Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Serenade of the Seas kicked off the Alaska season as the first ship to sail to the Last Frontier since September 2019. The highly anticipated 7-night cruise departing from Seattle on July 19, marks a celebratory moment for the cruise industry, local economy, and Alaska’s communities that were significantly impacted by the absence of the cruise ships. Currently, the ship is sailing with 97% fully vaccinated passengers and crew.

Serenade will visit Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, as well as the Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier. The ship will be joined by Ovation of the Seas in Seattle starting Aug. 13, rounding out Royal Caribbean’s great Alaska comeback in 2021.

“Cruising in Alaska is finally back, and we are excited to be the first to return. Alaska is one of the most popular destinations among our guests, especially families with young kids – children who are ineligible for the vaccine today,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We are grateful for the support of our partners, Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and other government and health authorities. This is a return that is significantly felt by many, including those whose communities rely on cruise tourism.”

Serenade of the Seas is the cruise industry’s first ship to resume Alaska sailings and the second in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to welcome back guests in the U.S. after Freedom of the Seas set sail from Miami for a celebratory Fourth of July weekend. Thirteen Royal Caribbean ships will be sailing around the world by the end of August, including Ovation of the Seas, which is set to sail on 7-night adventures to Skagway, Sitka and Juneau, Alaska and through the famed Inside Passage. The cruise line recently extended Ovation’s Alaska season into October with four additional sailings.