Royal Caribbean International this week announced travelers can set course for Alaska on their choice of four cruise ships in summer 2023. Three returning favorites, including Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas, will be joined by Enchantment of the Seas to offer families and all travelers a variety of ways to experience Alaska and its glaciers, wildlife, and small towns. Now open to book, the new lineup of seven-night cruises will sail from Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward, Alaska between May and September 2023.
After summer 2022, Royal Caribbean’s biggest Alaska season yet, the cruise line’s return in 2023 will be its second consecutive year with four ships in the region. Both Ovation and Quantum will deliver cruise adventures against the backdrop of Alaska’s picturesque landscapes for the second consecutive summer, sailing from Seattle. Whether from North Star world-record holder as the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship or the RipCord by iFly skydiving experience, guests will have panoramic views of the scenic fjords, sweeping mountains, and pristine wilderness.
On Ovation’s cruises, departing on Fridays, travelers can discover the best of Alaska from one charming town to the next. Extended stays also offer adventure seekers more time to explore in Skagway, where you can retrace the steps of the historic Klondike Gold Rush and visit a restored 19th-century railroad depot; as well as the state capital of Juneau, which offers dogsledding across Mendenhall Glacier and explorations of centuries-old mining trails. In addition, cruisers can head to a road less traveled at Ward Cove near Ketchikan where they can take in the scenery along the Tongass Narrows and such wildlife as sea lions, bald eagles, and porpoises.
Departing on Mondays, Quantum’s itineraries will bring travelers up close to the massive Dawes Glacier after sailing through Endicott Arm, along with visits to four coastal communities, including Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, B.C. When heading ashore, travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture while at destinations like Sitka and Icy Strait Point, home to the rich history of the Tlingit, and engage in such activities as kayak island-hopping, whale watching and fishing.
In between exploring these destinations, guests can enjoy memorable Royal Caribbean experiences aboard both ships. Guests can enjoy the FlowRider surf simulator, the rock climbing wall, and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity complex at sea—which features bumper cars, a full-size basketball court, roller-skating rink and more. To wind things down after a full day exploring Alaska, cruisers can enjoy Vitality Spa and the indoor or outdoor pools that double as front-row seats to see the spectacular Alaska views. Guests can also dine at such restaurants as American steakhouse Chops Grille, the Asian-inspired Izumi or Jamie’s Italian, before catching the cruise line’s original entertainment productions.
Radiance of the Seas will once again sail alternating southbound and northbound itineraries that depart from Seward and Vancouver. Guests will have the opportunity to discover the region’s magnificent landscapes firsthand when visiting Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Skagway, and as they sail the Inside Passage and by Hubbard Glacier.
Radiance also features a 40-foot-tall rock climbing wall, poolside movie nights under the stars and guest-favorite dining venues like Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi. Plus, on deck are endless views through expansive ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Enchantment of the Seas also makes its way to the Pacific coast for its debut Alaska season, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver. Cruisers can see Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm fjord, as well as such as Haines, Ketchikan (the gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes), Skagway and Juneau.
Experiences run the gamut from dogsledding in Skagway, alpine off-roading with an all-terrain vehicle, canoeing, kayaking and soaring to new heights on a helicopter ride for a bird’s-eye view of the mountains and glaciers.
Beyond Alaska, Ovation, Quantum and Radiance of the Seas will head to the islands of Hawaii, where guests can discover rainforests, waterfalls and beaches. On the way to Alaska, Ovation and Quantum will offer a nine- and 10-night sailing, respectively, that starts with island hopping from Oahu, Kailua-Kona and overnight in Maui for two full days of adventure. In October 2023, Ovation will offer a nine-night cruise from the Pacific Northwest to Hawaii, complete with three island visits and overnight in Maui. Sailing from Honolulu to Vancouver, Radiance will feature an 11-night cruise beginning with an overnight in Oahu and then continuing with visits to Maui and both the leeward and windward coasts of the Big Island, before crossing the Pacific Ocean.
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