Cruises

Oceania Cruises to Debut Riviera in Alaska in 2025

By Newsdesk Sep 13, 2024 2:52pm

Oceania Cruises is offering more than a dozen immersive explorations of Alaska in 2025. In a first for the line, the 1,250-guest Riviera will sail its inaugural season in Alaska, making it the first and only cruise ship in the region designed "for foodies by foodies," where travelers will enjoy the best of the 49th state.

The 2025 Alaska season takes place from May through September, offering a variety of itineraries ranging from seven to 12 days that depart from Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier. Each itinerary includes lesser-known and iconic ports such as Homer, Sitka and Juneau, giving travelers plentiful opportunities to engage with the destination through Native tribe site visits, national park excursions, wildlife encounters and more. Each sailing will also have a naturalist on board to offer expert insights into the region’s biodiversity.

Good to know: Oceania Cruises’ Alaska Explorer Youth Program is available on all voyages in the region in 2025. Designed for children between the ages of five and 12 years old, the program will include games, activities and Alaska-inspired special events, where young adventurers will be supervised by experienced youth counselors.

Guests will also have the option to include a pre- or post-cruise land program such as "Discover Denali." With over two full days in Denali, guests will revel in a fully escorted experience including travel by domed railcar and along scenic byways through the wilds of Alaska. Wildlife-spotting opportunities abound, including bald eagles, caribou and Dall sheep, alongside marveling at glacial-fed rivers and the chance to see the original ranger’s cabin, once the only outpost in the park. The four-day program also includes an Alaskan Native presentation on the history of the land and a natural history tour.

Additionally, the line incorporates Alaska’s culinary scene into its guest experience through new hands-on cooking classes in The Culinary Center and the Chef’s Market Dinners in the Terrace Café curated by the onboard culinary team using local ingredients from the region. Culinary-focused excursions include:

Alaskan Coastal Brunch Escape & Cruise, Juneau – Cruise through the waters of Juneau and onto a remote speck of an island in Stephens Passage for a classic brunch. While cruising to the remote Colt Island, look for humpback whales and other marine life. Enjoy a brunch at the seaside Orca Point Lodge complete with entrées prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Exclusive Crabbing Experience, Ketchikan – Set out on a private charter to prime fishing grounds where you’ll help the crew set crab pots and reel in Dungeness crabs, an Alaskan delicacy. As the pots settle, enjoy fishing, scenery and insights into sustainable fishing practices. Once the catch is in, head to shore for a campfire feast of crabs in a saffron-infused bouillabaisse, followed by a rhubarb-blueberry crisp and hot coffee.
Exclusive Flightseeing & The Taste of Alaska, Ketchikan – Fly over the Tongass National Forest in a DeHavilland Beaver floatplane, landing at Salmon Falls Resort for a feast of Alaskan dishes. Soar over America’s largest national forest, with views of sea cliffs, fjords and misty peaks. You may even spot black bears and humpback whales. After landing in Clover Pass Inlet, tour the fishing resort before enjoying a classic Alaskan lunch of crab cakes, soy-glazed salmon and baked halibut.
Sitka Culinary Adventure – As Alaska’s second-largest seafood exporter, Sitka is a culinary hub with cultural influences. Sample locally brewed beers made with glacial water, taste versatile sea salts from Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company and enjoy Russian dumplings at Sitka Pelmeni, honoring the city’s Russian heritage. Additional tastings may include cod tips, reindeer hot dogs, ceviche and chowder.
Succulent Seafood Sampling, Juneau – Sample seafood at downtown spots while learning about Alaska’s sustainable fishing practices. Start at a memorial honoring commercial fishermen before tasting smoked king salmon at Taku Smokeries. At Tracy’s King Crab Shack, enjoy king crab bisque and a crab cake, followed by smoked salmon dip, caviar and kelp salsa at Taste Alaska! At Deckhand Dave’s, savor rockfish tacos, then finish with halibut ceviche and a blueberry mojito at the Crystal Saloon.
Hook & Cook at Salmon Falls, Ketchikan – Ketchikan offers the chance to reel in chum, sockeye, king, silver, pink salmon, and possibly halibut, cod or rockfish. Fish the waters off Ketchikan in a boat, and enjoy fresh catch, cooked at Salmon Falls Resort, prepared at Timbers Restaurant and paired with side dishes.
Tongass Hike & Taste of Alaska, Ketchikan – Hike a challenging two-mile coastal gravel trail through the Tongass National Forest, led by a guide who will point out native species. The steep, rocky Coast Guard Beach trail offers beach views. Enjoy a three-course seafood lunch at Salmon Falls Resort of locally sourced salmon, halibut and crab cakes, paired with a local craft beer or wine.

Alaska Voyage Highlights

Eight-day "Alaska Reflections" from Vancouver to Whittier visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Hoonah and Sitka, departing May 13
Eight-day "Explorer’s Alaska" from Whittier to Vancouver visiting Hoonah, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, departing May 21
12-day "Wilds of Alaska" from Vancouver to Whittier visiting Klawock, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Hoonah, Haines, Juneau, Sitka, Kodiak and Homer, departing May 29
Seven-day "Alaskan Accolades" from Whittier to Vancouver visiting Hoonah, Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan, departing June 10
Nine-day "Majestic Alaska" from Vancouver to Seattle visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Wrangell and Victoria, departing June 17
12-day "Gems of The Last Frontier" from Seattle to Seattle visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Hoonah, Haines, Sitka, Wrangell, Klawock and Victoria, departing June 26 & July 17
Nine-day "Wonders of Alaska" from Seattle to Seattle visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Victoria, departing July 8
10-day "Radiant Alaska" sailing round-trip from Seattle, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Hoonah, Sitka and Victoria, departing July 29
10-day "Frontier Adventures" sailing round-trip from Seattle, visiting Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines, Juneau, Wrangell and Victoria, departing August 8

For more information, www.oceaniacruises.com.

Oceania Cruises to Debut Riviera in Alaska in 2025

Alaska Voyage Highlights

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