Ships and sailings to know: Royal Caribbean’s nearly 4,000-passenger ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas—two of four Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska in 2025—thrill families via free-fall skydiving, outdoor movies, and escape room games. Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruises run from 5-7 nights, May to September 2025.
Viking: Kenai Fjords National Park by Boat
Many cruises begin or end in Seward, Alaska, but Viking’s sailings overnight at the port there, giving passengers the chance to really explore this unmissable port town. The full day boat trip to Kenai Fjords National Park is unforgettable, offering both glaciers and abundant wildlife in the National Park. Float past frolicking sea otters and harbor seals, as well as colonies of sea lions. Keep an eye out for pods of whales, orcas, and porpoises. On shore, passengers may spot moose, brown or black bears, lynx, mountain goats, or moose, among other species. In the sky, there are abundant sea birds—191 species have been documented since the park was designated in 1980.
Ships and sailings to know: Viking’s adults-only 930-passenger Viking Orion and Viking Venus sail on 11-day itineraries from May to September 2025, between Seward, Alaska, and Vancouver. Viking fares include amenities like eminently hygge king-bed accommodations, spacious baths equipped with heated floors and anti-fog mirrors, dining, complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and Nordic Spa access. There’s also at least one shore excursion included in the cruise fare in every port (the Kenai Fjords National Park by Boat excursion is available at a nominal fee).
Silversea: Sitka Culinary Adventure
Foodie fun unfolds in fascinating Sitka—a waterside hamlet famous for Łingít and Russian heritage—with the Sitka Culinary Adventure shore excursion. Visit a tap room and chat with a master brewer, tasting local beers made with filtered glacial water. Then graze about town, sampling pelmeni (popular Russian-style dumplings evoking Sitka’s colonial heritage), and discover why Sitka is a major seafood exporter, snacking on whatever catch is in season, whether crab, halibut, black cod, shrimp, or salmon. Also on the tour are stops for reindeer hot dogs, and other foods prepared with locally-harvested sea salt.
