For Immediate Release:

Date: August 17, 2023

Contact: Janet Diaz
Email: [email protected]

Contact: Lyan Sierra-Caro 
Email: [email protected] 

Skagway, Alaska – August 16, 2023 — Royal Caribbean International is featuring local Alaska artists across its Alaska itineraries as part of a new "Locals Onboard” program presented by Voyij.com. The program illustrates the company’s SEA the Future commitment to energizing local communities by helping connect local business owners and artists with guests for immersive experiences that bring to life the beauty and culture of the state. 

Throughout the season, artists will join select sailings to provide small group experiences onboard that allow guests to meet and engage with Alaskans. Participating local artists lead travelers through unique programming including photography workshops, Alaska Native culture and dance, watercolor sessions, storytelling, and much more.

"We are excited to share the cultural wealth of our great state onboard these sailings,” said Olivia Klupar, CEO, Voyij.com. "This exclusive collaboration with Royal Caribbean Entertainment reflects the company’s commitment to providing guests with authentic and culturally rich experiences in the beautiful State of Alaska.”

Christine Kleinhenz, a local Juneau artist helps guests create Alaska-themed gift cards on board Ovation of the Seas using a block printing technique. 

The immersive activities showcase 16 talented artists and local business owners from six southeast Alaska communities (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Sitka, and Seward). In total, the program feature 52 unique Alaskan experiences, including:

• A Brief Introduction to Indigenous Southeast Alaska: guests discover the historical indigenous way of life in Ketchikan exploring tribal artifacts, cedar weaving, the art of totem carving, and traditional fishing methods.  
• Painting the Wild:  guests explore artwork and inspiration from the coastal fjords of Alaska's Glacier Bay
• Harvesting Wild Plants in the Northern Lynn Canal: guests are introduced to foraging local plants sustainably with an opportunity to create sugar scrubs using wild flora and glacial silt harvested in the Northern Lynn Canal. 

"We are immensely grateful to the Alaskans who have joined us in sharing their stories and art,” said Nick Weir, Senior Vice President of Entertainment, at Royal Caribbean International. "Our guests are eager to experience the local art and culture firsthand. Connecting them to artists who can share their talent and personal stories complements their onshore adventures and strengthens their connections with our ports of call.” 

Skagway-based artist Stephanie Ryan described the event as heartwarming. "I had three women who pulled their chairs right up to the front so they could see everything on my table while I was presenting so they could ask me questions and chat when there was an opportunity. It was very heartwarming, and they also felt comfortable enough to chat about their own experiences and artwork.” 

This exciting partnership seeks to enrich its guests’ travel experience by offering an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in Alaska's authentic culture and community. The collaboration indicates the cruise line and its parent company, Royal Caribbean Group’s, commitment to SEA the Future, which celebrates and spotlights local cultures in meaningful ways to energize and support the communities they visit. To learn more about how the company is promoting healthy oceans, inspiring future generations, and pioneering cutting-edge technology visit www.royalcaribbeangroup.com/SEAtheFuture.

About Voyij.com 

Voyij.com is an online marketplace on a mission to share the joy of Alaska by helping travelers buy products from local Alaskan businesses. The voyij.com website sells the largest selection of uniquely Alaskan gifts and keepsakes, from Alaska Native Art to fresh seafood and local jewelry, available for sale from 200+ small businesses and artists from all regions of the State. 

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International, owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous travelers. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall” for 20 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.