royal caribbean alaska cruise 2023 excursions

The 6 best Alaska cruise shore excursions — from heli-hiking to whale watching

There are some cruise destinations — Barcelona, for instance, or Venice — where you really don't need to sign up for shore excursions . You can just walk off the ship and head to the major attractions on your own.

For the most part, the ports of Alaska aren't like that.

To get the most out of an Alaska cruise , you'll want to sign up for a tour in most if not all of the ports you visit. And not just any old tour. You'll be looking for the best Alaska shore excursions that get you out into the Alaska backcountry.

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In Alaska, many of the biggest "attractions" — breathtaking mountain landscapes, glaciers, fjords, breaching whales and feeding bears, for instance — are related to the Great Outdoors. As a result, many of the best Alaska shore excursions for cruisers are found outside of the towns where ships stop. If you just stay in the towns and explore on your own, you'll miss a big part of what Alaska is all about.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

Picking the best Alaska shore excursions

People who know me know that I love talking about Alaska port towns. This isn't just because I spent more than two decades writing about Alaska and other cruise destinations for major newspapers. For many years, I was the co-author of Frommer's "Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call" guide. In researching nearly half a dozen editions of that book, I spent many days exploring each of the major cruise ports in the state. I've tried a large number of the shore excursions in places such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. I've also poked around these towns a lot on my own.

As noted above, my biggest message to anyone planning an Alaska cruise is to get out of the towns . Sign up for something — a hike, a rafting trip, a train ride, a fishing outing — that gets you out into Alaska's spectacular outdoor settings.

But I also have a few specific, top-line pro tips when you're thinking about the best Alaska shore excursions:

• Get up in the air . It'll be expensive. We're talking $250 or more per person. But there's nothing like seeing the grandeur of Alaska from a helicopter or floatplane. The Juneau Icefield, in particular, is a sight to behold. It covers around 1,500 square miles. You can see it on a flightseeing tour from Juneau, with some tours including landings on the ice.
• Don't miss the whales. Even if you're not a big wildlife person, you'll be mesmerized by the humpback whales of Alaska. They are huge (at up to 52 feet, longer than a Greyhound bus), and there are boat tours that will get you up close to them. The best places to do this are out of Juneau and also Icy Strait Point if your ship stops there.
• Splurge for a trip to Misty Fjords National Monument . This glacier-carved wilderness area, not far from Ketchikan, is another don't-miss sight. It's everything you think of when you think of Alaska: icy blue lakes, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and glacial valleys. The only way to get there is on a boat or floatplane tour, and they typically start at over $200 a person.

Unfortunately, as you can see from the above, many of the most spectacular excursions in Alaskan ports are expensive. But Alaska is not a place to skimp. Alaska is a place where you may want to budget almost as much per person for your shore excursions as you do for your cabin.

That said, you don't have to splurge for a big outing at every call. In Juneau, for instance, you can get an outdoor experience with a relatively inexpensive trip to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. It's just 12 miles from the cruise ship docks and reachable by bus or taxi. The bus will set you back an astounding $45 per person, round-trip, which I find an intolerable gouge (but … it is what it is). If you have a few people, you're probably better off with a taxi, which runs around $35 each way. For two or three people traveling together, it's not all that pricey a trip.

Either way you do it, you'll find some nice hiking trails around Mendenhall Glacier and a visitor center. There's a creek there, too, where I've sometimes seen salmon running. One time, I even saw a bear. Speaking of which: A bear is something you think you want to see in Alaska until you actually see one. Then you're just hoping you don't get eaten.

Related: The best Alaska cruises for couples

I should also be clear that the towns themselves aren't devoid of attractions. While I highly encourage Alaska-bound cruisers to get out into the wilderness, there are plenty of worthwhile things to do in each of the main port towns.

In Juneau, food tours have become popular; think King crab bisque and Alaska salmon. The Alaska State Museum is beautiful and worth a visit. Skagway is like a Gold Rush-themed movie set. You should at least walk its main street (Broadway), with its wooden-board sidewalks. If you're a craft beer fan, like me , you also might want to sample a Spruce Tip Blonde Ale at the Skagway Brewing Company. It's made with Sitka spruce tips picked locally in the spring.

