Despite having been to Alaska dozens of times — often with my late father — it remains the one cruise destination for me that never gets old. That’s the magic of “The Last Frontier."
That said, the legacy lines going there mostly stay the same — until now, that is. This year marks MSC Cruises’ first-ever season in the region, sailing the newly refreshed MSC Poesia. With the vessel’s exclusive Yacht Club (YC) ship-within-a-ship complex, it’s a prime choice for a very unique regional experience.
“We continually see strong demand for MSC Yacht Club across our fleet, and that momentum is carrying into Alaska,” said Erin Douglas, senior vice president of trade sales for MSC Cruises USA. “For advisors, it presents a compelling opportunity to work with clients who may be considering luxury land vacations by providing an alternative of a premium cruise experience that includes accommodations, dining, entertainment and transportation between destinations in one seamless package.”
All the Features of the New Yacht Club
It wasn’t the butler-delivered balcony hot chocolate or the deck view of Dawes Glacier dramatically calving that impressed me the most — although they certainly didn’t hurt — but rather the overall Yacht Club product in Alaska.
The MSC Aurea Spa’s thermal suite was also extensively remodeled.
Credit: 2026 Jason LeppertIn order to accommodate such upgraded amenities, the 2008-launched MSC Poesia (which did not previously feature any YC venues) had to undergo what the line says is one of its largest refurbishments to date. In fact, 63 new YC suites were added by retooling existing staterooms, and our Two-Room Grand Suite was a stunner. (One note: As a newly added feature, Poesia’s Yacht Club features an unusual, noncontiguous layout, and the inside cabins across the corridor are standard categories.)
Occupying what were once two side-by-side Deluxe Balcony staterooms, the new suite offered an expansive, double-wide veranda from which to catch all the scenery, and a separate, spacious living room, bedroom and bathroom. I particularly applaud the USB-A and C charging ports at both nightstands and premium Hansgrohe fixtures in the shower and at the sink.
My mother and I took advantage of our attentive butler’s regular delivery of delicious MSC pizza, the complimentary mini-bar and free full bottle of liquor, and YC-included alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the ship. Wi-Fi is also bundled in the YC fare.
Outside the suites, the ship’s card room, photo studio and sushi bar were displaced to install the Yacht Club Restaurant. Additional changes include repositioning the ship’s Top 16 Exclusive Solarium to deck 15 to accommodate the MSC Yacht Club Sundeck and The One Bar & Grill, and relocating the fitness center in order to carve out the MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge at the very front of the ship.
If there’s a single cruise ship must-have in Alaska, it’s an indoor observation lounge, and this marvelous, glass-enclosed version just happens to be private to the Yacht Club. Always enjoyable here were the attached bar’s house cocktails (I recommend going for the destination-appropriate, bourbon-based Gold Rush) and other made-to-order drinks served from a traveling drink trolley.
Guests can enjoy house cocktails at the indoor observation lounge.
Credit: 2026 Jason LeppertAbove the lounge is the newly added sundeck and two of its own whirlpools, which in warmer weather would have been mighty inviting. But the wind didn’t stop us from enjoying tasty midday meals (some of the best roast beef I’ve ever had, as well as gourmet burgers) from the bar and grill on the opposite side.
More conducive to the climate was access to the MSC Aurea Spa’s thermal suite, which was also extensively remodeled during dry dock. YC guests receive one included hour daily, with reservations needed only on sea days. After a sublime Balinese massage, I made the revitalizing circuit across the spa’s all-new salt room, dry sauna, steam rooms, whirlpool, experience showers and relaxing combination of padded and suspended loungers. (The gym may no longer be connected to the forward spa, but its new aft-facing spot is quite scenic.)
When not being pampered onboard, we revisited the lovely Alaskan ports of Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Juneau — having to be tendered in at the last spot was the only reminder that MSC does not have the same priority docking and berth agreements as lines that have long been visiting the region. Nonetheless, getting an expedited butler escort on and off the ship was a real treat, one that was also available at embarkation and disembarkation to relieve those typical stresses, as well.
Back on Poesia, the brand-new MSC Yacht Club Restaurant (located several decks down from other YC venues) surprised me with lunches and dinners that actually bested the dishes served at the same restaurant on MSC World America. I adored the perfectly al dente pastas, appetizers (salmon gravlax, in particular) and entrees (especially the Indian butter chicken), all delivered with standard friendly service.
“Many travelers sailing to Alaska are looking for upscale experiences that are still attainable, and the brand-new MSC Yacht Club onboard MSC Poesia has been a strong driver of interest and bookings,” Douglas said.
Additional Ship Updates
Other exciting ship features include the repositioned Kaito Sushi Bar (replacing a former cigar room), a seafood-lover’s delight, as well as the new specialty dining venue Butcher’s Cut. Cruisers can’t go wrong with the line’s signature steakhouse, where meals start with bacon-infused bread service and the option to pay into the tenderest of wagyu beefs.
One thing that didn’t make the cut from the refurbishment’s original plans, however, was the conversion of the ship’s wine bar into a sports bar — though that didn’t hinder World Cup fans from taking up residency in the space.
Overall, MSC’s enhanced Poesia — and especially its Yacht Club — really does significantly elevate Alaska. Even though my late father could not be with us for this experience, my mom and I relished every moment in his honor.
