Sarah Bretz, ContributorHolland America is highlighting its Alaska cruise season this year, which is slated to begin on Saturday, April 26th. Six HAL vessels will sail in Alaska in 2025, offering roundtrip voyages from Seattle and Vancouver. The line will also operate one-way sailings between Vancouver and Whittier.
“Alaska offers many memorable experiences, from getting close to glaciers and seeing animals in the wild to learning about the unique culture,” said Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president, Alaska Operations. “We are ready to explore this majestic region, and Alaska is ready for us. We’ve received a lot of questions about staffing in the parks, but we can confirm that from Glacier Bay to Mendenhall Glacier to Denali National Park and Preserve, our guests can expect to fully experience the wonders of Alaska.”
Through September, guests can embark on Holland America’s Alaska cruises aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zaandam. Throughout the season, ships will call in Seattle twice a week and Vancouver three times per week. Guests and crew spending at local businesses — along with ship fueling and provisioning — is expected to add around 150 million USD into the economies of Seattle and Vancouver.
Glacier Day
Holland America offers more glacier experiences than any other cruise line. “Glacier Day” occurs once per cruise on every cruise (weather permitting), putting a spotlight on the glaciers of the region. Glacier sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacial Ice cocktails, talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, and an open bow for viewing highlight Glacier Day.
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 the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm Fjord. Shore excursions also offer the opportunity to visit additional glaciers such as Mendenhall and Portage.
Fresh Local Fish
Holland America continues to build on its Global Fresh Fish Program that brings locally-sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. In addition to the seafood and other local delicacies served on the menus, ships in Alaska will serve three premium dishes created by Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto: Fresh Black Cod Yuzu, Lobster 2-Ways, and Fresh Halibut XO.
Passengers can learn cooking techniques and Alaska culinary history during live cooking shows, which are co-hosted by the cruise and travel director and executive chef. The cooking shows occur twice per seven-night cruise, and more often on longer sailings. Many of the featured dishes include fresh fish from the program, and are available in the main dining room on the night of the shows.
Alaska cruises also feature an Alaska Brunch, which is served in the main dining room once per sailing. The brunch menu was created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. Selections range from sweet to savory and include Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon & Potato Chowder, Wild Forest Mushroom and Tarragon Crepes, Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet, Crab and Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes, Biscuits with Gravy and Alaskan Reindeer Sausage, and Home Smoked Gulf of Alaska Cod Benny.
Beverage Menus
Acclaimed bartender Sam Ross has created a menu of exclusive cocktails for the 2025 season featured in bars across the Alaska-based fleet, including the new Sitka Spritz and Inside Hand. Additionally, local beers are on offer, with a custom Killer Whale Pale Ale by Pike Brewing along with the Kilt Lifter Ale. From Alaska Brewing, Holland America is serving Alaska Amber, Icy Bay IPA, and Juneau Juice Hazy IPA.
Wildlife Viewing
Alaska-based ships carry a wildlife expert on board to help guests witness the animals found in the region, while a Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and offers a map with the best places to see each species. Ashore, Holland America offers nearly 180 shore excursions to see animals of all kinds.
In addition to wildlife viewing opportunities, a portion of proceeds from Alaska Brunch cocktails and Eland the Moose plush toys are donated to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to support the center’s mission of preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, and quality animal care. Passengers on northbound voyages can visit the conservation center between Whittier and Anchorage, experiencing the setting surrounded by alpine glaciers and Alaska’s wildlife.
Alaska Cruisetours
Holland America’s cruisetours range from 9 to 18 days and include a one, two, or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select cruisetours also include a journey intno Canada’s Yukon.
HAL recently announced a $70 million multi-year investment that will expand guest capacity at Holland America Denali Lodge while elevating the guest experience. Complete in time for this season will be enhancements to the riverside interpretive trail with scenic viewpoints, improved on-site wayfinding, refined menu options, and improvements at the Cottonwood and Canyon Lodge guest room buildings.
2025 Alaska Cruise Highlights
- The 28-day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise aboard Westerdam departs June 8th in time for Summer Solstice, sailing to the Bering Sea and Arctic Circle.
- The 14-day Great Alaska Explorer itinerary offers an in-depth adventure with eight Alaska ports. Departures are roundtrip from Vancouver.
- Seven-day Northbound Glacier Discovery and Southbound Glacier Discovery itineraries cruise between Whittier (Anchorage) and Vancouver aboard Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam.
- Seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises sail roundtrip from Vancouver on Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zaandam.
- Seven-day Alaska Explorer cruises sail roundtrip from Seattle aboard Eurodam and Westerdam.
On Deck for a Cause
Holland America will continue to donate proceeds from its “On Deck for a Cause” charitable event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges, and conservation lands.
Guests on all Alaska cruises are invited to donate $25 to participate in a noncompetitive 5k fundraising walk aboard every sailing. Funds go towards supporting education, science, and research in Alaska’s parks.
Comments
Are you planning to take an Alaska cruise this year and if so, what line are you sailing with? If you’ve taken a cruise with Holland America, would you recommend the cruise line to others? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
