Cunard will spend a full season in Alaska from June through to September in 2020 on the newly-refurbished Queen Elizabeth, marking the cruise line’s return to the region after a 20-year break.

The expanded cruise season for 2020 comes after the British luxury line announced a series of Alaskan voyages for May, 2019. The advance bookings and widespread interest generated by the announcement prompted the longer season.

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“We have had an incredible response to Cunard reinstating voyages to the beautiful Alaska frontier and are delighted to be offering more than double the number of Cunard sailings for 2020,” said Simon Palethorpe, President, Cunard.

“Guests will sail on the newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth visiting the most incredible landscapes and Alaskan towns, with longer time in port to enjoy these inspiring and breath-taking destinations,” he added.

This expanded programme will offer ten roundtrip voyages departing Vancouver, ranging from nine to twelve nights, plus a special cruise to San Francisco with an overnight stay on Independence Day.

Each Alaska voyage will feature port calls at destinations along the Northwest Pacific coast of Alaska and British Columbia including Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and more.

On each of these voyages, there will be more than 120 excursions to choose from amid scenic cruising in the narrow waterways of the Inside Passage, the Hubbard Glacier and Sawyer Glacier’s twin fjords, Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm.

Guests have the opportunity to combine voyages together, which include the Alaska roundtrips from Vancouver and the North Pacific Crossings to and from Tokyo.

The 2020 voyages include:

Alaska roundtrip from Vancouver, 10 nights from June 22-July 2

Independence Day Celebration, Vancouver to San Francisco with an overnight in port, 3 nights from July 2-5

San Francisco to Vancouver, 16 nights from July 5-21

Vancouver to Tokyo, 29 nights from August 29-September 27

Cruise & rail partnership

Cunard continues its partnership with Rocky Mountaineer, offering pre and post cruise tours on the famous railroad.

Tours include either three or five nights’ accommodation and two full days on board the train. The expedition travels through a spectacular array of scenery with glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, through winding river canyons, mountain passes and remarkable tunnels.

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Highlights include the Continental Divide, Kicking Horse Canyon, Spiral Tunnels and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon.

Guests will also be able to take advantage of the three-night pre-cruise tour Vancouver and Whistler Highlights, taking in the best of Vancouver including Grouse Mountain and Stanley Park, and a full day in Whistler and Shannon Falls via the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

Newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth

These itineraries will be sailed on-board Queen Elizabeth, the youngest ship in the Cunard fleet, which has just emerged from a bow-to-stern refurbishment.

Upgrades included a new spa concept: Mareel Wellness and Beauty, developed in partnership with industry innovator, Canyon Ranch.

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The new spa offers a holistic approach with a focus on the healing energy of the sea. The spa offers an extensive new treatment menu with mineral-rich seawater and marine-based experiences as well as a redesign of the entire spa facility.

In addition, many public spaces, bars and lounges have been updated and all Grill Suites and Britannia Staterooms have new carpets and soft furnishings.

The Royal Court Theatre had a complete technical overhaul; the Royal Arcade has been enhanced to offer an elevated shopping experience and the outdoor decks have new furniture with a new layout on the Sun Deck.