MS Queen Elizabeth makes her maiden visit to Anchorage and marks the start of cruise season

Updated: May 18, 2019 Published: May 18, 2019

The MS Queen Elizabeth is docked at the Port of Alaska on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The cruise ship, operated by Cunard, is the first of ten cruise ships that will dock at the port this season, according to port spokesman Jim Jager. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

The MS Queen Elizabeth made her maiden call to the Port of Alaska on Thursday, marking the beginning of the cruise ship season in Anchorage. The 965-foot long ship can accommodate over 2,000 passengers, according to promotional material from Cunard, the ship’s operator.

An employee cleans the ballroom aboard the MS Queen Elizabeth while it is docked at the Port of Alaska on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The cruise ship, operated by Cunard, is 965 feet long and can carry over 2,000 people. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz presented the ship’s captain, Inger Thorhauge, with a plaque commemorating the ship’s first port call in Anchorage.

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz presents a plaque to Captain Inger Thorhauge of the MS Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, May 16, 2019. It is a tradition for cruise ships to exchange plaques with cities the first time they make a call on that port. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

The ship, which sailed to Anchorage from Kodiak, will embark for Juneau tonight, eventually making its way to Vancouver, BC.

The MS Queen Elizabeth is docked at the Port of Alaska on Thursday. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

There are ten cruise ships scheduled to dock this season in Anchorage, according to port spokesman Jim Jager.

Cameron Peck, dressed as Seymour the Moose, greets passengers disembarking from the MS Queen Elizabeth cruise ship at the Port of Alaska on Thursday. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Loren Holmes

Loren Holmes is a staff photojournalist at the Anchorage Daily News. Contact him at loren@adn.com.