Home Adventure Oceania Cruises Explores Alaska’s Wilder Side with New 2027 Voyages

Oceania Cruises Explores Alaska’s Wilder Side with New 2027 Voyages

Oceania Cruises' Oceania Riviera sails through Alaska's dramatic glacier-lined waterways on a luxury cruise voyage
Photo credit Oceania Cruises

Alaska’s dramatic glaciers, remote coastal communities, and extraordinary wildlife will take center stage as Oceania Cruises returns to the Last Frontier in 2027. The luxury cruise line has unveiled a collection of itineraries aboard Oceania Riviera, offering travelers an opportunity to experience the region’s natural beauty while discovering lesser-visited destinations and authentic local experiences.

Sailing between May and September 2027, the season features seven-, 10-, and 11-day voyages departing from Seattle and Vancouver. The itineraries combine Alaska’s most celebrated ports with smaller communities, scenic waterways, and opportunities to explore the region’s rich cultural heritage.

For travelers seeking a longer adventure, Oceania Cruises is also offering an extraordinary 27-day voyage connecting Vancouver with Tokyo, combining the wilderness of Alaska with the cultural attractions of Japan.

Discovering Alaska Beyond the Traditional Cruise Ports

While Alaska’s glaciers and iconic destinations remain a major draw, Oceania’s 2027 itineraries place particular emphasis on exploring places that larger cruise ships may be unable to access.

Alongside familiar destinations such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Skagway, guests will have opportunities to visit smaller communities, including Wrangell, Klawock, and Haines.

These ports offer a different perspective on Alaska, where fishing traditions, Indigenous heritage, and coastal life remain central to the local experience.

Scenic cruising is another highlight. Selected itineraries navigate the Inside Passage and Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords, where towering cliffs, glacier-carved landscapes, and remote wilderness provide an ever-changing backdrop.

The longer transpacific voyage also includes scenic cruising near Hubbard Glacier, one of Alaska’s most impressive natural landmarks.

Throughout the journey, guests can return to the comfort of Oceania Riviera, where refined accommodations, exceptional dining, and an emphasis on personalized service complement the day’s adventures.

Extraordinary Shore Excursions Bring Alaska to Life

One of the most appealing aspects of the 2027 Alaska program is its selection of immersive shore excursions, designed to connect travelers with the region’s landscapes, traditions, and people.

From Oyster Farms to Culinary Adventures in Ketchikan

Food enthusiasts can join a chef-led excursion to the Hump Island Oyster Company, a floating oyster farm near Ketchikan. Guests learn about oyster and kelp cultivation, sample local seafood, and return for a hands-on cooking class guided by an onboard chef instructor.

With groups limited to 18 participants, the experience offers an intimate introduction to Alaska’s seafood culture.

Another Ketchikan adventure takes guests aboard a working king crab fishing vessel featured on the television series Deadliest Catch. Experienced fishermen demonstrate how crab pots are hauled from the sea, giving visitors a closer look at one of Alaska’s most demanding industries.

Dog Sledding and Glacier Adventures in Juneau

For travelers looking for an unforgettable wilderness experience, Juneau offers a helicopter excursion to the Mendenhall Glacier area, where guests can experience dog sledding with professional mushers.

Another adventure combines a floatplane flight, packrafting across a glacier-fed lake, and a guided hike to Norris Glacier, part of the vast Juneau Icefield.

These experiences offer a remarkable opportunity to explore Alaska’s frozen landscapes beyond the typical sightseeing itinerary.

History, Art, and Local Culture

Not every Alaska adventure revolves around glaciers and wildlife.

In Skagway, a historical walking tour explores the colorful characters and stories of the Gold Rush era. Led by a costumed guide, the experience concludes with a visit to the historic Red Onion Saloon’s Brothel Museum.

In Sitka, guests can explore their creative side during a metalworking workshop, transforming a metal fish into a handcrafted sculpture to take home.

Together, these experiences reflect Oceania Cruises’ emphasis on destination-focused travel, encouraging guests to engage with the communities they visit rather than simply sightseeing from the ship.

Alaska Cruises for Every Travel Style

The 2027 season offers a range of itineraries designed for different interests and vacation schedules.

The 11-day Worlds of Wonder voyage, departing Vancouver on May 13, 2027, sails to Seattle through the Inside Passage and Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords, with visits to Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines, Juneau, Wrangell, Klawock, and Victoria.

Travelers looking for a shorter escape can choose the seven-day Visions of Alaska itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Seattle on select dates between June 24 and August 5. Ports include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Victoria.

For those wanting more time to explore, the 11-day Alaskan Dreamscapes voyage, departing Seattle on August 12, visits destinations including Skagway, Juneau, Klawock, Wrangell, and Icy Strait Point before concluding in Vancouver.

Other 10- and 11-day sailings operate throughout the season, providing opportunities to explore Alaska’s glacier-lined waterways and historic coastal communities.

Perhaps the most ambitious itinerary is Glaciers, Geishas & Gyoza, a 27-day voyage departing Vancouver on September 13, 2027. The journey includes Alaskan destinations such as Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Anchorage (Whittier), along with scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier, before continuing across the Pacific to Japan.

Extending the Adventure Beyond the Cruise

For travelers who want to experience more of the region, Oceania Cruises is also offering several pre- and post-cruise land programs.

The Discover Denali experience combines three nights exploring Anchorage and Denali National Park with a scenic journey aboard a Deluxe Dome Rail train, offering views of Alaska’s expansive wilderness.

For those interested in Canada’s spectacular mountain scenery, the Rocky Mountaineer: Western Wonderland program features seven nights traveling through Calgary, Banff, Kamloops, and Vancouver. Highlights include two days aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer train, along with visits to Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, and the Spiral Tunnels.

Another option, Vancouver: City, Sea & Summits, focuses on the natural and cultural attractions of British Columbia’s largest coastal city. The three-night program includes experiences along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, a gondola ride overlooking Howe Sound, a cruise through False Creek, and time exploring Granville Island.

These extensions allow travelers to combine their Alaska cruise with additional sightseeing and outdoor experiences, creating a more comprehensive Pacific Northwest vacation.

Luxury Meets Adventure Aboard Oceania Riviera

Oceania Cruises has built its reputation around destination-rich itineraries, culinary experiences, and a relaxed approach to luxury cruising.

Aboard Oceania Riviera, guests can enjoy elegant accommodations, specialty dining, attentive service, and the opportunity to relax between adventures. Private verandas provide an inviting place to watch Alaska’s scenery unfold, from forested coastlines to glacier-lined fjords.

The combination of immersive shore experiences and comfortable shipboard surroundings makes these voyages particularly appealing to travelers who appreciate both exploration and refined hospitality.

With itineraries reaching smaller Alaskan communities, opportunities to experience local culture and cuisine, and excursions that showcase the region’s remarkable wilderness, Oceania’s 2027 program offers a compelling way to discover the Last Frontier.

Planning an Alaska Cruise in 2027?

Oceania Riviera’s Alaska season begins May 13, 2027, with seven-, 10-, and 11-day itineraries sailing from Seattle and Vancouver through early September. The 27-day Vancouver-to-Tokyo voyage departs September 13.

For detailed itineraries, shore excursions, and booking information, visit Oceania Cruises.