MSC Cruises will sail to Alaska for the first time in May 2026, launching a season of seven‑night roundtrip voyages from Seattle aboard MSC Poesia. These itineraries combine classic ports like Ketchikan, Juneau and Victoria with scenic cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord and a full day at Icy Strait Point, giving guests glacier views, wildlife encounters and Indigenous culture in one week‑long journey.
MSC Poesia’s 7‑Night Alaska Route from Seattle
Throughout summer 2026, MSC Poesia will homeport in Seattle and operate weekly seven‑night cruises that call at Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Juneau in Alaska, plus Victoria in British Columbia. The ship will also sail through Tracy Arm Fjord, so guests can watch towering cliffs, waterfalls and the blue ice of Sawyer Glacier from their balcony or up on deck.
MSC describes Poesia as a mid‑sized ship well suited to the Inside Passage, with a high proportion of balcony cabins and, following a 2026 refit, an all‑new MSC Yacht Club suite complex for guests seeking a more exclusive onboard experience.
Ketchikan: Totems, Misty Fjords and Wildlife
Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”, also serves as a gateway to Alaska Native culture and the rainforest‑lined Inside Passage. Guests can:
- Visit Totem Bight Historical Park to see restored totem poles and a traditional Tlingit clan house, learning about the artistry and stories carved into each pole.
- Join a Misty Fjords flightseeing excursion by seaplane for aerial views of sheer granite walls, hidden lakes and forested inlets inside Misty Fjords National Monument.
- Board the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour to watch working crew haul up pots with crabs, octopus and prawns while sharing first‑hand stories from the Bering Sea.
- Explore the Rainforest Sanctuary & Totem Park near Herring Cove on an eco‑walk through Tongass National Forest, with the chance to see bald eagles, black bears, seals and a variety of birdlife.
Icy Strait Point: Whales, Brown Bears and Sky‑High Views
At Icy Strait Point, a locally owned destination near the Tlingit community of Hoonah, the focus is on wild Alaska rather than urban sights. MSC’s sample excursions here include:
- Whales, Wildlife and Bear Search – a boat tour of Point Adolphus, famous for humpback whales, sea lions and porpoises, followed by a guided search on Chichagof Island, which has one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world.
- Mountaintop Forest Excursion – a gondola ride from the waterfront up more than 1,500 feet to Sky Peak for 360‑degree views over islands and mountains, then an open‑air safari bus journey through old‑growth forest along ridgelines and valleys.
These experiences are designed to deliver the “Alaska wilderness” feeling while still being accessible on a one‑day port call.
Tracy Arm Fjord: Scenic Cruising to Sawyer Glacier
On select days, MSC Poesia will sail through Tracy Arm Fjord, one of Southeast Alaska’s most dramatic glacier‑carved channels. Guests can line the rails or watch from their balcony as the ship passes steep granite walls draped with waterfalls, floating ice and dense forest, culminating in views of South Sawyer Glacier, where blue ice cliffs calve into the water. This scenic segment is often a highlight for photographers and those who prefer to experience Alaska’s landscapes from the comfort of the ship.
Juneau: Glaciers, Dogsledding and Evening Whale Watching
Alaska’s capital, Juneau, offers a blend of frontier charm, Indigenous heritage and easy access to glaciers and marine life. Highlight excursions for MSC guests include:
- Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter – a helicopter flight over the Juneau Icefield to a remote dog camp on Mendenhall Glacier, where professional mushers and Alaskan huskies take guests on a dogsled ride across the snow.
- Alaska Culinary Experience and Evening Whale Quest – an evening catamaran cruise featuring Alaska‑inspired appetisers while naturalists point out humpback whales and explain local geography, with sunset views over surrounding peaks.
Other options include visits to Whale Park, hiking in the Mendenhall Valley and independent exploration of Juneau’s compact downtown.
Victoria, British Columbia: Gardens, Harbour Lights and E‑Bike Touring
On the return leg to Seattle, MSC Poesia calls at Victoria on Vancouver Island, known for its walkable Inner Harbour, British‑influenced architecture and manicured gardens. Excursions here include:
- Evening Butchart Gardens Experience and Sightseeing Tour – a twilight visit to the famed Butchart Gardens, when paths and ponds are softly illuminated and the atmosphere turns almost storybook, followed by a drive past the Fairmont Empress Hotel and BC Legislative Buildings around Inner Harbour.
- Protectours: Discover Victoria by E‑Bike – a low‑impact shore tour aligned with MSC’s Protectours program, cycling from the harbour and Chinatown to the Johnson Street Bridge and Songhees waterway to showcase coastal views, historic neighbourhoods and city parks in a more sustainable way.
Booking MSC’s First Alaska Cruises
MSC Poesia’s 2026 Alaska season runs from May through September, with multiple seven‑night departures now on sale. Guests can choose from a variety of dates and cabin types, including a large selection of balcony cabins and, after the ship’s refit, the new MSC Yacht Club for those seeking a more private, suite‑style experience.
For full itinerary details, dates and pricing, travellers can visit MSC’s dedicated Alaska destination page or speak with a cruise specialist familiar with Alaska’s short summer season and optimal months for wildlife and glacier viewing.
