What's New for Alaska in 2022

After a nonexistent 2020 season and an abbreviated 2021 season, Alaska travel is gearing up across the board for a return to normal. Cruise lines expect to be back with a full slate of sailings, bringing up to 1.5 million passengers to Alaska's coastal communities. Elsewhere there are hotel happenings, anniversary celebrations and destination developments across the state. All this is subject to a couple of important caveats: Will COVID force another pullback of travel operations? Will Transport Canada allow cruise ships into Canadian ports? Here's a look at what's new for Alaska in 2022, assuming all goes as planned:

Princess Cruises leads the charge with six MedallionClass ships, featuring the Discovery Princess, the line's newest ship and the youngest sailing in Alaska. Altogether Princess offers 12 cruise itineraries, 25 cruise-tour options and a choice of four embarkation points including Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier and San Francisco.

Norwegian Cruise Line sends five ships to Alaska for the first time ever: The Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Spirit sail five- to 11-day cruises departing Seattle, Seward and Vancouver. Longer repositioning cruises to begin and end the season also are scheduled, such as 16-day voyages between Alaska and Hawaii or Japan.

Royal Caribbean International fields its first four-ship Alaska deployment. Two Quantum-class ships-the Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas-sail seven-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle. Two Radiance-class ships-the Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas-sail one-way, seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruises between Seward and Vancouver.

Carnival Cruise Line returns with three ships sailing the Inside Passage. The Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor depart on six- to eight-day cruises from Seattle, while the Carnival Miracle sails on 10-day cruises from San Francisco.

Windstar Cruises introduces the newly transformed, all-suite Star Breeze on itineraries as short as seven days. The Star Breeze features a whole new look since its lengthening with new suites and expanded restaurant facilities, plus an enlarged pool and spa.

Hurtigruten resumes its Alaska expedition cruises with a series of 14- and 18-day itineraries to the Aleutian Islands and Inside Passage. The Roald Amundsen remains the only hybrid, battery-powered ship in the region.