This Iconic Cruise Company Is Launching Its First-ever Alaska Itinerary

Even people who don’t like cruises can get behind cruising to Alaska. It is the best way to navigate the glacier-carved islands of the Inside Passage or see the mountains that rise straight out of the sea. It also increases your chances of seeing some of Alaska’s most renowned wildlife — from whales to salmon runs.

For the first time, MSC Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise line, is adding itineraries to Alaska with weekly sailings out of Seattle. The inaugural sailing of the route will embark on May 11, 2026.

“Guests from all over the world tell us they want to see Alaska’s beauty firsthand, which makes these itineraries the perfect addition to MSC Cruises’ global portfolio of bucket-list destinations. Seattle will be our fifth U.S. homeport, bringing our signature mix of European style and American comforts to the West Coast as we continue to expand our offerings in the North American market,” Lynn Torrent, EVP and chief commercial officer for MSC Cruises USA, said in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure.

MSC Cruises’ new Alaska itinerary is a seven-night trip on the MSC Poesia, a mid-sized ship that can better navigate the Inside Passage’s narrow channels and get cruise ship travelers closer to Alaska’s glaciers. 

During the trip, guests can experience and visit some of the journey’s most iconic sights, including the 23,000 acres of private beach and rainforest found at the Indigenous-owned Icy Point Straight and the bald eagles and wild salmon in Ketchikan. The ship will journey along Tracy Arm to the Sawyer Glacier, dipping in and out of narrow fjords and passing waterfalls, a seal colony, and roaming wild bears. Whales and porpoises are often spotted in the Salish Sea surrounding Vancouver Island.

At these locations and others, guests can disembark the ship for on-the-ground fun, including ATV expeditions into the wilderness, whale-watching tours, and a turn on the world’s largest zipline.

MSC Cruises’ new Alaska cruise will depart Seattle weekly between May and September 2026. Rates start at $719 per person. 

The announcement of MSC’s new Alaska itineraries also provides travelers with another exciting cruise opportunity. Ahead of the inaugural May 11, 2026 cruise to Alaska, the MSC Poesia will journey to Seattle from Miami via the Panama Canal, allowing cruisers to transit through the iconic canal. The trip will depart Miami for Seattle on April 23, 2026. Rates start at $1,498, per person.

The new Alaska and Panama Canal trips mark MSC Cruises’ expanded presence in North America. The company, headquartered in Geneva, is a market leader in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Southern Africa.