Holland America Line has revealed its updated itineraries for cruises across Alaska, including a new month-long Arctic Circle offering, the cruise specialist said in a press release Tuesday.
The company announced the new itineraries for the 2024 season on January 3, Alaska’s Statehood Day. On this day in 1959, the Last Frontier officially became the 49th state of the United States.
“With six ships serving Alaska and the only cruise line with owned land operations in Denali and the Yukon, no one does Alaska better than Holland America Line,” Beth Bodensteiner, chief communication officer, said.
The newest addition to the offering is a 28-night ”Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise aboard the Vista-class Westerdam. The journey starts from Seattle on June 9. It features 13 ports of call. The passengers will visit the Prince William Sound on the south coast of Alaska, the coastal route Inside Passage, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, and the fjord Tracy Arm, among others. The ship is scheduled to cross the Arctic Circle on June 20, the summer solstice, according to the release.
Holland America Line also offers a 14-day itinerary called ”Great Alaskan Explorer,” visiting eight local ports, including Anchorage, Homer, Juneau, Kodiak, Skagway, Valdez, Wrangell, and Ketchikan, as well as the Endicott Glacier.
The new offerings also feature a wide range of 7-night cruises between Whittier (Anchorage) and Canada’s Vancouver. Also, each Holland America Line itinerary includes a visit to one or more local glaciers, including Glacier Bay National Park, Dawes Glacier, College Fjord, and more.
Depending on the itinerary and sailing time, passengers will also pass by famous Alaskan ports, including Anchorage, Sitka, Wrangell, Skagway, and more.
This year’s season lasts from late April until the end of September, and cruises are now open for booking. The cruise specialist will have six out of 11 ships in total sailing in Alaska this year. Its Westerdam ship can accommodate 1,916 guests. The smaller, Rotterdam-class ship Zaandam, the Eurodam, and Nieuw Amsterdam vessels will also sail throughout Alaska in 2023, according to the release.
Holland America Line has been active in Alaska for more than 75 years, long before Alaska became a state, and longer than any of its competitors.
Its ”Alaska Up Close” program introduces guests to the local culture, offering a wide range of onboard programming and cruise activities, including workshops, tailor-made menus, locally-sourced food and specialties, lectures, meetings with Alaska naturalists, and more.
Unlike most of its competitors, Holland America Line also offers cruise tours to Yukon Peninsula and Denali National Park & Preserve. This option also includes a scenic train ride and sleepover at the McKinley Chalet Resort at the gate of Denali.
In addition, Holland America Line has teamed up with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute to promote locally-sourced and traceable seafood. As a result, on any Holland America Line cruise to the northwestern state, guests are offered more than 2,000 pounds of Alaskan salmon, 1,000 pounds of local cod, and 500 pounds of rockfish.
Holland America Line’s 2024 cruises are open for booking. However, its 2024 Cruisetours will be available for booking in February.
