Teri West
The Alaska cruise season is underway, and it's a big one.
Three cruise lines are sailing Alaska for the first time, others are returning after a hiatus and a handful are sending new ships to the region.
The result is a six-ship increase in Alaska, according to CLIA, and a nearly 15% capacity increase, said Infinity Research CEO Assia Georgieva.
Georgieva tracks cruise ticket prices and said it "was going to be a pretty weak year" for yield in Alaska because of the increased supply. Amid the Iran war, however, Alaska is a popular destination with many American cruisers choosing a vacation closer to home.
Domestic demand remains strong relative to Europe, helping a market where an influx of supply had otherwise been hurting cruise lines' pricing power. The same goes for the Caribbean, which has an approximately 20% increase in capacity this year.
"In a way, that was really lucky," Georgieva said.
The cruise lines venturing into Alaska for the first time are MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
I'm currently onboard the Brilliant Lady for Virgin Voyages' "Mermaiden" sailing in Alaska, checking out how Virgin's adults-only, city-style cruise experience plays in a destination known for nature and wildlife viewing.
The sailaway was the expected party experience on a Virgin sailing, with a scenic view of snowy Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline in the backdrop. My balcony has Virgin's signature hammock, but instead of relaxing on it to enjoy an island breeze, I'll be bundled up whale watching.
My colleague Brinley Hineman will be checking out the MSC Cruises experience in Alaska later this summer. Before its Alaska debut, MSC outfitted the MSC Poesia with its ship-within-a-ship experience, the MSC Yacht Club, as well as new specialty dining and a redesigned spa.
Amid all of the new activity, ships will skip Tracy Arm Fjord for glacier viewing after a landslide and massive tsunami in August leaves the area susceptible to landslides. Cruisers will be visiting neighboring Endicott Arm Fjord instead.