This Could Be the Most Luxurious Way to Explore Alaska
On the westernmost edge of North America lies one of the world’s final frontiers. Here, towering glaciers and jagged, snowy peaks join forces with fjords, forested islands and wildlife frolicking in pristine waters to create unforgettable sights. Alaska, which spans part of the Arctic Circle, is a bucket-list-worthy destination in its own right, but experiencing its splendour with luxury cruise line Cunard will take it to the next level. Here’s everything you need to know.
Commune with glaciers
It’s impossible not to be humbled by Alaska’s natural splendour, where skyrise-sized glaciers glow in ethereal shades of blue and the horizon melts into the reflection of snow-capped mountains on glassy water. On Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, you’ll glide between dramatic cliff faces on the calm waterways of Glacier Bay National Park and feel dwarfed as you navigate walls of ice at Tracy Arm fjord. Plus, there’s a chance to witness the 100-metre-high Hubbard Glacier shelf. Back on board, celebrate the shimmering landscape at the Ice White Ball. A highlight of the Alaska cruise calendar, this glamorous gala evening is your cue to dress in “white-tie” finery for a night of drinking and dancing as you’re treated to Cunard’s famous White Star Service.
Experience Alaska’s icy wonderland, with cruises departing from Seattle, USA. Find out more at cunard.com/alaska
Explore a frontier town
Compact and charming, Alaska’s capital, Juneau, is rich with the history of its native Tlingit founders and the city’s downtown area is a beautifully preserved time capsule from the late 1800s, when countless adventurers were lured north by the Klondike Gold Rush. The frontier spirit also lives on in the rugged port town of Skagway – a once-lawless Wild West outpost – where you can have a drink in a 19th-century saloon or take a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route railway, following in the footsteps of hopeful prospectors who traversed the route more than a century ago. Continue your exploration on board with Cunard’s Insight Speaker program of inspiring talks hosted by polar explorers, historians and other experts in their field – you’ll hear eye-opening tales and fascinating firsthand insights in the comfort and splendour of Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Court Theatre.
Whale-watch in style
Sea lions, otters, seals and porpoises are among the many charismatic creatures that call Alaskan waters home and you don’t have to go far to see them. Just open the curtains of your spacious suite or stateroom or head to one of Queen Elizabeth’s uncrowded decks for the perfect vantage point from which to spy on the area’s playful inhabitants. In spring, you might even get close enough to a migrating humpback whale to hear its gentle breathing and other-worldly song. On these luxurious and unhurried days at sea, you might spot the ocean’s majestic animals while enjoying a treatment in the Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa or a signature Cunard Afternoon Tea served by white-gloved waiters. For the perfect end to the day, opt for a bespoke dinner inspired by proudly regional Alaskan cuisine and showcasing local produce. Featuring exclusively on the Alaskan voyages, Frontier dining delivers a taste of the last frontier with seafood fished from the depths of glacial fjords and foraged wild berries – think sloe berry and venison salami or rich Arctic cod served with seaweed-seasoned peas.
With a high staff-to-guest ratio and unparalleled style, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is the most luxurious way to experience Alaska. Start planning your trip at cunard.com/alaska
