyager of the Seas?

Voyager of the Seas will operate seven-night cruises from Seattle from April through September 2028.

The ship will visit Alaskan destinations including Sitka, Juneau and Skagway, as well as Victoria in British Columbia, Canada.

The itineraries combine coastal scenery with opportunities to encounter Alaska’s wildlife. Depending on location and conditions, travellers may see species such as grizzly bears, harbour seals and bald eagles.

The programme also provides access to historic sites and mountain landscapes, adding cultural and natural elements to the cruise experience.

For families, Voyager offers ice skating and laser tag at Studio B, alongside mini golf and arcade entertainment. Adults can also use the Solarium, providing a dedicated space away from some of the ship’s more active attractions.

Why Are Cruisetours Important to Alaska Travel?

Royal Caribbean’s Cruisetour programme adds a land component to selected Alaska voyages, allowing passengers to travel beyond the coastal ports visited by a conventional cruise.

The approach is particularly relevant in Alaska because many of the state’s major attractions lie inland. Denali National Park, for example, offers a markedly different landscape and travel experience from the Inside Passage and coastal communities.

By combining cruise and land travel, travellers can spend additional nights exploring Alaska before or after their voyage. The two- to six-night Cruisetour options associated with Anthem provide different durations for passengers with varying amounts of available holiday time.

This format also gives travellers another way to structure an Alaska holiday without arranging every element of the land journey independently.

How Does the Seward Terminal Support the Programme?

Seward will remain an important gateway for Royal Caribbean’s Alaska operations. Travellers departing from the city can use the recently opened cruise terminal developed through a partnership between Royal Caribbean Group and the Alaska Railroad.

The facility was designed to streamline arrival and embarkation while providing access to views of the surrounding mountains. Its proximity to the Alaska Railroad station is also intended to support connections between cruise travel and inland journeys.

The terminal forms part of Royal Caribbean Group’s broader SEA the Future corporate responsibility initiative. According to the company, the facility is also intended to provide community benefits through year-round gathering space and local programmes.

The development of cruise infrastructure in gateway communities is increasingly relevant to Alaska’s tourism system because efficient connections between rail, land and sea travel can influence how visitors move through the destination.

What Makes the 2028 Alaska Deployment Significant?

Royal Caribbean’s 2028 deployment demonstrates how cruise operators are continuing to combine traditional port-based itineraries with expanded land experiences.

The four ships provide different starting points and onboard experiences, while the geographic range covers several of Alaska’s best-known cruise destinations. Travellers can therefore choose between Seattle, Vancouver and Seward depending on their itinerary preferences.

The programme also reflects the importance of scenic cruising in Alaska. Destinations such as Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier provide experiences where the journey itself becomes a central part of the holiday.

For families, the ships provide activities designed for different age groups. Meanwhile, the combination of ports, wildlife, glaciers, historic communities and inland excursions gives the programme broader appeal beyond traditional cruise passengers.

When Can Travellers Book Royal Caribbean’s Alaska Cruises?

Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska sailings are being made available to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members, ahead of the wider booking opening stated by the company.

Travellers considering an Alaska cruise should compare departure ports, sailing dates, included destinations and any available Cruisetour extensions before selecting an itinerary. Land extensions can materially change the overall duration and structure of an Alaska holiday.

The four-ship programme also means that passengers can compare different onboard experiences alongside the route itself. For travellers prioritising scenic cruising, port diversity, family activities or additional inland exploration, these differences can be relevant when planning.

What Should Travellers Know About Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska Season?

Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska cruise lineup brings together four ships, three departure gateways and a mix of seven-night cruises and extended land-and-sea experiences.

Anthem of the Seas will connect Seward and Vancouver with Alaska destinations and Cruisetour options, while Ovation of the Seas will operate from Seattle after its amplification. Serenade of the Seas will sail from Vancouver, and Voyager of the Seas will operate from Seattle.

Together, the programme covers glaciers, wildlife, historic communities, coastal landscapes and inland experiences, giving travellers multiple ways to build an Alaska holiday around their preferred itinerary and travel duration.

Image: Royal Caribbean Cruises