Cunard to return to Alaska after 20-year absence

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Cunard is set to return to Alaska for the first time in more than two decades next year.

Queen Elizabeth will begin its voyage from Yokohama, Japan, on May 5, 2019, to Alaska where it will remain through June for its first season.

The 2,092-capacity vessel will offer four 10-night roundtrip Vancouver sailings throughout May and June 2019.

After completing its four voyages, the ship will sail down the west coast of the United States through the Panama Canal to New York before going on to Iceland and the UK.

Itineraries feature scenic cruising through the dramatic waterways of the famous Inside Passage as well as full days in several of the region’s highlight ports to discover the history and culture of the area.

Guests will experience the gold rush spirit of Skagway and Juneau, the native tribes of Ketchikan and the Russian charm of Sitka.

Angus Struthers, Cunard’s vice-president marketing, said: “We’re thrilled to make our return to Alaska, one of the world’s must-see destinations.

“As the majestic Queen Elizabeth undertakes her first season there, our guests can explore the region with highlights including the natural wonders of Tracy Arm Fjord and the Hubbard Glacier.”

Guests can enjoy a Britannia Balcony Stateroom booked with a Cunard Fare from £5,449 per person.

Cunard announces Alaska return for first time in over 20 years

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A visit to Alaska has been added by Cunard in 2019 for the first time in more than 20 years.

Queen Victoria will operate the only full world cruise in 2019, leaving flagship Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth with “greater flexibility” to travel to a mixture of destinations and itineraries, the line said.

Queen Elizabeth will run its first Alaskan cruise, crossing the north Pacific and Gulf of Alaska en route to Vancouver.

This will be the first time that any of the line’s current fleet will have travelled to Alaska.

The largest US state is featured in a newly released January to May 2019 ‘Oceans of Discovery’ programme, which includes 21 maiden calls and new destinations including Boracay in the Philippines, Akita in Japan and Goa in India.

Queen Victoria, which will undergo a refit in June, is to run a 107-night world voyage in 2019 on a western circumnavigation via the Panama Canal.

Passengers can travel on sections of lone world cruise which sees the ship end up sailing the Indian Ocean to South Africa before returning to Southampton.

Queen Mary 2’s winter 2019 deployment features ex-UK departures through the Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean to Far East and back.

The journeys range from one to three weeks in duration but can be combined through to a full 94-day voyage.

Queen Elizabeth will run 41 cruise combinations ranging from two to 38 nights.

The line’s three ships will call at 49 countries and 109 destinations in the first five months of 2019.

Ten destinations being re-introduced include Beijing, Picton in New Zealand, Abu Dhabi and Chennai.

Sales vice president, Alex White, said: “It’s an exciting time for Cunard, with a 2019 programme that offers more choice, more variety and more destinations for our guests than ever before.

“Whether you want to fly and cruise, or depart from the UK, we have a blend of iconic, world-class cities and delightful destinations with cruises that cover two to 107 nights.

“Our itineraries have been designed to offer enriching days in port as well as plenty of time on board for our guests to relax and enjoy the luxury of time, space and all that our ships have to offer.”

Seabourn to sail Alaska cruises

Seabourn said it will cruise in Alaska in the summer of 2017, its first time in that market in 15 years.

The Seabourn Sojourn will offer 11-, 12- and 14-day itineraries sailing from Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.

In addition to popular stops, Seabourn said ships will visit hidden gems of the Inside Passage that larger ships can’t access.

While there, guests can take advantage of Ventures by Seabourn, an optional program of Zodiac and kayak excursions led by the Seabourn Sojourn’s expedition team of naturalists, science, wildlife and historical experts.

Alaska prices start at $7,999 per person, Seabourn said.