Cunard Returning to Alaska in 2019

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth will be a busy ship in 2019 as the cruise line makes its triumphant return to Alaska.

The Province reported its been more than 20 years since Cunard sailed Alaska.

The cruise line announced this week its newest ship will set sail from Japan to Alaska just in time for the spring of 2019 before traversing multiple oceans en route to some of the world's most coveted destinations.

The 2,057-passenger ship will arrive in Alaska in May and remain in the diversely beautiful region through June, giving travelers ample time to explore The Last Frontier in luxury.

Guests' first chance to sail to Alaska with Cunard is the 27-night voyage from Tokyo to Vancouver on May 5, 2019. Starting at $4,409 per person, the sailing will feature stops at ports in Kodiak, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria before arriving in Vancouver.

"Cunard is thrilled to make our return to Alaska with our youngest ship Queen Elizabeth," said senior vice president of Cunard North America, Josh Leibowitz in a statement accompanying this week's announcement. "Our guests can now explore the region on the best itinerary in Alaska—four 10-night roundtrip Vancouver sailings with more time in port and opportunities to visit the natural wonders of Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier."

The Vancouver voyages will depart May 21, May 31, June 10 and June 20, 2019.

Highlights of the itineraries include touring the waterways of the Inside Passage, stops in the Gold Rush era town of Skagway and the capital city of Juneau, experiencing Ketchikan's native tribes and a visit to the Russia-influenced Sitka.

The itineraries also include trips to the Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier and Victoria. Fares start at $1,699 per person.

After the final sailing from Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth will sail south to San Francisco and Los Angeles for an overnight stay on the Fourth of July. The three- and five-night voyages to California start at $779 per person.

Guests can also book a Grand Voyage ranging from 21 to 49 nights starting at $3,479 per person. Passengers will depart from Vancouver, stop in California and travel on through the Panama Canal to Ft. Lauderdale or New York before crossing the Atlantic to Reykjavik, Dublin, Glasgow and eventually London. Guests can pick a distance based on preference.

Select sailings will also offer Rocky Mountain Rail Land Tours pre- and post- cruise featuring two full days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Passengers opting for the rail adventure will pass through numerous tunnels and canyons while getting a unique look at the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide.

Cunard World Club members can book these experiences early beginning October 30, 2017. Reservations will open to the public October 31. Those who book a Grills Suite prior to February 28, 2018, can also score complimentary drinks and gratuities.

Launched in 2010, Queen Elizabeth is Cunard's newest vessel and boasts a plethora of luxe features, including a spa, library and games deck, as well as world-class dining and entertainment offerings. Last month, the Carnival Corporation brand announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement for a fourth ship to be delivered in 2022.