Royal Caribbean has removed Icy Strait Point from a May 2027 Alaska sailing aboard Anthem of the Seas, citing speed restrictions as the reason for the last-minute itinerary change.
The cruise line will replace the port call with an additional sea day, whilst also shortening the ship’s final call in Ketchikan by two hours.
The 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas was originally scheduled to call at Icy Strait Point on 9th May 2027 during a seven-night roundtrip voyage departing Vancouver on 7th May 2027.
Guests received notification of the change on 21st October 2026, nearly six months before the sailing and more than a year after the itinerary was initially announced for booking.
According to the notice shared by a booked passenger on social media, Royal Caribbean stated the adjustment was necessary “to comply with speed restrictions and maintain a comfortable sailing experience.”
The revised itinerary will now feature an additional sea day in place of the Icy Strait Point visit.
The cruise line has also adjusted the timing of the final port call in Ketchikan, shortening the stay by two hours. The ship will now depart at 5:00 p.m. instead of the originally scheduled 7:00 p.m. departure time, giving passengers less time to explore one of Alaska’s most popular cruise destinations.
Scenic Cruising And Other Ports Remain Unchanged
Despite the cancellation of Icy Strait Point and the shortened Ketchikan call, other elements of the itinerary remain intact.
Anthem of the Seas will still offer scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Alaska and a highlight of many Inside Passage itineraries.
The port call in Sitka, known for its Russian heritage and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, will proceed as originally planned.
The ship’s return to Vancouver on 14th May 2027 also remains unchanged, ensuring that guests’ overall cruise duration stays the same despite the modified port schedule.
Royal Caribbean confirmed that all shore excursions booked through the cruise line for Icy Strait Point will be automatically cancelled.
Passengers who purchased tours in Ketchikan may see their excursions either rescheduled to fit the shortened port time or cancelled entirely if the timing no longer accommodates the activity.
Refund Process For Affected Shore Excursions
The cruise line has outlined a straightforward refund process for passengers affected by the itinerary changes. All cancelled shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean will receive full refunds issued to the original form of payment within 14 business days of the cancellation.
For Ketchikan excursions, the cruise line will work to reschedule tours where possible to accommodate the earlier 5:00 p.m. departure.
Any excursions that cannot be adjusted to fit the new timeframe will be cancelled and refunded using the same process as the Icy Strait Point tours.
Passengers who booked independent shore excursions directly with third-party tour operators will need to handle cancellations and potential refunds on their own.
This highlights one of the risks of booking tours independently rather than through the cruise line, as cruise line-booked excursions typically come with more protection against itinerary changes.
Anthem Of The Seas Alaska Deployment For Summer 2027
The affected 7th May 2027 voyage represents the inaugural sailing of Anthem of the Seas’ Alaska season that year.
This marks an important deployment for the Quantum Class vessel, which has previously sailed in various markets including the Caribbean, Europe, and short Northeast getaway cruises.
Following the roundtrip Vancouver voyage, Anthem of the Seas will transition to one-way, seven-night Alaska cruises operating between Vancouver and Seward through late September 2027.
These one-way itineraries typically offer different port combinations and allow passengers to explore more of Alaska’s coastline whilst avoiding the need to backtrack along the same route.
The Quantum Class ship features innovative amenities that set it apart from earlier Royal Caribbean vessels, including the North Star observation capsule, which rises 300 feet above sea level to provide panoramic views – particularly spectacular when sailing Alaska’s dramatic coastline.
The 168,666-gross-ton ship also offers the Two70 entertainment venue, SeaPlex activity space, and the Bionic Bar with robotic bartenders.
Passenger Frustration Over Late Planning Issues
The guest who shared the itinerary change notice on social media expressed frustration about the timing and reasoning behind the modification.
Many cruise passengers plan their Alaska vacations months or even years in advance, often selecting specific itineraries based on the ports included and the experiences they hope to enjoy.
“I understand that speed restrictions need to be followed, but I would think those factors would have been considered when planning the itinerary in the first place,” the passenger commented.
This sentiment reflects a broader concern amongst cruise enthusiasts about why operational constraints weren’t factored into the initial itinerary design.
Icy Strait Point has become an increasingly popular Alaska cruise port since its development began in the early 2000s.
The port is owned by Huna Totem Corporation, the urban corporation for the Hoonah Indian Association, making it the only privately owned cruise ship port of call in Alaska owned and operated by an Alaska Native corporation.
Its attractions include the ZipRider, one of the world’s longest ziplines, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
History Of Speed-Related Disruptions In Alaska
Royal Caribbean has encountered speed-related challenges in Alaska waters before, suggesting this may be an ongoing operational consideration for the cruise line.
In 2025, Serenade of the Seas was forced to skip Icy Strait Point after experiencing a technical issue that required the ship to operate at reduced speed throughout the voyage.
When a cruise ship cannot maintain its planned cruising speed – whether due to mechanical issues, weather conditions, or regulatory restrictions – the vessel may be unable to reach all scheduled ports within the allocated timeframe.
Alaska’s Inside Passage requires precise timing and coordination, as ships must navigate narrow waterways and adhere to strict arrival and departure windows at each port.
The region’s challenging navigation also includes tidal considerations, pilot boarding requirements, and coordination with other vessels in confined waters.
These factors mean that even small delays or speed reductions can have cascading effects on an entire itinerary, sometimes necessitating the elimination of a port call to ensure the ship returns to its homeport on schedule.
Whale Strikes And Conservation Speed Measures
In June 2026, Royal Caribbean faced scrutiny when Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward with a dead, pregnant fin whale on its bow.
This incident prompted the Center for Biological Diversity to urge the cruise line to adopt mandatory policies reducing vessel speeds when sailing through known whale habitats.
The conservation organisation’s plea requested that Royal Caribbean voluntarily implement speed restrictions to protect marine mammals, particularly in waters where whales are known to feed and migrate.
However, this request did not represent any legal requirement or regulation imposed on the cruise line at that time.
The request was made several months after Royal Caribbean’s 2027 Alaska deployment had already been announced and opened for booking.
Whilst the timing raises questions, Royal Caribbean has not officially confirmed any connection between the conservation request and the itinerary changes to Anthem of the Seas.
Various speed restrictions already exist in Alaska waters for different reasons, including vessel safety, environmental protection, and wake management in certain areas.
These regulations can sometimes change after cruise itineraries are published, though Royal Caribbean has not specified which particular speed restrictions necessitated the revised schedule for Anthem of the Seas.
Industry Context For Alaska Cruise Operations
Alaska represents one of the most lucrative and competitive cruise markets in North America, with major cruise lines deploying their newest and largest ships to the region each summer.
The season typically runs from May through September, with cruise lines carefully balancing itinerary appeal against operational realities.
Royal Caribbean’s Alaska programme competes directly with offerings from Carnival Corporation brands including Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, both of which have deep historical roots in Alaska cruising.
Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises also maintain significant Alaska presences, making differentiation through unique ports and experiences crucial.
Icy Strait Point’s loss from an itinerary may disappoint passengers particularly because the port offers experiences difficult to replicate elsewhere.
The destination provides authentic Alaska Native cultural programmes and some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Southeast Alaska, with frequent sightings of humpback whales, sea otters, and brown bears.
The substitution of a sea day for a port call generally proves less popular with passengers who specifically book Alaska cruises for maximum port time and shore experiences.
However, some guests may appreciate the additional time to enjoy the ship’s amenities or simply relax whilst cruising through Alaska’s spectacular scenery.
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