Holland America Line is kicking off its 2026 Alaska season on 25 April with the arrival of Eurodam in Seattle, launching more than 100 voyages across six ships and three homeports. Sailing from Seattle, Vancouver and between Vancouver and Whittier, guests can choose from weeklong getaways up to a 28‑day Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice, all built around deeper connections with Alaska’s glaciers, wildlife, culture and cuisine.
Across the season, Holland America is rolling out 25 new shore excursions, fresh enrichment programming, enhanced wildlife viewing and destination‑inspired dining, positioning itself as a leading choice for travellers seeking immersive Alaska cruises in 2026.
For itineraries and offers, visit https://www.hollandamerica.com.
More than 100 Alaska voyages across six ships
From April through September 2026, six Holland America ships — Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam — will operate over 100 Alaska cruises. Options include:
- 7‑day Alaska Explorer roundtrip from Seattle aboard Eurodam and Noordam
- 7‑day Alaska Inside Passage roundtrip from Vancouver on Koningsdam and Zaandam
- Longer journeys such as the 28‑day Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice and an 18‑day Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer roundtrip Vancouver voyage, departing 16 September 2026 on Zaandam
This broad deployment gives guests flexible durations, embarkation ports and route combinations, from classic Inside Passage sailings to more adventurous Arctic‑circle and Great Bear Rainforest itineraries.
Over two dozen new shore excursions
For 2026, Holland America is introducing 25 new shore excursions across its Alaska itineraries, designed to bring guests closer to glaciers, forests, wildlife and local life. Notable additions include:
- Adventure to Norris Glacier: Floatplane, Paddle and Hike (Juneau) – Combines seaplane flightseeing with paddling and hiking near glacial ice.
- Exclusive Eland & Friends Moose Discovery (Anchorage) – A visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, meeting Eland the Moose and learning about conservation efforts in a glacier‑framed valley.
- Remote Coastal Rainforest Hike, Gourmet Seafood Picnic & Brewery (Kodiak) – Trails, craft beer and a seafood picnic in a rugged coastal setting.
- Authentic Alaska: Tongass Rainforest Hike (Sitka) – Guided exploration of the Tongass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rainforest.
Altogether, Holland America now offers nearly 180 wildlife and wilderness excursions in Alaska, giving guests more ways than ever to tailor their time ashore.
Glacier Day and Holland America’s Glacier Guarantee
Positioning itself as the line with more glacier experiences than any other, Holland America has expanded its Glacier Day programming — a dedicated day on each cruise that highlights the region’s ice giants.
On Glacier Day, guests can enjoy:
- Announced glacier‑sighting times and scenic commentary
- Presentations and viewing stations focused on glacier formation, history and climate
- Dutch pea soup on deck, Glacial Ice cocktails, and photo opportunities
- Talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters on applicable itineraries
- An open bow for panoramic viewing when conditions permit
Every Alaska cruise includes at least one iconic glacier destination such as Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier or Endicott Arm. Holland America also offers a Glacier Guarantee™: if a scheduled Alaska cruise does not visit a glacier, guests receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% of their cruise fare.
New for 2026, the Teen Ranger program is being expanded fleetwide in Alaska, offering age‑appropriate Glacier Day experiences for guests aged 13–17; the popular Junior Ranger program for ages 3–12 continues across all Alaska ships.
Wildlife viewing and Alaska Up Close enrichment
Holland America reinforces its reputation for wildlife‑rich Alaska cruising with a combination of onboard experts, spotting tools and extensive shore options.
Key elements include:
- A wildlife expert on every Alaska ship
- A Wildlife Spotting Guide and route map highlighting where to look for whales, bears, eagles, otters and more along the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska
- Nearly 180 wildlife and wilderness tours ashore, including bear‑watching, whale‑watching, birding and visits to conservation centres
Northbound guests can also opt to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre between Whittier and Anchorage, meeting Eland the Moose and other animals in a dramatic glacier valley setting.
Onboard, the Alaska Up Close programme offers talks and workshops such as:
- Pacific Giants, The Iditarod, Ancestral Memories, Breaking the Ice Ceiling, and other region‑focused presentations
- Watercolour and origami classes featuring Alaska wildlife and landscapes
- Live cooking shows showcasing Alaska ingredients, with featured dishes appearing on the Main Dining Room menu the same evening
Destination‑driven cuisine and fresh Alaska seafood
Holland America continues to build on its Global Fresh Fish Program, which delivers locally sourced fish from port to plate in under 48 hours. On Alaska sailings, guests can expect:
- Menus centred on fresh, certified sustainable, traceable wild Alaska seafood, including salmon, halibut and more
- Signature dishes by Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Masaharu Morimoto on select menus
- A Salmon Bake in Lido Market and an Alaska Brunch in the Dining Room once per cruise
Holland America is currently the only cruise line to hold Certified Seafood International (formerly Responsible Fisheries Management) certification for serving 100% fresh, certified sustainable, traceable wild Alaska seafood on all ships sailing the region.
On the beverage side, guests can enjoy:
- A new slate of Glacial Ice cocktails, crafted in collaboration with acclaimed bartender Sam Ross
- An expanded local beer list, including six Alaska and Pacific Northwest brews such as Alaskan Brewing’s Amber Ale, White Ale and Juneau Juice IPA, plus Denali Brewing’s Bachelor Brew Lager, Twister Creek IPA and Single Engine Red.
Denali and Yukon Cruisetours with lodge enhancements
For travellers wanting to go beyond the coastline, Holland America’s Alaska Cruisetours combine a cruise with overland journeys of nine to 17 days, including:
- One‑, two‑ or three‑day stays in Denali National Park
- Select itineraries extending into Canada’s Yukon, which Holland America is uniquely positioned to offer as the only line combining Yukon, Denali and an Alaska cruise in one trip
A US$70 million multi‑year investment is underway at Holland America’s Denali lodge, expanding capacity and upgrading the guest experience. Recent enhancements include:
- An improved riverside interpretive trail with scenic viewpoints
- Upgrades to Cottonwood and Canyon Lodge guest buildings
- A new Outpost Coffee + Provisions concept
- A remodelled Karstens Public House with expanded seating and menus developed under Culinary Ambassador Ethan Stowell, with more Alaskan flavours and local products
Key 2026 Cruisetour options include 9‑day Denali & Yukon and 10‑day Signature Denali itineraries operating May through September.
How to book Holland America’s 2026 Alaska cruises
Guests can explore all 2026 Alaska cruises and Cruisetours and secure their voyage via:
- Travel advisors
- Visiting https://www.hollandamerica.com and navigating to Alaska cruises and Cruisetours
With expanded tours, Glacier Day programming, wildlife‑rich itineraries and destination‑driven cuisine, Holland America’s 2026 Alaska season is designed to give guests front‑row access to the state’s glaciers, wildlife and culture.
Summary
- Holland America Line’s 2026 Alaska season features 100+ voyages on six ships, from 7‑day Inside Passage cruises to an 18‑day Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer and a 28‑day Legendary Arctic Circle Solstice.
- The line is debuting 25 new shore excursions, expanding Glacier Day and its Glacier Guarantee™, enhancing wildlife viewing, youth programmes and Alaska Up Close enrichment, and building on its Global Fresh Fish Program with certified sustainable wild Alaska seafood and new local craft beers.
- Denali and Yukon Cruisetours plus a US$70 million upgrade to the Denali lodge round out an Alaska programme designed to connect guests more deeply with the Great Land’s nature, culture and cuisine.
