"Chris Cruises Presents Holland America’s 2026 Alaska Adventure"

Holland America Line has announced the opening of bookings for its Alaska cruise season in 2026. Featuring six ships in the region, the cruise line is curating each voyage to align with travelers’ top reasons for visiting Alaska, including impressive glacier views, diverse wildlife sightings, engaging cultural programs, and locally-inspired dining experiences.

From April to September 2026, guests will have the choice to embark on roundtrips from Seattle, Washington, or Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, or to sail between Vancouver and Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska. The itineraries will vary from seven to 28 days and feature popular offerings, such as the monthlong “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise and a new 14-day roundtrip option from Seattle.

“We aim to create an Alaska program that is unparalleled in the industry, offering deeply immersive experiences that showcase the breathtaking beauty that attracts cruisers to Alaska,” said Dan Rough, Holland America Line’s vice president of revenue management. “Our goal is for guests to return from their vacation feeling inspired, whether they’re talking with a park ranger while watching a glacier calve in Glacier Bay, on a whale-watching tour, or savoring the freshest local seafood.”

Key Features of the 2026 Alaska Season

Six ships will navigate Alaska: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zaandam.
After more than five years, Westerdam will return to Alaska cruising from Vancouver, and Noordam will offer roundtrips from Seattle. This provides guests with various ship options for their favorite itineraries.
New in 2026, the 14-day “Great Alaska Explorer” cruise will be available roundtrip from Seattle, as well as Vancouver.
- Noordam’s departure on August 23 from Seattle and Westerdam’s September 13 roundtrip from Vancouver will visit Alaska’s Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Sitka, and Valdez, along with Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, and scenic cruising in Glacier Bay.
- Nieuw Amsterdam’s May 3 cruise departing from Vancouver will call on Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Prince Rupert, Sitka, Wrangell, and Valdez, including scenic cruising in Glacier Bay.
The renowned 28-day “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise is set to return for its third year. Departing on June 7 to coincide with the Summer Solstice, this journey aboard Noordam will go roundtrip from Seattle to the Bering Sea and into the Arctic Circle, visiting 11 Alaska ports as well as Prince Rupert and Vancouver. The itinerary features an overnight in Anchorage and late-night departures from Juneau and Valdez.
Seven-day “Alaska Inside Passage” cruises will depart roundtrip from Vancouver on Koningsdam, Zaandam, and Nieuw Amsterdam, hitting ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway.
Seven-day “Alaskan Explorer” cruises will travel roundtrip from Seattle on Eurodam and Noordam, visiting Victoria, British Columbia (for an evening); Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka. Eurodam also includes Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Glacier Bay, while Noordam will explore Dawes Glacier.

Seven-day “Northbound Glacier Discovery” and “Southbound Glacier Discovery” itineraries will travel between Whittier (Anchorage) and Vancouver aboard Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam, choosing ports including Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway.
For those wanting to combine Alaska with British Columbia’s wildlife and stunning landscapes, the “Great Bear Rainforest” cruise aboard Noordam is set to depart on April 19, 2026. This roundtrip from Seattle highlights include an overnight at Prince Rupert and scenic cruising through Grenville Channel, Bella Bella, and Johnstone Strait, with a passage through Seymour Narrows.

Available for booking soon, Holland America Line’s signature Cruisetours combine a cruise with an overland adventure to Denali National Park and journeys into the Yukon. Currently, 2025 Cruisetours are open for booking now.

Guaranteed Glacier Viewing on All Cruises

Holland America Line offers more glacier viewing opportunities than any competing cruise line. Each Alaska cruise features a scenic tour to some of the state’s most renowned glaciers, where ships approach the ice formations for a 360-degree view. The line is confident that guests will have memorable glacier experiences, leading to its “Glacier Guarantee” program, which guarantees glacier viewing on every Alaska cruise and most Cruisetours.

Some glaciers guests might visit include Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, and Twin Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm. During the scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, the line will host a Glacier Bay National Park Ranger to engage with guests.

Beyond scenic views from the ship, guests can get close to the ice through shore excursions featuring glaciers, such as the 26 Glaciers Cruise from Whittier, Glacier Discovery Helicopter Tour in Skagway, and the Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip in Juneau.

Enhanced Opportunities for Wildlife Observation

Holland America Line provides unparalleled access to wildlife in Alaska. Guests can select from over 175 options for animal sanctuaries, sightseeing, and land excursions to encounter the region’s beloved animals, aided by an exclusive partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Each of the Alaska ships features a wildlife expert onboard to assist guests in spotting majestic local fauna, along with a Wildlife Spotting Guide highlighting native species along the cruise route, which includes a map showing the best locations for sightings.

Fresh Fish Served in Alaska

Holland America Line is expanding its innovative Global Fresh Fish Program by delivering locally sourced fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. Beyond the local seafood and culinary delights showcased in the menus, ships in Alaska feature unique dishes crafted by the brand’s Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto.

Holland America Line stands out as the only cruise line offering Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM), ensuring that all seafood served on its Alaska cruises is both fresh and responsibly sourced.

‘We Love Alaska’ Program Engages Guests with Local Culture

Holland America Line’s “We Love Alaska” initiative immerses guests in the local culture through authentic onboard experiences, cruise activities, and award-winning shore excursions. Delivered by knowledgeable experts, these exclusive experiences include workshops, lectures, and Alaska Up Close presentations that share the stories of real Alaskans, along with tours highlighting the best the region has to offer and fine dining events featuring local culinary traditions.

Supporting Alaska’s Parks Through ‘On Deck for a Cause’

Holland America Line contributes proceeds from its “On Deck for a Cause” charitable event to Alaska Geographic, which partners with the state’s parks, forests, refuges, and conservation lands. Entitled “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” this initiative invites guests on all Alaska cruises to donate $25 to join a noncompetitive 5k fundraising walk on board each sailing. The funds raised go directly to support education, science, and research within Alaska’s parks.