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PAL sets up Cebu to Laoag flights

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MANILA, 16 October 2023: Philippine Airlines (PAL) will pioneer a new direct flight between Cebu and Laoag in December as part of the flag carrier’s efforts to improve connectivity between Northern Luzon and the central and southern Philippines.

Starting 15 December 2023, PAL Express will operate twice weekly flights on Tuesday and Friday between Cebu and Laoag with convenient morning departures.

Photo Credit: PAL.

PAL Express will deploy a De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft on the Cebu – Laoag configured with 86 seats, including six  Comfort Class seats for the two-hour, 30-minute flight compared with an overland road trip, which includes some ferry links and covers 1,300 km about 30 hours behind the wheel. 

PR 2251 Cebu-Laoag (twice weekly, Tuesday and Friday) departs at 0735 CEB and arrives at 1005 in LAO.
PR 2252 Laoag-Cebu (Tuesday and Friday) departs LAO at 1025 and arrives at CEBU at 1235.

With no other airline competing with direct flights between the two cities, the cheapest roundtrip fare between the two cities starts at USD264, according to a Skyscanner search. The alternative is to book a flight from Cebu to Laoag via Manila, where there is a plane change. Flight time is three hours and 50 minutes on the one-stop route with a roundtrip fare of around USD213. Bookings are already open on the new direct route CEB – LAO.

“We welcome the holiday season with a historic air link between Cebu and Laoag City. This brand-new service will help us open up a new market for tourist and business travellers by connecting the Ilocos Region via nonstop flights to Cebu and beyond to other cities in the Visayas and Mindanao,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley K Ng. “You can expect more convenient connections that boost tourism and help spur economic development in different areas of the Philippines as we progressively expand our domestic network. We expect to mount more flights in and out of our Mactan-Cebu hub in the coming months.”

Laoag is located in the west-central part of the Province of Ilocos Norte, bordering the South China Sea. The Laoag International Airport is the northernmost international airport in the Philippines and the only airport in Ilocos Norte.
The small coastal city is considered the jewel of the northern Philippines due to its stunning views and heritage sites. La Paz San Dunes is the most popular attraction in Laoag City, where visitors can enjoy an exhilarating 4×4 ride or a more leisurely sandboarding activity.

Credit: Google Maps

Azamara sails to seven wonders

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 October 2023: Azamara, a small-ship cruise line, unveils its 2026 World Cruise, a majestic journey setting sail from Miami, Florida, on 6 January 2026. 

This grand expedition, concluding in Barcelona, Spain, is a golden ticket to explore over 35 countries and experience the ‘Seven Wonders’ of the World. 

Azamara Onward’s World Cruise presents guests with an extended exploration featuring 55 late nights and overnights, 60 Extended Destination Days, three exclusive World Cruise events and 10 AzAmazing events.

“We are thrilled to welcome our world cruisers on this journey of a lifetime,” said Azamara president Carol Cabezas. “Our 2026 World Cruise offers our guests an opportunity to uncover a new perspective on a wide variety of cultures and visit all seven wonders of the world while enjoying some of the most exclusive and specially curated events throughout this exciting itinerary.”

Highlighted shore excursions and overnight experiences introducing guests to the Seven Wonders.

Chichen Itza: Wander through ancient realms, where the whispers of the great pyramid of Kulkulcan and the preserved Mayan ballpark intertwine with the enchanting tales of the Temple of Venus and the Temple of Warriors, all brought to life with the magic of virtual- and augmented-reality technology.

Christ the Redeemer: Experience the iconic Christ the Redeemer within a grand multi-day exploration, unveiling Rio’s architectural gems, the panoramic splendours of Sugar Loaf Mountain, the captivating beauty of Iguazu Falls, and the ancient mysteries of Easter Island’s statues. 

Taj Mahal: Discover the timeless Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, bathed in the changing hues of dawn. This multi-day journey unveils the majestic Agra Fort and enchanting “Baby Taj,” immersing you in vibrant cultures and diverse flavours of Indian cuisine.

Machu Picchu: Explore the enigmatic beauty of Machu Picchu and the ancient wonders of Cusco, including the colossal Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a symbol of Inca ingenuity. Enjoy the luxury of Palacio del Inca and exquisite Peruvian cuisine as you traverse breathtaking landscapes and discover revered sites like Qoricancha and the majestic Cathedral.

