After a 20-year hiatus, luxury cruise line Cunard is returning to Alaska in 2020 during the northern hemisphere summer, and guests will get to sail around this region on the newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth.

Cunard’s expanded program will offer nine roundtrip sailings departing Vancouver, ranging from nine to 12 nights, plus a special cruise to San Francisco including an overnight stay on Independence Day.

Guests will have the opportunity to take in the beauty of Alaska with its stunning landscape and magnificent wildlife while onboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.

“We had an incredible response to Cunard reinstating voyages to the beautiful Alaska frontier and are delighted to be offering more than double the number of Cunard sailings for 2020,” Simon Palethorpe, President of Cunard said.

“Guests will sail on the newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth visiting the most incredible landscapes and Alaskan towns, with longer time in port to enjoy these inspiring and breathtaking destinations.”

Each Alaska voyage will feature stunning destinations along the Northwest Pacific coast of Alaska and British Columbia including Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and more. In addition, the voyages offer more than 120 excursions to choose from, including scenic cruising in the narrow waterways of the Inside Passage, the Hubbard Glacier and Sawyer Glacier’s twin fjords, Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm.

Guests have the opportunity to combine voyages together, including the Alaska roundtrips from Vancouver and the North Pacific Crossings to and from Tokyo.

The 2020 voyages include:

  • A 10-night Alaska Voyage roundtrip from Vancouver, departing June 2, 2020, priced from $2449* per person twin share
  • A three-night Independence Day Celebration cruise from Vancouver to San Francisco with an overnight in port, departing July 2, 2020, priced from $939* per person twin share
  • A 16-night voyage from San Francisco to Vancouver, departing July 5, 2020, priced from $4199* per person twin share
  • A 29-night voyage from Vancouver to Tokyo, departing August 29, 2020, priced from $5649* per person twin share.

Cunard will also continue its partnership with Rocky Mountaineer, offering pre and post cruise tours on the famous railroad.

Tours include either three or five-nights’ accommodation and two full days on board the train. The expedition travels through a spectacular array of scenery with glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, through winding river canyons, mountain passes and remarkable tunnels. Highlights include the Continental Divide, Kicking Horse Canyon, Spiral Tunnels and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon.

Guests will also be able to take advantage of the three-night pre-cruise tour ‘Vancouver and Whistler Highlights’, taking in the best of Vancouver including Grouse Mountain and Stanley Park, and a full day in Whistler and Shannon Falls via the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

The ship’s recent refurbishment includes a new spa concept, Mareel Wellness and Beauty, developed in partnership with industry innovator, Canyon Ranch. The spa offers an extensive new treatment menu with mineral-rich seawater and marine-based experiences as well as a redesign of the entire spa facility.

In addition, many public spaces, bars and lounges have been updated and all Grill Suites and Britannia Staterooms have new carpets and soft furnishings. The Royal Court Theatre has had a complete technical overhaul; the Royal Arcade has been enhanced to offer an elevated shopping experience and the outdoor decks have new furniture with a new layout on the Sun Deck.