With more than 140 years of sailing experience under its belt, Holland America knows travel. Its commitment to service, safety, and sustainability, as well as its wide-reaching destinations and varied itineraries around the globe have made Holland America a favorite among cruise travelers. On a cruise to Alaska, you'll not only see the spectacular beauty of America's 49th state, you'll do so in the utmost comfort, learning, playing, and relaxing along the way.
In 2017, Holland America celebrated 70 years in Alaska - that's longer than the area has even been a state! It goes without saying that Holland knows the region well, and will take you to all the best cities, towns, parks, and glaciers the beautiful state has to offer, whether on a traditional cruise or a Land + Sea cruisetour. Go river-rafting, explore Denali Square - a retreat within Holland's 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort - and then return to the ship and enjoy a beer from Alaskan Brewing Co. as you sail to the next destination. With stellar dining, endless entertainment options, and luxurious staterooms, you're sure to love a cruise to Alaska with Holland America.
More than half the ships in Holland America's 14-ship fleet sail to Alaska, including the ms Nieuw Amsterdam, built in 2010, the ms Eurodam, and the ms Noordam. These ships have nearly a 2:1 staff-to-guest ratio, and carry between 1,400 and 2,100 passengers. Holland America's ships boast fully-equipped fitness centers, a Greenhouse Spa & Salon, thermal and outdoor pools, basketball and volleyball courts, Digital Workshops, a new cooking space called America's Test Kitchen, numerous dining venues, a casino, bars, a theater and more.
On a Holland America cruise to Alaska, you can expect the highest level of luxury in your stateroom, with thoughtful amenities like personalized stationary, luxe bath products, and complimentary 24-hour room service. Across the fleet, all suites have recently been updated to include new premium duvets and soft, cotton robes and slippers; binoculars for use during your travels; a teak-lined private verandah; fresh flowers; and one-touch telephone concierge service. Holland America staterooms are 25 percent larger than on other ships in its category, meaning regardless of which room you choose, you can be assured it will be spacious and comfortable. All guests are treated to ice service, shoeshine service, and nightly turndown service, as well as complimentary fresh fruit in your stateroom upon request.
Along with regular Alaskan cruises, Holland America offers Alaska Land + Sea Journeys in Denali and the Yukon. Cruisetours offer an extended stay in port, and include accommodations other than the ship. On the "Untamed Denali" journey, guests travel to Denali National Park in a glass-domed rail car called the McKinley Explorer, and stay at the magnificent McKinley Chalet Resort. Choose from a one, two, or three-day stay in Denali, where you can see wolves, moose, and grizzly bears in their natural state and glimpse Mt. Denali, the continent's highest peak.
Another popular cruisetour is the Yukon and Denali "Green and Gold" tour, in which guests get to discover what life was like during the Klondike Gold Rush and view some of the pristine green forests of Denali National Park.
More traditional Alaskan cruises offer many opportunities for land exploration, too. With Holland shore excursions, you can encounter wildlife up close, learn more about the Native Alaskan culture, and view beautiful glaciers from land, sea, or sky. Some of the shore excursions Holland America Cruises offers in Alaska include:
While dining venues vary by ship, you can expect plenty of options onboard a Holland America Cruise. Guests can choose from a traditional pre-set seating on one level of the main dining room, or come at any time between 5:15 and 9:00 p.m. on the other level. During the day (or whenever you're in the mood for something different), dine at a specialty restaurant or grab a light bite around the ship, such as a finger sandwich at afternoon tea or a scoop from the ice cream bar.
The Pinnacle Grill is a must on cruises to Alaska, as it is inspired by the Pacific Northwest, and serves fresh dishes like king salmon, responsibly raised beef, and a selection of boutique wines from the area. If you're feeling French, try Sel de Mer, an intimate brasserie specializing in French seafood like oysters, whole fish, and bouillabaisse. The Lido Market offers a casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with many themed stations as well as sushi, sandwiches and a salad bar.
