By land, air and, most strikingly, sea, Alaska’s spectacular treasures are in peak form in summertime.
By land, air and, most strikingly, sea, Alaska’s spectacular treasures are in peak form in summertime.
Mention Alaska to just about anyone and watch their eyes light up. Teeming with natural wonders, from awe-inspiring scenery to feisty wildlife, as well as fascinating history and rich culture, the “Last Frontier” offers a staggering wealth of sights and experiences — so many that even seasoned Alaska travelers are itching to get back and discover more. The best time to go, they’ll tell you, is summertime, when long daylight hours and welcoming temperatures are at their peak for soaking up the region’s spectacular treasures.
The summer expedition of a lifetime awaits as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection launches voyages between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska, aboard Luminara, starting in the summer of 2026. Calling on famous ports along the Inside Passage as well as off-the-beaten-track gems, Luminara is the most stylish way to experience an Alaska summer by sea. Unparalleled views and onshore adventures are yours to discover from the sumptuous retreat of our newest superyacht. From majestic glaciers and breathtaking fjords to charismatic wildlife and rich cultural highlights, here are some of the peak experiences in an exhilarating itinerary.
A Most Remarkable Route
Luminara journeys between Vancouver and Whittier along Alaska’s famed Inside Passage, a 500-mile stretch of pristine wilderness on the Pacific Ocean through fjord-like channels, tidewater glaciers and lush emerald forests. This spellbinding route is studded with treasures, from essential large ports such as Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka to quieter, less-discovered gems including Petersburg, Klawock and Wrangell. Soak up the sights and sounds of nature at its most magnificent from the comfort of your private terrace and get ready for shore excursions that make the most of summer.
For travelers embarking in Vancouver, Ketchikan is the breathtaking gateway to Alaska, set among soaring mountains and the sprawling Tongass National Forest. Rich with Tlingit heritage, Ketchikan boasts more than 80 Native American totem poles, artfully peppered around the town and its parks, offering unique photo opportunities throughout your visit. Further north, Luminara anchors at Sitka, affording an incredible perch and views of Mount Edgecumbe volcano and Sitka Sound from the yacht’s lively Marina. Onshore, discover Sitka’s thriving cultural legacy from the indigenous Tlingit population and its unique history as a Russian fur-trading center.
Gold Rush Glamour and Icy Enchantments
A call in Juneau, the only capital in the U.S. not accessible by road, offers access to this exquisitely remote city and its most dazzling attraction, the surreally beautiful Mendenhall Glacier. Continuing north, relive Gold Rush history in stunning Skagway (immortalized in Jack London’s The Call of the Wild), where you can pan for gold or take a breathtaking train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Rugged Icy Strait Point is deservedly renowned for whale-watching, though you can also enjoy zip-lining, kayaking and museum-hopping, or immerse yourself in Tlingit culture and subsistence fishing. Off the coast of Yakutat lies the enormous Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America, which calves almost daily, providing a dramatic show as ice crashes down into Disenchantment Bay.
The itinerary crescendos in Whittier, where dramatic mountains and glaciers combine to make this an ideal launching point for exploring Alaska’s pristine beauty. A boating or kayaking expedition through the icy fjords provides scenic views of the glaciated inlets and may also offer glimpses of sea otters, seals and breaching whales. Hikes along the local trails lead into the surrounding mountains and to waterfalls cascading from the icefields into the sound. Stop into the Prince William Sound Museum to learn about the town’s history as a naval port and rail terminal and discover the role Alaska played during World War II and the Cold War.
Only-in-Alaska Adventures
Summer in Alaska lets intrepid spirits make their most adventurous dreams a reality. As jaw-dropping natural tableaux beckon from every angle, there is a multitude of ways to enjoy them by land, air and sea. Enjoy a dramatic “flightseeing” excursion, experiencing the majesty of glaciers and remote mountains by plane or helicopter. Take a scenic bicycle ride along glacial fjords where you may spot whales, bears, bald eagles and spawning salmon. Or enjoy private wildlife tours providing exclusive access and educational introductions to these amazing animals. Try your hand at mushing, Alaska’s state sport, by hopping on a wheeled “sled” that helps keep the pups in racing form, or helicopter to a glacier and experience a snowy dogsled ride you’ll never forget.
Of course, when you’re pining for the lazy days of summer, nothing compares to the simple ease of witnessing southeast Alaska at its most sublime—from the sumptuous perch of Luminara, where your own personal wonder of beauty, comfort and service awaits.
