MSC Cruises Sets Sail in Alaska for the First Time: A Sister’s Take on the Trip

After a whirlwind weekend in Seattle—racing up the Space Needle, hiking through mossy trails on Bainbridge Island, and drifting across Lake Union in a hot tub boat—my sister Karen and I stepped aboard the MSC Poesia for a seven-night voyage through Alaska. It’s the cruise line’s debut season in these waters, and our first time sailing with MSC. We dropped our bags and immediately set off to explore the ship, curious to see what this Italian line had in store.

The Poesia, built in 2008, just emerged from a major spring refurbishment—the second of four ships in the Musica Class to get the treatment. The big addition: MSC Yacht Club, the company’s luxury ship-within-a-ship concept that later spun off into the Explora Journeys brand. Our Yacht Club quarters included 69 staterooms and suites, all with 24-hour butler service, plus access to a private sundeck with a grill, bar, and whirlpools. The Top Sail Lounge, a former gym now turned into an elegant, window-lined hideaway, became my favorite spot. I spent hours there watching for whales through the floor-to-ceiling panes, sipping drinks delivered by attentive butlers. Evenings brought a pianist and soft lighting, interrupted only by excited shouts when someone spotted a spout.

In Ketchikan, our first port, Karen picked the Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Adventure for her birthday. We started with a walk through Tongass National Forest, where a naturalist named Taylor pointed out skunk cabbage (a bear favorite), devil’s club (used by Indigenous peoples for medicine), and a banana slug I held in my palm. Then came the ziplines—nine in total, soaring 100 feet above spruce and hemlock trees. I went first, heart pounding, and after a deep breath, I was flying. Karen followed after some gentle encouragement, and for the next hour we cheered each other on, snapped selfies, and laughed through our nerves. No photo could capture the rush of that afternoon.