Royal Caribbean is opening a new path through the Last Frontier with its first-ever Alaska cruisetours, pairing the region’s marquee sailings with curated days on land. Four ships will cover the season, and Anthem of the Seas will anchor the program with one-way routes between Vancouver and Seward that link smoothly to inland adventures.
In summer 2027, Royal Caribbean will introduce its first-ever Alaska cruisetours, combining seven-night voyages from Vancouver, Seward, and Seattle with optional pre or post-land stays. Highlights include Denali National Park access, luxury glass dome rail cars, Inside Passage routes, glacier viewing, and overnight land experiences. Travellers gain flexible trip lengths, easier logistics, and deeper immersion in Alaska’s interior.
What Royal Caribbean Is Introducing for 2027
Royal Caribbean has long delivered big glacier moments at sea, yet 2027 brings a land layer that many guests have been requesting for years. The new cruisetours let you add guided inland time either at the start or the end of your voyage, which means Denali and the rail journeys are no longer separate, fiddly bookings.
First-Ever Cruisetours Explained
A cruisetour is a bundled land itinerary that connects directly with your ship schedule. Instead of piecing together rail, coach transfers, and hotels, everything is sequenced for you, from luggage handling to timing between segments, which removes stress and uncertainty for first-time Alaska travellers.
Denali National Park Access
Denali can feel far from the coast when you are looking at maps, yet within these packages, it becomes an easy extension. Guided transportation and scheduled time in the park improve your odds of wildlife viewing, while keeping the day-to-day practicalities simple enough for families and multi-generational groups.
Luxury Glass Dome Rail Cars
The glass dome rail experience is a signature of inland Alaska. Wide panes, comfortable seating, and onboard commentary turn the journey into an attraction of its own. You will see river valleys, alpine meadows, and distant peaks in comfort, making travel time feel like part of the holiday.
Ship-By-Ship: Alaska 2027 at a Glance
The season is anchored by four ships on seven-night patterns. Each brings a distinct blend of ports, scenic cruising, and embarkation convenience, which makes it easier to match your style of travel.
Anthem of the Seas Between Vancouver and Seward
Anthem will operate one-way, seven-night itineraries that pair naturally with the new land stays. Calls include Skagway and Ketchikan, along with the spectacular Hubbard Glacier. One-way routes simplify access to south-central Alaska and give you a straightforward handover to your Denali program.
Quantum of the Seas Roundtrip From Seattle
Quantum arrives in Alaska after her Australian summer, then settles into seven-night roundtrips from Seattle. Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway headline the calls. The round-trip format suits travellers who prefer flying in and out of one city, with minimal repositioning and plenty of classic shore options.
Voyager of the Seas Roundtrip Seattle With Dawes Glacier
Voyager’s seven-night pattern features Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, ideal if you prioritise narrow fjord sailing and dramatic ice views. Pair that with Juneau and Skagway for history, salmon bake stops, and hiking routes that are manageable for a range of fitness levels.
Serenade of the Seas Inside Passage From Vancouver
Serenade will run week-long Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver, visiting Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan. This is the choice for guests who imagine calmer coastal waters, wildlife-rich days, and time in boardwalk towns with strong local character.
How the New Cruisetours Work
The land component is designed to be flexible and seamless. You choose where it sits in your holiday, then let the sequence do the heavy lifting.
Pre or Post, Your Choice
Some guests prefer to start inland and then relax into sea days, others like to save Denali and rail for the finale. Either way, the tours connect smoothly to embarkation or disembarkation schedules, which prevents awkward overnight gaps or rushed transfers.
What Is Typically Included
Expect a combination of guided transport, select meals, park access where applicable, and centrally located hotels. The focus is on removing friction points, so you spend time exploring rather than troubleshooting logistics at each step.
Who Benefits Most
First-time Alaska guests appreciate the structure, while seasoned cruisers enjoy the depth of inland experiences without a separate DIY planning phase. Solo travellers often call out the convenience of baggage handling and timed transfers, which makes this a comfortable way to see more of Alaska.
Choosing Your Gateway: Vancouver, Seward, or Seattle
Your embarkation port influences the flavour of your itinerary. Each gateway has its own advantages for flight access, scenery, and city stays.
Vancouver for Inside Passage Charm
Vancouver is a superb springboard to the Inside Passage. The Canada Place terminal is central, hotels are close, and the city’s neighbourhoods are ideal for pre-cruise dining and easy sightseeing. It suits guests who like to warm up with a gentle city break before sailing.
Seward for a Launchpad to Inland Alaska
Seward puts you within reach of the Kenai Peninsula and makes the handover to inland programs simple. The scenery is rugged, the pace relaxed, and the logistics are friendly for guests continuing to rail journeys and national park days.
Seattle for Flight Convenience
Seattle shines for air connectivity and straightforward round-trip planning. Chain hotels cluster near the piers, so it is easy to keep transit time low, then spend your shore days focusing on whale watching, glacier viewing, and town walks.
Planning Tips for 2027 Bookings
Alaska demand builds early, especially when new program types land on the calendar. A few decisions now will make the rest of the process smooth.
Secure Dates Around Glacier Priorities
If sailing past Hubbard Glacier or into Endicott Arm is a must, select a sailing that lists these scenic experiences explicitly. Glacier days are weather-dependent, yet choosing an itinerary designed for them raises your chances of a clear, memorable passage.
Match Staterooms to Your Group
For couples, mid-ship balcony staterooms are a sweet spot for stability and views. Families may lean into connecting balcony cabins or a suite layout for shared space and storage. If you are chasing northern light potential in shoulder months, a balcony gives you quick outdoor access.
Use Loyalty Windows and Plan Air Early
Crown and Anchor Society members receive early booking access. That is valuable when combining a one-way cruise with a specific cruisetour departure. Once your dates are locked, set flight alerts for your preferred gateway and consider premium economy for the long haul if comfort is a priority.
Travel Responsibly in Alaska
Small choices make a difference in sensitive environments. The aim is to leave places as you found them, while supporting the communities you visit.
Respect Park Guidance
Denali and other protected areas have clear rules to protect wildlife and habitats. Keep to marked trails, maintain safe distances, and follow ranger advice, which ensures a better experience for everyone.
Choose Locally Led Experiences
Tours owned or led by local and Indigenous operators bring an authentic context to your days ashore. Your spending remains in the region, and your understanding of place deepens in ways that guidebooks cannot match.
Pack Smart and Reduce Waste
Layering is essential, and a refillable bottle cuts single-use plastic quickly. On board, use recycling and be mindful of food waste. The same habits ashore keep trails and towns pleasant for the next set of visitors.
If you are weighing a one-way sailing on Anthem against a round-trip from Seattle on Voyager, a side-by-side view helps you see the differences clearly. Our cruise finder is designed to surface routes, scenic days, and port mixes quickly, so you can refine your shortlist in minutes.
Explore sailings by ship, departure port, glacier day, and call sequence, then check which Alaska cruisetours pair with your chosen dates. You can browse on mobile or desktop, save favourites, and share options with your travelling companions. Start here.
Plan Your 2027 Alaska Holiday With S.W. Black Travel
A cruisetour turns a great itinerary into a deeper journey, especially when Denali and glass dome rail are at the top of your wish list. Tell us what matters most, whether it is Inside Passage calm, narrow fjord sailing or extra wildlife time inland, and we will shape a plan that fits your budget, travel window, and group size.
When you are ready to secure dates, compare ships and map the land component to your voyage, reach out to an S.W. Black Travel adviser for tailored guidance. If you would like help right now, connect with our cruise specialist, and we will get you moving.
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