Royal Caribbean Unveils 2012 Alaska Cruises on Radiance, Rhapsody

Royal Caribbean Unveils 2012 Alaska Cruises on Radiance, Rhapsody

Royal Caribbean International announced plans for its 2012 Alaska cruises and cruise-tours aboard Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. As part of the global cruise brand’s return to Alaska for a 23rd consecutive year, Radiance of the Seas will sail seven-night north- and southbound itineraries between Vancouver, B.C., and Seward, Alaska, while Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on a series of seven-night cruises, roundtrip from Seattle.

Royal Caribbean is introducing a brand-new series of cruise-tours, ranging in length from 10 to 18 nights, which incorporate both the land and cruise portions of the vacations, for a total of 20 tours. Bookings for Royal Caribbean’s 2012 Alaska cruises and cruise-tours open April 7.

“Experiencing the pristine beauty of the 49th State is high on many vacationers’ bucket lists and Royal Caribbean’s incredible portfolio of Alaska cruises and cruise-tour land packages will provide guests with adventures of a lifetime that will fulfill any dream,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of marketing for Royal Caribbean. “Whether looking for family fun, high adventure or romance, vacationers will find the experience onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, second to none thanks to the Gold Anchor service from our crew combined with unparalleled ship amenities, or what we call the Royal Advantage.”

For 2012, Royal Caribbean will debut three new Alaska cruise-tours in conjunction with Radiance of the Seas’ seven-night itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, creating 10- to 13-night cruise and land vacations. All Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise-tours are escorted by Royal Caribbean Adventure Specialists, who know what to see, where to eat and how to do it best.

The offerings feature a 12-night program geared toward families, featuring a Resurrection Bay & Wildlife cruise, where participants can take in the region’s dramatic cliffs, alpine glaciers, marine life and seabirds, with a trip to Fox Island, and excursions to the Anchorage Museum & Imaginarium, where families learn and explore art, history and science through play. The cruise-tour also includes an excursion to Denali National Park, complete with experiences designed specifically for families.

In addition, a Canadian Rockies cruise-tour of six nights will combine the destinations of Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Vancouver and Victoria with an overnight train journey aboard VIA Rail and accommodations at Fairmont hotels. An 18-night Ultimate Cruise-tour couples the Canadian Rockies pre-cruise with a five-night post-cruise Alaska land tour.

Radiance of the Seas’ seven-night northbound cruise schedule, from Vancouver to Seward, will cruise the Inside Passage and call at Alaska’s Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Hubbard Glacier (cruising). The southbound journey will reverse the itinerary. Sailing from Seattle, Rhapsody of the Seas’ seven-night cruises also will sail the Inside Passage, calling at Juneau and Skagway, sailing past Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier.

Guests can book an extensive array of shore excursion options for an additional charge. At Icy Strait Point, they can take a ride down a 1,300-foot mountainside on the ZipRider, the world’s largest zip line, for birds-eye views of Port Frederick, Icy Strait and the expansive wilderness.

The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour at Ketchikan takes guests aboard the Aleutian Ballad crab boat to explore the coastline scenery and learn about all manners of Alaskan sea life. Alaska Gold Rush & Skagway Highlights is a family friendly adventure aboard the White Pass and Yukon Railway with a stop at the Klondike Gold Fields to offer guests a chance to pan for their own gold followed by a hearty buffet lunch.

Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas are both appointed with multi-deck, dazzling glass windows, affording guests sweeping vistas of Alaska’s landscape as it unfolds. Guests can race to the top of the ships’ iconic rock-climbing walls for an even more thrilling view from the ship’s highest point or enjoy a variety of rejuvenating spa treatments in the Day Spa. Younger guests will be entertained in the cruise line’s Adventure Ocean and teen programs, with scheduled activities led by a college-graduate counselor beginning from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. In the evenings, guests can enjoy Royal Caribbean Productions’ Broadway-style musical revues.