A Look at MSC’s First Alaska Season in 2026 – Cruise Industry News

One of the three cruise lines adding sailings in Alaska and Canada to their deployment, MSC Cruises is set to debut in the region with the MSC Poesia in 2026.

Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at the company’s maiden season in the Last Frontier, which also includes repositioning cruises from Europe.

Trans-Atlantic
Ship: MSC Poesia
Date: April 7, 2026
Length: 16 nights
Homeports: Genoa (Italy) to Miami (United States)
Itinerary: Marseille (France); Barcelona (Spain); Funchal (Portugal); Philipsburg (St. Maarten); and Ocean Cay (Bahamas)

After completing a winter season in Europe, the MSC Poesia starts its repositioning voyage to Alaska with a trans-Atlantic crossing.

The 16-night cruise sails from Italy to the United States and features visits to destinations in Portugal, Spain, France and St. Maarten. Before ending in Miami, the itinerary is also scheduled to make a visit to MSC’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay.

Panama Canal
Ship: MSC Poesia
Date: April 23, 2026
Length: 18 nights
Homeports: Miami to Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Cartagena (Colombia); Colon and Panama Canal (Panama); Puntarenas (Costa Rica); Cabo San Lucas (Mexico); San Diego and Los Angeles (United States)

On its way to Seattle, the MSC Poesia offers a Panama Canal cruise that also features ports of call on the Mexican Riviera and California.

Sailing from Miami, the 18-night cruise is highlighted by visits to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.

Alaska with Icy Strait Point
Ship: MSC Poesia
Date: 19 departures between May and September 2026
Length: 7 nights
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Victoria (Canada); Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point (United States)

During most of its summer deployment in Alaska, the MSC Poesia is set to offer a seven-night cruise that features five destinations in the region.

In addition to a short visit to Victoria, the 2,550-guest vessel is set to visit Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point. Cruising roundtrip from Seattle, the itinerary also includes scenic cruising at the Tracy Arm Fjord.

Alaska with Sitka
Ship: MSC Poesia
Date: September 21, 2026
Length: 7 nights
Homeport: Seattle (United States)
Itinerary: Victoria (Canada); Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan and Sitka (United States)

Before completing its inaugural season in Alaska, the MSC Poesia is also set to offer a seven-night cruise that features a visit to Sitka.

Similar to the ship’s regular itinerary, the cruise sails roundtrip from Seattle and also includes visits to Victoria, Juneau and Ketchikan. Scheduled to depart in late September 2026, the sailing is highlighted by scenic cruising at Tracy Arm Fjord.