Celebrity Cruises Will Return to Alaska in July

A day after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure that would save the Alaska cruise season, Celebrity Cruises announced its long-awaited return to sailing in Alaska.

Celebrity will return to the Last Frontier starting on July 23 with a series of nine sailings aboard Celebrity Summit through the middle of September. The Dawes Glacier itineraries will include stops in Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Juneau, and Skagway.

All guests over 16-years old will be required to be vaccinated in order to board and starting on Aug. 1, that requirement will move to all U.S. guests over the age of 12. The sailings open for bookings on May 25.

“I just can’t say enough about how wonderful it is to return to Alaska. I have always had a special place in my heart for the incredible people, amazing wildlife and the beauty of this great state and once our guests visit, they do, too,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises.

“The Alaskan communities have been hurting without the economic support they receive from tourism, and especially, the cruise industry. I am grateful to our elected officials across the country for recognizing the need and finding a way to restore them to their livelihoods.” 

The ship, which has just been renovated as part of Celebrity’s $500 million fleetwide refurb, will then reposition to the Caribbean where it will sail four- and five-night itineraries. Summit is now the sixth ship to schedule its return. Other Celebrity ships scheduled to start sailing include three ships that are expected to resume operations in the Galapagos later this summer. 

All sailings are also available with Celebrity’s new all-inclusive fare that includes WiFi, drinks, tips, and more.

With the news, Celebrity joins three Carnival Corp. brands—Holland America, Princess, and Carnival Cruise Line—in announcing a return to Alaska. All of the new sailings still depend on final approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, cruise line executives have said they are confident they would receive approval in time for the July restart dates.