In Ketchikan, you should save a few minutes to stroll up Creek Street, along Ketchikan Creek, where you might spot salmon running. It's the ultimate Alaska selfie spot.

Related: The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle

How to book the best Alaska shore excursions

The simplest way to book an Alaska shore excursion is through your cruise line. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof! — it's all arranged. They send a ticket to your room, and when you walk off the ship, a tour guide will be waiting for you.

Another way to go is to book directly with a tour operator in one of the ports. Many of the tour operators you'll find in Alaskan ports are the same tour operators that operate the ship-sponsored excursions. Often, the tours that the local tour operators will sell you are the same tours that the cruise lines are selling you, at the same price . Shopping around isn't necessarily going to get you anywhere.

Indeed, in some cases, the cruise lines own the tour operators in Alaska ports, or at least a piece of them. For instance, the parent company of Princess Cruises and Holland America is a part-owner of Skagway's big attraction, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

That said, you can sometimes get discounts by calling a tour operator directly. I've had some luck with that over the years. It's hit or miss.

Related: 8 tips for booking the best cruise shore excursion for your money

The 6 best Alaska shore excursions

Below, I've listed six of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions. These all are tours that you'll find in the tour lineups at every major cruise line that operates in Alaska. That said, different lines sometimes have different names for these tours — and sometimes different pricing.

For the listings below, I've used the tour names and pricing listed in the current tour sheets at Princess, which along with sister line Holland America, is the biggest cruise operator in Alaska.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line

Dog-sledding and glacier adventure by helicopter

Cost: $669.95 per person

Port where available: Juneau

For those with a hefty bankroll, this might be the ultimate Alaska shore excursion. Combining helicopter flightseeing over the seemingly endless Juneau Icefield with a landing on a glacier for dog sledding, it hits two of Alaska's most iconic experiences.

It's also insanely expensive, as I know from firsthand experience. I once took my entire family of five on this excursion, dropping more than $2,000 in the process. That's a huge chunk of change for an outing that lasts three hours.

But I'll tell you this: I don't regret doing it. Not one bit. For starters, the views of the Juneau Icefield as you fly to and from the dog-sledding camp are incredible (assuming the weather cooperates). But the real joy was seeing my three young girls interacting with the teams of Alaskan huskies that live at the camp.

Once you arrive at the camp, you'll meet the dogs and their mushers, see where they live, get a quick tutorial in mushing, and then head out for a spin around the camp on a dog-pulled sled.

Related: These are the best times to visit Alaska

Whale watching and wildlife quest

Cost: $189.95

If it's Alaska's famous humpback whales that you want to see, you'll want to book a whale-watching tour. The waters around Juneau are particularly known for humpback whales — so much so that the operator of this excursion offers a whale-sighting guarantee.

Setting off from the Juneau harbor in a whale-watching boat, you'll cruise to nearby areas to see not just humpback whales but harbor seals and sea lions, too. You might even spot a killer whale or porpoise.

The boat used for this excursion has both inside and outdoor viewing areas. The trips last about four hours, including transfer time from your cruise ship to the whale-watching boat.

Related: The ultimate list of Alaska cruise tips

Note that if you have a big enough group, it sometimes pays to arrange a private boat out of Juneau to take you to see humpback whales. Many lines offer a private boat charter for whale watching as a tour option, or you can arrange one through a local company.

Klondike rock climbing and rappelling

Cost: $119.95

Port where available: Skagway

If you're like me, you may be a little terrified at the idea of climbing the sheer face of a rock cliff. But don't let that scare you away from this 3 1/4-hour tour. It's a hoot.

Experienced climbing guides will meet you at your ship and drive you up the Klondike Highway to an area of granite cliffs that's the perfect playground for beginner and more seasoned climbers alike. Upon arrival, the guides provide you with all the gear you need — climbing shoes, helmets and harnesses — for a safe scramble up a 70-foot-high wall. They'll also offer plenty of instruction (and encouragement) plus a snack of trail mix and hot chocolate.

