The season features more visits to Glacier Bay than any other line, the introduction of soft-adventure EXC In-Depth Alaska cruising and the continuation of the only cruise options that combine overland travel to the Yukon’s hidden gems. HAL leverages its relationships with the local communities to craft distinct and memorable Alaska and Yukon adventures.
'"We Are Alaska" perfectly sums up our expertise, knowledge and robust cruise and land tour offerings and reinforces that anyone who wants the best trip to The Great Land and the Yukon should make Holland America Line their first choice,' president Orlando Ashford said.
From May through September, cruisers can select from seven-, 14- and 21-day itineraries aboard Amsterdam, Eurodam, Maasdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam and Westerdam. New for the 2019 season, Oosterdam takes over the Sunday round-trip Seattle itineraries, adding more verandah staterooms to that route. Also new are three 21-day 'Ultimate Alaska & Pacific Northwest Adventurer EXC In-Depth' voyages round-trip from San Francisco aboard Maasdam.
Those ships using Vancouver as a gateway—Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Volendam—offer Land+Sea Journeys that combine a cruise with a stay at Denali National Park or a journey to Denali and the Yukon. With six different Yukon+Denali itineraries and nine Denali options, departure dates offer a choice to cruise first or take the land segment first.
Denali property enhancements
Holland America also has expanded the guest experience on its Alaska Land+Sea Journeys with the addition of new guest accommodations at its Denali operation that includes the McKinley Chalet Resort hotel and Denali Square. The new 99-guest property features standard rooms and 54 junior suites, all with balconies. Junior suites have balconies, larger living areas and extra amenities.
The new rooms are an extension of Holland America Line’s overland Alaska experience to Denali, which includes the McKinley Chalet Resort hotel and Denali Square, a gathering area to relax, shop, dine and see entertainment. The addition will be located just west of Denali Square, with views of Mount Healy and Denali National Park.
Additionally, Holland America’s hotel in Skagway has been remodeled with a new look, soft goods and public lounge updates.
New Explorations Central (EXC) programming
Throughout the voyages, EXC programming brings Alaska’s local customs, culinary creations and cultural experiences on board. For 2019, a specially designated EXC 'home base' will be complete aboard Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Oosterdam and Westerdam with interactive touchscreens, digital stories and a display of real-time data from the bridge.
All Alaska cruises feature BBC Earth’s 'Alaska in Concert' multimedia performance on the Main Stage, combining live music set against a backdrop of mesmerizing footage from the BBC Earth television series 'Wild Alaska.'
First-time cruisers flock to Inside Passage
According to Holland America, its Inside Passage itineraries attract more first-time cruisers than any other region.
Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam and Westerdam operate seven-day itineraries; Amsterdam offers the 14-day 'Great Alaskan Explorer' voyages. Travelers can cruise round-trip from Vancouver, BC, or Seattle, or sail one-way between Vancouver and Seward.
Every itinerary is highlighted by scenic cruising through Alaska’s Inside Passage. In Glacier Bay, all ships carry a Huna native as well as a park ranger who provide commentary, presentations and information.
New for 2019 are three 21-day 'Ultimate Alaska & Pacific Northwest Adventurer EXC In-Depth' voyages round-trip from San Francisco, departing May 7, May 28 and June 18. Maasdam visits 12 ports in Alaska and Canada, plus scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier and in College Fjord, Prince William Sound, Tracy Arm, Frederick Sound, the Inside Passage and Alberni Inlet. In addition to Alaska favorites like Ketchikan, Sitka, Homer, Haines and Juneau, the ship calls at less-visited ports including Valdez, Kodiak, Wrangell and BC's Port Alberni.
Four ships from Vancouver
Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Volendam and Westerdam offer seven-day Inside Passage cruises round-trip Vancouver. The itinerary includes Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, with scenic cruising through Alaska’s Inside Passage, Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay National Park.
Additionally, Noordam and Westerdam each sail one-way alternating north-south seven-day 'Glacier Discovery' cruises between Vancouver and Seward. Port are Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway/Haines, with Glacier Bay and Inside Passage scenic cruising.
Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier
Sailing round-trip Seattle, Eurodam and Oosterdam each feature seven-day 'Alaskan Explorer' cruises. All call at Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, as well as BC's Victoria, with scenic cruising through Alaska’s Inside Passage. Eurodam also visits Glacier Bay, while Oosterdam adds Hubbard Glacier.
Fourteen-day round-trip Seattle 'Great Alaskan Explorer' sailings on Amsterdam include Anchorage, Icy Strait Point, Homer, Kodiak, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau and Victoria, plus scenic cruising around Vancouver Island, Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm.
Land+Sea Journeys
The 15 Land+Sea Journey options range from nine to 18 days and are in two distinct series with cruise-first or land-first choices: Yukon+Denali Land+Sea Journeys and Denali Land+Sea Journeys.
Each combines a three-, four- or seven-night cruise with a one-, two- or three-night stay at Denali National Park. Participants visit such places as Whitehorse and Dawson City, Yukon; Fairbanks, Alaska, the gateway to the Arctic; and Alaska’s five-star Alyeska Resort.
Cruise fares start at $899; Land+Sea Journey fares start at $1,099; and the 21-day EXC In-Depth Voyages begin at $3,399. Taxes, fees and port expenses are extra. Several departure dates are eligible for the Explore4 promotion. For booking any stateroom category, travelers receive a Signature Beverage Package, dinner at the Pinnacle Grill for two, free or reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom, and 50% percent reduced deposits. Bookings must be made by Nov. 19, 2018.
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