Travelers planning an Alaska cruise now have another full season of options to consider.
Royal Caribbean has opened its 2028 Alaska cruises for booking, with four ships scheduled to spend the season in the region: Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas.
The new cruises depart from Seattle, Vancouver and Seward, with most itineraries lasting seven nights. The season begins in April 2028 and continues through September.
While 2028 might seem like a long way off, Alaska is one destination where looking this far ahead can make sense. The ship and departure port you choose can significantly change the vacation, particularly for travelers who want to combine their cruise with time exploring Alaska on land.
Four Ships, But Four Different Alaska Experiences
Royal Caribbean's lineup offers a useful mix of larger activity-filled ships and a smaller vessel that places more emphasis on views and traditional cruising.
Ovation of the Seas will sail seven-night roundtrip cruises from Seattle between May and September. This could be one of the more appealing choices for families because Ovation was recently updated and offers plenty to do when the weather isn't cooperating.
The ship features the indoor SeaPlex activity area, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and North Star observation capsule. Recent additions include the Sound Cellar lounge, Pesky Parrot tiki bar, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Izumi Hibachi.
Its itineraries include ports such as Sitka, Skagway and Juneau, with select sailings featuring scenic cruising through Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier.
Voyager of the Seas will also sail roundtrip from Seattle. It provides many of the family-friendly features associated with Royal Caribbean, including an ice-skating rink, laser tag and mini golf.
Seattle is usually the simplest option for U.S. travelers who want a straightforward roundtrip vacation. You fly into Seattle, board the ship and return to the same city a week later.
There is a tradeoff, however. Travelers primarily interested in seeing as much of Alaska as possible should also look closely at the one-way cruises.
Anthem of the Seas Is the Choice for Seeing Alaska on Land
Anthem of the Seas will sail seven-night cruises between Vancouver and Seward.
Unlike a roundtrip Seattle cruise, these itineraries travel in one direction. Guests can sail north from Vancouver to Seward or south from Seward to Vancouver.
That makes the logistics a little more complicated, but it also creates one of the biggest advantages of an Alaska cruise: the opportunity to continue farther inland.
Royal Caribbean is offering two- to six-night Cruisetours that can be combined with select Anthem sailings. These add a land portion before or after the cruise, including opportunities to visit Denali National Park.
For travelers treating Alaska as a once-in-a-lifetime trip, this is worth serious consideration.
An Alaska cruise provides excellent access to coastal towns, glaciers and scenery, but the ship cannot take you into Alaska's interior. Combining a one-way cruise with a land tour creates a much different vacation than spending seven nights sailing roundtrip from Seattle.
Anthem's itineraries can include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Skagway and Hubbard Glacier.
Seward passengers will also use Alaska's new cruise terminal alongside the Alaska Railroad station, making the transition between the ship and land transportation easier.
Don't Overlook Serenade of the Seas
The least flashy ship in the lineup might actually appeal to travelers who care more about Alaska than onboard attractions.
Serenade of the Seas will sail seven-night roundtrip cruises from Vancouver between May and September.
It's considerably smaller than Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships, but its design includes large expanses of glass that make the surrounding scenery a major part of the onboard experience.
That matters in Alaska.
On a Caribbean cruise, the ship itself can be the destination. In Alaska, many passengers spend a surprising amount of time simply watching the coastline, mountains and wildlife from the ship.
Serenade's itineraries include destinations such as Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Prince Rupert.
Which 2028 Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Should You Choose?
Rather than starting with the ship, it may be better to decide what kind of Alaska vacation you want.
For the easiest roundtrip option from the United States, look at Ovation or Voyager from Seattle.
Families who want lots of indoor activities and newer onboard experiences should give Ovation particularly strong consideration.
Travelers who want to combine their cruise with Denali and inland Alaska should start with Anthem's one-way Vancouver-to-Seward itineraries and available Cruisetours.
Those who prefer a somewhat smaller ship and want Alaska's scenery to remain the focus may find Serenade from Vancouver more appealing.
There are also a few unusual sailings mixed into the schedule, including longer itineraries at the beginning or end of the season, so it's worth comparing individual dates rather than assuming every cruise aboard the same ship follows an identical route.
Booking Early Matters More in Alaska
There's no need to book a 2028 cruise simply because reservations have opened.
But travelers who already know they want Alaska in 2028 have a reason to start comparing options now.
Alaska cruises have more variables than a typical Caribbean vacation. Balcony cabins can be particularly desirable, Cruisetour dates need to line up with the cruise itself, and families may need connecting cabins or specific accommodations.
The biggest decision isn't simply which Royal Caribbean ship looks best.
It's whether you want your Alaska vacation to be primarily a cruise, or whether you want the ship to be one part of a larger journey through the state.
Making that decision first makes choosing among Royal Caribbean's four 2028 Alaska ships considerably easier. Contact us today if you want to learn more about Royal's Alaska cruises!