MSC Cruises outlines itinerary details ahead of inaugural Alaska season

MSC Cruises has shared details of its first Alaska deployment, ahead of the launch of sailings from Seattle in May 2026.

The cruise line will operate a series of seven-night itineraries aboard MSC Poesia, marking its debut season in the region.

The itineraries will include calls at Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau, along with a visit to Victoria in Canada, as well as a scenic passage through Tracy Arm Fjord, where the ship will navigate close to glaciers and coastal landscapes characteristic of southeastern Alaska.

MSC Cruises said the itineraries are designed to combine port visits with scenic cruising, offering guests time ashore as well as opportunities to observe Alaska’s geography from the ship.

Tracy Arm Fjord will be transited during daylight hours to allow views of glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife from onboard decks and balconies.

In Ketchikan, excursions will focus on the area’s maritime history, Indigenous heritage, and surrounding natural environment.

Options highlighted by the cruise line include visits to Totem Bight Historical Park, excursions into the Misty Fjords National Monument, and guided experiences in the Tongass National Forest. Other activities offered include flightseeing over the fjords by seaplane and boat-based tours led by fishermen from the Bering Sea crab industry.

At Icy Strait Point, shore programmes will centre on wildlife viewing and access to remote landscapes. Excursions include marine wildlife searches in the waters near Point Adolphus, an area known for whale activity, as well as inland exploration on Chichagof Island, which is home to a large population of coastal brown bears.

Guests will also have access to a gondola system that ascends to Sky Peak, followed by guided travel through old-growth forest areas.

The call at Juneau will offer a mix of cultural and nature-based excursions. According to MSC Cruises, these include helicopter transfers to the Mendenhall Glacier for dog sledding experiences, as well as evening wildlife cruises combining regional food tastings with guided commentary.

Land-based options include visits to Mendenhall Valley and coastal parks close to the city.

The final port of call, Victoria, will be scheduled as an evening visit, with excursions ranging from guided sightseeing tours of the Inner Harbour and Market Square to visits to The Butchart Gardens. Other options include guided cycling tours using electric bikes, covering neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, the Johnson Street Bridge area, and the Songhees waterfront.

MSC Poesia will operate the Alaska itineraries roundtrip from Seattle throughout the summer 2026 season, marking a major North American expansion for MSC Cruises, which has until now focused on the Caribbean in the US market.