By
Rebecca Gibson |
Oceania Cruises’ Riviera will sail its first season in Alaska in summer 2025, offering 11 different itineraries ranging from seven to 12 days in length.
The 1,250-guest ship, which was fully refurbished in 2022, will call at destinations such as Ketchikan, Sitka, Kodiak and the Hubbard Glacier. Guests will be able to choose from almost 300 excursions, including the opportunity to accompany a native Tlingit guide in Ketchikan, explore Skagway’s gold-rush past, meet local artisans and learn about tribal history at the only remaining village of the Chilkat people in Haines, and visit Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world.
Oceania Cruises has also developed a new series of chef-led ‘Culinary Discovery Tours’, which will be offered in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. Some of the highlights of this programme will include a session trying craft beers with dishes made from freshly foraged ingredients or a tour that includes a visit to a sustainable oyster farm followed by a hands-on seafood-centric cooking class.
In addition, Oceania Cruises will offer Alaska-focused enrichment activities onboard Riviera. A naturalist will join each sailing to provide a series of talks, meanwhile children aged between five and 12 years old will be able to participate in the Alaska Explorer Youth Programme. The Culinary Center will also host interactive cooking classes where guests can try making Alaska and Pacific Northwest regional specialties.
“The decision to elevate our presence in the Alaska region was easy,” said Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises. “This fascinating destination has always been a firm favourite with our well-travelled guests, who are constantly wanting to explore remote, wondrous and truly off-the-beaten-track destinations. Sailing onboard Riviera is the ultimate way to explore this rugged state, while enjoying her distinctive residential luxury, ‘The Finest Cuisine at Sea’ and expertly curated travel experiences.”
Guests can extend their Alaska trip by joining a multi-day Denali National Park experience as part of one of Oceania Cruises’ pre- and post-cruise Alaska Land Programmes.