For those craving a more meaningful adventure in Alaska, Cunard's 2025 Alaska season delivers a voyage unlike any other. Onboard the beautifully updated Queen Elizabeth, Cunard invites guests to experience the breathtaking frontier not just through stunning landscapes, but through riveting stories and deep insight from world-renowned experts. Thanks to the cruise line's continued collaboration with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), guests can enjoy enriching encounters that go far beyond typical cruise lectures.
A Distinctive Partnership That Brings Alaska to Life
Cunard’s alliance with the RCGS is a standout among enrichment programs in luxury cruising.
A Season of Discovery with Renowned Experts
Between June and September 2025, select Alaska voyages aboard Queen Elizabeth will feature guest speakers who are explorers, scientists, adventurers, and cultural advocates. Each sailing offers custom-curated content from RCGS Fellows and Explorers in Residence—individuals who have not only studied the world’s wildest places but have lived them. These aren’t your typical guest speakers; they include astronauts, Everest climbers, storm chasers, and Arctic explorers.
One of the most anticipated names on the roster is George Kourounis, a storm chaser and adventurer with a flair for storytelling, who’s contributed to Discovery Channel and the Weather Network. He’s joined by figures like Laval St. Germain, the only Canadian to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, and Sunniva Sorby, a trailblazing polar ambassador and Arctic solo overwinterer.
Educational Luxury with a View
Onboard Queen Elizabeth, guests can participate in these talks while enjoying Cunard's signature elegance. Think plush lounges, attentive service, and uninterrupted views of Alaska's misty fjords and glacier-carved coasts. Whether it's a morning lecture on marine archaeology or an evening talk on polar science, the experience blends intellectual discovery with serene luxury.
Insights Ashore and Afloat
Cunard’s enrichment doesn’t stop at sea—it continues ashore with immersive shore excursions.
Expert-Guided Adventures in the Wild
Many RCGS speakers lead or co-design excursions that align with their expertise. From guided hikes that explore geological formations to cultural encounters with Alaska Native heritage experts, each outing becomes a deeper dive into place and meaning. Travellers will leave not only with scenic photos, but with new perspectives on conservation, climate change, and indigenous traditions.
A standout is geographer Lynn Moorman, whose presentations on glaciers and fjords offer a prelude to witnessing these wonders in person. For history buffs, Joseph Frey’s background in maritime archaeology brings Alaska’s coastal past to life through tales of U-boat exploration and naval legacy.
Beyond the Map: Enrichment for Every Type of Explorer
No matter your interests, Cunard’s Alaska season has something to spark your curiosity.
Featuring a Stellar Supporting Cast
In addition to the RCGS talent, Queen Elizabeth will host a who’s who of adventure media personalities. Highlights include TV host Robson Green, comedian and writer Ruby Wax, mountaineer Peter Hillary, and star of The Deadliest Catch Captain Bill Wichrowski. Also onboard are filmmaker Qasa Alom, extreme trekker Ryan Pyle, and British veteran and TV personality Jason Fox.
These guest speakers offer a modern twist to Cunard’s legacy of refined travel, creating an environment where your days at sea can be as enriching as your time on land.
Cultural Heritage Through Native Voices
Authenticity is front and centre with the inclusion of Alaska Native Voices on every sailing. These cultural heritage guides offer onboard sessions and shoreside experiences that share indigenous history, storytelling, and perspectives, adding another vital layer to Cunard’s holistic exploration of Alaska.
Curate Your Own Alaskan Story
Cunard’s Alaska 2025 season offers more than scenic cruising; it invites guests to create stories of their own. Whether you're learning about fjord formation, hearing first-hand survival stories from Arctic explorers, or engaging in a local tribal celebration, each moment is designed to inspire.
Use our Cruise Finder to browse Queen Elizabeth’s itineraries and find the voyage that matches your sense of wonder. Whether it’s an early summer sailing with storm chasers or a September cruise with Arctic storytellers, your adventure awaits.
Cunard's unique approach to educational luxury is perfect for travellers who want a meaningful journey that matches the grandeur of Alaska itself. This is more than a cruise—it’s a curated expedition with the comfort and sophistication that Cunard is known for.
Secure Your Spot on a Voyage of Discovery
Be part of a sailing that expands your horizons. Cunard’s 2025 Alaska season promises a rare blend of elegance, adventure, and education. Get in touch with us to start planning your enriching Alaskan escape aboard Queen Elizabeth.
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