If it all sounds a bit daunting, know that you don't need any experience at climbing to do it; I sure didn't have any when I tried it, nor did my young daughters, who absolutely loved it. There are multiple routes up the cliffs, some perfect for beginners. After making it to the top, you'll rappel back down — an entirely different kind of thrill.

Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles

White Pass & Yukon Route Railway ride

Cost: $149.95

Call it the iconic attraction of Skagway, Alaska. A ride into the mountains on this narrow-gauge railroad is the tour everybody takes when visiting the Gold Rush town-turned-tourist hub. And for good reason. It offers an easy way to get deep into the Great Alaskan Outdoors.

Truth be told, I'm a fan of more active excursions. But for someone who isn't going to hike, bike, horseback ride or raft their way through the wilderness around Skagway (there are tours for all of those things, too), a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railway is one of the best ways to get a glimpse of the area's classic Alaskan scenery.

Related: 13 things you should do before every cruise

From the comfort of a vintage rail car, you'll get stunning views of mountains, gorges, glacial rivers and waterfalls as you climb nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass — the headwaters to the mighty Yukon River. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the 20-mile route is a marvel in its own right, with improbably steep grades at times and segments that pass over soaring wooden trestles and around tight, cliff-hanging curves.

Heli-hike and rail adventure

Cost: $399.95

This is another tour with a sky-high cost. But, in my opinion, it's well worth the money. Indeed, it's one of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions.

The five-hour, Skagway-based outing begins with a transfer from your ship to a nearby helicopter pad, where you'll find a helicopter waiting to whisk you high into the surrounding Sawtooth Mountain Range.

On a quick flight to your destination — a mountain trail in the Tongass National Forest — you'll get spectacular views of the mountains and Goat Lake. You'll land at Glacier Station, a remote mountain helicopter pad alongside the White Pass & Yukon Railway tracks. From there, you'll set off on a two- to six-mile guided wilderness hike on a trail along the Skagway River. The highlight of the hike: a magnificent view of Laughton Glacier.

Returning to Glacier Station, you'll end the day with a ride back to Skagway on the White Pass & Yukon Railway, which makes a special stop to pick you up.

Misty Fjords National Monument by seaplane

Cost: $299.95

Port where available: Ketchikan

There's nothing that says Alaska quite like a trip in a floatplane. And, if you're going to do a floatplane ride, there's nowhere better than in Ketchikan. You'll find a small armada of floatplanes waiting to take you to nearby Misty Fjords National Monument.

Misty Fjords is one of those quintessential Alaska destinations that's so beautiful you just want to cry. That is, if it's not too "misty" to see it. It got its name for a reason. The area is often shrouded in clouds and drizzly rain. Ketchikan is known as one of the rainiest places in North America, with over 13 feet of rain each year. So, yeah, bring a rain jacket.

But, also get ready for lovely views of glacier-carved fjords, cliffs and rock walls jutting thousands of feet out of the ocean. The whole thing is covered with temperate rainforests and features huge waterfalls (thanks to all that rain). It's definitely a sight to see.

Note that there often are two versions of this tour available: One that is about two hours in length and only includes flightseeing and a slightly longer version that includes a water landing within Misty Fjord National Monument.

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Alaska Cruisetours

Alaska Cruisetours Overview

View the charts below to help you select the Cruisetour land package that best fits your individual interests and vacation plans. Each chart shows the duration of each Cruisetour, the activities included and cities visited. Tour packages are numbered and lettered with “A” for Cruisetours that occur after the cruise or “B” for tours that occur before the cruise.

• 2025 Cruisetours
• 2024 Cruisetours

Alaska Wildlife Express 1A

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 3-night, post-cruise escorted land tour to Talkeetna, Denali and Anchorage.

