Alaska’s towering fjords and quiet channels get a new luxury lens in 2026, as Seabourn confirms Seabourn Encore will take over the line’s expedition programme across a full May to September window. If you like your wilderness served with thoughtful service and space to exhale, this plan blends scenic days, intimate ports, and expert-led exploration with the calm of an all-suite ship.
From May to September 2026, Seabourn Encore replaces Seabourn Quest in Alaska, operating 17 one-way seven-night sailings plus one eight-day voyage. Every itinerary includes a glacier experience, with more Glacier Bay entries than any other luxury line, calls in Juneau and Ketchikan, and small-port access such as the Inian Islands and Alert Bay. Guests can combine two weeks into 14 or 15 days, with optional Ventures by Seabourn activities.
Seabourn’s hardware shift brings a different rhythm to familiar waters. The move to a 600-guest, all-suite ship reframes how you experience days that mix headline ports with tucked-away communities, keeping the expedition flavour while raising the bar on evening downtime. The approach suits travellers who want purposeful shore time, then a quiet return to refined dining and restful staterooms.
With Encore, the line keeps the bones of its Alaska style intact. You still have expert briefings, small-craft exploration and the steady presence of a seasoned expedition team. What changes is the canvas, which now offers more venue choice, more space to spread out between outings, and a broader palette for how you pace your week on board.
Seabourn Encore steps in for Seabourn Quest for the entire season, a clean handover that simplifies planning. Across May to September, the programme comprises 17 one-way seven-night itineraries and a single eight-day voyage, offering both compact escape and deeper dive options.
Guests who crave more time can link consecutive sailings to form 14 or 15-day journeys that trace different slices of the Inside Passage. That one-way format matters for logistics. It reduces backtracking, opens smoother flight plans, and increases variety in the coastlines you will see from the rail.
The heart of the design is unchanged, you are still travelling to stand near ice, listen for spouts, and watch shorelines shift with the light. What is different is the way a larger luxury ship softens the edges around those moments.
After a brisk morning in a zodiac, you return to warm spaces, thoughtful dining, and staterooms that help you reset for the next day.It is a smart blend for couples, friends travelling together, or solo guests who like conversation in the lounge after time out on the water.
At roughly 600 guests, Encore retains a calm onboard atmosphere while offering more choice. Restaurants and lounges become part of how you shape the week, not just places to refuel, which is welcome after active days.
The scale also keeps embarkation and tender operations smooth in smaller ports, a practical benefit when you are eager to get ashore. This is where Seabourn Encore Alaska feels distinct. You get expedition proximity with a luxury reset whenever you want it.
The 2026 programme balances marquee calls with small-town access, a combination that opens Alaska’s big scenery and its quieter corners. Expect a steady flow of wildlife commentary, scenic cruising segments, and days that begin with calm water and end with lingering light.
Every itinerary includes a designated glacier experience day, a centrepiece that anchors the week. Seabourn also indicates more entries into Glacier Bay than any other luxury competitor, so your chances of standing at the rail for that signature silence and blue ice are high.
Juneau and Ketchikan provide classic Alaska touchpoints, from short trails and viewpoints to local museums and seafood stops. These ports are well set up for both independent wanderers and guided tours, which makes them easy wins regardless of travel style.
The compact town centres mean you can fit more into a short call without feeling rushed. On glacier days, a warm layer and a patient hour on deck pay off. Watching ice calve in still air is a memory that lives well beyond the trip.
Encore’s plan weaves into smaller inlets and communities that larger ships often bypass, including the Inian Islands and Alert Bay. These places bring you closer to local life and to the small details that define the coast, like the sound of tide rips or the way eagles hold a line in the wind.
It is a different tempo that rewards attentiveness and curiosity. These calls also diversify where you spend your time, supporting guides, cafés and museums beyond the big hubs.
Scenic cruising along the Alaskan and Canadian Inside Passage carries its own quiet theatre. Early risers meet glassy channels, shifting light and the occasional harbour seal, while photographers find new compositions every hour.
Keep a light jacket near the door, so you can step out quickly when conditions turn beautiful. This is where Seabourn Encore Alaska shows its range, the ship is big enough for comfort, small enough to feel the coastline breathe.
Seabourn has spotlighted two departures with celestial interest and notes that other voyages may offer aurora opportunities later in the season. If you are a light-chaser, this is your cue to pick dates with the sky in mind, then plan gentle evenings on deck. From early summer’s long days to late season’s softer light, the arc of the calendar gives you distinct moods and photographic palettes. It is worth choosing intentionally.
