Carnival Cruise Line Gets Ready for Busy Alaska Season

Building on the success of its 2022 Alaska season, Carnival Cruise Line is gearing up to launch another three-ship deployment that will sail 49 Alaskan cruises this year. This season, Carnival is introducing new experiences to its popular array of shore excursions. The cruise line is also preparing to welcome Carnival Luminosa into U.S. waters for the first time.

Carnival Miracle will kick off Carnival’s Alaska season on April 23, 2023, from Long Beach, CA for a 14-day journey. She will then operate from her seasonal homeport of San Francisco, CA with 10-day cruises that feature visits to Prince Rupert, B.C., a new destination this season.

In Seattle, WA, Carnival Spirit’s first departure is set for May 2, 2023. Then, Carnival Luminosa joins to complete the season’s start on May 4, 2023. Carnival will operate six-, seven- and eight-day sailings from the Port of Seattle. These voyages visit Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria, B.C. They include cruising Tracy Arm Fjord as well.

Ahead of her arrival in Seattle, Carnival Luminosa will take guests on a 23-day Carnival Journeys cruise from Brisbane, Australia. The ship has been homeporting here since joining the fleet in November 2022.

Guests sailing on Carnival Luminosa from Seattle will experience many unique features the ship brings to the Carnival fleet. One such feature is the Cloud 9 Spa spanning two decks with one of the fleet’s most expansive thermal areas. After joining from sister-brand Costa Cruises last year, the ship underwent several enhancements. Like her sisters Carnival Spirit and Carnival Miracle, the ship also features a sky dome over the pool deck, allowing the area to be enjoyed no matter the weather.

“I can’t wait to welcome our guests on board our stunning Carnival Luminosa, as she joins her beautiful sisters, Carnival Spirit and Carnival Miracle, for this year’s Alaska season. There’s no better way to see the awe-inspiring natural wonder of Alaska than by cruise ship, and we anticipate making that happen for more than 100,000 guests this year,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “This season’s start is a good reminder that it’s not too early to plan for next year.”

Carnival has seen an extraordinary response for the upcoming season. Alaskan sailings for next year are currently open for sale as well.

In 2024, in between two spectacular transpacific cruises that feature visits to Japan and Hawaii, Carnival Luminosa will again join Carnival Spirit to homeport in Seattle, operating seven-, eight- and 14-day sailings. Additionally, Carnival Miracle will return to San Francisco, CA, where 10- and 11-day cruises are available.

The three ships will sail 53 cruises during the 2024 season, which will make it Carnival’s largest-ever Alaska deployment. To see Alaska cruises currently open for sale, visit Carnival.com.

Pack a Sense of Adventure and Be Immersed in Alaska’s Beauty

Each destination offers several opportunities for guests to experience breathtaking scenery, rich culture, and deep history found on shore. From whale watching in Juneau to ziplining in Skagway, Carnival curates the best local experiences. This season, Carnival is introducing two new excursions for Carnival Miracle cruises visiting Prince Rupert, B.C., which include:

• Khutzeymatten Grizzly Bear Expedition: Guests will board a 72-foot catamaran designed for wildlife viewing for a full-day adventure through towering cliffs, dense forests, and a thriving estuary ecosystem. They will gently glide through Canada’s only grizzly bear sanctuary, which is home to more than 50 grizzly bears.
• Exchamsiks Exploration: Guests will experience the beauty of British Columbia’s temperate rainforest and bountiful rivers by jet boat as well as on foot. They will also enjoy a meal of fresh wild local salmon cooked over a campfire and served beneath 4,000-foot cliffs.

The new excursions join a wide range of offerings guests enjoy while visiting popular Alaskan ports. Some of these include:

• Juneau: Sailing on a high-speed expedition vessel, the Mendenhall Glacier and Wildlife Quest offers an opportunity to see humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, porpoises, seals, and eagles. It also includes a guided tour through the famous Mendenhall Glacier.
• Skagway: The Ultimate Yukon and White Pass Railroad Adventure takes guests aboard a motor coach to marvel at the picturesque Yukon River, its adjoining chain of lakes, and the rustic town of Caribou as they hear tales of the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Ketchikan: See – and taste – much of what makes Alaska unique at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Crab Feast and Drinks, which offers guests a chance to watch Alaskan lumberjacks compete. A sightseeing tour and a Dungeness crab dinner follows.

Bring More Fun to The Last Frontier and Join Special Activities for Kids and Families

Carnival cruises to Alaska feature Alaska-specific programming geared toward children and families. From the Great Alaskan Deck Party to a digital scavenger hunt that helps guests of all ages collect snapshots of the best sights along their cruise, Carnival offers something for all age groups.

Some of the fun activities and memorable learning opportunities created specifically for voyages to Alaska include:

• Wildlife, Nature and Culture: Local naturalists visit Camp Ocean to give an overview of Alaskan wildlife. In Club O2 and Circle C, teens will learn how best to photograph beautiful Alaskan scenery. Also, they will have their questions about native wildlife answered by experts. Additionally, kids and teens can learn to square dance and express their creative side with crafts.
• Family Ice Fishing Challenge: Everyone in the family can imagine life as an ice fisher. But, instead of trout, each team fishes for points in a game that’s fun for all ages.
• Family Lumberjack Challenge: Guests can join a fun competition to find out who in their family might make the best lumberjack.

Each of the three ships deployed to Alaska this season carry approximately 2,200 guests and feature many guest-favorite Carnival venues. Some of these venues include Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, and RedFrog Rum Bar. Guests will also enjoy entertainment offerings that include Playlist Productions, Piano Bar 88, and The Punchliner Comedy Club.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line

Comments

Are you excited to hear that Carnival Cruise Line gets ready for a busy Alaska season? Have you cruised to Alaska yet? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising way up north.

Stay up to date with the latest cruise news and travel updates!