Colosseum: Explore this architectural marvel and the remnants of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, steeped in history, before indulging in a delightful Italian lunch, completing this immersive journey into Rome’s illustrious past.

The Great Wall of China: Travellers can fly to Beijing for three nights to explore the Forbidden City with an expert guide and visit the Great Wall to take in one of the world’s greatest wonders of architectural history. Guests can also ride the cable car to explore the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace before heading to Hong Kong for three nights.

Petra: Guests can journey to the desert city of Petra in Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once a mysterious city isolated in a forbidden valley, to hike through the ‘Siq’ and discover the Rose Red City. Travellers can view the Treasury, the Greek Theatre, the ancient Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street, and the Temple of Qasr Al-Bint.

World Cruisers will have access to a destination concierge and pre-cruise dedicated call centre specialists as they plan their journey on Azamara. In addition to checking off countless bucket list travel destinations and experiences, Azamara’s 2026 World Cruise offers over USD22,000 in exclusive amenities, including 13 exclusive world voyage special events, USD3,000 in onboard credit, an additional USD4,000 onboard credit for shore excursions, airfare credit, pre-and post-cruise transfers and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay.

About Azamara:

Azamara is a small-ship cruise line with a fleet of four ships: Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Pursuit, and Azamara Onward.

Langkawi gains ITAKA charter flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI, 13 October 2023: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) has convinced ITAKA, Poland’s biggest tour operator, to initiate a charter flight series between Warsaw and Langkawi Island in northern Malaysia in 2024.

ITAKA headquartered in Opole has a sales and operations office in  Warsaw and a chain of retail travel shops across Poland. 

LADA first engaged in talks with ITAKA during ITB Berlin 2023 that focused on potential collaboration to launch a series of charter flights between Warsaw, Poland and Langkawi, Malaysia, during 2024. 

LADA, in an update posted on its Facebook page, confirmed agreement on the charter flight logistics with a “Langkawi Charter Flight Incentive Programme” offered to the Polish tour operator. ITAKA executives are finalising agreements with hotels in Langkawi.  

Meetings between LADA and ITAKA also involved Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB), Civil Aviation Authority and destination management companies to handle land arrangements in Malaysia. LADA is backing the ITAKA charter series, plus MAHB supports with an incentive known as the  ‘Airlines X-Celeration Programme (AXP)’.

ITAKA operates in various travel markets, mostly based on charter operations. In Asia, it organises group tours to Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket), Indonesia, mainly Bali, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

‘We have leased a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 294 seats, which can fly directly from Warsaw to Langkawi. It will be a new and exotic destination for us,” commented Jaralow, head of charter operations at ITAKA.

Statista places ITAKA at the top of Poland’s 10 leading tour firms with an equity capital of PLN414.8 million. The travel company was formed in 1989 and has been recognised annually as Poland’s largest tour firm in Poland since 2012.

Bangkok is a popular destination for ITAKA guests

Emirates’ kits spotlight wildlife plight

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 13 Oct 2023: Emirates Premium Economy and Economy Class customers on long-haul flights globally will be treated to new complimentary amenity kits, now onboard. The amenity kits have been designed in partnership with United for Wildlife to highlight eight of the most endangered species on the planet.

Preserving wildlife and habitats is a core pillar of the Emirates Environmental Sustainability Framework. The new amenity kit range will highlight Emirates’ longstanding partnership with United for Wildlife and commitment to raising awareness about endangered species and the prevention of illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products. The animals featured on the kit pouches and bookmarks are some of the most trafficked creatures in the world – the green sea turtle, African elephant, blue macaw,  gorilla, hammerhead shark, lion, pangolin, and black rhino.

United for Wildlife has shared some impactful statistics which highlight the magnitude of the issue, such as that globally, 100 elephants are poached every day, meaning that at current poaching rates, elephants could be extinct in the wild by 2025. There are now only 30,000 rhinos left in the wild compared to the 500,000 that existed at the beginning of the 20th century. Meanwhile, pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world.

