Tag Archives: Icy Strait Point

MSC Removes Visits to Tracy Arm Fjord in 2026

Posted on by
Reply

MSC Removes Visits to Tracy Arm Fjord in 2026

MSC Cruises is removing Tracy Arm Fjord from the itineraries of its inaugural season in Alaska, which is scheduled to start in May.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the MSC Poesia will now visit a different glacier in the region.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to proceed with the planned navigation around the Tracy Arm Fjord, as current ice conditions and geological instability prevent safe navigation in the area,” the company explained.

“Since your safety and comfort are our top priority … we are pleased to offer you an alternative and equally enriching experience: you will navigate around Endicott Arm, a beautiful nearby fjord renowned for its spectacular scenery,” MSC added.

According to the company’s revised itinerary, the MSC Poesia is also set to offer scenic cruising at Dawes Glacier.

“Although this change is due to reasons beyond our control, we sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may cause,” MSC added.

As part of MSC Cruises’ maiden season in the region, the MSC Poesia is scheduled to arrive in Seattle on May 11, 2026.

Sailing from its new summer homeport, the 2008-built vessel is poised to offer a series of seven-night cruises to destinations that include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Victoria.

The season runs through late September, when the ship is scheduled to embark on a repositioning cruise to Florida.

Joining MSC’s lineup in Miami, the MSC Poesia offers a series of ten- and 11-night cruises to the Southern, Western and Eastern Caribbean during the 2026-27 winter season.

In related news, Carnival Cruise Line also announced plans to remove visits to Tracy Arm Fjord from its itineraries for the upcoming summer.

With three ships sailing in the region, the company replaced the visits to the glacier with scenic cruising at Endicott Arm Fjord.

Posted on by
Reply

Disney Wonder Returns to Alaska for Summer Season

The Disney Wonder recently arrived back in Vancouver, Canada, to kick off its 2025 summer season in Alaska.

After completing a spring deployment on the West Coast, the 1999-built ship returned to its homeport in British Columbia on May 12, 2025.

Sailing round-trip cruises from Canada Place, the Disney Wonder is now offering five- to nine-night cruises that visit Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

Some of the sailings also feature visits to additional ports, such as Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Victoria.

Upon completing its summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder is scheduled to return to the South Pacific for cruises in Australia.

Before arriving in Sydney in late October, the 1,750-guest ship offers repositioning cruises that sail to Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji and New Caledonia.

Disney Cruise Line’s summer deployment for 2025 also includes itineraries in Europe, North America and the Caribbean.

While the Disney Fantasy debuted in Europe earlier this month, four other ships are sailing from U.S. ports.

After entering service in late 2024, the Disney Treasure continues to offer a series of seven-night cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral.

The Disney Wish and the Disney Magic also operate out of Disney’s homeport near Orlando, while the Disney Dream offers short cruises from Fort Lauderdale.

Itineraries are highlighted by visits to the company’s private island destinations in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Disney is now getting ready to welcome two new ships to its fleet later this year, the Disney Destiny and the Disney Adventure.

Both new vessels are currently in the final stages of construction at shipyards in Germany.

While the Destiny is set to join the company’s fleet in the Caribbean, the Adventure marks the brand’s debut in Southeast Asia with cruises from Singapore.

Three New Cruise Lines to Alaska in 2026

Posted on by
Reply

Three cruise lines are adding cruises to Alaska to their schedule in the summer of 2026: Azamara, MSC, and Virgin.

Returning to the destination after a seven-year hiatus, Azamara will offer a series of ten- to 13-night cruises in Alaska and Canada starting in May 2026.

Sailing in the region for the first time, the Azamara Pursuit will operate open-jaw itineraries that sail between Whittier and Vancouver.

According to Azamara, the voyages were created to prioritize unspoiled destinations, visiting locations such as Kodiak, Dutch Harbor and Icy Strait Point.

The deployment will also include excursions aimed at bringing guests closer to natural beauty, unparalleled wildlife and authentic culture, Azamara said.

MSC Cruises will debut for the first time in Alaska in 2026, with the MSC Poesia offering a series of seven-night cruises from Seattle.

The season runs from early May to late September and includes a regular itinerary that visits Ketchikan, Icy Strait Hoonah, Tracy Arm, Juneau and Victoria.

In a press release, MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said that the new operation in Alaska and Canada further expands the company’s global offerings by sailing to a must-see region.

Virgin Voyages is also debuting in Alaska in 2026 with the new Brilliant Lady. After entering service in late 2025, the ship is scheduled to spend its first summer season in the region.

From May to September, the Brilliant Lady offers 17 voyages to 12 destinations in Alaska, including Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

Ranging from seven to 12 nights, Virgin’s itineraries sail from Seattle and Vancouver and also include destinations in Canada, such as Prince Rupert and Victoria.

According to the company, the cruises will give guests opportunities to experience Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes while taking part in activities that include salmon fishing, glacier trekking, lumberjack shows and dog sledding.

As one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, Alaska accounted for nearly five per cent of the industry’s market share this year, according to data from the 2024 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.