HAL claims the most Glacier Bay permits, the most glacier-viewing experiences and the most opportunities to see animals with nearly 180 shore excursions that offer a wildlife and wilderness encounter.
From April through October 2025, passengers can explore Alaska aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. Cruises sail round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver, BC, or in either direction between Vancouver and Whittier.
Glaciers galore
Every cruise includes viewing of one or more Alaskan glacier. Holland America claims more permits to visit Glacier Bay National Park than any cruise line, and the ships also visit several others such as College Fjord, Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm.
In addition to glacier viewing from the ship, passengers can get up close on a shore excursion. They can travel by catamaran ('Hubbard Glacier & Enchanting Disenchantment Bay' and 'Glacier Explorer to Sawyer Glacier,' both boarded directly from the vessel), or a helicopter ('Helicopter Glacier Trek' in Juneau, where participants land on a glacier, the 'Five Glaciers Seaplane' tour over a section of the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice Field and the 'Wilderness, Wildlife and Glacier Experience' in Anchorage).
Whales, bears, eagles
Nearly 180 tours offer wildlife, including whale watching in Juneau, 'Sea Otter Quest and Alaska Raptor Center and Fortress of the Bear' in Sitka and 'Wilderness Zodiac Quest' in Ketchikan to go in search of bears, eagles and seals. Some other examples are 'Spasski River Wildlife and Bear Search' in Icy Strait Point, 'Glacier Point Wilderness Safari,' showcasing whales, sea lions and seals, and 'Haines Eagle Preserve Float' and 'Wildlife Quest to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve,' both from Skagway.
Wildlife experts
A wildlife expert on board helps passengers on the lookout for humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, moose, sea otters, caribou, black and grizzly bears, Dall’s porpoise and more.
Holland America's Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., wildlife sightings are announced for viewing.
All cruises on Westerdam round-trip Seattle feature a presentation by the Alaska Raptor Center at Sitka. One of the center’s avian care specialists comes aboard with a raptor (eagle, hawk, owl or other) to share insights.
2025 cruise highlights
Following its popular debut in 2024, the 28-day 'Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice' cruise aboard Westerdam returns in 2025. Departing June 8 in time for the summer solstice, the voyage sails round-trip Seattle to the Bering Sea and into the Arctic Circle. Alaskan ports include Whittier (overnight), Dutch Harbor, Haines (Skagway), Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Nome, Seward, Sitka, Valdez and Wrangell, along with Canada's Prince Rupert. Scenic cruising includes Glacier Bay, Inside Passage, Tracy Arm, College Fjord, Little Diomede Island, Prince William Sound and Hubbard Glacier.
The 14-day 'Great Alaskan Explorer' itinerary offers an in-depth adventure with eight Alaska ports. Departures are round-trip Vancouver on Nieuw Amsterdam (May 4 and Noordam (Sept. 14).
Seven-day 'Northbound Glacier Discovery' and 'Southbound Glacier Discovery' cruises between Whittier and Vancouver are operated by Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam. Ports include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Seven-day 'Alaska Inside Passage' cruises sail round-trip Vancouver on Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Zaandam. Ports include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
And weeklong 'Alaskan Explorer' cruises sail round-trip Seattle aboard Eurodam and Westerdam, with calls at Victoria, BC (evening visit), and Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka. Eurodam also includes Icy Strait Point and Glacier Bay; Westerdam explores Dawes Glacier.
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