Holland America Line is preparing to celebrate 80 years of exploring Alaska with more than 100 cruises now available for booking as part of its 2027 anniversary season. The cruise line, known as the leader in bringing guests closer to Alaska’s wildlife, also announced newly enhanced Cruisetour experiences, designed to connect guests to the heart of the Great Land in even more meaningful ways by land and sea.
From April through September 2027, Holland America Line will deploy six ships to Alaska, offering a range of immersive itineraries that bring travelers up close to glaciers and iconic wildlife. Guests can choose to sail roundtrip from Seattle, Washington; roundtrip from Vancouver, British Columbia; or between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska, with voyages ranging from seven to 28 days — including a popular monthlong Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice and a new eight-day option roundtrip from Vancouver. With more than 175 shore excursions, including a new Reindeer Encounter at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Holland America Line features more wildlife and wilderness tours than any other cruise line.
“As we approach our 80th year exploring the Great Land, we’re proud to offer cruises and Cruisetours that deepen our legacy of expertise and enrich every guest’s experience,” said Dan Rough, vice president of revenue management for Holland America Line. “From tasting locally sourced seafood and engaging with park rangers at Glacier Bay, to watching bears roam under the guidance of wildlife experts — our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours are crafted to be unforgettable.”
In anticipation of its 80th anniversary, Holland America Line will introduce enhanced “Ultimate Alaska & Denali” Cruisetours in 2026. These tours provide travelers with an expanded way to explore Alaska by combining multi-day inland adventures with an unforgettable 7-day “Glacier Discovery” cruise. Each itinerary includes a two-night stay at the Holland America Denali Lodge and a visit to iconic destinations such as Alyeska, Seward, or Homer.
To enhance the experience, each “Ultimate” Cruisetour will feature a dedicated Tour Director who will provide insights and ensure a smooth journey for guests. Additionally, travelers will benefit from a new complimentary visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where they can meet moose, bison, bears, and other wildlife while learning about the care and preservation of these iconic species.
Holland America Line’s 2027 Alaska cruises and 2026 Cruisetours are open for booking now, offering unforgettable journeys into the Great Land. For those looking to pair their 2027 cruise with an inland exploration, 2027 Cruisetours will be available for booking later this fall.
Alaska 2027 Season Highlights
- Six ships will explore Alaska: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam.
- New in 2027, an 8-Day “Alaska Inside Passage” sailing takes guests roundtrip Vancouver through the storied Inside Passage before a visit to iconic Glacier Bay and calls to Skagway, Ketchikan, and British Columbia’s Prince Rupert. The itinerary also includes a late-night departure from Juneau, Alaska’s capital city.
- The popular 28-day “Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise returns for a third year. Departing June 6 in time for the Summer Solstice, the voyage aboard Noordam sails round-trip from Seattle to the Bering Sea and into the Arctic Circle to celebrate the Summer Solstice. The ship visits 11 Alaska ports, plus Prince Rupert and Vancouver. Guests will enjoy an overnight call at Anchorage and late-night departures from Juneau and Valdez, as well as scenic cruising through the historic Inside Passage and Great Bear Rainforest.
- Seven-day “Alaska Inside Passage” cruises depart round-trip from Vancouver on the Koningsdam and Zaandam. An available departure on September 12 will take place aboard the Westerdam, sailing from Vancouver to Seattle. This voyage visits ports such as Skagway, Ketchikan, and Juneau, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the history of the Gold Rush and further explore the wildlife, glaciers, and rich history of America’s largest state, Alaska.
- Seven-day “Alaska Explorer” cruises sail roundtrip from Seattle aboard Eurodam and Noordam, and include calls at Victoria, British Columbia (evening visit); and Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka. Eurodam also includes Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Glacier Bay; Noordam explores Dawes Glacier.
- The seven-day itineraries for the “Northbound Glacier Discovery” and “Southbound Glacier Discovery” cruises operate between Whittier (Anchorage) and Vancouver, aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam. The ports of call include Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Both itineraries feature stops at Glacier Bay. The northbound itinerary also includes a visit to College Fjord, while the southbound itinerary includes a stop at Hubbard Glacier.
- The 14-Day “Great Alaska Explorer” sails round-trip from Seattle aboard Noordam, calling at lesser-explored ports like Kodiak, Valdez, and Prince Rupert. It includes scenic cruising of Hubbard Glacier.
- Guests looking to combine Alaska with more of the wildlife and the rugged nature of British Columbia can embark on a 7-Day “Great Bear Rainforest” cruise aboard Noordam, sailing roundtrip Seattle, or choose between two sailings of an 18-Day “Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer” aboard Zaandam, sailing roundtrip Vancouver. The seven-day visits Ketchikan, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert (overnight), and Victoria, with scenic cruising through the Great Bear Rainforest, while the 18-day visits nine ports — including lesser-called-at Kodiak and an overnight in Anchorage — and consists of two days of scenic cruising in the Great Bear Rainforest and the Inside Passage.
Glaciers Guaranteed on Every Alaska Cruise
Holland America Line provides more glacier viewing opportunities than any other cruise line. Every Alaska cruise features a scenic visit to the area’s iconic glaciers, where the ships sail right up to the ice formations and rotate for a 360-degree view. Holland America Line is dedicated to ensuring guests have an unforgettable glacier experience, which is why they offer a “Glacier Guarantee” program. This program promises glacier viewing on every Alaska cruise and the majority of Cruisetours.
Some of the glaciers that may be visited during the journey include Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm. During the scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, Holland America Line brings on a Glacier Bay National Park Ranger for the day to engage with guests and enhance their experience.
In addition to enjoying scenic views from the ship, guests can get up close to the ice through various shore excursions featuring glaciers. Some popular options include the 26 Glaciers Cruise from Whittier, the Glacier Discovery Helicopter Tour in Skagway, and the Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip in Juneau.
More Ways to See Alaska’s Wildlife in the Wild
Beyond providing more than 175 tours to see Alaska’s wildlife and wilderness, Alaska ships also 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.
Have It All Early Booking Bonus
For a limited time, when guests book 2027 Alaska cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package, and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.
Find Holland America Line at hollandamerica.com for more details.
Featured Photo: Holland America
