Alaska cruises in 2026 all depart from Seattle. The city is known for its coffee culture, grunge music, the tech industry and, of course, the iconic Space Needle. With so much to discover, it's a great place to start your trip. MSC's Alaska cruises from Seattle then head north, stopping at five ports along the way. Juneau is a buzzing tourist centre, with restaurants, breweries and access to wildlife via whale watching tours and the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. Tracy Arm fjord and Icy Strait Point offer breathtaking scenery, Ketchikan is known for nature and Native Alaskan totem poles, while Sitka is the spot to peruse historic architecture.
MSC Cruises Overview
An Alaska cruise is the best way to explore the wilderness of this northernmost U.S. state. Sail through the breathtaking Inside Passage, a 500-mile stretch of waterways carved by glaciers millions of years ago. Along the way, take in sweeping views of picturesque fjords, the expansive Tongass National Forest, and over 1,000 islands.
MSC Cruise Ships in Alaska
On an Alaska cruise from Seattle, you'll discover these natural wonders both from the ship and on planned excursions. Sail past Tracy Arm Fjord, where you'll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery- towering green cliffs, snow-covered mountains, and icebergs gently floating by.
- MSC Poesia: MSC Poesia is an innovative cruise ship with an elegant style that brings traditional craftsmanship to creative designs. Step aboard and you'll enter a refined world of comfort. Whether your reason for being on board is a family holiday, a luxury treat or a romantic escape, MSC Poesia is a ship that offers a truly inspiring cruise experience.
Accommodations on MSC Alaska Cruises
A variety of accommodation options are available onboard to suit every need. Guests can choose from luxurious suites in the MSC Yacht Club, Balcony Staterooms, Staterooms overlooking the World Promenade, or Infinite Ocean View Staterooms with sliding windows.
- Suites: Step into your luxurious stateroom, where comfort meets sophistication. Enjoy a spacious sitting area complete with a cozy sofa, or choose a separate living area to unwind in style. Rest easy in the comfortable double or single beds, tailored to your preference. Indulge in the convenience of a walk-in wardrobe and a well-appointed bathroom featuring a refreshing shower or a relaxing bathtub. Your vanity area is equipped with a hairdryer for effortless grooming. Stay connected with the interactive TV and telephone, and while Wifi is available for a fee, you can always secure your valuables in the safe and enjoy a refreshing drink from the minibar.
- Balcony: Spacious stateroom, designed for relaxation and comfort. Enjoy a cozy sitting area with a plush sofa, perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure. Refresh in your modern bathroom featuring a shower and a convenient vanity area complete with a hairdryer. Choose between comfortable double or single beds. Stay connected with the interactive TV and telephone, and for a small fee, enjoy seamless Wi-Fi access throughout your stay. Your stateroom also includes a safe for your valuables and a minibar stocked with refreshments.
- Oceanview: Escape to your personal oasis with the beautifully appointed stateroom featuring stunning sea views. Relax in a cozy armchair while enjoying the tranquil sights and sounds of the ocean. Your private bathroom is equipped with a refreshing shower and a convenient vanity area complete with a hairdryer, ensuring all your needs are met. Choose between a comfortable double or single bed, tailored to your preferences (available upon request). Stay connected with the interactive TV, or unwind with a call using the telephone. For those who wish to browse the web, Wi-Fi is available for a fee. Your stateroom also includes a safe for your valuables and a minibar for your favorite refreshments.
- Interior: Step into the inviting interior stateroom, designed for ultimate relaxation. Sink into the plush armchair after a day of adventure, or unwind in your private bathroom, complete with a rejuvenating shower, a stylish vanity area, and a convenient hairdryer. Choose between a cozy double bed or a flexible single bed (available upon request) for the perfect night's sleep. Stay connected with the interactive TV and telephone, and enjoy the option of Wi-Fi (for a fee) to share your journey with loved ones. For your convenience, each stateroom is equipped with a safe to protect your valuables and a minibar stocked with refreshments.
Shore Excursions on MSC Alaskan Cruises
On an Alaska cruise from Seattle, you'll discover these natural wonders both from the ship and on planned excursions. Sail past Tracy Arm Fjord, where you'll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery- towering green cliffs, snow-covered mountains, and icebergs gently floating by. But Alaska vacations offer more than just natural beauty. Dive into the fascinating history of the Gold Rush and explore the cultural heritage of Alaska Native peoples. As you sail the Inside Passage, stop in towns like Ketchikan for a glimpse into their rich and storied past. Some of the shore excursions MSC in Alaska include:
- Get Up Close. Majestic Brown Bears: This immense state has one of the highest populations of Brown Bear in North America, estimated at around 30,000. As luck would have it, there are plenty of places to seek out this famous species of brown bear, especially as they love Alaska's coastal areas. Icy Strait Point on Chichag of Island, for example, is a popular place for Brown Bear sightings, as is the beautiful Tracy Arm fjord. The good news is that with so many of these mighty and magnificent creatures living around the state, your chances of seeing one during an Alaskan holiday are surprisingly high.
