This April, Royal Caribbean announced its first-ever Alaskan cruise (pictured above) and it’s slated to begin in April 2024. And guess what? The cruise will sail on the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, which will have a capacity of 4,200 passengers. The ship is the largest of the fleet and boasts 28 decks that will provide ample room for families, friends and staff. The cruise will begin April 17, 2024, and be hosted by Nome, Alaska.
The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is back in Alaska for another season this summer, and they’ve got some exciting new things coming up for their guests. They’ve added a new feature to their “Discover Alaska” line, which will be making its first appearance on the Oasis of the Seas. That’s right, the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas will be the first cruise ship to feature a Virtual Reality (VR) arcade, called the “VR Hub”. The Arcade will feature VR headsets for guests, and will be the first of its kind in the cruise industry, as guests can choose to play a variety of VR games, including the popular zombie horror game “Dead by Daylight”.
Alaska cruises have been a popular vacation choice for years, but Royal Caribbean is taking things to the next level with its upcoming cruise launch to the state. This year, Royal Caribbean will unveil two new ships – the Independence of the Seas and the Legend of the Seas – as well as a new itinerary that will take cruisers to the fabled port of Seward.. Read more about alaska cruise season 2024 and let us know what you think.
“Baby, cruise ships are back!”
When Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas landed in Ketchikan on a test trip a week ago, Alaska Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer spoke those words. The Serenade will depart Seattle today with paying passengers, marking the first time a big ship has sailed the route in almost two years.
New York City’s Serenade of the Seas (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)
After the 2024 season was canceled owing to the worldwide pandemic and subsequent cruise industry closure, many analysts had already written off a second Alaska cruise season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations, as well as blocked ports in Canada, stood in the way of a 2024 season. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released recommendations for ships to resume sailing earlier this year, and federal lawmakers approved a bill temporarily removing the need for ships to make a foreign stop on Alaska cruises.
Nine big ships are presently planned to cruise in Alaska this year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), with 78 sailings booked until October 21.
READ MORE: The CDC’s Cruise Regulations Will Remain In Effect, Including In Florida, According To A Court Decision
That’s a drop in the bucket compared to a regular Alaska season, which sees around 40 ships and 600 sailings. In addition, most ships will be operating at half-capacity or less. But it’s better than nothing in a location where many small businesses rely on the ships and the people they transport.
At the ceremony greeting Serenade of the Seas, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski stated, “It feels wonderful to simply have a large ship returning, because we know that today’s visit is only the beginning.” “It’ll be a short season, but it’ll be a season,” he says.
Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska has a row of businesses (Photo courtesy of Holland America)
This is the first of many departures in the coming weeks. Among them are the following:
- The Celebrity Millennium is scheduled to leave Seattle on Friday, July 23. The ship will take passengers on seven-night excursions to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, as well as picturesque tours to Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier. This season’s last departure is on September 21.
- The following day, Saturday, July 24, the Nieuw Amsterdam of Holland America Line will depart Seattle on the first of a series of seven-night excursions to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point, as well as beautiful sailing in Glacier Bay National Park and Stephens Passage. The season’s last departure occurs on September 25.
- The Majestic Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, will be the next in line, beginning weekly Sunday sailings from Seattle on July 25 and ending on September 21. A seven-night itinerary will include stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as beautiful sailing in Glacier Bay National Park.
- Carnival will return to Alaska on Tuesday, July 27, when the Carnival Miracle departs Seattle on the first in a series of seven-night excursions that will take passengers to Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as the Tracy Arm Fjord’s breathtaking beauty. The season’s last cruise is an eight-night voyage that includes a stop at Icy Strait Point.
- Silversea Trips, a premium cruise line, will begin offering 10- and 11-night Alaska cruises onboard Silver Muse on Thursday, July 29. Stops will be made at Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Skagway, and Sitka, as well as beautiful sailing on Sawyer and Mendenhall glaciers.
- From August 7 through October 9, Norwegian Encore will leave Seattle on Sundays with two distinct seven-night itineraries. Ketchikan, Juneau, and Icy Strait Point will be visited, as well as beautiful cruise in Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier. The second will stop in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, as well as cruise through Glacier Bay National Park.
- On August 13, Ovation of the Seas will join Serenade as the second Royal Caribbean ship to sail to Alaska this year, after Serenade. Ovation will provide seven-night excursions to Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point, as well as beautiful sailing at Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier, with the season’s last departure scheduled for September 10.
READ NEXT: On November 1, Canada will lift its cruise ship ban.
We’re celebrating the start of Royal Caribbean’s 12th sailing season in the western hemisphere by kicking off our coverage with a first look at our first new ship of 2024: the Serenade of the Seas. At 1,817 feet (539 meters) long, the Serenade is the largest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, but you’d never know it from the impression she makes as she approaches the dock.. Read more about will cruise ships sail to alaska in 2024 and let us know what you think.
Royal Caribbean is not sailing to Alaska in 2024."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Will there be Alaska cruises in 2024?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
I am not able to answer this question."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How many Royal Caribbean ships will be sailing to Alaska in the summer of 2024?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
There are currently no Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in the summer of 2024."}}]}
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Royal Caribbean sailing to Alaska 2024?
Royal Caribbean is not sailing to Alaska in 2024.
Will there be Alaska cruises in 2024?
I am not able to answer this question.
How many Royal Caribbean ships will be sailing to Alaska in the summer of 2024?
There are currently no Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in the summer of 2024.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- alaska cruise season 2024
- alaska cruises cancelled 2024
- alaska cruise news 2024
- cruise outlook for 2024
- alaska cruise bill 2024
