Seabourn has commenced its 2026 Alaska deployment with the maiden arrival of Seabourn Encore in Vancouver, marking the first time the vessel has operated in Alaskan waters. The programme represents an expansion of the company’s long-established presence in Alaska and British Columbia, where Seabourn has operated expedition-style luxury voyages for several decades.
Between May and September 2026, Seabourn Encore is scheduled to operate a series of 7- to 14-day itineraries between Vancouver and Juneau. The deployment has been structured around navigation through narrow fjords, remote waterways, and smaller coastal communities inaccessible to larger vessels. Alongside established ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan, the itineraries include calls at destinations including Alert Bay and the Inian Islands, together with extended cruising through the Alaska and Canadian Inside Passage.
Each voyage within the programme incorporates glacier viewing operations, including calls within Glacier Bay National Park, where the line stated it would offer more visits than any other luxury cruise operator during the season. Multiple glacier viewing opportunities are scheduled within single itineraries, including sailings through Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, and Hubbard Glacier regions.
Mark Tamis, President of Seabourn, indicated that the arrival of Seabourn Encore in Alaska represented an important operational development for the company. He stated that the vessel’s dimensions and design were particularly suited to the region, permitting closer access to coastal landscapes, wildlife areas, and remote communities while maintaining the line’s all-suite luxury format.
The inaugural season also introduces Seabourn’s first Alaska-focused culinary programme. Planned offerings include regionally themed dining and deck events centred on local seafood and regional ingredients, together with speciality beverages incorporating Alaskan spirits and glacial ice.
Voyages throughout the season will be supported by a dedicated expedition team composed of naturalists, historians, and wilderness specialists providing onboard lectures and live commentary during scenic cruising operations. The programme also includes Ventures by Seabourn, an optional series of expedition excursions featuring Zodiac cruises, kayaking operations, and guided hikes in remote coastal environments.
Accommodation aboard Seabourn Encore is arranged entirely in suite categories with private verandas, while open deck areas and observation spaces have been configured to maximise scenic viewing during glacier passages and wildlife encounters.
The company further noted that the deployment combines traditional luxury cruising with expedition-style exploration, with itineraries timed to coincide with seasonal phenomena including the summer solstice, Perseid meteor shower activity, and periods of potential Northern Lights visibility later in the season.