Included Experiences — Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Denali Natural History Tour

2025 Departures — May 16 & 30, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22

Alaska Wildlife Express 1B

2025 Departures — May 20, June 3 & 17, July 1, 15 & 29, August 12 & 26, September 9

Alaska Interior Express 2A

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 3-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Denali and Fairbanks (2 nights).

Included Experiences — Denali Natural History Tour, Fairbanks City Tour, Gold Dredge 8

Alaska Interior Express 2B

Mountain valley explorer 3a.

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 4-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Alyeska (Girdwood), Talkeetna, Denali and Anchorage.

Included Experiences — Alaska Sealife Center, Denali Natural History Tour, Wildlife Conservation Center

Mountain Valley Explorer 3B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 3A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

2025 Departures — May 19, June 2, 16 & 30 July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25, September 8

Wilderness Frontier Explorer 4A

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 4-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Denali (2 nights) and Fairbanks (2 nights).

Included Experiences — Tundra Wilderness Tour, Fairbanks City Tour, Riverboat Discovery Cruise

Wilderness Frontier Explorer 4B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 4A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

Mountain Panorama Adventure 5A

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 5-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Alyeska (Girdwood), Denali (2 nights), Talkeetna and Anchorage

Included Experiences — Alaska SeaLife Center, Denali Natural History Tour, Rail from Talkeetna to Anchorage, and more.

Mountain Panorama Adventure 5B

This itinerary is conducted in reverse order of Tour 5A and offered as a pre-cruise option.

2025 Departures — May 18, June 1, 15 & 29, July 13 & 27, August 10 & 24, September 7

Fjord & Tundra National Parks Explorer 6A

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 5-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Seward, Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks (2 nights).

Included Experiences — Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Tundra Wilderness Tour, and more.

Fjord & Tundra National Parks Explorer 6B

Grand mountain marvels 7a.

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 6-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali (2 nights) and Fairbanks.

Included Experiences — Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise, Anchorage City Tour, Anchorage Museum, and more.

Grand Mountain Marvels 7B

2025 Departures — May 17 & 31, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23, September 6

Alaska Wilderness Spectacular 8A

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier Cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 6-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali (2 nights) and Fairbanks (2 nights).

Included Experiences — Alaska Native Heritage Center, Tundra Wilderness Tour, Riverboat Discovery Cruise, and more.

Alaska Wilderness Spectacular 8B

Family tundra express 9a.

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 3-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Talkeetna, Denali and Anchorage.

Included Experiences — Anchorage Museum & Imaginarium Discovery Center, Murie Science & Learning Center, Dog Kennel Tour, and ...

Family Tundra Express 9B

Destination denali 11a.

7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas followed by a 2-night, post-cruise, escorted land tour to Talkeetna, Denali and Anchorage.

Included Experiences — Denali Natural History Tour

Departures — May 17 & 31, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23

Departures — May 21, June 4 & 18, July 2, 16 & 30, August 13 & 27, September 10

Departures — May 20, June 3 & 17, July 1, 15 & 29, August 12 & 26 September 9

Departures — May 19, June 2, 16 & 30, July 14 & 28, August 11 & 25 September 8

Departures — May 18, June 1, 15 & 29, July 13 & 27, August 10 & 24 September 7

Included Experiences — Anchorage Museum & Imaginarium Discovery Center, Murie Science & Learning Center, Dog Kennel Tour

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The View Has Never Been Wilder

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Go scenery scoping from the unrivaled perspective of the North Star®, the highest vantage point on any cruise ship. Gaze at brilliant blue glaciers and majestic waterfalls from the pool deck as you sail through Endicott Arm. Then refuel with delicious, globally inspired dishes and robot-crafted cocktails as fresh as the crisp mountain air outside. And in between adventures onshore, fill each sea day with thrilling activities like surf sessions on the FlowRider®*, simulated skydiving on RipCord®by iFLY®, and so much more. Only on Royal Caribbean. The cruise line voted Best Overall for 21 years running by Travel Weekly readers.  

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Royal caribbean reveals four world-class ships head to alaska in 2023.

