Tourexpi
Holland America
Line is opening bookings for its 2026 Alaska cruise season. With six ships
in the region, the cruise line is filling each voyage with experiences designed
around vacationers' top reasons to visit Alaska: an abundance of
glacier viewings, a variety of wildlife sightings, captivating cultural
programming and destination-centric dining.
From
April through September 2026, Holland America Line will give guests the
option to sail roundtrip from Seattle, Washington; roundtrip
from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; or between Vancouver and Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska.
Itineraries range from seven to 28 days and include the popular monthlong
"Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice" sailing and a new 14-day option
roundtrip from Seattle.
"We
continue to build an Alaska program that is unlike any other in the
industry, that is deeply immersive, putting a spotlight on all the splendor
that brings cruisers to Alaska," said Dan Rough, vice president
of revenue management for Holland America Line. "Whether it's talking to a
park ranger while observing a glacier calve in Glacier Bay, joining a
whale-watching tour or enjoying the freshest local fish that was just brought
on board, we want our guests to return home from vacation feeling
inspired."
Alaska 2026
Season Highlights
Six
ships will explore Alaska: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam,
Westerdam and Zaandam.
For
the first time in more than five years, Westerdam will cruise to Alaska from Vancouver and
Noordam will sail roundtrip from Seattle. This deployment provides guests
with different ship options to repeat their favorite itineraries.
New
in 2026, the 14-day "Great Alaska Explorer" cruise will be offered
roundtrip from Seattle, in addition to Vancouver.
Noordam's Aug.
23 departure from Seattle and Westerdam's Sept. 13 cruise
roundtrip from Vancouver visit Alaska's Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Sitka and Valdez,
along with Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, and Glacier Bay scenic
cruising.
Nieuw
Amsterdam's May 3 cruise roundtrip from Vancouver calls
at Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Prince Rupert, Sitka, Wrangell and Valdez,
with Glacier Bay scenic cruising.
The
popular 28-day "Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice" cruise returns for a
third year. Departing June 7 in time for the Summer Solstice, the
voyage aboard Noordam sails roundtrip from Seattle to the Bering Sea
and into the Arctic Circle. The ship visits 11 Alaska ports plus Prince
Rupert and Vancouver. Guests will enjoy an overnight at Anchorage and
late-night departures from Juneau and Valdez.
Seven-day
"Alaska Inside Passage" cruises sail roundtrip from Vancouver on
Koningsdam, Zaandam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Ports include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Seven-day
"Alaskan Explorer" cruises sail roundtrip from Seattle aboard
Eurodam and Noordam, and include calls at Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada (evening visit); and Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka.
Eurodam also includes Alaska's Icy Strait Point and Glacier Bay;
Noordam explores Dawes Glacier.
Seven-day
"Northbound Glacier Discovery" and "Southbound Glacier
Discovery" itineraries cruise between Whittier (Anchorage)
and Vancouver aboard Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam. Ports
include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Guests
looking to combine Alaska with more of the wildlife and the rugged
nature of British Columbia can embark on the "Great Bear
Rainforest" cruise aboard Noordam, departing April 19, 2026.
Roundtrip from Seattle, highlights include an overnight at Prince
Rupert and scenic cruising in the Grenville Channel, Bella Bella and Johnstone
Strait, with a transit of the Seymour Narrows.
Holland America
Line's signature Cruisetours that combine a cruise with an overland tour
to Denali National Park and journey up to the Yukon will be
available for booking in the near future; 2025 Cruisetours are available for booking now.
Glaciers
Guaranteed on Every Alaska Cruise
Holland America
Line continues to offer more opportunities for glacier viewing than any
other cruise line. Every Alaska cruise includes a scenic visit
to Alaska's iconic glaciers where the ships sail up to the face of the
ice formations and rotate for a 360-degree view. Holland America Line is
confident that guests will have an unforgettable glacier experience and offers
a "Glacier Guarantee" program that pledges glacier
viewing on every Alaska cruise and the majority of Cruisetours.
Glaciers
visited along the journey may include Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Dawes Glacier,
Hubbard Glacier and Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm. During Glacier Bay
scenic cruising, Holland America Line continues to bring on a Glacier Bay
National Park Ranger for the day to engage with guests.
In
addition to scenic viewing from the ship, guests can get up close to the ice on
shore excursions featuring glaciers, including the 26 Glaciers Cruise from Whittier, Glacier Discovery Helicopter Tour in Skagway and
the Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip in Juneau.
More
Ways to See Alaska's Wildlife in the Wild
Holland America
Line provides more access to Alaska wildlife than any other
cruise line. Guests can choose from more than 175 animal sanctuaries,
sightseeing and land excursions to get up close to the region's most beloved
creatures, including options through our exclusive partnership with the Alaska
Wildlife Conservation Center.
Alaska ships
carry a wildlife expert on board to help guests witness the
majestic animals found in the region, and a Wildlife Spotting Guide points out
the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the
best places to see each species.
Serving
Fresh Fish in Alaska
Holland America
Line continues to build on its groundbreaking Global Fresh Fish Program that brings locally sourced
fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. In addition to the seafood
and other local delicacies served on the menus, ships in Alaska serve
exclusive dishes created by the brand's Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto.
Holland America
Line is the only cruise line with Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries
Management (RFM), so the seafood served on all Alaska ships is fresh
and certified sustainable.
'We
Love Alaska' Program Immerses Guests in Local Culture
Holland America
Line's "We Love Alaska" program deeply immerses guests in the
local culture with authentic onboard programming, cruise activities and
award-winning shore excursions. The exclusive experiences are delivered through
experts leading workshops and lectures from those who know Alaska best,
Alaska Up Close presentations exploring the stories of real Alaskans, tours
highlighting the best of each destination, and fine dining events showcasing
the culinary traditions of the region.
On
Deck for a Cause Supports Alaska's Parks
Holland America
Line donates proceeds from its "On Deck for a Cause" charitable
event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska's parks,
forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called "On Deck for a
Cause: Alaska's Parks," guests on all Alaska cruises
are invited to donate $25 to participate in a noncompetitive 5k fundraising
walk aboard every sailing. Funds raised through "On Deck for a
Cause: Alaska's Parks" go to support education, science and
research in Alaska's parks.
For
more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call
1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Find
Holland America Line on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social
media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.
Image
Credit: © Holland America Line
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