The seasonal relocation of the ‘MSC Poetry’ between Miami and Seattle will allow two unique cruise itineraries through the iconic Panama Canal.
Cruise company MSC, the third largest in the world, announced Monday the launch of itineraries in Alaska and the Panama Canal for the first time since 2026.
“Our guests around the world tell us they want to know the beauty of Alaska in person, making these itineraries the perfect addition to our global portfolio of unmissable destinations,” Lynn Torrent, commercial director of MSC Cruises USA, said Monday in a statement.
Torrent stressed that the MSC Poetry cruise will spend the summer touring Alaska and will move to Miami during the winter, “offering travelers the opportunity to navigate the iconic Panama Canal” during its relocation between the east and west coasts.
The MSC Poetry will have its base port located in Seattle (Washington) and the cruises in Alaska will be seven nights, available between May and September 2026.
The cruise will sail weekly from Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest, and will stop in Alaska and Canada, the company said.
MSC Poetry is an ideal medium-sized boat to “explore the narrow canals of the Inner Passage and glaciers.”
It will take over seven-night stopovers at Icy Strait Point, Alaska, where it will offer activities such as “the world’s largest zip liner,” brown bear observation platforms, whale sighting excursions or fishing.
Guests can also visit a museum and local shops located in a former 1912 salmon canning factory.
Other stopovers in Alaska include Juneau, the state capital, only accessible by sea or air, or Ketchikan, the best place to fish salmon and bald eagles habitat attracted by fish.
There are also the fjord and glaciers of Tracy Arm, and Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on the steep southern end of Vancouver Island, where it excels its “magnificent architecture, such as the famous Empress Hotel and Parliament.”
The seasonal relocation of the ‘MSC Poetry’ between Miami and Seattle will allow two truly unique cruise itineraries through the iconic Panama Canal at the beginning and end of the season.”
Travelers will also be able to admire “the greatest engineering feat of the century” since the ship’s comfort, while exploring up to ten destinations between Seattle and Miami.
Highlights include U.S. West Coast cities such as San Diego and Los Angeles, historical treasures of Latin America such as Cartagena de Indias and Cabo San Lucas. Also the province of Puntarenas, in Costa Rica.
The itineraries, departing from Miami in April 2026, and from Seattle in September 2026, are now available for bookings.
The fleet of MSC Cruises, which consists of 22 ships, will incorporate three more in the next three years.
The company operates in more than 100 countries around the world, offering cruises on all five continents and with stopover in more than 300 destinations.
This article has been translated after first appearing in Panama America