Announcing its 20th consecutive season in the region, Royal Caribbean International today unveiled its 2009 Alaska cruise season. Vacationers to the “Last Frontier” can choose from 10 distinct itineraries, ranging from seven to 15 nights, on 57 sailings departing from San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Seward (Alaska), and Vancouver. On select itineraries, guests can extend their Alaska adventure with a Royal Caribbean cruisetour to go deeper inland. Royal Caribbean’s 2009 Alaska cruises and cruisetours open today for booking.
“Royal Caribbean International is the premier cruise line for active vacationers to discover Alaska,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Royal Caribbean’s history of sailing the region has allowed us to continue offering some of the most compelling and robust vacation experiences in Alaska. Our cruisetours take our guests’ experience to the next level and make a Royal Caribbean Alaska vacation truly memorable.”
Guests will sail aboard one of three Royal Caribbean ships deployed in the region in 2009: Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Rhapsody of the Seas. Radiance-class Radiance and Serenade are considered among the world’s most gracefully-designed cruise ships and feature the 10-story glass-enclosed Centrum, offering spectacular vistas of the coastal landscape. Vision-class Rhapsody offers a more intimate cruise experience and a wide range of onboard amenities.
Guests on Radiance of the Seas can extend their vacation with one of 21 Royal Caribbean cruisetour options for a more immersive Alaska experience. Ranging from three to seven nights, cruisetours combine a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise with inclusive activities, transportation and hotel stays, all escorted by an experienced Adventure Specialist. A new seven-night cruisetour itinerary will give guests a more comprehensive Alaska adventure, highlighting Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. On 19 cruisetour options, guests will enjoy a segment aboard the Wilderness Express, Royal Caribbean’s luxurious, glass-domed railcar, offering unobstructed views of Alaska’s terrain.
During the day, guest can opt for a rejuvenating session in the onboard Day Spa, or capture an unparalleled birds-eye view from the top of the line’s iconic rock-climbing wall. Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service, award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, top-rated Adventure Ocean kids programming with teen-only spaces fleetwide, and Royal Caribbean’s Gold Service Standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.
Additional highlights of Royal Caribbean’s 2009 Alaska Cruise Season include:
Radiance of the Seas will alternate seven-night itineraries departing from Seward and Vancouver, while Serenade of the Seas will offer a seven-night, round-trip itinerary from Vancouver.
Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas’ itineraries will feature a visit to Hubbard Glacier, the largest glacier in North America and the only advancing glacial formation in the state.
Sailing round-trip from Seattle, Rhapsody of the Seas will feature cruising through the Inside Passage and up the narrow 32-mile Tracy Arm Fjord in order to reach the 200 feet-high Sawyer Glacier. In addition, guests will enjoy a full-day call at Victoria, British Columbia, one of the highest rated overall ports of call by past guests.
Guests on Serenade of the Seas also can extend their vacation with a three- or five-night Whistler or Canadian Rockies cruisetour out of Vancouver. The three-night Whistler cruisetour features a train-ride to visit the 2010 winter Olympic destinations of Vancouver and Whistler, while the five-night Canadian Rockies package features the picturesque Lake Louise.
Royal Caribbean also will make 38 calls at Icy Strait Point in 2009, more than any other cruise line. As the only wilderness port of call in Alaska, Icy Strait Point is adjacent to the largest Tlingit Native American settlement, and claims the world’s longest zip line measuring at 5,330 feet in length.