Enchantment of the Seas will Make its Alaska Debut Alongside Favorites Ovation, Quantum and Radiance of the Seas

MIAMI, Dec. 3, 2021 – Royal Caribbean International this week   announced adventurers can set course for Alaska with their choice of four world-class cruise ships in summer 2023. Three bold, returning favorites, Ovation , Quantum and Radiance of the Seas , will be joined by Enchantment of the Seas to offer families and all travelers a variety of ways to experience the Last Frontier and its majestic glaciers, breathtaking wildlife and charming towns. Now open to book , the new, far-reaching lineup of 7-night cruises will sail from Seattle , Washington; Vancouver , British Columbia; and Seward , Alaska between May and September 2023.

Following summer 2022, Royal Caribbean’s boldest Alaska season yet, the cruise line’s return in 2023 will be its second consecutive year with four ships in the region. From Mendenhall Glacier to the Inside Passage, to onboard memory-making thanks to unique experiences such as simulated skydiving on RipCord by iFly and taking in awe-inspiring views through acres of glass, vacationers have in store cool thrills from one day to the next. 

Ovation and Quantum of the Seas Cruising from: Seattle

Both Ovation  and Quantum will deliver unparalleled, signature adventures against the jaw-dropping backdrop of Alaska’s picturesque landscapes for the second consecutive summer, sailing from Seattle. Whether from North Star – a world-recordholder as the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship – or the RipCord by iFly skydiving experience , guests will have panoramic views of the scenic fjords, sweeping mountains and pristine wilderness – all from on board.

On Ovation’s cruises, departing on Fridays, travelers can discover the best of Alaska from one charming town to the next. Extended stays also offer adventure seekers more time to explore in Skagway, Alaska, where one can retrace the steps of the historic Klondike Gold Rush and visit a restored 19th-century railroad depot; and state capital Juneau , Alaska, which offers dogsledding across Mendenhall Glacier and explorations of centuries-old mining trails. Plus, vacationers can head to the road less traveled at Ward Cove near Ketchikan where they can take in the unspoiled scenery along the Tongass Narrows and the wildlife that calls it home, like sea lions, bald eagles and porpoise.

Departing on Mondays, Quantum’s stunning itineraries will bring travelers up close to the massive Dawes Glacier after sailing through the impressive Endicott Arm, alongside visits to four coastal communities, including Ketchikan , Alaska, and Victoria , British Columbia. When heading ashore, travelers can look forward to immersing themselves in the local culture while at destinations like Sitka and Icy Strait Point , Alaska, home to the rich history of the Tlingit and activities ranging from kayak island-hopping to whale watching and fishing.

In between exploring storied destinations, guests can enjoy both award-winning ships’ memorable Royal Caribbean experiences .  From the FlowRider surf simulator and rock climbing wall to the SeaPlex , the largest indoor activity complex at sea – which features bumper cars , a full-size basketball court, roller-skating rink and more – vacationers of all ages can get their adrenaline pumping. To wind things down after an action-packed day, travelers can kick back at the Vitality Spa and the indoor or outdoor pools that double as front-row seats to see the spectacular surroundings the region offers. Guests can also delight their palates with a world of flavors at restaurants like American steakhouse Chops Grille, the Asian-inspired Izumi or Jamie’s Italian before catching the cruise line’s original entertainment productions.  

Radiance  and  Enchantment of the Seas Cruising from: Seward and Vancouver | Vancouver

Radiance   will, once again, sail alternating southbound and northbound itineraries that depart from Seward and Vancouver . Travelers will have the opportunity to discover the region’s magnificent landscapes firsthand when visiting Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Skagway , and as they sail the Inside Passage and by Hubbard Glacier .

The thrills continue on board Radiance with an exhilarating, 40-foot-tall rock climbing wall , poolside movie nights under the stars and guest-favorite dining venues, such as Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi. Plus, on deck are endless views through expansive ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Enchantment makes its way to the Pacific coast for its debut Alaska season, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver . Vacationers have in store more glaciers than one, Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm fjord, and inspiring destinations like Haines , Ketchikan – the gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes – Skagway and Juneau .

