Holland America Line prepares for 2026 Alaska season | News
Holland America Line is preparing for the start of the 2026 Alaska cruise season on April 25, with the arrival of Eurodam in Seattle.
The program includes more than 100 voyages across six ships – Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam – through September. The routes operate round-trip from Seattle, Washington; roundtrip from Vancouver, Canada; and between Vancouver and Whittier.
Options range from seven-day trips to a 28-day legendary Arctic Circle solstice cruise. Sample routes include:
* Seven-day Alaska Explorer return from Seattle aboard Eurodam and Noordam, with prices from £669pp.
* Seven-day Alaska Inside Passage return from Vancouver aboard Koningsdam and Zaandam, with prices from £749pp.
* Nine-day Denali & Yukon Cruise tour offered from May to August, with prices from £1,639 pp.
* 10-day Signature Denali Cruise tour offered from May to September, with prices from £1,809 pp.
* 18-day Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer tour from Vancouver, departing September 16, 2026, aboard Zaandam. Prices start from £2,629pp
Cruise tours, ranging from nine to seventeen days, include a one-, two-, or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruise Tours also include a trip to Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line is the only cruise line to offer overland travel to the Yukon in combination with an Alaska cruise and a Denali experience.
A $70 million, multi-year investment is underway that will expand capacity and guest experience at the Holland America Denali Lodge.
Holland America Line has also introduced 25 new shore excursions on its Alaska itineraries for 2026, including an “Adventure to the Norris Glacier: Floatplane, Paddle and Hike” in Juneau; ‘Exclusive Moose & Friends Moose Discovery’ in Anchorage; ‘Remote Coastal Rainforest Hike, Gourmet Seafood Picnic and Brewery’ in Kodiak; and “Authentic Alaska: Tongass Rainforest Hike” in Sitka.
In addition, new for 2026 is the introduction of the Teen Ranger program on all ships in Alaska. Previously only at Koningsdam, cruisers aged 13 to 17 will enjoy special age-appropriate experiences on Glacier Day. The Junior Ranger program, for guests ages 3 to 12, will remain on all Alaska ships.
Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president of Alaska Operations at Holland America Line, said, “As a leader in Alaska, we strive to provide experiences that are both enriching and unforgettable, bringing guests closer to the region in meaningful ways. From new shore excursions and enhanced programming to our industry-leading fresh seafood offerings, every detail of our 2026 season is designed to help guests connect more deeply with Alaska’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.”
Holland America Line offers more glacier experiences than any other cruise line. ‘Glacier Day’ takes place once per cruise, with times for glacier observations, commentary on the landscapes, presentations, informative viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch pea soup on deck, Glacial Ice cocktails, lectures by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, and an open bow for viewing.
Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, and Endicott Arm. In addition, Holland America Line offers guests a Glacier Guarantee, where if a glacier is not visited during a trip to Alaska, guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 15% of the cruise price. Shore excursions also offer the opportunity to visit additional glaciers, including Mendenhall and Portage.
Additionally, Holland America Line continues to enhance its Global Fresh Fish program in Alaska, delivering locally sourced seafood from port to table in less than 48 hours, along with premium cuisine from Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Masaharu Morimoto.
Alaskan-inspired drinks on board include exclusive cocktails from acclaimed bartender Sam Ross, such as Glacial Ice Cocktails, as well as local beers from Alaskan Brewing and Denali Brewing Co.
Elsewhere on board, Alaska Up Close Talks will take place, along with workshops inspired by the region’s nature and wildlife, and live cooking shows.
For more information about Holland America Line, contact a travel agent, visit hollandamerica.com or call 0344 338 8607.