- Cultural Carving. Exploring Alaska Native Totems: As you journey through the coastal areas of Alaska, you'll likely notice the presence of towering totem poles. These colourful monuments, carved out of western red cedar logs, were created by the Indigenous Haida, Tsimshian and Tlingit tribes to commemorate the stories of the Alaska Native peoples. The Mosquito Legend Pole in Sitka, for example, tells the Tlingit legend of Gooteekhl, which explains the origin of mosquitoes. Ketchikan's Totem Bight State Park is a great place to see them in all their regal glory during your Alaska cruise. Certainly give yourself enough time to stop off at the Totem Heritage Center for an in-depth exploration of their significance and, not least, to see the incredible crafts of the Indigenous peoples of this land.
- Juneau, Alaska. Whale Watching, Gold Mines and Glaciers: As Alaska's capital city, there are myriad things to do in and around Juneau. Explore its historic streets on foot, learn about its storied past at the Alaska State Museum, or enjoy a hearty meal with a view at one of the many waterfront restaurants. Make sure to visit locally famous Red Dog Saloon during one of the Alaska cruises and take in this storied venue's Gold Rush history and eclectic memorabilia that lines its walls. The best thing about Juneau, though, has to be its unrivalled natural beauty and wildlife. Spot humpback whales in its nutrient-rich channels, go hiking up Mount Roberts or Mount Juneau, or explore some of the many glaciers at the sprawling 3,000-year-old Juneau Icefield - the most popular of which is, without doubt, Mendenhall Glacier. You can even combine history and nature by heading into the lush rainforest on a Gold Rush tour.
Dining & Drinks on MSC Alaska Cruises
The ship offers a wide variety of dining options, with 13 different restaurants to choose from. There are 6 specialty restaurants, including a classic American steakhouse, an Asian-inspired teppanyaki grill and sushi bar, and a Latin American street food-inspired cantina. There are also 3 ample buffets, each with its own distinct ambiance, as well as the ship's main restaurants. As well as a wide variety of 20 bars, lounges, and cafes to match any mood include the Masters of the Sea Pub, which is split across two decks. Other concepts include the Elixir - Mixology Bar with elaborate signature cocktails, an authentic Emporium coffee bar with selections from around the world, a widely stocked The Gin Project inspired by a real distillery, a zesty juice bar serving fresh ingredients, a gelateria with a multitude of flavors to tempt your sweet-tooth, and many more!
- Casual Dining: Indulge your taste buds at the vibrant buffet, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks! Delight in a diverse array of cuisines, ensuring there's something for everyone. Whether you're craving a hearty breakfast to kickstart your day, a leisurely lunch, or a delectable dinner, the selection is sure to satisfy.
- Specialty Dining: Elevate your dining experience aboard the ship with a selection of exquisite specialty restaurants. Savor authentic Italian flavors at II Palladio, indulge in a feast of international delights at Le Fontane, and delight in the fresh, vibrant tastes of the Kaito Sushi Bar, where traditional Japanese cuisine comes to life.
- Dine In: The ship offers 24-hour room service with continental breakfast, soups, salads, and light snacks for lunch and dinner. Guests can also request an e-dinner to be delivered to their cabin.
- Bars & Lounges: Sip on carefully curated wines at the sophisticated Grappolo d'Oro wine-tasting bar, or indulge in the vibrant atmosphere of the Mojito cocktail bar, where expert mixologists craft refreshing cocktails to perfection.
Beverage Packages
MSC has created an array of great-value drink packages and cabin treatments to offer you the choice of refreshment that most appeals to you, from soft drinks to fine wines, premium beers and much more! The all-inclusive cruise options and rich drink packages give you carte blanche to quench your thirst whenever you like and can be combined with a huge selection of cruise holidays.
- Easy Package: Includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, such as cocktails, spirits, house wines, Heineken, soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water, and hot drinks. This package is available in the bars, main restaurant, buffet, and on Ocean Cay, but not in specialty restaurants or signature venues.
- Premium Extra Package: Includes a wide selection of cocktails, premium spirits, liquors, cordials, wines, champagnes, beers, sodas, fruit juices, mineral water, energy drinks, coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and teas. This package is available in the bars, buffet, main and specialty restaurants, and on private islands.
