The cruise lines will be serving exciting routes from April to July 2022 and will also offer new unique experiences
A few days ago, Canada announced the reopening of its ports to cruise ships, and now the cruise lines Prices Cruises and Cunard Line are resuming operations to Alaska for summer season 2022 and 2023.
Since 2019, the cruise companies had stopped most of their itineraries to the fascinating destination due to COVID restrictions and the consequences of the pandemic.
The president of Princess Cruises, John Padgett, said: “The reopening of Canadian ports to the cruise industry is a bold and important move that significantly expands the array of travel opportunities available to guests while boosting the economies of the Canadian and Alaska destinations we visit by generating important revenue and job opportunities.”
Both companies have committed to follow the strict protocols demanded by Canadian authorities, which include the requirement of vaccination for crew and passengers and tests before boarding the ships and before arriving in Canada.
Travelers should stay up to date and revise Canada’s new public health plan, and the cruise company’s recommendation before embarking on the Alaskan adventure.
Princess Cruises and Cunard Line are offering interesting and charming itineraries to America’s northernmost state, as well as special promotions and new services for the summer season starting in April.
Princess Cruises itineraries and services
Princess Cruises announced that they will have six ships sailing to Alaska—including their newest vessel Discovery Princess— during the summer season. The American-British cruise line —owned by Carnival Corporation— will be offering 12 itineraries that include 140 departures and 5 glacier viewing experiences.
The cruise company will be offering their “Voyage of the Glaciers” service, a 7 days route from Whittier, Alaska, and more than 20 cruise tour options —that include a visit to the Denali National Park— and Princess Wilderness Lodges.
The cruise routes to Alaska depart from Seattle and San Francisco in the United States and Victoria in Canada. The first to sail for this summer season will be the Caribbean Princess in April from Seattle.
Then, they will serve routes from May to September, and travelers will be able to embark the new Discovery Princess —a vessel with a capacity of 3,660 passengers—, as well as the Crown Princess, the Majestic Princess, the Royal Princess, the Grand Princess, and Ruby Princess.
Princess Cruises’ award-winning program in Alaska will offer passengers a unique experience where they will get to try local dishes, special cocktails, and fresh seafood onboard, as well as guidance and stories from award-winning professor Amy Butcher and from author and journalist Tom Kizzia.
Cunard Line Itineraries and services
Cunard Line, on the other hand, will be offering an exciting cruise experience to Alaska onboard the luxurious Queen Elisabeth. The British company —also owned by Carnival Corporation— is offering 7 to 10 nights itineraries, departing from Vancouver, that will be operating during May, June, and July. Depending on the sailing date, the round trip includes Hubbard Glacier, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Hanes.
Cunard’s Vice-President of Sales in North America, Jamie Paiko, said: “Guests enjoy the line’s hallmark experiences and amenities in a large ship environment but with fewer guests on ships of her size. And this year we are excited to debut our new ‘Ice White Ball’ with the ‘Taste of Alaska’ Gala dining menu.”
Another route includes a coastal itinerary from Los Angeles to Vancouver on May 30 and continues to Alaska in June. At the end of the season, by July, the vessel will head to the US west coast —San Francisco and Los Angeles— and then begin another service to the Panama Canal.
The cruise line also announced similar routes for 2023 and bookings are already open. Cunard also published a promotion, “Sailing Soon Savings”, with rates starting at $899 per person, available on its website.