The 19 June sailing aligns with the year’s longest days, gifting long evening light along the coast. Dusk arrives slowly, and you can walk the promenade after dinner without losing the view. Harbours glow, glacier faces hold colour deep into the night, and the line between day and night blurs in a pleasant way. For active travellers, the extra light opens wider windows for dockside strolls and hilltop lookouts without feeling hurried.
The 7 August departure puts you in the window for the Perseid meteor shower around 12 to 13 August, weather permitting. Find a dark corner of the deck, give your eyes time to adjust, and watch for bright streaks across a quiet sky. It is simple, social and unforgettable. Pack a warm layer and a beanie for late-night stargazing. The air can be still and cold, even after a mild afternoon.
While never guaranteed, later voyages may present a chance to see the northern lights when nights lengthen. A clear forecast, patient watching, and a little luck are your allies. Even without aurora, the shifting sky produces moody, photogenic evenings that many travellers prefer. If the lights do make an appearance, they will likely be the first thing you mention when friends ask about your trip.
Days in Alaska are shaped by rhythm, not rush. Seabourn’s expedition team frames mornings with approachable briefings, then the pace alternates between exploration and comfort. You get hands-on learning near the waterline and a restorative return to the ship.
Optional Ventures by Seabourn activities deepen your proximity to the coast and wildlife. They are designed for curious guests who want to be near the elements, then warm up with a good meal and a well-earned rest.
Kayak sessions in calm coves can be meditative, a chance to hear your paddle and the soft clatter of pebbles at the shoreline. Zodiac outings range further, slipping beneath cliffs, pausing near waterfalls and scanning for whales or sea lions.
Guides help you interpret what you are seeing, from glacial striations to bird behaviour. These are the hours that give your week its shape. They are active without being punishing, accessible without feeling staged.
Briefings and talks are pitched for travellers who like to understand context without heavy jargon. Expect insights into glaciers, wildlife patterns and local cultures, delivered by people who split their time between the lecture room and the field.
The knowledge makes your sightings feel richer and your photographs more meaningful. Practical guidance, like layering for weather swings or choosing the right footwear for a wet landing, is part of the package.
Between outings, the ship functions as a sanctuary. Staterooms are designed for rest, with space to sort photos, read, and warm up before dinner. Dining is a daily highlight, and on a week with chilly mornings, that matters.
Seabourn also notes a custom Helly Hansen all-weather jacket for Alaska guests next year, a practical addition that doubles as a keepsake. Evenings unfold at your own pace, from quiet lounges to music and conversation with fellow travellers.
A little forethought will help you get the most out of a week that offers a lot. Decide early how active you want to be, how many early starts you enjoy, and whether to extend to 14 or 15 days with a back-to-back. The flexibility built into this season means you can match the plan to your travel style, rather than the other way around. Think about direction, packing and excursion priorities before you book. Small decisions now become big comforts later.
One-way journeys cut down on retracing and open smoother itineraries for flights and pre- or post-cruise stays. If you crave more time, back-to-backs broaden your map and increase your chances of blue-sky glacier mornings.
They also let you mix a busier port set with a quieter week focused on small inlets. If you are travelling with friends, agree on pacing, then pick consecutive weeks that complement each other.
Layers are your best friend. Start with a thermal base, add a warm mid-layer, then a waterproof shell. Waterproof shoes with grip make wet landings easy, and gloves plus a beanie pay off on glacier days or meteor-watching nights.
Remember that Seabourn provides a Helly Hansen jacket for Alaska guests next year, so you can plan around that outer layer. A small dry bag for cameras or phones is worth the space in your day pack.
This season fits travellers who want genuine time in nature and a considered return to comfort. It is a strong match for couples celebrating a milestone, friends who share a love of photography, and solo guests who enjoy conversation with guides and fellow travellers.
If you have done Alaska on a very small ship and wondered about a touch more space, this is the natural next step. The itinerary design also makes sense for international guests linking Alaska to a broader North America journey.
Before you lock in dates, it helps to compare itineraries across ships and weeks. Our Cruise Finder collates routes, sailings and port mixes in one place, so you can weigh Glacier Bay access, small-port calls and one-way logistics without guesswork.
If you already have a month in mind, use the filters to narrow by duration, direction and the balance of marquee ports and intimate inlets. You will quickly see which departures lean into glacier days and which linger in the Canadian Inside Passage.