United for Wildlife co-chair David Fein said: “The illegal wildlife trade is international organised crime that is driving many iconic species around the world towards extinction at an alarming rate. Airlines and other transport operators have a huge role to play in disrupting the traffickers’ supply chains. Emirates has consistently demonstrated leadership and commitment in tackling this global threat. We are delighted to see the new amenity kits from Emirates now onboard and hope that passengers find them informative and inspiring.”

Emirates is actively involved in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and exploitation and is a member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. Emirates has zero tolerance towards the illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products. Its freight arm, Emirates SkyCargo, has implemented a complete ban on hunting trophies of elephants, rhinoceros, lions and tigers. In June 2023, Emirates reinforced its commitment to environmentally responsible practices by achieving IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications.

The new Emirates wildlife amenity kit pouches are reusable and made from washable kraft paper with bespoke art of the animals printed in non-toxic soy-based ink. The contents include a selection of durable travel essentials made from materials that reduce the use of virgin plastic. The toothbrush is made from a combination of wheat straw and plastic, and the socks and eyeshades are made from recycled plastic, in this case, rPET (recycled polyethene terephthalate). Emirates is also phasing earplugs back into the amenity kits at the end of the year – due to popular requests from customers.

About United for Wildlife 

Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2014, United for Wildlife aims to make it impossible for traffickers to transport, finance or profit from illegal wildlife products. By working collaboratively with the transport and finance sectors, building key partnerships with law enforcement and NGOs, and sharing information and best practices across the sectors and across borders, United for Wildlife is disrupting this criminal network globally. www.unitedforwildlife.org

Float Out for Ritz-Carlton Yacht

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 October 2023: The latest ultra-luxury superyacht has dipped its hull in the water for the first time at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, moving one step closer to its sailing debut in 2024

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection celebrated the Float Out of the much-anticipated second yacht, Ilma. The traditional maritime celebration brought together senior shipping, tourism and hospitality leaders and shipbuilders in anticipation of the yacht Ilma touching water for the first time, signifying the commencement of its next construction phase in preparation for its maiden voyage in 2024.

As part of the Float Out, the yacht’s dry dock was filled with water overnight, then moved to an outfitting dock where it will remain for the rest of its build, leading to sea trials in April 2024 and the start of its first season. Now afloat, final-stage construction will focus on completing interiors, fixtures, and fittings for suites, restaurants, and other public spaces that will welcome guests to experience a new journey of discovery at sea in less than a year.

Named Ilma, meaning “water” in Maltese, it will be the second newbuild superyacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. At 241 metres long, the luxury yacht will accommodate up to 448 passengers in 224 suites, all with private terraces. 

The onboard experience will reflect the unparalleled lifestyle and legendary service for which The Ritz-Carlton brand is recognised, including state-of-the-art technology, five distinct dining venues, and a Ritz-Carlton Spa. Ilma will join the company’s first yacht, Evrima, visiting the most coveted destinations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, with select ports of call in Central America and South America, depending on the season.

Reservations for Ilma and Evrima are currently open, and the superyachts are also available for private charter. 

Outsiders plug into OTA platforms

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 October 2023: More companies from outside of travel are entering the online travel agency (OTA) space, according to Phocuswright, a leading travel industry research and events authority.  

The research findings come ahead of the 2023 Phocuswright Conference, which will be themed around what recent powerful technological advances could mean for the industry’s future – and how travel businesses must adapt to remain relevant.

Although outside players are plugging into online travel companies’ platforms, it is mainly the OTAs that will reap the rewards of this trend, according to Phocuswright:

“Historically, it was travel suppliers who partnered with the OTAs in a bid to supplement their core products,” said  Phocuswright senior analyst Lorraine Sileo. “However, non-travel brands, such as financial institutions, retailers and loyalty clubs, are now partnering with OTAs to sell travel.

“These companies want to get into the travel business – and technology is enabling them to do so. Over the past two years, several have launched travel booking platforms or announced ambitious plans to do so, even though the online travel agency market is already near saturation and uber-competitive. The goal for these companies is not to gain substantial revenue directly from travel but to keep their customers coming back, for example, by encouraging card usage and giving customers more ways to earn or redeem loyalty points. But, for the OTAs, these partnerships can be directly profitable.”