Of course, in-room dining is always available should you like a romantic breakfast in bed or an early dinner before an evening expedition. Holland America is also happy to accommodate special dietary needs for vegetarian, diabetic or gluten-free diets with advance notice. Kosher meals and health-conscious dining options are available as well.
Holland America's Signature Beverage Package can be purchased onboard, allowing you a convenient way to pay one price for unlimited beverages throughout your cruise. This includes wine, beer, spirits and cocktails (including non-alcoholic) from lounges, bars, and restaurants; after dinner coffee and espresso drinks; and refreshing sodas and beverages by the pool. Prices vary based on the length of the cruise. Guests can also purchase drinks individually, through a multi-day wine package, or with a beverage card for either alcoholic, non-alcoholic, or soda fountain beverages.
Fill your days on a Holland America Cruise with an array of entertainment, enrichment activities, and nightlife. Holland has teamed up with America's Test Kitchen to offer onboard cooking shows and hands-on workshops where you can learn cooking techniques and delicious recipes to make back on land. There is also the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, where you can kick back and relax while getting a massage, manicure or pedicure, facial, or other wellness treatment.
Holland has plenty of activities designed to stretch your brain, like Digital Workshop classes sponsored by Windows, and BBC Earth Natural History activities including concerts, films and shows. You can easily stay active in the fitness center, which is stocked with cardio and weight machines, or outside on the basketball or volleyball courts. For art lovers, there is a gallery walk hosting collections of art and antiques.
Other cruise ships staples like a casino, library, and theater are available onboard too. Enjoy classical music at Lincoln Center Stage, jazz at the B.B. King Blues Club, or live pop music and trivia at Billboard Onboard. The ships have several bars & lounges throughout too; sip a cocktail in the Gallery Bar, drink wine before a stunning view in the Crow's Nest, or get your groove on in the Northern Lights Nightclub.
Holland America Line has plenty of programs designed to help kids feel welcome and stay entertained aboard a Holland cruise to Alaska. Activities are planned for guests age three to 17, and kids even have their own spaces to play and meet friends while sailing. Club HAL programs are split up by age group, and are supervised by a full-time staff with degrees in education, childhood development, recreation, or other related fields.
Programs include:
Babysitting services are available on sea days for kids over the age of three. An after-hours program is also available between 10 p.m. to 12 p.m., with activities and care provided to kids ages 3-12 for $5 per child, per hour.
Dining is a breeze onboard a Holland America cruise, thanks to restaurants that serve kid-friendly staples like sandwiches, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza. Baby food, high chairs and booster seats can be requested prior to boarding through your Cruise Specialist.
If you've sailed with Holland America before, you are automatically welcomed into the Mariner Society. This means you are permanently granted preferential pricing and extra privileges on many future cruises. Mariner Society members are sent special offers on upcoming trips and information about new ships and product enhancements before they are publicly released, and are treated to a welcome onboard Mariner lunch. As you accumulate more days at sea with Holland, rewards increase to include benefits like priority disembarkation and check-in, discounts on spa treatments, and complimentary dinners in the Pinnacle Grill.
If you are a Mariner Society member, let your Cruise Specialist know at the time of booking so he or she can check for any discounts or upgrades available.
Holland America seeks to provide a quality cruise experience for all guests. Safe, easy and accessible accommodations can be expected on every ship, and additional modifications are always being made to ensure the best trip for every guest. All public rooms and elevators onboard Holland America ships are wheelchair accessible, as are designated public restrooms. Specially designated wheelchair-accessible staterooms are available, and are equipped with roll-in showers with hand-held shower nozzles, shower seats, and heavy-duty handrails. These rooms also have wider doors to accommodate most wheelchairs and scooters. Let your Cruise Specialist know as soon as possible if you would like to stay in an accessible stateroom or if you have any questions regarding accessibility onboard a Holland America ship.