Tell us about Cunard’s 2020 Alaska itineraries.
In 2020, Queen Elizabeth will spend a full season in Alaska from June through September, doubling our 2019 program due to strong demand and guest feedback. This new program will offer 10 roundtrip voyages out of Vancouver, British Columbia, ranging from nine to 12 nights.
Queen Elizabeth will offer scenic cruising through the Inside Passage, offering close-up views of glaciers, mountains and fjords. Passengers will spend full days in several of the region’s most popular ports, including Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway and Icy Strait Point.
This year, we will visit the stunning Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and members of the National Park Service will join guests onboard to offer commentary and insight on the landscape around them.
You’ve also invited impressive onboard experts.
We’ll have Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Kenton Cool, who are two of the biggest names in exploration and mountaineering today.
Their accomplishments are nothing less than incredible. To have these explorers on our voyages in Alaska and to give our guests the opportunity to meet and learn from them is an “only on Cunard” experience.
Our onboard program — which incorporates these explorers — is curated so that guests feel immersed in the region they’re visiting and gain more insight into their surroundings. We will also have an award-winning naturalist and members of a native Alaskan tribe who will give talks and be available to speak with guests.
Josh Leibowitz, Senior Vice President of Cunard North America
Credit: 2020 CunardHow does Cunard do Alaska differently than other lines?
Guests sailing on Queen Elizabeth will get the full Cunard experience in Alaska, which is different than what other lines offer. We believe there is an amazing juxtaposition between the rugged Alaska wilderness and the celebratory sense of occasion onboard the ship that is unique to Cunard. Clients will go on adventures during the day, whether kayaking through narrow waterways, fishing or hiking. Then, they will return to the ship, shed their gear, don their best evening attire and enjoy fine dining and dancing in the ballroom. This trip provides an experience guests will relish and take with them long after the voyage ends.
Are you concerned about contributing to overtourism in Alaska?
Cunard works very closely with port and community officials to monitor arrival times and passenger flow throughout the region. One of the best ways to take in the breathtaking scenery of Alaska is by sailing. Alaskans are proud of their beautiful state and happy to share this experience with travelers from around the world. The lines also have a positive economic impact on the area.
What will Cunard’s 2021 Alaska season look like?
Queen Elizabeth’s 2021 Alaska season will run from June through September and will consist of seven roundtrip voyages from Vancouver or Victoria, ranging from 10 to 12 nights. The itineraries will again feature the region’s highlight ports such as Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising in the Inside Passage. Guests will also visit Glacier Bay National Park. Our speakers and programs are still being finalized, but we are certain to have a stellar lineup of experts onboard.
The Details
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