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Ritz-Carlton just announced its first foray into Alaska

Jan. 24, 2025
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3 min read
20250123_Ritz-Carlton Cruise to Alaska_2025_Exterior Rendering_Alaska
Ritz-Carlton just announced its first foray into Alaska
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Luxury cruise fans will soon have another option in Alaska. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection recently announced brand-new itineraries in the Last Frontier starting in 2026.

The voyages will take place on board 452-passenger Luminara and depart from Whittier, Alaska, and Vancouver, British Columbia, from May to September. The vessel’s smaller size allows it to stop at smaller, less-visited Alaska ports, such as Klawock, Petersburg, Wrangell and Haines.

Sailings will range from seven to 11 nights and include visits to Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point in Alaska, among other stops. Passengers will also have ample glacier- and whale-watching opportunities along Tracy Arm Fjord and Endicott Arm Fjord, plus extended stays in select ports like Alaska's Valdez and Sitka, as well as Vancouver.

Below is a sampling of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's available Alaska itineraries:

  • Seven-night round trip departing from Vancouver with stops in Ketchikan, Sitka and Klawock, plus Canada's Prince Rupert, home of the Great Bear Rainforest. All-inclusive fares start at $8,500 per person.
  • Ten-night voyage from Vancouver to Whittier, calling on ports in Klawock, Wrangell, Haines, Icy Strait Point and Valdez, plus scenic sailing by Hubbard Glacier. All-inclusive fares start at $13,200 per person.
  • Eleven-night sailing from Whittier to Vancouver, featuring stops in Valdez, Icy Strait Point, Petersburg, Sitka, Klawock and Ketchikan, plus a sailing along the Sawyer Glacier. All-inclusive fares start at $13,400 per person.

The third yacht in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Luminara is set to debut in July. Its first voyages will take place in the Mediterranean, and Asia-Pacific sailings will follow before the vessel heads to Alaska in May 2026.

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As with sister ships Ilma and Evrima, every cabin on Luminara will be a suite, with the biggest measuring 1,048 square feet. All feature private terraces, and select accommodations come with a Suite Ambassador to assist with unpacking, arrange in-suite dining, manage laundry services and more.

Guests can also expect all-inclusive amenities, such as upscale dining across six venues, beverages, tips, 24-hour in-suite dining, Wi-Fi and more. A top-deck pool, spa and fitness center round out Luminara’s onboard offerings.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by RITZ-CARLTON
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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