Cunard Returns to Alaska
Queen Elizabeth has kicked off Cunard’s return to Alaska in its West Coast homeport of Vancouver.
Queen Elizabeth will sail four 10-night roundtrip voyages out of Vancouver this year, followed by 10 voyages in 2020.
To celebrate this inaugural season, Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, Master of Queen Elizabeth, along with Simon Palethorpe, president, and Josh Leibowitz, senior vice-president North America, of Cunard, welcomed on board dignitaries from the Port of Vancouver for a traditional Plaque and Key Ceremony, welcoming the ship to the city.
It was announced that Cunard will visit Glacier Bay during its 2020 Alaska voyages. Cunard will be the only cruise line offering 10-, 11- and 12-day round trip voyages from Vancouver in 2020 that include both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.
Guests will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of Alaska with Cultured Heritage Guides on every sailing. For relaxation, guests can indulge in Mareel Wellness & Beauty (Cunard’s new holistic spa concept) on every voyage, offering oceanic treatments and meditation rituals inspired by the wilderness.
Cunard’s 2019 program runs May through June and, due to popular demand, the company has doubled its Alaska program in 2020, offering a full season from June through September. All voyages are round-trip out of Vancouver ranging from nine to 12 nights and one getaway voyage to San Francisco for an overnight stay on July 4. The Alaska voyages feature full days in ports such as Ketchikan, Victoria, Juneau, Skagway and others.
“We are thrilled to launch our inaugural Alaska season in Vancouver,” said Palethorpe. “Alaska is one of the world’s most inspiring destinations, and our guests now have the opportunity to sail into this spectacular region while enjoying the luxury and style of a Cunard ship. With Glacier Bay added to our 2020 Alaska itineraries, our guests will have an even more dramatic front-row seat from which to witness the immense beauty of the region.”
Cunard also continues its partnership with Rocky Mountaineer, offering pre- and post-cruise tours on the famous railroad. Tours include three or five nights’ accommodation, plus two full days on board the train. Highlights include the Continental Divide, Kicking Horse Canyon, Spiral Tunnels and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon.
For travel agents, The Academy Online module “Alaska, by Cunard” has been updated to now include Glacier Bay information. Agents earn five Shine points for completing the module and over the coming months can earn an extra 20 Shine points for moving through the Academy’s ranks. Agents also have the opportunity to earn 300 Shine points for their Cunard fare bookings. For more travel agent specific information, see https://www.shinerewardsclub.com.
(Photo credit: John Cannon)
