Italian cruise line MSC Cruises has announced it will be sailing new waters in 2026 – and icy waters at that. From 11 May 2026, the company’s MSC Poesia will homeport in Seattle, Washington, USA, and serve weekly itineraries to Canada and for the first time, Alaska.
A “must-see region”
“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, chief executive of MSC Cruises. “These new itineraries also see the introduction of a new homeport in the US, 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.”
Salmon-fishing, whale-watching, and zip wires
Starting at $799 and lasting seven nights, the sailings will make port calls at Vancouver, Canada; Juneau; Ketchikan; Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm, and Victoria. The Poesia can welcome up over 3,600 passengers but, at 294 metres long, is classed as a mid-sized ship, meaning it is easily able to venture into the narrow fjord channels of the Inside Passage, giving passengers the chance to get up close and personal with glacial scenery, and even to catch and eat their own wild salmon.
At Icy Straight Point the action is more high-octane with the largest zip line in the world, but nature-based thrills such as whale watching and looking out for bald eagles will also no doubt be the order of the day for many of the Poesia’s guests.
Expansion includes two new Panama canal sailings
“Guests from all over the world tell us they want to see Alaska’s beauty firsthand, which makes these itineraries the perfect addition to MSC Cruises’ global portfolio of bucket-list destinations,” Lynn Torrent, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at MSC Cruises USA, said in a news release. “Seattle will be our fifth U.S. homeport, bringing our signature mix of European style and American comforts to the west coast as we continue to expand our offerings in the North American market.”
That expansion includes the opening up of two new so-called “Grand Voyage” sailings via the Panama canal, made possible by topping and tailing the Poesia’s Canadian and Alaskan season before it transits to Miami for the winter offering.
