Norwegian Cruise Line latest to announce Alaskan cruise itineraries for summer

Norwegian Cruise Line is sending Norwegian Bliss back to Alaska for the summer cruise season, joining five other cruise lines that have announced Alaska itineraries.

Norwegian Bliss will cruise Alaska out of Seattle from August, after Norwegian Cruise Line said it expects to receive a Conditional Sailing Certificate from the CDC within days.

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All guests will be required to have been fully vaccinated, and all crew will be fully vaccinated as well, the cruise line said. Norwegian Bliss will also operate in-line with the company’s SailSAFE health and safety program.

“We are thrilled to reach the next milestone in our Great Cruise Comeback with the expected resumption of cruising in the U.S. starting in Alaska, one of our guests’ most popular destinations,” said Frank Del Rio, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, NCL’s parent company.

“This is a moment we have all been waiting for and it would not have been possible without the strong support of the Alaska congressional delegation who worked tirelessly to pass legislation that temporarily waives certain requirements of the Passenger Vessel Services Act,” he added.

Norwegian Bliss will embark on her first voyage on August 7th, 2021 from Seattle. She will sail week-long cruises visiting Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska until October 16th, 2021.

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On select sailings, guests will also have the chance to take in the serene views of Glacier Bay National Park or the Holkham Bay Glacier Fjord.

“Seattle has always been our second home, and we are beyond excited to return to this incredible homeport and to once again bring our guests to Alaska,” said Harry Sommer, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Twenty-one years ago, we were the first to offer itineraries to Alaska from Seattle, and we continue to celebrate a strong relationship with our partners in this spectacular destination,” he added.

The announcement of Norwegian Bliss’ Alaskan cruise itineraries comes after Carnival Corporation announced the deployment of ships from three of its cruise lines in Alaska for the summer.

Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line will all be sailing from Seattle, while Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises has also announced plans to homeport in Seattle and cruise to Alaska during the coming season.