MSC CRUISES LAUNCHES CRUISES TO ALASKA – DEPARTING SEATTLE, FOR SUMMER 2026 SEASON

Geneva, Switzerland – October 28, 2024 – MSC Cruises announced today that it will offer sailings to Alaska for the very first time, with the new itineraries now open for booking.

MSC Poesia will homeport in Seattle, U.S., for the season and depart weekly on seven-night sailings to Alaska and Canada starting May 11, 2026.

Guests sailing to Alaska will be able to enjoy the region’s unrivalled beauty, breathtaking scenery magnificent wildlife as well as experiencing the rich Alaska Native cultural heritage, visiting a wide variety of the region’s most picturesque destinations including Ketchikan, Icy Strait Hoonah, Tracy Arm, Juneau (Alaska, U.S.) and Victoria (British Columbia, Canada).

Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises said: “MSC Cruises offers an unparalleled choice of destinations and embarkation ports in every corner of the world and by introducing sailings to Alaska we’re further extending our global offering and giving our guests the opportunity to experience this must-see region.
These new itineraries also see the introduction of a new homeport in the U.S., our fifth to-date. Seattle is the perfect location to depart for Alaska, with excellent international flight connections making it easily accessible to guests from around the world, in particular we know our European guests have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to sail to Alaska with MSC Cruises.
MSC Poesia will be dedicated to sailing itineraries from the U.S., spending summer ‘26 cruising to Alaska and then moving to Miami for the winter, meaning we’ll also be offering travellers the chance to experience two transiting cruises through the Panama Canal when the ship moves between the east and west coast.”

MSC Poesia is a mid-sized ship perfectly designed to explore the narrow channels of the Inside Passage and stunning glaciers up close. Her seven-night itineraries include calls to:

•    Icy Strait Point, Alaska – Alaska's first Indigenous-owned cruise destination is set amid more than 23,000 acres of private beach and temperate rainforest about a mile from Alaska’s largest Tlingit village, Hoonah. It features the largest zip line in the world, the most accessible coastal brown bear viewing platforms in Southeast Alaska, whale watching, fishing, local cultural dances and oral histories, cooking classes, kayaking and more. The facilities include a museum and locally owned retail shops in a restored 1912 salmon cannery, along with several restaurants offering local seafood, craft beer and more.

•    Juneau, Alaska – The state capital is only accessible by air or sea, which makes a cruise the perfect way to experience Juneau’s snow-capped mountains, historic landmarks and breathtaking views. The city was founded during a gold rush in 1880 and continues to invite visitors to try their hand at panning for gold. Right at the cruise port, the Goldbelt Tram rises 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts, offering the perfect vantage point for taking in the Chilkat Mountains, Douglas Island, the Gastineau Channel, and more.

•    Ketchikan, Alaska – The best fishing town in Alaska offers prime opportunities for catching or eating wild salmon, as well as spotting the abundant population of bald eagles. Historic Creek Street is lined with an eclectic mix of shops, featuring an abundance of local artists and craftspeople. Ketchikan is also known for its impressive displays of authentic totem poles dating back to the 19th century.

•    Tracy Arm, Alaska – The journey along Tracy Arm is every bit as amazing as the destination, with every hairpin turn along the way to the Sawyer Glaciers revealing something new. Entering the narrow fjord, guests will marvel at cliffs rising 3,000 feet along either side of the narrow and winding passage. Excitement builds as the ship passes waterfalls, roaming bears and a local seal colony. After 27 miles, a final turn reveals the intense blue colour of the Sawyer Glaciers towering above the waterline.

•    Victoria, British Columbia – The calm waters of the Salish Sea and the towering rainforests of Vancouver Island surround a city known for its British heritage, colorful gardens, and magnificent architecture such as striking architectural marvels like the famed Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel. Before entering the harbor, wildlife enthusiasts can look forward to spotting whales, porpoises, sea lions, seals and birds. Foodies will find nearly infinite choices with the highest concentration of restaurants anywhere in Canada. Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city—among the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest region.

Panama Canal Cruises
With sailings in this new region for MSC Cruises, it also opens up two truly unique “Grand Voyage” itineraries sailing through the iconic Panama Canal each side of the Alaska season – these rare sailings offer adventure-seeking travellers, culture lovers and history aficionados alike an extraordinary opportunity to embark on an unforgettable lifetime experience.  
Often hailed as one of the few human-made wonders best experienced by ship, guests will have the chance to see the “greatest engineering achievement of the century” from the comfort of the ship’s deck, while also being able to explore up to ten vibrant destinations between Seattle and Miami including sunny West Coast highlights like San Diego and Los Angeles, historic Colombian treasures in Cartagena, and the lush, exotic beauty of Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province.
The first Panama Canal “Grand Voyage” sailing is available to book now and departs from Miami on Thursday, 23 April 2026. More information on the second sailing departing Seattle to come soon.
Guests who wish to experience sailing across the Atlantic can also opt to book the Grand Voyage on MSC Poesia on her way to North America. Departing from Italy (Civitavecchia/Rome on 6 April 2026 and Genoa on 7 April 2026), Marseille in France and Barcelona in Spain calling Funchal (Maderira), Philipsburg (St Maarten) and Ocean Cay (The Bahamas) before reaching Miami (USA) on 22 April, 2026, where guests stay overnight on the ship to explore everything Miami has to offer.

A range of shore excursions will also be on offer to cater to the needs of every type of traveller, whether they are looking for adventure, culture, or culinary delights. From exploring remote wilderness on an ATV expedition, riding the world’s largest zipline or gliding through the serene waters on a whale watching vessel, shore excursions are designed to showcase the state’s breathtaking landscapes, rich heritage, and exceptional wildlife encounters.