This trend is set to benefit the big brands in the OTA space, as many “outside” companies will simply be tapping into their various plug-and-play models without needing much experience or expertise in the travel sector. Here are three companies in the finance space that are now tapping into OTAs to drive loyalty and offer customers new experiences:

Citi: In March 2023, Citi officially launched Citi Travel with Booking.com, powered by Rocket Travel using Agoda’s technology. Citi ThankYou cardmembers can access inventory on the bank’s website or app and can pay for travel with their Citi credit card, ThankYou Points, or a combination of the two.

Personal finance – Capital One: Many financial institutions are also attracted to the prospect of engaging customers early in the travel process. Capital One entered the booking fray in September 2021 by using Hopper Cloud to power its booking platform for travel rewards customers.

JPMorgan Chase: The most ambitious financial institution as it relates to travel is JPMorgan Chase & Co., which plans to operate its own OTA platform in lieu of using a private-label offering. Chase already has co-branded credit card relationships with airlines, including Southwest, United, Aer Lingus and British Airways, and hotels such as IHG, Marriott, Hyatt and Disney. In its quest to build an end-to-end travel solution, the company made two important acquisitions: proprietary travel platform cxLoyalty in 2021 and mega leisure and corporate travel agency FROSCH in 2022.

“Considering the proliferation of plug-and-play platforms, white-label offerings and API integrations, it’s no wonder that becoming an OTA is hard to resist for finance companies,” added Sileo. “The advantages for banks, rewards programs, retailers and other membership organisations to offer additional value with little upfront cost are obvious. And we anticipate more offerings to launch in the coming months and years – particularly as AI advances and opens new possibilities.”

This year’s Phocuswright Conference, titled ‘You, Me & the Machine’, will be held from 13 to 16 November at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and will centre around the massive implications of artificial intelligence for every aspect of travel – including how generative AI is infiltrating the traveller trip, and the early results travel leaders are seeing between AI and the travel journey.

Firefly wings its way to Bangkok

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TTR WEEKLY
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PENANG, 13 October 2023: Firefly, the low-cost subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), is set to expand its flight network by introducing direct flights from Penang to Bangkok’s  Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) starting 3 November.

The airline has scheduled five weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday using a Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats in a single economy class configuration. 

“We are delighted to introduce direct flights from Penang to Bangkok, which will mark Firefly’s second point into Thailand following the launch of direct flights to Phuket last year,” commented Firefly chief executive officer Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi. “With this addition, we are solidifying Firefly’s foothold in the region, demonstrating our commitment to expand our jet operations across ASEAN to cater to the increasing demands of leisure and business travellers alike.”

Flight FY3632 departs Penang at 1600 and arrives in Bangkok (DMK) at 1650 (local time). The return flight FY3633 departs DMK at 1800 and arrives in Penang at 2050.

To launch the Penang – Bangkok route, the airline offers a lead-in one-way fare of MYR159 or on the Bangkok – Penang sector USD51. Sales for the introductory fare are open until 22 October for travel from 3 November 2023 to 30 March 2024.

Firefly serves domestic destinations in  Malaysia and flies to Thailand (Phuket), Singapore and Indonesia (Banda Aceh, Medan).

AirAsia Cambodia recruits banking channel

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHNOM PENH, 13 October 2023: As AirAsia Cambodia prepares for take-off, the airline has signed a strategic partnership with digital banking institution Oriental Bank Plc to offer payment solutions for flight bookings tailored to the needs of Cambodian travellers.

AirAsia’s guests in Cambodia can book a flight and add-ons through the AirAsia Superapp – soon to be rebranded AirAsia MOVE, making payment through Oriental Bank’s payment gateway service, which covers a wide range of payment options.

Photo Caption: (Second from left) Oriental Bank Managing Director/CEO Datuk Phan Ying Tong and AirAsia Cambodia CEO Vissoth Nam announcing the Strategic Alliance Declaration between AirAsia Cambodia and Oriental Bank in Phnom Penh last week.  

By expanding the payment options available to local guests, AirAsia Cambodia and Oriental Bank aim to enhance the payment experience, making it easier, faster, and more secure for AirAsia’s guests to transact throughout their journey. The partnership will benefit millions of Cambodians with greater value payment choices and offer Oriental Bank’s users added convenience to book their flights easily.

