Royal Caribbean International is gearing up for its most adventure-packed Alaska season in summer 2022, introducing new itineraries that tout four ports of call and others that showcase twice the glaciers. With a variety of destinations and four unforgettable cruise ships to choose from, including two of the most innovative in the region - Ovation, Quantum, Radiance and Serenade of the Seas – thrill seekers can experience the breadth of Alaskan nature and culture. The diverse beauty of America's last frontier will come to life in the culturally rich towns of Haines and Sitka, Seward's wild natural beauty, and the majestic vistas of the Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier.
Informed by guest feedback, travel advisors and local partners, the robust vacation offering will be part of a longer summer program, offering 7-night cruise vacations departing from Seattle; Seward, Alaska; and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Quantum Class Goes Bolder & Bigger in Alaska
Ovation of the Seas - the first of the cruise line's game-changing Quantum Class to sail the Last Frontier – will be joined by sister ship Quantum of the Seas to sail 7-night roundtrip itineraries from Seattle. The Quantum Class ships will bring guests to more scenic cities and towns along the Northwest coastline, including Victoria, British Columbia; Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska. Travelers will feel a warm welcome in picturesque towns, where native tradition and original Russian architecture are folded into daily Alaskan life, and the awe of the region's lush landscape, wildlife-filled fjords and gigantic glaciers like the 30-mile-long Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier – best viewed from the North Star, a glass observation capsule unique to Quantum Class that rises 300 feet above sea level.
The adrenaline rush will continue with onboard activities, including a collection of indoor and outdoor pools, the FlowRider surf simulator, RipCord by iFly indoor skydiving experience, and SeaPlex, the largest and most revolutionary indoor active space at sea. When vacationers need a break, they can enjoy Two70, a cutting-edge and transformative venue that offers 270-degree views of the ocean by day and transforms into an unparalleled theater by night with the help of the cruise line's signature Roboscreens – a troupe of six agile screens that fuse performance art and technology for immersive, live theatrical productions.
Radiance Class Dazzles with Views
A popular choice among vacationers for their ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views, two Radiance Class ships will return to the region to round out the summer season. Radiance and Serenade of the Seas will further expand Royal Caribbean's reach with a fresh take on 7-night itineraries anchored by visits to Haines, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau and Seward, Alaska.
Sailing alternating, open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, Radiance will introduce a second northbound itinerary that includes a visit to Icy Strait Point – a port owned and operated by native Alaskans – celebrated for its genuine native Tlingit hospitality, diverse landscape and active wildlife. Southbound sailings will introduce an evening call to Haines, among the Inside Passage's most scenic towns and home to a thriving arts community. Paired with a day spent in Skagway, guests can take advantage of the long, summer daylight hours in the state's adventure capital that is located along the continent’s longest and deepest fjord.
Sister ship Serenade, departing roundtrip from Vancouver, will similarly hero Haines with a full-day visit to the destination known for whitewater rafting and spotting the North American brown bear. Guests can also enjoy twice the ice with an itinerary that features both the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, and the Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America.
Guests on board Serenade can extend their stay with Royal Caribbean's signature CruiseTours, a series of 2- to 6-night pre- or post-cruise land tours led by local experts. Travelers can witness the notorious American Brown Bear hunting as part of the Katmai Bear Trek, or learn more about "The Last Great Race" and the team of sled dogs on the Family Tundra Express experience. Royal Caribbean also offers 5- to 6-night Canada CruiseTour options with visits to Banff, Calgary and more.