Silversea has concluded its 2026 Alaska season following 30 voyages operated by Silver Moon and Silver Whisper between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska. From 14 May to 3 September, the two ships sailed the Inside Passage in both directions, calling at a total of 14 destinations and combining some of the region’s most iconic landscapes with a programme of excursions designed to bring guests closer to nature, history and local communities.
The cruise line maintained its established format of predominantly seven-night sailings between Vancouver and Seward, an itinerary that allows guests to cross the Inside Passage while connecting the Canadian coast with south-central Alaska. Throughout the season, Silver Moon and Silver Whisper alternated calls at well-known ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and Skagway with visits to less frequently visited destinations including Haines, Metlakatla, Klawock, Valdez and Whittier. Scenic cruising also played a central role. Hubbard Glacier and Icy Bay were among the key highlights of the itineraries, offering guests the opportunity to observe some of Alaska’s most spectacular glacial landscapes at close range. The onboard experience was complemented throughout the summer by numerous wildlife sightings, including humpback whales, orcas, brown and black bears, bald eagles, Dall sheep and puffins. “Destination leadership is what sets Silversea apart,” said Bert Hernandez, president of the cruise line, highlighting how the relatively compact size of its ships allows them to reach areas of the region that are less accessible to larger vessels.
The two ships deployed in 2026 have different characteristics. Silver Moon, which entered service in 2020, has a gross tonnage of approximately 40,700 and can accommodate 596 guests. On board, she also features the S.A.L.T. – Sea And Land Taste – culinary programme, developed to connect the dining experience with the traditions and ingredients of the destinations visited. Silver Whisper, by contrast, represents an earlier and more classic generation of the Silversea fleet. Refurbished in 2024, she has a gross tonnage of 28,258 and can accommodate 392 passengers, supported by a crew of more than 300. Her compact dimensions are particularly well suited to a destination such as Alaska, where the value of an itinerary depends not only on the main ports, but also on the ability to navigate channels, fjords and less congested ports of call.
The season placed significant emphasis on experiences ashore. In Skagway, guests were able to travel along the historic White Pass & Yukon Route aboard a private parlor-style carriage, climbing from sea level towards White Pass along one of the railway routes most closely associated with the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. In Juneau, some excursions combined scenic helicopter flights over the Juneau Icefield with glacier landings and visits to sled-dog camps. In Sitka, meanwhile, the landscape was explored from the water, with kayaking excursions in Sitka Sound among islands, rugged coastlines and views of Mount Edgecumbe. In Haines, guests could explore old forest roads by ATV in areas near the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, while from Ketchikan, seaplanes flew to the Misty Fjords National Monument, passing over granite cliffs, waterfalls and glacial lakes. These experiences clearly demonstrate the direction of Silversea’s Alaska offering: not simply observing the landscape from the ship’s deck, but entering the territory through a wide range of activities, from historic trains and kayaking to helicopters and seaplanes, as well as excursions further inland. For those wishing to continue their journey beyond the cruise, the company’s Land Programmes also allow guests to combine their voyage with stays in Denali National Park and journeys aboard Alaska’s railways. Seward plays a particularly important role in this respect, as it represents one of the principal links between the coast and the state’s interior.
Seward itself was one of the most significant developments of the 2026 season. In June, the Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal became operational, developed through a collaboration between Alaska Railroad, Royal Caribbean Group, The Seward Company and Turnagain Marine Construction. The new facility replaces port infrastructure dating back to the 1960s and was designed to strengthen Seward’s role as a gateway for cross-gulf cruises. The terminal provides approximately 41,500 square feet of enclosed space, along with approximately 27,000 square feet dedicated to baggage handling. Its location alongside the Alaska Railroad line also enables a more direct connection between the ship and rail transportation towards Anchorage, Fairbanks and other inland destinations. This is particularly important for Silversea, which uses Seward as both an embarkation and disembarkation point for itineraries that can be easily combined with land programmes. The new pier has also been designed with shore power capability for cruise ships. The project forms part of a broader infrastructure initiative that includes energy systems intended not only to support port operations but also to provide additional support to the local power network during the winter months. The terminal has also been designed for use by the Seward community outside the cruise season, hosting events and other activities. The investment in the port forms part of a broader strategy by Royal Caribbean Group towards the destination. In 2026, the group also developed the Port Partners Small Business Accelerator programme in Seward, supporting local small businesses through funding and mentoring activities. The first $20,000 contribution was awarded to Exit Glacier Greenhouses, a local business working to expand fruit and vegetable production in the region. The project involves expanding its production facilities through the addition of new greenhouse modules, with the aim of significantly increasing the local availability of fresh produce in a territory that is heavily dependent on food imports.
Following the completion of its 2026 programme, Silversea is already looking ahead to the following season. For 2027, 29 Alaska voyages are planned aboard Silver Moon and Silver Whisper, with departures scheduled between 27 May and early September. The overall structure of the itineraries will remain similar, with Vancouver and Seward serving as the principal endpoints of the cruises, although some departures will introduce different combinations of scenic cruising and ports of call. Silver Moon will continue to offer several itineraries featuring Hubbard Glacier as one of the main highlights. The 3 June 2027 departure, for example, will connect Seward with Vancouver over seven nights, with calls at Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising in front of Hubbard Glacier. The reverse sailing on 19 August, also aboard Silver Moon, will depart Vancouver and reach Seward on 26 August. The official itinerary includes the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Hubbard Glacier. Some Silver Whisper departures will instead introduce Tracy Arm, Sawyer Glacier and Icy Bay. The Vancouver–Seward sailing departing on 1 July 2027, for example, includes Ketchikan, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Bay and Valdez, creating an itinerary particularly focused on glacial landscapes and Prince William Sound. The excursion programme will also continue to expand the experience ashore. Activities announced for 2027 include a flight over five glaciers combined with a salmon lunch at Taku Lodge from Juneau, sport-fishing excursions from Ketchikan and rafting through Keystone Canyon in the Valdez area.
The recently completed season and the programme already planned for 2027 reveal a fairly clear strategy. Silversea continues to deploy smaller-capacity ships not so much to move away from Alaska’s major icons, but rather to explore them in greater depth through a combination of major ports, secondary destinations, scenic cruising and experiences ashore. The destination’s best-known names — from Juneau and Ketchikan to Skagway and Hubbard Glacier — remain central, but they are incorporated into a broader experience encompassing nature, local culture, infrastructure and overland connections. With Seward’s new rail terminal making the transition towards Alaska’s interior smoother, the cruise thus becomes part of a wider journey that can continue towards Denali, Anchorage and the vast distances of the Last Frontier.
Gabriele Bassi