AirAsia Cambodia CEO Vissoth Nam said: “As we are set to paint Cambodia’s sky red in the next few months, we are pleased to join forces with Oriental Bank, a pioneer in providing innovative digital banking solutions as one of our first financial service partners.

“As digital transformation reshapes the Cambodian consumer payments landscape, we believe this partnership will provide an exceptional user experience for local travellers while empowering them with choice and opportunity. We remain committed to supporting innovation to revolutionise the way Cambodians travel in the future.”

Recently, AirAsia Cambodia signed a Merchant Service Agreement with Oriental Bank as the main payment processing service provider for the airline in Cambodia.

AirAsia Cambodia is a Cambodian low-cost airline based at Phnom Penh International Airport. It’s a joint venture between the Malaysian AirAsia and Cambodian local enterprise Sivilai Asia. The airline was launched on 9 December 2022 and plans to start operations in December 2023 and possibly as early as November.

FIFA top shots to meet in Thailand

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 13 October 2023: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has declared Thailand the host country for the FIFA Congress 2024.

The event will be hosted in Bangkok on 17 May, making it the first time the FIFA Congress travels to an ASEAN member country.

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, confirmed this week that FIFA selected Thailand to host the 74th annual general meeting or FIFA Congress 2024. The one-day event will be held at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. 

The FIFA Congress meets annually, attracting VIPs and FIFA members from 211 football associations worldwide. Around 1,000 delegates worldwide will attend the 2024 congress when the Women’s World Cup 2027 host country will be selected.

Hosting the FIFA Congress 2024 will build confidence and enhance Thailand’s reputation as a suitable venue for global events and help ASEAN countries keen to join hands to make a bid to host the World Cup in the future. TCEB estimates the FIFA Congress will generate around THB38.31 million in direct tourism revenue. 

Riviera to explore Alaska in 2025

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TTR WEEKLY
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View of Water Street, Ketchikan, Alaska.

SINGAPORE, 12 October 2023: Oceania Cruises will deploy its 1,250-passenger ship Riviera to sail her first season in Alaska in the summer of 2025. 

Riviera will visit iconic Alaska ports such as Ketchikan, Sitka, Kodiak, and the Hubbard Glacier, with seven to 12 days of sailing itineraries. Sailings start from Whittier, Vancouver or Seattle. Close to 300 excursion choices in Alaska are on offer to passengers who can tap a shore excursion credit of up to USD1,600.

View of Water Street, Ketchikan, Alaska.

Designated as a small ship by cruise line standards, Riviera sails with a crew of 800 and can accommodate up to 1,250 guests.

Alaska itineraries 2025

Alaska Reflections: 8 days from Vancouver to Whittier cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) and Sitka. Departs 13 May, 2025.

Explorer’s Alaska: 8 days from Whittier to Vancouver cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert. Departs 21 May, 2025.

Wilds of Alaska: 12 days from Vancouver to Whittier cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Klawock, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Haines, Juneau, Sitka, Kodiak and Homer. Departs 29 May, 2025.

Alaskan Accolades: 7 days from Whittier to Vancouver cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan. Departs 10 June, 2025.

Majestic Alaska: 9 days from Vancouver to Seattle cruising Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords and visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Wrangell and Victoria. Departs 17 June, 2025.

Gems of The Last Frontier: 12 days from Seattle to Seattle cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Haines, Sitka, Wrangell, Klawock and Victoria. Departs 26 June and 17 July 2025.

Wonders of Alaska: 9 days from Seattle to Seattle cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria. Departs 8 July and 9 September 2025.

Radiant Alaska: 10 days from Seattle to Seattle cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Sitka and Victoria. Departs 29 July, 2025.

Frontier Adventures: 10 days from Seattle to Seattle cruising Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords and visiting Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines, Juneau, Wrangell and Victoria. Departs 8 August 2025.

Spirit of Alaska: 10 days from Seattle to Seattle cruising Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords and visiting Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Juneau, Skagway, Wrangell and Victoria. Departs 18 August 2025.

Alaskan Horizons: 12 days from Seattle to Seattle cruising Hubbard Glacier and visiting Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, Wrangell, Klawock and Victoria. Departs 28 August 2025.

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