- Alcoholic Free Package: Includes non-alcoholic cocktails, fresh fruit and protein cocktails, energy drinks, flavored water, soda by glass and bottle, a wide range of hot drinks, and soft serve ice cream. This package is available in the bars, self-service buffet, main restaurant, and on private islands.
MSC Cruises offers a Minors Package for underage guests traveling with adults who have purchased a beverage package that includes non-alcoholic cocktails, fresh fruit and protein cocktails, energy drinks, flavored water, sodas, hot drinks, and soft-serve ice cream.
Activities on MSC Alaska Cruises
There's something happening around every corner; luckily, you have a whole cruise of days and nights to experience it all. It doesn't matter the moment, something will get you entertained. Dance, watch a movie, go to a show, and have a good moment with your friends and family.
- Calabranca Pool Area: Boasting elegant pools and enticing play areas for kids, as well as a lavish spa, plush theatre, glamorous casino, panoramic disco and more.
- Palm Beach Casino: It offers a wide variety of games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, and more.
- Covent Garden Theatre: You'd normally have to travel to New York to see top-end shows, but thanks to the Broadway-style theatres you can enjoy superlative entertainment with an international line-up of artists without having to leave the ship. Take your pick from a fabulous programme, there's sure to be a show you love.
Children's Programs on MSC Alaska Cruises
Every MSC Cruise is full of fun and discovery for kids of every age, starting with all the activities organised just for them and included in your fare. With a packed program of sports, games, competitions, parties and more, your children will enjoy endless discoveries with their new friends. Children can discover a world of their own thanks to 5 dedicated clubs for ages ranging from 0 to 17 years old, where they are looked after by the trained, multilingual personnel, certified for safeguarding children.
- Baby Club: You can leave your toddlers with the MSC Babycare staff, or stay with them and enjoy the special Chicco toys and games. They'll love the music and rhythm activities, designed to awaken their curiosity. MSC Cruises offers two services to all parents of babies under 3 years old.
- MSC Baby Time: is the service that allows parents to enter the baby club and play with their children at specific time slots each day - Babies with parents under 3 years old, no limitations.
- MSC Baby Care: is the service that allows parents to leave their baby with the youth staff in determined time slots each day and in the meantime enjoy on-board services and relaxation. Both services are free of charge and allow a maximum of 15 babies to enter the Baby Club at the same time - Babies with youth staff from 6 months to 3 years old.
- Mini Club: The Mini Club welcomes children aged between 3 and 6 years old, bringing them new friends and lots of fun, enriched by the stimulating toys of MSC's partnership with LEGO. The club offers games, events and activities like Arts & Crafts to free their imagination and make every day special. And the whole family is invited to the Doremi Family Disco!
- Junior Club: The Junior Club inspires connection and cooperation among 7 to 11-year-olds, through a wide variety of activities. Highlights range from Masterchef at Sea Juniors and Dorebro Sport competitions to the Fire & Ice live video game. Do you like acting, dancing or singing? Enjoy the thrill of filming with the Kelly & Kloe On Board Green Screen Experience!
- Young Club: With the Young Club, kids from 12 to 14 years old can dive into a world of discovery, involvement and interaction. Each day holds the promise of new experiences, with a dedicated programme of sport tournaments, hi-tech games and lots of other fun activities. And of course, every day also brings opportunities to make new friends.
- Teen Club: Teenagers aged from 15 to 17 years old can look forward to having the time of their lives on board. Teen Club activities range from sports and competitions, dance contests and social network games to Wii, Xbox and PS4 tournaments.
MSC Alaska Cruise Past Guests
Being an MSC Voyagers Club member means entering a world of privileges that will continue to grow the more you cruise with MSC. This is MSC's way of saying thank you to loyal guests who share their passion for discovery and keep joining MSC, year after year. Register and you will receive exclusive privileges, including a 5% discount on your cruise fare.
- Classic: 1 - 2,199 points
- Silver: 2,200 - 4,299 points
- Gold: 4,300 - 9,999 points
- Diamond: 10,000+ points
Accessibility on MSC Alaska Cruises
All decks, public areas and tenders are designed to be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. Some ports or tender services may not be accessible with a mobility device. In addition, there are varying numbers of specially fitted-out cabins available on each ship in the fleet. For safety reasons, guests requiring assistance may be requested to travel with a carer. Wheelchairs are available on board for guests to use during embarkation, disembarkation, and emergencies only. Guests that require constant use of a wheelchair or any other form of support must bring their own equipment with them. It is the responsibility of the guest to check with the relevant producers/suppliers that this equipment is safe to take on board and use on a cruise ship, and to organize both its delivery to the departure terminal in good time for embarkation, and its collection at the end of the cruise.
