Oceania Cruises will deploy the 1,250-passenger Riviera to Alaska for the first time next year, nearly doubling the line's capacity in Alaska.
The recently refurbished Riviera will replace the 670-passenger Regatta and sail seven- to 12-day itineraries from May through September.
The cruises range from open-jaw itineraries largely between Vancouver and Whittier and roundtrip voyages from Seattle. Among ports such as Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, calls will include a mix smaller or lesser-traveled ports including Prince Rupert, Haines, Homer, Klawock and Wrangell.
Oceania's Alaska product will include a new hands-on culinary class. The self-described "foodie" cruise line will also offer a menu of culinary-focused shore excursions like a crabbing experience; a flyover of the Tongass National Forest followed by an Alaskan lunch of crab cakes, soy-glazed salmon and baked halibut; and a seafood sampling at downtown Juneau restaurants.
The redeployment comes as Juneau and cruise lines have agreed to cap the growth of cruises there. The industry is limited to five ships per day beginning this year and will be held to 16,000 lower berths per day and 12,000 on Saturdays in 2026.