MSC Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season. From April 24 to September 18, MSC Poesia will offer weekly seven-night cruises departing from Seattle. This will be the company's third consecutive season in the region.
The announcement was published on July 29, 2026. The itineraries are now being marketed, almost two years before the first departure.
MSC Cruises is thus continuing a program launched in May 2026 with the same ship. The company has also opened its 2027 season, scheduled from April 26 to September 27.
Summary
MSC Cruises' program includes five major ports of call and stops
The summer 2028 cruises will be operated on a round-trip basis from Seattle, Washington.
The announced program includes Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau in Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. The routes are also expected to pass through Tracy Arm, a fjord offering views of the Sawyer Glaciers.
MSC Cruises' marketing materials highlight the glacier, wildlife, and landscape sightings of the Inside Passage. However, the presence of wild animals can never be guaranteed during a cruise or excursion.
Schedules, stopover order and routes may still change before 2028 depending on operational, port or weather conditions.
A third season after the launch of 2026
MSC Cruises launched its inaugural Alaskan voyage on May 11, 2026, from Seattle. The company did not disclose the number of passengers carried or the occupancy rate for this first season in its latest press release.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, says Alaska has quickly become one of the company's most popular destinations and that the opening of a third season is in response to strong demand.
This assessment comes directly from MSC Cruises. No detailed figures are provided to allow for measuring this demand or comparing it with other regions served by the group.
The renewal of the program until 2028 nevertheless confirms that the company wishes to establish Alaska for the long term, and not limit its offering to a single experimental season.
MSC Poesia has been completely repositioned for Alaska
MSC Poesia completed a major refurbishment at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard in April 2026. The work was carried out before its first berthing in Seattle.
The ship notably features an MSC Yacht Club comprised of 69 suites. This area includes a restaurant, a lounge, an outdoor terrace with hot tubs, a bar, and 24-hour butler and concierge service.
Two specialty restaurants have also been added: Butcher's Cut steakhouse and Kaito Sushi Bar.
The renovation also included the MSC Aurea Spa, the Technogym-equipped gym, several training studios, and the Top 15 Exclusive Solarium. These facilities were already available during the 2026 Alaska season and are therefore not new features specific to 2028.
A ship with a capacity of over 3,200 passengers
According to technical data published by MSC Cruises, the MSC Poesia has 1,223 cabins and can accommodate up to 3,223 passengers. Its crew comprises approximately 1,039 people.
The ship belongs to the Musica class. It has a Polar Code certification, required for certain operations in the waters concerned.
This certification indicates that the vessel meets the requirements applicable to its operation in polar regions. It does not mean that all areas of the Arctic are accessible to it, nor that it is an expedition vessel.
A highly anticipated commercial launch
The opening of sales in July 2026 gives agencies and tour operators significant time to build trips including airfare, transfers and a possible stay before or after the Seattle cruise.
According to the specialized press, advance booking is common on Alaskan itineraries, where port capacities, excursions and land accommodations can be reserved well in advance.
MSC Cruises does not publish a single price applicable to all markets in its international press release. Prices depend on the date, cabin category, country of booking, and services selected.
Professionals will also need to check flight conditions departing from France, entry formalities in the United States and Canada, as well as the terms and conditions of sale for excursions.
An extended season between April and September
The 2028 season will begin on April 24 and end on September 18. This period covers spring and summer, with sailing conditions and sunshine duration varying depending on the departure date.
Between its Alaskan seasons, the MSC Poesia is scheduled to sail between Miami and Seattle via the Panama Canal. The ship is also slated to serve the Caribbean during the winter of 2026-2027.
MSC Cruises has not yet detailed in this announcement the entire program of MSC Poesia between the end of the 2027 season and the departure on April 24, 2028.
This announcement confirms what professionals
The opening of the 2028 season confirms that Seattle will remain MSC Cruises' home port for Alaska and that MSC Poesia will continue to operate seven-night weekly itineraries.
It adds a new service to a market already served by several international airlines. However, the press release does not provide any information on the impact of this additional capacity on prices, market share, or visitor numbers to the destination.
For French distribution, commercial interest will depend in particular on airfares to Seattle, available allotments, the total duration of the trip and the ability to sell additional services around the cruise.
Article published on July 30, 2026 based on programs and information available at that date.
Sources
- https://www.mscpressarea.com/en_INT/press-releases/msc-cruises-opens-bookings-for-summer-2028-alaska-season/
- https://www.mscpressarea.com/en_INT/press-releases/newly-transformed-msc-poesia-set-to-sail-for-alaska-ahead-of-her-2026-summer-seas/
- https://www.mscpressarea.com/en_INT/press-releases/msc-poesia-departs-from-seattle-on-msc-cruises-first-alaska-season/
- https://www.msccruises.com/int/our-cruises/destinations/alaska
- https://www.msccruises.com/int/our-cruises/ships/msc-poesia
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