Sarah Bretz, ContributorMSC Cruises has announced that for the first time ever, it will be offering sailings to Alaska. The voyages, which will take place aboard MSC Poesia, will depart weekly from Seattle starting May 11, 2026.
“MSC Cruises offers an unparalleled choice of destinations and embarkation ports in every corner of the world and by introducing sailings to Alaska we’re further extending our global offering and giving our guests the opportunity to experience this must-see region,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.
“These new itineraries also see the introduction of a new homeport in the U.S., our fifth to-date. Seattle is the perfect location to depart for Alaska, with excellent international flight connections making it easily accessible to guests from around the world, in particular we know our European guests have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to sail to Alaska with MSC Cruises.”
MSC Poesia will be dedicated to sailing itineraries from the United States. It will spend summer 2026 sailing to Alaska, then reposition to Miami for the winter. That means that MSC will also be offering two Panama Canal transit cruises when the ship moves between the east and west coast.
MSC Cruises Alaska Adventures
MSC Poesia‘s seven-night Alaska sailings will call to Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia.
A range of shore excursions will be available to cater to the desires of every type of traveler, whether they’re looking for adventure, culture, or culinary experiences. From exploring remote wilderness on an ATV expedition, riding the world’s largest zipline or gliding through the serene waters on a whale-watching vessel, shore excursions are designed to showcase the state’s breathtaking landscapes, rich heritage, and exceptional wildlife encounters.
MSC’s inaugural Alaska season is now open for booking.
MSC Panama Canal Cruises
With sailings through the Panama Canal for the first time, MSC will be able to offer two unique “Grand Voyage” itineraries just before and after its Alaska season.
Guests will have the chance to see the “greatest engineering achievement of the century” from the ship’s deck, while also being able to explore up to ten vibrant destinations between Seattle and Miami including west coast highlights like San Diego and Los Angeles, historic Colombian treasures in Cartagena, and the lush, exotic beauty of Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province.
The first Panama Canal “Grand Voyage” departs from Miami on Thursday, April 23, 2026 and is available to book now. More information on the second sailing departing from Seattle is coming soon.
Those who want to experience sailing across the Atlantic can also book the Grand Voyage aboard Poesia on her way to North America. It departs from Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) on April 6, 2026 and Genoa on April 7, 2026 and visits a few ports in Europe and the Caribbean before reaching Miami on April 22, 2026, where guests can stay overnight on the ship before debarking.
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