At each destination, guests can make lifelong memories on a variety of once-in-a-lifetime excursions. The experiences run the gamut from dogsledding in Skagway, alpine off-roading with an all-terrain vehicle, canoeing, kayaking and soaring to new heights on a helicopter ride for a bird’s-eye view of the mountains and glaciers. A day of thrills can end with unplugging and unwinding on board Enchantment at the indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools, Vitality Spa, and a lineup of bars, lounges and restaurants – from Park Café to Chops Grille.

Aloha to the Pacific Ovation, Quantum and Radiance of the Seas will head to the idyllic islands of Hawaii, where vacationers can discover its renowned rainforests, waterfalls and postcard-perfect beaches. On the way to Alaska, Ovation and Quantum will offer a 9- and 10-night sailing, respectively, that starts with island hopping from Oahu, Kailua-Kona and an overnight in Maui for two full days of adventure. In October 2023, Ovation will offer a 9-night cruise from the Pacific Northwest to Hawaii, complete with three island visits and an overnight in Maui. Sailing from Honolulu to Vancouver, Radiance will welcome guests to an 11-night cruise beginning with an overnight in Oahu and then continuing with visits to Maui and both the leeward and windward coasts of the Big Island, before crossing the Pacific Ocean. 

More details and information on Royal Caribbean’s newly opened 2023 Alaska itineraries are available at RoyalCaribbean.com .

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International  has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas,  Perfect Day at CocoCay ,   the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 18 consecutive years in the  Travel Weekly  Readers' Choice Awards. 

Media can stay up to date by following  @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. 

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Travel alert: Royal Caribbean cancels cruises to this island

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 4:57 p.m.
• Alvin Buyinza | [email protected]

Royal Caribbean Cruises has canceled more stops at a popular private resort in Haiti due to safety issues.

Guests who booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are receiving notifications from Royal Caribbean that their cruises to Labadee, a private resort on the northern coast of Haiti, have been canceled, according to royalcaribbeanblog.com , a website that reports on the cruise line.

After Royal Caribbean started to cancel trips to Haiti in March due to civil unrest in Haiti, the cruise line started to cancel more cruises into September, royalcaribbeanblog.com reported. The Royal Caribbean had previously canceled visits to Labadee through the end of this May.

• Read More: Cruise line stops visits to popular Caribbean resort amid U.S. travel advisory

The private resort stop has since been replaced with another port or a day at sea, the royalcaribbeanblog.com reported. The cancellations affect ships such as Adventure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean announced in March that it was suspending all calls to Labadee, according to cruiseindustrynews.com . The move came after the U.S. State Department announced a travel alert for people to not visit the country.

“The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” the U.S. State Department wrote in a press release in March. “We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them.”

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Royal Caribbean Cancels Radiance of the Seas Departure

• April 28, 2024

Royal Caribbean International is canceling the current cruise of the Radiance of the Seas. Despite having passengers embarking the ship for a shortened sailing , the company announced this past Saturday that the cruise is no longer going ahead.

“As you are aware, our teams have been vigorously working to have the Radiance of the Seas prepared to set sail on our shortened April 26, 2024 sailing,” Royal Caribbean said in a letter sent to guests onboard.

“Despite our best efforts, circumstances beyond our control have delayed our sailing further. As a result, we’ll regrettably have to cancel our cruise,” the company added.

Facing a technical issue since its previous cruise , the 2001-built ship was scheduled to leave from Vancouver on April 28 for a shortened cruise to Alaska.

Although the visit to Juneau had to be cancelled, the Radiance was still scheduled to visit Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point before returning to Vancouver on May 3.

“We understand the disappointment due to this unfortunate turn of events. We truly extend our sincerest apologies for the continued unforeseen disruption to your vacation,” Royal Caribbean added.

With the cruise cancelled, passengers had to disembark the ship on April 28, according to the company’s statement.

Guests who booked flights or transfers through Royal Caribbean International had their arrangements automatically rescheduled, the company said.

