Quick Answer

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas —the second ship in the Icon Class—is set to become the first of its class to debut in the Alaska “open jaw” market , sailing one-way itineraries between Vancouver and Whittier (near Anchorage) starting in 2026.

What Is an “Open Jaw” Alaska Cruise?

An open jaw itinerary (also called a one-way or “different port” cruise) means you embark in one city and disembark in another , rather than returning to your starting port. In Alaska, this typically means:

  • Embark: Vancouver, BC
  • Disembark: Whittier (for Anchorage), Alaska
    – or the reverse

This format is popular with travelers who want to combine a cruise with a land tour (e.g., Denali, Fairbanks) without backtracking.

Star of the Seas: First Icon-Class Ship in Alaska Open Jaw

Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class represents its newest and largest generation of ships, following the Oasis and Quantum classes. While the first Icon ship, Icon of the Seas , debuted in the Caribbean, the Star of the Seas is positioned to break new ground in Alaska. Key details:

  • Class: Icon Class (second in series after Icon of the Seas)
  • Market Debut: Alaska open jaw (one-way) itineraries
  • Route: Vancouver ↔ Whittier (Anchorage area)
  • Season: Summer 2026 Alaska season
  • Significance: First Icon-class vessel to operate in Alaska and the first of its class on open-jaw routes in the region.

This move signals Royal Caribbean’s strategy to deploy its most innovative, high-capacity ships into high-demand, premium itineraries like Alaska, where open-jaw cruises command higher per-guest revenue and appeal to serious cruisers.

Why This Matters for Alaska Cruisers

1. New Level of Onboard Experience in Alaska

Icon-class ships are designed around “neighborhoods” and next-gen amenities, including:

  • Multiple specialty dining venues
  • Large-scale entertainment (theater, aqua shows, ice experiences)
  • Family-friendly zones and adult-only retreats
  • Advanced sustainability and stabilization tech for smoother sailing in rougher northern waters

Deploying this class to Alaska means Alaska-bound passengers get top-tier ship features that were previously limited to warm-weather circuits.

2. Open Jaw = More Flexibility

Because the itinerary is one-way:

  • You can fly into Vancouver and out of Anchorage (or vice versa).
  • It’s easier to add pre- or post-cruise land packages (e.g., Denali, Kenai, Seward).
  • You avoid “wasting” a sea day backtracking to your original port.

This is especially valuable in Alaska, where the land portion is often as important as the cruise.

3. Capacity and Availability

Icon-class ships are very large, so their entry into Alaska:

  • Increases berth demand in ports like Juneau, Skagway, and Whittier.
  • Can stretch port capacity , which has already been a concern in Juneau.
  • May push other lines and smaller ships to differentiate with niche routes or expedition-style offerings.

How This Fits Royal Caribbean’s Alaska Strategy

Royal Caribbean has been steadily growing its Alaska presence:

  • Previously doubled Quantum-class ships in Alaska (e.g., 2022 season).
  • Runs Radiance-class and other vessels on various Alaska routes.
  • Now introducing Icon-class to the mix, starting with Star of the Seas.

This escalation shows the line is:

  • Betting on strong, sustained demand for Alaska cruises.
  • Willing to reposition its newest platforms to capture premium, longer-haul travelers.
  • Preparing for post-pandemic normalization where Alaska remains a top bucket-list destination.

What to Watch Next

  • Itinerary announcements for 2027 and beyond: Will more Icon-class ships follow Star of the Seas into Alaska?
  • Port responses : Expect more scrutiny on passenger caps, environmental rules, and infrastructure upgrades in key Alaskan ports.
  • Competitor moves : Other major lines may respond by refreshing their own Alaska fleets or emphasizing smaller, expedition-style ships.

TL;DR

  • The first Royal Caribbean ship of its class to debut in the Alaska open jaw market is Star of the Seas , the second Icon-class vessel.
  • It will sail one-way (open jaw) itineraries between Vancouver and Whittier starting in the 2026 Alaska season.
  • This marks the first time an Icon-class ship operates in Alaska , bringing the line’s newest, largest, and most amenity-rich platform to the region’s most popular one-way cruise format.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.