Royal Caribbean also promised to assist passengers with independent hotel arrangements through a section of its mobile app.

Affected guests will receive a 100 percent refund, in addition to a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) of the amount they paid for the cruise fare, which can be used for a new booking.

The company also provided free internet for guests to plan their onward travel and kept its bars open while passengers were disembarking.

Royal Caribbean will reimburse any travel change fees up to $250 for domestic travel and $400 for international travel, the statement added.

The company also stated that they will reimburse up to $250 for hotel costs per stateroom, per night, for two nights as guests make their way home.

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• RCI-Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas fixes propulsion...

RCI-Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas fixes propulsion issue, sets sail for Alaska

RCI-Royal Caribbean International 's ship Radiance of the Seas has completed necessary repairs and resumes operations following a propulsion issue that led to the cancellation of an Alaskan voyage .

RCI addressed and resolved the problem that forced the cancellation of the May 3rd, 2024 sailing from Vancouver BC .

Guests scheduled for this voyage received confirmation via email that the technical work on the ship has been completed as planned, ensuring the cruise will proceed as scheduled.

Radiance OTS will embark on a 7-night oneway from Vancouver to Seward visiting Juneau , Icy Strait Point/Hoonah , Sitka , and Skagway .

The propulsion issue arose during a relocation voyage from Los Angeles to Vancouver (RepositionCruises.com), resulting in reduced speed and the need to skip planned stops and head directly to Vancouver.

The vessel has two Azipods/multidirectional propulsion units used on almost all new ships .

Despite efforts to address the issue promptly, repairs required additional time, leading to the cancellation of the April 26th (7-night Alaska Glacier) sailing.

Guests affected by the cancellation were provided with a full refund along with a future cruise credit for use on a subsequent sailing.

For more Radiance of the Seas incidents and accidents see the ship's  CruiseMinus page .

Norovirus: Nearly 200 sick in outbreaks on Princess, Royal Caribbean ships, CDC says

FILE - Tourists crowd upper decks and stateroom balconies as the Anthem of the Seas owned by Royal Caribbean International on Aug. 9, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Nearly 200 passengers on U.S. cruise ships suffered from diarrhea and vomiting in norovirus outbreaks in April, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reported that 94 of the 2,532 (3.71%) passengers on Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess ship reported getting sick during its current voyage. The 32-day, roundtrip cruise began on April 5 and ends on May 7, according to the cruise tracking and information site CruiseMapper . 

Another 20 of the 1,066 crew members on board also reported getting sick, the CDC said.

Cruise ship rescued 14 stranded at sea for over a week

This was the scene from the lunch buffet during the first full day of cruising for the Icon of the Seas. The crew rescued all 14 from the distressed boat which was dwarfed by the largest cruise ship in the world.

On Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas ship, 67 of the 1,993 (3.36%) total passengers on board became ill during a voyage that began on April 8 and ended on April 22, according to the agency. Two crew members aboard also got sick. 

In both of the norovirus outbreaks, the main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting, the CDC said.

Princess Cruises told FOX Television Stations that "at the first sign" of an increase in passengers reporting gastrointestinal illnesses, "we immediately initiated additional enhanced sanitization procedures to interrupt the person-to-person spread of this virus."

"Our sanitization program, includes disinfection measures, isolation of ill passengers and communication to passengers about steps they can take to stay well while onboard," the company told FOX Television Stations.

Royal Caribbean International did not immediately return a request for comment, but the CDC said in its notice that the company also took several steps in response to the outbreak – including isolating the sick passengers and crew members and "increased cleaning and disinfection procedures." 

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Cruise ships expose passengers to high volumes of people and new environments, which can "create the risk for illness from contaminated food, or water or, more commonly, through person-to-person contact," the CDC says. 

The agency recommends that anyone feeling sick should report their illness. If it happens before the voyage, travelers can ask their cruise line about any possible alternative cruising options. 

Those on board should wash their hands often to prevent illness, as well as get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. 

This story was reported from Cincinnati.